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 enlarge | Author: Lisa Tawn Bergren
Publisher: Berkley
Category: Book
List Price: $14.00
Buy Used: $0.01
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Avg. Customer Rating:  22 reviews
Sales Rank: 735757
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
ASIN: 0425215601
Publication Date: September 4, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Good reading copy. May have slight scratches on cover. Overall very good condition. Orders processed and shipped within 24 hours. Choose EXPEDITED for fast delivery.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Thoroughly engrossing story! October 30, 2007
This book actually boosted my faith on more than one ocassion, and the second one is just as great a story. The author certainly did her research so the historical side of this book is right on the mark - but it's the faith shown by the characters that drew me in, led me to read the second book, and I'm now eagerly awaiting the third. How these characters continued, and grew, in their faith even through the most devastating events is very, very encouraging for me. And how each character deals with their particular 'gifts' given to them by God is encouraging and faith-building also.
An awesome story with awesome characters who all have awesome faith!
 Wonderful Story of Divine Gifts October 19, 2007
I stumbled upon this title while shopping at Target, I wasn't at all fimiliar with the title but as I picked it up and read the back cover I knew I had to read this book (and the two that will follow.)The Begotten is the first book in a trilogy of books about the Gifted, a group of early christians in Italy who are found to have divine gifts that were prophesied about in some lost manuscripts, believed to have been early non-cannonized letters from Paul to the church in Corinth. The gifted are a rag tag group of people led By Father Piero a priest who was entrusted with the secret documents many years ago, by others that were aware of these secret manuscripts, and the Duchess Diaro who comes in contact with the Father as she recovers from a broken heart in his convent.
our two key figueres are joined by knights and children that all share in the divine gifts.
As the group grows in numbers and strength they are being watched and chased by the Church, who does'nt want this secret exposed, ala The Divinci Code... and the Evil Sorcerer who is a man versed in the black arts and could be a demon,who wants the gifteds power to be combined with his.
This book is a good read, the charecters are well developed and the plots and subplots are thick and suspensful if at times a bit too drawn out and slow to develop which is the reason for the 4 starts and not 5.
This book is a wonderful presentation of the power of God and the protective armour we all have in faith in Jesus Christ, Jesus said that we will be persecuted, we will be challenged and we will have struggle, yet to take up our cross and arm ourselves with his armour and we shall overcome, just as the gifted do throught this story. If you are a fan of early church stories or a fan of the Divinci code than this series is for you.
The Begotten bu Lisa T. Bergren October 13, 2007
Get ready for a book rich with history, mystery, and suspense!
First in the Gifted Trilogy, it opens with an illumination. Back in the 6th century, the Orthodox Church banned illuminations, the detailed artwork included with the meticulously copied scripture by the monks. These "divinely inspired" paintings would go with the surrounding test, often adding characterization and prophecy. The church believed it was heresy to add to the scriptures. They burned many texts as well as the artists. One such text was an un-canonized (unapproved) letter to the Corinthians, supposedly by the Apostle Paul, that had illuminated a prophecy of a group called The Gifted. Pages are torn out and sent to other churches for safekeeping, while the main book and the monk are destroyed.
Centuries later, the Gifted come together, with the help of the prophecy, to wage physical and spiritual warfare against The Sorcerer. He is a charismatic nobleman that steeps himself in Satanic knowledge and power. The Sorcerer gains power in the town of Siena while trying to get more information on the Gifted to destroy them. Father Piero, a monk gifted with wisdom, Lady Daria D'Angelo (healing), Gianni (great faith), and their group strengthen their faith and strive to find other parts of the illumination while following God's leading. At one point, Daria prays for God to make clear His will for her, and the scripture Ps 119: 105, " Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path..." is given her. She knows the amount of light a lamp gives. Only enough for a few steps at a time.
The Begotten reminds me of Heroes as well as Robin Parrish's Guardian trilogy, but with some differences. It is set in the Middle Ages and deals more with Spiritual powers instead of super powers. I highly recommend it!
Amazing new series October 13, 2007
A fragment of a letter from the Apostle Paul has surfaced, speaking of a group of people called The Gifted. No one knows much about them, except they are supposed to have mysterious gifts and have been called by God to battle against Satan and the powers of darkness. The members come together one by one, under strange circumstances, and are bound into a solid unit by their love for and submission to Almighty God. The Sorcerer, the embodiment of evil, is determined to divide the group, destroy them, and force Daria, the healer, to reject her God and serve him.
The Begotten is a fascinating book, and Lisa Bergren's writing style is beautiful and addictive. A thriller in every sense of the word, filled with adventure, danger, victory and defeat, and bigger than life characters. Strongly recommended.
Book One October 6, 2007
It has long been known that not all of Paul's epistles were preserved in the New Testament. In Inquisition ere Italy, a centuries old secret hidden in one of those lost letters opens a new world for a band of varied Christians who find themselves confronted by enemies on two fronts. Paul prophesied of a time when certain followers of Christ would be granted gifts by the Holy Spirit, extraordinary gifts, and now, a young woman, a knight, a priest, and a mute, freed slave seem to be fulfilling his prediction. However, the more hidebound members of Church hierarchy and minions of Satan lead by a mage both want to put a stop to their work. Nonetheless, these faithful Christians are determined to do whatever Christ's gift demands of them, no matter what.
**** Though some comparisons have bee made to Dan Brown's work and to Tolkien's, I found it unlike both of these. Yes, the Gifted threaten to shake up the structure of the visible church, but since they are maintaining the true church in using their talents to their utmost, not trying to expose alleged lies, the comparison falls short. If you love gripping historical adventures with a strong, spiritual theme, then read this book. If you have ever felt opporessed for your faith, read this book. ****
Amanda Killgore
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