Merciless by Robin Parrish

I found this book at a local Christian retailer. I was surprised because it was on the shelves two weeks early. I have been waiting for this book since I finished Fearless last Summer and it was exactly what I wanted!

Robin Parrish has created a blockbuster trilogy with Relentless, Fearless and now Merciless.

The story follows Grant Borrows, a man who steps off a bus and sees himself walking on the other side of the street. Something has shifted, and when he looks at his reflections, he doesn't recognize himself.

Grant notices a ring on his finger that doesn't seem to want to come off. Plus, he's able to do some strange things with his mind. It's almost as if he's got super powers...

But with these powers comes a secret organization devoted to usher in the ultimate evil. The only question seeking an answer: is Grant going to become this evil or will he be destined to battle it?

Relentless kicks off the story and, I think, is the best of the three. It feels like you're reading an episode of LOST. There are always questions needing to be answered with each chapter giving you more clues but not quite giving you the whole solution. Borrows meets up with others like him and call themselves the Loci. Borrows seems to have the ability to connect with the other Loci. He seems to be the most powerful one.

Fearless continues once Borrows (now known as Guardian) and the Loci take hold of their new identities as superheroes and attempt to make the world a better place. However, the Secretum of Six (the secret organization) are always there behind the scenes manipulating Borrows and his team toward something more sinister. While not as engaging as Relentless, Fearless has an ending that caused all of us to scream in anticipation for the final installment.

Merciless. The name alone evokes dread. Something arises from the depths with power to destroy the entire planet. Wherever this thing, Oblivion, walks; death and decay follow. He can wipe out an entire coalition of military forces with one thought - an energy wave of destructive power. Oblivion's mission is to travel to Israel and use this energy wave to consume the planet.

This finale is everything I hoped it would be: Superheroes going mano a mano with the ultimate evil, powers are used, people are killed who you wouldn't expect.

This was the book that Ted Dekker's Sinner should have been. Of course, since it isn't out yet, there is still the possibility of a change. But as of right now, Robin Parrish rules the realm of fiction writing!