What do you think?
Rate this book
Hyllis Family #3
Healers
“Healers” is the third in a series of stories featuring the Hyllis family who tend to inherit “talents.” The stories are set after a plague induced apocalypse which resulted in the collapse of civilization and reduced mankind back to iron and horsepower.
Eva Hyllis and her ancestors became healers because they could feel the insides of their patients with their talents. This helps them diagnose the underlying causes of many illnesses. Having made a diagnosis, sometimes they can do something, but often they cannot. However, Eva’s children inherit telekinetic and teleportation talents. Telekinetic pressure can stop bleeding and teleportation can remove stones and atherosclerotic plaque.
As time goes on they find more and more medical conditions that their talents allow them to treat.
Then they enter a kingdom where practicing the art of healing is forbidden. When patients come to Eva in hopes of a cure, she finds herself unable to refuse them merely because the law demands that she should.
Treating patients brings her into conflict with a powerful king. Imprisoned and enslaved, is there any way she and her family can win her freedom?
Eva Hyllis and her ancestors became healers because they could feel the insides of their patients with their talents. This helps them diagnose the underlying causes of many illnesses. Having made a diagnosis, sometimes they can do something, but often they cannot. However, Eva’s children inherit telekinetic and teleportation talents. Telekinetic pressure can stop bleeding and teleportation can remove stones and atherosclerotic plaque.
As time goes on they find more and more medical conditions that their talents allow them to treat.
Then they enter a kingdom where practicing the art of healing is forbidden. When patients come to Eva in hopes of a cure, she finds herself unable to refuse them merely because the law demands that she should.
Treating patients brings her into conflict with a powerful king. Imprisoned and enslaved, is there any way she and her family can win her freedom?
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2015
383 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
Laurence E. Dahners
62 books669 followersI was born on the island of Cyprus where my dad was employed as a mining engineer. We moved to the Philippines (more mining) when I was three and then to Arizona when I was 9. I went to med school at the University of Arizona and did a residency in Orthopaedics at the University of Kansas. I taught Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill until I retired in 2017.
I've always loved science fiction and it's been great fun getting to write some. I also like music and have a little home recording studio. You can read more, listen to some music and look at some of my art, at http://laury.dahners.com/ if you like.
If you want to contact me, or be put on my email list to be notified when new books come out, just email me at ldahners@gmail.com
Laury Dahners
I've always loved science fiction and it's been great fun getting to write some. I also like music and have a little home recording studio. You can read more, listen to some music and look at some of my art, at http://laury.dahners.com/ if you like.
If you want to contact me, or be put on my email list to be notified when new books come out, just email me at ldahners@gmail.com
Laury Dahners
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
August 23, 2019
Rating 4.0 stars.
I wrote a pretty long review but it didn't save for some reason and now I am too frustrated to write another one. Overall a good series.
I wrote a pretty long review but it didn't save for some reason and now I am too frustrated to write another one. Overall a good series.
December 2, 2018
The book started quite well, however just over a quarter of the way through it became clear where this story was going. By the time the inevitable finally arrived I had become slightly annoyed the main characters were doing nothing to mitigate the probable outcome. However, it was still an exciting conclusion to the book.
March 20, 2019
Very good.
The author has continued to grow the characters and develop them into unique characters. The world building is good and the use of the characters powers are well done. Overall it was fun to read.
The author has continued to grow the characters and develop them into unique characters. The world building is good and the use of the characters powers are well done. Overall it was fun to read.
May 29, 2016
A good read
This book lived up to the first two. Very enjoyable and I look forward to the next one. I recommend the whole series.
This book lived up to the first two. Very enjoyable and I look forward to the next one. I recommend the whole series.
April 1, 2022
Psychic Healing
This is the third book in a continuing series. In order to understand this book you need to read the preceding ones. Though the story continues in the next book, the narrative ends at a natural break so there is no real cliffhanger.
After defeating the raiders the caravan needs to move on. One of the girls being held by the raiders has attached herself to Daussie because she was part of the rescue effort to free her. All her family are dead and it seems she’s the only girl with nowhere else to go. When Eva discovers that she is in fact a distant relative of Daum they decide to take her with them when the caravan leaves. With an extra mouth to feed, Eva and Daum are a little worried because they’ve not yet settled in to making money properly but they can’t leave Kazy behind. It turns out to be good they have an extra pair of hands because Eva’s good tavern food is a major hit amongst not only the caravan but also the towns where they stop. However, Eva’s first love is healing, even when it can cause trouble.
This book focuses on the healing side of things for the family, instead of the killing side of things, though there are still some instances of violence. On the whole both Tarc and Daussie are having a crisis of conscience regarding using their skills to harm rather than to heal. The narrative focuses on the siblings learning how to apply their skills to different ways of healing based on their knowledge of the mechanics of the disease or injury. They are creative and innovative in their use of their unique talents and the people they encounter are grateful to healed of illness that should have no cure.
There is also a focus on Eva and how her principles and skills have set the pattern for how her children view the world. In previous books some resentment on Tarc’s part to being forced to learn useless knowledge but in this book he starts to understand that the more knowledge he has the better the chance he can help people. It also means he finds more non-lethal ways to resolve physical conflicts.
Eva’s principles get a good workout in this book, but it’s her children that provide a way to keep doing what she loves, because she can’t turn away someone who is sick.
This series continues to intrigue and entertain, though there are some aspects that are dark, they aren’t dwelt upon. The characters continue to really shine in this series and they are the driving force for the plot. Both Tarc and Daussie grow up considerably in this book, especially Tarc who really seems to grow in confidence in who he is and what he stands for. He learns to make choices he is comfortable with rather than reacting all the time. He learns enough about his unique skill set to allow him the freedom to make those choices.
I can’t wait to see what happens next.
This is the third book in a continuing series. In order to understand this book you need to read the preceding ones. Though the story continues in the next book, the narrative ends at a natural break so there is no real cliffhanger.
After defeating the raiders the caravan needs to move on. One of the girls being held by the raiders has attached herself to Daussie because she was part of the rescue effort to free her. All her family are dead and it seems she’s the only girl with nowhere else to go. When Eva discovers that she is in fact a distant relative of Daum they decide to take her with them when the caravan leaves. With an extra mouth to feed, Eva and Daum are a little worried because they’ve not yet settled in to making money properly but they can’t leave Kazy behind. It turns out to be good they have an extra pair of hands because Eva’s good tavern food is a major hit amongst not only the caravan but also the towns where they stop. However, Eva’s first love is healing, even when it can cause trouble.
This book focuses on the healing side of things for the family, instead of the killing side of things, though there are still some instances of violence. On the whole both Tarc and Daussie are having a crisis of conscience regarding using their skills to harm rather than to heal. The narrative focuses on the siblings learning how to apply their skills to different ways of healing based on their knowledge of the mechanics of the disease or injury. They are creative and innovative in their use of their unique talents and the people they encounter are grateful to healed of illness that should have no cure.
There is also a focus on Eva and how her principles and skills have set the pattern for how her children view the world. In previous books some resentment on Tarc’s part to being forced to learn useless knowledge but in this book he starts to understand that the more knowledge he has the better the chance he can help people. It also means he finds more non-lethal ways to resolve physical conflicts.
Eva’s principles get a good workout in this book, but it’s her children that provide a way to keep doing what she loves, because she can’t turn away someone who is sick.
This series continues to intrigue and entertain, though there are some aspects that are dark, they aren’t dwelt upon. The characters continue to really shine in this series and they are the driving force for the plot. Both Tarc and Daussie grow up considerably in this book, especially Tarc who really seems to grow in confidence in who he is and what he stands for. He learns to make choices he is comfortable with rather than reacting all the time. He learns enough about his unique skill set to allow him the freedom to make those choices.
I can’t wait to see what happens next.
August 17, 2021
Dahners, Laurence E. Healers. Hyllis Family No. 3. Kindle, 2015.
One way to structure a story is to set the characters a difficult problem, give them some unlikely tools, and watch them solve it. Call it the MacGyver model. In Healers, the problem for the Hyllis family is to use their TK and other paranormal talents to practice medicine in a postapocalyptic world where civilization has been reduced to a group of badly ruled city states with iron-age technology. The caravan in which the Hyllis family has been traveling has stopped in a town run by a despot who is quite willing to execute anyone claiming medical expertise, because he assumes they are all scam artists. It does not take long for the family matriarch with her treat-everybody ethic to find herself in the hoosegow. To get her out and treat some of the deserving sick and injured requires a little espionage, some martial arts, some sleight of hand, a clever ruse, and a few old medical texts. The series continues to be inventive and fun. 4 stars.
One way to structure a story is to set the characters a difficult problem, give them some unlikely tools, and watch them solve it. Call it the MacGyver model. In Healers, the problem for the Hyllis family is to use their TK and other paranormal talents to practice medicine in a postapocalyptic world where civilization has been reduced to a group of badly ruled city states with iron-age technology. The caravan in which the Hyllis family has been traveling has stopped in a town run by a despot who is quite willing to execute anyone claiming medical expertise, because he assumes they are all scam artists. It does not take long for the family matriarch with her treat-everybody ethic to find herself in the hoosegow. To get her out and treat some of the deserving sick and injured requires a little espionage, some martial arts, some sleight of hand, a clever ruse, and a few old medical texts. The series continues to be inventive and fun. 4 stars.
April 2, 2024
An addictive and absolutely enjoyable series!!!!!!
Congratulations to Lawrence Dahners for this amazing series. It’s hard to find such an interesting and exciting author who not only writes intelligently but also provides top rated plots, characters and excitement in the stories. I’m really looking forward to the next book.
Congratulations to Lawrence Dahners for this amazing series. It’s hard to find such an interesting and exciting author who not only writes intelligently but also provides top rated plots, characters and excitement in the stories. I’m really looking forward to the next book.
January 3, 2025
I thought this was the best book in this series so far. I'm glad I stuck with the series during some of the slower parts of the earlier books. I now realize that a lot of world building and rule making is needed for a series this long and that's what was going on during some of those slower parts. I highly recommend the audiobook versions which are excellent 👍
July 28, 2017
I like Dahners approach to books. They start with a "What would happen if?" built on strong characters and great events.
I like seeing him here doing his best with dystopian settings and Pizzas and medicine.
I like seeing him here doing his best with dystopian settings and Pizzas and medicine.
November 19, 2017
Chinese food
Just like good Chinese food this leaves me wanting more half an hour later. I've read all three of these brilliantly different books and enjoyed every line. All I can say is more please.
Just like good Chinese food this leaves me wanting more half an hour later. I've read all three of these brilliantly different books and enjoyed every line. All I can say is more please.
June 24, 2018
Wonderful
I love Laurence Dahners writing. This book is every bit as good as all the others. His characters are like old friends. His science is spot on. I find myself wishing this world existed. Or at least the good parts. Fortunately for me, Mr Dahners is a prolific writer.
I love Laurence Dahners writing. This book is every bit as good as all the others. His characters are like old friends. His science is spot on. I find myself wishing this world existed. Or at least the good parts. Fortunately for me, Mr Dahners is a prolific writer.
January 14, 2020
Very engaging, the author has thought out his world environment and made it consistent. The heroes have certain abilities but the abilities are so slight that the characters must think how to use them. I would recommend binge reading the entire series. I did.
February 24, 2020
Excellent!!
The story kept me fascinated all the way through. Death to tyrants, bullies and most government employees. If only we could. How to make it happen. You know, democrats would not want our firearms so much unless they have something really bad planned for us.
The story kept me fascinated all the way through. Death to tyrants, bullies and most government employees. If only we could. How to make it happen. You know, democrats would not want our firearms so much unless they have something really bad planned for us.
June 22, 2021
Still good
The mixture of medieval life style, telekinetic abilities, and a PAW, makes an interesting read. And the expert medical knowledge of the author gives a very authentic touch
The mixture of medieval life style, telekinetic abilities, and a PAW, makes an interesting read. And the expert medical knowledge of the author gives a very authentic touch
February 21, 2024
Hyllis Family stories
I've given each of the first 3 books 4 stars each. Impressed with writing, characters, and world building. Will read the rest of the series and found a new favorite author.
I've given each of the first 3 books 4 stars each. Impressed with writing, characters, and world building. Will read the rest of the series and found a new favorite author.
October 13, 2025
Still reading
I enjoy the story, just a little off put by how much robbery, murder & rape seems to be a part of every book, I suppose without the threat of Bandits etc. there would be little action in the books.
I enjoy the story, just a little off put by how much robbery, murder & rape seems to be a part of every book, I suppose without the threat of Bandits etc. there would be little action in the books.
March 12, 2019
Just Keeps on Giving
Dahners keeps you turning pages. Love it. Love the characters and the story. I could read book after book and that's saying something. I want more.
Dahners keeps you turning pages. Love it. Love the characters and the story. I could read book after book and that's saying something. I want more.
May 23, 2019
Got mad. Got even.
These are definitely not the good old days. Still, a really good story.
Not much to say, but Amazon author perks require reviews.
These are definitely not the good old days. Still, a really good story.
Not much to say, but Amazon author perks require reviews.
January 26, 2020
Great book
As usual this was a great book and fairly well edited. I can't wait to read the next chapter in this series. Good plots that build with the characters.
As usual this was a great book and fairly well edited. I can't wait to read the next chapter in this series. Good plots that build with the characters.
January 9, 2021
Great third entry in the series. I'll definitely keep reading :)
December 16, 2023
continuing a fun serial
On other stop in a great serial.
Fun and in a clean, lighthearted storyline.
I am looking forward to reading further in this series.
On other stop in a great serial.
Fun and in a clean, lighthearted storyline.
I am looking forward to reading further in this series.
March 24, 2024
Good!
July 25, 2025
A highly moral and interesting family.
A really good read. The family grows and manages to remain true to their principles in the process.
You really should read this series.
A really good read. The family grows and manages to remain true to their principles in the process.
You really should read this series.
January 2, 2026
Great adventure
The adventure continues in this third book about the Hyllis family and the characters keeps developing well. Very good story.
The adventure continues in this third book about the Hyllis family and the characters keeps developing well. Very good story.
July 4, 2024
Read Kindle book using Alexa audio asset. A big fat king prohibits healing. Borrow using Kindle Unlimited.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2020
Excellent
Good story, good plot, good characters. The plot and people were believable. I do not like to have to write
Good story, good plot, good characters. The plot and people were believable. I do not like to have to write
July 22, 2022
Nice
Chrissy wrote a good detailed review that is worth reading. It's far more thorough than what I attempted.
I had a number of bad experiences on Goodreads, which has made me reluctant to apply much effort to my reviews. If curious please read my review of "Dark Horse", a good story by Diener or Powers of the Earth (a nasty little rant) and the comments to my review of it from Claes Rees, Jr/cgr710 (a self-identified NeoNazi) and his friends. The reviews of this book are a refreshing change.
GLORY TO UKRAINE !!!
I came into the series at Book 3, I think and the world building was so thorough that I was able to fall into the story immediately. I liked the logical combining of mental powers and pre-fall tech to accomplish medical treatments that equal and in some few cases exceed prefall medical outcomes. The ethical struggles of some of the major characters felt a little self-indulgent in parts. Other than that, it's a nice story and hopefully series.
I enjoyed this book but I first waded through hundreds of titles that I generously labeled low effort rubbish. It put me off science fiction until I switched to the streaming services which offer a generally better written story than Amazon's selection. Goodreads I replaced by YouTube. I discovered educational video sites, science fiction channels and above all booktubers. There is an incredible variety of good channels across a huge number of interest areas. Some of my favorite channels are.
EarleWrites, Eleanor Morton, Novara Media, Tom Nicholas, Tara Mooknee, Munecat, Lady of the Library, Tiny Wee Boat, Chugging Along, Boat Time, Renegade Cut, Some More News, 2Cellos, Tulia, Karolina Zebrowska, Mala Armia Janosika, Jill Bearup, Hello Future Me, Ship Happens, Adult Wednesday Addams, Weir on the move, Traveling K, Sarah Z, Noah Sampson, Katie Colson, Katie Halper, Owen Jones, Rowan J Coleman, Sabine Hossenfelder, Narrowboat Adventures, The Narrowboat Pirate, Cruising Alba, Dr Becky, Event Horizon, Flashpoint History, Smarter Everyday, The Great War, Between the Wars, Lady knight the Brave, Tibees, GK Reads, Christy Anne Jones, With Olivia, Linguoer-Mechanic, Prime of Midlife, Chloe Stafler, Bookslike Whoa, Storyworldling, History Hit, Philosophy Tube, Second Thought, The Piano Guys, Steampunk, The Northern Historian, Northern Narrowboaters, Driftwood Folk, PolyMatter, Between the Lines, Diane Callahan Quotidian Writer, Ana Psychology, World of Antiquity, Maggie May Fish, Medieval Madness, Invicta, The Templin Institute, Certifiably Ingame, Joe Scott, Practical Engineering, Daniel Rubin, Physics Girl, Dark Docs, Mark Felton Productions, Spacedock, Quinn's Ideas, Book Odyssey, The Carpenter's Daughter, Art by Annamarie, What Vivi did next, A Life of Lit, Emmie, Three Arrows, Beautifully Bookish Bethany, Books with Emily Fox, Mythology and Fiction Explained, IzzzYzzz, Scott Manley, Eileen, UA Courage, Sufficiently Advanced Lena, Swell Entertainment, Patrick is a Navajo, Petrik Leo, The Paranormal Scholar, Anthropology Club, DM It All, Cecelia Blomdahl, David John Wellman, Books with Chloe, Autumn's Boutique, The Clockwork Reader, A Cup of Nicole, Austin McConnell, The Gravel Institute, Camper Vibe, Bookleo, Merphy Napier, Overly Sarcastic Productions.
I want that you enjoy the brightest morning, the grandest day and a wonderful night.
Hope and Courage are the siblings which can shape the future.
Meditation of the Dark Sisters
Chrissy wrote a good detailed review that is worth reading. It's far more thorough than what I attempted.
I had a number of bad experiences on Goodreads, which has made me reluctant to apply much effort to my reviews. If curious please read my review of "Dark Horse", a good story by Diener or Powers of the Earth (a nasty little rant) and the comments to my review of it from Claes Rees, Jr/cgr710 (a self-identified NeoNazi) and his friends. The reviews of this book are a refreshing change.
GLORY TO UKRAINE !!!
I came into the series at Book 3, I think and the world building was so thorough that I was able to fall into the story immediately. I liked the logical combining of mental powers and pre-fall tech to accomplish medical treatments that equal and in some few cases exceed prefall medical outcomes. The ethical struggles of some of the major characters felt a little self-indulgent in parts. Other than that, it's a nice story and hopefully series.
I enjoyed this book but I first waded through hundreds of titles that I generously labeled low effort rubbish. It put me off science fiction until I switched to the streaming services which offer a generally better written story than Amazon's selection. Goodreads I replaced by YouTube. I discovered educational video sites, science fiction channels and above all booktubers. There is an incredible variety of good channels across a huge number of interest areas. Some of my favorite channels are.
EarleWrites, Eleanor Morton, Novara Media, Tom Nicholas, Tara Mooknee, Munecat, Lady of the Library, Tiny Wee Boat, Chugging Along, Boat Time, Renegade Cut, Some More News, 2Cellos, Tulia, Karolina Zebrowska, Mala Armia Janosika, Jill Bearup, Hello Future Me, Ship Happens, Adult Wednesday Addams, Weir on the move, Traveling K, Sarah Z, Noah Sampson, Katie Colson, Katie Halper, Owen Jones, Rowan J Coleman, Sabine Hossenfelder, Narrowboat Adventures, The Narrowboat Pirate, Cruising Alba, Dr Becky, Event Horizon, Flashpoint History, Smarter Everyday, The Great War, Between the Wars, Lady knight the Brave, Tibees, GK Reads, Christy Anne Jones, With Olivia, Linguoer-Mechanic, Prime of Midlife, Chloe Stafler, Bookslike Whoa, Storyworldling, History Hit, Philosophy Tube, Second Thought, The Piano Guys, Steampunk, The Northern Historian, Northern Narrowboaters, Driftwood Folk, PolyMatter, Between the Lines, Diane Callahan Quotidian Writer, Ana Psychology, World of Antiquity, Maggie May Fish, Medieval Madness, Invicta, The Templin Institute, Certifiably Ingame, Joe Scott, Practical Engineering, Daniel Rubin, Physics Girl, Dark Docs, Mark Felton Productions, Spacedock, Quinn's Ideas, Book Odyssey, The Carpenter's Daughter, Art by Annamarie, What Vivi did next, A Life of Lit, Emmie, Three Arrows, Beautifully Bookish Bethany, Books with Emily Fox, Mythology and Fiction Explained, IzzzYzzz, Scott Manley, Eileen, UA Courage, Sufficiently Advanced Lena, Swell Entertainment, Patrick is a Navajo, Petrik Leo, The Paranormal Scholar, Anthropology Club, DM It All, Cecelia Blomdahl, David John Wellman, Books with Chloe, Autumn's Boutique, The Clockwork Reader, A Cup of Nicole, Austin McConnell, The Gravel Institute, Camper Vibe, Bookleo, Merphy Napier, Overly Sarcastic Productions.
I want that you enjoy the brightest morning, the grandest day and a wonderful night.
Hope and Courage are the siblings which can shape the future.
Meditation of the Dark Sisters
May 2, 2015
The Hyllises are at times *too* nice for the world in which they live, but the characters are likable, even the cantankerous Mrs. Gates. There are some villains, and moments of derring-do, inserted within a tale of traveling the post-apocalyptic world in horse-drawn wagons, collecting recipes, preparing food and treating patients. The latter is particularly solid since the author is a doctor.
On the whole, another enjoyable book.
On the whole, another enjoyable book.
March 15, 2021
This was a slower read but with a really good villain. Enjoyed all of the character development as well as the flashing-out of more of the world-building. Especially enjoyed the random (well-done) fact drop about WHY the world is so technologically and otherwise behind (on top of the you know, the evident reason) as I was interested in it as well, good to know that if read attentively the book blossoms more and more with nicely placed details that add to the Series as a whole.
May 13, 2015
100% original i love it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews