Reviewed by Stephen: 9 out of 10.

I must admit, I was a little apprehensive at first, seeing the “juvenile fiction” label on the spines of all The Lost Books (Chosen, Infidel, Renegade, Chaos, Lunatic, Elyon). The thickness of each book—about three-quarters the size of a regular paperback—also seemed as a letdown at first glance. But, as is almost always the case with Ted Dekker, after finishing the book, I had discarded my initial judgments and potential disappointments, enjoying every moment of the story.

The Lost Books span the 15-year gap when Thomas first enters Middle Forest and when Red, the second book of The Circle Series, starts. These years are glossed over in Red, and The Lost Books fill you in on the many adventures that happened over that period. The Circle Series can easily be read without The Lost Books, but I would recommend reading all The Lost Books sequentially after Black, the first book in The Circle Series, for the best experience of this mammoth story.

Chosen launches us into the engrossing tales of Johnis, Billos, Darsal and Silvie as they discover untold depths of love, hate and war in the Other Earth. Johnis, the most unlikely of heroes, is discovered by Thomas Hunter as the Chosen One, spoken of in the prophecies who will destroy the reign of the Dark One over the people of the Other Earth. And, together with Billos, Darsal, and Silvie, all of whom are also chosen, the four comrades go on many adventures together, the first being told of in Chosen.

What I thought would be a disappointingly short book length actually turned out to be the series’ greatest asset (assuming the next books in the series are as good as the first). The story, being much shorter than a full-length novel, was punchy, concise, and quick to the action.

A few light-bulb moments  also occurred in Chosen when it seamlessly linked The Paradise Series in with The Circle Series. Parallels were drawn between both worlds, and the overall grandeur of Dekker’s ambitious story came fully into perspective for the first time. My mind boggles at the background planning that must have gone into these books.

After finishing Chosen, I instantly wanted to pick up Infidel, book two in the series, as the pacing and tense nature of the series was so superbly set with this book. What I imagined to be a slightly disappointing letdown in The Circle Series turned out to be one of its best kept secrets. Maybe that’s why these books are entitled: The Lost Books. Either way, they’re keepers.

Click here to visit Ted Dekker’s site.

Reviewed by Stephen: 10 out of 10.

“Four novels. Two worlds. One story.”

Black
An incredible story of evil and rescue, betrayal and love, and a terrorist threat unlike anything the human race has ever known. A virulent evil has been unleashed upon the people of Earth. The only man who can stop it is Thomas Hunter, an unlikely hero whose life is stretched between two worlds. Every time he falls asleep in one reality, he awakes in the other. Soon Thomas no longer knows which reality is real. Yet it quickly becomes apparent that his choices in each world impact the other–and that the fates of both rest in his hands.

Red
In one world, Thomas Hunter is a battle-scarred general commanding an army of primitive warriors. In the other, he’s racing to outwit sadistic terrorists intent on creating global chaos through an unstoppable virus. Thomas must find a way to change history–or face the destruction of two worlds.

White
Thomas Hunter has only days to survive two separate realms of danger, deceit, and destruction. The fates of both worlds now rest on his unique ability to shift realities through his dreams. Thomas and The Circle must quickly decide who they can trust–both with their own lives and the fate of millions. And neither the terror of Black nor the treachery of Red can prepare Thomas for the forces aligned against The Circle in White.

Green
When least expected, a twenty-four year old named Thomas Hunter fell asleep in our world and woke up in that future Black Forest. A gateway was opened for Teeleh to ravage the land. Devastated by the ruin, Thomas Hunter and his Circle swore to fight the dark scourge until their dying breath. But now The Circle has lost hope. Samuel, Thomas Hunter’s cherished son, has turned his back on his father. He gathers the dark forces to wage a final war. Thomas is crushed and desperately seeks a way back to our reality to find the one elusive hope that could save them all.

“This is the series I was born to write. Dive Deep” — Ted Dekker

It has been over a year since I first dove into the adventure that was previously entitled The Circle Trilogy. Now, many months and a new title — The Circle Series — later, and I have begun the adventure again. Not only that, but I now wholeheartedly agree with the above quote from Dekker himself, that this was indeed the story he was born to write. Not since The Shack have I been so completely immersed, challenged and changed by a work of fiction.

The Circle Series now makes up 4 of the whopping fourteen books in the epic collection known as The Books of History Chronicles (Black, Red, White – Showdown, Saint, Sinner – Chosen, Infidel, Renegade, Chaos, Lunatic, Elyon – Skin, House). The magnificent scope of this interlocking, interweaving story is so daring and so ambitious that it quite literally has my mind spinning, even weeks after finishing Book Zero of The Circle Series: The Beginning and the End. Also known as Green.

I’ve read a lot of Dekker books, and this series is classic Ted at his best. The story is so moving, the characters so real, the plot so richly deep that after getting to the end of the series you don’t want it to end. And, it doesn’t . . . yet. I’m going to have to tread very carefully here in order to talk about this without dropping any story spoilers, but yes, in my opinion I don’t think this is the end. Right now the story is left as a completely seamless circle (as the name of the series implies in a clever and pun-like way), but there is so much room for Dekker to now branch away from that circle and form a kind of infinite figure-eight. The rumours over in The Circleare that he will in fact do this with his just-finished book, Immanuel’s Veins (also known as IV), due to hit the stores in March 2010.

Many fans have been left with a slightly sour taste in their mouths with the way Ted ended Green and brought the whole series “full circle”, but like I said, I highly doubt he will leave it where it is, but in true Ted Dekker fashion, I think he will bring a completely new thread out of it: the most unlikely one people will think of.

In an interview over at TitleTrakk.com, Ted is asked the question: “…why [do] you think people are connecting so strongly to this particular series?”

To which Ted responds with quite astounding insight, “It certainly isn’t because of me, I can tell you that. It’s because I’m tapping into an irresistible story, which is the story of our own redemptive history.”

Indeed, that same redemptive history that we, as Christians, grow so accustomed to that we forget just how mind-blowing it really is until we see it reworded and refashioned in new, metaphorical terms. If you only ever read four Dekker books in your life, make them Black, Red, White and Green of The Circle Series.

Dive deep.

Reviewed by Stephen: 10 out of 10.

As foretold by ancient prophets, an apocalypse destroyed Earth during the twenty-first century. But two thousand years later Elyon set upon the earth a new Adam. This time, however, He gave humanity an advantage. What was once unseen became seen. It was good and it was called…Green. Enter an apocalyptic story like none you have read. A story with links to our own history so shocking that you will forget you are in another world at all. Welcome to Green. Book Zero.

If you read my review of The Circle Trilogy earlier this year then you would probably understand my undulated excitement when Ted Dekker announced that he would be writing another book for The Circle Series entitled Green.

As with any series you hold in the highest regard, there can be a niggling suspicion that a new addition to the scene will not only spoil the series for you, but also lower the credibility and enjoyment of the other books in your mind as well. Thankfully, Green was not one of those sour cases . . . for the most part. New characters, new twists, and a whole new life and dimension to the already flourishing Circle were just the start of the positives to this book; but, and yes, there’s a but . . . there was also a very strange ending to the Circle saga. Was I disappointed with said ending? I’ll get to that soon.

The insights in this book run as deep as Elyon’s lakes, and were not only a great encouragement to read, but also a tremendous revelation as well. The critics have accused this book many times for containing far too much glorification of evil and not dwelling enough on the light. Hm. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: In order to truly appreciate the light, one must first realise the depth and inescapable nature of the pit of evil they are, or were, in. If you see the antidote without first seeing the shocking disease, you will probably scorn the cure.

Getting back to my thoughts on the ending of Green, I am very much at an impasse. At the end of Green, coming “full circle” as Ted calls it has left a somewhat chaotic response from fans. Many object to the ending and its surface implications. Without giving away too much of critical value to the story, and a reader’s initial impressions thereof, I simply cannot decide whether the ending is Ted’s biggest blunder or his biggest stroke of brilliance. It took a month of mulling to truly get my head around said ending, and my thoughts now to the virgin reader would be to tackle the end of Green with an open mind and to try to look beyond the glaringly obvious into a completely new world. Think outside the square to a circle that ends, yet does not. You might hate the ending, you might love it. Either way, the book still gets a 10-star rating from me. The story is just that good.

Speaking of books (funny to be doing that on a book review site, I know), I have not read a book that I could not put down in quite a long time. Green was definitely a welcome, furious-page-turning change. If you’re looking for the best kind of suspense–that which is truly suspenseful while maintaining significantly deep spiritual parallels–then look no further than Green and the rest of The Circle Series.

“Dive deep into a world of colour. Of Green, of Black, of Red, of White.”

Reviewed by Symon: 8.5 out of 10.

Thunder Of Heaven by Ted Dekker is the third and installment in the Martyr’s Song Series (which is really book 4 when you include the prequel).

Deep in the Amazon jungle a young American woman and the son of plantation owners fall madly in love. For Tanya and Shannon, life is a paradise most only dream about. But today paradise ends. The jungle has hatched more than idyllic love. It has also spawned insidious evil. An evil shrouded in a plot so diabolically brilliant that America will be brought to its knees at the hands of a few terrorists. Nothing stands in the way of terrible destruction. Except for the love of one woman.

Thunder Of Heaven is less ‘chick-flick’ than the synopsis implies, and although begins all romantic-like, very quickly changes tact to include drug cartels, massacres by gunship, witchcraft, CIA cover-ups, black ops missions, nuclear bomb threats etc.  In other words, a very entertaining, engaging read and one which I enjoyed immensely.

Thunder Of Heaven seems to be the odd one out of the Martyr’s Song series.  It is very different from the previous three installments and the story is only thinly related to the rest.  Dekker has chosen to pack this book with more action/adventure and less ‘deep spiritual allegory’ which I appreciated.  Although it is not of the theological level of When Heaven Weeps, I was still was very encouraged by the faith-themes running through it.  It always amazes me how God speaks through fiction by gifted Christian authors.  I usually am more inspired by good Christian fiction than by Christian non-fiction.

Thunder Of Heaven is a relatively short novel, is fast-paced, unpredictable and thoroughly enjoyable.  My type of book.

Click here to visit Ted Dekker’s website.

Reviewed by Les: 8 out of 10.

There is a bit of history to this book. It all started when my great mate Burton coerced me into a fun-filled afternoon chasing the mysterious Bigfoot in Whangarei’s Mair Park (see here).

So, after winning the competition as part of the author’s viral marketing campaign I was delighted to receive amongst the very generous pile of books (payment for lying in a wet puddle) a signed copy of Pulse, the uncorrected Advanced Readers Copy – oooh aaahh.

I had previously read and enjoyed Kronos by Jeremy Robinson (See here for the review and interesting facts about the author himself) and I was keen to see how his latest offering would pan out.

I found Pulse to be a fairly light read. No deep character formation, but at just over 300 pages, less is more… more action anyway.

Jeremy Robinson introduces us to the Delta Force Operatives known as the Chess Team. You can look forward to seeing more of them in upcoming novels. King, Queen, Knight, Rook and Bishop (no really, they are cool) take you on a high speed thriller ride which blended with a touch of sci-fi produce a story that I didn’t want to leave unattended for to long.

There are some truly great action scenes (with some of the most unlikeliest villains) that would keep any James Byron Huggins fans happy and also a few twists to satisfy the Dekker fans amongst us.

Like Kronos, Pulse contains a smattering of questionable words – which for all the emphasis they added could have been left out altogether.

Short and sweet, keeping you on the edge of your seat. An easy and extremely enjoyable read.

Click here to visit Jeremy Robinson’s website.

Reviewed by Symon: 6 out of 10.

Christopher Burke and his crew of NASA astronauts are the first human beings to walk on the surface of Mars. Their return to Earth was supposed to be a momentous day. But a surprise is waiting for them there that’s beyond imagining. Safe after a treacherous landing in Florida, the crew emerges to find the unthinkable: every man, woman, child, and animal has vanished without a trace. It’s not a dream. It’s not a trick. It’s real. Alone now on their home planet, the crew sets out to discover the extraordinary secret behind the disappearance of mankind. And whether or not everyone can be brought back. But they may not be as alone as they thought.

Reviewed by Burton: 7 out of 10.

I was ecstatic the day Nightbringer arrived at my doorstep. All the way from the US of A. My James Byron Huggins library is now complete.

Nightbringer is classic Huggins but somewhat stripped down to just 300 pages. I really, really wanted to love this book, but alas, it fell short of Huggins greatness.

Reviewed by Burton: 9 out of 10.

The English-speaking world is divided into those who have read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and those who are going to read them. (The Sunday Times)

I almost don’t feel worthy enough to review a book which won the ‘Millennium Children’s Book Award’ but here goes nothing…

I first read the Hobbit when I was 13. At the time, being far from the bookworm I am now… I struggled through it, and really didn’t see what all the hoo-har about Tolkien was. Not surprisingly, I never got to the Rings Trilogy.So, 22 years later I have revisited The Hobbit and what an adventure I had.

The Hobbit (written in 1937 by J. R. R. Tolkien) is the story of a Hobbit (surprise, surprise) called Bilbo Baggins, who is enjoying an uneventful life until it is interrupted by a visit from the wizard Gandalf. Gandalf invites himself to tea and arrives with a company of dwarves. They embark on a journey to recover the lost treasure of Lonely Mountain, guarded by the dragon Smaug. Their adventures include trolls, elves, goblin hordes, monstrous wolves, giant eagles, changelings, giant spiders, massive battles and so on. As you can see by my very brief synopsis (I don’t want to spoil the story), it is the classic fantasy tale.

To say that The Hobbit is anything less than a masterpiece of children’s literature would be to lie, so I’m not going to use this space convincing you to read it. Just do (before the movie comes out in 2011). Instead I wish to ask the question… are good wizards, using good magic appropriate in Christian fiction?

J.R.R. Tolkien was a devout catholic who also had a huge interest in pagan mythology, and Middle earth is a marriage of the two… a world full of mythological creatures and magic with vague Christian undertones.

Personally, I struggle with Tolkien’s mixture… always have and probably always will. Although the Narnia Chronicles are similarly fantastical, the Christian message stands out clearly for all to see, unlike Middle earth where unless one is looking (very studiously I might add) the Christian themes are as hard to find as a Gollem in the Misty Mountains. But I digress.

My experience of the classic children’s book, read as a kidult that sees more in black and white than in grey-scale when it comes to sorcery, The Hobbit is a very near masterpiece… 9 out of 10 it is.

Reviewed by Jon: 10 out of 10.

The Paradise War

From the dreaming spires of Oxford, Lewis Gillies drives north to seek a mythical creature in a misty glen in Scotland. Expecting little more than a weekend diversion, Lewis finds himself in a mystical place where two worlds meet, in the time-between-times—and in the heart of a battle between good and evil.

The Silver Hand

The great king, Meldryn Mawr, is dead, and his kingdom lies in ruins. Treachery and brutality rule the land, and Albion is the scene of an epic struggle for the throne. Lewis Gillies returns as Llew, seeking the true meaning behind a mysterious prophecy—the making of a true king and the revealing of a long awaited champion: Silver Hand.

The Endless Knot

Fires rage in Albion: strange, hidden fires, dark-flamed, invisible to the eye. Llew Silver Hand is High King of Albion, but now the Brazen Man has defied his sovereignty and Llew must journey to the Foul Land to redeem his greatest treasure. The last battle begins, and the myths, passions, and heroism of an ancient people come to life as Llew faces his greatest test yet.

In the same way that The Circle Trilogy marks what I would unreservedly say is the magnum opus of Ted Dekker’s work, the Song of Albion captured me in a likewise manner, and although I have yet to read more of Stephen Lawhead’s work, this series carries with it a certain quality that seems to speak “exemplification of the authors’ work” (you can find my in-depth reviews of each individual novel through the links above).

Pacing in this series was near on perfection. I say near perfection because the train ride seemed to stagger and lag for just a little bit too long in the beginning of The Endless Knot. However, when the story picked itself back up off the floor, it soared to the final and satisfying conclusion with terrific speed. The ending is certainly no Chronicles of Narnia, but it is satisfying nonetheless and was not spoiled by a six-inch deep epilogue, extro/outro, afterword, conclusion or author’s note.

The writing of Lawhead is quite unlike the style of any other Christian author I have read in the sense that it feels more like [Lawhead] is a Christian and an author as two separate entities as opposed to someone who specifically lets morals and message directly influence their writing. This is where it comes down to the reader’s own preferences as to what they personally prefer to spend time reading, because both types have a place; but if you get a message from Lawhead’s writing, the chances are you brought your own implications to the table yourself, and the themes in the book only strengthened what you were already wanting to harvest from the story.

Stephen Lawhead paints with an uninhibited, true-to-life brush made all the more unique by his expansive vocabulary and attention to striking details. His descriptions border on ingenious and it seems he always makes every effort to visit the settings and locations he writes in and the quality of the research shines through because of that. If this is the type of writing you are looking for to bring to life a hearty adventure story, then this series won’t leave you disappointed.

Click here to visit Lawhead’s site.

Reviewed by Symon: 7.5 out of 10.

Contrary to ancient wisdom, I do tend to judge a book by its cover at first. Just look at the cover of Kronos… Awesome.

I can’t even remember how I stumbled upon Jeremy Robinson’s website, but I did, and was intrigued to read the following in his FAQs:

I’m a Christian… but I do not write exclusively Christian books. In fact, I don’t refer to myself as a “Christian author” or “an author who writes Christian fiction”. I prefer to use the term Biblical speculation to describe what I write… but all of them are mainstream novels (not intended for a Christian audience). So, while some of my novels might have touches of positive Biblical Speculation they are not intended to be prosetylization.