The Circle Trilogy, Book #1, "Black" by Ted Dekker

Publisher: Thomas Nelson; 1st edition (2004)
ISBN: 0-8499-1790-5

Thomas Hunter is a Filipino immigrant in the U.S. who lives with his elder sister. The Circle Trilogy seems to cross between the "thriller" genre to "fantasy", with the existence of another world being key. Basically, Thomas is knocked out one night, while coming home from work, and he awakes in another reality, that seems far more real than his home in Denver. This world turns out to be the future of his own, a place with odd bat-like creatures, a human race that never dies, and a bridge that separates the "colored forest" from the evil "black forest". Thomas doesn't know whom to believe, and what reality is the truth as he continues to wake up in both realities. But when he learns about the cause of the destruction of earth, a virus called "the Raison strain", he makes it his goal to stop it. He heads to Thailand with his sister, where he kidnaps the only person who can help him, Monique de Raison. Things only get worse, however, as Monique is then kidnapped from Thomas by the very man who wants to hold the world ransom.

I feel rather indifferent about Thomas. He is courageous, but only because he's desperate, and he is rather gullible too. And his epiphany that God is real doesn't come from faith, but rather proof, so I really couldn't connect with his character.
Kara, Thomas' big sister, thinks he's going crazy. She eventually comes to believe him, and her love makes her stick by him no matter what. She is one of the most likable characters in the book. Unfortunately, she is barely in it.
Rachelle, the woman who falls in love with Thomas while he lays unconscious, is as about as realistic as that development. She is the most gorgeous woman in the world, and she is skilled at martial arts to boot. Perfection is dull no matter how you slice it, and her relationship with Thomas feels forced.
The two bats, Michal and Calbin, are charming, in an odd way. With their ignorance of human ways, they were one of the few things that made me smile in this otherwise, grim story.

The story is the only strong point, its intricate and original. Unfortunately, it alone cannot make a good book. Rachelle made me ill almost every time I read of her. The explanation of Elyon's (God's) love was something else that made me cringe. I don't think anyone other than a devout Christian would keep reading after that scene. It just feels cheesy and unreal.

Ted Dekker, shows great originality in the plot, and promise as a good storyteller for the future even with my whining. I would give it two stars for the story idea, alone.

If you want to learn more about Dekker, and please do, his writing has improved since he wrote this, you can check out his website.

If you wish to purchase this book, you can get it in Paperback edition at Amazon.com for a bargain of only six bucks.

Next up, I'll review "Cape Refuge" by Terri Blackstock.

Jill Lewis Mystery Trilogy #1, "The Chase" by Robin Shope and Susan Wales

Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Fleming H. Revell Company (February 2004)
ISBN-10: 0800759346
ISBN-13: 978-0800759346

Jill Lewis is a reporter who just busted a child trafficking scheme by the popular senator Burke, that will make her a household name. However, it all blows up in her face when new documents magically spring up, proving the adoptions that Senator Burke was involved in were all legit. Jill then loses her job, followed by her boyfriend of three years. Not knowing what to do, she decides to return to her hometown in Wisconsin. Here, she temporarily moves in with her mom and gets a job at the town's newspaper. Secretly, she continues her investigation of the senator. Trouble however, seems to follow Jill, from someone breaking into her house, to someone trying to push her off the road. She then decides to confide in her new boss, Craig. Together the two of them question the real reason behind the death of Jill's dad, discovering that he may be involved with what his daughter was investigating.

Jill, although proud at the start, eventually accepts Jesus into her life. But she is never annoying or selfish in her disbelief, instead simply hesitant to trust God.
Craig, her mysterious boss, is slightly confusing to understand, as he seems to keep Jill at an arms length. It's easy to relate to Jill's anguish over her feelings for him.
Pearl, Jill's mom, is another character that becomes hard to understand. Jill's sister is the same way, as everyone seems to have something to hide.
Marge is a character to note, as reading of her outrageous outfits often made me laugh.

There were few flaws I found through this story. The first, being how Jill makes her change from being against Christianity, to suddenly being for it. The conversion seems to happen over one supernatural experience, instead of just gradually over the year she spends home. I thought she should have fought with the change, instead of ignoring it then suddenly being gung-ho.
They're were also rare moments where I would pause and think, "that doesn't seem natural", like Craig's reaction to receiving such a momentous gift-casual and nonchalant. It could have been Craig just being odd, but Jill has no reaction to HIS reaction. Again, these are rather minor complaints, and might even go unnoticed by some.

Overall, I would give this mystery/suspense novel four out of five stars. Definitely a page turner.

Unfortunately, neither authors have homepages, and this is only available used at Amazon.com. Your best bet would probably be to go to you nearest Christian store, and look in the bargain section. More likely though, you'll find it at a Christian outlet store.

Next up, I'll review Book #1 of the Circle Series, "Black", by Ted Dekker.