Demon: A Memoir

Title: Demon: A Memoir
Author; Tosca Lee
Genre: Mystery/Suspense, Christian Fiction (though not marketed as such),
Source: Paperback
Rating:  2.5 out of 5 paws




Clay had a mysterious meeting on his calendar that no one knew about.  He stayed late at work only to  have no one show up.  One his way home he stops for some dinner when a man in the corner begins speaking with him, as if he was waiting for him.  Clay believes he is a writer looking to get his book published but Lucian claims to be so much more; a demon.  A demon who wants his story, or rather his memoir, published and has decided that Clay is the person to do this.  Clay sprials down a demonic rabbit hole as he strives to piece together Lucian's tale.  But...it seems there are some frightening similarities between Lucian's tale and Clay's own life. But he is now beyond the point of no return and has to finish things and find out how the story ends.

I have had this book on my to-read shelf for years, since 2012 in fact, so I decided to buy it and see what it was that intrigued me six years ago. The idea behind the story is an interesting one, a demon wants to write his memoirs, tell his side of the story.  Then the man he's telling the story to begins to feel the story is as much his as it is the demon's.  Seems interesting and compelling right?  At some points it was, at other points...it fell flat, it didn't compel me to continue reading it as much as I had hopped it would.  At times it felt like it dragged on and didn't go far.  There wasn't any..umph so to speak to this story.


The name of the main character: Clay, seems to be a play on words, but it didn't feel like a clever one, especially as it is mentioned time and time again. Clay comes off as a man desperate to cling to anything that might define his life, or bring excitement to his life; even if it is a memoir from a demon.  He continues to wallow in self-pity and it gets old rather quickly.  Lucien doesn't come off as being demonic and doesn't anything outright demon like, he has moments of being "bad" but those aren't really what you would expect from a demon of his self proclaimed caliber.  The story he tells doesn't go beyond things most Christians know or beyond Lucien basically stating "we hate humans, and are mad that Elohim chose them over us" over and over again.


There seemed to have been the beginnings of a subplot of agents from both realms following the two characters, but this is never fully expanded on.  If it was it might have brought my rating and enjoyment of the novel up a little more than where it is at.  At the end Clay has a revelation about his own life, but we don't see anything that provides evidence of him coming to this conclusion.  It felt like there are so many questions opened that have no satisfactory resolutions. 


I am on the fence on whether or not I would recommend this book.  I may not have liked it but someone else might.  Do not go into this book thinking you will read  horror or thriller type novel as it is marketed as, go into it expecting to read something that is Christian Fiction at best.

Sinner

Title: Sinner
AUthor: Ted Dekker
Genre: Christian Thriller, Christian Fiction
Rating: 4.5 out of 5


As we enter the world of Sinner we follow the mysterious Marsuvees Black.  He uses his words to seek destruction more than he uses guns or other weapons.  This story takes place 13 years after the first book, and we see Billy Darcy and Johnny once again.  Billy, Johnny, and Darcy survive the monastery project that tests is isolated children could say no to forbidden fruit or if they would fall into temptation.  The three survivors now take on Marsuvees Black and try as they can to stand up for what is right and just.  But will they be strong enough to fight against him?  Or will his powers of persuasion and manipulation get the best of everyone?





I have said this before in some of my other reviews of Ted Dekker's work, he has got to be one of my all time favorite authors.  I started with this series and it had me hooked from the very beginning.  It has been said that you don't have to read the series in order, but I personally believe it is best to read them in order.  That way you get a clear understanding of what is happening and how each character relates to one another.  As well as the events leading up to what happens in Sinner.


Something I love about this author is that he can discuss things that real and important to us today such as the issue of tolerance and hate speech.  I think he does a great job at portraying the dangers of what could happen if we continue on the path that we are one.  There is a difference between tolerance, and love.  He does a good job at getting this message across.  Normally he uses metaphors and subtlety when adding in the Christian elements, but in this novel they weren't subtle and they weren't really metaphorical.  It seemed to be lacking something that the other two books had.  Granted I love the book nonetheless, but something seemed to be missing in this one.


All the characters are interesting and compelling.  I am happy we get to see more of Black in this series and I am kind of hoping he returns in other books, almost like that recurring bad guy that seems to haunt everyone's dreams.  Every time I read this book, or rather the series, I get more and more interested in him.  He is a fantastic character and I want more.   Sinner is a good ending to the other books, though it almost feels like it should be book two rather than book three, but I am sure Dekker had a reason for setting it up the way he did.


Overall I think it's a great book and highly recommend the book, series, and author to anyone who enjoys a good read whether you believe in Christianity or not.  I don't think the elements that he incorporates takes away from the story if anything it might enhance it a little bit.  You never know if you like a book until you read it.


Happy Reading!

A.D. 33

 A.D 33 by Ted Dekker tells the journey of a queen named Maviah.  She is known as the Queen of Outcasts or the Queen of the Desert. A neighboring kingdom as taken several children from her village including Maviah's son.  She embarks on a journey for find assistance in getting her son and the other children back, even if that means traveling to distant lands to meet with Yeshua.  She is horrified to discover that Yeshua is facing his own death.  She now must come to understand that this is God's as is the possibility of her own son's death.  Maviah finds herself struggling with her own desires and her teachings of the God word.

I have been looking at this book for a little while since it came out and wanted to read it since it's by one of my favorite authors.  I am slightly saddened to say that I did not like it as much as I have enjoyed his other novels.  I am not sure if i liked that Maviah was present for some key Biblical events.  I understand literary freedom and everything, but it still did not sit very well with me.  What i did like however was that the reader got a glimpse into Maviah's mind, we were a part of her thoughts and emotions. Part of Dekker's charm is that he is able to bring his readers right into the story with the characters.  He paints such a vivid picture that enables the reader to be able to visualize everything as if they were watching a movie.

I highly recommend this book, even if i wasn't a fan of it,  to anyone who enjoys thrillers, suspense, a little bit of sci-fy or fiction in general.  The beauty about Ted Dekker is he writes about Christianity without it feeling like he is throwing it into your face or anything.  He displays it through the character's faith and their struggle which are easily relatable.  My overall rating for this novel is a 4 out of 5 stars.

Saint by Ted Dekker

Saint is the second book in Ted Dekker's "Paradise Series."  I have already talked about Showdown a few months back, and this book is a continuation of that story.  In Showdown, a strange man comes into town and people begin acting weird, evil almost.  Children in a monastery find books where what they write in the book, it comes true.  The children are a part of an experiment to see if they will remain innocent if they are secluded from the influences of the outside world.  Carl has been 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 what's the rest. Invasive techniques have stripped him of his identity and made him someone new for this he is grateful. But there are some things they can't take from him. The love of a woman, unbroken loyalties to his past, the need for survival.




This second book in the Paradise series is just as amazing as the first.  The story is a little different and stems away from the kids in Paradise, and the kids in the monastery, but the reader gets the feeling that this story is equally important for the final showdown. This novel has a strong start and middle, but sadly the end starts to unravel and fall very short of expectations and the quality we tend to expect from Dekker.  It is a Christian novel, so there is a lot of emphasis on love and grace.  Some may think this takes away from the novel, but I think it adds a different quality to the thriller.




This is the second book of Ted Dekker's that I have ever read, and I read it a few years ago and still absolutely love Ted Dekker as a writer.  That being said, this is probably one of the novels I like the least.  As mentioned it is a part of series, but doesn't follow the story of the first book which threw me off a little but still helped cement my love for this author.  He has a way of writing that draws the reader into the story.  You will almost feel as if you are standing beside Carl as everything happens and that you are experiencing the same things that he is.  Dekker has the ability to implement the Christian elements without making it feel like the reader is being preached to, or overdone.  It is the right amount, at the right times.  While it feels like this is one of the less enjoyable books to read of his it still shows his mastery of the written word.




I don't think there has been a book of Dekker's that I have not recommended and this is no different.  You don't have to read the books in order to understand what is happen you could read this one first and then Showdown then Saint or Saint then Showdown.  But you do want to leave Sinner for last because it does tie the other two stories together.  I highly recommend this for those who haven't read Dekker yet as well as those who have.  I give this book a 3.5 out 5 because it does fall short at the end and becomes disappointing when knowing the skills of this author.

13th Demon

Title: The 13th Demon by Bruce Hennigan
Media: Paperback
Rating 3.5 out of 5

Recommendation:  This book is perfect for those who enjoy chilling thrillers.  It is good for those who enjoy delving into stories of the supernatural and unknown.

The 13th Demon by Bruce Henningan is the first book in the Chronicles of Jonathan Steel series.  It follows the story of Jonathan Steel as he strives to aid those in need while he hunts for the truth to his past.

Something is happening at Thomas Parker's church.  Wave of blood pours through the sanctuary, the baptism pool becomes a swirling energy field, there is an spiral eye on the ceiling.  When Jonathan Steel comes into help spiders begin to attack the pastor and Steel.  Steel in turn takes pictures of strange writing on the wall as well as the energy field and the eye on the ceiling.  He calls in some help, a linguist and a physicist,  to get to the truth of the matter.  Meanwhile, he learns there is a businessman who is trying to buy the church for some reason.  What is the connection between the businessman and what is happening within the church?  When the physicist's son becomes a part of the mystery everyone treads lightly and strives to find the truth before it becomes too late.

I was slightly disappointed in this novel, for some reason I had high expectations on the alter of the spiral eye, and the 13th demon.  There wasn't much backstory to the 13th demon other than a small snippet on it not being among the 12 "chosen" demons much like the 12 apostles.  The story could have gone into more detail about what makes this particular demon scarier than others.  I did however enjoy the archeological and linguistic aspects to the story.  It added  depth to the setting and images on the walls that Steel had seen.

I understand the reason for no backstory on Jonathan Steele because, well he doesn't even know who he is, so the scenes were he remembers or is given reminders of his past are well done and provide that needed backstory.  His amnesia adds a complexity to his character as he simply doesn't remember anything before a specific time.  So as a reader we don't know who or even what Jonathan Steel is because he doesn't know.  That makes the reader want to try and figure this character out.  The other characters are well rounded and play their roles perfectly in the story, personally I wanted more from Liz, the linguist but that is probably because that is where my own interest and passion lies.  I enjoyed the idea of death being like a butterfly in a cocoon.  It was an interesting metaphor.

13th Demon is a well written novel that leave readers wanting more, and from I've seen there is more (I bought 12th Demon just waiting to get a chance to read it).  I look forward to what Bruce has for us in the future.  With some of the other books I have read, I would like to see this one made into a movie, it definitely has the suspense factor.

Hangman's Curse

Title: Hangman's Curse by Frank Peretti
Media Source: Hardback
Rating 4 out of 5

Recommendation: I would recommend this book to fans of Ted Dekker, as well as those who enjoy a good thriller, mystery with a slight hint of paranormal aspects to it.

Hangman's Curse is a young adult novel that touches on the realm of ghost stories and the supernatural.  It is the first volume in the Veritas Project series. 

The Springfield family work together as investigators for the Veritas Project, a secret project that searches for the truth.  When some teens shows signs of a strange illness, the family is called in to find out the truth behind the situation.  Three students are in the hospital with rumors of a ghost attacking them, a ghost controlled by another student.  On eat of their lockers is a mysterious carving of a hangman.  What is happening to these teenagers?  Is there an explanation to all of this or is there something more supernatural happening?

Frank Peretti has been one of my favorite authors for a while now, and this novel continues in true Peretti fashion and solidifies my admiration for his work.  I found myself completely captivated by this novel waiting for what would happen next, waiting to see who or what is behind the mysterious illness of the bullies of this school.  The overlying theme of the novel seems to be anti-bulling and students coming to the realization that their taunts and words are more harmful than they originally thought.  As well as the dangers of when those in authority turn a blind eye.

Peretti always has a way with presenting his story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, anticipating what will happen next, longing to find out what is the cause of things as well as who is behind it all.  He is able to put everything right in front of your eyes, but then still surprise you with the revelation.  His characters are complex and relatable. Elisha and Elijah are representations of someone you could be friends with.  Every school has an outcast like Ian Snyder just wanting to fit in as well as bullies like Jay Boltz.  The characters he creates elicit emotion and a sense of kinship with.

When all was revealed, I admit, I shuddered because it preyed on my own fears.  That in itself adds an effect to the story that other novels don't have because as I am squirming and twitching as I continue to read this novel to the end.  But I highly enjoyed the novel and suggest it to others.  I cannot wait to find the second novel in this series.  I want to see the wild ride Peretti plans to take us on.

Bones Will Speak

 

Title:  The Bones Will Speak by Carrie Parks
Media Source: Nook
Rating: 5 out of 5 paws

Recommendation:  Simply read this book.  Any murder mystery enthusiast would devour this novel.  Even if you haven't read a mystery yet, make this your first.

The Bones Will Speak is a murder mystery where a serial killer who uses religion as an excuse  for his killings.  He stalks a forensic artist to seek revenge calling her a traitor, but a traitor to what?

When Gwen's dog unearths a human cranium she embarks on a journey she never expected.  While searching for the rest of the remains, Gwen discovers the unconscious body of a missing girl.  This discovery leads to a whirlwind tale of a serial killer targeting Gwen and her family because of a previous case she worked on.  IT is discovered that he is a member of a supremacy group that uses the Old Testament to justify their beliefs.  The serial killer takes it farther and uses the same doctrine to justify his killing spree.

Wow, is all I can say about this book.  It has been a little while since a book has blown me away.  I devoured the book so quickly that I finished it in one night.  It captivated me throughout the entire story.  There is not a thing I didn't like about this novel.  Readers are thrown into the story from the beginning and are thrown into a roller coaster of a tale.  Throughout the book we see characters becoming more complex, Gwen goes through changes as she learns to forgive her ex-husband, those around her who constantly ask "how are you feeling", even her ex husband's new fiancé.  She becomes a stronger woman because of her struggles related to the serial killer and those in her personal life outside of the story.  I loved that Carrie Parks added that element to the story.  The readers get to see Gwen in different roles other than being the victim of a crime.

The way she reveals information is wonderful as well.  Some is revealed through other characters doing research, character dialogue, or character experience.  She mixes up the ways she uses to expose information such as the church groups or the killings in another city.  This keeps the story interesting and fresh.  As you are reading this book, you think you have it figured out but then Carrie throws in a plot twist and changes the whole thing. Bones Will Speak keeps you on the edge of your seat. 

I also enjoyed the Christian elements of Beth talking to Gwen about forgiveness, Aynslee praying with Maddie, and the scripture references, even the ones the serial killer was using.  It was interesting to see in a fictional novel someone taking the Old Testament and twisting it to suit their needs.  It was almost scary to think there are really people who believe the same things the serial killer and other organizations that Carrie mentions did.

Carrie Parks does an excellent job with this novel, I cannot wait to read more from her.  She has the same effect on me as Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti.  Well done Carrie, well done.

**Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program.  **

Thr3e

Title: Thr3e by Ted Dekker
Media Source: Paperback
Rating 5 out of 5 stars

"And does man simply choose evil, or does he create it?"

Thr3e is a chilling tale about Kevin Parson who is plague by a mysterious person threatening his life.  This whirlwind tale takes you to places you wouldn't expect with twists and turns along the way.  It definitely earns the title: thriller.

Kevin Parson is in his car alone, when he receives a phone call from an unknown person.  This person tells him to confess his sin to the world in 3 minutes or his car will explode.  Kevin struggles to determine what sin is the person talking about.  He rushes into a parking lot and runs from the car, seconds before it explodes.  Thus marking the beginning of a thrilling game of cat and mouse.  He comes across a childhood friend who helps him try to figure things out.  But the longer they take to figure out what sin the caller wants, the more dangerous he gets.

Wow...just wow.  Ted Dekker has always been one of my favorite authors and will continue to be one.  His stories are so captivating I stay up all night just to finish it.  I couldn't pry myself away from the story.  Right off the bat he hits the wow factor with the car explosion and keeps his readers hooked throughout the story.  There are so many twists and turns that you cannot even attempt to predict what will happen next or who is the mysterious caller.  His characters develop exceptionally well throughout the novel, readers witness the shift in Kevin's behavior almost immediately.  We see him turn from a put together seminary student to someone completely paranoid and on the verge of breaking.  He does with his use of language in descriptions and dialogue.  Nothing is done generically, Dekker truly has his own style.

There is suspense around every corner.  While the novel is considered Christian thriller, the Christian elements are not shoved in the reader's face.  They are paramount to the story, but the story doesn't revolve around them.  That is one thing that makes Dekker an excellent author, while he adds various elements into his writing nothing is over the top.  He does a great job at pulling his audience in and creates an atmosphere that is both chilling and fascinating.  There were so many times I let out an audible gasp as I was reading through this novel.  You just never know what to expect.  Dekker touches his readers on a psychological level, not only in Thr3e, but in his other novels.

Recommendation:  I would recommend Thr3e to everyone.  It has a little something for everyone: suspense, action, mystery, even a little romance  If you get the chance after reading the novel, check out the movie.