Gift & Curse: The Bestowing

By Leigh Matthews

Gift & Curse: The Bestowing is the first book in a science fantasy trilogy for upper middle grade readers and above.

For thirteen long years, the mighty spaceship, the Aspiration, glides through space, seeking a planet that will be a "New Earth" for Mitch and his fellow Earthling colonists. But Dhascra, the planet on which they are forced to crash land, is anything but the paradise they had hoped for, and is already occupied by hostile locals.

Life on the cruel new planet is hard. The red, rocky, mountains are unforgiving and the heat is relentless. And where is the Dhascran water? The Earthling pioneers begin to despair. But there is hope. Mitch discovers a sentient metal which restores and empowers him. Soaring over Dhascra on his carpet of shimmering metal is Mitch's only chance of finding the water that is essential for their survival.

But should he?

Is the metal a gift or a curse?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1068265604
• ISBN13: 9781068265600
• Release Date: July 2025
• Publisher: Leighmatthewsbooks.com
• Length: 292 Pages
• Weight: 0.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.1" x 7.8"
• Age Range: 11 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 6 to 7