In spite of life's craziness, I have managed to read a few really good books in the past couple of months. One of which is Kathrese McKee's novella Healer's Curse. Below is the review I submitted to Goodreads and Amazon. Read it if you are so inclined and then go buy the book! It is on sale at Amazon.com in e-book form for 99 cents.Have you ever been given a responsibility and not been able to carry it out? Have you ever felt like a failure for your inability to do something you believe you were called to? If so, you will be able to relate to Lady Elilan, the main character in Healer’s Curse.
Elilan has been given the gift of healing. But when her gift fails to save the lives of her husband and mother-in-law, she stops using it altogether, fearful of causing more death. Meanwhile, tensions are high between the Twin Kingdoms, more so since the disappearance of the royal children. When a southern soldier is injured while protecting the northern and southern queens, Elilan takes him under her care. As the two become friends, Raymon challenges her beliefs about her gift. Elilan begins to question whether or not the power to heal has ever truly been hers.
Once again, Kathrese McKee has done a beautiful job in making her readers care about her characters in a short amount of time. Elilan’s struggle with guilt over her perceived failures is true-to-life. As a teacher, I began my career with enthusiasm, wanting to teach all my students the best I could and let them know they were loved in all that I did. Many times I have been brought to the realization that any talent I have is God’s and I cannot teach the way I need to without him. I loved Elilan’s grandfather, and watching their close-knit relationship. His gentle counsel and faith reminded me of older people I know who have provided wisdom and guidance at critical times in my life. Raymon, though beautifully written as a strong, yet gentle character is still as much a mystery to me as he is to Elilan. I suspect this is by design, however, as Healer’s Curse is meant to serve as an introduction to these characters. I loved reading his interactions with Elilan, and look forward to getting to know him better in the coming books.
If you enjoyed Mardan’s Mark, you will enjoy Healer’s Curse. Though short, it is very well-written, giving the reader plenty of opportunity to get to know the characters and engage in the story. You will not feel cheated, though you will be hungry for more at the end! If you have not read Mardan’s Mark (go read it!) you will still be able to enjoy this book, though you may have questions about a couple references. Overall, this was a truly enchanting read and a great reminder that our gifts are not our own. We are but tools in the hands of our Master (Ephesians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 1:27-31; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11)
