Friday Fiction Fix: "Hideous Beauty"

4/5 Stars

Grant Austin has just won the Pulitzer Prize for his presidential biography. But just when he's about to celebrate his ultimate triumph over a former rival, he learns that there's a plot to assassinate the president--what's more, he's being framed for it. Can he overcome the forces of darkness that are behind the plot to save the president and himself?

I picked this up at my favorite Christian bookstore a while back simply because it had been published by one of my favorite companies, Enclave Publishing. For about the first 80 pages of the novel, I was pretty sure I had made a horrible mistake in buying it. I really didn't like Grant at the start of the novel and found him an unbelievably petty, childish, and immature man, especially for someone who had been able to interview the president. Thankfully, he had a good character arc throughout the novel that made him into a more believable (and likable) character. Usually, I complain that Christian novels lack characters with real faults; I think this novel swung just a little too far the other way, but I give Mr. Cavanaugh kudos for making a character that's not a goody two-shoes off the bat. 

Once we got past the initial high school pettiness that was the framework for the beginning of the novel, it was really quite enjoyable. It had a nice blend of spiritual and real-life action, some political intrigue, and a nice splattering of humor. There were a few moments of awkward inter-character relations that I didn't quite buy (Grant has a habit of picking up lots of women and they somehow all get along?), but I really can't fault the action. The climaxes were dramatic, believable, and provided a satisfying ending to the book. 

I haven't decided if I'm going to pick up the next installment or not, but I think I'm leaning toward doing so. 

Recommended to: Fans of spiritual warfare and action books who don't mind some odd characterizations.

Friday Fiction Fix: The 49th Mystic

4.5/5 Stars

I was recently thinking that it would be nice to get back to reading some Ted Dekker when I stumbled across this at the book store. I had completely forgotten that he had released anything after completing the Circle.

Rachelle Matthews might be blind, but she's the only person who can keep two worlds from being permanently blinded--or so she's been told. Can her dreams of an alternate reality help save the modern world from an impending crisis? Or will she not be able to see beyond herself to what God is doing? The resulting story is one of both modern and fantastical action and self-discovery.

As a proudly stodgy Lutheran, there were a few points of theology that made me raise my eyebrows a bit. This wouldn't have been a huge issue, but the theology at play is a central point of the plot and the novel, so the heavy discussions may be a bit of a turn-off for some readers.

Recommended for fans of fantasy, world-traveling, and modern/thriller action who don't mind some theological discussions mid-plot.

Friday Fiction Fix: "Thr3e"

Well, it might be Tuesday, but it's been a while since we've had a book review. Note to any other book bloggers--don't save all your book reviews on your computer without backing them up somewhere where you can access them with a loaner computer. 

The Short

Thr3e

By: Ted Dekker

5/5 Stars (And Possibly a Favorite)

What: A seminary student finds himself the next target of a serial killer.

Recommended to those who like: Thriller/suspense, Christian, teen and up.

The Long

I read this book a couple of years back and enjoyed it--though it scared me pretty good at the time, too. Now, a few years later, it still sets me on edge, but I was also able to more fully appreciate the theology subtly discussed throughout the book. It was a surprisingly good pick for the start of Lent. 

Kevin is a young seminary student leading a somewhat normal life, if overly organized. He attends classes, has thought provoking discussions with his professors, and reads voraciously. The only thing his professors absolutely cannot know is that he has a past to hide. 

It's not the sort of past that naturally comes with converting to Christianity, either. It's the sort of past where a serial killer can call you up and ask you to confess your sin tot he world--or he'll blow up your car. 

The resulting read delves deeply into the nature of sin and the two natures of mankind without seeming to get too theological or sacrificing suspense and plot. Really, it's a story that's Christian at its core without being preachy or contrived at all, the way books are meant to be. 

Given that the book does deal with a serial killer, I would recommend it to mature teens and up only. It doesn't involve gratuitous violence, but it can be quite dark at times. 

The Bottom Line: This suspenseful book combines some great action with deeper theological truth in an organic and meaningful way; highly recommended to fans of suspense who are interested in a Christian message.

Friday Fiction Fix: "House of Dark Shadows"

The Short:

House of Dark Shadows

Dreamhouse Kings, Book 1

By: Robert Liparulo

5/5 Stars

What: A family moves to a mysterious house that holds many secrets—some of them dark.

Recommended to those who like: Clean, darker stories, teen, quick reads, time travel

The Long:

So, this is one that I hadn’t read in a while. I decided to dust it off and give it a good read.

Man, am I glad that I chose it as my take-to-work book rather than my before-bed book. II forgot how effectively Mr. Liparulo created a creepy/suspensful story. (Let it be noted that I am a wimp when it comes to suspense, however).

The King family has just moved across the state to a new house. Xander, a teenaged aspiring film writer, is immediately fascinated by the darkness of the house and the way sounds come from odd directions. But when bigfoot-sized footprints appear in the dust and a mysterious passage is discovered upstairs, it all starts to seem a little too much like a horror movie.

The suspense is a nice level, the plot is original, and the characters are loveable. Xander, David, and Toria are a totally believable set of siblings in the way they alternately pick on one another and stick up for one another.

The story does contain some awesome speculative elements, but I don’t want to give too much away. 

Be sure to have the second book handy—this one is a near cliffhanger. It’s a quick read, as well.

The book is very clean. I would recommend it for teens and above just for the suspense levels, but it’s written on quite an easy reading level, even middle grade. 

I’ll definitely be re-reading the next book soon!

The Bottom Line: This book would be a great pick for teens and up who enjoy a quick, but suspenseful, read.

Do you like suspenseful books/movies?

Looking for more by Robert Liparulo? Check out The 13th Tribe, another suspenseful book with a speculative twist!

Friday Fiction Fix: "The 13th Tribe"

The Short:

The 13^th Tribe

Immortal Files, #1

By: Robert Liparulo

5/5 Stars

What: The Tribe has been seeking out sinners and meting out justice for thousands of years, but this plan might push things too far.

Recommended to those who like: Thriller, (sci-fi?), Christian, Darker Stories

Not recommended to those who dislike: Stronger violence

The Long:

To start out, I don’t know how to classify this book. Thriller doesn’t quite cut it because there’s speculative weirdness of Biblical proportions happening. But it’s not fantasy—though it involves swords and immortal people. And it’s not quite sci-fi—though it involves invisibility suits.Regardless of what it is, I liked it. And I thought you guys might like it, too, so I figured I’d share.

The Tribe used to be part of the nation of Israel—until they worshipped the golden calf in the shadow of Mount Sinai. Their punishment? Immortality and a futile, never-ending attempt to regain God’s favor by killing sinners that the law can’t control. This next project might be their ticket out. Or, it might ensure their eternal damnation.

Jagger used to be a man of faith—until he lost his arm and his best friend in a horrendous drunk-driving accident. When he crosses paths with the Tribe, will they confirm his suspicions that God is a spiteful entity?

First off, the theological questions raised by this book were magnificent. Is salvation by grace or works? How can a loving God exact justice? It also leaves the questions open-ended and doesn’t come across as trite or preachy in its answers.

The premise of this story was also excellent. I mean, “Immortal vigilantes from the time of Moses have planned the unthinkable.” That excerpt from the back pretty much hooked me out of curiosity.

Although Jagger wasn’t the deepest character I’ve ever met (something about him felt a bit distant), I loved the questions that he struggled with. The Tribe was loveable and despicable at the same time.

The book was action-packed, though it took a while for me to really become invested in the story. Once it got going, it was really good. The plot twists at the end kept me guessing. *Pounds head into keyboard repeatedly*. Don’t read this book late at night unless you plan on staying up to finish it.

My main warning about this book is how dark it was. If you’re sensitive in regards to violence, this is not the book for you.

Bottom Line: A good, speculative twist on the thriller genre, this book would be an appropriate pick for mature readers who would like to delve into some serious questions of faith.

Does this book fit into Speculative Fiction? How would you categorize it?

I will be slow to respond to comments this weekend. See you Monday for the start of the Blogiversary Celebration!

Friday Fiction Fix: "Black: The Birth of Evil"

The Short:

Black: The Birth of Evil

The Circle, Book One

By: Ted Dekker

5/5 Stars

What: A man finds himself torn between two realities—a utopian future and the present, which is about to be hit by a deadly pandemic.

Recommended to those who like: Allegory, Christian, fantasy, multiple worlds

The Long:

This wasn’t my first time reading this book, but I always seem to manage to finish it within one day (a rarity for me, anymore). That alone should give you an idea of how engaging it is. Ted Dekker writes both thrillers and fantasy stories. This book is a fantasy that brings a nice taste of modern day thriller to it.

Thomas Hunter’s world gets turned upside down the night the mob comes for him. When he wakes up in a world where good and evil are visible entities, the hundred grand he owes the mob seems like a dream. And once he learns that the world is on the brink of being destroyed by the deadliest pandemic to ever hit the earth, he feels that he alone may hold the key to preventing something that’s supposedly already happened.

This book kept me turning the pages from the first chapter. Well-paced action, breathtaking descriptions, beautiful allegory, and unique world-building resulted in a quick read. The novel combines both modern action sequences and fantasy-allegorical themes for a unique plot line. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a Christian allegory and speculative fiction. (I would also recommend having Red, the second book, handy after you finish it). 

Thoughts?