The Gathering (Gifting)

You will not be disappointed by the conclusion to this series! It’s a must read. The romance sizzles and the love triangle pulls you in both directions. My heart rate was skyrocketing by the end, desperate to learn what happens and how it all turns out. K.E. Ganshert is a hidden gem and this series should be on everyone’s radar. The signs of a great read: I laughed, I cried, and I barely resisted the temptation to cheat and read the ending before it arrived.

I hardly ever purchase books, but after reading the first two in the series, I absolutely had to read this one! It was fantastic!

The GoodI find that I'm sad to see the story over. I'm still very attached to the characters and the world there. I love the mixture of this dystopian world with the paranormal elements of hopping, talking, and fighting through the dream world. The action is incredible, and there is the undercurrent of not being able to trust anyone that I enjoy in stories. I appreciate that at any moment, someone can turn bad.What makes this series so interesting is the great plot and world mixed with crazy twists and turns. In each book, they are in a different place. This time they are traveling some, and the bridge they went over had my heart thumping like crazy. Then they were in another remote location with more new characters thrown in. I love that each story had some new characters as well and still kept the old. I also think it's great that Ganshert is not afraid to kill off characters. It makes the story that much more impactful.The BadThe only gripe I have about The Gathering is how the end seemed wrapped up so quickly. There was a lot going on through this series, and the resolution seemed to creep up on me out of nowhere and end before I was prepared.The RomanceThere's a normal teen romance in this with hurt feelings, jealousy, and infatuation. I enjoyed seeing Luka and Tess grow into a better understanding of each other and finally talk more about how they feel about things. I enjoyed the love they shared and can see it lasting.ConclusionThis is a great series, and The Gathering is a wonderful way to wrap it up. I happened upon this series through the first one being free on Amazon, and am not at all disappointed to have read this gem. It's got a great mixture of loss, death, hope, frustration, love, stubbornness, and redemption in the pages. I loved the characters and was amazed at how many couldn't be trusted or turned out to be a friend in the end. The twists that the story took and all the locations were fantastic. I loved mostly though watching Tess and Luka together fighting in the dream world against the darkness. The Gathering is an excellent end to this great series. Definitely recommended!"I can't trust anyone." Myself, included. Myself, most of all. I'm always wrong. I trust the wrong people. I accuse the wrong people. "It's like I have no idea which way is up. Nothing feels safe anymore."*Originally given 4 1/2 stars at JC's Book Haven

Absolutely loved this series!! Couldn't put it down. I fell in love with the characters. I plan to keep going w the "Luka" book.

I downloaded The Gifting (#1) ebook for free from Amazon, and after finishing it immediately bought The Awakening (#2) and The Gathering (#3). This review is for the entire series rather than each individual book, which I will explain in a moment.Tess, the shy and secretly troubled new girl in town, inexplicably draws the attention of Luka, the most popular boy in school. However, this is more than basic attraction. Tess and Luka share an otherworldly connection - one they must embrace if they wish to help defeat the evil conspiracy seeking to wipe The Gifting from the earth.This is a coming of age story set in a near-future dystopian America containing political policies, medical ethics and social ideology that are not only eerily possible, but already practiced in some form in various parts of the world.The Gifting series does many things well. It was a fun read and I enjoyed the characters - aside from Tess, Link was my favorite - and the story is paced well over the series. It has an intriguing premise (which could be mined even further) that speaks to a number of issues the world faces today. There were a few frustrations that I share at the very end, but they didn’t hinder me from enjoying the story and wanting to pick it up whenever I had the chance.FOR YOUNG READERS AND THEIR PARENTSFor readers and parents concerned with content:- Romance is a primary plot point, but there are no sexually provocative or graphic situations- no profanity (that I can recall)- Violent? Yes. Gory? No. Think The Matrix-style violence.A FEW STRUGGLES (and **POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD**)STRUCTURE: The Gifting and The Awakening have cliffhanger endings. I hate cliffhanger endings. The first one instigated an audible, "What the...?" While I enjoyed the story and planned to continue anyway, the structure effectively guaranteed it. Touche', Ganshert.FACT-CHECKING: In one scene, a character explains a pistol's external safety, which it does not have in real life. A personal pet peeve which some might not notice, but it makes my eye twitch in frustration because these details are so readily available.

This was a fantastic 3 book to the series - and I loved it! hated to have it end!!

Wow. Just wow! I started this journey not really expecting it to become such an obsession. As soon as I started reading Tess and Lukas story, I became riveted! I couldn’t finish until all three books were read, and now I feel lost without them.Such an amazing series!!!!

They have to make these books into movies. They are too good not to. I’m in love with this incredible series. Tess & Luka’s story is so encompassing. Hollywood, I hope you are reading this!!!

Great gift for young girls.

I smashed this series out in 2 days and loved every second! I even cried near the end! Such a great series that everyone should read!

Excellent read