What do you think?
Rate this book
Thirty-Six #2
The Healer
After successfully completing his first-year professorship, Welsh folklore expert Chris Pendragon has earned a vacation. At least that’s what the young scholar tells himself � but deep down, he feels an urgency to reassess his life, to find a sense of purpose. Hoping that perhaps a trip to Wales will provide him the answers he seeks, Chris embarks on a journey of self-discovery. He could never have anticipated the unimaginable adventure that awaits him... Shortly after his arrival in Wales, Chris is witness to a horrific accident with more far-reaching consequences than he could have dreamed. Following his heroic rescue of one of the victims, an unexplainable phenomenon is revealed: bones that had been broken were made whole with Chris’s touch. Still reeling from this discovery, Chris is approached by a wizened old man with an implausible answer: Chris has been chosen to be the bearer of the Dial, a healer of unparalleled power. But the calling is fraught with peril, and Chris soon discovers there are those who will stop at nothing to seize the power of the Dial. With the help of a beautiful, if skeptical, doctor, Chris must choose: go back to the life he was leading, or embark on a thrilling new destiny...
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2015
10 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Gregg Luke
19Ìýbooks409ÌýfollowersGregg Luke is a practicing pharmacist. He received his medical training at the University of Utah. He has been writing since he could put pen to paper. He enjoys medical thrillers and is one of the first to work this genre into the LDS market.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
February 12, 2015
The Healer is a tale so excellently woven that the reader has difficulty discerning where myth and legend stop, and where truth begins. How many strands of folklore were interlaced to create the stunning literary braid? Was it four? Five? More?
Completely fixated by the skillful telling, I found myself experiencing every emotion of the protagonist�-the self-doubt which sprang up again and again with each of his set-backs; his internal struggle to choose between facts and faith, logic and belief; the intensely sincere compassion that he had for his fellowman . . . all the while being ferried back and forth across the idyllic countryside of Wales.
If you are looking for a story that will bolster your faith in humanity and convince you that miracles really do happen . . . perhaps even a story that will change you . . . then this is the book.
Read it. Feel it. Then . . . go live it.
Completely fixated by the skillful telling, I found myself experiencing every emotion of the protagonist�-the self-doubt which sprang up again and again with each of his set-backs; his internal struggle to choose between facts and faith, logic and belief; the intensely sincere compassion that he had for his fellowman . . . all the while being ferried back and forth across the idyllic countryside of Wales.
If you are looking for a story that will bolster your faith in humanity and convince you that miracles really do happen . . . perhaps even a story that will change you . . . then this is the book.
Read it. Feel it. Then . . . go live it.
February 17, 2015
I was impressed at how well Gregg Luke was able to incorporate myths and legends from different cultures into on story. He was then able to take those incorporated stories and added Christianity. It was well done and made for a great story.
Chris Pendragon is visiting the land of his ancestors. He is a History Professor and has just completed his first year teaching. He visits Wales to figure out who he is and what he really wants to do with is life while visiting historical sites.
What he ends up with is more than he could have imagined. He now is part of this history and legends of Wales. He doesn't seek it, he doesn't want it, but it is his destiny. An older gentleman gives him an ancient gift that he can't return, but alters how he views life and what he plans to do with his future.
I loved exploring the Welsh countryside with Chris. Seeing a land and culture through a book only strengthens my desire to see it for myself! Wales is one of the top five places on my wish list for vacations.
It would be great to see a second book about Chris. I would love to see how he uses his gift after fulling embracing it. Plus, more running from mob members, jail escapes, and meeting people from legend and the scriptures would be fun to read about. :) It was in this book.
Chris Pendragon is visiting the land of his ancestors. He is a History Professor and has just completed his first year teaching. He visits Wales to figure out who he is and what he really wants to do with is life while visiting historical sites.
What he ends up with is more than he could have imagined. He now is part of this history and legends of Wales. He doesn't seek it, he doesn't want it, but it is his destiny. An older gentleman gives him an ancient gift that he can't return, but alters how he views life and what he plans to do with his future.
I loved exploring the Welsh countryside with Chris. Seeing a land and culture through a book only strengthens my desire to see it for myself! Wales is one of the top five places on my wish list for vacations.
It would be great to see a second book about Chris. I would love to see how he uses his gift after fulling embracing it. Plus, more running from mob members, jail escapes, and meeting people from legend and the scriptures would be fun to read about. :) It was in this book.
September 4, 2021
The book kept me engaged, likable characters.
March 4, 2015
(4.5 stars) Chris Pendragon teaches history at Gonzaga University and decides to take a vacation to Wales to find purpose in his life. He witnesses a car accident and his life is changed forever. He miraculously heals a young boy's broken ankles and doesn't understand how that happened. He meets Nicholas Tewdrig who tries to explain to him what's happening but Chris writes him off as a crazy old man. He realizes too late that he should have listened to him. As he searches for answers, he learns that there are some people he can trust and others that he shouldn't.
I liked reading about the changes Chris made during this story. He started out disbelieving (and honestly, who wouldn't?), and as he learned more information, he started warming up to the idea that he was, indeed, a healer. He questioned why this gift had been given to him and I liked the new revelations he got about how and why it worked, what his role was, and where the true power came from. Since this book is about a spiritual gift, there are quite a few religious references and I personally loved that!
There were some cool legends and locations referred to in this book and the author shares in his Afterword the following: "Although this book is a work of fiction, the legends and locations are authentic. The weaving of one legend with another was solely the work of the author." He then goes on to list the websites where you can learn more. This part was fascinating to me! I wasn't familiar with any of them and loved how he brought them all together.
This book was full of twists and turns and I wasn't sure who to trust, either. He meets a doctor, Kathryn, who was skeptical about his claims, but seemed to believe him. I was surprised at what happened between them and will be interested to see if she shows up in a future installment. The way this book left off, there has to be more to the story and I'm looking forward to how Chris learns to deal with his newfound gift and how it will change his life.
This is the first book I've read by Gregg Luke, but it won't be the last! He has written quite a few so I have lots (more) reading to do!
I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
I liked reading about the changes Chris made during this story. He started out disbelieving (and honestly, who wouldn't?), and as he learned more information, he started warming up to the idea that he was, indeed, a healer. He questioned why this gift had been given to him and I liked the new revelations he got about how and why it worked, what his role was, and where the true power came from. Since this book is about a spiritual gift, there are quite a few religious references and I personally loved that!
There were some cool legends and locations referred to in this book and the author shares in his Afterword the following: "Although this book is a work of fiction, the legends and locations are authentic. The weaving of one legend with another was solely the work of the author." He then goes on to list the websites where you can learn more. This part was fascinating to me! I wasn't familiar with any of them and loved how he brought them all together.
This book was full of twists and turns and I wasn't sure who to trust, either. He meets a doctor, Kathryn, who was skeptical about his claims, but seemed to believe him. I was surprised at what happened between them and will be interested to see if she shows up in a future installment. The way this book left off, there has to be more to the story and I'm looking forward to how Chris learns to deal with his newfound gift and how it will change his life.
This is the first book I've read by Gregg Luke, but it won't be the last! He has written quite a few so I have lots (more) reading to do!
I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
February 17, 2015
This is quite a different story from anything else I've read by this author. Chris is on a vacation in Wales and comes across a terrible accident. His life changes from that point on, as he learns that he has been chosen to be a healer. Chris has a lot of questions and is determined to find answers, which leads him on some crazy adventures. One question asked of him was, "Have you ever wondered if you might have a higher calling in this life?" That really opened his mind to the situation.
Being a healer is a very religious role, found in legends, and many of the answers lie with priests, in churches, and within himself, as he discovers a faith he never knew he possessed. I can't imagine being in a foreign country and finding myself is some of the scrapes that Chris found himself in. There were times when the wrong people were trusted and other times when unexpected people helped him out. Through it all, he learned a lot and received a lot of wise counsel. He was told, "There are clues aplenty. You just need faith to see them." Isn't that just how life is?
Father Llewellyn is a fantastic character and one of my favorites. Dr. Kathryn Ingledew was great, too. She seems very conflicted, which confused me, and I'm interested to see if she appears in another story in the series. Chris is a very mature and competent character. I especially enjoyed the ending and seeing him come into himself.
This was an interesting read and I'm looking forward to seeing where the series will go from here.
Content: Squeaky clean in the romance department (none); no language; mild violence elements (car accident, injuries--not very graphic); heavy religious elements (the main focus is religion with a lot of references to prayer, healing, scriptures, and religion)
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
Being a healer is a very religious role, found in legends, and many of the answers lie with priests, in churches, and within himself, as he discovers a faith he never knew he possessed. I can't imagine being in a foreign country and finding myself is some of the scrapes that Chris found himself in. There were times when the wrong people were trusted and other times when unexpected people helped him out. Through it all, he learned a lot and received a lot of wise counsel. He was told, "There are clues aplenty. You just need faith to see them." Isn't that just how life is?
Father Llewellyn is a fantastic character and one of my favorites. Dr. Kathryn Ingledew was great, too. She seems very conflicted, which confused me, and I'm interested to see if she appears in another story in the series. Chris is a very mature and competent character. I especially enjoyed the ending and seeing him come into himself.
This was an interesting read and I'm looking forward to seeing where the series will go from here.
Content: Squeaky clean in the romance department (none); no language; mild violence elements (car accident, injuries--not very graphic); heavy religious elements (the main focus is religion with a lot of references to prayer, healing, scriptures, and religion)
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
Read
March 24, 2016i found it a very interesting book about a young American prof. of Welsh Folklore on vacation in Wales, who witnesses a car accident ahead of him, and though he finds the mother dead, he works to free the young boy still trapped in the burning car. An older gentleman helps him pull the boy out of the car, and they see that both his legs (or ankles) are badly broken. Just a short time later, though, the Professor sees the same boy walking and running around, and his ankles are clearly healed, apparently by some mysterious power transferred to him unbeknownst to him, by the old man, Nickolas, a priest from the local parish who was born over 200 years ago! Nick has transferred his gift of healing (that has also sustained him for sooo long) to Christian Pendragon (the professor).
Chris learns a bit more of this gift from Nick before he dies (having given up the power that kept him alive), and he struggles to accept this gift of healing others.
A beautiful, but very skeptical doctor, and the British Intelligence agency (MI5), get thrown in the middle, and the story gets more involved as others try to take away the [talisman] that Chris was given by "St. Nickolas", and which has magic of its own.
The only part of the story I didn't think fit is when the author makes references to some local folks who believe "St Nick" was the original Father Christmas...since the origin is much older than that.
A good fantasy story with some good twists!
Chris learns a bit more of this gift from Nick before he dies (having given up the power that kept him alive), and he struggles to accept this gift of healing others.
A beautiful, but very skeptical doctor, and the British Intelligence agency (MI5), get thrown in the middle, and the story gets more involved as others try to take away the [talisman] that Chris was given by "St. Nickolas", and which has magic of its own.
The only part of the story I didn't think fit is when the author makes references to some local folks who believe "St Nick" was the original Father Christmas...since the origin is much older than that.
A good fantasy story with some good twists!
February 22, 2025
2025� I’m not sure why I thought in my last review that this book wasn’t as well written as others. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it again for a book group. It was an easy read. Lately I’ve been listening to books more than reading them. Today I allowed myself the luxury of sitting down and reading almost the entire book. It read fast and held my interest the whole way.
4.5 Stars. I rounded up because I was sucked into the book and couldn't wait until I could read it each day until I finished it. The book, however, was not as well-crafted as other books. But, I really enjoyed it, and I can see why it was a finalist for the Whitney Awards.
The main character, Chris, had a calling thrust upon him that he doubted and resisted throughout the entire book. I could relate with his journey. Although my "callings" in life are not supernatural, I have often doubted and resisted, even in the face of both evidence and feelings. My journey to accept my life is sometimes hot and cold just like Chris's.
The blending of myth, legends, and scripture was very well done. The description of Wales and the characters' dialect made me feel like I was in Wales. Chris is the only character in the book that develops and changes throughout. The other characters are more two-dimensional and used to facilitate Chris's journey. But, given the setting of only a week of a person away from home in a foreign country, that makes sense.
4.5 Stars. I rounded up because I was sucked into the book and couldn't wait until I could read it each day until I finished it. The book, however, was not as well-crafted as other books. But, I really enjoyed it, and I can see why it was a finalist for the Whitney Awards.
The main character, Chris, had a calling thrust upon him that he doubted and resisted throughout the entire book. I could relate with his journey. Although my "callings" in life are not supernatural, I have often doubted and resisted, even in the face of both evidence and feelings. My journey to accept my life is sometimes hot and cold just like Chris's.
The blending of myth, legends, and scripture was very well done. The description of Wales and the characters' dialect made me feel like I was in Wales. Chris is the only character in the book that develops and changes throughout. The other characters are more two-dimensional and used to facilitate Chris's journey. But, given the setting of only a week of a person away from home in a foreign country, that makes sense.
June 22, 2024
I liked the premise but the main character’s lack of common sense from the very beginning really irritated me. First, he went up to an unconscious woman on the ground who had been ejected out of the windshield of her car and seeing all her injuries called out to her and asked if she was alright! Then he didn't think until later when the car was beginning to burn to see if anyone else was in the car.
Then further in the story he had something precious in his possession and whether or not he believed it was what it was purported to be he knew others might want to take it from him. Yet he continued to recklessly tell people about it. I had to speed read through several chapters to get through them.
Then further in the story he had something precious in his possession and whether or not he believed it was what it was purported to be he knew others might want to take it from him. Yet he continued to recklessly tell people about it. I had to speed read through several chapters to get through them.
March 22, 2018
The main character frustrated me for a long long time. The ending was good but painful to get there
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2015
Fantastic!
August 6, 2017
I received an ebook for free via NetGalley.
Christian Pendragon is your typical history professor.He has a profound interest in Irish folklore and history.The American professor visits Ireland for his vacations.Hardly does he know that his life is going to change forever.
I'll try my best to keep the review as spoiler-free as possible, but it is a daunting task because of the nature of The Healer's story.Chris belongs to a family of physicians but runs away as far as possible from gore and wounds.He becomes a student of history against his family's wished and is therefore confused about his life.Although, he loves teaching yet he feels as if his life is incomplete.In Ireland, he believes, that he may find his true purpose.Soon, he realizes that God has a big plan for him.
During an accident, he is approached by a local saint (not known to Chris).The saint reveals to Chris that he has been chosen to be a healer.Now, these are not ordinary healers, for they are gifted with the ability to heal every ailment besides death.This befuddles Chris who is reluctant to accept anything.He refuses to believe what the centennial saint tells him.He is unable to comprehend the mysterious rather miraculous happenings around him.A tale of self-realization follows.
I found the whole story interesting, primarily because of the associated legends.The narrative is well-suited to the story.The build-up of the characters and story is impressive.The story has a healthy mix of action, prudence, and romance.I believe that the readers will surely ask for a sequel.
Christian Pendragon is your typical history professor.He has a profound interest in Irish folklore and history.The American professor visits Ireland for his vacations.Hardly does he know that his life is going to change forever.
I'll try my best to keep the review as spoiler-free as possible, but it is a daunting task because of the nature of The Healer's story.Chris belongs to a family of physicians but runs away as far as possible from gore and wounds.He becomes a student of history against his family's wished and is therefore confused about his life.Although, he loves teaching yet he feels as if his life is incomplete.In Ireland, he believes, that he may find his true purpose.Soon, he realizes that God has a big plan for him.
During an accident, he is approached by a local saint (not known to Chris).The saint reveals to Chris that he has been chosen to be a healer.Now, these are not ordinary healers, for they are gifted with the ability to heal every ailment besides death.This befuddles Chris who is reluctant to accept anything.He refuses to believe what the centennial saint tells him.He is unable to comprehend the mysterious rather miraculous happenings around him.A tale of self-realization follows.
I found the whole story interesting, primarily because of the associated legends.The narrative is well-suited to the story.The build-up of the characters and story is impressive.The story has a healthy mix of action, prudence, and romance.I believe that the readers will surely ask for a sequel.
December 8, 2018
Chris Pendragon is a young history professor from Gonzaga, on a summer holiday in Wales, when he witnesses a devastating car accident and something strange happens when he and an elderly man try to save a young girl. Somehow, the girl is healed, and Chris seems to be responsible for her healing. The elderly man reveals that his powers as a healer have been transferred to Chris, and Chris is suddenly more powerful, more vulnerable, and more reluctant than he has ever been in his life. The Healer is a book about the power of spirituality, not from a Mormon perspective, but in some ways it doesn’t surprise me that a Mormon wrote the book. Luke calls Chris a “lapsed Methodist� (teaching at a Catholic school?), yet one critic I read notes that he does the things religious people do (like praying on his knees each night). All in all, the book has a nice blend of a quickly moving, compelling plot and mystical/spiritual elements. It felt somewhat like The DaVinci Code in that respect, and I expect that Luke will revisit Chris Pendragon in future tales� The Healer is a story that is just beginning to be told.
February 16, 2019
I really liked the book. However, there were some elements in it that frustrated me. I was listening to it as an audiobook, but I was glad I also had a copy available that I could read. That way, when I felt like the story was a little stuck, I could get past it more quickly.
There were things that Luke foreshadowed that I felt he never really delivered on. The behavior of Detective Wescott was irrational and unexplained. I also expected a little more resolution with the doctor. I really did like the end, though.
I really liked learning about some legends and myths. I also liked how Luke wove them all together. (And I was grateful for the note he had at the back explaining that one way or another they were all real.) It makes me want to go to Wales. 😀
There were things that Luke foreshadowed that I felt he never really delivered on. The behavior of Detective Wescott was irrational and unexplained. I also expected a little more resolution with the doctor. I really did like the end, though.
I really liked learning about some legends and myths. I also liked how Luke wove them all together. (And I was grateful for the note he had at the back explaining that one way or another they were all real.) It makes me want to go to Wales. 😀
October 25, 2021
I loved the setting of this book I have always wanted to travel here to and eat the food, not the ale, and see everything. Plus although the main character wasn’t lds he had similar morals. I liked how it talked about faith without actions is dead. It had some good metaphors about faith too. It also made me think about the healing powers of the priesthoods and listening to the Holy Ghost. If you could heal anyone of anything besides death what would you do.? What would you give up to do it? Where would you go. I highly recommend this book. Clean and suspenseful.
September 28, 2023
I just finished listening and my thought was "okay, that's done." It was not unbearable by any means, but I'd only recommend it to people that really enjoy religion being shoved down their throats while reading a novel. Maybe fans of The Chronicles of Narnia would like it, but I loved those and this was a bit too "in your face," religiously speaking.
That being said, the narrator, Jason Tatum, was delightful and I would listen to another of his books again for sure. He certainly made it very listen-able.
That being said, the narrator, Jason Tatum, was delightful and I would listen to another of his books again for sure. He certainly made it very listen-able.
August 2, 2017
The book started off really exciting, then got pretty boring in the middle. It picked up again later, though. I was disappointed with how Kathryn ended up behaving toward Christian. I didn't expect that. It was neat to see all of the healing that took place, but I had actually hoped for more of that. I think that's why I got bored through some of it. I felt like too much of the storyline was wasted on other things that didn't really matter.
November 30, 2021
Very engaging story; the perfect companion for a very long car ride. A good novel leaves me with questions about history and topics in the story. This one did just that. Plenty to research and learn more about. Uplifting, and not weird. Stays true to Christian values and principles. I listened to the audio version, narration was excellent.
March 10, 2022
I listened to this as an audio book, and I think that the narrator gave it a lot of personality. I really liked the story, but sometimes got a bit frustrated with the main character's attitude. But, in the end, I think his attitude was part of the story. I will definitely read more books by Gregg Luke.
March 16, 2022
It is so interesting to read what other reviewers have written. I really enjoyed this book. I listened to it in one sitting and then listened again. I thoroughly enjoyed the character development, the plot, being able to visit another country, being exposed to fables/myths that were part of the writer's imagination. I can't wait for a sequel because there are unanswered questions. Please!
May 7, 2022
Very good read! I really enjoyed the story line and the setting. It's also fun that I've met the author (many years ago), since he's my friend's brother. Since I listened to it, the icing on the cake, so to speak, was how well the narrator spoke in different accents! That really added to the sense of place for me.
October 17, 2017
WOW! Don't normally buy books this expensive, but, after reading the sample I just could not put it down. It was so good, my wife stopped reading her current book to read this and finished it before me. Now, WHERE IS THE 2nd Book in this Series?
February 26, 2019
An interesting combination of legend and religion and one man's search for what he is really meant to do with his life. I appreciated that the author includes sites for finding more information about the legends and locations used in the novel.
January 7, 2020
Slow start, but became interesting and enjoyable. Well written. Although fiction, the author writes it like it's the real world, even the characters reacted as you would expect if this happened to you.
February 2, 2022
This was kind of a fun story but felt pretty anticlimactic how it ended. I was left feeling like too many details were left hanging or unresolved. And there were several things that seemed illogical throughout the story.
August 9, 2017
I enjoyed the story and loved where the author went with it. I was disappointed in a few parts, but it was good overall.
February 16, 2018
I found myself getting very involved with this story. It ended in a way that I hope there will be a sequel, because I want to read it NOW!
July 17, 2018
Very interesting book. I liked it but I feel like the story isn't complete. That may come with living the life of the healer.
March 5, 2020
Christ doesn't quite know what his purpose in like is until he visits Wales and discovers an old man had given him a really old stone. I really enjoyed seeing Chris come to use his gift.
June 22, 2020
Fascinating mixture of faith and fable!
January 14, 2021
Meh. I think the basic premise and plot had potential, but I got so bored of all the history lessons and dialogue I couldn’t finish. And I like history so...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.