Customer Reviews

The Gifting (Mariard, Bk 1)

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Christine Jones, an Australian author, brings you her first novel: Mariard Volume 1 The Gifting-a fast-paced and action-loaded read full of unexpected twists.

Never have I come across such a strong-willed woman as Artemis, the old priestess who is driven to hold on to her power, and even after her physical death she continues to play an important role by asserting herself and determining events in the story!

The unchaste "Don Juan" Marcale who is supposed to become king, in the hour of truth, is seen as unfit because of his sexual impurity, and must meet his demise in a repentant frame of mind.

When Artemis feels her own death approaching, she almost begs Vieanne, the beautiful daughter of a king, to assume her position, and in agonizing conflict and reluctance, she takes on this huge responsibility which alters her life, drastically. She has little choice but to forsake her love, the dashing Simon, and devote her life on training and preparing her two gifted children-whom she mysteriously conceives without a physical man-for their kingdom's survival which will heavily depend on her children's highly developed supernatural gifts.

Young Malcom one day in his carefree wanderings discovers Tegan, Vieanne's young daughter, in a hidden room in a cave where she, her brother and mother live in isolation. From that day on, the two become friends, nurturing their friendship by meeting without Vieanne ever knowing since she's so preoccupied.

I love the romance that emerges between Malcom and Tegan, the secret wedding that Nathanial(Tegan's brother) helps to materalize, the "mind games" that transpire suddenly among the rivaling gifted characters from the two kingdoms, Cathmore who's supposed to be wickedly depraved but yet demonstrates his true hidden colors of tender kindness, and betraying his evil kingdom when he finally joins forces with Mariard.

Vieanne soon realizes that between her two gifted children, Tegan is the weaker one, and thus, she is vexed by the continuous confirmation of this fact, while her son Nathanial exceeds her expectations.

During an atomic-like explosion that rocks both kingdoms and forces the war to a temporary standstill, Vieanne is knocked unconscious, suffers a fever, and which somehow sparks an inner battle of herself against the spirit of Artemis who has all this time been dominating her soul and personality with hers. Eventually Vieanne wins and expels Artemis' ghost.

As the story further progresses, it grows increasingly explosive, intense, faster-paced, and events occur more unexpectedly. The final showdown between the two rivaling kingdoms is clearly approaching when the fate of the world will be determined.

Christine Jones portrays her characters as real people with passions, ambitions, hatred, and thinking and reacting to the horrors of war and how it drains them. She further builds credibility and concreteness in her story by describing realistic details of military weapons such as guns, tanks, and aircrafts, the smoking and battered battlefield, the slain, and the vast destruction claiming its toll on both warring kingdoms.

In addition, Jones constantly energizes her narration and resuscitates her characters through very believable and well-crafted dialogue. I kept asking myself after the end of each chapter: "what happens next?" You have to read it to fully understand what I mean!

Reviewed/summarized by CloakedWriter, Inc., author of Helldom(coming in the future)

From the moment Sestina, the Queen gave birth to twins, it seemed the whole world was about to change. Artemis, the priestess had foreseen everything, the good twin-the evil twin, and the way the future was to be. Tayo Maroda was to take the daughter, the twin of light away with him to lands of ice and raise her to be a warrior for the coming battle some years later. Marcale, the evil twin was left behind... his fate already decided. He must face the purity test, and when he fails the real evil will be thrust upon the Mariard.

Necropolin has waged a war, and the new priestess Vieanne, the twin of light has become cold and unfeeling. So many secrets are being withheld, even that of Vieanne's children that were conceived without the help of any man. When Necropolin breaks the rules killing Tayo, Vieanne is out for vengeance... it's about time for her gifted children to be known. She must continue to watch them, fore they need no interference...especially that of Malcom who is infatuated by Tegan. Now the war has only just begun.

Mariard Volume 1 The Gifting by Christine Jones is magically charged and just phenomenal. The characters are so lifelike and the plot is so easy to follow and be pulled into. There are quite a few characters in this book, but that for once didn't bother me, I felt like I could remember each one, their purpose, and picture them clearly. All in all I can't find any reason why Christine shouldn't get a full 5 Hearts for her book!

Contact Christine: www.cjbooks.net

"Nothing is what it seems, take nothing for granted." With these words still haunting me from the back of the book, I dove into Mariard, Volume I, The Gifting and couldn't put it down! Ms. Jones leads the reader through an engaging tale, a story of good versus evil, treachery, honor and love that spans a generation.

The gift of the Mariard holds unspeakable power. In this novel, opposing factions clash again and again as they seek to win the day, battling not only with their bodies, but with their minds, as well. The "game" rages on multiple levels and the reader is swept along in a torrent of magical confrontations until the true natures of Tegan, Cathmore and Vieanne are revealed.

What a great movie this would make! The visual imagery contained in the book would yield some stunning sets and the story would capture the audience's attention from the opening to closing credits. I'm really looking forward to reading the additional volumes in this series.

The book MARIARD VOLUME 1 THE GIFTING by Christine Jones is an exciting ride that never stops. The characters are three dimensional, alive, and full of passions. The dialogue does not leave the reader wondering about the relationship between each of the characters. The book pulls you into a world that is fantastic and dark at the same time. The descriptions are vivid and breath taking. Reading this book, I was impressed at how the author could throw herself into the characters and create a world that is fantastic. If you enjoy role playing video games, fantasy movies, and role play fantasy books, then you will enjoy this first book in the series. As an author myself I highly recommend this book.

Taheerahsafa, Roanoke, VA

Christine Jones created an image rich environment for her Mariard Volume 1 The gifting, and carried me through it, from the dramatic opening to the last page; the excitement and suspense kept me grabbing for the next page and for the next volume when I reached the end.

Frederick West - Author of - 'The Courtship of Abagail Smith' - 'Jamaica Flight'- 'With Bowie at the Alamo''

What a wonderful read!!!! It was one of those rare situations when i was genuinely sad to reach the end. It's a story for all ages, a timeless gem full of funny poignent moments, original ideas and wonderful characters. I feel like I've been on a magnificent journey with the author and I can't wait for the next leg of this journey. I really can't recommend this book highly enough, so trusty review reader, get out there and buy this book and then get ready to buy the next volume...and the next...and the next, believe me you won't be able to think about doing anything else! Incredible!!!!

Riveting, unpredictable with twists and turns that captivates the imagination and attention right to the end. The author has certainly portrayed both male and female perspectives and traits making the characters real, which has you relating to them. You definitely get a sense that all is not what it seems, leaving you most eager for the next volume in this series. Whilst waiting, I'll read the first again, just to see if I can pick up any clues

Readers who like fantasy with surprise twists, well-developed characters, and complex mythologies need look no further than Mariard Volume 1 The Gifting.

Australian author Christine Jones starts with a gothic setting, soon involving her large and often contentious cast in a deadly game that keeps changing and growing. Instead of giving us the stock dumb brutes and dumber wenches of too many fantasy adventures, Jones peoples the competing kingdoms with strong female characters and surprisingly emotional men. All of the characters evolve further over the course of the novel, as they face the game.

This book introduces fantasy fans to gifted players, and to a gifted author. Jones makes the game seem real with her vivid descriptions and sharp dialogue, even though everything might not be as real as it seems to the players. To see what I mean, join in the game, the journey, by reading this entertaining fantasy novel.

Christine Jones' prose is simply magnificent. As an author and avid reader myself, Mariard is not among the genres that I typically enjoy, though I find myself, oddly enough, intrigued and drawn to her work. I need to read more!

Alexander Brogan

Spend an hour with Christine Jones, and you'll want to stay. Christine has you explore a land you never dreamed existed. There are plenty of characters, of all shapes and sizes, Christine introduces you to, and before you know it, you'll have concrete ties to some of them, and others, you'll want to destroy. Christine has done all the work, all you have to do is read, and enjoy, and laugh sometimes, and furl your brow here and there, possibly get impatient, but for sure, you'll want to read on. I know I did.

Jon Kuntz Author of - 'The One That Got Away' - 'The Potted Plant' -'Rudy's Bus Stop' - 'Dr. J. and the School Bus' -'Willard Last Day'