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Gifted
Teine, a young Human slave, mourns the end of his personal goals and dreams when he is gifted to the son of an unstable, yet influential, Aoife lord. Like his ancestors before him, Teine must learn to navigate the complex politics of the long-lived, powerful and wealthy Aoife, the ruling class of The Empyrean. Surrounded now by an ever expanding world steeped in awakening magic, divided loyalties and hidden dangers, he can’t begin to imagine the adventure his life is about to become…
- GenresFantasy
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2015
7 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 29, 2016
Gifted (The Gilded Shackle Book 1) by C.T. Griffith is a mix of science fiction, fantasy, paranormal, and pagan folklore. Don’t be fooled by the cover as I was, Gifted is not a children’s or young adult book. While advanced readers in those age groups could read the words, more mature readers will better understand the complex plot and themes.
Gifted is set on another world that is filled with magic and lore. This world is ruled by Empyreans who have enslaved the humans after they arrived on this planet. Ms. Griffith’s descriptive writing provides wonderfully rich settings that are easy to visualize while reading. The plot is action-packed, and the tension builds throughout the story. The ample plot twists kept my engaged. Ms. Griffith has interspersed this complex political tale with a few touching moments and some humor; however, it is mostly a tale of political power struggle with a very large cast of characters.
The massive cast of characters all have imaginative, and impossible to pronounce, names that are sure to delight avid fantasy fans. I am sure each of those names was mispronounced in my mind while I was reading! The main character, Tiene, is a young adult human male who is spared castration when his master, Aoife, decides that Tiene would make a good stud. Yes, the life of a slave can be dicey! Tiene and his compatriots are all wonderfully developed; it is easy to empathize with their situation and the political maze they must navigate while serving the ruling class.
Ms. Griffith has plans for a nine book series that is sure to be an epic Fantasy tale of adventure. Fans of Sarah M. Cradit’s The House of Crimson and Clover series are sure to enjoy Ms. Griffith’s fantasy series as well.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review with was done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official: www.nerdgirlofficial.com
Gifted is set on another world that is filled with magic and lore. This world is ruled by Empyreans who have enslaved the humans after they arrived on this planet. Ms. Griffith’s descriptive writing provides wonderfully rich settings that are easy to visualize while reading. The plot is action-packed, and the tension builds throughout the story. The ample plot twists kept my engaged. Ms. Griffith has interspersed this complex political tale with a few touching moments and some humor; however, it is mostly a tale of political power struggle with a very large cast of characters.
The massive cast of characters all have imaginative, and impossible to pronounce, names that are sure to delight avid fantasy fans. I am sure each of those names was mispronounced in my mind while I was reading! The main character, Tiene, is a young adult human male who is spared castration when his master, Aoife, decides that Tiene would make a good stud. Yes, the life of a slave can be dicey! Tiene and his compatriots are all wonderfully developed; it is easy to empathize with their situation and the political maze they must navigate while serving the ruling class.
Ms. Griffith has plans for a nine book series that is sure to be an epic Fantasy tale of adventure. Fans of Sarah M. Cradit’s The House of Crimson and Clover series are sure to enjoy Ms. Griffith’s fantasy series as well.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review with was done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official: www.nerdgirlofficial.com
February 24, 2016
I've personally known Ms Griffith for a good handful of years. I even got to read a first rough draft of this story a few years ago. I can say that the difference between the first draft I read and the final product is fantastic. Things were more flushed out, additions to the descriptive narrative to give a better sense of the landscape, the people, the levels of society.
This story is akin to standing on the threshold of a vast estate, with the door open to give you enough of a peek to see what lies just inside, to give you a sense of what you might expect to 'see' in other rooms of the house once you've entered. You can tell that it has grandeur and meticulous placement to each item beyond the door. However, the shadowed doorways to other rooms and the potential of something more lurking in the dark corners you can't see into make you want to enter, to explore further, to see what lies beyond.
Each personality you meet makes you want to know more about who they are, where they came from, what's their story.
I look forward to the following sequels to this epic adventure.
This story is akin to standing on the threshold of a vast estate, with the door open to give you enough of a peek to see what lies just inside, to give you a sense of what you might expect to 'see' in other rooms of the house once you've entered. You can tell that it has grandeur and meticulous placement to each item beyond the door. However, the shadowed doorways to other rooms and the potential of something more lurking in the dark corners you can't see into make you want to enter, to explore further, to see what lies beyond.
Each personality you meet makes you want to know more about who they are, where they came from, what's their story.
I look forward to the following sequels to this epic adventure.
January 30, 2016
Step into the world of the Empyrean. You will meet many characters and live in a world of magic and fantasy.
The characters that Ms. Griffith created in this story are entertaining and full of depth. The story focuses on Teine and person he is gifted to. However there are so many secondary characters that keep you entertained.
The story also did a wonderful job of describing the environment so that you felt like you were there. This is a intriguing story of a fantasy world where their is plenty of action, danger, magic, and adventure.
When you open the first page be prepared to be swept into a fantasy with intriguing characters that make you keep turning the page until the very end.
Read and reviewed for Kylie's Fiction Addiction. I received a gift copy in exchange for an honest review.
The characters that Ms. Griffith created in this story are entertaining and full of depth. The story focuses on Teine and person he is gifted to. However there are so many secondary characters that keep you entertained.
The story also did a wonderful job of describing the environment so that you felt like you were there. This is a intriguing story of a fantasy world where their is plenty of action, danger, magic, and adventure.
When you open the first page be prepared to be swept into a fantasy with intriguing characters that make you keep turning the page until the very end.
Read and reviewed for Kylie's Fiction Addiction. I received a gift copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 17, 2015
From the first page, I knew three things.
1. This is not my usual genre.
2. This is well written.
3. This is intriguing.
C.T. Griffith has written a novel that is reminiscent of the works of Anne McCaffrey. She has created an enchanting world with all of the makings of an epic
This story follows Tiene as he enters manhood and is whisked away to fulfill whatever duties are set to him by his masters. I cannot wait to read the next book!
1. This is not my usual genre.
2. This is well written.
3. This is intriguing.
C.T. Griffith has written a novel that is reminiscent of the works of Anne McCaffrey. She has created an enchanting world with all of the makings of an epic
This story follows Tiene as he enters manhood and is whisked away to fulfill whatever duties are set to him by his masters. I cannot wait to read the next book!
December 7, 2015
Although I am not normally a fantasy reader, I found this first book of the Gilded Shackle series to be well written, easy to read, and quite enjoyable. The story line is interesting and engaging. I am excited for the next book in the series, so that I can continue to follow the lives of the characters.
December 21, 2015
Engaging
An easy, captivating read. The plot covers the events surrounding the changes in a boys life as in enters adulthood in a master/slave culture. A unique and complete social, cultural and magical world is seamlessly integrated into the narrative building a complex whole. Well worth your time. Looking forward to book two
An easy, captivating read. The plot covers the events surrounding the changes in a boys life as in enters adulthood in a master/slave culture. A unique and complete social, cultural and magical world is seamlessly integrated into the narrative building a complex whole. Well worth your time. Looking forward to book two
April 29, 2016
I enjoyed this fantasy and its complex world. In the middle it got a bit confusing for me with too many characters and too much politics. I'll have to read it again.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews