Is Charley crazy, delusional or dead?Follow her amazing, emotional journey and emerge into the battle with her nemesis – herself.This inspirational fantasy will take you into realms otherwise unknown, turning your world upside down while you’ll be wondering what is real and what is not. It’s an adventure, a mystery and an imaginative fairytale for adults.Gone was a story motivated by a true event. motivated by a true event.
Cover Design: Julie Elizabeth Powell
Source Photo: Angel Feather Wing by taeya18 (Free Digital Photos)
more
Where do we go when we are neither here, nor there? When is the afterlife not yet the afterlife and what happens in that place? Do we struggle there? Do we suffer for the deeds of our flesh or do we find unexpected healing and grace? Is it a place where love can finally come through to us without the barriers of this world?
Gone is a fictional work of fantasy that explores all these questions and more when a mother is transported to another plane of existence. There she finds reconnection and she is taken on a journey of discovery that will both expunge and renew.
This is one of those stories that leaves you sitting there after you’ve closed the book, your thoughts spiraling with possibilities. It is a delicate masterpiece of tragedy and restoration, and it should probably be read with a few tissues at hand because it not only stirs your imagination, but your emotions as well.
We’ve all been in the lead character’s place at one time or another. We’ve all lost someone and have had to learn to cope with the emptiness left after they’ve Gone. Gone reminds us, gently and beautifully, that they are not truly Gone and it’s a reminder that is well timed in this era of hopelessness and despair.
An uplifting and rewarding read
This is a fantasy tale with an Alice in Wonderland feel, but it’s not for children because there is some emotional heartbreak and trauma around death. Features that works very well are the rich tapestry of characters and the excellent writing that brings them to life. I found the story uplifting and very rewarding in the way it addresses the issue bereavement and passing on. The author’s vision of after-life is wonderfully described, and incredibly imaginative. I was still thinking about what might happen after death for a while after I finished the book. The story is written very well, but there are parts I had to re-read in order to fully understand. My initial reaction was to drop one star, but by the time I reach the end, I decided on five stars. Highly recommended.
Where do they go when they die? Wouldn’t I love to know that too? The mother in this heartwarming tale finds out when she slips into the after-world. This book is so well thought out and extremely well written. So many emotions flowed reading this book.
It’s heart gripping and will pull at those strings. This paranormal book was certainly different than any other I have read. I enjoyed it so much!
On a side note: Julie, you made me cry. My heart goes out to you and your family. I look forward to reading more of you books.
This book is certainly different. For me it felt like a cross between Pilgrim’s Progress and Alice in Wonderland. There are parts which are confusing, but that’s the point. Until the end you never really know what is going on. Is she dreaming? Is she insane? Is she dead? Or is what is happening to her real? This mystery element keeps you intrigued and makes you want to keep reading more.
I was hooked in the first chapter. I loved Charley’s quirky voice and thoughts.
When trying to sum up my review I found it easier to list words…
fantastical, magical, tragic, up-lifting, Mad-Hatter’ish, warming.
The under-lying message to be brave, forgive yourself and hold onto hope is something we probably all need encouragement with, and for that reason I really recommend this ‘Alice-like’ story.
That the story was inspired by the authors own tragedy is extremely touching and moving.
Gone is a unique fantasy story told from the perspective of a mother named Charley who is struggling with the loss of a child who is still alive but not truly alive. When Charley suffers a heart attack, she is taken on a magical journey into the afterlife that she wasn’t sure even existed where she is greeted by her daughter whose consciousness lies in that realm.
The author’s ability to paint a realistic picture in such a surreal setting is the most outstanding part of this book. Her vision of the world beyond this plain is both unique and stunning. Charley’s character is so well-written that I found myself in tears more than once throughout her emotional journey, which is always a good sign when I connect with a character. I highly recommend this book for any fantasy lover.
Wow. This book was quite a step away from my usual read, dealing as it does with the gritty and often painful subjects of grief, trauma and suffering. Yet the author creates such a captivating image of the afterlife and “what comes next” and weaves in such rich characters and scenarios that these subjects, although dealt with extremely effectively, are made easier to cope with somehow, which can’t be a bad thing, right?
Highly recommended!
Julie Elizabeth Powell takes a different perspective to the loss of a loved one. I found her approach imaginative and touching. It is an emotional ride from start to finish ,but well worth it.
Emotional Fantasy
This is a beautifully written novel that touches the reader heart. Although this book is about love, loss and grief, it is not depressing to read. The author did an exceptional job with this book, creating vivid reading experience. I enjoyed the author’s creativity and was fascinated by the way she imagined and described after life. I want to thank Julie Elizabeth Powell for sharing this story.
What an imagination! What an emotional journey. This is a beautiful and heartfelt story of a mother living with her guilt for so many years. The author does a beautiful job building every character. We are taken into this mysterious, imaginary world, which in my opinion, may be a world between life and death.
Here, the main character has to learn to accept the events of the past, understand her guilt, and learn to move forward. There’s much depth in this story because it is a powerful read and very thought provoking.
This is a very different read, but I loved it because it was unique. Kudos to the author for having the courage to write something so close to her heart. Recommend this story!
I really loved the premise for this book!
I really loved the premise for this book. There were many great spiritual references. This author has an engaging voice; the characters come across as well developed. Great character introspection with good, realistic dialogue and scene setting,
The things I didn’t care for but weren’t enough to stop me from reading: at times the introspection and character description goes on a bit long (overwriting), and there was some head hopping and passivity. All in all a good story.
Powerful Read
This story is filled with heart-felt emotion and it is beautifully written. Although fantasy, it was relatable on the subject of loss and grief and is believable.
The story is intriguing and it is generally a very thought-provoking book which was both an extremely good read and thoroughly enjoyable.
What an emotionally charged fantasy story filled with wonderful imaginations! I followed Charley through heartbreaking loss and her daughter slipping into a coma, sharing in her sorrow and hopelessness. But, through another tragic happening, Charley transcends to an otherworldly realm and embarks on a quest into a magical afterlife where she’s able to connect with her daughter again. Her journey to overcome so many emotional obstacles and find peace with herself is a touching allegory that speaks to the human soul and life beyond our physical bodies.
Wow! This one got me. Broke my heart, put it back together and broke it again. There is a lot of emotional charge in this novel and it isn’t for the reader that wants a shallow fantasy. The fantasy elements are strong and wildly creative. The messages throughout and clear and captivating. You are not meant to love each character but appreciate and have deep compassion for the emotional trauma and deep sorrow within the theme. I have never read another book quite like this one and although high fantasy is not my forte, this book deserves each of the 5 stars for its unique tale on a deeply emotional real-life tragedy of which the author endured. She tells her tale wrought with deep emotion only she can describe with many philosophical and psychological components.
Truly a creative and heart-filled tale like no other!!!
Grief and loss are hard things to bear. This book gives the reader a really different way of looking at things, a chance to change one’s perspective. While heartbreaking at times, the author has given a brilliant way of dealing with it all. though set in an alternate world, not only are the characters believable, their reactions to Charley bring the whole thing to life ( – er… after death- )
As always with this author the actual writing is excellent and the scene description meticulous while still leaving room for the reader’s imagination to add their own personal touches. Really enjoyed it and highly recommend!
This book will pull at your heartstrings and draw you into a fantasy world that you will wish was real. The book is based on the author’s excruciatingly painful real life experience of loosing her daughter in every other way but physical. That is what makes this story so touching. Yet this book has such a positive message and makes you wonder what happens ‘after death’? The author weaves her story beautifully and keeps you turning the page till the last page. The book is full of emotion yet has a very strong philosophical messages. Hard to put down book.
I finished this book and just hugged it to my chest. What a beautiful, magical real Julie brought to life. Her imagination as an author translates well to the pages. I just adored the main character Charlie, and I am struggling to express how much I truly travelled this journey with her. It was like I was taken along on this rollercoaster of a ride with her, through the authors imagination. And don’t even start me on the emotions that you explore with her as she walks through the afterlife. I felt her hurt, her elation, her fear, her hope. Such a great book!
Charley, the main character is the mother of Jenny who is living and declining in a vegetative state. She loves Jenny dearly but the pain of seeing her once healthy body decline causes her to avoid spending time with her, Finally the stress leads to a heart attack and Charley is whisked off to another dimension called Avalon. It’s a bit of an Alice in Wonderland experience with Charley as well as the reader. If you enjoy fantasy with layered depth, I think you will enjoy this book.
The thought of having a child, and that child being ripped away in every way but the physical sense, I could not fathom. I would like to send good thoughts and love to the Author and her family before I finish the review.
Note to readers *READ ABOUT AUTHOR*
This book is about Charley Wood, A stressed hard-working family woman who enters another dimension or maybe heaven. A heart attack pulls her into another place that reminds me of Alice-In-Wonderland type place. I don’t want to give too much away, but this was very powerful in so many ways.
I enjoyed this story. There were some places where I lost interest due to long explanations, but overall this was a good book. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy style books.
I highly recommend this book. “Gone” is a powerful and compelling story. I don’t often read fantasy novels, but because of the “life after death” aspect I found myself totally enthralled. This book is different from anything I’d ever read about the afterlife experience. It presents a view filled with interesting characters and difficult choices.
After doctors revive the daughter (Jenny) of the main character (Charley), the child is physically alive, but that is all. The story reveals Jenny’s spirit has gone to the “other side” and is waiting for her earthly form to join her before moving on. After Charley suffers a heart attack, she is given the opportunity of reuniting with her daughter. The description of mother meeting her daughter as a mature and whole female was filled with emotion.
Charley’s journey does not end there, however. She then has the chance to face the demons that have been haunting her regarding her own life. Forgiveness and redemption play strong but subtle roles in Charley’s journey.