Rating: 
Summary: Prodigious!
Review: Alton Gasky enters an arena once held by none other than the ubiquitous Frank Peretti with his novel "The Prodigy". While Gasky covers no new ground with this well told tale, he does do it with passion, verve, and a deft hand. While I tend to shy away from any books with a religious theme, "The Prodigy" is a fabulous exception to my typically steadfast rule. Handling the story of six-year-old Toby, a backwoods-born, illegitimate son of an uneducated mother and abusive father with capable hands, Gasky entertains with the best of them. Though the story itself has gaping holes in the plot, and some of the events take a tremendous leap of belief for the reader, "The Prodigy" is still an entertaining read. Also, some of the questions posed are left unanswered in this tale...questions of faith and plausibility. Still, I would recommend this novel for anyone wanting a quick, easy, non-thinking read for a summer day~
Rating: 
Summary: I couldn't put it down...
Review: Because I hoped it would get better....The story had potential. A little boy and his mother, trying to escape a hard-knock life in Appalachia, set sail for California (cause where else do people escape to?). Along the way they encounter people who Toby seems to know intimate details about. He can see inside them, know their suffering and heal them if the need is there. Toby is discovered by a man who doesn't have his best interests at heart, who then (of course) exploits Toby's gift for fame and profit. And there's a "Shadow Man" thrown in there for a supernatural twist. This is a typical protaganist vs. antagonist story. And of course, the protaganist overcomes. A boring and overdone theme. The writing in this book is painful to read. I can tell the author is trying to be creative and original in his descriptions but comes off painfully cliche and sounding like he's trying too hard. Also, the names of some of the characters are cringe-worthy. A name can define a character. It can sometimes stand alone in revealing the personality of a character. But, when it's obvious, like some of the character names in this book, it induces a groan. In the end, the story is wrapped up all too quickly and tidily. Honestly, I wouldn't waste any time reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't put it down...
Review: Because I hoped it would get better....The story had potential. A little boy and his mother, trying to escape a hard-knock life in Appalachia, set sail for California (cause where else do people escape to?). Along the way they encounter people who Toby seems to know intimate details about. He can see inside them, know their suffering and heal them if the need is there. Toby is discovered by a man who doesn't have his best interests at heart, who then (of course) exploits Toby's gift for fame and profit. And there's a "Shadow Man" thrown in there for a supernatural twist. This is a typical protaganist vs. antagonist story. And of course, the protaganist overcomes. A boring and overdone theme. The writing in this book is painful to read. I can tell the author is trying to be creative and original in his descriptions but comes off painfully cliche and sounding like he's trying too hard. Also, the names of some of the characters are cringe-worthy. A name can define a character. It can sometimes stand alone in revealing the personality of a character. But, when it's obvious, like some of the character names in this book, it induces a groan. In the end, the story is wrapped up all too quickly and tidily. Honestly, I wouldn't waste any time reading this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Solid story wrapped up too quickly
Review: Gansky's story could have been 200 pages longer, or 100 pages shorter. He develops the characters and their dilemmas so well in the first two sections of the book, that the reader is prepared for some incredibly in-depth suspense, philosophy, even theology, to be intertwined into the ending. Instead, the final section wraps the story up a little too neatly--and far too quickly.I liked this story--and it is well worth reading. However, it is a bit uneven in tempo and style. A wavered between 3+ and 4-, but finally gave it a 4-star rating, because Gansky drew me into the world of these characters, made me care, and managed to raise some intriguing questions.
Rating:
Summary: Solid story wrapped up too quickly
Review: Gansky's story could have been 200 pages longer, or 100 pages shorter. He develops the characters and their dilemmas so well in the first two sections of the book, that the reader is prepared for some incredibly in-depth suspense, philosophy, even theology, to be intertwined into the ending. Instead, the final section wraps the story up a little too neatly--and far too quickly. I liked this story--and it is well worth reading. However, it is a bit uneven in tempo and style. A wavered between 3+ and 4-, but finally gave it a 4-star rating, because Gansky drew me into the world of these characters, made me care, and managed to raise some intriguing questions.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting and Worthwhile Read
Review: I bought "The Prodigy" because it was one of my Amazon recommendations and it sounded like a good read. I enjoy Christian fiction, especially those that pit "good" vs "evil". While I wouldn't put this in the realm of Peretti's writing, there is definitely an evil presence through this book -- attach your own label to it. A naive, innocent young boy who has the power to heal people is exploited and becomes a commodity. He helps many people be healed, but he has no knowledge of his gift or why he can do it. He does know that evil surrounds his "benefactor". Until he meets a mentor who befriends him, he has never heard of the Bible nor does he know who God is. Is his gift from God? Is it possible that God would work such visible miracles in our time? Read the book to find out! The book is a definite good read, but the reason I left off a star was because the ending was not only a given, but the events and the questions were answered too quickly. Still, a highly recommended good read!
Rating:
Summary: Taut, suspenseful writing
Review: I bought "The Prodigy" because it was one of my Amazon recommendations and it sounded like a good read. I enjoy Christian fiction, especially those that pit "good" vs "evil". While I wouldn't put this in the realm of Peretti's writing, there is definitely an evil presence through this book -- attach your own label to it. A naive, innocent young boy who has the power to heal people is exploited and becomes a commodity. He helps many people be healed, but he has no knowledge of his gift or why he can do it. He does know that evil surrounds his "benefactor". Until he meets a mentor who befriends him, he has never heard of the Bible nor does he know who God is. Is his gift from God? Is it possible that God would work such visible miracles in our time? Read the book to find out! The book is a definite good read, but the reason I left off a star was because the ending was not only a given, but the events and the questions were answered too quickly. Still, a highly recommended good read!
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful
Review: I enjoy this book very much. It does show how a person with a talent that God has given them can be exploited and used. But is also shows love and humanity.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: I enjoy this book very much. It does show how a person with a talent that God has given them can be exploited and used. But is also shows love and humanity.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting and Worthwhile Read
Review: I enjoyed this book very much. The storyline and plot was very entertaining and kept my attention. One keeps hoping for the best for the mother and her son, and that they eventually realize the evil intents of those trying to capitalize on the gifts of the boy. It had an exciting ending. I am glad I read this book and have added it to my personal library. I would recommend it to any of my friends. In my opinion, it is a worthwhile read.
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