A Gift From Grandpa

Passing the Torch to his Crystal Grandson

Fiction - Inspirational
318 Pages
Reviewed on 11/06/2015
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Hilary Hawkes for Readers' Favorite

A Gift From Grandpa: Passing the Torch to his Crystal Grandson by Kirby J Gallagher is an intriguing story of love, enlightenment and hope. The main character, David Duncan, reaches middle age before he begins to question his beliefs and way of living, and realizes that his life, and everyone’s, has a purpose. Through meeting spiritually minded people he discovers he has an amazing gift to make contact, through meditation, with other souls, spirit guides and angels. He has a telepathic ability and can also heal people. Susan, his daughter, grows up embarrassed about her father’s abilities and turns her back on all things spiritual – but then David begins to lose his battle with cancer and Ryan, his grandson and Crystal child, must be told the secrets and truths about his own purpose and spiritual connection too.

A Gift from Grandpa is a beautifully written and thought-provoking story. It begins by introducing the reader to David and Ryan and their very special grandfather-grandson bond. Kirby J Gallagher has created good, strong characters that the reader can relate to in many ways – Susan with her initial doubts about her father’s beliefs and gifts, and Ryan with his humor and curiosity. The plot unfolds at a good pace switching scenes between David and Ryan to Susan. I love the message within this story through which the author describes and explains very well a theory or view of the meaning of life – as discovered by the characters. In doing this, he draws our attention to the materialistic priorities, fears and mistaken beliefs people are so often prone to hold. The story suggests a more meaningful and purposeful life lies within reach for each of us. Though a fictitious story, the theme of New Age spirituality and meaning will appeal to readers intrigued by the notion of crystal or indigo children, and those looking for the freedom, answers and truth outside of religious thought or rules. A thought-provoking book written from the heart.

Deborah Lloyd

If you are ready to explore the belief system of so-called “new age” spirituality, a wonderful place to start would be to read A Gift from Grandpa: Passing the Torch to His Crystal Grandson by Kirby J. Gallagher. The book is a fictional novel, depicting a special relationship between grandfather, David, and grandson, Ryan. David had always recognized the special gifts of Ryan, a crystal child. However, Ryan’s parents did not accept David’s spiritual beliefs, nor his long-time gifts of healing, writing and teaching. He respected their wish not to discuss his beliefs with Ryan until after Ryan's tenth birthday. David is finally able to share his wisdom and life experiences with his grandson – and with the reader of this novel.

The spiritual teachings contained in the story are presented with clarity and insight. Many foundational beliefs, such as all thoughts and actions are based in love or fear, or that forgiveness is an essential component of the spiritual life are presented. The explanation concerning indigo and crystal children is especially well-defined. David’s unconditional love towards his daughter, who had distanced herself from him for many years, is demonstrated through his compassionate acceptance – an aspect of the story with lessons for all readers. Whether you are new to the exploration of spiritual truths or have spent years in studying spirituality, you will enjoy this book. Kirby J. Gallagher’s A Gift from Grandpa: Passing the Torch to His Crystal Grandson belongs on the bookshelf of everyone pursuing spiritual understanding and his/her own life purpose.

Rabia Tanveer

A Gift from Grandpa: Passing the Torch to his Crystal Grandson by Kirby J. Gallagher is a beautiful novel about passing wisdom and precious information to the new generation. When I say beautiful, I mean it. David Duncan was just an ordinary man. A cancer patient who lived longer than his doctors predicted and maybe that made him complacent. But when his disease took over his body, he needed to reveal the secret to his grandson. The boy was very young when they forged a bond beyond anything in this world. And now David must pass the knowledge on to his grandson. His grandson is a Crystal child like David was. When Ryan is sitting beside his grandfather’s bed, he has no idea what he is about to hear. He has no idea that after this conversation his life will have a new meaning and that his grandfather might never be with him to cherish the new adventures he will have.

A Gift from Grandpa: Passing the Torch to his Crystal Grandson by Kirby J. Gallagher was such a beautiful novel. It felt like a precious gift that Gallagher was sharing with his readers. He is a gifted writer because I fell in love with this novel after reading the first three chapters. The relationship between Ryan and David was really precious and it made me long for my own grandfather. I was no Crystal child, but my grandfather and I had a similar bond. I was crying by the time I finished the novel and smiling too because this novel is out of this world.

Tracy Slowiak

Oohhh....long sigh. My heart hurts and somehow feels full at the same time. Why, you might ask? Well, it's because I just finished reading the lovely new book by first-time novelist Kirby J. Gallagher, A Gift from Grandpa: Passing the Torch to his Crystal Grandson. A simply wonderful work that follows the story of David Duncan, a man who has lived with terminal cancer for years longer than anyone expected. But when his body begins to fail and the remaining time is short, he knows that the time is right to tell his beloved grandson, Ryan, about what it means to be a Crystal child, something that David knows very well, since he is one as well. Told from David's hospital bed, the wonderful truth of who Ryan is unfolds in a loving and special way. Will David have the time to tell Ryan all he wants to know? You'll need to read the book to find out.

I loved this book. Loved. It. It made me laugh and cry, and gave me a great sense of "the feels." Author Kirby J. Gallagher has done a wonderful job in writing a moving and emotionally satisfying story that readers will absolutely enjoy from start to finish. I highly recommend this book to any reader looking for a unique and special story that will make their hearts break and feel warm, sometimes all at the same time. Author Kirby J. Gallagher, please continue with your efforts in this vein. Your promising writing skills certainly won't go unnoticed for long!

Chris Fischer

In a wonderful new book by debut author Kirby J. Gallagher, A Gift from Grandpa: Passing the Torch to his Crystal Grandson, readers are introduced to protagonist David Duncan. Already having lived three years beyond his life expectancy after a cancer diagnosis, his cancer starts to progress rapidly. David realizes that he has very little time left to fulfill a promise that he made to his grandson, Ryan, as well as to teach him the secrets of being a Crystal child, something that only David knows about. David had promised to teach Ryan the secrets that go along with being a Crystal child when the time is right. As David lies in his hospital bed, Ryan will receive the secrets and the gift of understanding who he really is, if only David has enough time left.

I very much enjoyed A Gift from Grandpa: Passing the Torch to his Crystal Grandson. Author Kirby J. Gallagher has written a heart-felt, touching and emotional story that readers will get sucked into from the very first page. It seems that there is a strong vein of personal experience that runs through the story, and the discussions and settings are lent a certain authenticity for it. Any reader who enjoys a well written and unique story that will pull at your heart strings, and combines a bit of magic with a great work of fiction, should absolutely read this book. I hope that author Kirby J. Gallagher is hard at work on his next book. I will certainly be watching for more from this promising new author.