J.C. Buchanan

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Title: The Gifting (Gifting, #1)

Author: K.E. Ganshert

Published By: CreateSpace (2015)

Synopsis: “If science is right, then I am crazy. And crazy is dangerous.”

In a world where nothing supernatural exists, Tess Eckhart is positive she’s going crazy. After her complete freakout at a high school party, her parents worry she might be right. So much that they pack their bags and move across the country, next to a nationally-renowned facility for the mentally ill.

Tess is determined to fit in at her new school, despite the whispers and stares. But when it comes to Luka Williams, a reluctantly popular boy in her class, she’s unused to a stare that intense. Then the headaches start, and the seemingly prophetic dreams that haunt her at night. As Tess tries harder to hide them, she becomes increasingly convinced that Luka knows something—that he might somehow be responsible.

But what if she’s wrong? What if Luka Williams is the only thing separating her from a madness too terrifying to fathom? (Taken from Goodreads)

Review:

I was very disappointed in the Gifting. The author has recently become one of my new favorites, and when I saw she had written a dystopian trilogy, I became very excited—for surely it would be another spectacular work of fiction and this time I would have three books to love!

This book, though, pales in comparison to the author’s other works. It doesn’t even compare. I felt the author was trying way too hard to break into the YA world, but what she didn’t realize is that it being the standards are already so preposterously low in YA, there really isn’t anything to “break into.” Anything goes in YA. The author toned down her writing a ton, and it irked me. There was so much potential here!

What I liked: I really liked the spiritual thematics and messages. A LOT. It might be that alone propelling me to keep reading the series. I think it is a message that is very applicable to today’s culture and one that needs to be told. On the flip side, it was confusing and hard to keep track of, presenting more confusion than clarity, though that very well may be tied up better in the next few books.

What I disliked: The rest of the book. Okay, maybe I’m being a little harsh. The plot was….a plot. Kinda predictable. A little stereotypical. A little repetitive. I did like how the author wrote the romance between Luka and Tess, though.

What I really disliked: (spoiler!) I really didn’t like how when they went to save her grandmother everything went just perfectly for them, and I hated the scene where they “have” to tie up the person who caught them. It was just so contradictory to their characters and to the attitude of the story as a whole. It made the author appear desperate, like she didn’t know what to do. I also disliked how after saying hi to the grandma they just leave and go home. I didn’t get it at all. It felt very anticlimatic.

I didn’t really get a lot of emotional depth at all from any of the characters. Yes, there were emotions, but nothing compared to the author’s other works. Tess has emotions, but I didn’t feel them the same way I felt emotions in the author’s other works. It was just so disappointing. I expected a lot more, and it doesn’t measure up at all. It was flat and repetitive and the more I think about it, the less I like it.

Also, can we talk about how the phrase Tess is told—“You are the Gifting” is grammatically incorrect?

Negative Content/Notes:

Romance doesn’t go beyond a kiss. Some violent content, as Tess sees huge monsters around and thinks they will attack her.

Overall: I love Katie Ganshert. This book was not all bad by any measure. It just did not live up to my expectations. I mean, by default of course I like the book because of the author. It just wasn’t what I expected at all and because of that I was very disappointed.

Rating: 4.0 / 5.0

Recommended to: Not recommended, unfortunately.

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Title: Shadow of the Storm (Out From Egypt, #2)

Author: Connilyn Cossette

Published By:

Synopsis: Having escaped Egypt with the other Hebrews during the Exodus, Shira is now living in freedom at the foot of Mt. Sinai, upon which rests the fiery glowing Cloud containing the shekinah glory of God. When the people disobey Yahweh and build a golden idol, the ensuing chaos gives Shira an unexpected opportunity to learn the arts of midwifery. Although her mother wishes for her to continue in the family weaving trade, Shira’s gifts shine brightest when she assists with deliveries. In defiance of her mother, Shira pursues her heart’s calling to become an apprentice midwife.

When a delivery goes horribly wrong, Shira finds herself bound to a man who betrayed her, the caretaker of three young children, and the target of a vengeful woman whose husband was killed by Shira’s people, the Levites. As contention between the Hebrew tribes and the foreigners fans the flames of another dangerous rebellion, Shira will come face-to-face with the heartbreak of her past that she has kept hidden for so long. How can she let go of all that has defined her to accept the love she’s denied herself and embrace who she truly is? (Taken from Goodreads)

Review:

I. Loved. This. Book.

Engaging and insightful, incredibly accurate, and gorgeous, I liked this book more than its predecessor. The last book was amazing as well, but by the end it had gotten dragged out a bit and I wasn’t sure how the sequel was going to go…but it went amazing. I was SO excited when I opened the first page to see “Shira” glimmering there. I loved getting a glimpse into my favorite character’s mind… Shira was such a beautiful and strong character, written very talentedly. I liked watching her interactions with her family as well as of course seeing her own love story unfold. The author is truly gifted in weaving together such a masterful story and placing it all with astounding accuracy right in the middle of a Bible story we thought we knew so well.

I liked seeing Dvorah’s character arc as well; I thought it was a skillful tie in and added a lot to the story. I loved seeing Kiya again, of course, as well as seeing her happily wed. There were so many trials and struggles explored in the pages of this novel, with clear messages and strong themes that will undoubtedly inspire and encourage.

Negative Content/Notes:

Some sexual implications, but nothing that waved a red flag.

Overall: Aaaah! I loved it.

Rating: 5.0 / 5.0

Recommended to: Ages 14+.

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Title: A Question of Courage (Questions of War, #2)

Author: Jesseca Wheaton

Published: 2017

Synopsis:

A man. A decision. A destiny.

Rafe Sullivan never imagined the war would come to his doorstep. But when Pearl Harbor is attacked and America’s focus suddenly shifts to the pacific, he finds he can’t ignore the problem anymore.
Leaving the life he loves behind, he joins up to do what he does best. Fly.
Yet, nothing could have prepared him for the horrors of war, and the struggle that is going on in his own heart. As an outstanding navy pilot, he is stationed on one of the few Pacific carriers. But could God be calling him to step out in faith, and go beyond the call of duty?

Lily Wilson gives her all to help the hurting community around her. With the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the war is brought home to many American families. And as a nurse, she longs to be able to relive some of the suffering. Yet, her own grief is still fresh in her heart, and though she’s made the decision to get on with her life, she can’t seem to leave the past behind. When healing at last comes, the guard she placed around her heart slowly begins to crumble.
But when she receives the news she hoped she would never again hear, can she trust that God’s plan is always right?

Arthur Warrington saw the Navy as an escape from the life he left behind. And it seems good for him. He is able to forge new friendships and distance himself from his past. But when his best friend makes a decision that rocks his world, he is left grappling with the question: what is true courage?

Three lives. One War. And a search for the Courage to go on. (Taken from Goodreads)

Review: 

Wow!!!!! I was so impressed!

Every book the author writes, she gets better, no doubt; but this book took not just one step forward, but several. I was blown away by not only the accuracy of the tale to the historical period but the author’s ability to show me so vividly what it felt like to be there. She so rawly communicated the emotions plaguing our dear characters, not shying away from harder scenes but handling everything with a beautiful delicacy.

Not every character was full and real, but I was okay with that, because the characters that were important were most definitely real, distinct, individual, and easy to love. I really liked Rafe and his determination to stand up to the ways of the world around him. Though at times I felt the messages told through such resistance—such as treating women right—were ladled on a bit too heavily, it wasn’t enough to discourage my fondness for the story and of course I did appreciate the messages.

The romance between Lily and Rafe was beautiful. At first Lily seemed too one-dimensional to me, with everything going on in her mind from losing Gil and trying to decide if she loved Rafe. And to be completely honest, that was the one area I actually didn’t really like as much in general. It wasn’t done lazily or anything, but I felt we just needed more time for some of that development to happen and we didn’t get it. However, by the end of the story I liked it a lot more, and the last few chapters had me rapidly turning pages, unable to put it down.

Negative Content/Notes:

No negative content, but some brief descriptions of war.

Overall:

Not sure what there’s left to say…I was impressed!

Rating: 4.0 / 5.0

Recommended to: Fans of historical fiction especially, but I think almost anyone could enjoy this story! Ages 12+.

 

**I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**