The Blessing Giver

by Cindy Gunderson

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On the day of your birth, you receive two blessings and a curse…

In the Passage Realm, only two bloodlines hold the magic. Rayelle, born a Blessing Giver and daughter of the Ambassador, chooses to dedicate her life to service within their religious Order.

But when Paladin, a Balancer, is cast onto the floor of the temple in the midst of her consecration, everything she thought she knew about the prophecy and the Order she’s promised to obey is shattered.

Paladin’s eyes condemn him as having mixed blood, a death sentence under the laws of the Goddess. But Rayelle’s newfound sight in the magic shows her a secret she can’t accept: her life intertwined with his.

Question and she’ll be cast out of her enclave.

Ignore her vision, and she’ll risk offending the Goddess.

Accept the truth, and the magic the Order has fought to protect will unravel.

Thrilling and heart-wrenching, The Blessing Giver is a tale of forbidden love and sacrifice. For fans of Throne of Glass, Defy the Night, and Six of Crows, this fantasy will leave you breathless.

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Book Details

Genre

Fantasy/Science Fiction Romance

Subgenre

Action/Adventure

Audience

New Adult

Bell Peppers

🫑🫑🫑

Profanity

2 Mild

Violence

2 Mild

Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco

1 None

Publication Date

June 19, 2023

Language Versions

English

Narration Type

Human

Fiction Form

Novel

Sensitive Themes

Abuse (physical, emotional, or verbal), Non-consensual touching or coercion (off-page)

Editorial Reviews

"This was fantastic! I LOVED the love. The perfect amount of waiting for something to happen, and eagerly awaiting the relationships to form. The story was so well written and you can already tell that the series is going to have some major adventures. I like the way the story flows and love the characters. Can’t wait to see where it goes!" -Goodreads Review

"I was on the edge of my seat from the very beginning. The story and characters were so original, yet speak to old truths so beautifully. Definitely one to read over again, and I can't wait to read Book 2!!!" -Goodreads Review

A gripping world & a forbidden romance

Romantic Fantasy is definitely not the genre I immediately gravitate towards, but I couldn't help but pick up The Blessing Giver. I was so happy I did! Gunderson does such an amazing job of balancing fantasy world building with the romantic plot.What resonated with me the most about the book was Rayelle's inner conflict, and how she had to try to come to terms with the fact that the world might not be as black and white as she'd been led to believe. There is a lot of questioning of faith, and rebelling against an established order in order to push past prejudices and preconceived notions.And if romance is more your vibe, don't worry, there is plenty of romantic tension between Rayelle and Paladin for those who are looking for a good forbidden romance story as well.I highly recommend this book - please do yourself a favour and check it out!

Good or bad blessing

What a brilliant book , love the world it was set ( well some of it ) in great plotlines superb characters even the baddies can't wait for the next book which is out in a couple of days a very well deserved 5 stars

An Enthralling Beginning to an Enchanting Tale!

The Blessing GiverBy: Cindy GundersonMy Rating: Four out of Five StarsBest for: 18 and upAn Enthralling Beginning to an Enchanting Tale!You know I’m picky about my kissing books. I’m not going to commit my time to one unless I’m certain I’m going to enjoy it. Cindy Gunderson hasn’t let me down yet, so when she writes a kissing book, I’m going to read it.I’m glad I did, and Cindy’s win streak continues!The Blessing Giver is the first installment of an upcoming fantasy trilogy. It’s got all the stuff–mastering magical powers, fulfilling prophecies, unraveling mysteries, and navigating through traditions masquerading as truths. Alongside the intricate plot are parents with dubious motives, heroes striving to grow into their power, and villains needing to be stripped of theirs. Let’s see…anything else? Are there any other necessary ingredients? Oh. Yes…Love. Forbidden love. Enemies-to-lovers love.Some prefer their books to be about the adventure, with a dash of loving. [Hand raised]. Other’s like their books to be about loving and include a dash of adventure. The Blessing Giver firmly belongs on the “Romance First” shelf, and if that’s your preference, you’ll be thoroughly delighted. You can expect ample yearning, hesitating, second guessing, and desiring–leading to LOTS of loving and kissing and…well…you know.I enjoyed the adventure and appreciated the love story in The Blessing Giver. There was no profanity or violence, and the intimate scenes were more emotionally descriptive than physically descriptive, but you definitely know what was happening. I wouldn’t be comfortable reading those scenes out loud with my teenagers, which is my personal barometer for measuring sexual content. I say The Blessing Giver is best for 18 and up.I’m looking forward to the rest of the story!Happy Reading!

Excellent book! Can’t wait for the next.

I don’t read a lot of fantasy books but I must say I’m happy to have stepped out and read the first book in this series.The Blessing Givers and the Balancers each know their distinct purpose; to speak blessings and curses over each newborn babe, and make sure the bloodlines stay pure.Rayelle is going through her confirmation ceremony when a man who is an aberration is dragged into the temple. Paladin has one eye the black of the Balancers and one the violet of the Blessing Givers. What does this mean?As she begins to question everything she’s been taught she finds herself on a journey fraught with danger, temptation, and purpose.I love the way each character’s lives are woven together as they seek to find the truth. Each one is unique yet connected by their love and friendship.I will be anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.

I ATE this up!!!

Wow oh wow! 8/10 stars for me, but on the basic app stars they give it'll be a 5/5! I'm new to fantasy/sci-fi books and wow! This was SO good. I absolutely love Paladin & Rayelle SO much! They started out so confused & concerned & knowing what they had been raised to believe was cut & dry in their belief systems & even through the concerns & worry & what was supposed to be against all odds, found strength in each other, searched out the truth & decided to step out of the normal for them & sacrifice what had to be sacrificed to seek their truths. The character development was so good, in my opinion. I absolutely devoured this book & found my heart racing & on the edge of my seat so many times wondering what was going to come next & who to root for & who to be leery of! I absolutely loved the found family dynamic & the ending left me with my mouth open! I cannot wait to start the next book! Came into this book unsure of what I'd think especially not typically being a fantasy type of reader & it had me hooked from chapter 2 on! I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends who like this style of book! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily… but with that being said, you bet your boots I'll be buying the physical books to add to my bookshelf because I absolutely will be reading this one again and in the near future! 😊 ugh! The ending had a hold on me & now I'm going to sit and stew over how much I enjoyed this book!