thelittleb00kworm 's review for:

The Gift by Ned Rust, James Patterson

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Summary

After escaping from The New Order (N.O.), Wisty and Whit Allgood are now fugitives, constantly on the run from the dictator known as The One Who Is The One. The totalitarian regime continues to ban books, music, and art, aiming to eliminate creativity and free thought.

Despite their freedom, life isn’t getting any easier. The siblings are still struggling to master their magic and figure out how to use their powers to fight back. However, The One still wants their abilities—he believes their combined magic, known as The Gift, will allow him to achieve ultimate power.

Meanwhile, Whit is haunted by visions of his lost girlfriend, Celia, who is trapped in the Shadowland—a ghostly realm where souls of the dead reside. He is desperate to rescue her, but their fight against the N.O. keeps pulling him and Wisty into new conflicts.

As they join forces with a growing resistance movement, they begin to inspire others to fight back. However, betrayals, mind control, and manipulation make it harder to know who to trust. The One grows even more powerful and is determined to capture Wisty at any cost.

By the end of the book, the siblings face devastating losses, betrayals, and shocking revelations that set the stage for the next battle.

Major Themes & Takeaways

📖 The Power of Art & Creativity

The N.O. has completely outlawed books, music, and creative expression, fearing that they give people too much freedom. However, Wisty discovers that her love for music makes her even more powerful, hinting that creativity itself is a form of resistance.

🪄 The Struggle for Self-Discovery

Both Wisty and Whit continue to struggle with their abilities and what it means to be a witch and a wizard. Wisty is headstrong and impulsive, while Whit is more careful and conflicted, especially with his growing obsession with saving Celia.

💔 Betrayal & Trust Issues

• 
  Byron Swain, the ex-N.O. informant, is as unreliable as ever. One moment he’s helping Whit and Wisty, the next he’s selling them out to The One.
• Even members of the Resistance aren’t fully trustworthy, leading to a constant sense of paranoia throughout the book.
• 
  

🏛️ Totalitarianism & Oppression

The One Who Is The One tightens his grip on society, brainwashing citizens into blind obedience. The book highlights the dangers of unchecked power and censorship.

🔮 Magic as a Weapon of Control

The One seeks to steal the Allgoods' powers to become unstoppable. This raises the question: Is magic a tool for freedom, or just another form of control?

Strengths of The Gift

✅ Faster Pace & More Action
Unlike the first book, which felt repetitive at times, The Gift raises the stakes with nonstop action, intense battles, and high-energy chases.

✅ Stronger Character Development

• 
  Whit becomes more conflicted and emotional, struggling with his responsibility as a leader versus his desperate need to save Celia.
• Wisty’s magic grows stronger, especially when she connects with music. Her sarcasm and humor make her a fun character, even in dark moments.
  
  

✅ More Emotional Depth

• 
  The losses in this book feel real and impactful, adding more weight to the story.
• Whit and Wisty’s sibling bond grows stronger, even as they begin to clash over their choices.
  
  

✅ Intriguing Magic Elements

• 
  The concept of "The Gift" adds mystery and suspense, making you wonder what exactly makes Whit and Wisty special.
• The Shadowland is expanded upon, making it an eerie, unsettling realm.
  
  

Weaknesses of The Gift

❌ Still Lacks World-Building

• 
  How does the magic system actually work?
• Why did the New Order rise so quickly?
• Why do some people have magic while others don’t?
  
  

The book doesn’t answer many of these questions, leaving the world feeling vague.

❌ Repetitive Plot

• 
  Captured. Escape. Captured again. Escape again.
• The conflict with The One is too similar to the first book, making parts of the story feel recycled.
  
  

❌ Byron’s Character Arc is Frustrating

• 
  Byron flip-flops between betraying the siblings and helping them so often that his motivations feel inconsistent.
• He claims to love Wisty, but his actions make it impossible to take him seriously.
  
  

❌ The One Still Feels Like a Generic Villain

• 
  He is powerful but underdeveloped—his motivations aren’t fully explored, making him feel one-dimensional.
• His obsession with controlling Wisty and Whit’s magic is interesting, but the book never fully explains why he fears them so much.
  
  

Final Verdict on The Gift

Category | Rating (Out of 5)
Plot & Pacing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (More action-packed than Book 1)
Character Development | ⭐⭐⭐.5 (Better than Book 1, but still has inconsistencies)
World-Building | ⭐⭐ (Still lacks depth)
Magic System | ⭐⭐⭐ (More intriguing, but still not well-defined)
Villain & Conflict | ⭐⭐.5 (The One remains underwhelming)
Writing Style | ⭐⭐⭐.5 (Simple, fast-paced, and cinematic)
Overall Entertainment Value | ⭐⭐⭐.5 (A fun read but still flawed)

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5 (3.5/5)

A solid sequel that raises the stakes, improves character development, and keeps the action moving, but still suffers from repetitive storytelling and weak world-building.

Who Should Read This?

✔ Great for:

• 
  Fans of fast-paced action-packed YA fantasy.
• Readers who enjoy dystopian stories with magic.
• Those who liked Book 1 and want to see the story continue.
  
  

🚫 Skip if you dislike:

• 
  Repetitive storytelling (capture, escape, repeat).
• Villains without depth or strong motivation.
• Underdeveloped magic systems and world-building.
  
  

Final Thoughts

The Gift is a step up from Witch & Wizard, but it still doesn’t fully live up to its potential. The action sequences are more engaging, the stakes are higher, and Whit and Wisty become more developed characters. However, the lack of world-building, repetitive structure, and underwhelming villain hold it back.

Despite its flaws, it’s a fun, easy read—especially for younger audiences who enjoy dystopian fantasy with high-energy action. If you liked Book 1, you’ll probably enjoy this installment, but don’t expect