The Rifter Book One: The Shattered Gates (Rifter #1-3) in A Shot of Ginn

Dec 04, 2013 Xing rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

This is a reread for me. Originally, I read The Rifter as 10 different installations. It was more than a roller coaster of emotions for me - it was more like being chained to a wooden rack that gets picked up and ravaged by a tornado. That first time, I flew by each of the ten novellas without paying much attention to detail. So it has been a pleasure to revisit this series, but being able to look at everything with a clinical eye instead of being driven by my emotions and the need to know what This is a reread for me. Originally, I read The Rifter as 10 different installations. It was more than a roller coaster of emotions for me - it was more like being chained to a wooden rack that gets picked up and ravaged by a tornado. That first time, I flew by each of the ten novellas without paying much attention to detail. So it has been a pleasure to revisit this series, but being able to look at everything with a clinical eye instead of being driven by my emotions and the need to know what happens next.

This book compilation contains the first three volumes of the series. It is probably the least exciting as well, because readers are introduced to the world of Basawar - an alternative to our own earth, which is named Nayeshi. Except instead of the modern day earth we all know and love, Basawar is a violent and destructive world filled with religious persecution, witchcraft, and political strife.

When John, Laurie and Bill are sent to Basawar, they endure repression, illness and isolation. We see how these group of friends are forced to change under the circumstances of this new world. Meanwhile, Kyle's own adventure back to Basawar in order to find John and company leads to its own little twist of events.

I'll admit: I was confused during my first read. I felt like I was missing something when the POV switched from John to Kyle. The language of Basawar kind of got muddled along the way (despite the dictionary at the end of the book). My advice? Read the story carefully. This isn't one of those series where you read the first installment, take a break, then come back to read the second installment several weeks (and books) later. I mean, you can (no one is stopping you!), but it's easy to get derailed; especially if the POV changes with the new installment. With the language, don't freak out over it! When John first learns Basawar, just know that anything important for readers to know will be mentioned in English as well (because John will still "think" in English over the important dialogue). Later, if you get confused with a word here or there, then simply look it up. It certainly isn't something to freak out over.

And if you ARE confused with the plot at first, just know that is perfectly normal. Most people don't really get what's going on completely until halfway into the series (I am basing this on my own experience and through feedback from my GR friends). You know enough to not be frustratingly left in the dark, but the complete picture will reveal itself when all the subtitle puzzle pieces are assembled (you got to love that AHA moment!).

So as usual, Ginn Hale is a masterful creator of worlds. I still remember Basawar vividly months after my initial read. And even though I absolutely hate Basawar due to all the bad shit that happens in the book, it felt very familiar upon reread. I've got to applaud Ginn Hale here - if I ever see her in public, I will hug/tackle her and demand an autograph which will be enshrined at my apartment next to my Buddha.

Characterization also gets an A+. John and Kyle will always have a special place in my heart. And the best part? We are dealing with mature characters! John and Kyle aren't whiny, petty, or impulsively stupid. These are men who have lived through hell and continue to do so in order to survive. John is an ecology major and spent much of his time outdoors back in Nayeshi. I think his time spent in nature gave him a very grounding personality - one that allows him to think before he acts. Kyle is a person who seems to struggle to discover his true personality - an opportunity he didn't have the leisure to explore when he dedicated his live to become Khalil.

While I would classify this series as a romance, just note that there is no explicit sexual encounters between the two. This first compilation has one kiss scene and later installments have off-page or vaguely described sex. So don't read this if you're looking for something to make you feel hot and want to get nekkid (though there's nothing wrong if you do!). :D

What you get when picking up this series is a dark fantasy tale. There is violence of many kinds (burning people alive, war, torture/skinning, massacres, etc.). There is witchcraft and sorcery. There is much regret and guilt. There are just as many confusions as there are revelations. And then there's the beginnings of love. Love that overcomes the boundaries of two worlds, of different timelines and of fate.

Because when the dust is settled and the wash of blood has seeped into the cracks of dirt, there's still something fleetingly beautiful peaking through the gore.

And man, the journey was sure worth it. ...more

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Jun 17, 2023 Serena.. Sery-ously? rated it it was amazing

Shelves: cartacei, lgbt, 2023, eng2023

Che capolavoro ❤️

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Sep 30, 2013 D rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, fantasy, main-characters-are-queer

Will post a proper review later, when I finish all three books. Just have to say that

1. I've already read this in e-book format, but I'm not a digital reader per se, so I have to say that I missed a shitload of details the first time around because reading from Kindle is not exactly the same as reading a book.

2. One of the things that irritated me about the e-book is that I have to scroll like mad to go to the glossary at the back, and then scroll like mad to get back on the page I was on. Need ...more

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Nov 07, 2014 Arch Bala rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-stars, not-here, supernatural

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I ought to write my individual reviews for each book in the series but I figured that it’s more proper for me to consider each book as part of a whole saga (containing seven arcs) encompassing thirty years in the life of John, a human transported into another realm – a world where his housemate Kyle came from.
The epicness of this series is just beyond me! I enjoyed and loved every second of reading this ten-part series. What I appreciate most though is the fact that as much as possible, the auth I ought to write my individual reviews for each book in the series but I figured that it’s more proper for me to consider each book as part of a whole saga (containing seven arcs) encompassing thirty years in the life of John, a human transported into another realm – a world where his housemate Kyle came from.
The epicness of this series is just beyond me! I enjoyed and loved every second of reading this ten-part series. What I appreciate most though is the fact that as much as possible, the author tried solving all the loopholes in it. What totally bugs me is the conclusion which I would be discussing a little later on.
So John along with his friends (a couple named Laurie and Bill) were accidentally transported into Basawar (think of a Narnia-like world minus the talking animals), the place where his odd housemate Kyle “apparently” came from. Kyle is the “Kahlil” who was destined / ordained to kill John who’s the incarnation of their god. He’s the human seen by the oracle who will be destroying all of Basawar.
The plot of the story thickens as John meets the young handsome priest Ravishan who is training to become the next Kahlil. Meeting Ravishan made their tumultuous entrance into Basawar more bearable but their world is about to get more complicated as John and his friends found themselves under the Bousim household where John was forced to accompany Firiki (The son of the lady in Bousim household) into the doors of Rathal’pesha to train as an ushiri (in contention of becoming a Kahlil). There, John meets Ravishan again and has shown potential to become a priest himself. Due to discrimination, he was relegated as some sort of a medic priest. As the story goes by, John was able to piece everything together coming to the conclusion that Ravishan and his housemate were one and the same, although John first meets Kyle as a Kahlil and this kahlil in training – Ravishan is the guy he fell in love with.
At times, the story tends to be a tad bit confusing because of the interchanging timeline in it especially during the second arc but as it went by, it’s just like reading some sort of backstory although at one point – the past and the present (see, Kyle followed the trio into Basawar) meets (ala Lake House meeting of some sort) and their reunion was truly one for the books.
I actually cried a little for John who is now known as J’aitbaya. I cried because he’s been living in Basawar for 30 years and was still nursing his broken heart from his separation from Ravishan. Although one and the same. Kyle still felt different from Ravishan. It’s like he’s simply a replacement of his young self. But all the same, John still love Ravishan and gave the same affection to Kyle.
Now the question bugging me at the end, is Kyle immortal now like John? After he passed on, he was possessed by the holy bones of the young Ravishan. Did he become immortal himself the way the oracles are immortals? I sure hope so because these two more than deserved to be together especially after what they have gone through.
To conclude this, I wished that more people would read this series because of its exceptional story that you’d regret missing. The humanity in it is truly heartfelt and the way John and Kyle have proven their love and devotion for each other was truly an amazing feat. It’s just so beautiful it almost hurts.
‘tis definitely one of my favorite series – another great feat to achieve by one of my new favorite authors – Ginn Hale who brought us the amazing Wicked Gentleman and the stunning Lord Of The White Hell. Indeed, Hail Ginn Hale!
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Mar 19, 2016 Rulle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy

I absolutely loved this book! The setting and the fantasy world that Ginn Hale has created feels new and interesting. The characters and their stories are engaging and you can't wait for what will happen next to the main characters.
There are quite a few names and words in a fictional language that is used in the book, and this can be confusing at first. There is however a good list at the end of the book with all the characters and the common words in the fictional language.
In conclusion this is ...more

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