Wednesday, September 12, 2012

The Sanctuary by Ted Dekker

As a sequel to The Priest's Graveyard, Dekker's latest continues the story of Renee Gilmore and Danny Hansen. And it succeeds in every aspect.


Danny is serving time in prison. While he is transferred to a new facility, Renee receives a box containing a human finger with a warning that Danny's life is in danger. Now Renee must figure out a way to rescue her man before time runs out and more people die. Getting into the sanctuary is easy; getting out is impossible. Who can she trust before the body count includes her?


I was fascinated by this book. It wasn't a typical Dekker novel. It read like he has turned a corner with his writing. It had some similarities: adrenaline-laced plots and twists and turns with each chapter, this book takes on some deeper meanings and layers. I like it a lot.

While in this new "sanctuary" Danny is tasked with complex tasks of protection and punishment. Will he be able to stand strong to his new principles of nonviolence or will the new warden bring the beast back out to wreak righteous judgement on the wicked inside?

Some may find the details of such rehab too intense. Some may not enjoy the setting and the life inside a prison described, but Dekker is not new to such criticism. The story makes the questions asked long after the book is finished. You may even want to go back and read it all over again.

While you may find yourself debating the values of our penal system and rehabilitation techniques, Dekker pulls out a more universal question that is bound to have fans clamoring for more.

The villain is ruthless, the love is relentless and the action is heart-stopping. As cliche as this phrase as become in reviews, this is honestly Ted Dekker at his best.




This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Center Street.

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