Title: Gifted: A Donovan Circus Novel
Series: No
Author: Liz Long
Published: April 2012
Tour: No
Format: Ebook provided by author
Even in a world of freaks, being a Firestarter is considered a dangerous Gift.
Lucy was born with the ability to create and control fire. She longs to leave the human world for one filled with Earthshakers, Transporters, and Chameleons, to name a few. When she rejoins the circus, it’s everything she hoped it could be—new friends, a potential love interest or two, and a place where she can be herself.
When troupe members begin turning up dead, however, Lucy is suspected of foul play. She must not only prove her innocence but also realize the full extent of her power. To find the real murderer, she must uncover the truth behind her father’s fiery legacy while figuring out whom to trust within her new circle. Little does she know the history of the Donovan Circus and its enemies might actually destroy the entire gifted world.
I’ve only read a few circus themed books, and I am really digging the circus theme in general. Inside lies so much potential for an exciting and unique story. Gifted by Liz Long definitely hits the mark. Gifted is the story of Lucy, a firestarter. She is much more talented than her peers, having developed the ability as a toddler rather than a teen. She is able to do things they can’t even dream of doing, and that makes her a target. And now it seems, someone wants her to be the accused. People are dying in horrific ways, and all signs point to Lucy.
This story really grabbed me right from the beginning and held on tight the whole way through. It was so interesting to learn about all the differently gifted people working at the Donovan Circus, and how they interacted with each other. Lucy has just rejoined the circus after a death in the family has left her pretty much alone, so she returns to the only home she really knows.
Knowing there were going to be murders in this story, every new character I met was put under my microscope. Could they be the suspect? What is their motive? How would/did they do it? That was a lot of fun for me, because once I thought I had it figured out I would read something that would lead me in a different direction.
Just like any circus, things aren’t always what they seem. And some secrets go back very far. And I kept hoping that it wouldn’t be Lucy’s love interest, Keegan. Keegan is a firestarter too, and I just really liked him. So the whole way through I was rooting for him to be a good guy. Same with one of the other firestarters, Nikolas. I just really liked the both of them.
Honestly, I liked almost all of the characters. Brooklyn was another who made it to the top of my list, I’d love to read more about her. And lets not forget Sheffield, Delia, and Gabriel. All of them were just a real treat to learn about and get to know.
This book had a lot of dialogue driven chapters. There is definitely a lot of discussion. You learn a lot about the characters, the circus and its past, and what is going on now with the murders. After all was said and done, I couldn’t decide which gift I wanted more, and I was ready to run away to join the circus myself.
If you are looking for a unique story, I think this is the way to go. And the author, Liz Long, is letting me give away a copy of Gifted to one lucky commenter! Giveaway is for an ebook, international, and ends 11-29-12
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