A.D. 30 by Ted Dekker

Mastermind Ted Dekker takes on Jesus.

With a story ten years in the making, A.D. 30 may be the most personally transforming book of Ted's.

The catch is, Jesus doesn't make much of an appearance. The story is about a warrior princess named Maviah. (or is she a slave) She is on a quest to seek King Herod's assistance with a battle of clans.

I have to tell you, the opening scene and the gut-wrenching death almost did me in. I almost stopped reading because I was so distraught. What was Dekker doing to me?!?!?!

But you fight through it and you'll get a huge reward.

There are many "trudging through the desert" scenes to get through. Once the trio of characters, Maviah and her three protectors, make it to civilization, then the real intrigue begins. And even yet, Jesus is just a whisper.

The ideas brought forth in this book began with his previous series (Eyes Wide Open, Water Walker, and Hacker) and I personally think Dekker did a better job presenting those ideas in the previous books. However, this will still stick with you and cause you to ponder the reality of what Jesus was preaching.

Everything is done from a new perspective around Jesus. You meet the women suffering from blood loss, you get to sit down and hash things out with the people only glanced at in Scripture.

This is another solid entry from Dekker. I can't wait to see what he does with the sequel.

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

Hacker by Ted Dekker

Hacker is the next book of the Outlaw Chronicles series.

It focuses on a hacker named Nyah who needs money to finance medical research to save her mom. When a hacking job goes wrong, Nyah finds herself in the cross-hairs of a giant corporation wanting nothing more than her silence at any cost.

I have really enjoyed Dekker's Outlaw books. Eyes Wide Open was a fantastic return to his mind-twisting style that made him famous. Water Walker was absolutely phenomenal. I couldn't put it down and it made me think about life in brand new ways.

Hacker began in that same vein. It deals with some of life's biggest questions and attempts to answer them in electronic fashion. Some truly mind-shattering concepts are explored with this book.

The plotting is typical fast-paced Dekker and the characters are quick.

This is a tremendous book until the end. It felt like this should have been a longer novel. I felt like Dekker needed more pages to flesh out some of the concepts that were really going well. Instead it seemed like the end needed to happen and everything happened too fast to tie things up.

We had some great storytelling happening, I was flipping through the pages and all of a sudden we get, "and they all lived happily ever after" What?!?! What about....and you can go through a list of everything that needed more time to be fleshed out but couldn't because of time constraints apparently.

These books are terrific reads. I just wanted more time in Hacker.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Worthy Publishing.

Water Walker by Ted Dekker

Ted Dekker has returned to his genius writing.

Water Walker is a sequel, of sorts, to Eyes Wide Open and Outlaw. I say of sorts because this is Ted Dekker we're talking about and he gets his thrills by twisting his readers into all sorts of knots and leaving them breathless for the next story.

In Water Walker meet an orphan named Alice living with her foster parents - moments before her birth mother kidnaps her. The FBI is on the case as well as the mysterious Stephen introduced in the final pages of Eyes Wide Open and Outlaw. Is Alice to be rescued or shouldn't she live with her real mother?

Those questions are only skin deep right? The real purpose of this story breathed new life into my relationship with God. It's a theme that Dekker has been exploring since his final co-authored book with Tosca Lee, Sovereign. And what is that theme? Ah, for that you need to read this book.

I promise you, you will not be able to get the ideas out of your head. You will contemplate the implications long after the last page is turned. You will want to break free just as some of the characters desire.

This is the book true Dekker fans will flock to and will loudly cheer the return of the mind-bending, soul-twisting author genius of Mr. Ted Dekker. You will be refreshed, friends. You will be challenged and your spirit will leap for light!

I cannot wait for the next one in the Outlaw series.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Worthy Publishing.

Outlaw by Ted Dekker

Ted Dekker returns to form with this prequel (of sorts) to Eyes Wide Open.

It's 1963, a mother is traveling, by sea, with her son. The horrific happens when the ship wreaks and the two are separated. Julian believes her son drowned in the storm and she is captured by savage tribe in the middle of nowhere, earth. Thus begins her terror-filled existence in a culture she can't understand.

Dekker has entered a new focus to his storytelling. What began as hints in Sovereign now come to full force in Outlaw. Why are Christians some of the most miserable people alive? If we are people set free from sin, why are we so depressed and defeated?

Dekker tackles this question within his adrenaline-laced plot and intriguing characters. There are moments with the jungle tribes that feel repetitive: Julian is constantly threatened with death and you're sure it's coming only to be left to live another day ... with the threat of death tomorrow. After a few chapters of this, I no longer cared.

The richness of the jungle tribes and setting come about because of Dekker's obvious personal history living in Indonesia. As you read the first part of the story, you are actually experiencing the surroundings with Julian. It feels/reads so real.

The latter part of the story take a twist with typical Dekker-yanks.

It's at this point where you realize where he's going with this story and then the larger series. (If you've read the Eyes Wide Open series you'll have a head's start)

This is an absolutely fantastic read not only for the story but for the deep thoughts you'll be left with.

I can't wait for the next one!

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

A Man Called Blessed by Ted Dekker

Re-released sequel to Blessed Child.

Dekker returns to the world of Caleb, the boy who could do miracles. But now he's grown and there's a couple who need his help in a fight against terrorists.

I read this book during a family vacation and it almost caused me to miss the entire vacation. My nose was stuck in this story.

This is a great example of early Dekker writing. Biblical intrigue to reel in the evangelicals and the high octane thrill ride that marked many of his later writings. You'll get romance, suspense, and political/theological commentary all wrapped in one package.

The only downside may be in the climax - it moves fairly quickly and seems rushed to print.

But make no mistake, this is a terrific Dekker novel.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Thomas Nelson Publishing.

Blessed Child by Ted Dekker

They have re-released one of Ted Dekker's earliest novels with a new cover.

Blessed Child has the orphaned boy who grows up in a monastery with little or no contact with the outside world. He is innocence pure and simple. What happens when he's taken out to explore the real world?

 When it is discovered that he can heal, forces both good and evil want this boy.

Ted Dekker weaves a fantastic tale here. You have supernatural thriller meets mild romance meets inspirational.

The book's co-author, Bill Bright adds his own afterward to nail it home for those who weren't able to pick up on the nuances throughout the story.

You'll be entertained by the story and challenged by the subtle ideas about who we are in Christ. This book was written early on in Dekker's career when he would stick with the evangelical pulse of a story. Later on he would dive more into the mainstream publishing world and open more readers to his style.

If you enjoy books with overtly religious overtones, you'll dive into this one with relish (and maybe mustard...)

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Thomas Nelson Publishing.

Mirrors by Ted Dekker

Book two of a four e-book saga. Ted Dekker slowly tips his hand.

With the first book, Identity, I relished the return of mind-bending Dekker storytelling. With Mirrors, I think I'm getting a slight grasp of where he's taking us but the joy of reading Dekker is that you will double back on whatever assumptions you make many times over.

I like the pacing of this story so far. I like how this book in unveiling more of the past for Christy ... I mean Alice...perhaps Christy.  These chapters fly by too soon. For those of us purchasing these e-books as they're released, the short wait between books is exhausting. (lucky you who can buy all four at once.)

Christy seems to get most of the backstory attention so far. But Austin has to get his due soon. The thing with his headaches and his mysterious past have to come to the fore soon.

I love how I'm not sure if the villains are the villains. Could it be that they truly are just trying to help them out? This is the joy of diving deep with Dekker.

Don't mistake these for full-length novels but they are worth the read!

Identity by Ted Dekker

Ted Dekker is trying the "episodic" e-book route. There will be four smaller e-books that will compile a regular-sized novel titled Eyes Wide Open.

Christy and Austin are friends who find themselves in an impossible situation that would strike fear in the heart of anyone. What if you stumble into a psych ward with no identification to prove who you are and the doctors mistake you for their new patients? 

The first chapter was difficult for me to get through. But I discovered that chapter one is simply the incline before this roller-coaster takes off.

As the first book of a four-book series, Identity is a short, fast read. It has the typical Dekker-laced plot. You will not be able to breathe until you see the "Continue with Mirrors, book 2" at the end. The characters move forward in pace with the story. There is nothing slowing down this master storyteller.

As he did with Thr3e, Dekker will have you questioning your own reasoning and conclusions with this first book. Nothing is as it seems and Ted is the perfect writer for giving your brain a twist.

I can't wait to start Mirrors!

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.

Mortal by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee

When I watched Star Wars Episode 3, I had to remind myself to watch it as an old-time serial; as Lucas intended. When I saw Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, I had to remind myself that it was made in the style of those retro alien drive-in flicks. This made watching the movies a little more bearable.

So when I began reading Mortal and I saw the many similarities to Dekker's previous fantasy series, The Circle, I had to remind myself to read this latest story as if it were my first Dekker book.

Having said that, this new trilogy is not completely like The Circle Series. While there are many similarities between Mortal and Red (begins in the desert on horseback, there's the allegory toward Christianity and the Church) there are many themes in this new set that are worth the exploration. And those themes are well worth the read. If you can get through it, you'll be thinking about the ideas well after the story ends with, "to be continued..."

This is the sequel to Forbidden. Rom has found a boy named Jonathan whose blood will awaken humanity. If you haven't read Forbidden, our genes have been altered by a virus so we don't have emotions except fear.

Jonathan's blood returns the emotions. Rom and his gang have begun calling themselves Mortals and the plan is to get Jonathan to awaken humanity.

There is a lot of hack-n-slash fighting in this sequel/stand-alone novel. There isn't much character development as most of the characters stay the same throughout the entire story. The exception to this would be Feyn and her brother Saric. Considered the villains, (or are they?) their arcs are full of twists and betrayals and self-interest you'd think you're watching the third Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

This book was provided for review, at no cost by FaithWords Publishing.

Forbidden by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee

Many years have passed since civilization's brush with apocalypse. The world's greatest threats have all been silenced. There is no anger, no hatred, no war. There is only perfect peace... and fear. But a terrible secret has been closely guarded for centuries: Every single soul walking the earth, though in appearance totally normal, is actually dead, long ago genetically stripped of true humanity.

Fleeing pursuit, with only moments to live, a young man named Rom stumbles into possession of a vial of blood and a piece of cryptic writing. When consumed, the blood will bring him back to life. When decoded, the message will lead him on a perilous journey that will require him to abandon everything he has ever known and awaken humanity to the transforming power of true life and love.

But the blood will also resurrect hatred, ambition, and greed.

Set in a terrifying, medieval future, where grim pageantry masks death, this tale of dark desires and staggering stakes peels back the layers of the heart for all who dare to take the ride. 

I am thrilled with this new adventure from Ted Dekker. Forbidden and the following Book of Mortals books have been touted as the greatest follow-up to Dekker's Circle series. And I'm thinking the reviewers may be right.

As the first book of a trilogy, Forbidden lays a solid foundation. Once you are introduced to our hero Rom, a man shows up with the message, "RUN!" There's no looking back for Rom.

I had never heard of Tosca Lee before learning she was partnering with Dekker on this series. The pairing is superb. Lee has quite the influence in this book. This addition is a wonderful experience. Lee and Dekker make a great pair. Her ideas and characters create the boost that Dekker's plots need.

You will be discussing the emotional and ethical dynamics of this book months after finishing it. In fact, it would be wise to read it multiple times in order to wrap your imagination around the intensity.

Like many of Dekker's books, Forbidden has a direct connection to The Circle Series and its hero, Thomas Hunter. Fans will probably notice the tie-in before it's revealed but they will be doing flips.

You have to hand it to Dekker and Lee. They have created a fine introduction to a world that will be full of surprises and cleverly unique.



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

The Priest's Graveyard by Ted Dekker

Ted Dekker has delivered a soul-punching novel that will keep you thinking long into the night. The Priest's Graveyard is not quite the suspenseful thriller like the past couple Dekker novels, yet just as intense.

Danny Hansen had a horrific experience as a child - his mother and sisters were raped and murdered. Years later he's serving out God's judgment on those who most deserve it most.

Renee Gilmore has been a slave to her pimp for a long time. When she decides to escape, she's rescued by a loving, yet strange man with peculiar rules.

Both Danny's and Renee's path will intersect leading to a startling confrontation.

Dekker has been leading his readers on a journey through the vastness of God's love for a long time now. While that aspect of love is part of this story, you will be hit harder by a different focus.

Like all of his stories, if too much is said in a review, the plot and message could be ruined.

Rest assured, this is Dekker at the top of his game. He alternates between first person and third person perspective with expert ease and he keeps the tempo racing.

The Priest's Graveyard will be too gruesome for some readers. The argument against making books too dark will continue to be a thorn in Dekker's flesh.

This is an excellent, original story with deep questions.

Ask yourself: Would you kill someone if it protected your child? Would you kill someone if it protected someone else's child? Is it right to follow the rules?

The Circle Saga 4-in-1 by Ted Dekker

Ted Dekker has re-released his fantasy series in one book. This thing is huge when you consider, you're reading 4 full length novels in one hardback book (Black, Red, White, Green).

With this edition, you will find a few alterations to Black in which Ted adds some clues from Green as well as a new alternate ending to Green. This new ending provides closure to the series instead of the mind-altering original ending.

Thomas Hunter is heading home when someone begins firing a gun at him. As a bullet grazes his head, he wakes up in another place. It feels like a dream until his dreams and reality blur causing him to question which is a dream and which is the real place.

A great evil is threatening both realities and it seems as if it's up to Hunter, alone, who can provide the answers.

This saga is the beginning of a mind-bending thrill ride.

At the end of this edition, there is a Q & A with the author about the creation of this series, the possibility to more books dealing with The Circle/Books of History Chronicles and what else he has in store.

If you enjoyed these books the first go around, this collection is well worth the read as you get a new ending to the entire saga. While some may not justify spending the money on books you've already read, Ted Dekker books are well worth the duplication!



This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Thomas Nelson Publishing

The Lost Books by Ted Dekker

Thomas Nelson Publishing has repackaged the graphic novels of Ted Dekker's young adult series into one hardback book.

The Lost Books is exactly what you need to have the first 4 graphic novels in one set. You have the bonus have protection with the hardcover, while the graphic novels themselves are the same, albeit a little smaller in size.

Everything is crystal clear in visuals; the colors are fantastic, the lettering is pristine.

If we need to say anything about the story, you haven't read the actual YA novels. Taking place during Ted Dekker's Circle Saga, The Lost Books provides some fun branching off of ideas and characters Dekker fans have grown to love.

This set includes: Chosen, Infidel, Renegade, and Chaos.

This is the perfect combo for fans of Dekker and those who have the actual books.



This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Immanuel's Veins by Ted Dekker

Ted Dekker is closing out his Thomas Nelson publisher run with Immanuel's Veins. From here on out he will be published by Hachette.

Immanuel's Veins tells the story of two men (Toma & Alek) tasked with protecting a family for the Russian Queen Catharine. Toma is the hero who has won many battles, Alek is the womanizer.

Once on the family's estate, the men are introduced to some bizarre neighbors who reside in the Carpathian Mountains. Led by one named Valerik, these neighbors have a thing for biting lips...and drinking blood. (Yes, this is Ted Dekker's version of Twilight but this isn't your typical vampire novel.)

Alek is quickly seduced by the beauty of the women and escapes to the castle in the mountains where all kinds of debauchery occur. In their defense, these vampire-like-people admit to simply acting on their great love for life.

Toma must rescue not only his friend, but also the two daughters he is ordered to protect and having fallen madly in love with one of them, you'll read Dekker's signature battle of good vs. evil surrounded by love.

This isn't Dekker at his best. It is a new perspective as he writes in first person (something brand new for Ted Dekker). The setting is new and different, (Russia in the 1700s) and you will definitely get caught up in the story. Ted has a unique ability to capture your attention from the get-go and hold it throughout the novel. Sadly the overall plot is one that Dekker has used far too often.

Man falls in love with girl. Bad guy wants to seduce girl. Girl falls for bad guy. Good guy confronts bad guy to win girl's heart.

We've seen this in the last 5 or 6 novels by Ted Dekker.

One a really positive note: fans of The Circle Series and The Books of History Chronicles will get some well deserved answers in this story.

Give this book to your vampire-loving friends then do a compare and contrast book club.


This book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson publishing.

Interview with Ted Dekker

New York Times Bestselling author Ted Dekker talks about his latest thriller, The Bone Collector and what's next.

Q: In your novel, the Bride Collector leaves his victims arranged in very specific, ceremonial positions. Where did the idea come from? And how did you put yourself inside the mind of someone who is so evil, so psychotic and so certain that what he is doing to his victims is justified?

A: The antagonist Quinton Gauld arranges his victims as angels on the wall, beautifully made up wearing only a bridal veil, consistent with his understanding that he is sending them to God as his bride. Tapping into the mind of such a person is painfully easy for all humans—evil isn’t so strange to any of us, I only put it on the page where most would not dare. They say that writing about evil is much easier than writing about goodness, and it’s this latter exercise, making good as fascinating as evil, that consumes me the most. Enter Paradise, an innocent woman in the book who is for me the most fascinating character by a long shot. I adore Paradise.

Q: You portray the mentally ill characters in the book in an authentic and sympathetic way. What research was involved, and what were the challenges you faced as you described the inner workings of their minds?

A: Having grown up in a remote culture that had a very different perception of what constituted beauty and value, I’ve always been fascinated with the relative nature of what people think of as correct behavior or the proper way of being. As such, I have always wondered if what we call at least some forms of mental illness is really just an alternative mental state that isn’t necessarily worse that what we think of as normal. What if some forms of mental illness represent in fact a superior state of mental awareness than the norm?

Armed with the question, I poured over numerous books and created Paradise, an empathetic character who we fall in love with. Much of my characterization of the cast is taken from my research. The rest came from my own experience—after all, many consider me crazy. Seriously, who else would write the kind of books I write, but a nut case?

Then again, maybe you, the reader, are the true nut case. Hmmmm….

Q: You got your start writing spiritual novels, and have since gone into mainstream fiction with BoneMan’s Daughter and now THE BRIDE COLLECTOR. What would you say to someone who still labels you a “Christian fiction” writer? Do faith and spirituality have an impact on your thrillers?

A: It’s interesting how people love labels even if they mean completely different things to different people. The truth is, it’s impossible to strip someone’s worldview from their art, because one informs and shapes the other. Take Stephen King or Dean Koontz as an example. Both have written many books with strong spiritual themes, sometimes with imagery that’s more “Christian” than mine. That doesn’t mean they write “Christian fiction.” Like me, they are storytellers whose stories are informed by their own worldview. I think we all resist being put into any one box identified with a label.

Q: You are very interactive with your fans, both in person and online. The Gatherings you hold in various cities have had more than 500 fans attending each event, and you have over 40,000 fans on Facebook, right behind James Patterson. Can you tell us a little about how you’ve built up your community, and why you think the fans are so passionate and involved with your books?

A: Lots of hard work. For years, I’ve been very involved with our community and it’s grown slowly. What you see didn’t happen overnight. I think what we have works because I don’t see my readers as an audience to market to, which is where a lot of artists miss it. It’s a two-way relationship. We work very hard at listening to what they want and then try to surprise them with new ideas and ways to go beyond the books. They want to be heard and to connect.

Q: What is the next book that Ted Dekker thriller fans have to look forward to?

A: I just wrapped up my April 2011 thriller, The Priest’s Graveyard. It’s a story unlike any I’ve written, about a priest who kills the worst abusive hypocrites of society—a unique kind of vigilante who saves many innocent victims. Naturally his world unravels in dramatic fashion. I love the characters that I’ve thrown into this impossible situation, and I think it will take readers on a completely different kind of ride than they’re used to.


This interview is used with permission from Kevin Kaiser.

The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker

A straight-forward thriller by Ted Dekker can be found in The Bride Collector.

Don't expect the twists and turns that cause your brain to implode. This isn't a novel like Thr3e or Skin. The Bride Collector is about beauty, mental illness and good vs. evil.

Lately Dekker has been on this theme of beauty and asking the question, "what is beauty?".

FBI special agent Brad Raines is the man hunting a serial killer known as The Bride Collector. This person abducts women under 25 years of age, subdues them, strips them down to their underwear, hangs them from a wall, then drills a hole in their heel and lets them bleed dry.

Dekker has a thing for creating villains with quirks. We had a guy who loved to suck mustard from the jar, a guy who covered himself with facial cream, and now we have The Bride Collector who eats his oranges with peanut butter.

I'm sure a number of you, after reading this, will try that combination.

Believing the killer may have some mental issues, Raines seeks help from residents of a psychiatric institute for mentally ill people who have extraordinary gifts.

Can Raines stop the Collector before he kills seven women? He's already killed three and the next victim may be Raines' partner.

Ted Dekker writes the popcorn fiction - novels that take a day or two to read, they keep you up late at night because you can't put them down and once you finish, you're left contemplating the significance of the "moral of the story".

With The Bride Collector as with Boneman's Daughters, Dekker likes to reiterate the point too often - for those of you in the cheap seats who can't figure it out.


(The tiny winks to The Circle Saga was nice)


This book was provided for review by Central Street Publishing

Tea with Hezbollah by Ted Dekker and Carl Medearis

Ted Dekker has travelled to the Middle East to sit with the leaders of Hezbollah, Hamas and others to ask them what they think of Jesus' teaching of love your enemies.

Tea With Hezbollah is not a political book. It is not a religious book. But it is a book that deals with those issues on top of a story about a girl named Nicole.

Ted and his friend, Carl, decided to travel throughout the Middle East and learn from some of those Americans perceive to be our enemies. You'll experience their fears and joys as you ride along in the back alleys of Beruit, Bethlehem, Saudi Arabia and others. The recorded conversations in the book might surprise you. Who would imagine that leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas would have families they love dearly?

They ask questions like, "what makes you cry" and "what is your favorite joke". The purpose being to show that these men are human beings and not just a thing to be feared.

People who are adamantly pro-Israel may have trouble enjoying this book. Neo-Cons will bemoan the "bleeding-hearts" of the authors.

But don't be fooled. This experience that is now in book form will be the start of learning to love our enemies.


This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

Burn by Ted Dekker & Erin Healy

Burn is the second book by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy. Kiss being their first venture.

She Escaped the Fire—But Not the Effects of the Burn

Janeal feels trapped in her father’s Gypsy culture. But everything changes one night when a brutal and powerful man named Salazar Sanso promises her the life she longs for if she will help recover a vast sum of money tied to her father.

When the plan implodes, Sanso and his men attack the gypsy settlement and burn it to the ground. During the blaze, Janeal is faced with a staggering choice.

The impact of that choice changes her forever.

Years later, the wonderful and terrible truth of what really happened that night begins to sear Janeal’s soul. In a horrifying revelation, Janeal learns that nothing about her life since has been exactly what it seems. As truth rises from the ashes of her past, Janeal finds she must make a new life-or-death choice. But this time, escape is not an option.

The above is quoted from Erin Healy's website.

The first section of Burn takes us to the gypsy culture, full of their language and nuance. This becomes tiresome where you end up wishing for just plain English.

The second section reveals some information that you knew would happen (can't give spoilers) but builds the desire to figure out the twist-to-come because you know there has to be one.

I found this book to be one of the most boring of Dekker's plus the most confusing.

It took me a while, putting the book down, to chew on the twist and try to figure it out from what I already knew.

Green by Ted Dekker

The beginning and the end happen in one novel called Green. Fans of author Ted Dekker have been waiting for this book since White came out.

Continuing his world found in The Circle Trilogy, Dekker shows what the final battle between good and evil looks like in his fantasy world where spiritual things are made real.

Green is the culmination of a huge story arc. Included are the books: Black, Red, White, Showdown, Saint, Sinner, and the Young Adult novels: Chosen, Infidel, Renegade, Chaos, Lunatic, and Elyon.

In a world thousands of years into our future, Thomas Hunter is the leader of The Circle. His enemies, The Horde are looking for the ultimate battle to finish them once and for all.

If you haven't read anything of Ted Dekker that I just mentioned above, this review won't really mean anything to you. (Other than you need to pick up Green!)

I was excited to sink back into the fantasy world that Dekker created in The Forest Guard and The Black Forest - with the Roush, Teeleh and many other familiar characters. But I was hoping to find more characters from the other novels involved as well.

Basically, outside of Thomas and his band of Elyon followers, the only characters to pop up are his sister Kara, Monique de Raison and Billy.

I wanted to see Johnny and Darcy again.

This is a sweeping novel and it is very violent. When you have a multi-thousand man battle taking place, you're going to have severed heads and body parts. The story is epic in every sense of the word! Dekker and created the true, mind-bending and sometimes confusing circle.

One big thing that I was not at all happy to discover is that Dekker created some character and plot points to move ahead with his vampire-heavy stories in the future. And until someone can prove to me otherwise, I see this move as an author wanting to jump on the Vampire-pop-culture-fad bandwagon and milk the money.

Someone please prove me wrong!