I can hardly contain myself as I sit to write this review. (At the time of this writing) I
finished reading the series at Midnight last night and it’s still very fresh in my
mind. The Gifting, The Awakening, and The Gathering by KE Ganshert are the most
extraordinary contribution to YA literature that I’ve read. Better than The
Hunger Games. Better than the Selection series. So completely engaging, I read
all three books in five days. I admit my family was forced to scavenge on their
own for a couple meals.
The story takes place in a Dystopian world where science has
taken over and the whole country is convinced there is no such thing as a
spiritual realm and no one has a soul. Every one who shows signs of
acknowledging anything spiritual is convinced they are crazy and admitted to a
mental institution. What spins out on this stage, is a coming of age story
about a girl who just wants to be normal. On her way, she learns to embrace the
“not-normal-ness” of her life in order to fight for a world where normal,
beautiful moments can still happen.
There are so many creative details the author constructs, it
reminds me of the delightful discovery of JK Rowling’s magical details when I
read her books for the first time. The characters are so realistic, you’ll be
cheering for them every moment you are forced to put the book down. I loved the
character growth, the action packed tension on almost every page, and the
emotions are beyond roller coaster…try hurricane! Romance, heart-racing action,
teenage angst, fantasy, and some good old fashioned battles between good and
evil make for an extra special story full of plot twists you won’t see coming.
Ganshert knows the teenaged mind. The interactions are
priceless and spot on (I live with teenagers), with consistent characters who will capture your heart.
She also knows how to keep the reader turning pages. Even the second book kept
me hooked. One thing I love about this series is the fact that the cover is not
black with blood dripping from a silver dagger or crown (You know what I mean). The
books are clean, exciting, and NOT gory or depressing. While dealing with life
and death and the spirit realm, this story is positive and edifying. What a
welcome addition to the world of YA literature!
I hope you’ll give these books a try, even if YA is not your
normal cup of tea. And if you cannot bring yourself to do it, recommend them to
a teen in your life – she/he won’t be disappointed. You can snag them here, and if you want to learn more about the incredible KE Ganshert, check out her website here.
Do you read YA Lit? Why or why not?
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