The Begotten (The Gifted Series, Book 1)

An amazing read. Absolutely loved it.

A lot of times we like to play the what if question. This can lead to long drawn out debates on what could have happen if something had taken place. Sometimes we worry that things would have been radically different if things had changed. Other times times we speculate on the possibilities that could have taken place if only such and such had taken place. That is the premise of The Begotten. Paul had written many letters to churches. What if there had been another letter sent to a special group of people called The Gifted? Set during the time of the Inquisition, the secret of Paul's extra letter is trying to be kept hidden by the holy leaders. They are against females holding high authority and wish to keep any knowledge about it in secret. Years later however, individuals with secret powers find each other as they strive to help out those in need. They are Christians, strong in their faith, battling those who have turned to the dark side. This book was a wonderful engrossing read. I love books about medieval times with knights and lords and ladies. The whole story was fascinating when you imagine a group such as the Gifted existing in today's world or even the world back then. Daria was a very strong female character especially for that time period. She was highly respected by the people around her. The men are eager to protect her yet they do not see her as just a weak female or try to woo her. They are quick to defend her and risk their lives for not only her but anyone in their company. I felt this book in a genre like The Da Vinci Code, although far superior. Myth and legend are always interesting especially when you can incorporate scriptural truth with it. In my opinion, I felt the characters were like a middle ages version of X-Men or Heroes. Group of people with special powers that feel unwanted by the rest of the world. I highly recommend this book for those who are fans of this genre, and for anyone who enjoys a really good story. If you have a good imagination, this book definitely makes good use of it.

Reviewed by Rebecka Vigus for Reader Views (10/06) Compelling. Captivating. A must read! Lisa T. Bergren has sculpted a masterpiece. `The Begotten' is a sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat novel. It takes place in 1339 and takes you to the prejudices of the Church at that time. Daria d'Angelo is such a compassionate person that you feel as though you know her. She finds herself in a convent after the severing of her handfast (engagement) of two years. There she tends to the herb garden while tending to her battered heart. It is there that she meets Father Piero and learns of a part of a letter he carries. The letter tells of a group referred to as the `Gifted." a healer, a wise man, a discerner, one of great faith and at least two more who will join the party to spread the word of God's love. Daria finds herself called on at the convent to save the life of one of the sisters. As the group grows, so do Daria's mysterious healings. Daria questions her healing abilities when she cannot save the life of her dearest friend. Then another healer moves into the area. His healings are, however, not the work of God. He is a Sorcerer and seeks to capture Daria and her company. The book ends with Daria's company trying to escape the town of Siena. It takes courage and the help of the Lord to fashion an escape. Can they make it? Will they find what they are seeking? Ms. Bergren has written `The Begotten' as the first part of a trilogy. The reader can hardly wait for the next one. If ever I had a test of faith, I do not know if I could stand up to it the way her characters have. I do not know if my own faith is deep enough. It really makes you think about what you believe. I was so wrapped up in what was happening that I did not want this book to end. I hope the next book is scheduled for early in 2007 so that I will not have to wait long.

I don't know about you, but I've really had enough of Templar knights, Papal conspiracies, and secret documents that threaten the foundations of the church. So although I've been a fan of Lisa Tawn Bergren's work in the past, when I read a summary of The Begotten, I wasn't the least bit interested in reading any further. Then I received a sample chapter of the book through the Chapter-A-Week Yahoo group. And I was stunned. Captivated. Rendered speechless by the power of Bergren's prose. I went out and got the book immediately. Not because the plot interested me even then, but because the writing in that sample chapter was so breathtaking I couldn't resist. I read the entire story cover to cover in one night--staying up until 5:30 in the morning to do so--because the tale would not let me rest. This is a story of valiant people, with abilities they don't ask for or know how to manage, trying to be faithful to their beliefs and make a difference, during a perilous time in a dangerous world. If you think that sounds a lot like you and me, you're right. And this is just one key to this book's appeal. Another is its honest examination of God and His will. Healing, miracles, Divine interventions, are they real? Why do they occur for some and not for others? Bergren offers no platitudes or canned answers to these questions, but her exploration of them is fantastic. In addition, and I cannot say this enough, Begren's skill as a writer has SKYROCKETED since she took a break from writing in 2002. Her past books were interesting and flowed well, but this? This borders on brilliant. In movie form, The Begotten is a cross between The DaVinci Code, Luther, The Fantastic Four, and Lord of the Rings. In book form, it combines the historical detail and noble characters of a Linda Chaikin novel, the darkness and suspense of Comes a Horseman by Robert Liparulo, the spiritual warfare of Frank Peretti's This Present Darkness, and the miracles of the book of Acts. I should clarify that The Begotten is not a Dan Brown re-play, a knock-off version of The Last Templar, or a mimic of anything else you've ever read, including the books I just listed. This is a novel that defies all classification and transcends all genre boundaries, and does so with such flair I can only hope Bergren will repeat the process in her upcoming sequel. Well done, Ms. Bergren, and welcome back.

I always enjoy Bergren's well-crafted stories but she has risen to a new level of excellence with the Begotten. Well-researched, full of plot twists and beleivable characters, this page turner left me anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.

Satan thinks the time is ripe for his dominion on earth. Thus in 1339, he sends one of his most powerful followers the Sorcerer to reap havoc leading to global control. Dominican Father Piero realizes that the devil has begun what could be the first phase towards Armageddon. Though the Vatican would officially considers this heresy worth burning at the stake, the holy man searches for the rumored Gifted, named in a letter hidden for centuries allegedly written by Saint Paul, but never became part of the canon, in hope that they can prevent the Sorcerer and his minion from succeeding. He finds the Gifted Lady Daria D'Angelo when she saves the life of dying Church Knight Gianni de Capezzana who has brought many a sinner to their fiery death, but wonders how many of those he brought to godly justice were less saintly than he. In turn the Knight pleads his loyalty to Daria. Soon near Siena, Italy the latest war between heaven and hell on earth will begin. This is an exhilarating religious historical thriller that is a delightful fantasy rather than a Brownian clone. The story line is action-packed from the beginning as the forces of good and evil prepare for a confrontation that leaves the Vatican caught between a rock and a hard place since the Church hierarchy do not recognize the Gifted (or Saint Paul's letter) yet have no chance to stop the Sorcerer without them. Readers who appreciate a different spin will appreciate Lisa T. Bergren's superb religious medieval fantasy THE BEGOTTEN. Harriet Klausner