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| The Begotten (The Gifted Series, Book 1) | 
 enlarge | Author: Lisa Tawn Bergren
Publisher: Berkley
Category: Book
List Price: $14.00
Buy Used: $0.01
You Save: $13.99 (100%)
New (41) Used (33) from $0.01
Avg. Customer Rating:  22 reviews
Media: Paperback
Edition: Trade paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 464
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 5.4 x 1.1 x 0.5
ISBN: 0425215601
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780425215609
Publication Date: September 4, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Good reading copy. May have slight scratches on cover. Overall very good condition. Orders shipped within 2 business days. Choose EXPEDITED for fast delivery.
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Product Description
At the height of the Inquisition, a secret half a millennium old is about to be exposed-a lost letter said to have been written by Paul and part of what was to become the foundation of the Christian canon. It speaks of men and women-the Gifted-with mysterious spiritual gifts that struck fear in the heart of the Church. Now the letter has surfaced. The Gifted ones are coming together. Their prophecy is coming true.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 17 more reviews...
 Christianity/Fantasy - sometimes a thin line June 30, 2008
The Begotten is the first in a religious mystery/thriller trilogy from Bergren, a well-known Christian fiction author. The setting is 14th century Italy in a town named Siena, not far from Firenze (Florence). The beginning can be a bit confusing as we shift settings for the first few chapters, to set the plot of the story. We follow some of the quests of the papal guard who are trying to track down a Sorcerer who is leading Christians astray by performing miracles. But the church is looking for The Gifted. Prophesied in a Pauline letter, God would provide the world with The Gifted, seven humans who each are gifted with a special ability. These seven would come together to save God's people against dark heresy. Although the letter is unconfirmed Pauline, it is secretly saved from a bonfire lit by the Church, but divided up so that all of it is not in one place to be destroyed.
In 14th century Italy, amid the terror of the Inquisition, we find the first part of the letter, held by a priest named Piero whose Gift is Wisdom. Father Piero is in charge of a convent where Lady Daria D'Angelo has come, with her mute servant, for respite following the dissolution of her handfast. Father Piero recognizes the Healer in her, and after gaining her trust speaks to her of the Gifted of God. Daria's faith recognizes the truth, and the beginning of the prophecy comes to be.
On the way to Siena from the convent, Daria and Father Piero rescue a papal knight and save his life, gaining yet another of the Gifted, the Faithful. The group is uncomfortable with the path into the unknown and the swiftness of the prophecy coming together, but they all follow the teachings of the Bible and their faith in doing what is right. Daria, Father Piero, and Gianni (the knight) build their fortress in Daria's home, but it doesn't protect them from deception when they most need it. The Sorcerer has discovered their secret and is penetrating their weaknesses, hoping to defeat them and coerce them to use their powers to make him all powerful. But The Sorcerer has underestimated their faith in God and in one another, and the war - in faith and on land - has begun.
Not being a strong Christian I wondered if I would like the storyline, but exceptional faith on behalf of the reader is not necessary to enjoy the thrilling story Bergren has written. There is much depth to the plot and characters, and not a lot of blood/gore, but this is far from being a cozy. This is a good, solid mystery with paranormal or supernatural elements, but using aspects of Christianity to interweave the storyline. This would be a good read for those with a background in Christian history and rhetoric who are able to keep an open mind and enjoy the fiction.
Tom Clancy Meets Catherine Marshall with a dash of Michael Crichton Thrown In! May 4, 2008
The Begotten by best-selling author Lisa T. Bergren is the first book of the Gifted series. Book two, The Betrayed, was published in late 2007, and book three, The Blessed, is scheduled for release on 2008.
This book represents a growing subgenre of Christian speculative fiction - the religious thriller. Christian romance and historical fiction are established subgenres. However, "religious thriller" sounds like an oxymoron. The Publisher's Weekly review left me scratching my head in confusion. "CBA readers will find much to cheer, but others will also enjoy this classic battle between good and evil. Disregard Da Vinci Code comparisons and think Lord of the Rings, but without Hobbits and the allegorical trappings."
CBA encourages the publication of upliftingly enjoyable novels such as Christy by Catherine Marshall. Stretching the CBA's boundaries beyond The Chronicles of Narnia seems difficult. I often wonder if The Lord of the Rings had been published now whether it would have been embraced by CBA given the backlash against the Harry Potter books and their ilk. Besides, what is the LOTR without Hobbits and the allegorical trappings?
The story is set in 14th century Sienna, a city-state that will become part of the modern nation of Italy. A prophetic book, purportedly written by the Apostle Paul, describes the coming battle between good and evil, "not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." - Ephesians 6:12.
The powers of darkness work through men moved by greed, lust, sorceries, and death. The Gifted work through powers bestowed by God--wisdom, healing, faith, visions, discernment, miracles, and prophecy.
Before others of the Gifted can gather, the power of darkness strikes like a hammer to destroy them. Can mere men and women stand against such power?
Ms Bergren recreates the world of 14th century Sienna with a deft touch, bringing alive a culture that is completely foreign to our own.
With trembling hands, the old woman set down the box upon the table
and opened the lid. Spectacles! Gianni had only seen two pair of the
new contraptions--once in Venezia, the second in Roma. They were
frightfully expensive, an extravagance of the wealthy. And the lady
bestowed them upon a servant?
Though I would not claim an extensive knowledge of church or renaissance European history, Ms. Bergren fills her story with historical references with just the right amount of explanation that give her story breadth and scope, such as the removal of the papacy to Avignon in France.
The pace and tension of the story rise page by page, impelling the reader forward chapter by chapter to the rich, satisfying conclusion. Tom Clancy and Michael Crichton could do no better.
Ms. Bergren's storytelling demonstrates the blossoming of a genre that will appeal to people of diverse faith cultures--the religious thriller. I am looking forward to reading the other books in the Gifted series.
Recommended
 More than I Expected February 8, 2008
I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started the book. I never liked history and just wanted a good relaxing read. The information in this book has given me a desire to learn more about this time period and what it really was like to live then. It has also given me a thirst to learn more about gifts given by God. What a wonderful book. Other work by this author is what prompted me to pick up this one.
Test of Faith January 8, 2008
"The Begotten" is an engaging and well researched story of Medieval Italy, set in the time of the two Popes, one in Rome and the other in France, as well as the Inquisition. The story focuses on a small group of Christians exhibiting supernatural gifts of healing, wisdom, knowledge, faith, prophecy, ability to distinguish between spirits, working of miracles and tongues. These Christians, described in a long lost letter of St. Paul's as "The Gifted", have been expected. Their pictures have been painted on a church mural long before they were born.
"The Begotten" is a suspenseful story of the "gifted" against the forces of darkness, embodied by the "Sorcerer" in a time of fear and uncertainty within the Holy Roman Church.
"The Begotten" is highly recommended for those interested in history, church history, suspense, adventure, and friends relating as family. I am looking forward to reading the sequel.
Awesome! January 7, 2008
I'm not a historical novel fan but could not put this book down. The underlying message touches each of our hearts even today. Its a message that needs to be repeated and remembered.
A thrilling page-turner without a dull moment in it.
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