The Sending

The Sending is the sixth installment in Isobelle Carmody's Obernewtyn Chronicles series. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the story follows protagonist Elspeth Gordie as she embarks on her destined quest to prevent a second global catastrophe. The narrative continues to build upon the complex world established in previous books, where those with supernatural mental abilities face persecution. Elspeth must navigate through dangerous territories and confront ancient technologies that threaten humanity's survival. This penultimate volume marks a crucial turning point in the series, as long-running plot threads begin to converge. The story expands both the physical scope of Elspeth's world and the depth of its underlying mythology. The novel explores themes of destiny, sacrifice, and the responsibility that comes with power, while questioning the relationship between humanity and technology. The story challenges readers to consider the cyclical nature of destruction and rebuilding in human society.

Readers consider this a strong continuation of the Obernewtyn Chronicles, though many note it serves primarily as setup for the final book. Readers praised: - The deepening relationships between characters - World-building details about the beforetime - The gradual revealing of key mysteries - Elspeth's character growth and inner struggles Common criticisms: - Slow pacing, especially in the first half - Too much time spent on travel sequences - Some plot threads left unresolved - Repetitive internal monologues Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (90+ ratings) Multiple readers noted frustration with the book's length, with one Goodreads reviewer stating "it could have been 200 pages shorter without losing anything important." Others defended the pace, with an Amazon reviewer noting "the rich detail makes the world feel real and lived-in." The ending received particular attention, with readers calling it both "perfectly set up for the finale" and "abrupt."

The Chrysalids by John Wyndham In a post-apocalyptic society that persecutes those with telepathic abilities, a group of young people must fight for survival while hiding their powers from religious zealots.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard A world divides people between those with supernatural silver blood and powerless red bloods until a red-blooded girl discovers she possesses abilities that could change everything.

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken Children who survive a mysterious disease develop psychic abilities and must escape government internment camps while learning to control their powers.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi A girl with a lethal touch becomes a weapon for a militant organization in a dystopian world where people with supernatural abilities are both feared and coveted.

Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder A magician navigates political intrigue and personal destiny while mastering her powers in a world where magic users face persecution and death.

🔸 Isobelle Carmody began writing the first book in the Obernewtyn Chronicles at age 14, taking nearly 30 years to complete the entire series. 🔸 The "Great White" referenced in the series was inspired by real-world nuclear disasters and their lasting environmental impacts. 🔸 The mental abilities called "Talents" in the series are divided into distinct categories including Farseeking (telepathy), Beastspeaking, Healing, Coercing, and Futuretelling. 🔸 The series originated as a trilogy but expanded to seven books as the story grew more complex during writing, with "The Sending" being the sixth installment. 🔸 The protagonist Elspeth Gordie's name has Celtic origins - "Elspeth" is a Scottish variant of "Elizabeth," meaning "consecrated to God" or "oath of God."