The Betrayed, Gifted Series #2
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4
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This series is a good read and recommend the full series to anyone who is looking for series with biblical input.It can make you think of our own purpose and faith in this life.
May 27, 2009
I totally loved the first book in this series, The Begotten. It was fabulous. The second book in this series, The Betrayed was just as good. I recommend reading the series in order. There was a point in the middle of The Betrayed when I put this book down due to other commitments, but when I picked it up again I was pulled right back into that world.The brutality the "gifted" experienced was as powerful as the miraculous events. I couldn't believe how many times they were captured after trying to get free. And being pursued like that had to make them crazy. I found the parallel between the "dark" lord and Satan quite interesting. He would get furious when Daria quoted scripture during times of suffering, yet that was the one thing that sustained her. For me, another profound conclusion from this story was how God will sometimes allow others to suffer alongside us to provide encouragement.I loved the message about God's perfect timing and tuning into his voice. And the strategies that the evil Lord, Sorcerer Abramo, used to try to break them were so similar to the devil's. First he tries luring you in with your own lusts and weaknesses. If that doesn't break you he goes after your flesh (like with sickness) and if you still refuse to curse God in the midst of that pain he tries the ultimate tactic of hurting those you love. What a wicked enemy we have!Bergren did such a fabulous job of making me see how the enemy works through this parallel story. It makes me want to memorize more scriptures that I can use when I need encouragement and when I need to fight off the enemy's attacks. As far as the edgy factor goes? I'd rate this with 8 out of ten stars for edgy content. If you want to experience an adventure that will both thrill you and at the same time cut you to the very marrow of your bones, you will love this book.
March 2, 2008
Lady Daria and Father Piero continue to seek out the lost parts of the Pauline letter they are convinced will light their way. Surrounded by her faithful knights, the young child Tessa with her own gift of discernment, Daria continues to heal and the Gifted's powers and faith strengthen. The sorcerer feels their spiritual growth and plans well to slowly and methodically destroy Daria's friends by exposing their weaknesses and taking Daria for his own. Drawn in to a trap by a once faithful friend, Daria's small band of spiritual warriors and friends are wrongfully accused, sold in to slavery, tortured and slaughtered, and her own soul laid bare. God's prophecy for the Gifted suddenly seems beyond their grasp.Lisa Tawn Bergren does not let up in the sequel to The Begotten. In this intensely powerful novel the Gifted are tested beyond their own power to stand firm as the evil one plans a concerted attack to bring Daria to his side. The adventure is gripping and the heartache palpable yet newer members drawn to the Gifted provide comic relief in a world sliding into despair. When I read the last page of The Betrayed and closed the book, I was disappointed not to find myself on one of the islands of Venice, so rich and descriptive is Lisa's writing!Piero's plainness and humility, Gianni's strength and devotion, Vito's humour and Hasani's visions all play a part in this captivating story that leaves you gasping for breath, challenged in your faith and eagerly anticipating the final instalment, The Blessed. Trust me, you want to read these books, live the adventure and delight in their truth.
September 24, 2007
Once again I was enthralled by this book. The details are so rich and the characters are extremely well developed that I felt that I was pulled along into the story. At first it was a little difficult trying to remember who everyone was and what their gifts were. The action doesn't really pick up also until the middle of the book. But when it does, BAM! there's a whole lot of excitement going on. Daria has become one of my favorite female characters ever because of her faith and strength. Even when questioning God for the treatment she and others must suffer doesn't waiver her belief. Actually it was good timing that I read this book because my pastor was doing a series on exactly the questions Daria asked in the story. The villain in this book, Amidei, is deliciously evil and the way that he manipulates people to get to the Gifted is scary. The rest of the Gifted are extremely loyal to Daria and will do whatever it takes to save her. All of them get their faith tested in this book. It was also fun to discover a new member of the Gifted as well. Bergren is able to weave historical fact with her imaginative tale perfectly. It's a wonderful blend of fantasy, history and biblical knowledge. The story leaves you hanging so I am eagerly looking forward to the last book in the series. Highly recommended for fans of epic stories like LOTR or Narnia.
September 17, 2007
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