Flannelgraph

The Peter Newman Trilogy

2009-12-15T21:56:00.001+13:00

Reviewed by Lesmond: 7 out of 10.

Recently I was blessed with a birthday gift from my tank loving mate Burton.

As I eagerly unwrapped the plain brown package, three very obviously military oriented books bristling with medals, soldiers and missiles stared at me daring me to read them.

The books:

Mission Compromised (2002)
The Jericho Sanction (2003)
The Assassins (2005)

The Author:

Oliver North and his good mate Joe Musser. Oliver North is himself an ex-marine with many decorations won in battle. The stories are fictional but are drawn from his 22 years experience in the USMC.

Not professing to be the sharpest tool in the shed, I didn't realise that these three books were a trilogy. In fact, the only thing which designates them as such is their ranking emblazoned on the books spines like stars upon a generals' shoulders. From one star on the first to three on the third, everything about these books oozes military subterfuge. Hence it was by shear coincidence that I picked up and started with the first in the series.

As I removed the dust jacket and hefted the weight of the large armour-plated hardback I was eager to enter a world of war and explosive mayhem. Instead I was greeted by 4 pages of Military abbreviations. Now it is at this point you as the reader have two choices:

Read all 4 pages and attempt to commit them to memory.
Ignore them completely attempting to guess their meanings within the context of the story.

Having chosen the second option I was disappointed that the abbreviations covered the pages like shrapnel and their relentless attack on every page caused my eventual capitulation.

The books are more drama than action and much like the movies of the same genres, personal taste will dictate your choice.

With a very likable protagonist in US Marine Peter Newman and an equally unlikable antagonist in the ex KGB agent Dimitri Komulakov it doesn't take a military genius to detect the US patriotism that permeates every page. This will not be greeted with a loud 'OOH-RAH!' from all readers.

Overtly Christian at times, the story leaves the reader with no doubt as to the beliefs held by the author. Very biblically sound, even going as far as acknowledging which Bible version is quoted, a somewhat in-depth explanation of the basic tenets of christianity within the story seemed to me a little overboard. Good on Ollie for getting the Word out there though.

Let me finish with a few comments that I wholeheartedly agree with:

'A highly readable tale of courage, faith and international intrigue all set within the milieu of today's Middle east politics'

'A lot of this reads like today's headlines...'

and as one comment suggests...

'You do in fact wonder how much of this story is true.'

The Martyr's Song

2009-11-30T20:17:00.012+13:00

Reviewed by Burton: 9.5 out of 10.

I read a blog post the other day which stated (and I quote):

Ted's novels aren't deep... None of them cause you to think deeply about your faith, nor do I know anyone who has come to a deeper walk with God because of reading them.

To the above statement, I respond (and I quote):

Pshh.

The Martyr's Song is, in essence, the pure oil of Dekker's story writing gift in a 128 page novella. Profound, spiritual, suspenseful, disturbing, moving, utterly memorable. An unforgettable story that vividly shows how heaven is far more real than the world we can see.

“Make me beautiful.” That’s what Marci wants from the old woman—not “inner beauty,” but real, physical attractiveness to save her from being a teenage outcast. The woman offers a gift in the form of a story—a strange tale from 1940s Bosnia about a group of soldiers who terrorize a town of women and children, brutalize their priest, and murder a child. Somehow, in the midst of the horror, a window opens to another reality—a world of impossible beauty, infectious music, irresistible laughter, and a vision that somehow changes…everything.

As the title suggests, this is a story about martyrdom... people who die for their faith in Christ. But like no other martyrdom story I've read, Dekker allows the reader to see what heaven sees, the refuge of the righteous in the time of calamity.

The Martyr's Song is a war story, a violent story, a love story, and an easy 9.5 out of 10.

Point of interest - The hardcover edition comes with a CD which contains The Martyr's Song written and performed by Todd Agnew. As I listened to the song once finishing the book - it was definitely a powerful moment.

The Martyr's Song is book one of the Martyr's Song series. I will be reviewing the other 3 books in subsequent posts.

Pulse

2009-11-16T21:10:00.002+13:00

Reviewed by Lesmond: 8 out of 10.

There is a bit of history to this book. It all started when my great mate Burton coerced me into a fun-filled afternoon chasing the mysterious Bigfoot in Whangarei's Mair Park (see here).

So, after winning the competition as part of the author's viral marketing campaign I was delighted to receive amongst the very generous pile of books (payment for lying in a wet puddle) a signed copy of Pulse, the uncorrected Advanced Readers Copy - oooh aaahh.

I had previously read and enjoyed Kronos by Jeremy Robinson (See here for the review and interesting facts about the author himself) and I was keen to see how his latest offering would pan out.

I found Pulse to be a fairly light read. No deep character formation, but at just over 300 pages, less is more... more action anyway.

Jeremy Robinson introduces us to the Delta Force Operatives known as the Chess Team. You can look forward to seeing more of them in upcoming novels. King, Queen, Knight, Rook and Bishop (no really, they are cool) take you on a high speed thriller ride which blended with a touch of sci-fi produce a story that I didn't want to leave unattended for to long.

There are some truly great action scenes (with some of the most unlikeliest villains) that would keep any James Byron Huggins fans happy and also a few twists to satisfy the Dekker fans amongst us.

Like Kronos, Pulse contains a smattering of questionable words - which for all the emphasis they added could have been left out altogether.

Short and sweet, keeping you on the edge of your seat. An easy and extremely enjoyable read.

Click here to visit Jeremy Robinson's website.

Offworld

2009-11-09T13:21:00.014+13:00

Reviewed by Burton: 6 out of 10

Christopher Burke and his crew of NASA astronauts are the first human beings to walk on the surface of Mars. Their return to Earth was supposed to be a momentous day. But a surprise is waiting for them there that's beyond imagining. Safe after a treacherous landing in Florida, the crew emerges to find the unthinkable: every man, woman, child, and animal has vanished without a trace. It's not a dream. It's not a trick. It's real. Alone now on their home planet, the crew sets out to discover the extraordinary secret behind the disappearance of mankind. And whether or not everyone can be brought back. But they may not be as alone as they thought.

I'm always keen to read stories by new authors. I came across rave reviews for Robin Parrish and his Relentless trilogy, but thought I'd start off by reading his standalone latest offering entitled 'Offworld'.

Once again, it was the cover that convinced me to buy Offworld. As you can see, it is outstanding (although it seems a little too similar to Shyamalan's The Happening movie poster - hmmmmm).

The premise is phenomenal... astronaut's return home to find that everyone in the world has disappeared, and for once, the rapture isn't responsible. That in itself earned an extra star ;-)

Unfortunately I was disappointed. It started with promise, but very quickly became mediocre and tedious.

I must say that I am among the minute minority of reviewers that disliked Offworld. It boils down to personal preference I know, but when compared to the great tales I read regularly. I stand by my 6/10 verdict.

Reasons below:

1. It seemed (to me anyway) that Offworld was written for young adult readers. Not a bad thing at all (ie: Hobbit)... but I felt a little deceived, anticipating an intelligent read, and getting a graphic-novel-like novel instead.

2. Offworld's many action sequences (the entire story is just one big string of action sequences) just weren't well written enough to fully engage me. I was confused on more than one occasion, and grew tired of the many simply-too-far-fetched-and-unbelievable-to-be-enjoyed chases and escapes.

3. The mystery is revealed in the last few chapters, and what Parrish does do well, is frustrate the reader. He sucked me in to the story enough that I just had to finish the book even though it was tedious to keep reading (for the reasons mentioned above).

4. The faith aspect is present, but is weak indeed, and on one occasion theologically questionable.
5. Was the climax, and revelation worth it? Not for me. Once again, too far-fetched to be plausible - even for the sci-fi genre.

On the positive side, I'll keep this on my bookshelf for my tween-aged son to read... and for the excellent cover ;-)

Offworld. Recommended for young lovers of implausible Sci-fi/Action. Not this reader's cup of tea.

Click here to visit Robin Parrish's site.

October Giveaway Winner and some sad news

2009-11-08T21:07:00.006+13:00

The winner of September's book giveaway (thanks to random.org) is...

Sarea!

Congratulations Sarea! I'll post the book across the seas as soon as I get an address.

Everyone else, thanks heaps for becoming followers of Flannelgraph. It is with some sadness that I will be ceasing the monthly giveaways for the time-being. Postage over yonder is an expense that I can't really afford right now. I'll fully understand if you want to un-follow ;-(

GBU, Burton (and the Flannel friends)

The Knight

2009-11-02T19:27:00.006+13:00

Reviewed by Burton: 8 out of 10

I began reading The Knight almost immediately after finishing The Rook. In this third installment of 'Patrick Bowers thrillers', Steven James has done it again, and even better than his previous tale.

Agent Bowers is used to tracking the country's most dangerous killers, but now it looks like a killer is tracking him. When he realizes the murderer is using clues from an ancient manuscript as a blueprint for his crimes, Bowers faces a race against time to decipher who the next victim will be and to stop the final shocking murder--which he's beginning to believe might be his own.

As I mentioned in the Rook's review. Patrick Bowers stories read like a 24/CSI episode, the protagonist being a modern day Sherlock Holmes. As far as intelligent-fast-paced-crime-scene-murder-mystery-thrillers go, you can't get much better than this.

Steven James is edgier than most Christian authors I've read... no profanity, no steamy scenes and no wishy/washy morals, but definitely a big dollop of violence, and gruesome murder descriptions, which is not everyone's cup of tea, and quite frankly - after reading two of these books back to back... I'm over this genre, for quite some time (perhaps until mid 2010 when The Bishop is released), and I feel as though I've become too familiar with Steven James mystery formula. Time to read something completely different... like Bambi.

In conclusion, out of the three Patrick Bowers thrillers so far, I still rate The Pawn as the most superior story, then the Knight.

Click here to visit Steven James' website.

Comes A Horseman

2009-10-19T23:58:00.003+13:00

Reviewed by Jon: 6.5 out of 10

If writing ability alone determined the rating I gave this book, then it would, without a doubt, get a straight 10 out of 10. The creative descriptions, ingenious similes, down-to-earth dialogue, cliff-hanger chapter conclusions and cunning storyline were all highlights while reading Comes A Horseman. Robert Liparulo is, as one person so fittingly put it, a writer of immense talent.

In the opening chapter we are catapulted straight into a fast-paced, action-packed assassination scene. Having a soft spot for books that propel you directly into an action sequence, I had high hopes that Horseman would climb its way into being one of my all-time favourite books. This high-octane quickly ebbed, however, as can be expected in a novel to make room for character development in a situation not under pressure. But along with the waning energy came the lengthy, and yes, sometimes tedious descriptions.

By the end of Horseman, I had developed a bit of a love-hate relationship with Liparulo's in-depth descriptions within the story he was telling. On the one hand, I appreciated, and was even sometimes astounded, at the creativity he injected into whatever and whoever he described. You could more firmly grab a hold of the intricacies of the scene and become better adjusted to what was happening. On the other hand, these same descriptions quite often tripped up the story and caused what I would call 'reader slogging', where you as a reader must wade through the hard yards of the first half of the book to get to the stage where you can't put it down.

My biggest criticism with this book was the stage of 'not being able to put it down' not making itself apparent until the final 5 chapters. This 'reader slogging' would also, unlike other thrillers, keep popping its head up, even so much as during a fight scene. Halfway through an intense hand-to-hand combat with a 'walking bicep' you would be thrust into some childhood memory, flashback or training technique learned in the past. To illustrate my point further, the character wouldn't just take his shoes off; he would untie his shoelaces, take his shoes off and carry them with the ring and middle fingers of his left hand. Sometimes detail is excellent; but sometimes you just want to cut the talk, skip to the good parts.

This story, I would have to say, is not one for the queasy or faint of heart; it is quite a gruesome book, and Liparulo makes no apologies for not shying away from gory details. However, he does have a strong underlying sense of morality and a clever portrayal of Christianity that is so real and so compelling that it can't possibly turn away an unbelieving reader. These things, along with Liparulo's fresh take on the events surrounding the end-times as described in the book of Revelation, were what reconciled the reading of this book to me as being worthwhile.

My final thoughts would be that, although I didn't enjoy the story as much as I would have liked to, Horseman is still worth the read -- even if only for the astounding writing and thoughts that come from the hand and mind of Liparulo. It gave me a fresh glimpse of just how horrifying evil can be, and the tremendous hope that we, as Christians, have in Christ.

Liparulo certainly has a strikingly unique story with Horseman, which, in a world of copy-cats and lookalikes, can always be appreciated. But, by all means, please enlighten me if you understand how the story and back cover description ties in with the title of the book. Maybe I just missed something.

Click here to visit Liparulo's site.

The Rook

2009-10-12T19:01:00.007+13:00

Reviewed by Burton: 8 out of 10

Firstly, I must say that because of this series, Steven James has just become one of my favourite authors. There is currently no better crime fiction/mystery author in my opinion.

The Rook is the second installment in a series of crime fiction/thriller/mysteries where FBI Criminologist, Patric Bowers, tracks down serial murderers (or should I say they track him down?) It follows The Pawn, and precedes The Knight and the upcoming The Bishop.

Synopsis follows:

While investigating a series of baffling fires in San Diego, FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers is drawn into a deadly web of intrigue where nothing is as it appears to be. With his own criminology research being turned against him and one of the world's most deadly devices missing, Bowers is caught up in a race against time to stop a criminal mastermind's trap before it closes around him and the people he loves.

This book is slowish (but not tedious) for the first half... but for good reason. The plot is complex (and the twists thick and fast towards the climax), and a good portion of the story needed to be used for laying the foundation. I totally forgive James for this, and actually appreciate the anticipation it conjured.

Whereas portions of Book 1: The Pawn were very disturbing (read review here), it seems as though the violence, and grizzly descriptions are intentionally toned down in this sequel. Non-squeamish readers beware though... I'm currently reading book 3: The Knight and I have to say that The Rook only serves to lull it's readers into false sense of security ;-)

Anyway, back to The Rook. James' timing at unfolding the story is masterly. I will not divulge any more of the plot than the above synopsis does (which is practically nothing), but if you do read this book, read carefully, because, being a mystery and all, the author gives just enough clues to point the intrepid reader in the right direction, but keeps the shocking finale totally illusive till the very end. One thing I will say... everything is not as it seems, and think outside the square.

Although the series is loosely linked to each other, reading it in order is not necessary, (but recommended).

One last comment... Readers, please don't jump into this series expecting the spiritual depth of The Shack. It's simply not that kind of book. I liken it to CSI meets Sherlock Holmes meets 24, written by a very talented author who is a Christian.

Awesome and highly recommended.

Click here to visit Steven James website.

September Giveaway Winner

2009-10-06T13:13:00.007+13:00

I completely forgot to draw this on Sept. 30th so here tis.

The winner of September's book giveaway (thanks to random.org) is...

FinEsse!

Congratulations Esther! You are the first NZer to win the monthly giveaway (and local too). 'Comes a Horseman' is a bit of a bloke's book I'm afraid... so good thing you are engaged to one ;-) I'll get the book to you this weekend.

Everyone else, thanks heaps for becoming followers of Flannelgraph. This month's giveaway is These Boots Weren't Made For Walking by Melody Carlson. You'll be in with a chance to win again (if you are a follower that is ;-). And be sure to check out FinEsse's blog... she has legendary art skills!

GBU, Burton (and the Flannel friends)

Only Angels Are Bulletproof

2009-09-29T21:00:00.005+13:00

Reviewed by Paisley: 7.5 out of 10

I have always enjoyed suspense/mystery novels, so it was with great pleasure that I took the job of reviewing this novel for Flannelgraph, author Emily Ann Benedict's first published novel.

The book starts with a bang, as you are immediately thrown into a very interesting scenario with the main character, Scott Malkin in the middle of it all.

Portion of back cover blurb follows:

"In her first novel, Only Angels Are Bulletproof, Emily Ann Benedict takes her reader on a page-turning ride of suspense and mystery when a seemingly random young woman is fatally shot in front of FBI Agent, Scott and dozens of witnesses, yet survives and disappears before anyone can question her. Scott's quest to stop a plague of bank robberies in the Los Angeles area quickly becomes a quest to prove that things such as angels and miracles do not exist. But when the hunt turns deadly and threatens to consume his friends and family, Scott is faced with one very strange question: Is believing Only Angels Are Bulletproof the only way to stop a criminal?"

As he battles to reconcile what he sees with what he believes, we are taken on an intriging journey into the life and mind of an FBI agent as he tries to unravel the mystery he has waded into.

Positives: This book has all the ingredients to a great read... great characters, interesting plot, some action and a dash of emotion, the odd twist and turn and a great journey of faith interwoven throughout the story.

Negatives: I felt the characters could have been developed a little further, as they seemed sightly shallow when relating to each other. At times the story felt a little slow, but this was only a couple of times. As someone else said, they wouldn't describe this novel as gripping, but definitely engaging.

All in all, Only Angels Are Bulletproof is a great read. If you enjoy mystery/detective type novels, then this is a book for you. A great book for all Dee Henderson fans... To be honest, I preferred Emily Ann's novel as it wasn't as mushy as the typical Henderson story!

Well done to Emily Ann Benedict on this book. I look forward to seeing more of your work in the future!

Click here to visit Benedict's website.

The Shack

2009-09-17T21:53:00.013+12:00

HALL OF FAME!
Reviewed by Burton: 10 out of 10

I first heard of The Shack by William P. Young in early 2008, and although some people were hailing it as an 'it-changed-my-life' masterpiece, I was aware that some very influential preachers were condemning it as pure heresy. Now, having read the book I will simply say that it is without a doubt the most impacting work of fiction I have ever read.

Let me deal briefly with the bullhorn guys...

Their main arguments are: God, the Father is portrayed as an African-American woman, and the Trinity's relationship with Itself(?) is unscriptural. I say 'Meh' to both of them, and let me tell you why. William P. Young never intended The Shack to be critiqued by theologians. He simply wrote it for his adult kids to show them God's character. So what if I didn't agree totally with parts of Young's theology? To judge this book based on points of doctrine is to miss the point of story completely!

One last rant if I may... How come so many Christians are quick to use secular movies/books to share the gospel (The Matrix comes to mind), but because a 'Christian' book is controversial, they condemn it as heresy?

But I digress.

The Shack is a fictional story which taught me (more than any teaching book BTW), about the love of God, why He allows suffering, and how especially fond of me He is (and if it sounds arrogant, you need to read the book ;-).

This is one of those rare books which, from beginning to end, is totally unpredictable... and emotionally exhausting. A warning to fathers of daughters: This book will mess you up big time, and the first-third is incredibly hard to read. But be encouraged, I do really believe that fathers of daughters will be the most impacted by this book.

In conclusion, and if you possibly can... I wholeheartedly recommend that you take a couple of days off work, hike up to a shack somewhere, read this book and thank God for His goodness. Then come home, give your kids (and wife) a huge hug and kiss, and thank God for all His goodness.

Click here to visit theshackbook.com.

August Giveaway Winner...

2009-09-02T11:49:00.019+12:00

The winner of August's book giveaway (thanks to random.org) is...

ANGELA TORRES!

Congratulations Angela! Please contact me with your postal details, and I'll get Only Angels Are Bulletproof shipped out to you.

Everyone else, thanks heaps for becoming followers of Flannelgraph. This month's giveaway is Comes A Horseman by Robert Liparulo. You'll be in with a chance to win again (if you are a follower that is ;-).

GBU, Burton (and the Flannel friends)

Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana

2009-08-31T21:15:00.006+12:00

HALL OF FAME!
Reviewed by Paisley: 10 out of 10

"Now in his thirtieth year, Jesus and his tight-knit family endure a long, dusty winter of disruption and chaos. Whispers of his virgin birth still persist, and while he struggles with the demands of his family and the weight of his great destiny, those around him wait for some sign of the path he will take... but this quiet man of Nazareth is instead called upon to found a ministry which will utterly transform an unsuspecting world..."

From the moment I picked this book up I was hooked (even more than I was with the first book in this trilogy - if that is possible). Anne Rice has an incredible gift as an author... the gift to transport you away to the place she is writing about, to feel the emotions, picture the scenes and to be totally immersed in the culture of the day. Mix this incredible gift with a passionate faith in Christ and you have pure literary awesomeness!

Once again, it took a moment or two to get used to reading a book about Christ written in the first person. It wasn't long though, and then it felt like I was back with old friends as I read about Jesus, his close-knit family and humble everyday life.

My emotions took a few twists and turns in this book, especially as Anne Rice puts Jesus in an interesting scenario... one that is not mentioned in Scripture, but I must say could very well have been possible when we read in the Bible that He was tempted in every way, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). This situation (among others) provoked me to think about how much He truely does understand our struggles, thoughts and frailities. It made me draw closer to my Lord.

I love the way Anne Rice weaved unknown characters and situations together with the familiar Biblical ones. She is gifted (I just had to say that again ;-).

If I was to say anything negative about this book, I felt there were a couple of conversations Jesus had (one of them with Satan) that were just a bit too long, and my focus started to waiver, but only for a second (other reviewers have raved about these conversations though).

I just had to give this book a 10 out of 10! This book (and Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt) are MUST READS for all people... Christian's or not, I would highly recommend them. They are factual and historical (although some theologians may debate on a couple of points, there is nothing that I found majorly offensive) yet filled with action and emotion. I am sure these will be classified as materpieces in the years to come.

Road to Cana is book two in the "Christ the Lord" trilogy. The release date for the third book, The Kingdom of Heaven, is yet to be revealed (I can't wait!). To read my review of the the first book in this trilogy, click here.

Described by Daily Mail as 'vibrant and convincing... as timely as it is profound', and by New York Times as 'Genuinely stirring'. For more reviews of Road to Cana see here (but watch out for spoilers!).

Click here to visit Anne Rices' website.

Avalon

2009-08-24T09:00:00.007+12:00

Reviewed by Lesmond: 8 out of 10

Just when I thought the Pendragon Cycle was all over... Taliesin, Merlin and Arthur, the original fantastical (is that a word) Arthurian trilogy written by Stephen R. Lawhead in the late 80's - such a great era. Three became five in the mid-90's with Pendragon and Grail rounding out the now well known Pendragon Cycle. But wait there's more...

Unbeknownest to me, the author had another addition that I had failed to discover. It came in the form of Avalon which was published in 1999. I guess I was to busy partying like it was... but seriously.

My ignorance of this 'sequel' to the Pendragon Cycle was overcome by a brief perusal of my local library's shelves and its chance discovery. Needless to say I was extremely excited as I had thoroughly enjoyed the Pendragon Cycle and rate it as one of Lawhead's greatest works. History meets artistic license culminating in an unforgetable masterpiece.

Skipping the backcover blurb I plowed headlong into the tale expecting to pick up in the midst of a primitive medieval battle or feasting scene that Lawhead manages to write in such delicious detail. Surprisingly I found myself in modern day Britain on a drab and dreary day. Oh well I'm sure I'll be transported back through the ages through a 'lost' portal in the time between times perhaps.

This did not happen to the extent I would have liked.

I was pleasantly surprised with Lawhead's ability to make modern day existence an adventure and the spiritual battles we face as Christians in the 21st Century come alive through courageous and likeable characters that had more than a little in common with their Pendragon Cycle predecessors.

Characters emulated great men and women of the faith without entering into the world of 'Christianese'. This was very well done and I applaud the author for inspiring me to live a life of adventurous Christianity.

At this stage I would like to raise the point of the antagonist in Christian Fiction. Sure they are 'evil' or at best very 'wordly' but how forthright can their characters talk and act whilst still maintaining the boundaries of decency that one would expect of a 'Christian' author. I thoroughly enjoy Stephen Lawhead as an author and have read most of his books. Very rarely have I found fault in the 'decency' contained within his books.

In Avalon I was grieved by the antagonists constant smatterings of blasphemy (although common enough in real life) I felt it was an unnecessary addition to his vocabulary and a poor choice by the Author in reflecting his character traits.

All this being said I thoroughly enjoyed this 'bonus book' tagged on the end of the awesome Pendragon Cycle and because of its association with the aforementioned masterpiece I give Avalon 8/10.

Click here to visit Lawhead's website.

Nightbringer

2009-08-18T18:30:00.006+12:00

Reviewed by Burton: 7 out of 10

I was ecstatic the day Nightbringer arrived at my doorstep. All the way from the US of A. My James Byron Huggins library is now complete.

Nightbringer is classic Huggins but somewhat stripped down to just 300 pages. I really, really wanted to love this book, but alas, it fell short of Huggins greatness.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Huggins' fail safe trademark formula for writing action novels, read the review for Sorcerer.

Synopsis follows:

An ancient evil has darkened the halls of Saint Gregory’s Abbey in the Italian Alps. The once peaceful monastery becomes a murderous battleground as the monks and a group of visiting tourists find themselves locked in a hopeless battle with an unstoppable force. Cut off from the outside world by a sinister snowstorm, the group of defenders must fight for their survival and for their very souls. But from among the defenders arises an ageless holy warrior who alone has the skill and power to stem the bloody tide of evil. In the epic battle that will decide the fate of all involved, the warrior must not only struggle against a familiar foe of mythic might but also rediscover the faith and love that have carried him through a thousand battles.

I've read raving reviews of Nightbringer, many declaring Nightbringer Huggins' best work. To that statement I say a resounding "meh". In a nutshell...

The Negatives:
- Nightbringer is a short read at just 300 pages.
- The action doesn't really kick in until half way through the book.
- Character development could have been better.
- This is Huggins' most far-fetched book to date.
- The climax is anti-climactic.

The positives:
- Nightbringer is a short read at just 300 pages.
- The last half (although slow in coming) is almost continuous action.
- This is by far Huggin's most 'Christian' story, if I can put it that way.
- The crucifixion scene is described brilliantly, and originally.
- The book brings a new spin on the 'Nephilim' theory.

In conclusion, if you are a die-hard Huggins fan, you'll get your familiar kicks out of Nightbringer, but don't expect another Reckoning or Cain. If you are unfamiliar with Huggins I suggest you don't start with this one. Although still work the read, Nightbringer failed to give me my Huggins injection of action-packed-literary awesomeness.

July Giveaway Winner...

2009-08-05T08:54:00.013+12:00

The winner of June's book giveaway (thanks to random.org) is ANNA! (Just in case there's more than one flannel follower named Anna, here's a pic...)

Everyone else, make sure you check out Anna's blog: and thanks heaps for becoming followers of Flannelgraph. This month's giveaway is Only Angels Are Bulletproof by Emily Ann Benedict. You'll be in with a chance to win again (if you are a follower that is ;-).

God bless, Burton (and the Flannel friends)

Across the China Sky

2009-07-21T22:47:00.007+12:00

Revewied by Rach: 9 out of 10

Across the China Sky by C. Hope Flinchbaugh involves believable characters battling selfish desires, lust-thirsty cult members, torture and much more. Anyone interested?

While Mei Lin spend her summer rescuing orphans in Shanghai, her fiancé Liko is being seduced into a secret cult by a young woman who claims to be a new house church Christian. How will Liko escape the brainwashing, seduction, and coercion of this evil cult? Will Mei Lin lose both her father and her fiancé to the clutches of the vicious Eastern Lightning Cult?

A sucker for novels regarding China and also great inspirational stories of faith, Across the China Sky was a winner in my books (excuse the pun) as it combined the two ideas in a vivid and realistic way, leaving the imagination running, piercing thoughts for hours after putting it down.

Although it is the second book in the series by C. Hope Flinchbaugh (Daughter of China being the prequel, and I'll Cross The River being the third in the trilogy), one can still read it as a single story and get a lot out of it. Not knowing that it was a sequel before picking it up, I had a little trouble at first to follow the characters and who they were, but quickly got over it and into the very believable plotline! After having read the back cover blurb, I knew that there was going to be a twist brewing, but when it finally came to fruition I got a fabulous shock and was totally hooked, made a line for my favourite armchair and sank into it until finishing the book!

Not many books tend to scare me, but I must say, this one had my heart racing as the pace of the book picked up and I almost couldn't get to sleep that night (house-sitting on my own didn't help). The cult themes it produced were literally torturous and I am so thankful I don't live in China.

All in all, my faith was challenged, the blood was pumping and it was a great read that I couldn't put down. As one reviewer put it...

"Sweet scenes of Mei Lin showering Christ's love upon unwanted children are interjected by scenes of temptation and torture creating a riveting combination."

Click here to visit C. Hope Flinchbaugh's site.

The Hobbit

2009-07-15T18:00:00.010+12:00

Reviewed by Burton. 9 out of 10

The English-speaking world is divided into those who have read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and those who are going to read them. (The Sunday Times)

I almost don't feel worthy enough to review a book which won the 'Millennium Children's Book Award' but here goes nothing...

I first read the Hobbit when I was 13. At the time, being far from the bookworm I am now... I struggled through it, and really didn't see what all the hoo-har about Tolkien was. Not surprisingly, I never got to the Rings Trilogy.

So, 22 years later I have revisited The Hobbit and what an adventure I had.

The Hobbit (written in 1937 by J. R. R. Tolkien) is the story of a Hobbit (surprise, surprise) called Bilbo Baggins, who is enjoying an uneventful life until it is interrupted by a visit from the wizard Gandalf. Gandalf invites himself to tea and arrives with a company of dwarves. They embark on a journey to recover the lost treasure of Lonely Mountain, guarded by the dragon Smaug. Their adventures include trolls, elves, goblin hordes, monstrous wolves, giant eagles, changelings, giant spiders, massive battles and so on. As you can see by my very brief synopsis (I don't want to spoil the story), it is the classic fantasy tale.

To say that The Hobbit is anything less than a masterpiece of children's literature would be to lie, so I'm not going to use this space convincing you to read it. Just do (before the movie comes out in 2011). Instead I wish to ask the question... are good wizards, using good magic appropriate in Christian fiction?

J.R.R. Tolkien was a devout catholic who also had a huge interest in pagan mythology, and Middle earth is a marriage of the two... a world full of mythological creatures and magic with vague Christian undertones.

Personally, I struggle with Tolkien's mixture... always have and probably always will. Although the Narnia Chronicles are similarly fantastical, the Christian message stands out clearly for all to see, unlike Middle earth where unless one is looking (very studiously I might add) the Christian themes are as hard to find as a Gollem in the Misty Mountains. But I digress.

My experience of the classic children's book, read as a kidult that sees more in black and white than in grey-scale when it comes to sorcery, The Hobbit is a very near masterpiece... 9 out of 10 it is.

Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt

2009-07-07T15:28:00.006+12:00

Reviewed by Paisley: 9.5 out of 10

When I first heard of this book, and it's author, I was thoroughly intrigued. I have read a few books based on Biblical characters, but I have never read a book about Jesus Christ, written by a lady famous for writing horror fiction!

Anne Rice is famous for her best selling Gothic books, namely the Vampire Chronicles Series, of which one (Interview with the Vampire) was adapted from a screenplay into a movie (staring Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Kirsten Dunst). Her books have sold nearly 100 million copies, making her one of the most widely read authors in modern history.

Rice shocked the reading world in 2004, when she announced in a Newsweek article that she had returned to her faith in Christ and would from now on "write only for the Lord." And as a result, Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt (the first book in a Trilogy chronicling the life of Jesus) was born.

Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, follows the early years of Jesus from age seven. Beautifully written and wonderfully researched, I was instantly immersed in the culture of Jesus' upbringing and the violence surrounding Jerusalem at the time.

"It is an astonishing child's eye view - part innocent, part knowing - of the Jewish life in these unruly years of occupation; and of the boy's growing awareness, first of his extraordinary powers, and then of the whispered mysteries surrounding his birth... We watch him grow, steeped in the laws, rituals and traditions of his people, beginning to discuss an dispute with the Elders, and to ask questions that cannot be answered. And, at the end, we feel the strength of his resolve as the boy comes face to face with the truth about his past and the challenge of his future."

At first I found it unusual to be reading in 'first person', but I soon became totally involved in the story. Jesus is portrayed as a young and innocent Jewish boy who is totally aware of his humanity, but also aware of the supernatural power within him. He is also trying to understand the mystery surrounding his birth (no one seems to want to talk about it), and the realisation that he isn't quite the same as everyone else.

For some reason I had never fully pondered the journey Jesus would have taken in discovering who he was... did he always know who he was? If not, when did he realise the truth? I found myself eagerly anticipating his discoveries and emotionally caught up in certain situations. There were quite a few late night's reading, as I just could not put the book down!

The story seemed somewhat slow in parts, but some may say this added to the beauty of the journey. The writing was simple, which I actually enjoyed, as too many descriptive words can be off-putting at times.

Now of course, any historical fiction story about Jesus Christ will be controversial, but there wasn't too much in this that I found offensive. No one really knows what Joseph and Mary were really like (or any of the characters portrayed), but it is intriguing to imagine the relationship they shared together and with Jesus himself.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My knowledge of Jewish history was expanded and my faith was deepened. I enjoyed it so much that I went straight out and bought book number two in the trilogy. While not an intense page-turner, it is a deep and thoughtful, well researched book that I am sure everyone would find impacting to some degree.

Anne Rice is still writing supernatural historical fiction - and it is amazing. It has been expertly researched (which give such a wonderful historical aspect), and the character development is mature and well thought out.

I also loved reading the Author's Note at the back of this book - I can't say I have ever said that about any other Authors note in my life! Anne Rice shares openly about her journey of faith and also of the many hours of research that was put into this book.

"This is a book I offer to all Christians - to the fundamentalists, to the Roman Catholics, to the most liberal Christians in the hope that my embrace of more conservative doctrines will have some coherence for them in the here and now of the book. I offer it to scholars in the hope that they will perhaps enjoy seeing the evidence of the research that's gone into it... I offer this book to those who know nothing of Jesus Christ in the hope that you will see him in these pages in some form. I offer this novel with love to my readers who've followed me through one strange turn after another in the hope that Jesus will be as real to you as any other character I've ever launched into the world we share. After all, is Christ Our Lord not the ultimate supernatural hero, the ultimate outsider, the ultimate immortal of them all?"

Click here to visit Anne Rice's website.

The following clip is Anne Rice's explanation to her fans as to why her days writing non-Christian horror novels are over... Very inspiring.

June Giveaway winner

2009-06-30T21:51:00.006+12:00

The winner of June's book giveaway (thanks to random.org) is...

BRAD! (Crowd goes wild)

Congratulations buddy! Your books will be in the mail very soon (I'll contact you via email).

Everyone else, make sure you check out Brad's blog: fearlessfighter.blogspot.com and thanks heaps for becoming followers of Flannelgraph. July's giveaway will be up tomorrow and you'll be in with a chance to win again (if you are a follower that is ;-).

God bless,

Burton (and the Flannel friends)

The Song of Albion Trilogy

2009-06-28T22:04:00.000+12:00

HALL OF FAME!
Reviewed by Jon: 10 out of 10

The Paradise War
From the dreaming spires of Oxford, Lewis Gillies drives north to seek a mythical creature in a misty glen in Scotland. Expecting little more than a weekend diversion, Lewis finds himself in a mystical place where two worlds meet, in the time-between-times—and in the heart of a battle between good and evil.

The Silver Hand
The great king, Meldryn Mawr, is dead, and his kingdom lies in ruins. Treachery and brutality rule the land, and Albion is the scene of an epic struggle for the throne. Lewis Gillies returns as Llew, seeking the true meaning behind a mysterious prophecy—the making of a true king and the revealing of a long awaited champion: Silver Hand.

The Endless Knot
Fires rage in Albion: strange, hidden fires, dark-flamed, invisible to the eye. Llew Silver Hand is High King of Albion, but now the Brazen Man has defied his sovereignty and Llew must journey to the Foul Land to redeem his greatest treasure. The last battle begins, and the myths, passions, and heroism of an ancient people come to life as Llew faces his greatest test yet.

In the same way that The Circle Trilogy marks what I would unreservedly say is the magnum opus of Ted Dekker's work, the Song of Albion captured me in a likewise manner, and although I have yet to read more of Stephen Lawhead's work, this series carries with it a certain quality that seems to speak "exemplification of the authors' work" (you can find my in-depth reviews of each individual novel through the links above).

Pacing in this series was near on perfection. I say near perfection because the train ride seemed to stagger and lag for just a little bit too long in the beginning of The Endless Knot. However, when the story picked itself back up off the floor, it soared to the final and satisfying conclusion with terrific speed. The ending is certainly no Chronicles of Narnia, but it is satisfying nonetheless and was not spoiled by a six-inch deep epilogue, extro/outro, afterword, conclusion or author's note.

The writing of Lawhead is quite unlike the style of any other Christian author I have read in the sense that it feels more like [Lawhead] is a Christian and an author as two separate entities as opposed to someone who specifically lets morals and message directly influence their writing. This is where it comes down to the reader's own preferences as to what they personally prefer to spend time reading, because both types have a place; but if you get a message from Lawhead's writing, the chances are you brought your own implications to the table yourself, and the themes in the book only strengthened what you were already wanting to harvest from the story.

Stephen Lawhead paints with an uninhibited, true-to-life brush made all the more unique by his expansive vocabulary and attention to striking details. His descriptions border on ingenious and it seems he always makes every effort to visit the settings and locations he writes in and the quality of the research shines through because of that. If this is the type of writing you are looking for to bring to life a hearty adventure story, then this series won't leave you disappointed.

Kronos

2009-06-19T23:08:00.017+12:00

Reviewed by Burton: 7.5 out of 10

Contrary to ancient wisdom, I do tend to judge a book by its cover at first. Just look at the cover of Kronos... Awesome.

I can't even remember how I stumbled upon Jeremy Robinson's website, but I did, and was intrigued to read the following in his FAQs:

I'm a Christian... but I do not write exclusively Christian books. In fact, I don't refer to myself as a "Christian author" or "an author who writes Christian fiction". I prefer to use the term Biblical speculation to describe what I write... but all of them are mainstream novels (not intended for a Christian audience). So, while some of my novels might have touches of positive Biblical Speculation they are not intended to be prosetylization.

What defines 'Christian Fiction' and the surrounding issue of what's acceptable for Christians to read, watch (and write) - is always going to be a grey area, and I do not intend to wade into its murky waters here... so I won't. Instead, I will say that Kronos was a very enjoyable read indeed and I will be reading more of Robinson's books in the future.

Back cover blurb follows:

Two years after his wife's death, oceanographer and former navy SEAL, Atticus Young, attempts to reconcile with his rebellious daughter, Giona, by taking her on the scuba dive of a lifetime-swimming with a pod of peaceful humpback whales in the Gulf of Maine. But the beauty of the sea belies a terror from the deep-a horrific creature as immense as it is ancient. There is no blood, no scream, no fight. Giona is swallowed whole by the massive jaws. Only Atticus remains to suffer the shame of the survivor and his inconsolable grief turns to an unquenchable thirst for revenge.
Drawn by the spectacle, Trevor Manfred, a ruthless billionaire, approaches Atticus with a proposition: Trevor will make available all the advanced technology of his heavily armed mega-yacht, the Titan, to aid Atticus in his death-quest. In return, Trevor is to receive the beast's corpse as the ultimate hunting trophy. But in the midst of the hunt, Atticus makes a terrifying discovery that changes the way he sees the ocean's creatures and begs the question: what is Kronos? The answer sets him on a new and much more deadly course.

Kronos has the feel of a popcorn action flick. It has a very original plot, doesn't take itself too seriously, is a ton of fun to read, and has an extremely solid Christian theme weaved throughout.

I must caution readers though, that the language and some brief scenes are more raw than the typical Christian novel (although nowhere near that of the average secular story). Kronos lost ½ a point on the Flannelmeter because of the minor questionable material.

One more thing... The book's cover (although awesome) is somewhat deceiving. Kronos is no Jaws story. Don't expect to read about a sea monster eating a heap of people in various descriptive ways. It's definately more an action story than a creature feature.

If you enjoy an easy-to-read, action-packed adventure story, which is firmly rooted in a Christian worldview, definitely give Kronos a read!

Any story which stars a 28-foot Great White (called Laurel) as a super-yacht's guard-dog is a thumbs-up in my book ;-)

Click here to visit Jeremy Robinson's website.

Tuck

2009-06-16T16:10:00.003+12:00

Reviewed by Lesmond: 8 out of 10

I finally got to finish the King Raven Series written by the historical fiction master known as Stephen R. Lawhead. This particular series, and he has written many, consists of Hood, Scarlet and Tuck.

These names would be familiar to anyone who's ever watched or read about Robin Hood and his Merry Men growing up. Trust Lawhead to blast wide open the old fairy tale and pack it full of broad images that capture the imagination, characters that play on emotions,and a storyline that lures the reader into their world.

Synopsis follows:

The final installment of a completely rei-magined epic of the man known as Robin Hood-told in a far more eerie, earthy, and elemental way than ever before. The story of Rhi Bran y Hud-Robin Hood-concludes as Abbot Hugo and the Norman invaders attempt to wipe out King Raven and his flock once and for all. Their merciless attack, the first of many to come, heralds a dark and desperate day for the realm of Elfael. Bran and his few stalwarts desperately need encouragement and reinforcement if they are to survive. But Friar Tuck, a most unconventional priest, has a daring solution to their dilemma that will radically alter all we've known about the legendary figure known as Robin Hood.

Upon reading Scarlet I was unsure how the series would leave me feeling. As I opened Tuck and practiced my Celtic pronunciation (provided in each book as a guide), I wondered how enthralling a plump Friar Tuck could be. It turns out he is quite the endearing character, but not only that, Bran (Robin Hood) is back as a central figure.

Tuck concludes this trilogy superbly, well enough to make suffering through Scarlet worth it. All the old characters are back, new ones are added for flavour and the reader is kept on the edge of their seat as the mighty tale unfolds.

If I could take any motivation from this series it would be that courageous support of a fearless leader and a just cause, no matter the odds or sacrifice involved is far more noble than capitulating to the relative safety of the unjust ruling powers...nah just joking! I so want to make a long bow and shoot some arrows like I used to do as a kid - good times.

For saving a series I give Tuck 8 out of 10.

The Endless Knot

2009-06-12T09:00:00.000+12:00

Reviewed by Jon: 9.5 out of 10

Fires rage in Albion: strange, hidden fires, dark-flamed, invisible to the eye. Llew Silver Hand is High King of Albion, but now the Brazen Man has defied his sovereignty and Llew must journey to the Foul Land to redeem his greatest treasure. The last battle begins, and the myths, passions, and heroism of an ancient people come to life as Llew begins his ultimate quest, striking the final resounding chord in the Song of Albion.

You know that it is panning out to be a captivating trilogy when you finish one book in the series and immediately find yourself reading the next one. That's how it was after finishing book two in The Song of Albion trilogy: The Silver Hand. The beginning of The Endless Knot, however, proved to be more of an endless dragging chain after the bullet of The Silver Hand.

Down time after an ending climax is a necessity without a doubt, and commencing The Endless Knot was some well-earned down time after the fantastic climax in The Silver Hand. Lawhead used this down time wisely by slipping in some very necessary character development and the introduction of a new and key character on to the scene. My premonitions lie in none of that, however; they lie in the fact that it took so long for the train to get started again once it had slowed. There was a few action scenes to be sure, but the book failed to read with the same intensity as The Silver Hand until three quarters of the way through. This wasn't a horrendously big deal, it just wasn't exactly expected.

Once the pacing picked up again, though, and started matching the tempo of the previous two books, the ride was not one to be scorned. The battles weren't quite as epic as in The Silver Hand, but just as heart-pounding. Once you get past the initial dull lag, the path is wrought with these great battles right to the end of the story. And what an ending! Emotionally and physically of epic proportions, with a wind-up scene that takes you completely by surprise. And the last sentence of the final chapter (don't peek now!), although the likes of it has been done before, still left feelings of satisfaction to end the book and the series. Thank goodness for no lengthy epilogues!

Throughout the majority of this trilogy, a vivid imagination will be your constant friend and most appreciated companion. However, a quick word of warning for The Endless Knot: if you are prone to lust, there are several 'adult' scenes in The Endless Knot that, although not described in too much detail, would be enough to cause a stumbling block. The couple is married, however, and the scenes are actually of importance to the plot--they aren't just thrown in because sex sells. There is no immorality in the scenes, but the warning is still there for any with struggles in that area who happen to want to read this trilogy . . . right to the end!

All qualms to one side, this was a wonderful conclusion to a colossal adventure. My concluding review of the series as a whole will be posted soon.

Celtic twilight shot with a brighter, fiercer light, and tinged with modern
villainy… savagely beautiful. Michael Scott Rohan

Click here to visit stephenlawhead.com

June Book Giveaway

2009-06-09T16:05:00.006+12:00

Flannelgraph has been online for half a year now... woop woop! To celebrate (and monthly from now on) there will be a book/books up for grabs. This month we are giving away Robert Liparulo's acclaimed Comes A Horseman and Kim Vogel Sawyer's bestselling Where The Heart Leads. All you have to do to be in to win is to become a follower of Flannelgraph's blog (you need a blogger account to do this) and at the end of the month the winner will be randomly selected. (Hopefully it will be you ;-)

Cain

2009-06-08T08:18:00.010+12:00

HALL OF FAME!

Reviewed by Lesmond: 10 out of 10

Alive, Cain had been the CIA's most lethal weapon; dead he is their worst nightmare.

If you love action - you will love Cain. No-one but no-one does action like James Byron Huggins. One scene in particular... C-RAZY!

JBH seems to work within a tried and true storyline that is typical of action style movies. See here for a brief albeit slightly confusing description. But believe me when I say that Cain, in my opinion, is the ultimate culmination of all that is great about this formula which bulges and distorts as it tries to contain all that is Cain.

Rumour has it that Bruce Willis has paid a cool million for the movie rights to Cain - it would make a great movie, but Bruce Willis as Solomon? Somehow I didn't imagine the main character being bald! Colonel James Solomon struck me as a super lean military machine with chiseled features and musculature that has the corded strength of reinforced steel. Eyes deep and unmoving but barely disguising a swirling mass of unsettled emotion roiling beneath the granite-like surface. Oh yeah, and a full head of hair! Obviously I'm no Huggins but you get the picture. Still, I wish him all the best and hope that Cain does in fact make it to the silver screen.

As far as I'm concerned, the more time you can commit to a book the better the ride. Make sure you block out a good piece of the day to read this book, because you won't want to put it down. The last third of the book was literally a blur as the pages flew almost as fast as the bullets, rockets and severed limbs.

Read it. Enjoy it. Lend it. Re-read it. It's that good!

BoneMan's Daughters

2009-06-03T09:00:00.003+12:00

Reviewed by Burton: 8 out of 10

A Texas serial killer called BoneMan is on the loose, choosing young girls as his prey, His signature: myriad broken bones that torture and kill - but never puncture. Military intelligence officer Ryan Evans is married to his work; so much so that his wife and daughter have written him out of their lives. Sent to Fallujah and captured by insurgents, he is asked to kill children not unlike his own. The method: a meticulous, excruciating death by broken bones that his captor has forced him to learn.

Returning home after the ordeal, a new crisis awaits. A serial killer is on the loose, and his method of killing is the same. Ryan becomes a prime suspect, which isn't even the worst of his problems: Ryan's daughter is BoneMan's latest desire.

This would have to be the most anticipated book I have read. Thanks to fellow flannel friend Jon Dylan (who bought it while on hol in the US) I was able to read it before it's release here in NZ.

Did the book live up to the anticipation? Close but... no. I'll begin with the negatives.

The book starts off well enough with a heart-pounding scene reminiscent of the feelings conjured by Dekker's opening in Saint. Disappointingly the excitement stops abruptly and unfortunately remains in 'PARK' for approximately half the book. Not the Dekker writing I know and love.

Very fortunately, the last half of the book is worth the slow meander through the first-half but once again the story comes to an abrupt end. I was left with an "is that it?" feeling.

Dekker has begun to use some language which I question. I usually enjoy his pushing-the-envelope-of-Christian-fiction stance but I don't think God's name is a grey area.

Now to the story and redeeming qualities...

Dekker is a genius. I really don't know how he manages to conjure up such amazing stories with such amazing spiritual parallels at least twice a year. The only air-tight explanation in three words: gift from God. The story behind this story (the Father's love) and how the two entwine is really quite incredible.

BoneMan's Daughters makes you really (and I mean really) appreciate your children. The video clip below makes you understand why the protagonist's anguish seems so real.

The story's twists are very unpredictable (in the second half anyway), and at times I wondered just how far Dekker was going to take certain situations. I have never, and will never see any of the infamous 'Saw' movies, but scenes in this book reminded me of the trailers. Hmmmmmm.

Not one of my favourite Dekker novels but original, fresh, and well worth the read, although not recommended for anyone under 16, anyone who is sensitive or squeamish (Paisley), or anyone who isn't too fond of Dekker's writing (Lesmond).

A Tale Of Three Kings

2009-06-01T10:17:00.005+12:00

Reviewed by Paisley: 9 out of 10

God has a university. It’s a small school. Few enrol; even fewer graduate. Very, very few indeed. God has this school because he does not have broken men and women. Instead, he has several other types of people. He has people who claim to have God’s authority... and don’t – people who claim to be broken... and aren’t. And people who do have God’s authority, but who are (mad and) unbroken.

In God’s sacred school of submission and brokenness, why are there so few students? Because all students in this school must suffer much pain. (Excerpt from book)

A Tale Of Three Kings has been around for quite some time, and is very popular... but for some reason I only discovered it recently, and am so glad I did! This book is a difficult book to categorize. It's fiction and non-fiction at the same time. Regardless of the genre, every Christian needs to read it.

A Tale Of Three Kings explores the life of the Bible Kings' Saul, David and Absalom. I found it extremely interesting to read Edward's profound insights into these 'three kings' and it was very impacting on my views and thoughts regarding relationships and what I considered to be right or wrong. You could even say there was a slight twist in the book which gave an impacting blow to my soul... ouch, but very appreciated.

This is one book that every Christian should read, as it will relate to any relationship dynamic. I do wish I had discovered this book earlier. This is the kind of book you want to own a few copies of as you will want it to lend to others! A quick and impacting read I would highly recommend.

Click here to visit Gene Edward's website.

Sorcerer

2009-05-26T09:55:00.010+12:00

Reviewed by Burton: 8 out of 10

James Byron Huggins is one of my favourite all-time authors. Sorcerer is his most recent work.

For those of you who who are unfamiliar with Huggins' books, let me educate you to the classic Huggins formula for a riveting yarn:

A) Disillusioned protagonist with elite weapons skills and unparalleled military training (will gladly give his life to save C from B).

B) Very nasty superhuman/supernatural antagonistic, hell-bent on killing A, C, and D.

C) Normal everyday people people close to A that need rescuing from B.

D) Wise but reluctant religious mentor usually gives his life to protect A who then can kill B thus saving C.

Although cliched, the above formula is the foundation for most action adventure novels and movies. I Love it! Another characteristic of Huggins' books is that they are packed with masterfully-written action sequences. I will go as far as to say... No one does action like James Byron Huggins. Just in case you disagree...

Nobody, and I mean nobody, can write action scenes like James Byron Huggins. (Brian Reeves - top Amazon reviewer)

When it comes to action, no one does it better than James Byron Huggins. (fantasticfiction.org)

The premise of Sorcerer's story is awesome. Without giving too much away, here's the blurb:

Retiring to rural New England, ex-detective Michael Thorn discovers a mysterious skeleton in his new home! When it suddenly disappears, his investigation unearths the stunning revelation that the bones belong to an ancient Egyptian sorcerer who fought Moses! Can Thorn defeat the necromancer before he wreaks havoc on the world?

The 'Sorcerer' in Sorcerer actually scared me a bit, and I remember having to lock the chickens up in our native bush laden backyard late one night while in the middle of reading a scary part. Needless to say, I didn't stay outside any longer than I had to ;-)

Some of Huggins' previous works: Cain and Hunter contain smatterings of blasphemy (why I ask?) but in all other Huggins books I have read (excluding Wolf Story, Rora, and Nightbringer) although not blatant, the Christian message shines through and the reading, although violent at times is extremely enjoyable to the soul.

Upside of Sorcerer:
- The Catholic Church's secret bodyguards (pure awesomeness!)
- The storyline
- The action sequences

Downside of Sorcerer:
Unlike other Huggins' stories I was slightly disappointed with the ending of Sorcerer. Although very original, was a little too weak IMO.

Conclusion:
Overall Sorcerer rocks and comes with a Burton's 8 out of 10 seal of approval.

The Pawn

2009-05-20T19:37:00.019+12:00

Reviewed by Burton: 8.5 out of 10

The Pawn by Steven James has finally ended my 'When am I going to read a book that I can't put down?' drought. This review in 3 words: Exciting, compelling and disturbing (possibly the most disturbing book I have ever read). Okay... that's 13 words.

(From the back jacket:) Special Agent Patrick Bowers never met a killer he couldn't catch. Until now. Called to North Carolina to consult on the case of an area serial killer, Bowers finds himself caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse. Cunning and lethal, the killer is always one step ahead of the law, and he's about to strike again. It will take all of Bowers's instincts and training to stop the man who calls himself the Illusionist.

If I could judge Steven James' authorship based on this book alone, he would easily make it into my top five favourite author's list. His writing is fast-paced, his plot-crafting is very intelligent and unpredictable, and his ability to create a vivid scene in the reader's mind is masterly. So much so, that before you rush out to find a copy of The Pawn to read, I must give a warning...

This book is definitely not for the squeamish. In some places it is extremely disturbing. The Pawn's plot revolves around a sadistic serial murderer, and quite frankly too much detail is given at times. I was going to say that nothing is left to the imagination... but in this case, my imagination was given plenty, resulting in some not-so-pleasant dreams about serial murders (not surprisingly). Needless to say, this book will play with your mind long after you've turned out the light.

The Pawn leaves me in a conundrum. I agree with Dekker's reasoning: that to really understand how great the light is, one must understand how great the evil is, but... When it comes to depictions of violence in Christian fiction, where is the line drawn? Especially with novels, that aren't overtly Christian such as this one?

Definitely something to think about while I track down book 2 in this series, entitled The Rook ;-)

Click here to visit Stephen James' site.

The Silver Hand

2009-05-18T08:50:00.004+12:00

Reviewed by Jon: 9.5 out of 10

Book two in the Song of Albion trilogy sees us continuing the epic story of Lewis (now the warrior Llew) and Simon (Siawn Hy) in their journeys in the Otherworld, Albion.

The action in this second installment is like a flickering fire that Lawhead dumped a shovel-full of coal onto.

With all the hard work of explaining how the Otherworld works over and done with in the first book, Lawhead has room to simply tell the story, and tell it with such conviction and such ingenious descriptions that it becomes very, very real. One chapter into The Silver Hand and I was hooked on one of those finish-the-chapter-and-instantly-flip-the-page books that make reading exciting. The writing is clever, the plot twists are startling, the action heart-pounding.

Wading through some of the reviews on Amazon and various other sites, I came across a significant amount of negative feedback for this book. One of the reasons that seems to veer the reviews toward a lower rating is the switch in narrator for The Silver Hand. The first person narration style continues through all the books in the Song of Albion, and in this second book, the narrator is switched from Llew to Tegid the Bard. I welcomed the change in narration, as three large novels told in first-person using the same character seems just a little tiresome to say the least. So, that said, it was wonderful seeing a change in perspective and the scenery described from the view of a new character.

The story itself is of a level twice what The Paradise War (Song Of Albion: Book 1) was, which doesn't make the first novel bad by comparison, it simply makes the trilogy as a whole play out with hierarchal pacing from book to book. The characters that have been spanned over both the books have a chance for more development, and the new ones introduced fit in seamlessly with the old veterans.

One particular review I read on Amazon makes reference to a lot of parallels this book allegedly has with scripture and Christian themes in general. For me, those comparisons to Christianity seemed like a bit of a stretch, and I would actually go as far as to say this could easily pass as a secular book; the Christian parallels seemed about as palpable as they do in The Lord of the Rings. There are various themes you could quite easily take from the book as inspiration to the Christian life, but I think drawing direct and obvious parallels is a bit optimistic. Or, as Lawhead himself states:
A great many readers find messages in my books, but I believe the message you take away as a reader is one that you brought with you. Perhaps the story helped you discover the message--put you in a frame of mind to explore a subject you might not have thought about in the same way on your own, say--but you were the source all along. I say this because so many readers find so many different 'messages' in my stories that, if intentional, no one book could possibly contain them all and remain intelligible to anyone.

Click here to visit StephenLawhead.com

Blink

2009-05-13T20:26:00.011+12:00

Reviewed by Burton: 3.5 out of 5

Blink by Ted Dekker, is no ordinary good-guy-gets-chased-by-bad-guy suspense novel. Blink is a good-guy-sees-multiple-potential-futures-and-protects-the-Muslim-princess-while-being-chased-by-bad-guy suspense novel, and a very good one at that. The back cover blurb follows:

Seth Borders isn’t your average graduate student. For starters, he has one of the world’s highest IQ’s. Now he’s suddenly struck by an incredible power – the ability to see multiple potential futures. Still reeling from this inexplicable gift, Seth stumbles upon a beautiful woman named Miriam. Unknown to Seth, Miriam is a Saudi Arabian princess who has fled her veiled existence to escape a forced marriage of unimaginable consequences. Cultures collide as they’re thrown together and forced to run from an unstoppable force designed to kidnap or kill Miriam.

Here are some reasons why I recommend Blink...

- Blink educates the reader about the fundamental beliefs of Islam.
- Blink educates the reader about the fundamental beliefs of Christianity.
- Blink illustrates the power of prayer in a very unique way.
- Blink's plot is very original.
- Blink is written by Ted Dekker and is therefore at least above average.
- Blink as a suspense/thriller/romance story (I think that's a good thing?)

Although I really enjoyed Blink, it does not come close to my favourite Dekker novels. Perhaps Dekker thought so also, as interestingly enough, Blink Of An Eye was released in 2007. Apparently it is a re-written, updated, and expanded version of the original story of Blink. I'm interested to see if it improves on the original... Anyone read both versions?

Kiss

2009-05-11T20:30:00.004+12:00

Reviewed by Jon: 3 out of 5

[Kiss, by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy] A new kind of suspense from Dekker and Healy - where Heart Pounding meets Heart Warming.

The title of this book would, under normal circumstances, be somewhat of a stereotypical put-off for my tastes as a reader. But with someone like Dekker as a co-author, I simply dove into it headlong and asked questions later.

Seeing my rating you are probably wondering what those questions are. Chief among them would have to be why on earth this book simply did not strike any chords with me. It had every element you could possibly hope for in a good book: a well thought out story, somewhat inspiring characters, action, underlying themes of strong Christian morality, and to top it all off, a nice blazing conspiracy.

One of the things I disliked most was the whole business about memory stealing. Without giving too much away, one of the characters has this rather odd ability to steal memories from other people given the right circumstances (it all kind of ties into the title of the book in its own way). But, in all honesty, whenever I read anything about this bizarre 'gift' I felt like someone on the outside observing text on sheets of paper in a glue-bound book; I didn't feel involved in the circumstances at all, possibly because my suspension of disbelief came crashing to the floor when this character first started stealing these memories.

The action side of things felt like a flat rollercoaster with corkscrews every quarter mile. You would think that things were finally starting to heat up, and then, just as quickly, it would simmer back down again like a faulty element. I do love the fact that Dekker worked on something besdies a thriller and expanded his scope a rather large amount, but it felt too much like the action was supposed to be the driving force of the book, and so when it failed to deliver the goods and entice you, the other great factors of the book seemed disappointing by comparison.

This, I suppose, is where it all comes down to personal taste and opinions, and since this book does indeed have a good story I am not at all surprised at the ample five star ratings it is receiving from many book review sites. If you like romance mixed with a medium sprinkling of suspense and possibly a little drama, then definitely read this book. If I went into it knowing it wasn't going to be a typical Dekker boil-over I probably would have enjoyed the ride far more. So if you go into it expecting a dramatic love story, you will probably be pleasantly surprised.

Click here to visit ErinHealy.com
Click here to visit TedDekker.com

A Tale Of Three Kings

2009-04-20T17:41:00.010+12:00

Reviewed by Burton: 4.5 out of 5

God has a university. It’s a small school. Few enrol; even fewer graduate. Very, very few indeed. God has this school because he does not have broken men and women. Instead, he has several other types of people. He has people who claim to have God’s authority... and don’t – people who claim to be broken... and aren’t. And people who do have God’s authority, but who are (mad and) unbroken.

In God’s sacred school of submission and brokenness, why are there so few students? Because all students in this school must suffer much pain. (Excerpt from book)

A Tale Of Three Kings by Gene Edwards is considered a modern classic of Christian literature. It was published in 1980 yet still often appears on the list of the top 100 sellers of Christian books. It has become assigned reading in Bible schools and seminaries worldwide, and has been translated into thirty languages. Funny thing is that I never knew this book existed until a wise mentor friend of mine encouraged me to read it recently. I'm so glad he did.

A Tale Of Three Kings does not fall easily into any genre. It is a study in brokenness, but is written as a first person narrative delving into King David's struggle with Saul and Absalom (and the reader's comparison to each of the three kings). It contains many fictional conversations by David so I guess the closest genres would be historical fiction/classic.

Perhaps it was just a very timely read, or where I currently am in my Spiritual walk, but I can say that this book ministered to me on a level no other fictional book has thus far. I cannot recommend this book more highly to any person in ministry leadership, especially those who have at times struggled with the authority God has placed them under. To the casual Christian however, this book may not have the same impact, nor the relevance, nor the revelation... then again, it just might.

An easy 4.5 out of 5.

Click here to visit Gene Edward's website.

The Dead Whisper On

2009-04-18T07:06:00.017+12:00

Reviewed by Burton: 2 out of 5

I was very excited to receive this in the mail by a friend from Manna Bookstores (thanks Sew Funky ).

Departed spirits, people bursting into flames, netherworldly spiders. Sounds like the type of story I would love... alas, I was disappointed.

When Candace MacHugh hears her dead father's voice whispering to her from the shadows, she joins a giant organization that shares the secrets of the dead with our world. But soon she's sucked into a shadowy conspiracy tying together murders, tragedies, living shadows...and spontaneous human combustion. Is her father really dead? Is she really communicating with departed spirits? And why? If she can't find the answers in time, thousands of people may go up in flames--with her life the first at stake.

I hate giving negative reviews, and judging by Amazon (and Hine's website) there are many readers who really enjoyed this book, so maybe I'm just abnormal. Please bear that in mind as you read on.

The story started well enough - check. Yes, it was a supernatural thriller - check. Yes, it did have many plot twists that kept it somewhat compelling - check. Yes, it had some great moments - check.

So why the 2-star rating you ask? Four reasons mainly.

1. The first half of the book was good, but when 'all was revealed' the story became too incredulous really fast.

2. I struggled to relate to, or have any empathy toward the main characters.

3. Hines tells a supernatural tale about good and evil, God and Satan, and seemed to skirt around the real issues. Instead of the 'good guys' crying out to God for help and surrendering to Him, the book explains how we can overcome the 'shadow' in us by not dwelling on fear and thinking of others. I just didn't get it.

4. The many unexplainable loose-ends were very nicely explained with the following words...

"We saved Butte?"
"You played your part. Much was done beyond you or even I. But you played your part and it was honoured."

Perhaps if you enjoy the books I don't (like Rachel Kate), you will love this book... I really hope so.

Fellow Flannelgraph reviewers... please can one of you read this and give another opinion? I feel like the bad guy right now.)

Click here to visit T. L. Hines website.

Deadfall

2009-04-15T07:30:00.015+12:00

Reviewed by Lesmond: 4 out of 5

I borrowed this book off Burton so the least I can do is write a second opinion, so here goes.

Deadfall is the 3rd Robert Liparulo novel I have read and I believe it's the third adult novel he has written.

It is not often I have read an authors works in the order he/she has written them. I am enjoying that fact and I must admit I enjoy his writing style and would pick up and read a novel written by him without hesitation.

Things I enjoyed about the back jacket blurb:

1. The idea of four mates retreating to the wilderness for 2 weeks of hunting, fishing and camping (say no more).

2. Armed only with a bow and arrow and their survival skills they take on a crazy experimental laser weapon (talk about Robin Hood and MacGyver rolled into one).

From the get-go this book is action packed with the usual Liparulo twists as this thrilling plot unravels. I enjoyed the character development, as it went deep enough to draw you in without derailing the rollercoaster ride that is this book. I was really rooting for the goodies to come and take out the baddies - what a wild ride.

I have to agree with Burton about parts of the plot being a little unrealistic, but the adventure and moral content shine through nevertheless.

Looking forward to reading Deadlock (Deadfall's sequel).

The Pawn

2009-04-09T13:00:00.010+12:00

Reviewed by Lesmond: 4 out of 5

I'm the type of reader who, once I've found a good author, likes to read all he/she has ever written and I'm always a bit cautious when I read a book by someone I have never even heard of... and in this case, Steven James.

Steven James is a storyteller, in fact he has an MA (Master of Arts) in just that. He has written 20 non-fiction books but has now branched out into the realm of fiction. The Pawn is his first effort and is in fact the first of a thriller series with protagonist, FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers.

Without further ado...enter the BJB (back jacket blurb)

Special Agent Patrick Bowers never met a killer he couldn't catch. Until now. Called to North Carolina to consult on the case of an area serial killer, Bowers finds himself caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse. Cunning and lethal, the killer is always one step ahead of the law, and he's about to strike again. It will take all of Bowers's instincts and training to stop the man who calls himself the Illusionist.

When I open a book and turn the obligatory three or four acknowledgment/dedication pages I'm always a little disappointed to find the word Prologue staring at me. Just get me into the story proper, please. Needless to say I tend to skim the prologue in most books unfortunate enough to have them, which is no mean feat for one who enjoys reading every word on the page.

The Pawn had a prologue and I kind of wished I had merely skimmed over it, because its content had my stomach turning knots as a sadistic plan unravelled in gory 3D inside my reading mind. I literally had the thought of putting the book down and reading something altogether different, but hey, I'd already invested into a prologue of all things, so I forged ahead.

What I found was indeed a cat and mouse game, 'game' meaning... sadistic unfeeling violence aimed at unsuspecting innocence.

I would like to say I enjoyed the Pawn but enjoyed somehow seems the wrong word. Great storytelling, vivid characters and a difference that sheds new light on Christian fiction.

Christian? Yes but not the preachy/conversion scene type. Disturbing? Definitely, but in a way that depicts evil as truly that!

Click here to visit Stephen James' site.

The Paradise War

2009-04-07T11:30:00.006+12:00

Reviewed by Jon: 4 out of 5

The Paradise War is a tale of epic origins predating the manifest world itself. We follow the story through the sight and senses of Lewis Gillies, a rather unlikely character with nothing particularly special to boast of in his personality in the initial stages of his journey.

Lewis, along with his room-mate and fleeting friend, Simon, are thrown headfirst into an adventure as unlikely as their characters which are so vividly described. We are spun from the dreaming spires of Oxford to the misty moors and glens of Scotland, and then to the place where the real heart of the tale lies: Albion.

Well, well, well . . . all I can say at this point is that I finally realise what I have been sorely missing out on if the praise from two of my reviewing partners, Lesmond and Burton, is anything to go by. What a writer! Lawhead has a voice that is entirely his own and he puts phrases that could so easily be cliches into such a way that they are anything but the typical. Even with the first person prose the book is written with, you cannot but help getting completely involved in Lawhead's creative world. The first person aspect is surprisingly far from intrusive; you actually come to appreciate this fresh approach to story telling by books end.

If I was given one bone to pick with this book, I would ask for two.

The first would be this: The never ending "Sollen" (or "Winter" as we would attempt to describe it in English) in Albion, during the reign of Nudd, could not make me think of anything other than C.S. Lewis' The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. Lawhead does not describe it in a way that mimics Lewis at all, and this was good, however, even though Lewis and Simon don't walk into Albion via an antique wardrobe, Narnia and Albion seemed a little too similar in that portion of the book for my liking. Nonetheless, this did not take away much from the story for me and I soon forgot my nigglings for the voluminous kingdoms and gigantic, sweeping empires in the wonderful land of Albion.

The second bone to pick would be this: A few times in the dialogue Lawhead would include references to God in the form of a curse. But before I go any further I want to stop and say that I realise (or at least I think I do) why he does this. Showing the slanderous talk - as is probably a very true representative of the setting and linguistics of speech therein - in certain characters portrays them as unmaskedly human and shows without apology the evil that resides in their hearts. As Gaz would say, Lawhead does not hide any of the struggles his characters face, and shows very human reactions to these struggles. So, I can indubitably see how he would justify putting these various phrases in, but for me personally, blasphemy in any form tends to put a dampener on books (or movies).

But, like I said, I can see the method of this brilliant writer, and the fantastic ending - of which I couldn't have asked for an equal or better - left me wanting to hurry on to the next installment: The Silver Hand - book two in the Song of Albion.

If I were to sum my review up in one line it would have to be in the words of this quote regarding Lawhead's work:

Fantasy writing doesn't get much better than this. (Daily Express)

Click here to visit stephenlawhead.com

Whispers of the Bayou

2009-04-04T12:25:00.005+13:00

Reviewed by Paisley: 4 out of 5

What mysteries lie hidden beside the dark water of the bayou?

Swept away from Louisiana Bayou country as a child, Miranda Miller is a woman without a past. She has a husband and child of her own and a fulfilling job in a Manhattan museum, but she also has questions - about the tragedy that cut her off from family and caused her to be sent away, and about those first five years that
were erased from her memory entirely.

Follow one woman's search through the hidden rooms of a bayou mansion, the enigmatic snares of an ancient myth, and the all-consuming quest for a heart open enough for love - and for God.

I just loved Whispers of the Bayou! Mindy Starns Clark has written a brilliant story, complete with suspense, mystery, emotion, plot twists and a dash of historical fiction thrown in. I definitely didn't see some of the twists in the plot coming!

The main character, Miranda, has a dark past. So dark in fact that she herself has erased it from her memory. Although her memories are forgotten, you can see the effect her past has had on her current emotionally detached state. As she faces her past, her present state is also challenged.

I really enjoyed the different characters protrayed in this book, and how the relationships changed throughout (without giving too much away here!). I was constantly wondering while reading... who was it, who did that, who was who???

The only negative thing I would mention is that end seemed rushed in regards to the decisions made and the future of people in the story once the mystery had been solved.

All in all a great read. If you love mysteries with suspense, this is a book I am sure you would enjoy!

Click here to visit Clarkes' website.

Breach of Promise

2009-03-26T09:25:00.002+13:00

Reviewed by Rachel: 4.5 out of 5

How far will a father go to get back his only daughter? And how will he survive in a legal system that crushes those who can't afford to fight back? Mark Gillen has the storybook life other men dream of, complete with a beautiful wife and an adoring five-year-old daughter. Then his wife announces she's leaving him. And taking their daughter with her. The other man is a famous film director with unlimited funds and the keys to stardom and wealth for Paula. How can Mark begin to compete? But the most bitter blow comes when he is kept from seeing his daughter because of false charges . . . and a legal system ill-suited for finding the truth. Forged in the darkest valley Mark has ever walked through, his faith in God may ultimately cost him everything in the eyes of the family law system. But it is the one thing that can keep him sane-and give him the strength to fight against all odds for what matters most.

I like trying out new authors, though there is always that slight touch of hesitancy that comes with unexplored territory; and that the author might not live up to the standard of previously loved and enjoyed writers. James Scott Bell did not disappoint.

Being a huge fan of books that contain anything to do with law and justice, Breach of Promise was right up my alley and I am certain would appeal to a wide range of audiences. It had a well thought out plot line, was just the right length and ended with a jaw-dropping twist which I certainly did not see coming!

I also loved the way the author describes the main character (Mark) and his struggles with everyday life; how he overcomes anger and sometimes just mucks things up and really blows it. He is a real human being, not just some perfect guy we could never become. He tries so hard to do things his way, yet has to learn that God's way is Supreme and although we may not understand it, it is after all, the best way to go about things.

I couldn't find much wrong with Breach of Promise. It was a refreshing blast of reality mixed with suspense and I certainly didn't want to put it down!

The Last Hunt

2009-03-18T08:30:00.006+13:00

Reviewed by Burton: 4.5 out of 5

Mike Dellosso could very well be the next Frank Peretti... (C.J. Darlington, Cofounder and book editor, Titletrakk.com)

Mike Dellosso is the author of the highly acclaimed debut novel The Hunted and and recently released Scream which is also receiving stellar reviews.

Mike also happens to be a really awesome guy! I subscribed to his free monthly newsletter the other month and was rewarded by being sent a PDF of his short story 'The Last Hunt' which is exclusively available to his subscribers. I can't say that I've read multitudes of short stories in my lifetime, but compared to those I have, The Last Hunt is by far the best (and creepiest).

I won't divulge any of the story, except to say that it includes an isolated hut in the woods, otherworldly screams and the creature right out of your worst nightmare.

The Last Hunt is written in first person prose, which if done well (eg Lawhead), can conjure such vivid imagery in the reader's mind which can last a lifetime. Dellosso's description of the creature in this story will stick with me for life.

The Last Hunt is a creepy (but God-glorifying) story, is extremely thought provoking, and for all of you slow readers and console gamers out there... it is short.

Click here to visit Mike Dellosso's website, subscribe to his monthly mailinglist, print off The Last Hunt and read it alone tonight.

Heart of a Lion

2009-03-16T10:00:00.002+13:00

Reviewed by Paisley: 4 out of 5

Heart of a Lion is book one in Gilbert Morris' Lion Of Judah series.

Young Noah has found life good and wholesome... until he steps outside his village and discovers a world of temptation. Drawn by a beautiful woman yet repulsed by the pagan practices of her tribe's dark worship, his inner struggle keeps him in torment.

Noah strains to hear the voice of God - through the warnings of a prophet, through the kind teachings of his grandfather Methuselah, through the loving concern of his family, and ultimately through personal confrontation. The message he receives is terrifying. Will he find the courage to obey?

Opposition intensifies to the call he has received, and a precious medallion handed down from ancient times reminds him of who he is... a man with a HEART OF A LION.

I have always enjoyed Gilbert Morris' work, and Heart of a Lion is no exception. I approached this book with the typical biblical knowledge of Noah's story, and was pleasantly surprised at the depth and added thoughts that Gil (as he is known by his friends ;-) brought out in the book. Some of them I had imagined differently, yet it was refreshing to dwell on his portrayal of the well known biblical account... especially the inclusion of giant sea beasts and battles against Nephilim!

I admire the way Gilbert Morris helps the reader get to know the characters in each story he writes, which then adds to the depth of the journey each one takes, with a bit of action and romance added too. He also has a gift at portraying the journey of the soul from hopelessness to hope and peace. As in other books of his I have read, these same principles applied with this story also.

I loved the way Noah was portrayed... as a man who has a heart towards God, yet who openly struggles with temptation and doubts. Despite these, he struggles towards choosing to do what is right on his journey through life.

Just imagine what it would have been like living in Noah's time, the state of the people, the general day to day living, the enormous task of building the ark... As I read this book my mind wandered and wondered, my faith was strengthened, the Biblical story came alive once again and I was inspired... for who knows what great plans God has ahead for us just like he did for Noah!

A great book, well worth the read. I am already getting ready to read book two in the series, No Woman so Fair.

Chayatocha

2009-03-06T12:29:00.002+13:00

Reviewed by Jon: 4 out of 5

Shane Johnson has an imagination worthy of any fiction writer. He jumps from fantasy and sci-fi to historical fiction with ease.

Chayatocha (pronounced "kie-ah-toe-ka") by Shane Johnson, follows the tale of a wagon train bound for the Oregon Territory in the mid 1800s. Already struggling with the hardships of the trail, the group of pioneer families make a fateful decision when they turn away from a supposed Indian massacre and head for an uncharted pass through the mountains. There they discover something far more deadly than renegade Indians.

The first thing I was aware of, even as little as one paragraph into this book, was that Shane Johnson sure knows how to write. This carried on throughout the whole book, which was just as eloquently written as the first parts that initially grabbed me. This immediately gave Shane Johnson a headstart to a good reception of his work. The storyline itself was not particularly astounding, but the way it was written made it feel like it was.

In a horror story, the majority of the tension always comes from the unknown. As things begin to get more familiar, the tension ebbs. If a writer is not aware of this, they can completely ruin an otherwise great story by revealing the unknown factors that are keeping the excitement much too quickly. In Chayatocha, Johnson had to remove some of the mystery early on in order to tell the rest of the story. He does this in much of the latter part of the novel where he reveals Chayatocha’s origin and brings Daniel Paradine’s own spiritual journey to a climax. It almost worked, but I thought that the whole middle part of the book stretched out too long and I lost a lot of the tension that built so strongly in the first few chapters. It didn't ruin the story, but definitely slowed it down.

The only other thing that brought the book down for me was the Chayatocha constantly referred to itself in the plural with words like "we", "us" and "our". It had to be done for various reasons which I won't give away, but all I kept thinking of was Smeagol and his alter-ego, Gollum, whenever I read it! "It's oursssssssssss, precious."

*Ahem* Still, it was a remarkable story with a refreshingly different and remarkably interesting setting. So all things consider I would still say "highly recommended".

The Reckoning

2009-03-04T16:05:00.004+13:00

Reviewed by Lesmond: 4 out of 5

The back cover blurb lets you know what you're in for... an action-packed thriller full of powerful characters that make Bruce Willis' Die Hard characters look soft. So buckle up...

In a world ruled by the purest survivors, the fiercest warriors, Gage was the strongest - an American executing his country's darkest missions with legendary cunning and skill. Until, wounded and dying in a scorched wasteland, he found mercy at the hands of an aging priest.

Separated from the secret world he once dominated, he chose a life of exile, pursuing a lonely peace, a solitary faith. Only the murder of his mentor and the mysterious theft of an ancient manuscript can compel him to emerge from solitude.

This one starts with a hiss and a roar and aside from a few slow patches, this is definitely a novel for the tank-loving explosion-craving kid in all of us (girls included). As with most of Byron Huggins novels (and I've read most of them) the main character is indeed the stuff legends are made of - sickness personified (in a good way). Gage's profile is only increased by the calibre of the 'baddies' that oppose him. Without revealing too much - there are some amazing fight scenes which had my vivid imagination painting horrific scenes that literally had my heart racing, mouth open and zoned in on a world that fails to hear anything else but the chaos that world embraces. I didn't find it macarbe or disturbing in any sense but be prepared for more than the usual amount of blood to be spilt.

The author has obviously thoroughly researched the dark world of the special forces and one can learn a lot about stealth and military tactics from this read.

The way Huggins explores and describes the characters he creates, to me make his books so enjoyable. There are some absolutely great characters in The Reckoning, both goodies and baddies. This being said, you wouldn't want to read his novels one after the other as a somewhat familiar plot line emerges... It would detract from your enjoyment if you were to otherwise intersperse them with the works of a myriad of other fine authors.

Some might say that there are way to many descriptive words that serve only to pad out the story and annoy the reader:

a whispering gasp escaped his grimacing face...

I like this style and felt it only entrenched the reader further into the lives of the characters and the unfolding plot. However, if you are one of those readers that tends to skim portions of the text then this might serve to frustrate you.

Not Huggins' best work in my opinion (that I feel belongs to Cain) but a great book to read, in fact I've read it twice. However, I put that down to not having a new book in the house to read at the time and a shocking memory! Hmmm, I might have to re-read Cain soon.

Nephilim: The Truth Is Here

2009-03-02T09:23:00.009+13:00

Reviewed by Burton: 3 out of 5

"A very provocative scenario. It appears Lynn Marzulli has done his homework." Chuck Missler

In the first chapters of 'Nephilim', Art Mackenzie, a alcoholic reporter, stumbles upon evidence of a government cover-up. He infiltrates the restricted floor of a mental hospital, where patients, all women, are kept sedated and restrained. One woman tells him that something fathered an inhuman child in her (a Nephilim - the offspring of a fallen angel and a human mother). Thus begins the story of what really happened at Roswell New Mexico, cattle mutilations, alien abductions, secret underground bases, black-op military units, conspiracies within conspiracies, and a clever story which links UFO phenomena with the Biblical account of the Nephilim in Genesis 6. The book explores a fascinating and refreshing end-time theory which, while a bit bizarre for the average person, is disturbingly believable.

I have always been fascinated by UFO phenomena and how it fits within a Christian World view, so I couldn't wait to read 'Nephilim'. Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed. The first half of the book was relatively slow and instead of being yanked into a 'just couldn't put it down' story, I found myself reading with a 'just to finish it' attitude. It also felt like the story was one big vehicle in which Marzulli uses to promote his end-times theory.

A couple of positive points... This book is blatantly Christian and makes no apologies for being so, which I found quite refreshing. There are many Christian authors who include Christian ideas throughout their stories to cover both the Christian and secular market, there is nothing wrong with this, but I did enjoy the non-compromising nature of Marzulli's writing. The possible End -Times aliens scenario that Marzulli believes is one that shouldn't quickly be excused as being 'science fiction'.

If you enjoy a thought-provoking story with occasional smatterings of suspense horror and action, and have an interest in aliens and the paranormal, Christian or non-Christian... you may find this book a great read. This reader however, found it a thought-provoking 'average' one. Speaking of average, the review rating on Amazon is 4 out of 5.

Nephilim is book 1 in a trilogy. The Nephilim story continues in The Unholy Deception, and The Revealing.

Click here to visit Marzulli's blog.

Bringer Of Storms

2009-02-27T08:45:00.011+13:00

Reviewed by Burton: 3.5 out of 5

Bringer Of Storms is book two in a massive 5 book epic entitled The Binding Of The Blade by L. B. Graham. If you enjoy huge fantasy epics with definite Christian values, monsters, battles, tragedy and some romance, look no further than this series. (Click here to read the review of book one, Beyond the Summerland.)

"A staggering accomplishment. The vibrancy and scope of L.B. Graham’s world-building deserves highest praise. Add in well-rounded and memorable characters, thematic richness, and high adventure, and you have an unbeatable formula for success. Ranks right up there with Tolkien and Lawhead as among the best Christian novels of the fantastic ever written.” Jan P. Dennis, discoverer of Frank Peretti, Stephen R. Lawhead, and Ted Dekker

Bringer Of Storms continues seventeen years after the conclusion of the first book. It is basically the story of the lead-up to 'the mother of all battles' when the puny army of righteous men stand their ground against an overwhelming ocean of all manner of evil.

I don't quite know how to review this book. It's like separating out the second quarter of a story from the whole and reviewing it on it's own... It can't really be done. I did enjoyed the first installment more as Bringer of Storms was lacking in the action department, but in the grand epical scope of the story, it is absolutely necessary as it develops the characters more, explores in detail the mind of a betrayer, revenge, honor, and hope against all odds.

In conclusion, if I was to judge this book own it's own, I would give it a 3, but understanding that it is a necessary portion in the overall story. It earns a 3.5. (The average review rating for this book on Amazon is a whopping 5!) A word of warning... This series must be read in order!

Click here to visit the Binding Of The Blade website.

When Heaven Weeps

2009-02-25T08:43:00.002+13:00

Reviewed by Jon: 5 out of 5

From the back of When Heaven Weeps...

In a small Balkan village near the end of World War II, a band of soldiers play a cruel game of ultimate stakes with a priest and his flock. Jan Jovic reluctantly participates. But he's prepared neither for the incredible demonstration of love, nor the terrible events that follow.

Now, many years later, that game will spring to life in Jan's own heart. He will fall madly in love with the wrong woman, her name is Helen. Now it's Jan's turn to play the game. But there is a price.

Dive into a romantic thriller like none you've ever read. Drink deeply of a love that will bring a tremor to your bones. Go ahead, it's your turn to play the game. But remember...there is a price. And no one could possibly prepare you for that price.

Book two in The Martyr's Song series, When Heaven Weeps made some pretty bold statements on the back of the book, but the best part of all was that it actually lived up to its epic claims.

The story spans over a host of locations and times, but does not get lost in the size of itself. It is a daring story to say the least, but I think it was handled and written remarkably well. There are books that you "can't put down", then there are books that you skip dinner, call in sick to work (just kidding :) and neglect sleep over. For me, this was one of those books, and I kept thinking about the plot a very long time after reading the last chapter.

Diving into topics such as a burning faith that grows cold, God's overwhelming patience with us, and His remarkable love for the ones that seem like the lowest of the low - the ones which people who are quite comfortable in their world of riches, and even faith, look down upon. There is also an underlying theme that unless sin is severed at the roots, over time it will fester back into a stronger weed than it was before. This story has incredible quotes, insights and a wonderful injection of action to keep people who are wired like myself happy. It deserves nothing less than a five star rating.

So unlike Thunder of Heaven, When Heaven Weeps goes straight to the Hall of Fame with my personal recommendation to read it. Stay tuned for the review of Heaven's Wager when I can finally track down a copy.

Click here to visit teddekker.com

Thunder of Heaven

2009-02-23T09:40:00.002+13:00

Reviewed by Rachel: 4 out of 5

Thunder Of Heaven. Book 3 in the Martyr's Song Series, written by Ted Dekker.

What happens when the evil of terrorism collides with the love of God? Deep in the Amazon jungle a young American woman and the son of plantation owners fall madly in love. For Tanya and Shannon, life is a paradise most only dream about. But today paradise ends. The jungle has hatched more than idyllic love. It has also spawned insidious evil. An evil shrouded in a plot so diabolically brilliant that all of America will be brought to her knees at the hands of a few terrorists. The plan is executed to perfection; America's worst fears have dawned. Nothing stands in the way of terrible destruction. Except for the love of one woman. Step into the pages of a story taken from tomorrow's headlines. A story about the true power found in the face of all our fears. The power of love.

I love the way Dekker brings out his characters and works on their personalities. You almost feel by the end of the book that you could know them as intimately as a person in real life. This was what I loved about Thunder of Heaven. I also love the way that a fictional story can speak volumes about real life. Sometimes we need to open our eyes a bit more to see what's really going on outside of our cosy living room. Thunder Of Heaven is an intriguing story of what can lie beneath the surface of a seemingly picture-perfect world and if left unchecked, what atrocities evil can commit. Thankfully for me, as I despise unhappy endings, Dekker lets good win out as he does in all of his books. I must admit though, the ending did seem a bit far-fetched. But then, who can honestly understand the power of that one small word... love? An emotion, a verb, a noun, all rolled into one and perfectly describing the very essence of God and what He's about.

So if you're up to the challenge, I dare you to open this book and see what it's all about.

Click here to visit Tek Dekker's website.

Tested by Fire

2009-02-20T07:30:00.002+13:00

Reviewed by Jon: 1.5 out of 5

Jumping straight to the back of Tested by Fire - Book 1 in the Baxter Series by Kathy Herman...

A bizarre houseboat explosion rocks the close-knit community of Baxter to its core. Firefighters and friends stand by powerlessly as the blazing hull of their neighbours' home sinks to the bottom of Heron Lake.

Have all five McConnels perished in the flames? Was it an accident? Or murder?

If you read the Amazon reviews and the praise at the beginning of this book, you could be forgiven for thinking that it is a tense thriller with terrific yet subtle Christian morals woven throughout. Before I really get into this review, I have to say that I do not like heavily critiquing creative works of any sort unless I have at least something good to say about them. I know how much effort goes into making something like this a reality, and simply ripping it apart is not constructive to anyone.

So, with that said, let's go through the redeeming features of Tested by Fire.

- The character Casey and the role he plays - "I am Casey!" He brought a very authentic and comedic flavour and kept my otherwise waning interest from all but disappearing.
- The cat, 'Pork'.
- Herman's occasionally poetic writing style. Sure she bows to cliches here and there (who doesn't), but overall she had some pretty neat descriptions to share.
- Despite being far too blatant throughout most of the book, the morals of this story are still relatively thought provoking. However, the whole moral ethic behind Tested by Fire would have been far more effective painted with a much softer stroke so to speak.

Now I suppose we must wade through the bad. The first thing I kept noticing was that the characters in this story constantly 'tell' you that you are reading a Christian book. I prefer Christian fiction, however this is not supposed to be a sermon but a believable story right? The characters are also continuously praying and there are at least four 'sinner's prayers', which again is not a terrible crime, but I think it gets a little tedious and the reader would prefer more left to the imagination. But in Tested by Fire, you have no room to think for yourself as it is all spelled out for you.

There was zero tension in this book for me. The plot certainly did not keep me awake at night nor the story kept me turning pages as the praise of the book so ardently promised it would. Practically nothing is skipped in the chronology of this book, and it plays out almost in real-time. This is not a good thing as a lot of the uninteresting occurrences could have been replaced with much more thrilling scenes. I would liken it to a badly edited movie.

There were snippets at the end of each chapter that led to a sort of 'tie in' at the end. The trouble was that by the end of the book I was almost groaning at yet another of these unrelenting paragraphs that really did not add anything to the story. Along with the sermon I skimmed, there was a lot of material that simply made this book unnecessarily cheesy.

I don't know if I finished this book more out of tenacity or plain denial to the truth that it wasn't going to get any better. But I did finish it. Was the ending worth the effort? Well, to sum this book up in a sentence: it had a halfway decent plot with potential to be a suspenseful piece of Christian fiction but was unfortunately terribly played out. It could have been suspenseful but, well, it wasn't. Perhaps if this was specifically aimed at pre-teens it would be okay. But sorry, I won't be reading any more of the Baxter Series in a hurry.

Click here to visit kathyherman.com

Thunder of Heaven

2009-02-18T07:13:00.001+13:00

Reviewed by Jon: 3.5 out of 5

Thunder of Heaven is book three in The Martyr's Song series. This is what the back of the book sets you up for...

The world's worst fears have dawned. Nothing stands in the way of total destruction...except the love of one woman.

Deep in the Amazon jungle a young American woman and the son of plantation owners fall madly in love. For Tanya and Shannon, life is a paradise most only dream about. But today paradise ends. The jungle has hatched more than idyllic love. It has also spawned insidious evil. An evil shrouded in a plot so diabolically brilliant that all of America will be brought to her knees at the hands of a few terrorists. The plan is executed to perfection. There is no way out...save an ancient woman whose dark past has lead her to a life of prayer in preparation for the unspeakable terror about to be unleashed.

I was originally going to review all three books as one group, but after reading Thunder of Heaven, I knew I had to review them individually.

Reading the description on the back of the book immediately got me started on the first chapter. After reading book two of the series a few weeks back, I knew this final installment had to be a great conclusion. The first chapters did not disappoint that theory.

The thing I find so involving with Dekker's books is that the characters are just so believable and unforgettable in their struggles. The first half of Thunder of Heaven was brilliant, and the whole story had those same unforgettable characters I have come to love.

However, according to the back of the book, the evil that threatened America was "so diabolically brilliant that all of America will be brought to her knees at the hands of a few terrorists." Sure, it was believable, but for once I felt it was a little bland and even possibly a little predictable. The twist at around three quarters of the way through the book was good, but even that didn't take me very much by surprise.

It wasn't a bad book by a long shot, but not one of my favourite Dekker books. The settings were lush, the characters were well developed, and the plot was believable... just, not that great.

I would still recommend reading the book as it has some terrific quotes, and great reflections of the love of Christ dotted throughout.

Click here to visit teddekker.com

The Voice

2009-02-16T09:30:00.002+13:00

Reviewed by Paisley: 3 out of 5

What if the voice of God has been captured on tape? What if it refutes the foundations of Judeo-Christian belief? What if its power could dissolve the very reality it created?
The Voice of God. The ultimate weapon of mass destruction. The Voice is a great example of a typical Bill Myers book... portions of action, suspense and a very thought-provoking plot. To be honest, I found The Voice quite hard to get into and not as enjoyable as others he has written, so much so that I considered stopping reading it a couple of times when I was half way through! I am glad I read it to the end though, as the last half of the book was definitely better than the first, and I loved how Myers weaved accurate Biblical archeology throughout.

In conclusion, I have enjoyed far more books than The Voice, but as so often happens, all people are different, and appreciate different writers and genres... I notice the average rating on Amazon is 4.5 stars (perhaps Burton or Jon should give a second opinion ;-) If you enjoy a thought-provoking suspenseful story interlaced with Biblical archeology, overlaid with super-natural elements, then you may enjoy this book.

"A prolific pioneer of Christian fiction, nonfiction, film, television, audio drama, and who knows what else, Bill Myers now sets out to write a crisp, express-train read featuring 3D characters, cinematic settings, and action, and, as usual, a premise I wish I'd thought of--and succeeds splendidly! Two thumbs up!" (Frank E. Peretti )

A sequel to The Voice is to be released this year, entitled Angel of Wrath.

Click here to vist Bill Myers website.

Saint

2009-02-13T08:56:00.001+13:00

Reviewed by Jon: 3.5 out of 5

“We call you Saint.”

The name ignited a light in Carl's mind. Saint. He'd been covertly recruited for Black Ops and given his life to the most brutal kind of training any man or woman could endure. He was here because he belonged here. To the X Group.

An assassin. The most effective killer in the world. And yet . . . Carl Strople struggles to retain fleeting memories that betray an even more ominous reality. He's been told part of the truth - but not all of it.

The opening chapters of Saint grabbed me by the throat right from the first paragraph. The tension/tension-release were superb, and I had a hunch this second book in the Paradise series would do for me what the second book in The Circle Trilogy did for me: take me further, faster and harder than the first book of the trilogy.

Based on those first chapters, and even the first half of the book being so superbly written, I had no doubt there was going to be a ripper of a conclusion and was rather excited about it. Dekker tosses around some very real issues about people losing their faith as soon as they get mocked by an unbelieving world. There are a few quotes and snippets from Saint that alone make the book worth the 3.5 stars I gave it. My favourite was this one...

"Once born into childlike faith, brimming with belief, typical people begin to lose their faith. Society mocks them. Their friends smirk. They come to change the world, but over time the world changes them. Soon they forget who they were; they forget the faith they once had. Then one day someone tells them the truth, but they don’t want to go back, because they’re comfortable in their new skin. Being a stranger in this world is never easy."

This book would make a mind-blowing, epic movie. So then why only 3.5 stars? Well, the thing that brought this book down for me was the ending climax, or lack thereof. The story progressed so superbly towards what I anticipated to be a final showdown that left me breathless, but I felt that the whole thing was over too quickly. The last two chapters seemed rushed and felt a bit too similar to Showdown's conclusion. Basically the second half of the book lacked the tension that the first half seemed to simply ooze.

Still, Saint is a solid addition to Dekker's arsenal, and I'm eager to read the final installment in this series, Sinner.

Click here to visit teddekker.com

Deception

2009-02-11T11:15:00.004+13:00

Reviewed by Rachel: 3.5 out of 5

Deception is Book 3 in Randy Alcorn's Ollie Chandler series

IN A DARK ROOM punctured by a bare hundred-watt bulb, two newspaper clippings on the card table appeared whitish gray, four others dim and yellow. Agile fingers arranged them chronologically so the handiwork could be better displayed. Should they be placed in a scrapbook? What if they were found? Of all places, surely no one would try to break into this one. The world’s full of stupid people, but not that stupid. Most of the people in the clippings had been stupid. But over the years, one by one, they’d been abruptly liberated of their stupidity. And the world had been liberated of them. A penciled list of names dropped to the table, by the playing cards, next to the clippings. It was time for another stupid person to go away. But which one? The liberator brooded thirty minutes, forearm bulging, squeezing hard a small object. Finally, one name rose to the top. The mastermind wrote the name down, then covered it with the ace of spades.
The thing that came across the strongest for me in Deception was its uniqueness. It is unlike any other book that I have read. Even Deadline (which is book 1 in the series) was very different to Deception. Also, each book is complete in itself so there is no need to read the books in order. Randy Alcorn has this amazing sense of humour which is littered throughout the pages providing constant entertainment. I also like the way it is written entirely from a man's perspective; (Ollie Chandler the homicide detective) his personality, character and struggles coming through to make the novel seem more real. It kept me guessing until the very impressive and surprising ending.

The reason why I only gave Deception a 3.5 star rating was because I found it very hard to get into until about half way through the book. It could just be a personality clash (like I said earlier, Randy's way of writing is extremely unique), but for me, it's like committing suicide if you haven't been 'grabbed' by the book by at least the 2nd chapter. I think most of the introduction was necessary to establish the characters fully, but it did seem slightly too long to do so.

Overall, a great read and I also loved how Randy can't help but throw in spiritual references (he is afterall also the author of The Ishbane Conspiracy and Lord Foulgrin's Letters) throughout the book. It really made me think, and gave me some great ideas for sharing my faith!

Click here for Randy Alcorn's website.

Beyond The Summerland

2009-02-09T12:00:00.019+13:00

Reviewed by Burton: 4 out of 5

Beyond The Summerland is book one in a massive 5 book epic entitled The Binding Of The Blade by L. B. Graham.

A friend recommended this series to me, and quite frankly, when I saw the somewhat childish cover art (and the fact that it was in the library's teen section), my response was an apathetic 'meh'. What changed my mind was the following quote on the back cover...

"A staggering accomplishment. The vibrancy and scope of L.B. Graham’s world-building deserves highest praise. Add in well-rounded and memorable characters, thematic richness, and high adventure, and you have an unbeatable formula for success. Ranks right up there with Tolkien and Lawhead as among the best Christian novels of the fantastic ever written.” Jan P. Dennis, discoverer of Frank Peretti, Stephen R. Lawhead, and Ted Dekker...

It's no secret that the three authors aforementioned are my favourite writers... Needless to say I couldn't get to the library checkout quick enough.

I won't divulge any of the storyline but would like to mention three things...

Firstly, this is definitely no cuddly Aslan children's book. What kid's story includes an 11-page glossary which needs to be referenced regularly?

Secondly, this is non-compromising Christian fantasy at its very best! While reading Beyond The Summerland I was frequently blown away by the parallels, lessons, and amazing insight woven throughout the story.

Thirdly, two slight downers of the book were... a) the first half is a little slow. I don't think this could have been avoided as L. B. Graham had to introduce his world in this first book, and the world (including its 3 millenia history) is massive. b) the protagonists are just a bit too perfect in parts.

At the time of writing this review I am well into book 2 entitled Bringer of Storms. The cover art is better, and the story is faster. I can't wait to get back to it, and I have a feeling I'm going to be immersed in the Binding Of The Blade universe for a good many weeks.

If you enjoy huge fantasy epics with definite Christian values, monsters, battles, tragedy and some romance, look no further than this series.

Click here to visit the Binding Of The Blade website.

House

2009-02-07T12:12:00.006+13:00

Reviewed by Jon: 4.5 out of 5

Welcome to my house. These are the house rules:
1. God came to my house and I killed him.
2. I will anyone who comes to my house like I killed God.
3. Give me a dead body and I might let Rule #2 slide.
You have until dawn.

If you've read a few 'Christian' books in your time, then when you see the dual authorship of House by Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker, you'll be sure to nerd out. These two are the pioneers of good wholesome supernatural thrillers.

I went into House with around, let's see, three different view points from three different parties. One, it was 'psycho'. Dekker is psycho, Peretti is psycho, join them together and you get House: Psycho, psycho, psycho. The second view point was that it was simply great. The third viewpoint was that it was ridiculously scary and you should never read it at night. Well then!

Personally I thought that House was an absolute genius of a book, and despite people saying they couldn't tell which author was writing which parts, I could wage a few good guesses as to who wrote what. The co-authorship worked really well, and I appreciated the Peretti influences and new flare he added to Dekker's somewhat familiar style.

House brings to the surface many relevant issues, for example, how terribly dangerous it is to get involved with anything to do with the demonic realm. The book (but moreso the movie) has been put under heavy criticism for being too dark, and it is quite simply a very dark book. But in order to come to grips with just how desperately we need the remedy of salvation, we must first see how desperately lost we are without it. You cannot appreciate the water without first walking through the desert, almost dying of thirst.

In my opinion, the only downfall that kept me from giving this book a five star rating was there were a few things scattered here and there that felt a little bit 'borrowed' from Peretti's and Dekker's other works. I did however like the ending very much. There was a terrific twist in there that took me mostly by surprise.

One of my favourite quotes from the book would have to be this one:

"Most people are quite dense. They like little white houses with big stained-glassed windows and prefer to do their killing with looks and words behind one another's backs. Welcome to my house. No secrets allowed. Here we all do our killing with guns and axes and knives. It's more bloody than what most people are accustomed to, yes, but it's far less brutal."

Click here to visit teddekker.com
Click here to visit frankperetti.com

When Crickets Cry

2009-02-05T10:36:00.005+13:00

Reviewed by Paisley: 5 out of 5

A man with a painful past. A child with a doubtful future. And a shared journey toward healing for both their hearts.

It begins on the shaded town square in a sleepy Southern town. A spirited seven-year-old has a brisk business at her lemonade stand. Her latest customer, a bearded stranger, drains his cup and heads to his car, his mind on a boat he's restoring at a nearby lake. But the little girl's pretty yellow dress can't quite hide the ugly scar on her chest. The stranger understands more about it than he wants to admit. And the beat-up bread truck careening around the corner with its radio blaring is about to change the trajectory of both their lives.

Before it's over, they'll both know there are painful reasons why crickets cry...and that miracles lurk around unexpected corners.

It definately wasn't the cover or title of this book that grabbed me... just plain desperation for a new author to try. Amazon's average reader rating was 5 out of 5 , so I decided to give it a go. I am so glad I did! When Crickets Cry is a very moving novel about a young girl named Annie, desperately in need of a miracle, and a man named Reese with a very painful past.

The author Charles Martin definitely has talent! I was impressed from the beginning with his gift at writing and how he wove twists throughout the novel. I was also impressed with the fact that this book caused me to shed some tears on more than one occasion. To forget you are reading a fictitious story shows that the craft of the author is very special. I learnt a lot during the reading of this book which caused my wonder in the awesomeness of our God to grow. Charles Martin definitely did his research, and it paid off.

Overall, When Crickets Cry is an excellent book, superbly written with a wonderful plot. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a thoughtful and well written novel. I would love to say more, but am so aware that any little hint could spoil the story... highly recommended. I am now eagerly seeking out all the books by Martin that I can find.

Visit Charles Martin's website here.

A reading group guide is also available for this book online here. But make sure you read it when you have finished the book!

Thr3e

2009-02-03T07:48:00.003+13:00

Reviewed by Jon: 4 out of 5

Thr3e was the first Ted Dekker book I ever picked up, and wasn't an easy one to put down. It is probably the reason why I read so many of his books, the first one was just so good. I finished it in about two days, and I'm not usually a fast reader. A late review, but here we go.

The back of the book gives nothing away, and is rather vague to say the least. But it goes something like this.

Enter a world where nothing is what it seems. Where your closest friend could be your greatest enemy. Where black is white and white is black. Get ready, everything changes in Thr3e.

You know the quote, "Author of the Award-Winning, Best-Selling novel Thr3e", that is on the front cover of just about every Dekker book ever written? Well this is the book that all the fuss is about.

I was immediately hooked with Dekker's witty humour; his sporadic, one-word sentences; and his gripping, heart-pounding suspense. In fact, and I may be criticised for saying this, I thought Thr3e was even more suspensful than Adam. But I digress; they are completely different books and cannot really be compared like that.

What I find remarkable about Dekker is that he can dream up stories that tackle the same essential thing, good versus evil, and fashion them all in such different ways. For example, this book is absolutely nothing like The Paradise series, The Circle Trilogy, or The Martyr's Song series for that matter. You would think a reader could only handle so much on one theme, but in essence, all themes boil down to good and evil anyway, and the fight between the two.

The twist at the end of Thr3e certainly took me broadside as I certainly wasn't expecting anything along the lines this story ending took. It wasn't a completely fresh ending to me - perhaps because it reminded me of the movie A Beautiful Mind, but it reminded me of it in a similar way that Saint reminded me of The Bourne Identity... similar, but definitely not stolen.

Thr3e was without a doubt a most worthwhile read, although I know that Rachel Kate disagrees quite strongly with me on that one. Just goes to show how different we all are, and you can't really make up your mind about a book until you have read it for yourself. But for me it was one of those plots that buzzes around in your head for a long time after you've finished the book. Everything changes in Thr3e.

Click here to visit Ted Dekker's website.

The Negotiator

2009-01-31T08:16:00.010+13:00

Reviewed by Paisley: 3.5 out of 5

The Negotiator is Book 1 in Dee Henderson's O'Malley Series.

Kate O'Malley's specialty is hostage situations, and she's learned to depend only on herself in a crisis. But now Kate's a target. Someone's been sending her black roses -

maybe the same person who just blew up an airplane and blamed her. Faced with the shocking evidence that the bomber may be someone she knows, Kate has to decide if FBI special agent Dave Richman - and the God he trusts so implicitly - is all he's supposed to be.

The Negotiator follows Kate O'Malley, a hostage negotiator, on an thrilling adventure. The story is fast-paced from start to finish and I found myself constantly looking back to previous pages I had read, trying to solve the mystery. Laced throughout the story, are deeper issues including illness and soul searching questions about Life and God. Dee Henderson does a great job in the thoughts she presented here through her characters and unlike the prequel to this series, there wasn't as much mushy romance either.

On the negative side, I felt that some of the plot and themes covered in this book were too similar to the prequel Danger In The Shadows, but as a whole, the plot is good and the suspense is great (although still not Dekker ;-). The lessons weaved in through the story line were thoughtful and impacting.

Submerged

2009-01-29T14:06:00.003+13:00

Reviewed by Lesmond: 2.5 out of 5

As senior project manager for his father's construction firm, Perry Sachs has helped build top-secret military installations around the world. Now he learns a secret beyond his imagination - one on which his father's life depends.

Submerged is the third in the 'Perry Sachs' Mystery novels written by Alton Gansky and the first ever Gansky novel read by myself.

I enjoy a story that has a strong hero-type protagonist (male or female) and for me I just didn't get that from Perry Sachs. I am led to believe that the previous Perry Sachs mystery novels 'A Treasure deep' and 'Beneath the Ice' were quite the page turners. If I could liken it to anything, it would be comparing the first three Indiana Jones stunners with 2008's effort, Indiana Jones and the Kindom of the Crystal Skull, which to me was somewhat of a let down.

One thing I wasn't expecting was Sci-Fi which in my opinion left a lot of questions hanging with the answers orbiting somewhere in the supernatural.

I liked the two main themes brought out in this story, which for me were: 1. The love between a Father and a Son. 2. Where Faith and Prayer meet action.

Not an overtly Christian Novel, Gansky seems to have chosen to show how Christians behave in 'real' (a term used very loosley) and somewhat traumatic situations as opposed to scripture leaping off the pages or conversion scenes that bring tears to your eyes.

Read this book night or day and I'm sure you'll sleep well. My interest was only kept going by the relative short length of the book… "It’ll be over soon and I’ll find out what happens at the end." A very light read which if one desired to dig a bit deeper could get more out of it, unfortunatley this reader didn't.

Patrick

2009-01-27T12:34:00.011+13:00

Reviewed by Burton: 4 out of 5

In my opinion, absolutely no one does historical fiction as well as Stephen R. Lawhead, and Patrick: Son of Ireland is no exception.

A young nobleman is captured by raiding pirates and spends seven painful years a slave to an Irish chieftain. At last he escapes, betraying his friends and the woman he loves, and makes his way to Gaul. He becomes a soldier, rises in the ranks, and achieves a life of promise in Roman society. Yet he is haunted by his memories of Ireland and comes to believe that he has a special mission there: to convert the Irish people to Christianity.

Lawhead's writing style (first person narrative) takes a little getting used to, and cannot be quickly read, but is masterly in transporting the reader to vivid lands, ancient times and into the intricate lives of the story's characters. The reader easily becomes attached to protagonist and for me the read was an emotional one.

Another quality I love about Lawhead's work, (Patrick in particular) is that the reader never knows where the story is going, and the plot can (and frequently does) change dramatically from chapter to chapter.

Two philosophical questions that Patrick raises throughout Patrick is... to what extent did the pagans (in this case Irish druids) have knowledge of the one true God and His Son? Are some 'pagans' actually more closer to God than some 'Christians'? As a result, this book compelled me to research the history of Saint Patrick and Europe's druids, and any book that does that in my opinion is a great one.

Now for the downer. This book contains a few lines of 'adult content'. I realise that Lawhead's intention was probably show Patrick's ambitious, self-seeking nature, but for a Christian author, I think he was a bit too descriptive, and for this reason Patrick loses half a star.

All things said... a brilliant read, and I'm looking forward to losing myself in the word of Hood one of these days.

Click here to visit Stephen R. Lawhead's website.

Adam

2009-01-23T08:02:00.012+13:00

Reviewed by Burton: 5 out of 5

Adam is one of Ted Dekker's most compelling works to date, and also the most disturbing. If it were to be compared to a movie, The Exorcist would be the closest.

About Adam, Dekker states...

"This is one of the only books I've ever written, where, honestly, I was so disturbed by what I discovered that I had trouble going to sleep at night."

One of the editors who worked on Adam commented...

"... by the way, I'm sleeping with the lights on as I'm reading this book. And when that doesn't work, I'm praying harder.">

For this very reason many Christians heavily critise Dekker's work as being too dark, and unedifying. Indeed, Dekker's writing is dark, but for a very good reason I believe... To really understand how great the light is, one must understand how great the evil is. And ultimately, Adam is a very powerful story about great hope.

A synopsis of Adam is as follows...

FBI behavioral psychologist Daniel Clark has been made famous by his arguments that religion is one of society's greatest antagonists. What Daniel doesn't know is that his obsessive pursuit of a serial killer known only as "Eve" will end in his own death at Eve's hand. Twenty minutes later Daniel is resuscitated, only to be haunted by those twenty missing minutes of life. It soon becomes painfully clear that the only way to stop Eve is to recover those missing minutes by dying... again. What isn't nearly as clear is just how many times he will have to die to discover the truth, not only about Eve, but about himself. Daniel will have to face haunting realities about demon possession in the modern world-and reevaluate his prejudice against religion-to stop Eve.

I absolutely loved Adam, and lost many hours of sleep as a result of not being able to put it down. Dekker is an extremily gifted author, who writes intelligent, adrenaline-laced stories, which Christian message is loud and clear, and is not forgotten quickly. It comes as no surprise that he is my favourite author.

If you enjoy fast-paced physiological/supernatural thrillers (which border on horror), then buy Adam today.

click here to visit Dekker's Adam site.

Danger in the Shadows

2009-01-22T08:48:00.002+13:00

Reviewed by Paisley: 3 out of 5

Danger in the Shadows is the Prequel to Dee Henderson's O'Malley Series.

From the back of the book:

Her life is not her own... The bureau owns her. Under FBI protection, Sara isn't even Sara Walsh anymore. Her name is what they tell her. Her home is where they send her. And she's never there for long.
A stranger owns her. Though faceless, he haunts Sara's dreams. He's the man who abducted her as a child and continues to stalk her. He's the one who is determined to end their connection - and Sara's life.
But most of all, fear owns her. Which makes falling in love with a man as high profile as Adams Black a bad idea. And a dangerous one. For both of them. Sara's world is an unsafe place for love - and certainly an unsafe place for the children Adam longs for. No one knows that better than Sara, and she can't take the risk... But if she doesn't, her life will never be her own. Where will she find the courage to name her terror and face her fear?

This is the first Henderson book I have read (I found it in the local library). I liked the cover (I think covers are pretty important) and my eyes caught a statement on the back of the book... "I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes suspense.". "This book is for me", I thought to myself.

Danger in the Shadows is about Sara and her battle over fear. It does have a good storyline and was very easy to get into. But, to be honest, I was disappointed with it. Although the book was hard to put the book down, the bottom line is that 'Henderson suspense' is no where near 'Dekker suspense'. I also found it a bit too mushy for my liking (I probably should have taken into consideration that it was from the romance section). Other reviewers have commented that this book is not the author's best, so I have already started The Negotiator (the next book in the series) to see what her other books are like, and am loving it already.

On a more positive note, Danger In The Shadows is still a good book with a good story. There is definitely a theme of having faith and trust in God throughout the book, which is great, and would encourage anyone who struggles with fearfulness or lack of trust in God and His plans for their life.

Looking forward to seeing what her next one is like... I will let you know soon.

The Fall of Lucifer

2009-01-21T07:46:00.002+13:00

Reviewed by Jon: 4.5 out of 5

From the back of the book:

Three Archangels...
Three Brothers...
One Turned Renegade.
A sweeping epic of origins and mysteries. The Fall of Lucifer tells a tale older than the universe itself. Set in opulent palaces and frightening hell worlds, this is a timeless saga of doubt, of demons and Angelic Warriors. Of obsessive love and treason, and of an ancient evil that knows no bounds.
Soon the universe itself will be rocked by war...
A war between three angelic brothers...
A war fought for the greatest purpose in the universe...
That war for the race of men.

This is the first of Wendy Alec's Chronicles of Brothers, and the thing that instantly struck me about this book and its 292 pages, was how shockingly real it plays out. Writing from the perspective of the heavenlies is certainly no easy undertaking, yet the way Alec breathes life into the characters and carries their personalities with such ease makes the book read more like a true-to-life biography than a fictional story. Where it branches into a part with some angelic scientists was a little odd, but it allowed Alec to show some stunning facts about the human race.

Be warned that you will be wanting a dictionary handy while you read, as Alec's vocabulary is rather expansive. In most novels I find myself wanting to look up a few words over the course of the book, whereas in The Fall of Lucifer I was checking words at least 10 times a chapter. Also be wary that there are a myriad of characters interweaving their stories through this book, and you probably won't catch the significance and meaning of them all on the first read.

But were these lengthy descriptions and host of characters what caused me to give it a rating lower than 5? Surprisingly no, they are actually rightly fitting to the requirements a story of this nature needs, and I came to greatly appreciate the attention to detail and the poetic writing before story's end. The reason for my rating is that I felt the book didn't have as much of a climax at the end as I would have liked, and some parts were quite slow.

Don't get me wrong, it was tense and sets you up for the sequel nicely. I actually think that my problem with it lies more with the fact that the scenes would be so much more real on the silver screen, when you are completely immersed in the atmosphere rather than reading from a comfortable seat in your lounge. Bring on the motion picture!

So does it come with a personal recommendation? Absolutely. There's a lot of mixed reviews about it, but it is really something you have to make up your own mind about. If you were deeply moved by The Passion of the Christ, I would say that this book will most likely lead you down a very similar path of insight, into not just the existance of Christ's love, but the overwhelming depth of it. Even when it is being hurled back in His face. That, ladies and gentlemen, is what it's all about.

The Fall of Lucifer is one of the finest novels I have ever read: superbly written, deeply moving, with a plot that leaves the Da Vinci Code in the shade. A prize-winning first book from a literary craftsman. Not only does this book entertain, it brings with a secret so powerful it is life changing. (G P Taylor-New York Best selling author of Shadowmancer)

Click here to visit chroniclesofbrothers.com

The Martyr's Song

2009-01-20T08:00:00.003+13:00

Reviewed by Paisley: 4.5 out of 5

"What would you die for?
That's the question suddenly thrust upon a small band of women and children in Bosnia at the close of World War II. When a group of bitter soldiers stumble upon their peaceful village, they suddenly face an insidious evil...and the ultimate test. It is then, in the midst of chaos and pain that the Martyr's Song is first heard. It is then that the window into heaven first opens. It is then that love and beauty are shown in breathtaking reality.
You have in your hands the story and the song that changed...everything."

I have read a few of Ted Dekker's novels... some I have liked, and others have been a bit too 'horror-movie-like' for my taste, but I must say that I absolutely loved The Martyr's Song. It is part of a series of four novels (Heaven's Wager, When Heaven Weeps, Thunder of Heaven, and The Martyr's Song). The Martyr's Song would probably be the best one to begin with.

Without giving too much away, this is a well written book with lots of action, great emotion, some history and an amazing message relating to reality and eternity. It is also a short novel (easily read in one or two days) which makes it a great book for those who aren't avid readers.

I would recommend this book to anyone (13+), but especially those who struggle with death, liking themselves, depression etc.

Shattered Justice

2009-01-19T09:10:00.004+13:00

Reviewed by Rachel: 4.5 out of 5

Dan Justice hopes to find a new peaceful life for him and his kids after his tragic past so he moves to the quiet town of Sanctuary, Oregon. The town where all the locals who vacate the diner have their own personal booths. The town where the population sign of 6591/2 refers to one of the resident's dogs. Where the only violence that ever happens is the occasional outhouse gets blown up. Where everybody knows your name and cares about you too. But all is not as it seems. Sanctuary holds a dark secret that threatens to tear Dan's already fragmented life apart for good. Will he trust God to bring justice or will he allow evil to overpower him once and for all...

Not being someone who cries easily over novels, I reckon that if an author can make you weep, then they must be pretty good. Every so often I will pick up a book that is so full of incredible faith, wisdom and insight that even though it's just a piece of fiction, it manages to move me to tears. Shattered Justice did just that. It inspired me to be thankful for all the good things that God has blessed me with in my life and to never give up hope when things don't go the way I've planned.

Shattered Justice is Book 1 in Karen Ball's 'Family Honor' series. It is followed by Kaleidoscope Eyes and What Lies Within.

Click here to visit Karen Ball's website.

Scarlet

2009-01-18T13:39:00.003+13:00

Reviewed by Lesmond: 3 out of 5

Scarlet continues Stephen R. Lawhead's riveting saga that began with the novel Hood, which relocated the legend of Robin Hood to the Welsh countryside and its dark forests. Steeped in Celtic mythology and the political intrigue of medieval Britain, Lawhead's trilogy conjures up an ancient past and holds a mirror to contemporary realities. Prepare for an epic tale that dares to shatter everything you thought you knew about Robin Hood.

Sounds good, but in my opinion Book 2 in the Raven series fails to deliver on what was a great start in Hood. It definitely has its moments (some great fight scenes) but unfortunately moves along at a pace more suited to a much larger novel.

In Hood, you got to know and admire Rhi Bran Hud (Robin Hood) and I was looking forward to more adventures with this amiable rogue. Scarlet is centred around William Scatlocke (Will Scarlet) with most of the story being told as he relates his adventures to Odo the rather unique priest. Unfortunately Rhi Bran Hud fades into the background with his character stagnating somewhat.Not that I ever would, but sometimes you can read books from a series as a 'one off.' Scarlet definitely does not fall into this category. One must have read Hood to fully appreciate Book 2 in the series.

If you have read any books in Lawheads' Pendragon Cycle or Song of Albion Trilogy you would have experienced the telling of old Celtic tales (much like a long proverb in story form.) Some of these stories are definitely better than others. Some I must admit to rushing through to get back to the 'real' story. Lawhead slips a familiar one into Scarlet which for the reader that hasn't read any of Lawhead's earlier novels would be fine, but to me it just seemed out of place.

I'm in two minds as I look forward to the final book in the series, Tuck. On the one hand I want to see how the story finishes and am excited to do so. On the other hand, I hope I won't be let down with an anticlimactic ending to what started out as a great Trilogy.

Click here to visit Stephen Lawhead's website.

A Wolf Story

2009-01-17T11:54:00.005+13:00

Reviewed By Paisley: 4.5 out of 5

Long ago, the inhabitants of the deep woods were given a choice.The choice was difficult. They could follow the Silver Wolf and his lord, the Lightmaker, or join the secretive forces of the Dark Council. After a desperate series of battles that rage across a harsh, frozen wilderness, the Dark Council is on the threshold of eternal victory...and the servants of the Lightmaker are devastatingly reduced to their last flicker of hope. In the final encounter, the struggle between good and evil is more than strength against strength. More than wit against wit. It is a path of endurance won through suffering...of peace won through pain.

This is the first book by Huggins that I have ever read, and the first that he ever published. I was aware that his others are usually action packed and probably not my 'cup of tea', but I was also aware that this first one was quite different from his later ones.

I was a bit wary about reading a story about wolves (how could I take it seriously), but as soon as I started this book (yesterday) I was unable to put it down.

Huggins writes a fantastic story that follows the journey of a silver wolf named Aramus. Written almost poetically, yet with non-stop action and suspense, A Wolf Story will keep guys and girls, young and old on the edge of their seats.

I found my faith surge as I read this book, the main theme being the choice to do what is right. What an amazing book... one I would recommend to anyone and everyone.

I will leave you with a segment from the book...

"Now, my friends, is the hour of darkness. Remember, in times to come, that your greatest battles will always be fought in the night, when you feel cold, afraid, and alone. But you are never alone. You will have little hope for victory, but you must never surrender your hope. Endure the struggle, endure it all to the end. Because no night will last forever. Always the morning comes. So keep your balance. All of life comes back to this: you must stand by faith, despite your suffering, despite your pain. Endure until there is nothing left to endure. And you will overcome, in the end."

Click here to visit Huggin's website.

Deadfall

2009-01-16T07:56:00.003+13:00

Reviewed by Burton: 4 out of 5

Everything is going well for four men on a hunting trip - until someone starts hunting them. An experimental laser weapon has been commandeered and is terrorizing both the hunters and the residents of the remote town. The men must decide whether to run for their lives - or rescue the innocent in the town.

I've just finished Robert Liparulo's latest offering Deadfall, and I must say that it was an awesome read! Although it has no strong Christian message in it, it is full of Christian morals, and it tackles a very relevant issue which is sadly going under the rader of most people today... the effects of violent first-person shooters (video games) on our youth culture.

The story is action-packed, has great characters, and has a plausable plot that is not too far fetched. This is the second Liparulo book I have read (Germ is the other one) and I must say that His story climaxes are exciting, intelligent, surprising and read like an action movie ending.

Three things (in my opinion) that stopped Deadfall earning a 4.5 Flannel rating...

- Parts of the plot were just a little unrealistic for me.
- I would have enjoyed a little more character development.
- A little slow moving at the beginning.

Deadlock, Lipaulo's sequel to Deadfall, is coming out in March. Yet another read I am eagerly looking forward to! If you enjoy an action-packed thrillers with no profanity and great morals, you will love Deadfall.

Click here to visit Robert Liparulo's website.
Click here to read the first chapter of Deadfall.

Obsessed

2009-01-15T07:50:00.001+13:00

Reviewed by Rachel Kate: 4.5 out of 5

This little blurb is taken from the back cover and tells you everything about the book yet tells you nothing!

Stephen Friedman is making a good living in good times. He's just an ordinary guy. Or so he thinks.
But one day an extraordinary piece of information tells him differently. It's a clue from the grave of a Holocaust survivor. A clue that makes him heir to an incredible fortune . . . a clue that only he and one other man can possibly understand.
That man is Roth Braun, a serial killer who has been waiting for Stephen for thirty years. Roth was stopped once before. This time nothing will get in his way.

Dekker has done it again. This thriller takes the realities of the Holocaust and works it into a masterpiece of suspense, romance, and mystery. Being a huge fan of Holocaust stories, I found this particular take on it very interesting. It gave me a fresh reminder of the horrors of Hitler's time and got me thinking how on earth the church could have stood back and let it all happen. But then, who knows what I would have done in the same situation? I pray I would have been a Corrie Ten Boom.

For those of you who are into night-time reading, I would advise against it unless you can stomach grotesque rituals such as blood drinking and still sleep easy after reading about it. Dekker goes into intense detail into what might have gone on inside the minds of those involved in the attrocities of the Holocaust.

Apart from Red, I would rate this as Dekker's best book yet and give it a 4.5 out of 5.

Click here to visit ted Dekker's website.

Hood

2009-01-14T07:00:00.003+13:00

Reviewed by Lesmond: 4 out of 5

The Norman conquest of England is complete - but for one young man the battle has only just begun...

Hood by Stephen R. Lawhead is the 1st book in the King Raven series.

Hood (2006) is closly followed by Scarlet (2007) and the eagerly (understatement) awaited Tuck (2009).

I love the story of Robin Hood. Outlaw, but still a 'goody.' Awesome bow-hunting skills, his hardcase mates and of course, the lovely Maid Marion. I watched the TV adaptations and loved them them all. You can forget the images of men clad in green tights prancing through Sherwood forest outwitting the Sheriff of Nottingham time and time again, Stephen Lawhead brings to life the legend of Robin Hood as never before.

Hood is set in the fierce untouched woodland expanses of Wales, a far cry from the smaller well managed woodlands of England (a well kept garden preserve by comparison). Lawhead's Hood is born of a much more gritty and raw substance that has enough action to satisfy the James Byron Huggins fans whilst weaving a story that transports the reader to another time and place like only Stephen Lawhead can. If you haven't read Lawhead, Hood is probably a better place to start than Byzantium,but in all honesty, I have loved all his books, and I've read 13 so far.

Scarlet review coming soon!

Click here to visit Stephen Lawhead's website.

The Hunted

2009-01-13T07:35:00.003+13:00

Reviewed by Burton: 4 out of 5

A town's deadly secret will drive one man to the edge of his faith. After learning of the disappearance of his nephew, Joe Saunders returns to his childhood home of Dark Hills. With rumors spreading of a rogue lion roaming the woods, he embarks on a mission to learn the truth. As he peels away the layers of Dark Hills, he discovers a secret that has been shrouded for three generations in a deadly code of silence. Will his young faith be strong enough to battle the demonic forces behind it? (Blurb from the back cover)

One word to describe Mike Dellosso's debut novel... Excellent. If I likened 'Hunted' to another novel, it would have to be Frank Peretti's 'The Oath'. 'Hunted' screams 'Peretti influence' in every chapter. It's not a bad thing at all. Many Christians love Peretti's style, but draw the line at Dekker. While I actually prefer Dekker, Mike Dellosso is a very pleasant surprise, and an author which I will eagerly look forward to reading more of (his next book 'Scream' is coming out March, 2009). As one reviewer said...

Mike Dellosso could very well be the next Frank Peretti-if you liked The Oath and Monster, you are going to love The Hunted. (C.J. Darlington, Cofounder and book editor, Titletrakk.com)

If you love Christian suspense/thrillers with supernatural elements, get 'The Hunted' for your personal library as soon as you can!

Read the first chapter from Mike Dellosso's site here.

Showdown

2009-01-11T08:12:00.001+13:00

Reviewed by Jon: 4 out of 5

Paradise Trilogy: Book 1

When a stranger named Marsuvees Black appears in Paradise, he brings with him a message of hope and love. Or is it death and hate? Perhaps neither - perhaps both. He seems to know too much about the town's many unspoken secrets, and he himself holds the greatest secret of them all. As black clouds and sandstorms envelop the town, it becomes almost impossible to get in or out. It quicky becomes apparent that Paradise is being isolated for a reason. But why?

Ted Dekker's latest adrenaline-laced thriller has been proclaimed as his most original, daring tale to date. A novel that will take you further than anything he's ever written. A novel that will leave you wanting more.

A reoccurring theme that I cannot seem to step away from in any of Dekker's books is my inability to decipher, at any point, what is going to happen next. Usually, even with good authors or movie directors, I can at least guess a few steps ahead of the story to form some sort of conclusion about what the present events will lead to. With Dekker I cannot. Almost every single plot twist takes me by surprise, without fail. Is this a good thing? Well that depends on whether the audience likes the mystery of being left in the dark till the last possible second or not. In my case, I do.

For the first half of Showdown, I found myself continuously turning the pages for entirely different reasons than other Dekker books. The strange (to say the least) way the plot unfolds left me feeling like I was turning pages simply to find out where on earth he would go with this odd story. From the second half of the book onward however, I felt the familiarity of a very good thriller returning. Talk about guessing right up to the lend!

Conclusion? I couldn't agree more with Symon when he hailed the book as brilliant. The themes, the insights... brilliant. Some right the story off as being simply weird, and to an extent they are so very right. It is weird. But clever. Very, very clever.

If you can force yourself onwards and past the slow beginning (even if only for the same reasons I did), you won't regret the ride.

Click here to visit TedDekker.com

Abduction

2009-01-08T09:33:00.010+13:00

Reviewed by Rachel Kate: 4.5 out of 5

Where is God when nightmares come true?

'Abduction' is Book 1 in the 'Shefford-Johnson Case' trilogy (followed by 'Obsession' and 'Intimidation') written by Wanda L. Dyson

I was given this book for me one day when I was feeling a bit down. A new book always cheers me up immediately and this one was no different. I was intrigued by the back cover as it was a different theme to what I normally read. It follows the mind of a serial killer and one woman's fight for justice...

A nightmarish Dawn: Karen pushed open the nursery door, the first gray light of the day slipping through the open curtains made the Hund Wood mural on the wall appear far more haunted then harmless. The Winnie-the-Pooh mobile hung over the crib, eerily silent and still. With a growing sense of dread, she crossed the room, trying to understand exactly what could be so very wrong. A sensation of fear slowly crawled up her spine.
When she reached down for the quilted pink comforter, Karen was surprised to find her hand trembling. She lifted the covering-but sweet little Jessica was not curled up beneath it. In horror, Karen looked around the nursery. No Jessica. Not on the floor. Not on the changing table. Not anywhere.

This book kept me in suspense right up to the very end. Sometimes with novels you can guess the ending, or even parts of it, but a good writer will keep things hidden allowing you only to see what they want you to see. For her first novel, Wanda has done an incredible job and I will definately be on the lookout for more of her books. It's blatantly Christian, yet unlike some books which tend to offend me with their religious talk, I found Abduction kept things very real and made me take a fresh look at how I view things.

If you are a parent, I'm guessing this book could be quite a shocking read. For me, I could only imagine what it would be like to have a child suddenly disappear.

If you are into new ways of learning about how to trust God in all circumstances, this book is definately for you. Reality interlaced with the mind of a killer and plenty of intrigue and suspense... , 4.5 out of 5.

Click here to visit Wanda Dyson's website.

Sinner

2009-01-08T07:51:00.003+13:00

Reviewed by Burton: 4 out of 5

(The protagonist's name is Johnny Drake... That alone gives it a good flannel meter rating!)

Some say roll with the punches. Drift with the tide. Nothing can stop the inevitability of change. There was a time when 300 Spartans disagreed with such mindless thinking and stood in the gap. Now it's time for 3,000 to stand in the gap.

For those of you who didn't know, 'Sinner' is the third book in the 'Paradise' trilogy written by Ted Dekker. The trilogy involves the 'Books of History' which the Circle trilogy was all about ('Green' is coming out this year... will that mean it will be the Circle quadrilogy?). I love the way Dekker's books all seem to be linked to each other... even 'House' is linked to Paradise. But I digress.

I finished 'Sinner' yesterday.

Sinner is written as two books (Book 1 and Book 2 interestingly enough) and tells the story of three aldult orphans, each gifted with superpowers, living in the near future where religious tolerance rules. I won't say anymore about the plot, except to say that it is by far Dekker's most 'Christian' book to date, and that Jon Dylan was absolutely right when he commented: "The way Dekker tells the story seems to blow conventional plot unraveling clear out of the water."

Dekker himself says that the reader can read the Circle and Paradise books in any order, but I strongly suggest that you read Showdown, Saint, and Sinner in that order and relatively close to each other. I read Showdown 3 years ago, and while reading Sinner, I wish I had the Showdown story fresh in my memory.

The book has got me thinking about hate-speech and tolerance more than ever before. Dekker makes some very intelligent and frightening statements in this book about what the very near furute could hold, and quite frankly, it scares me.

Is the story great? I think so. Showdown is a masterpiece, the first half of Saint is brilliant, Sinner is great. Read them in order, and please leave a comment and let me know what you think.

One last comment, Marsuvees Black returns in Sinner... "Wanna trip, baby?"

Ted Dekker has an excellent essay on free speech on his website... click here to view.

The Shack

2009-01-07T08:30:00.003+13:00

Reviewed by Jon: 5 out of 5

There is a lot of controversy surrounding this book around the globe, and some very mixed reviews as well. Some preachers even speak sermons directly against it, including respected youth leader Mark Driscoll. The main reason it comes under such heavy criticism is for its portrayal of God as an African American woman.

The main reason the author used such fresh ideas of a personification of God was to step as far away from the typical, middle-aged black version of God that Morgan Freeman portrays in the movie "Evan Almighty". William Young's main intention for this book was not to say "this is what God is like", but more to get you to start thinking for yourself with a whole new level of possibilities. It's like a kick-starter to your thinking patterns so to speak. I'm surprised these preachers could not see that, but got hung up on as trivial a thing as the vessel God chose to show himself through.

As for my own thoughts about this book, let's just put it this way, if you have ever felt like you needed a bucket of icy cold water tipped over your perceptions and ritualised ideas about who God is and how He works, read this, no, BUY this book so you can have it to read time and again. It has revolutionised my perception of God's character and answered many personal questions I didn't even know existed in my life.

Fiction that reads like truth, characters you can relate to, and enough threads of a thriller to keep fans of action stories hooked; this book is a terrific read that should be in any Christian fiction lover's library.

When the imagination of a writer and the passion of a theologian cross-fertilize the result is a novel on the order of The Shack. This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress did for his. It’s that good!
Eugene Peterson, Professor Emeritus Of Spiritual Theology,
Regent College, Vancouver, B.C.

Riveting, with twists that defy your expectations while teaching powerful theological lessons without patronizing. I was crying by page 100. You cannot read it without your heart becoming involved.
Gayle E. Erwin, Author The Jesus Style

Not only is this a compelling and provocative story, but it has a literary quality to it that distinguishes it as a special gift. It offers one of the most poignant views of God and how he relates to humanity that has been written in our time. It will not only encourage those who already know him but also engage those who have not yet recognized his work in their lives.

Average customer review rating on Amazon: 4 out of 5.
Click here to visit TheShackBook.com

Before I Wake

2009-01-06T19:41:00.003+13:00

Reviewed by Rachel Kate: 3.5 out of 5

From the back cover:

Welcome to Justice... and good luck leaving alive.
Sheriff Nathan Justice loves the town he serves. Founded by his family generations before, Justice, Illinois, is mostly a peaceful place. But the tranquility has just been shattered.
Women visiting Justice are being murdered. Tourists in nice hotels, money still in their billfolds, jewelry still on the dresser. Quiet kills—they go to sleep and never awaken.
Rae Gabriella left the FBI after an undercover investigation turned terribly wrong. She’s seeking to rebuild her life, and working as a private investigator alongside her former boyfriend Bruce Chapel in Justice, Illinois, seems like a place to start. But she suspects finding some peace and restoring her shaken faith will take more than just a change of location.
The sheriff is not pleased to find Rae working a case on behalf of one of the victims’ families. Rae is staying in the same hotel where one of the women died, and her looks suggest she could be the next victim. Now that Bruce, Rae, and Nathan are forced to work around each other, the situation is threatening to become something much more personal ... and it will test the faith of everyone it touches before it is over...

Dee Henderson is one of my favoure authors. She writes along the lines of thriller/action/romance novels. Just enough romance to add to the plot, and not too much to be sickening like some of Francine River's books.

Anyways, this particular book is called 'Before I Wake' It's set in a small town called Justice where nothing much exciting ever happens, but in the space of a couple of weeks, there happens to be three deaths put down as natural causes. A mere coincidence, or something more sinister perhaps? This novel tells the story of a sheriff, a retired undercover cop and her new business partner all trying to solve the mystery and find the killer while trying to stay alive. I found this to be a great read although the ending was a tad anti-climatic, as Jon would say. It sets itself up for a sequel so here's hoping. On the whole though, a good way to spend what would have otherwise been a very boring Sunday afternoon sick on the sofa!

Average customer rating on Amazon: 3 out of 5.
Click here to visit Dee Henderson's website.

Comes A Horseman

2009-01-05T23:32:00.012+13:00

Reviewed by Lesmond: 3.5 out of 5

Here's the blurb from the back cover:

The ancients saw death as a blazing figure on horseback, swift and merciless. Those facing the black chasm often mistook their pounding hearts for the beating of hooves.
Now two FBI agents pursuing a killer from a centuries-old cult realize they have become his prey.

There you have it. Kind of says it all really... NOT! That has to be one of the most ambiguous back cover blurbs I've ever read... I like it! I say this because I don't even like to read the blurb before delving into a book. I like total mystery, not even a hint of plot. You recommend it, say no more. That's good enough for me ;-)

About the author. Where did this guy Robert Liparulo come from? The short answer is Colorado, USA... but in 2005 this debut novel just arrives and blows away alot of the firmly entrenched 'Christian Authors'.

"Not for the faint of heart, this is quality writing that deserves a lofty niche within the action/suspense genre.It is well-researched and meticulously detailed, and the characters are fascinating and 'real,' the dialogue clever and altogether human, the plot compelling. What I'm trying to say is, I love it!" Frank Peretti

Stunning praise indeed. However, I do feel the praise goes overboard with 6 full pages and no less than 27 praise offerings... I mean honestly, bring on chapter 1 already.

Liparulo writes very short chapters, which I do prefer to long drawn-out ones. Especially when action is happening in more than one scenario. This book averages 7 pages per chapter... sweet "Just one more chapter before I put the light out Darling." I read 'Germ', Liparulo's second offering first, and enjoyed it better than 'Comes A Horseman' which means he's only getting better as a writer. There were some characters I would have liked to have seen develop a more, rather than dissappear for half of the book. Also, I do like some far-out and weird stuff, but only if I know that's what I'm in for... no whacked-out surprises in an otherwise 'realistic' story if you know what I mean.

I usually judge how good a book is by how fast I read it. Some books I literally don't want to put down. I have been woken up by the book that I've been holding falling on my face... sadly this wasn't one of those books. Wow, it kind of seems a negative review, but really it's well worth a read (in between Bible reading and teaching books of course ;-). I loved the action, loved the characters that did develop, and love the goatie on the back cover.

Average customer review rating on Amazon: 4.5 out of 5.
Click here to visit Robert Liparulo's website.

The Circle Trilogy

2009-01-04T22:11:00.011+13:00

Reviewed by Jon: 5 out of 5

"Three novels. Two worlds. One story."

Black
An incredible story of evil and rescue, betrayal and love, and a terrorist threat unlike anything the human race has ever known. A virulent evil has been unleashed upon the people of Earth. The only man who can stop it is Thomas Hunter, an unlikely hero whose life is stretched between two worlds. Every time he falls asleep in one reality, he awakes in the other. Soon Thomas no longer knows which reality is real. Yet it quickly becomes apparent that his choices in each world impact the other--and that the fates of both rest in his hands.

Red
In one world, Thomas Hunter is a battle-scarred general commanding an army of primitive warriors. In the other, he's racing to outwit sadistic terrorists intent on creating global chaos through an unstoppable virus. Thomas must find a way to change history--or face the destruction of two worlds.

White
Thomas Hunter has only days to survive two separate realms of danger, deceit, and destruction. The fates of both worlds now rest on his unique ability to shift realities through his dreams. Thomas and The Circle must quickly decide who they can trust--both with their own lives and the fate of millions. And neither the terror of Black nor the treachery of Red can prepare Thomas for the forces aligned against The Circle in White.

The first 5 out of 5 for Flannelgraph, but this series deserves no less.

The Circle Trilogy makes up 3 of the 10 books in the Books of the History Chronicles (Black, Red, White - Showdown, Saint, Sinner - Chosen, Infidel, Renegade, Chaos).

My favourite type of reading is when you get (good) sequels so you can follow characters and a story of epic proportions over more than one book. Trilogies can either make or break an author as the story must be intriguing enough to get the reader lured in to the extent that they simply must read the next book, and the final one as well.

Dekker's page turning reputation was certainly not compromised in The Circle Trilogy, and I couldn't more highly recommend the books, especially the second and third. When an author can take the redemption story of Jesus' love and make it astoundingly real to today's generation with an eye opening dose of personal insight, it is a wonderful thing.

Plot twist after plot twist, plenty of pounding action and real as life characters are some of the things that make The Circle Trilogy a must read!

Average customer review rating on Amazon: 5 out of 5.
Click here to visit Ted Dekker's website.

Germ

2009-01-03T08:24:00.007+13:00

Reviewed by Burton: 4 out of 5

Imagine an airborne strain of the Ebola virus that targets only the people who has the DNA strands encoded within it. No one is safe, and if you breathe, it will find you. To prove it, the germ's creator targets ten thousand victims: politicians, housewives, children. Only three people can possibly stop it: a pastor, a doctor and a federal agent... if they survive long enough.

'Germ' is the first Robert Liparulo novel I've read. I must say that until now, my favourite Christian action author has been James Byron Huggins. My preference may be changing... The plot is fast moving and emmersive, and the action scenes are realistic and remind me of 'Bourne on paper.'

Germ is not an overtly Christian novel but successfully combines a terrifingly realistic plot, suspense, mayhem, brutal action and Christian morality to make it a very compelling read.

Reviewer Kevin Lucia (suspensezone.com) remarks...

Robert Liparulo has taken a very realistic threat and crafted a story that ranks right up there with any of Robert Ludlum’s novels. The dialogue is real, the characters painstakingly crafted, and it’s not hard to see this projected onto the big screen in a Hollywood adaptation... Most importantly, Germ embodies what “faith fiction” should be: an excellently written and crafted work of fiction that adheres to a sense of moral value and worth, realistic and accessible to all...

Average rating on Amazon: 4.5 out of 5.

Click here to visit Liparulo's website.

A Treasure Deep

2009-01-01T23:30:00.007+13:00

Reviewed by Burton: 3.5 out of 5

The wealth is unbelievable. The impact on history immeasurable. The danger unimaginable. And Perry Sachs is just the man for the job.

I finished Alton Gansky's 'A Treasure Deep' the other day. When I saw it on sale and read the backcover, the Indiana Jones inside of me just couldn't resist. The book's plot revolves around one archaelogical dig containing a relic which will undoubtedly be the biggest discovery in modern history, effectively re-writing all the history books and confirming the Christian faith beyond all doubt. The problem is that the reader is kept guessing as to what the 'relic' is for most of the book. Cleverly written, fun and fustrating. Gansky's writing contains less action than I usually enjoy, but his characters and the cleverly written dialoge between them makes up for it.

Perry Sachs has just become my favourite protagonist and 'A Treasure Deep' contains the best conversation I have ever read in a novel. A portion of that conversation follows...

"The few times I've told my story to a Christian, they immediately try to explain things away. They say they're sorry, then try to explain why it's not God's fault. So go ahead. Who knows; maybe you'll say something new."
"You don't want to hear what I have to say."
"What no pity? No pat answers to deliver from the Word of God? No 'You'll get to see them all in heaven'? You dissappoint me. Go on, regale me with your Christian wisdom. I want to hear it.
"You're an idiot."
"What... what?" she spluttered.
"I said You're an idiot. You blame God because you've faced a tragedy.You want fairness in an unfair world. You want sinless behaviour from sinners..."

Perry... my hero.

A Treasure Deep scored an average reviewer's rating of 4 stars out of five on amazon.com. It is Book One in a trilogy of 'Perry Sachs' mysteries. It is followed by 'Beneath The Ice' and 'Submerged' (I gave myself 'Submerged' for Christmas ;-)

Beneath The Ice
At the bottom of the world lies a secret: a mysterious object buried three miles beneath the Antarctic ice. Famed engineer Perry Sachs and his crew face subzero temperatures, shifting ice, and the opposition of men determined to erase all knowledge of the expedition.

Submerged
While Henry Sachs lies in a hospital bed, dying from a mysterious illness, Perry must uncover the secrets of his father's past to try to save his life. Perry believes that Henry's condition stems from a time when he worked to investigate a secret underground base not built by the U.S. After a year of research yielded almost no information, a drastic decision was made: To prevent the base's unknown builders from ever returning a dam was built, flooding the area. What holds Henry Sachs in its grip? Can Perry face his toughest excavation yet-and find out before it's too late?