First time in paperback—the second novel in the Gifted trilogy, “an exhilarating religious historical thriller.”(Midwest Book Review) In this epic trilogy in the tradition of In the Name of the Rose and The Lord of the Rings, an illuminated letter—long buried by the Church and prophesying a fellowship of men and women possessing powerful spiritual gifts?is the catalyst for a profound war that … the catalyst for a profound war that will bring either a new age of enlightenment or a darkness the world has not seen. As the Gifted gather and gain strength, following God’s clues, their enemies grow more intent on controlling them. Now, their extraordinary mission continues…
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Their path is about to take a dangerous turn…
Well, I’m not sure where to begin with this one. For one thing, Betrayed was one of the longest books that I’ve read this year, clocking in at a little over 400 pages. And this second The Gifted book is dark, really dark. I think Lisa T. Begren was channeling a little Tolkein with this one in that the middle book just seems to spiral down into darkness and towards hopelessness. But yet it’s not, there has never been more hope for The Gifted than when they are Betrayed from without and within. Trust me, Lisa T. Bergren takes her 15th century mismatched group of characters, not to mention readers, to the brink of despair. But….
That but is an important word, it really is. The story may seem dark and full of doom and despair but it also has one of the strongest messages of clinging to hope and faith that I’ve ever read in a fiction book. There were times I had to set the book aside for awhile to simply digest the powerful truths of God still being there even in our most terrifying and painful times. We may falter but He never leaves us. I also strongly applaud any fiction author who takes on spiritual warfare and through storytelling gives readers some basic tools for their own battles.
Lisa T. Bergren packed a lot into the 400 pages of Betrayed. Some of it I’m still pondering. The historical aspects of the story were done very well and I could easily visualize 15th century Italy. The only thing that jarred me out of it a little bit was the overuse of the word ‘mayhap’. I was also very impressed yet again with how the author included so much of the people’s very real beliefs of that time to shine through without coloring them with modern rationalism. People were closer to the spiritual realm back then and I appreciated how that was accurately portrayed.
You definitely need to read The Gifted series in order and now that I’ve finished the first two books I’m a bit anxious to find out how it all finally turns out in book three. Will they all survive? Will a certain villain be truly vanquished? What about Gianni and Daria? But, I have to wait to find that all out, hopefully not too long…
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
This was an interesting book. I don’t normally read religious thrillers but this one keep me on the edge of my seat. It made me wonder if someone would catch the gifted or would they be able to continue their work of serving God. I thought the author did a great job of bring the characters and setting to life and making us be invested in the outcome. I would recommend that you read the first book before you read this one or else you won’t really be able to follow the story very well. Overall, a very good book and series and I look forward to the third one.
“We are on a holy mission. Let us not fail our Lord by giving in to fear.”
And, indeed, the holy mission continues in this second book of the trilogy with more action, more suspense, more of the supernatural being revealed as the war between light and dark reaches a new height. This series must be read in order since each book lays down the foundation for the next.
Lady Daria is still the focus but there are more of the Gifted’s voices heard in this book, as well as the voices of the villains’. The subplot of the Church’s leadership joining in the fray as the evil one hunts down the Gifted to absorb them or destroy them is quite fascinating and sets up the stage for the next book. I wasn’t sure which side the Cardinal will be on and still am not sure at the end of this book so it should make for some great reading for the third and final installment of the series.
Though the action and suspense were intense, there were some areas in the plot that became drawn out and dragged some. Daria and Gianni show unexpected weaknesses that their enemy uses against them and quite a few of their actions felt uncharacteristic, especially in the heat of spiritual warfare. Despite their weaknesses, God shows His omnipotent, omniscient power to remind them who they are and to Whom they belong. The evil portrayed here was vivid and chilling; it was a bit too dark, graphic, and prolonged for me but I understand the author’s need to paint in detail what the evil ones were capable of.
This sequel is a thought-provoking and spiritually-stirring follow-up to the first novel Begotten. It addresses our deepest fears and weaknesses and asks how we, as believers, will respond when all is stripped away and even His calling seems far and distant. It also emphasizes the beauty and strength in community, where we can be each other’s messengers of hope, faith, and perseverance. I received the book from the author and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.