Meli

• Rated 4 stars

“Journalist, Julia Douglas, spent her life believing her father was a monster. She spent her childhood moving from town to town trying to escape the murder he committed. Her life and career were molded by his crime and her anger towards him always burned. Her past has led her to strive to notify readers of injustices, and it is this drive that brought her to Darfur, in order highlight the atrocities funded and carried out by its government. While in Sudan, she encounters Joel Maartens, her father’s lawyer. Joel traveled from Canada in order to deliver a letter from her now deceased father. Not wanting to reconnect with that portion of her past, Julia struggles to accept a new, conflicting view of her father. In this most unlikely setting, a country torn by violence and government backed genocide, Julia begins to better understand her past as well as heal from years of bitterness and anger.

There are certain books that I begin feeling pretty certain I’ll know the basic story line. I choose to read them because there’s usually something about the premise that pulls at me. For Desert Fire, the attraction came from the setting. I’ve read the horror stories on the news concerning the atrocities taking place in Darfur. The stories are often graphic, depicting rape and mutilation that is hard to comprehend. So a story that took a peek into this world was one well worth trying.

As expected, the story line was predictable. There were no surprises. Most of the imaginary plot was very typical for Christian fiction with a salvation message. Since Desert Fire featured two lost souls, Julia and Joel, we get a double dose of witnessing and prayer. I’m a fan of more subtle messages in fiction, but I was expecting this type of presentation before I started reading and was therefore not disappointed at the amount included in the story.

The book’s high point was in presenting information about the situation in Darfur. Complete with two pages of actual drawings from children in Darfur, there is a sense for the violence that permeates their world. I do wish this part was bit more graphic. This was the heart of the story and while we get a feel for life in Sudan, there isn’t that ache that should be present after reading this type of book. I wanted to cry for the families in this horrible situation and feel moved as I do when reading individual accounts from other sources, but that never happened. Maybe it was sanitized in an effort to cater to more sensitive readers, but this was one book that needed to be graphic. What is happening in Darfur needed to be spelled out with brutal honesty that Christians should be able to handle. Ignorance is not bliss in this instance, it’s an enemy.

The fictional part of the story was alright, but as previously stated there were no surprises. I did appreciate how Van Roekel managed to subtly make Julia’s father a supporting character. While his only living appearance is very brief, he’s in the shadows throughout the book. It was a nice touch that brought insight into how those around us shape us, for better or worse.

Though the fiction was typical, I still highly recommend Desert Fire, especially for anyone not familiar with the events happening in Darfur. This book is not a light read, but given the subject matter, it is not overwhelming either. I appreciate Van Roekel writing this story and for the attention she gives to a portion of the world that truly needs it. Hopefully her story will encourage Christians to pray for and assist those who are living and dying of starvation, disease, and genocide in Sudan.”

Meli wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 2 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“Toby O'Dare is an assassin. A very good assassin, who for ten years has managed to remain virtually invisible. Does he work for the good guys? He hopes so, but doesn't know or care. Anyway, who defines good? After years of being a successful assassin, he's given an assignment which changes the course of his life. In desperation, he cries for help to God, who he doesn't believe exists. Much to his surprise, a seraph enters his life, not only to help him, but to recruit him and offer Toby a chance at redemption.

Aside from Angel Time, I've read only two other novels by Anne Rice, Christ the Lord out of Egypt and Road to Cana. I was impressed with both of these works, particularly Road to Cana, but Angel Time is beyond impressive. It is superb.

It was a bit slow starting off. To be honest, for the first 20 pages or so, I thought the book might be more about the Mission Inn and the Mission of San Juan Capistrano, than Toby. The opening chapters were a bit rambling and did not progress the story well. However, once the in-depth description ended, the story began in earnest, transforming into a gripping and suspenseful novel.

There are several aspects of the book I particularly enjoyed. First off, I loved that Rice picked a rather indifferent assassin as her hero. What a wonderful choice for this story. Toby was a rich character. From his childhood, to the path that lead him to become an assassin, to his divine calling, he is a marvelously crafted character that we can both love and hate. What he represents, though, is more than just a character. He highlights the depths of God's love and ability to redeem. God's love and grace is open to everyone, even the assassins of the world.

Some of the best parts of Angel Time are spent exploring the depth of human depravity and God's ability to take a wreck and make it useful. In one of my favorite sections, Toby is contemplating his past and God's use of who he is and states, "A deeper thought nudged at me, but I couldn't quite grasp it. It had something to do with the binding fabric of good and evil, with the way in which the Lord might extract the glorious from the seeming disasters of human beings." Central to this book is the condition of the human spirit, but also equally present is God's grace. Rice presented some great contrasts between the two, with dramatic results.

Another enjoyable feature is Toby's assignment, set in the 1200s. It's set during a time of persecution of Jews by Christians. I'm always excited when a book incorporates historical aspects and stories. It tends to enrich a story and bring a stronger sense of realism. Rice did a fabulous job of writing this portion. It was obvious that care was spent researching the time period and developing the surrounding events. This wasn't the main issue presented, but I found it interesting, the inherent fickleness of people and their eagerness to believe rumors. Anyway, the story of Fluria and Godwin is beautiful and touching. It's a wonderful tale that presents some tough questions. However, I think it could easily be taken out of context. I don't believe Rice is attempting to make any deep doctrinal statement about the validity of deception or whose prayers are heard. I can certainly see where someone who takes the story too literally could have these issues, but this is a work of fiction and not an exegesis on Jacob and Isaac or the role of angels or when God intervenes, etc.

I had some problems understanding the shifting in time and why it was so important for Toby to complete his assignment in the 1200s. These were events of the past, and I wasn't able to determine how the outcome had an effect on the present. I can make some guesses, but the consequences did not seem to extend outside of the events as they were happening, which were of course in the past. Since this is the first book the series, perhaps this aspect will be explained later.

I really enjoyed Angel Time. It was a beautifully written, redemptive story. It would be a wonderful book to dissect in a group setting. A number of excellent themes, including, redemption, salvation, peace with God, and God's intervention, could be discussed for hours. While this book is easily enjoyable on a purely entertainment level, it has much more to offer and is well worth reading.”

Meli wrote this review Sunday, October 4 2009. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 4 stars

“It has been ten years since the events of White. A lot has changed. The Circle no longer fights the Horde, but flees from them. They have faithfully followed Elyon's command to love regardless of personal cost. However, numerous deaths and hearts weary from flight have led The Circle to begin to fracture. Divisions from within concerning doctrine, has caused many to waver in their faith in Elyon. How long can they continue to endure the constant pressure from inside and outside The Circle?

When they believe things are at their worst, it's just the beginning. An evil like they have never imagined is working its way from the past into the future. With seduction and deception, it takes even the heart of Thomas' rebellious son, Samuel. Can Thomas save his son? Will Elyon rescue The Circle?

I always wondered why Black had a green cover. Never made sense to me until I learned there would be another book added to The Circle series. So while I was a bit skeptical of adding to an already wonderful, complete story, I took some comfort in knowing this was most likely planned before the success of the original three. However, I doubted that the magic of The Circle books could be recaptured again.

There are parts of Green that are reminiscent of the original three books. It takes us to the depths of Elyon's waters and allows us to once again bask in the knowledge of the God we serve. It opens our hearts to raw truths and lifts our spirits in anticipation of a time yet to come. Green at moments was powerful and gripping, intense and passionate. At other moments, it was boring. Not a word often used to describe a Dekker book. However, there were parts that I literally had to push through to get to the next section that moved the story along.

Green got bogged down in the filling in of details. It brings several series together, but there were parts that lagged. Scenes with Billy and Janae didn't see to progress well and felt circular at times. Not a lot of real plot. It was good to have Billy back, but much of what I loved about his character was lacking. This time around, he seemed a bit flat and one dimensional.

Janae didn't work for me. While I understand she was necessary to the plot, I couldn't get into her character. It lacked any real depth and the part about her father was silly. In Green, she pretty much bogged down most scenes she was in and outside the opening chapters a rather useless character.

It was nice to finally have some answers to questions that have been floating around for years. Three series were mostly tied up in Green--The Circle Books, Paradise Novels, and The Book of Histories series. There are still some open ends and threads that could be developed, but for the most part, these stories seem to be ended.

I do disagree with Dekker's notes at the beginning of Green. Personally I would never want to read Green before Black, Red, and White. I love suspense way to much to want to start reading a series knowing how it ended. The same would be true for Showdown, Sinner, Chosen, Infidel, Renegade, and Chaos. For me, all these books would be spoiled if I read Green first. Part of the beauty of Dekker's writing is in the twists and turns. If one already knows the answer, then his writing is greatly diminished. So while he says start anywhere, if you enjoy suspense, mystery, impulsive plot twist, and waiting for answers, don't start with Green. Half the fun will be lost.

Continuing to follow Biblical events, Green is apocalyptic. Dekker did a great job of portraying end times without diving into theology. It's interesting the approach he took and he handled the apocalyptic events well.

So it looks like the series is ended--maybe. Dekker wrapped up with some awesome scenes. We get to revisit characters that by now feel like family and dive once again into Elyon's water. We're reminded of God's love for us, of our call to love the lost, of passion, the past, the present, and the future. We get to once again glimpse God as the child, the father, the warrior. Dekker has created a series that is truly remarkable. These books bring God out. They remind the church of who we serve and why we persevere. Beyond the mysteries, of the worms, the books, the superpowers, stands God and His enduring love and endless pursuit of even one lost son. While Green was the weakest of the four, it still had scenes that could lift us to the mountain--to our Creator.”

Meli wrote this review Thursday, August 27 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“"'Why didn't you save me, Patrick?' She mouthed the words, but in the dream I [Patrick] heard them as if she spoke them aloud." Haunted by past `failures', facing the retrial of a notorious serial killer, and on the trail of an elusive, dangerous killer, the next part of FBI Agent Patrick Bowers story unfolds.

Smart, connected, and thorough, the Day Four Killer, has brutally tortured and murdered 7 people in less than a week and left virtually no clues behind. He always seems to be one step ahead and as the mystery unfolds, they begin to realize the grotesque murders mirror a Renaissance story of love and death, suffering and grief.

There are few books I read that have the `wow' effect. The Knight is one of the few. It's an amazingly intense story with a mystery that was virtually impossible to unravel. So many suspects, yet so few definites. Lots of mystery, action, and suspense. A phenomenal story from an author's who's already produced two top notch novels.

Though the main plot is superb, equally enjoyable was Tessa's story. She has become an awesome character that adds an immense depth to the Patrick Bowers series. She's hard to truly understand. One moment she's brash and cold, the next soft and hurting. She's a mixture of emotions and this part of her story was just as mysterious and suspenseful as the main plot.

James tackled some tough questions in The Knight. Save a killer from certain death? Lie and keep a killer behind bars or tell the truth and risk setting him free? What does the Bible teach about truth? Is it alright to lie to protect the innocent? Some difficult questions to answer, but wonderfully used throughout the story.

I'm not a squimish person, but at times, The Knight pushed my comfort zone. There was a healthy amount of blood shed, however, it was the detailed descriptions of torture and pain that made sections difficult to read. It's not gratuitous, but it's certainly intense. I loved it. Thought it made for a more realistic, psychological thriller.

The Knight was truly excellent. From the plot to the characters to the execution of the story, it was a superb thriller. It leaves a couple of the plot lines dangling, which means summer 2010 can't get here soon enough. Great job. James wrote a gem this time.”

Meli wrote this review Thursday, August 27 2009. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“When I finished Field of Blood last year, I took a couple of weeks off from reading. It was a book to savor, not one to read and quickly move on to the next one. It was my favorite novel from 2008 and deserved the praise it received.

Since finishing Field of Blood, I've looked forward to the next part of Gina's story. When we last left her, she was bleeding profusely and separated from her allies. Though able to eliminate Ariston, she was still pursed. Escaping was first on her agenda and finding her friends was second. Haunt of Jackals picked up where Field of Blood ended. Hunted by the collector, Shalom, Gina begins her trek to Bukarest. Unsure who to trust, she turns to her childhood friend Teo. Meanwhile, Cal and Dov are pursued by another collector, Erota. Risking their lives, they decide to turn the tables on Erota and try to banish her to the dessert. With fast paced action, deep suspense, and mystery, the next part of Gina's story unfolds.

A review for Haunt of Jackals is pretty tough. It's not a simple book by any means. If it was just a vampire story, it'd be easy to talk about. If it was a typical supernatural suspense, there might not be a lot to say. However, Haunt of Jackals is anything but typical and it's certainly a far cry from simple. It's deep, complex, thought provoking, and difficult to capture in a short review. I'll in no way be able to do this book the justice it deserves, but here's my best attempt.

It's always fun to read an author when it seems like the words and ideas are just pouring onto the page. There are parts of Haunt of Jackals that are some of the best I've read. Words that grab and leave an impact. Thoughts shared that keep you wanting more. I have loved Wilson's prior books, but the first 180 pages of Haunt of Jackals are the best he's ever written. They're not only riveting on a purely entertaining level, they're full of meaning and symbolism. The whole book is excellent, but those pages are masterful.

The characters thus far have been superb, but Wilson did an exceptional job of molding Gina into a more likable, loving individual. No longer is she the abrasive, sarcastic, self-pitying, somewhat selfish child. After her battle at the cave, she's a humble, seeking young woman, aware of her thorns and attempting to counter them. There are some awesome scenes involving Gina and her struggles to cope with her past as well as some spectacular dialogue between her and Cal. Anyone who's fought psychological battles, inner turmoil and grief can easily identify with her journey. Wilson did a particularly good job of working Gina's feelings toward Jed into the story. At the end of Field of Blood, she seemed so consumed by her own grief, her love for Jed seemed to be lost. It was nice to see the tenderness in her towards him.

Cal was probably my favorite character in Field of Blood. The overall mystery surrounding him really pulled me to his character. He was obviously hurt/hurting, but the reasons were not clear. Haunt of Jackals filled in a lot of his past, however, I didn't care for his character as much. He seemed to lack the energy and attitude of the first book. He's still a great character, but he didn't seem to fit into his expanded role easily.

It's been awhile since Field of Blood, so if struggling to remember exactly who all the collectors are and where they stand, page 67 gives the list and their present status. While the information isn't needed earlier in the story, it was a nice addition. Given the number of characters, it can be hard remembering who all is left and what they are doing.

Wilson once again includes some great historical background. Not having much knowledge of vampire lore, I thoroughly enjoyed the information regarding Vlad Tepes/ Dracula. It helped liven the story for someone who knew little about the area or the legends. The additional background for Rasputin was helpful and answered some questions left open in a previous book. As with Field of Blood, Wilson makes great use of Jewish myths and true Biblical accounts. An absolutely superb job of weaving them in and making them part of the overall story.

Several commented on Field of Blood having a slow start. That is definitely not a problem with Haunt of Jackals. From page 1 to page 180, there is no slowing down. The action switches between Cal and Dov, Gina, and collectors. It moves fast and the changing of location and stories works great. There were times when I was disappointed to leave a character, just to realize I was moving to another part of the story I wanted to read as well. The suspense is divine in the opening chapters. It does lull for a few chapters here and there, but never for too long.

Around page 90, I was amazed (not surprised) at all the Christian symbolism and ideas Wilson had neatly tucked into Haunt of Jackals. At least 40 unique Christian ideas or biblical accounts, were subtly mentioned and worked flawlessly into the story. I've read close to 200 Christian fiction novels in the last five years, no other author does as good a job infusing a book with Christian ideas, without preaching, and without repetition. Wilson knows his Bible and has a deep grasp of Christian life, which enriches his novels and contrasts the light of Christ with the darkness of sin. Not once did I feel lectured to and not once did I feel as though he was annoyingly overt in his Christian themes--both features which irritate me about many Christian novels. However, given that some actually questioned the spiritual nature of Field of Blood, here's an idea of what's in Haunt of Jackals. Page numbers available upon request.
--Strength in numbers
--Free will/our choice to choose Him and our daily decisions
--The fallacy of purity before salvation
--Dying daily to self
--Proverbs 6:16 What Wilson creates with this passage is a masterpiece.
--Jesus' death and resurrection
--Christians are living temples
--Jesus is the only way.
--The Bronze serpent in the dessert and connecting it Jesus
--Bitterness and thorns
--Fall of man
--Others before self
--All have sinned and the wages of sin
--Jesus is the Messiah
--God's love for us
--Our sin nature
--The true church

That's some of the highlights. There are more than these and they blend into the story with breath taking results.

While Field of Blood and Haunt of Jackals are the first two books in the Jerusalem Undead series, they also tie into Wilson's earlier books, in particularly Expiration Date. If you haven't read Expiration Date, it's not a problem, since it fills in events not specifically mentioned. The time line is a little off and there were a couple of parts that seemed to be a little inconsistent. Nothing of serious significance though.

At some point I have to wrap this up. There's much more to say, but then again this isn't an easy book to write a short review for. Couple of more thoughts. I missed Niki in this book. She was there, but I keep hoping for her and Gina to really patch things up. She's an intriguing character and my heart breaks for her. Lastly, Wilson did a wonderful job of working Gina and Jed through their grief. It's handled in a beautiful and tactful manner with just the right emotions at just the right time. No trite words of encouragement--simply open wounds healed the only way they can be.

Haunt of Jackals is loaded with some awesome dialog. Here's a sample of what's in store, taken from a conversation between Cal and Gina.

Cal--"When you're young you imagine giving your life for a cause, or maybe throwing yourself into the path of a bullet to save the one you love...We need those kinds of people. The real heroes...are those willing to die over the long haul--twenty years, fifty, a hundred. When it comes down to it...it's a lot harder to give your life not just one time, but every single day....and that's what it means to have the Nazarene Blood flowing through your veins. It means letting go of your own selfish desires and giving into the desires of your Maker. It's self-sacrifice. Day by day by day."”

Meli wrote this review Saturday, August 1 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“Larry Jamison violently entered the WDXR news studio with an MD-9 handgun. After a small confrontation, he made his way to the newsroom and began to execute `judgment'. His target was reporter Rachel Crawford, who recently had run a story about his human trafficking scheme. As the SWAT team arrived and began firing at Jamison, he opened fire on Rachel, killing her and her unborn child. As news about the case began to surface, it was discovered Jamison purchased the gun illegally through a gun dealer with multiple citations and questionable practices. Since the manufacturer of the gun knew about the reputation of the dealer, should they be held responsible for Rachel's death?

Two young attorneys, Kelly Starling (plaintiff) and Jason Nobel (defense), square off on a case that has the potential to either launch or destroy their careers. While both bring charisma and enthusiasm to a long debated issue, each also brings a dark secret from their past. When a blackmailer, positioned to make millions on the case enters the scene, both lawyers are forced to make decisions that will drastically alter their life. Will justice win in this high stakes game?

The Justice Game is a tough book. While I would like to say it presented an unbiased opinion on gun control, I don't think it did. I do not know Singer's personal beliefs, but I get the impression he's not a proponent of guns. While it was mostly neutral, there were times when a strong case for gun control was made without an equally strong case for gun ownership. Without presenting either sides of the issue, the characters alone were enough to persuade the reader the gun manufacturer, Melissa Davids, was a jerk and needed to be penalized. Some repair was made to her character towards the end of the book, but for the most part, Davids was portrayed as an aggressive, abrasive, cold-hearted, stereo typical gun fanatic, which off set the balance of objectivity.

I found it difficult to pull for either side. I loved the plaintiff, Blake Crawford, but, at best, was neutral towards his attorney, Kelly. She was alright, but for the most part I didn't sympathize with her as much as I did Jason. On the other hand, I found the defendant, Melissa Davids, annoying but loved her attorney, Jason. He was a wonderfully written, multidimensional character that brought The Justice Game to life. His dark secret was one that kept me reading late at night and hoping he'd find a resolution.

Probably most disturbing about The Justice Game, is the over all presentation of justice. It's uncomfortable to view trials as games and the lawyers, juries, and judges as pawns. Though knowing the novel is fiction, the realism that Singer brought to the story was enough to be unsettling.

Including Brad Carson and Bella was a great idea. It was nice to revisit these two characters from previous books. Carson's role was very minor--more of a cameo, but was still good to have him back.

The Justice Game is certainly loaded with plots, characters, and subjects for debates. The ending was surprising and fitting. There were a few loose ends I would have liked tied up, but maybe those are for a later book. While it was certainly enjoyable, it would have been nice if the characters had been more balanced on both sides or at least one side was completely likable. One of the best parts of legal dramas is pulling for your side to win and it's hard to do that when you really want both sides to win for different reasons. Regardless, Singer put together an entertaining story with a central hot topic for debate.”

Meli wrote this review Wednesday, July 29 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“The adventure continues for the King family. This time instead of seeing the past, they get a glimpse of the future. What they see not only strengthens their desire to find their mom, but also adds extra urgency to their quest to discover Taksidian's ultimate plan.

It's possible Liparulo has written his best book to date. At the very least, it's the best (so far) in the Dreamhouse King series. Timescape is an awesome creepy, mysterious, suspenseful thriller. With break neck speed, it moves from one action sequence to the next, with tiny breaks in between. All along the way, the mystery builds and exactly what is going to happen is quite surprising.

Timescape felt a lot more like Liparulo's adult novels than the previous three books in the series, but still remained very appropriate for the young adult market. Liparulo has created a very well thought out series that combines history with imagination and top notch suspense. Never lost in his novels are wonderful life concepts for the reader to absorb. Timescape is no exception. The interaction between the King family members, how they grow through each trial, how the mutual admiration develops, is beautiful to watch. What is the meaning of courage? When is courage really stupidity? What it takes to be courageous and those who embody it. Many wonderful ideas, that Liparulo injects into Timescape for the reader to contemplate.

While there are several great characters in this series, David is still the one who carries the book. I was once again wowed by his character. Just when it seemed like he couldn't go on, he kept finding a way to continue. So young, so sweet, and so willing to do whatever it takes to do what is right.

It seemed like I just started, and the book was over. I would pick it up intending to read a few pages and find myself completely lost in the story. From the Titanic to Viking berserkers, Timescape takes the reader to from one adventure to the next, giving the reader little time to breath. Great read from the first page to the last. Once again, another long 6 months till the next book in the series.”

Meli wrote this review Thursday, July 16 2009. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 4 stars

“A lot has changed in the five years since Johnis, Silvie, and Darsal left the forest. Thomas and the Circle are missing. The horde has taken over Middle Forest. There's no more ritual bathing, instead it's been replaced by drowning. The three are faced with the questions of where to go and what to do. Deciding it's better to split up, Johnis and Silvie leave Darsal in search of a lake and Thomas. Instead, they find Shaeda and a power beyond their imagination. Meanwhile, Darsal, tries to flee but finds herself captured and thrown into prison with three other `albinos'. What they teach her could very well save The Circle.

I have really enjoyed this young adult series. I had some doubts about it originally, but I've come to enjoy the plot and the characters. Johnis again takes a lead in this portion of The Lost Books series. However, instead of his quick thinking and strategy leading them, he's been consumed and lead by the mysterious Shaeda. A lot can be derived from this relationship and it's a very interesting one to read about. The interaction between these two characters, make for a nice mystery. How far will Johnis follow her? What are her intentions? Can he control her or does she fully control him? All these little nagging questions kept things moving and quite interesting.

**SPOILER for WHITE**
Darsal's part was a bit surprising this time. It'll be interesting to see how far the relationship between her and Marak develop. Since it takes place after White, I'm not sure I'm going to enjoy following a similar path with this relationship. I am hoping for a new angle in Elyon. It would be somewhat disappointing to see a repeat of White.
**END SPOILER**

Of all Dekker's co-written books, Lunatic and Elyon are by far my favorite. The writing flowed much better and the styles meshed well. It didn't seem like two separate authors shoved together. With few exceptions it seemed close to Dekker's style. Hill added her own touch, which complimented Dekker's writing rather than over powering it.

I did have a hard time getting into the story. Partly because I had forgotten some of the previous four books, and partly because there seemed to be some unnecessary details. For example, if I don't know what Roush are by now, I should probably back up and read the previous books. On the other hand, there were some things I really wanted explained more. For example, Eram. He was sorta explained, but not to where I understood his role in the story. Exactly how the Middle Forest fell was a little cloudy to me as well. Hopefully these things will be fleshed out in Elyon.

Lunatic has a very big cliff hanger ending, so make sure you have Elyon on hand before starting.”

Meli wrote this review Sunday, May 24 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“The quest continues for control of the Shataiki. Will it be the dark priest Sucrow or Leedhan possessed Johnis? Elyon picks up where Lunatic ended. Darsal is still a slave to Marak with Eylon's command to love the horde. Johnis continues to struggle for control of the Leedhan that now directs his thoughts and actions. The ongoing power struggle between Sucrow and Marak intensifies with both yearning to eliminate the albinos. Is this the end for The Circle?

After reading almost thirty Ted Dekker books, I've come to appreciate his writing and have certain expectations. He's written books that I've loved, some that were duds, and others that are average (for him). However, he also has some books that are absolutely incredible and Elyon qualifies as incredible.

My favorite Dekker book is White. I don't think there will ever come a point when I'm tired of it. It's simply amazing. Elyon reminded me a lot of White. It had the same intensity, the same passion, the same beautiful portrayal of God.

As Elyon progresses, the story falls into utter darkness. Dekker is pretty much a master at setting up dark scenes and contrasting them with God's light. What was slightly different about Elyon is the depth of the darkness. It wasn't just Teelah and the Horde disease's deception, there was the addition of the Leedhan. Shaeda was an excellent addition to this series. Half shatikka, half horde, she was an interesting blend of evil. She was absolutely beautiful, but there was nothing good in her. She wasn't just bent on evil, she was set on domination and revenge. She used her power only to advance her cause. She equated to a demon and as such, she had limits to her control. This was the part that I loved. She could tempt, she could entice, but she could not control Elyon's children.

**SPOILER for WHITE**
As mentioned earlier, I thought Elyon was similar to White. In most ways it worked, but I would have preferred a little bit more original plot with Darsal. We know from Lunatic, she's commanded to love Marak. There were several instances that were similar to White--the initial repulsiveness, the submitting to slavery, resistance to love, and the scab's slow softening. It was still a good story line, just lost some of its effectiveness because it has already been done.
**END SPOILER**

The ending of Elyon is rather interesting. I'm not sure if it'll be wrapped up in Green or if we're left to consider this the end or if there are plans to further the series. There's still quite a few questions left and I can definitely see where there is room for more books. However, I was happy with where things left off. It was a strong book and a great conclusion to the series.”

Meli wrote this review Sunday, May 24 2009. ( reply | permalink )

2 of 2 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“Ryan Evans built a sterling military career in navel intelligence. His mind worked through complicated problems that others could not even attempt. His career was his life and he cherished it. All that changed when he was captured by insurgents in Iraq. For the first time he came across a problem he couldn’t solve and his life came into perspective. As he watched the children die, the wife and child he’d provided for, yet abandoned, quickly became his focus and priority. Though he was able to escaped, his life was profoundly altered. The emotions he held in check for years he could no longer control and his longing for his family intensified. Unfortunately, his years of neglect could not be removed with simple words and as he discovered upon his return home, his family no longer wanted him. Rejected, Ryan abandoned hope of reconciliation until the day his daughter was abducted by the serial killer, BoneMan. What lengths will a rejected father go to in order to rescue his daughter? What will he sacrifice and what will he become?

BoneMan’s Daughters is a simple book on the surface, but as we all know, looks can be deceiving. What looks to be a straightforward serial killer novel is actually a more complicated tale rich in paradox and irony. What you take into this book will likely determine what you take out of it and the longer you dwell on it, the more it wraps around you.

I love the way Dekker constructed the opening chapters of BoneMan’s Daughters. The changing between scenes was highly effective and contrasted Ryan’s suffering with his family’s indulgence. It caused an immediate connection with Ryan and affected my attitude towards him throughout the whole story.

For the first half of Boneman’s Daughters, I couldn’t decide if it was brilliantly written or rather badly written (I finally decided on the former). A lot of it depends on Dekker’s intention as to how he wanted the reader to feel about the characters. If we were suppose to not care too much about Bethany, pull for Ryan, and be somewhat ambivalent towards BoneMan, then the characters are right on. If we were suppose to love Bethany and Ryan but be abhorred by BoneMan, then its characters are not particularly well written. I found myself rooting for Ryan to rescue Bethany, but not for Bethany’s sake as much as for his. I found Bethany to be a rather spoiled brat that lacked any true grasp on reality. I did start to like her a bit more towards the end, but even then, I was pulling for her because of Ryan, not for herself.

BoneMan was an interesting character. He called himself Satan and the name fit him on every level. However, he did not scare me. I was intrigued, but not scared of him and that bothers me. I should have felt some emotion other than curiosity and indifference. He was truly Satan. He sought out children to make them his own. On the outside he was perfect, but on the inside he was evil. He was alluring while at the same time repulsive. I wanted to be repulsed by him. I wanted to struggle with continuing to read for fear he was going to do something horrendous, but unable to put it down until I knew everything was okay. Unfortunately, I felt none of those feelings. I didn’t feel sorry for him or sympathize with him on any level. Which usually serial killer characters have a way of presenting some side of themselves that allows the reader to better understand why they do what they do. In this case, the explanation was lacking and while I could somewhat grasp his reasoning, it didn’t satisfy my need to comprehend what he was doing. Additionally, serial killers usually have a past that helps us better understand their motives. The sparse amount given was extremely unsatisfying and a part of the story I kept hoping would be fleshed out.

I enjoyed a lot of the themes explored in BoneMan’s Daughters. They were interesting to think through and some very good points were made. It wasn’t as overt as some of Dekker’s previous novels, but he was crystal clear in presenting his ideas. It was a nice change and more in the vein of Thr3e than Skin.

My main complaint was I didn’t feel the story as I should have. This had the making to be a story that could cause tears to flow and my blood pressure to rise. The problem with BoneMan’s Daughters, was it was a rather subdued book. One the surface, it appeared as though it would be violent. After all, we are talking about a serial killer who breaks his victim’s bones. Unfortunately, there were not a lot of details, so I knew when someone was injured, but I didn’t get to experience it with them. Granted violence can go too far the other direction, to gratuitous, but there is a middle ground. An area where the reader can truly understand, but without feeling the need to puke. BoneMan’s Daughters didn’t go far enough. It stopped well short. I wanted to feel the horror that Ryan did when he watched the first child die. I wanted to know how he felt. I wanted to be outraged, but because it was anticlimactic it lacked true impact. Don’t get me wrong, there is a respectable body count and none of the deaths would be a method I’d choose, but it lacked the chilling aspect I thought this book should really have.

Over all, I enjoyed BoneMan’s Daughters. I liked it even better a couple of hours after I finished it. In some ways it’s a break from some of Dekker’s recent books. It’s not as energetic and fast paced. It’s not slow by any means, but it doesn’t have as many turns and they’re taken a little more cautiously. There are some nice plot twists and great suspense elements. It’s a well written book with some deep spiritual themes. It’s the type of book I most enjoy. I know I’ll be contemplating it for several days, and that’s exactly what I want in my fiction.
”

Meli wrote this review Friday, March 27 2009. ( reply | permalink )