Noughts & Crosses

Malorie Blackman

Noughts & Crosses #1

Summary:

Callum is a nought – an inferior white citizen in a society controlled by the black crosses.

Sephy is a Cross – and the daughter of one of the most powerful, ruthless men in the country.

In their hostile, violent world, noughts and Crosses simply don’t mix. But when Sephy and Callum’s childhood friendship grows into passionate love, they’re determined to find a way to be together.

In One Word: Perturbing (Causing anxiety/unsettling)

Plot:

This is probably one of the best dystopians I’ve ever read, not because it's a great story (even though it is) or because the characters were great (which they are), but because it’s so extremely realistic. Most dystopians show a future that we can’t really imagine becoming reality, but the situation in Noughts and Crosses has been a reality in many countries. This way of looking at racism, in a fictional sense with two characters on opposite sides of the fence, is inspired. I liked that the author (who admits that some of the less intense parts of the novel actually happened to her) makes the black people the ruling class, which shows that she is not writing this because she has a grudge, but more because she feels like she should get the message out about how pointless racism is. The plotline of this story is extremely engaging and I couldn’t put it down for a second. This is also one of the very few books that made me cry, which really doesn’t happen very often. I didn’t really notice the writing all that much, which is a good sign in a book that is story- or character-driven like this one.

Characters:

I really loved the main characters in this book. They are realistic, flawed and relatable, all of which are qualities I look for in storybook characters. There are times when you don’t even like them all that much, which in some cases would’ve been a bad thing, but strangely works in this novel to make them feel like real people. In the end you really care for them, and anything that hurts them hurts you too. The minor characters weren’t as developed as the main ones, but they added something to the story as well without being distracting, especially Sephy’s mother and Callum’s brother.

Who should read this:

13+, mainly for violence and some sexual content, I don’t remember any language (I was too lost in the story to take notice). If you’re looking for something that will make an impact, make you cry or you have an interest in racial differences I definitely suggest this.. Also, if you’re looking for a dystopian that is completely original and different from anything you’ve read before then try this one. I think I would pretty much recommend this to anyone although I do realise that it will make some people highly uncomfortable.

My rating:

It’s hard to say that I loved this book, simply because it is so heart-wrenching and also pretty disturbing, but I did. I didn’t want to put it down, it touched me emotionally and it will be really hard to forget what happened in this story. 5/5

Quote:
That's just the way it is. Some thins will never change. That's just the way it is. But don't you believe them.

The Knife of Never Letting Go

Patrick Ness

Chaos Walking #1

Summary:

Todd Hewitt is the last boy in Prentisstown.

But Prentisstown isn’t like other town. Everyone can hear everyone else’s thoughts in a constant, overwhelming, never-ending Noise. There is no privacy. There are no secrets.

Or are there?

Just one month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd unexpectedly stumbles upon a spot of complete silence.

Which is impossible.

Prentisstown has been lying to him.

And now he’s going to have to run...

In One Word: Haunting

Plot:

I’ve heard many great things about this series, but I never expected this. At first the writing was a little hard to get into, seeing as the narrator (and protagonist) is a little illiterate. The author writes his thoughts, exactly as he thinks them, which means run-on sentences, bad grammar and atrocious spelling, but strangely, this book wouldn’t have nearly the same impact without it. I loved the concept of the mind-reading, and it was executed very well in my opinion. The story is dark and dreary and frightening, but extremely compelling and there’s no way I could’ve put it down once I got into it. It’s a strange feeling, loving every minute of reading such a tragic story (as well as not minding the feeling of being punched very hard at some points while reading...)

Characters:

I liked Todd right from the start, his rebellious attitude combined with his naivity made him an extremely interesting character and the development is really great to see. He’s also not perfect in any way, but manages to learn from his mistakes, and gets to know himself better as the story progresses. Viola is also a very wise, and at times mysterious character. Then there’s the extremely lovable talking dog Manchee, who is the main source of some dry humor from our main character. The villians are also wickedly fascinating and horribly scary, and probably one of the best (and worst) parts of the book.

Who should read this:

13+, there is a lot of violence (some of it really scary and disturbing), as well as some pretty explicit language. There is some mild sexual content, but it’s not extreme or graphic. If you like dystopians, science fiction or fantasy, but you’re tired of reading the same story over and over again, you might like this. I don’t suggest this to anyone who likes happy ‘fluffy’ reads, because you won’t find it here.

My rating:

I loved this book. I didn’t know if I would at the start, but it was all so fascinating and horrible at the same time I couldn’t put it down. I cannot wait to start the next book in the series. 5/5

Quote:

‘Without a filter, a man is just chaos walking.’

Forbidden

Ted Dekker & Tosca Lee

The Books of Mortals #1

Summary:

The world as we know it is unrecognisable.

Almost 500 years have passed since civilization’s brush with extinction. Perfect order reigns and humanity’s greatest threats have been silenced by the ruling totalitarian government.

There is no disease. No passion. No hate. No war.

There is only peace.

Until one man discovers the truth hidden in a secret journal: the human heart has been stripped of all emotion and exists only in a kind of living death. But when Rom became exposed to the vial of blood contained in the journal he was filled with uncontrollable passion. Only Rom is now truly alive, and only he has the knowledge that can reawaken humanity.

But the way is dangerous and the cost staggering...the way is Forbidden.

Plot:

I have to admit, the start of this story was not very promising in my opinion. It felt like the authors were having a bit of trouble explaining the premise of the story. However, I might have wanted something from the book that wasn’t what the author intended. I wanted the book to showcase how beautiful all emotions are, even the negative ones, but I realised about half way through that that wasn’t the point of this book. This story is about a saviour, coming to save the humans from death, and to teach them about love. I personally read it as an allegory to the life of Jesus Christ, but even if that’s not your cup of tea this is a really interesting and unique story.

Characters:

It’s kind of hard to fall in love with characters who can’t love, but Dekker and Lee manages to make them come alive, and you really start to feel for them. I didn’t have a favourite character, and that’s usually not a good sign, but this book didn’t need extremely good characters to make it special. The characters were flawed, although one was a little too good to be true, and the villian was extremely scary.

Who should read this:

13+, mainly for violence, it’s not extremely graphic, but it is disturbing. There is no language and very mild sexual content. The story might also be a little hard to understand for younger readers. If you’re looking for a book that will make you think, this is a good choice. If you want something simple and lighthearted I don't suggest this one. Also if you don't like books that have Christian undertones this might bother you a little.

My rating:

I didn’t love the beginning of this book, I felt like the authors had a little trouble explaining exactly what was going on. I did however, love the rest, and I can totally appreciate the complex ideas that they tried to incorporate. Do I think it’s the best Dekker can do? No. Do I think it’s a good book. Yes. 4/5

Quote:

It's the sorrow you feel that allows you to crave love. Without the suffering, there would be no true pleasure. Without tears, no joy. Without deficiency, no longing. This is the secret of the human heart, Rom.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

Mary E. Pearson

Summary:

I used to be someone.

Someone named Jenna Fox.

A girl wakes from a coma following a devastating accident, her memory a blank.

One day she can’t walk; the next she can.

One day her right eyelid droops; the next it doesn’t.

Her parents call her recovery a mircale – but at what cost has it come? What are they hiding from her?

Who is Jenna Fox?

Plot:

This story is extremely intriguing, and had me captivated and interested throughout. It’s fast paced and never gets boring. The writing flows very well and is just descriptive enough to make it interesting. I liked the way the author used the different structures and so to create impact, some parts are structured almost like a poem.

Characters:

I liked that the main character is a teenage girl who is searching for ‘who she is’, but that the circumstances makes it more interesting and original than that. It keeps it relatable. The main character is very likable, but not in any way flawless. I also really liked her grandma, her parents were a bit one-dimensional in my opinion. Her friends at school were original and interesting without drawing the attention away from the main character too much.

Who should read this:

12+, there is very little violence and nearly no sexual content, but the themes might be a little dark and disturbing. The language is also kept pretty mild. If you want an easy read with an original plot and good writing then you might enjoy this one. If you want a simple, realistic story this might not be your cup of tea.

My rating:

I didn’t have any expectations for this book, I just picked it up by chance and I really enjoyed it. It kept me interested, the writing was interesting and so was the plot and characters. 4/5

Quote:

I don't want five hundred billion neural chips. I want guts.

The Bancroft Strategy

Robert Ludlum

Summary:

Agent Todd Belknap has been cut loose after an operation goes wrong. When his best friend and fellow agent is abducted, and the government refuses to help, Todd takes matters into his own hands.

Meanwhile, Andrea Newton gets an unexpected call. She has been left a vast inheritance by a cousin she’s never met – on the condition that she joins the board of the charitable Bancroft foundation. Andrea is intrigued, but the foundation appears less and less benign the more deeply involved she gets.

What exactly is their involvement with ‘Genesis’ – a mysterious entity working to destabilise the geopolitical balance at the risk of millions of lives? As events escalate, Todd and Andrea must form an uneasy alliance if they are to uncover the truth – before it’s too late.

Plot:

This is an excellent story. There is mystery and suspense throughout and you really wonder how the author is going to connect all the plot lines together. The different twists mean that you’re never sure what to expect. However, it feels like the author added too many additional little facts that don’t really have anything to do with the story and that makes it all a little complicated. Most of these facts are hard to understand and I found myself just skimming the paragraphs that contained them. I really liked the themes that were explored in this book, especially the parts about the charity foundation trying to change the world, but maybe taking it a little too far.

Characters:

I liked the characters in this book, but it’s a little hard to know who to root for in this story since anyone could be revealed as being a villain. I didn’t fall in love with Andrea or Belknap, but I did root for them and worried when they were in danger. My favourite character is probably Belknap’s friend ‘Reinhart’, but I would’ve liked a little more insight into his character.

Who should read this:

13+, mainly for language as well as pretty graphic descriptions of violence. There is one sexual scene but it’s not graphic at all, merely implied. The story might also be a little complicated for younger readers and like I said, there are many parts that are not necessarily essential to the story that might also be a little hard to understand. If you like a story with some interesting twists and action this might be one you will enjoy.

My rating:

I really liked this story, although some parts bored me. I think it’s a good book, pretty well written, but there’s just too much unnecessary information. However, the ending is totally worth it. 4/5

Quote:

‘There are some acts that are simply heinous in themselves.’

Blink of an Eye

Ted Dekker

Summary:

The future changes in the Blink of an Eye...Or Does It?

Miriam is a Saudi princess promised to another, a pawn in a political struggle that could shift the balance of power in the Middle East.

Seth is a certified genius with a head full of numbers, a life full of baggage, and an attitude born on the waves of the Pacific.

Cultures collide when they find themselves thrown together as fugitives in a high-stakes chase across Southern California. A growing attraction and a search for answers fuel their fight to survive...but with no sleep and a massive manhunt steadily closing in, their chances of surviving any future are razor thin.

Plot:

This book is different in many ways from Dekker’s other works that I have read. Mainly because the violence is not as extreme, but also because there’s no real twist to the story. However, this does not mean it’s not a good story. It is thrilling and intriguing. Dekker doesn’t always explain everything that happens in his books, but it never feels like he’s taking the easy way out, which is great. I like the writing style, the setting and basically everything about this story. I should just say that I have read some reviews on this book, and most of the negative ones seem to focus on the facts Dekker uses in this story being wrong, I don’t know if that’s true or not, and I don’t think it should be too big of an issue. I also don’t know how this book differs from the original*.

Characters:

I really connected with these characters. They’re not perfect, but they are good and you really root for them. I also thought that the two main characters had great chemistry and their romance is believable. I would’ve liked a little more insight into the villains, but I like that you do get some parts from his perspective. These characters are also different from Dekker’s thriller-book-characters, but they’re extremely likable.

Who should read this:

13+, mainly for violence, which is only really disturbing in one or two scenes, but is present. There is no language or sexual content, but the theme is partly political and it might bore young readers. If you want Christian fiction that doesn’t push religion down your throat this is definitely one I would recommend.

My rating:

This is not my favourite of Ted Dekker, but I really like the characters and the story and I couldn’t put the book down. 4/5

Quote:

Prayer may just be the most powerful tool mankind has.

*Just note that this book is a rewrite of ‘Blink’ by Ted Dekker and there are many differences. Dekker rewrote ‘Blink’ in order to turn it into a movie, but according to him the overall feel of the book is now a little different. So if you read ‘Blink’ then this review might not fit your opinion at all. I also do not know how many other plot lines and ideas were changed in this book.

Poison Heart

S.B. Hayes

Summary:

Who is the real Genevieve?

What are her secrets?

Why is she determined to destroy Katy’s life?

Wherever Katy turns, Genevieve is there – at school, with Katy’s friends, and worst of all, trying to steal Katy’s hot new boyfriend.

Though popular with everyone else, Genevieve has a menacing side, a dangerous side that she only reveals to Katy.

Is Genevieve simply a troubled girl with a difficult childhood? Or does something sinister, something unearthly, lie behind that beautiful smile?

Plot:

I thought this book started off well, it drew me in and had me intrigued, but about half way through it lost me. It got predictable and the big twist didn’t surprise me at all. The story did get really exciting and interesting in the last few pages, but the way the author ended it didn’t pull the threads of the story together very well in my opinion.

Characters:

I totally get what the author’s intentions were with these characters, she wanted to make them really confusing and intriguing and have you wondering what was going on inside their heads. And mostly it worked. However it never felt realistic to me and I didn’t really connect with any of the characters. I usually like reading about strange and even disturbed characters, but these just didn’t interest me all that much.

Who should read this:

13+, mainly for the strange themes of this book, but also for mild language and sexual content. I don’t think I’d recommend this to anyone. Maybe if you really like creepy stories, but I still think there are better ones out there.

My rating:

I went from being really into this book at the beginning to not interested at all during the middle to really intrigued at the end, but overall I was a little disappointed, even though I didn’t have very high expectations. 2/5

Quote:

I’m your worst nightmare.

Fairy, Texas

Margo Bond Collins

Fairy, Texas #1

Summary:

Fairy, Texas. A small town like any other. Laney Harris didn’t want to live there. When her mother remarried and moved them to a town where a date meant hanging out at the Sonic, Laney figured that “boring” would have a whole new meaning. A new stepsister who despised her and a high school where she was the only topic of gossip were bad enough. But when she met the school counselor (and his terminal bad breath), she grew suspicious. Especially since he had wings that only she could see. And then there were Josh and Mason, two gorgeous glimmering-eyed classmates whose interest in her might not be for the reasons she hoped. Not to mention that dead guy she nearly tripped over in gym class. She was right. Boring took on an entirely new dimension in Fairy, Texas.

Plot:

First of all let me just say, I received this book from goodreads' 'first reads' program for free, but that will not influence my review.This is definitely an interesting read. It’s original and just slightly disturbing, which of course makes it even more interesting. I liked the writing style, it’s easy to read and simple, yet flowing. It had a couple of tense moments that had me afraid for the characters’ lives and some others that were a little more humorous, which I also liked.

Characters:

I didn’t love the characters in this book. Laney started off a little whiny, but she grew out of that after a while. If I had to pick my favourite character it would probably be either Josh or Kayla, I think they’re the most interesting. I didn’t, however, really start feeling for any of the characters, and I got a little confused as to who I should be rooting for. I also didn’t really understand exactly what type of ‘thing’ the characters were supposed to be, and why there were differences between them. Maybe this will be explained more in the next book.

Who should read this:

13+, and even then I advise caution as some of the content can be a little disturbing, for example rape and other violence (it’s not too graphic, but it’s still a little unsettling). If you’re looking for a YA book that’s a little different, easy to read and has some suspense then you might like this one.

My rating:

I enjoyed this book, but I didn’t love it, there were many things I liked and many I didn’t. This is one of those books I'll pick up again not because it was great, but because it's a relaxing and easy read. 3/5

Quote:

‘Of all the things that frightened me about starting a new school, finding a dead guy on day one didn’t even make it into my top hundred. I guess it should have.’

The Angel Experiment

James Patterson

Maximum Ride #1

Summary:

Six unforgettable kids—with no families, no homes—are running for their lives. Max Ride and her best friends have the ability to fly. And that's just the beginning of their amazing powers. But they don't know where they come from, who's hunting them, why they are different from all other humans... and if they're meant to save mankind—or destroy it.

Plot:

I thought this was a great story with an original and intriguing plot. I liked the narration and the writing style, it was unique and quirky. There was a bit of suspense, but I guessed some of the ‘surprise’ twists before they happened, which didn’t make the book bad, but i would’ve liked some more moments that surprised me completely.

Characters:

I definitely like the characters in this book. They’re unique and original (not just because they’re mutants with wings and superpowers), but I didn’t connect with any of them or feel emotional about them. I would like to read more about Fang in the next installments, he is the most interesting in my opinion.

Who should read this:

12+, there’s some language and mild violence, also the whole ‘experimenting on kids’ things might be disturbing for some readers. I like the fact that this book is not aimed towards a specific gender, I think both boys and girls will enjoy it. If you want a YA book that’s quick and easy and exciting to read, you might like this. Just don’t expect something profound.

My rating:

I enjoyed this book, I went into it without any expectations and without even knowing what it was about and I really liked reading it. There were, however, some things that could’ve been better. 3/5

Quote:

“The funny thing about facing imminent death is that it really snaps everything else into perspective.”

The Green Mile

Stephen King

Summary:

At Cold Mountain Penitentiary, along the lonely stretch of cells known as the Green Mile, killers such as ‘Billy the Kid’ Wharton and the possessed Eduard Delacroix await death strapped in ‘Old Sparky’. Guards as decent as Paul Edgecombe and as sadistic as Percy Wetmore watch over them.

But good or evil, innocent or guilty, none has ever seen the brutal likes of the new prisoner, John Coffey, sentenced to death for raping and murdering two young girls. Is Coffey a devil in human form? Or is he a far, far different kind of being?

Plot:

This story is definitely very interesting. King’s writing is superb and sucks you in from the first page. The story is brutal and will have you shivering with fear and horror. There are very few dull moments, but you have to remember that this book was published in six installments. This means that there are a bit of repetitiveness. However, this never really bothered me as the narrator, Paul Edgecombe, is a very old man, and this made him seem a little more realistic. There are very few light, humorous moments, and the parts that do make you smile are quickly tainted by some horrific event.

Characters:

There are too many characters that are way too complicated to go into all of them. However, it is very interesting how King portrays the different killers that are sentenced to death at Cold Mountain. They’re all completely different from each other. Delacroix is a happy, optimistic French guy, Wharton is a crazy, ruthless killer, and Coffey is childish and ignorant. The different wardens are also very interesting, but i found the prisoners fascinating.

 Who should read this:

13+, and I would definitely recommend caution. The violence is pretty extreme, and King’s writing is brutally honest and descriptive. He doesn’t leave much for the imagination. This is a very good story, there’s no doubt about that, and if you like stories that will give you chills and haunt you long after you stopped reading, you might like this one. Not for anyone who’s looking for a happy ending!

My rating:

While I realise that this is a very good book, it’s not exactly my type of story. It didn’t bore me, and I found the characters fascinating, but the violence and horror of it all isn’t my scene. So 3/5.

Quote:

“I’ll tell you something my friend: weird love’s better than no love at all...”

House

Ted Dekker & Frank Peretti

Summary:

Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker – two of the most acclaimed writers of supernatural thrillers – have joined forces for the first time to craft a story unlike any you’ve ever read. Enter House – where you’ll find yourself thrown into a killer’s deadly game in which the only way to win is to lose...and the only way out is in.

One game. Seven Players. Three Rules. Game ends at dawn.

Plot:

First of all, I’m a big fan of Ted Dekker, and while I’ve only read one of Peretti’s novels I really enjoyed that too, so naturally I was expecting a lot from these two’s combined work. The story started of kind of confusing, and honestly I didn’t have any idea where the authors were going untill the last quarter of the book. At the start the story intrigued me, but I got bored in the middle with all the scary imagery, and just wanted the actual story to move along. It was terrifying and disturbing and creepy, yes, but I would’ve liked something more from the story instead of just horrifying things happening all the time. I did, however really like the ending, but I feel like these two could’ve done something more with the story. The twists weren’t surprising enough and I kind of guessed what was going to happen before it did, which is not something I look for in either of these writers' novels.

Characters:

The characters were pretty well handled. Even though all of them are very damaged, and even unlikable at times, you still root for them (this is something Dekker seems to have an aptitude for). Some of the characters are frightening, some are really disturbing (or just disturbed) and some are just normal people in extremely unusual situations. My favourite main character is undoubtedly Jack, because he is the truest and most likable of them all.

Who should read this:

16+, this book has some really creepy elements in it, and is also quite confusing. There is very little language or sexual content, but the violence and scary parts are really intense. I definitely don’t recommend this to anyone who is sensitive to things like that. If you enjoy thrillers, but want them to be clean (relatively speaking) you should definitely check out Dekker or Peretti’s stories, but I feel like there are better ones to choose from.

My rating:

While I didn’t hate this book, it disappointed me a bit and I feel like it could’ve been so much better. But, there were some parts that I really enjoyed so 3/5.

Quote:

The light came into the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it.

The Priest's Graveyard

Ted Dekker

Summary:

Two abandoned souls are on the hunt for one powerful man.

Danny Hansen is a Bosnian immigrant who came to America with hopes of escaping haunted memories of a tragic war that took his mother’s life. Now he’s a priest. Yet that does not stop him from acting as an avenging angel on those who stay within the criminal law but live outside the laws of love and compassion.

Renee Gilmore is the frail and helpless victim of one such powerful man. Having escaped his clutches, she now lives only to satisfy justice by destroying him, regardless of whom she must become in that pursuit.

Danny and Renee: Soon their paths will cross and lead to one twisted fate.

Plot:

Woah...this story will take everything you believe in, make you question it and then make you question the fact that you questioned it. An incredible story, although at times almost too dark and brutal to take, it’s thrilling and horrifying and mind-altering. The strange perspective of a killer for a hero, and the incredible twists throughout makes this a completely unique and very unsettling story.

Characters:

The characters in this book is way too complex to explain. I didn’t always understand their motivations, or their reasoning, but I still connected to them. I wouldn’t call them relatable exactly and yet I really started rooting for the main characters, even though they were doing truly awful things. The main male character is a serial killer, and it’s fascinating to see his reasoning and justifying of the truly horrible things he does. The female main character is a little less impressive in my eyes, but still a very interesting character.

Who should read this:

16+, the violence is truly disturbing, and so is the overall feel of the book. I would definitely recommend caution with this book. If you enjoy thrillers and want something different I don’t think I could think of a better choice for you...except maybe another one of Dekker’s books. This is the darkest book I’ve read by him, but I think it’s my second favourite, after Thr3e, it's definitely one I'll remember. Brad Meltzer said-'The Priest's Graveyard will haunt you-long after you want it to', and I agree.

My rating:

This book scared the living daylights out of me. Not just because of the violence etc, but because of the way it made me think. It’s an incredibly well-written book that is completely original and unlike anything I’ve read before. In the end I loved it, but the violence was a bit extreme. 4/5

Quote:

I had done some right to fix the wrong, hadn’t I?

Hadassah: One Night with the King

Tommy Tenney

Summary:

Bestselling author Tommy Tenney expands the extraordinary story of Esther like no novelist has done before. Both a thriller and a Jewish woman's memoir, Hadassah takes readers to ancient Persia (now known as Iran), into the inner sanctum of the palace and back out into the war zones of battle and political intrigue. This gripping drama of a simple peasant girl chosen over many more qualified candidates to become Esther, Queen of Persia, captures the imagination and fires the emotions of men and women alike.

Plot:

This is an intriguing story, even for someone who knows the basics of it. It started off a little confusing, as there were two characters with the same name, but living in different times. It was a little hard to decide in what time-zone the story was being told, but it soon got easier as you started understanding what the author was doing. The story itself isn’t a new one, but based on the bible-book Esther. It had just enough historical content to make it authentic, but enough personal looks into the character’s thoughts & feelings to save it from being boring. The historical parts are also very well-written and exciting.

Characters:

It’s fascinating to see those well-known yet slightly vague characters come to life. While I don’t know how accurate the descriptions of these characters are, they are relatable, imperfect and yet they have a regal air about them that make them stand out.

Who should read this:

(16+) Mainly for very violent scenes, but also for quite a bit of sexual content (which is not extremely graphic, but implied and mentioned frequently throughout the book). If you enjoy historical, Christian fiction, this is definitely something I would recommend for you. This isn’t a light read, but it’s not hard.

My rating:

I really enjoyed this book. The violence was a little much for me, but I know it was necessary. The writing style was better than I expected and I wasn’t bored once...4/5

Quote:

I knew then that being chosen Queen was the only way my life – or his – would ever be made right. Beyond that, it was in YHWH’s hands.

Skin

Ted Dekker

Summary:

A freak storm has spawned three tornados that are bearing down on the town of Summerville.

Yet under the cover of the storm looms a much more ominous threat: a vindictive killer known as Red who’s left a string of victims in his wake and is now bent on exacting his final revenge on the unsuspecting town.

But there is an enigma surrounding Red that the FBI is unwilling to admit – closely guarded secrets of something gone terribly wrong beneath the skin of Summerville. Secrets that will destroy far more than one small town.

Caught in the middle is Wendy Davidson, a recovering cult survivor who takes refuge in Summerville on her way to visit her estranged mother. And with her, four strangers, any one of whom could be the next victim...

...or the killer.

Plot:

After reading two of Dekker’s other novels I know to expect the unexpected from him, yet he manages to surprise, shock and thrill me every time. This novel pulls you in on the first page and keeps you on the edge of your seat, guessing every possible and impossible outcome to this story, until you close the book, and even then it doesn’t completely let you go. Thrilling is the best word to describe this novel, some parts are horrifying, and you never know what’s going to happen next.

Characters:

The characters are the reason I prefer Dekker’s book over Frank Peretti’s, he builds his stories around his characters. You get a look into a crazy killer’s brain, and it’s both incredibly scary and strangely fascinating at the same time. All the characters in this book are slightly crazy, which seems to be a pattern for Dekker’s books. You start rooting for some of them, and some of them are not likable at all, but all of them have faults and positive points, even though it may be hard to spot.

Who should read this:

16+, this is definitely not one for anybody who is sensitive to graphic descriptions of murders, some of which are incredibly cruel and disturbing. Also, this is not a happy, nice or in any way light-hearted story, so if that’s what you’re looking for skip this one. If you enjoy thrillers that will keep you guessing, even after you finished reading, or something that’ll make you think I would definitely recommend this one.

My rating:

It’s really hard to say I loved this book, because it’s such a disturbing story, but I did. It’s just a great book, well-written and thought-provoking, even if it is horrifying at times. Although I prefer Dekker’s more famous book ‘Thr3e’, this one is definitely worth a read as well. 5/5

Quote:

“What we see may deceive us - the skin may be deceptive - but there has to be one truth, right? It can't all just be a jumble of perceptions. So what really exists out there, beyond what we can see? We're so dependent on the surfaces of what we see. But if we could see past the skin of this world...”

The Bride Collector

Ted Dekker

Summary:

FBI Special agent Brad Raines is facing his toughest case yet. A Denver serial killer has killed four beautiful young women, leaving a bridal veil at each crime scene, and he's picking up his pace. Unable to crack the case, Raines appeals for help from a most unusual source: residents of the Center for Wellness and Intelligence, a private psychiatric institution for mentally ill individuals who are extraordinarily gifted.

Plot:

Horrifyingly brilliant, sickeningly ingenious and terribly excellent, this book reels you in and ties you up so tightly you won’t be able to get away. The story had me scared and amazed and thrilled all the way through. The writing is incredible, I’m pretty sure Ted Dekker is a slightly insane genius, just like most of his characters…The symbolism and deeper meanings you could get out of this book are so many I’m not even going to try to explain them. This is an incredible, but horrific story.

Characters:

This book’s characters will have you questioning your own sanity, beliefs and ideas. The scary part is that while many of them are clinically insane you can still sort of relate to them. They are excellently portrayed and you find yourself appalled and enthralled by them.

Who should read this?

16+, this book scared me, and that doesn’t happen very often. The violence and sheer insanity of the ‘bad guy’ is so cruel and sick that I would definitely recommend caution, but aside from that there’s very little mature content. This is an excellent psychological thriller that will have your mind reeling, but it’s not an easy read. If you prefer something relaxing and simple, this is the wrong book for you. However, I will recommend this to anyone who are interested in psychology, or who likes books that will have you on the edge of your seat throughout.

My rating:

This is not my usual type of book, I found myself hating it and loving it at the same time, which was really confusing. The horrifying, terrible and cruel actions of the ‘bad guy’ terrified me, but this book is sheer genius. So I have no idea what to rate this right now…I’m giving it…a 4/5, the ending did it for me…

Quote:
“Everyone is a lonely victim of life's complexity.”

Thr3e

Ted Dekker

Summary:
Enter a world where nothing is what it seems. Where your closest friend could be your greatest enemy. Kevin Parson is driving his car late one summer day when, suddenly, his cell phone rings. A man who identifies himself as Slater speaks in a breathy voice: You have exactly three minutes to confess your sin to the world. Refuse, and the car you're driving will blow sky high.

Kevin panics. Who would make such a call? What sin? Kevin ditches the car. Precisely three minutes later, a massive explosion sets his world on a collision course with madness.

Plot:

This was an exceptionally good story that had my mind reeling. The author’s use of suspense throughout made this book impossible to put down. The pace was thrillingly fast, without one moment of nothing happening. Gripping! I could say a lot more, but I'm afraid of giving something away...So, read it!

Characters:

This book emphasized a belief I’ve had for a while, that no person on this planet is completely and utterly evil. The characters in this book are incredibly ‘fascinating’ (read the book to understand the quotation marks). You find yourself rooting for them and fearing for their lives, feeling sorry for some and loathing others.

Who should read this?

13+, only because this is a thriller. Some violence and strange behavior is the only mature content. This is not an easily understood story, so if you want something simple and straightforward, this isn’t the one for you. However if you’re looking for something that will stimulate your mind and make you see the world and people differently you should definitely read this one. If you like books that will hook you from page one and keep you on the edge of the seat this is perfect for you. I’ll recommend this to anyone interested in psychology and who likes thrillers.

My rating:

As you can see from my review (sorry about the raving, I just can’t find anything bad about this book) I loved this book! One of my new favorites and I will definitely be reading more of Dekker’s stories as soon as possible! 5/5

Quote:
“Though being freed from sin, most remain slaves, blinded and gagged by their own deception.”