Chasing Petalouthes

The Gift Saga, Book 3

By: Effie Kammenou

Narrated by: Emily Lawrence

Length: 13 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

The Gift Saga concludes with the next generation coming into the forefront of the story during their tumultuous years between adolescence and adulthood.

Evvie has lived through more tragedy than a young girl should ever endure, having lost both her father and a most beloved grandmother at a young age. Her rebellious ways are her only defense to mask the ever-present pain in her heart. Closing herself off emotionally, Evvie vows to never let anyone into her heart. But will her determination to keep everyone out see her lose the only person who could heal her broken soul?

Over-achieving, focused, talented, determined to succeed. Those are the traits Stella envies in her siblings and cousins. Her insecurities and lack of confidence stunts her ability to realize her own worth. When an older, handsome young man claims her as his own, Stella believes she has finally found who she has been looking for—someone to love her enough to mold her into the best version of herself. But has she fallen in love too quickly for a man she barely knows anything about?

Chasing Petalouthes (Chasing Butterflies) is the coming of age story of two flawed, young women who push their way out from the confines of the cocoons they’d built around themselves and discover how to soar.

Chasing Petalouthes can be read as a standalone novel. To understand the full emotional impact of these characters histories and lives read Evanthia's Gift & waiting for Aegina.

©2018 Euthemia Kameno Speyer (Effie Kammenou) (P)2018 Euthemia Kameno Speyer (Effie Kammenou)

Wonderful book

This is an excellent book, whether read alone or as part of the triology. I enjoyed relating to the characters and their Greek heritage and traditions. The author transports me right to the scenes in the US and Greece. The writing is fantastic and I could not put down any of the 3 books in the Gift Saga! All are a must read!!!

Breath of youth

Chasing Pentalouthes is the last installment in the Gift Saga written by Effie Kammenou. Although this book is the conclusion of the saga, it feels more like a standalone. Chasing Pentalouthes follows the emotional and personal growth of Evvie and her cousin Stella in the flashy new 2000s.
This time, the author gives us a youthful approach to these two characters; the reader gets to relate to their insecurities, challenges, friendships, love affairs, how society and family tend to pressure the younger ones, and the sensitive process of finding their calling in life.

As it is understood, there are two plots intertwined to keep in mind; both storylines have unexpected twits that can make you feel powerless and thankful, yes, at the same time.
The general plot (that at some point it combines) is heartwarming, empowered, and courageous for those who are still in the process of learning how to be what they are supposed to be and hopeful for a bright future.

For me, this book is worth reading a second time. The book is well-written, fast-paced, and shocking at times. I missed old characters and the time jumps. However, I still loved it. It feels fresh and well-placed in this new era. One of the main love interests is now one of my most recent additions to my book boyfriends list. I highly recommend this book, no matter if you haven't read the previous two. Don't miss it!

A great ending to the Gift saga

This book allowed for an ending to the series saga. The narration was smooth and clear. I recommend reading the books in order so you may get the true feeling behind the stories. An easy listen for your next cross-country drive.

Hated to see it end!

Loved everything about this three book saga; however, the real jewel in the crown is Ms. Lawrence’s performance. Ms. Lawrence bought each member of the family to life in a way that draws you in and grips the heart. Through within these wonderful families Ms. Kammenou allows us the reader/listener a place to call our own. Whether through ancestry, adoption, or chosen friends-that-are-family, there is a place for us. Didn’t want it to end.

YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS SERIES!

I really enjoyed this series! This series is full of drama, love and family that spans generations. The narration was great as always! The author did an great job with the character builds and plot. This series is one you don't want to miss! I look forward to reading more books from this author. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

So Beautiful

This is the third and final book in this trilogy. It says saga, but in my opinion, saga is four books. Anyways, I'm sad to have completed this trilogy. This trilogy follows a beautiful Greek family that honors their loved ones and cherishes traditions. It's beautiful and refreshing. It not only highlights romantic love, but it also highlights love for family and friends. It also shows how friends can grow into family as well. This trilogy is hard to get through without feeling emotions. How can you not fall in love with all these characters? We have the beautiful Anastacia. She survived the heartache of finding her husband cheating on her. She accepted the help and love of a friend. She also found love again. She found a way to help everybody who's life she impacted. Then we have Sophia, the daughter. She was strong willed and fought for what she believed in. I could list every single character, but I'd write a book. There are just so many great ones. The narrator did a fantastic job with all of the books. I really felt like I was a part of the story. I feel like she's definitely a big reason for this. There are very few narrators who can actually sound like they have BECOME the character. This is one of those narrators. She's brilliant. I'll definitely listen to other audiobooks by her. This is a beautiful story. I do not feel it can be fully enjoyed without reading the first two books first. I personally felt like I became a part of this family. I loved when they loved. I was happy when they were happy. I was angry and outraged when they were. I also can't stress enough how genius having recipes littered through all the books are! I'm definitely getting paperbacks when I can!

Don't want it to end....want more!

Effie Kammenou's brilliant writing takes you on the journey of feeling and witnessing the full range of human emotions. I laughed...I cried....I was in shock....In fear....In joy... The weaving of the spiritual-religous and ancestral beliefs weaves the magic carpet that carries you through the continued unfolding story of this multigenerational family with more focus on the second generation children and their journeys. This amazing love story comes to a close of sorts in Book Three. I truly did not want to see the story end and was left wanting more. I hope that Ms. Kammenou writes more about the unfolding journey of these characters and family.

Coming of age is complicated . . .

Just from my aspect of things you really don't have to have the previous stories to fall in love here, but it will most certainly give you a broader picture of all the characters, place, and various references. You get like a lifetime of understand with this saga. You find a family that through time and place have made more of the life given to them. Then we come to this generation, Evvie and Stella both have surrounding themselves with shields. Shields for different reasons and as they two grown and become women and more they find that the shield they placed around them-self may be more of a hindrance than anything else. Watching these two young women grow in to more comes at a cost. Life hands them much, pain, sorrow, understanding, confusion, joy, love, self-awareness, and then some.

Emily Lawrence has been there from the start. She helps you to make that connection with each of the characters but in a different way. You could feel the pull of her vocals. The visual allure brings you deeper in. You find a greater desire to see what life holds for this new generation. The diction clear, the audio smooth, the emotional connection cemented.

The Saga’s End... Or is it really?

I write the title I did because I’m in denial that this trilogy is over. You can’t live (and die some) with a large Greek family over three books and as many or more generations and not feel like your heart is broken from the loss when it’s over. I know I will be thinking about the characters when I cook supper tonight and will probably still be thinking about them for the next few days. I’ll be thinking about book one and the first two generations and how by book three I felt surrounded and included by this wonderful family, even feeling a bit Greek myself!! I’ll be wondering how the characters are and what the world has in store for the next generation. Effie knows her characters well and allows them to develop in their own “time”. Tragedy and some angst thread through this tale, but love and togetherness prevail. Maybe Effie will write another book in this series, but whatever she writes next, I’m positive that I will buy it!

Very emotional

This book was very emotional. The life that we lead is not always easy but we need to cherish what we have and enjoy life to the full. Written well and a great performance from Emily.
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