My first review of 2021 was something I was looking forward to to mark the new beginning of a new year after the event that was 2020 and I was delighted that it was Deliverance of the Blessed because I have discovered a new favourite. I was honoured and excited to review the latest book from Australian independent author, A.B Endacott as I have a real passion for independently published books and I couldn’t wait to dive into this one. This is my first read by this author and I was so captivated from beginning to end.
Deliverance of the Blessed is the story of Kaylene and how she is navigating the loss of her only love and soul mate, Luka. She is a Blessed, a person with a divine gift and lives behind the high walls of the Sanctuary which protects others from their abilities. Life is generally quite lonely for a Blessed in the Sanctuary, but Kaylene found a wonderful group of friends in Luka, Callam, Merika, and Leshan. Kaylene is surrounded by grief from the beginning of the book and she is really struggling to cope with her overwhelming emotions, so much so that she cannot see herself living without him. Before she can do the unthinkable, she is approached by someone who tells her there is a way to bring Luka back from the dead. This starts her journey and gives her life a purpose once more allowing her to focus her grief and use it as a tool to fix something that never should have happened.
“Who are you trying to bring back?”
Kaylene liked the sound of the girl’s voice. It had a clarity that reminded her of the very first birdcall on a still morning.
“He was Callam’s brother.”
“And what was he to you?”
Kaylene forced the whisper out through a throat that threatened to close up completely. “Everything.”
Set in the same world as some of Endacott’s other novels, the Godskissed Continent, Deliverance of the Blessed is a standalone novel that can be read without prior knowledge of the other series. Although, I feel that it would be an even more immersive reading experience if you have read other works within this world. Despite this world being completely new to me, I instantly felt at home and enjoyed having the story weave around me comfortably.
Told in third person, the story revolves around Kaylene but also provides slivers of her friends. Kaylene is an authentic main character and her emotions and reactions are raw and heartfelt and I could connect with her instantly. On top of the tragedy that was Luka’s death, from an early age she has been taught that being a Blessed is dangerous and that she must learn self-control before she can return to live in the outside world. There is a strong sense of oppression as throughout the story we see Kaylene and her friends demonstrating full control over their abilities yet they are still treated as though they lack the basic control. This suggests early on that the Sanctuary may not be exactly what they seem to be and the Senior Blessed may have ulterior motives in keeping certain students behind..
“The Sanctuary keeps us prisoner. But if you’re imprisoned with someone who makes you happy, you don’t notice it.”
As the story progresses and Kaylene embarks on her mission to bring Luka back, she slowly begins to live again with the help of her friends, in particular Luka’s brother Callam. They journey together to find all the required pieces to be able to bring Luka back and the closeness they experience on that trip leads to confusing feelings and inner turmoil for both parties. Despite the hesitance Kaylene and Callam share, their relationship is one of the shining moments in the book. Both are mourning the loss of Luka in their own way, but are unable to grieve together. As the story progresses their feelings become more complicated and I honestly need more of the story between Kaylene, Callam and Luka. Please?!
I was lulled into a comfortable reading experience with Deliverance of the Blessed. The pacing of the book throughout is so gentle and whimsical then suddenly, almost out of nowhere, a spanner is thrown into the plot and the final few chapters of the book rush ahead at breakneck speed. I honestly wasn’t expecting a twist in this story as there is so much focus on the characters but I sure was happy when it occurred.
The overall writing style of this book is very lyrical and poetic, which I adore, and it reminded me of Maggie Stiefvater in a way. The raw emotions Endacott demonstrates in her characters seeps from the page and consumes you as you read. The grief and then confusion and struggle Kaylene experiences is a constant throughout the book and this realistic representation really stood out to me. It is easy to write in emotion as a reflective tool but Endacott’s characters feel throughout the entire story.
Deliverance of the Blessed is a unique, immersive, and whimsical tale full of raw emotion, beautiful imagery and true relationships that make you feel. It is a story of grief and how at times it seems like that emotion will overtake your life but with time and purpose it is possible to grow and overcome without having to forget. It was an utter delight to read and I look forward to reading more from this author’s back catalogue.
Deliverance of the Blessed is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of January 31st 2021.
Will you be picking up Deliverance of the Blessed? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
Like all Blessed in the First Country, Kaylene is kept behind the stone walls of the Sanctuary to ensure the protection of others. Life has not been unbearable, though. She has found friends – and in Luka, even love. Then Luka dies in a terrible accident and Kaylene’s entire world falls apart.
Life itself seems devoid of any hope until a chance encounter with a stranger gives Kaylene a purpose that sets her and her friends on a path that challenges everything she’s believed: to reach beyond death itself and bring him back.
A standalone book in the Legends of the Godskissed Continent world, Deliverance of the Blessed weaves a tale of loss, longing, and encountering the unexpected, which builds to a thrilling conclusion.
