Review by Kara Grant
IN THIS RACE ONLY THE WINNER WILL BE
ALLOWED TO LIVE.
When media celebrity Kyle Borders wins a spot on Extreme Mortality, the biggest reality show ever, he’s determined to use the opportunity to live out his faith before the worldwide audience.
Daniel Vats, the show’s creator, has never killed anyone, but he can hardly wait to start. Kidnapping the contestants, he thrusts them into a fight for survival of the fittest, forcing them to run a perilous race to the death—televised on live feed before the world—on a remote South Pacific Island.
Who will live? Who will die? And why is Daniel so vehement about proving Kyle a phony? The shocking revelations will stun the watching audience. (Taken from the back cover)
My review: I thought I knew what I was in for when I got this book; I was wrong. I thought it would be another fictional thrill ride and I would feel safe as the reader seeing the action. Not quite. It was difficult for me to care about every main character in this book, but once I started it, I knew I had to see the outcome. I’m not into reality television; I’ve never watched Survivor, or any other reality show, but I wanted to see what it would be like as a viewer with Fatal Reality. It wasn’t just about life or death, it was also what to do when your faith is tested, and how your choices affect your loved ones. There’s only one Christian in this race, and it’s Kyle Borders. He has trained for this show for months and his only goal is to win souls for God’s kingdom, while showing the audience what a real Christian is all about.
Excerpt from prologue:
Daniel switched his gaze from that monitor to the one next to it, which featured the made-up image of Kyle leaning into an interview with Missy McClure, hostess of Faith Movers. From his seat on the leather couch, he answered her questions with the precision of a trained professional—someone so used to spouting rehearsed lines, he probably didn’t even know who he was anymore. Only who he wanted to be…..
“I need to ask you about your image,” Missy said.
Daniel hesitated.
“You’ve taken a lot of heat in the Christian community for your decision to go on a reality show with a payoff of 25 million. They say it represents everything wrong with the celebrity culture of modern American evangelicalism. How do you respond to that?”
Daniel eased away from the gun and turned his attention to the show in time to see Kyle unleash a cocky grin. Slowly, Daniel raised a hand and drew his fingernails across his cheeks. They glided smoothly through the film of sweat covering his face.
“As always,” Missy said, “you seem to welcome controversy.”
Still grinning, Kyle spread his hands. “Controversy’s an opportunity. It generates interest. The execs are expecting at least 70 million people to tune in and that’s only America. The show’s going to be broadcast across the entire world. How can I not hop at that chance?”
“For evangelism? Or publicity?”
“They go together. More publicity means more people willing to hear my message. And if I really believe in the gospel, then I should be telling everyone I can about it.”
Daniel’s fingers tightened into a claw around his face, and his nails began to dig past the sweat and into his skin.
“Many believers before you have taken the same approach on reality shows,” Missy said, “but it backfired.”
“Right.” They went in hoping to reach a big audience for Christ, but then the networks take the raw footage and squeeze it through the editing process like sausage, taking out all the raw meat. And they seem to go out of their way to make Christians look like idiots and hypocrites.”
Daniel harrumphed. Sure, Kyle, it’s the networks’ fault.
“How will this be any different?” Missy said.
“The beauty of this show is they’re running it on a continuous live feed. One day, no editing. My faith will be on the line for everyone to see as it is for real.”
Missy nodded. “Are you planning to win?”
“That’s up to God, but I do plan to compete with all that’s in me. People may think because I’m a Christian they’re going to see some guy who’s too nice or wimpy to win. But the truth is, they’re going to see a fierce competitor.”
She rotated her head sideways. “Is that really the attitude you should have?”
“God doesn’t put us here to try to lose the race he’s given us. We glorify him by doing our best at whatever he calls us to. What should separate me from the other contestants is how I run the race and treat people. That will be my message about God. And if I win…” He shrugged. “I’ll give the money to my favorite pro-life organizations.”
Missy shifted in her chair, straightening her posture. “Speaking of the life issue, do you believe death’s a real possibility on the show?”
Kyle adopted a wide smirk, which Daniel balanced out with a scowl.
“That’s what the execs tell me,” Kyle said.
“And you’re okay with that?”
“I’m ready to die. Aren’t you?”
“I mean, is it at all hypocritical for someone who’s a champion of protecting life to be so flippant about his own?”
“I’m merely going where God calls me. He’s putting me in this game for a reason.”
“How do you know—"
“He’s got something big planned for that day, I can feel it.” Kyle peered directly into the camera. At Daniel. “And the whole world will see it.”
The other racers are-
*Sadika “Sadi” Aslam, an Indian American naval intelligence officer who is also a muslim. Sadi’s brother is murdered by Muslim extremists, which motivates her to join the military and reconsider her faith.
*Markus Slater, an African American corporate executive. Markus is a tough and hardened business man who has seen murder and mayhem in the streets, and is determined to succeed for his wife and three daughters.
*Butch Krigger, a white Southerner who owns his own construction business. He was a football star who was injured and still walks with a limp. He’s married with two kids. This is one of the characters that really surprised me throughout the story in his integrity and determination. He wants to win, but he’s not greedy or paranoid.
*Frank Schroeder, retired FBI agent. Frank is the oldest one in the group, but he’s in great shape and very intelligent. He’s one of the few that doesn’t cower in the face of danger.
*Christine Wardin, chairwoman of the Department of Ethics at UCLA. She’s also an atheist and she is well trained in martial arts. She was a classmate of Kyle’s in college and a respected peer.
*Ross, the show’s host. He ends up being forced to enter the race. At first I felt bad for him because he is not physically prepared to compete, but he is more capable then he seems. He has been divorced three times and loves to be in the spotlight.
Once the show is hijacked, everything changes and you can feel it in the tone of the book. Nothing is going to happen as planned and every chapter is loaded with surprises (both good and bad). Throughout the story, Daniel leaves scriptural clues for Kyle and the constant question that is dealt with is, why does Daniel want Kyle to win? Daniel is convinced that he is god and in total control while forcing the racers to compete according to his demands. While each racer is considering how to respond and survive, Kyle is figuring out how to compete wholeheartedly without getting anyone killed (he is willing to die and risks his life repeatedly for the other racers).
Each racer must decide which path they will take at the start of the book and they are separated into three groups. Sadi teams up with Jonathan; Christine goes by herself; Ross and Butch follow Markus. While each of them is facing the challenges of the island, which took months of planning and preparation from Daniel, they have to come to grips with the true nature of their hearts. What secret does Kyle hold that he has never shared before? How did Markus really become the CEO of his company? What lessons has Butch taught his son? Does Sadi really trust Kyle and his faith? Will Christine prove her logic really works and is she strong enough to do this race alone?
This book deals with harsh subjects and situations, but it illustrates the reality of Christians and human nature. Fear and regret can lead a person to do destructive things that affect everyone around them. There is no profanity in the story, which I was very grateful for, but there was plenty of violence. Examples include: being shot at and threatened; there is one scene with a small raft and piranha infested water (yikes!!!!); one person gets shot in the head; two lions attack a racer; there is one setup where grenades fall everywhere; one racer gets pushed off a cliff; and one constant occurrence is Daniel’s habit of clawing his face with his fingertips. Some of it was difficult to read because Wakefield really places the reader in the circumstances and makes you consider what is realistic and what is for show. He has a talent for setting up suspenseful situations and then ending the chapter, making sure you turn the page to find out what happened. The chapters are short, but they pack an emotional punch.
There is one reference to sex and one reference to abortion (it’s mentioned, not described). Kyle’s pastor does not support him in appearing on this show and only the youth group watches the results creating division in his church, Sinner’s Retreat.
The story is filled with twists and the end is completely unexpected. Kyle does not disappoint, however, and it was wonderful to watch him get closure from his past. This story is totally action packed bringing plenty of suspense and characters that are both brave and cowardly. It also illustrates the damage that is possible when people choose revenge instead of forgiveness. Unforgiveness is poison and it will destroy a person, both physically and emotionally. You are only hurting yourself when you carry anger and bitterness, you are not stronger holding on to being wronged. Fatal Reality is brilliantly written to test its racers and entertain its readers, but it also delivers faith, prayer, betrayal, courage, and healing. Even Christians mess up in the worst ways and are unworthy of God’s love, but we learn throughout our Christian walk that Christ longs to forgive our ugliest and most offensive ways if we would repent and receive His forgiveness. This was not an easy read for me because of the violence, but I was quite pleased with the overall message and it made me consider how I would’ve responded. Not because I’m physically fit or smarter than the racers, but because of how I’ve been tested in my faith and how I respond in my Godly character. This is Jonathan Wakefield’s first book, but he has trained with talented writers such as Jerry B. Jenkins and it definitely shows. Get a copy of this book and let the reality begin!
____________Bio_______________
Jonathan, an information technology professional, holds a degree in Biology from the University of Richmond. A Craftsman graduate of the Christian Writers Guild, he has trained under authors Jerry B. Jenkins, John Perrodin, James Scott Bell, Jeff Gerke, and Douglas Hirt. Jonathan's short stories have appeared in The Rose & Thorn and The Messenger, and he has written articles for various magazines and journals, including New Man, Men of Integrity, Live, The Gem, and the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Fatal Reality -- a finalist in the 2009 Operation First Novel contest -- is his debut novel.
Jonathan lives in Richmond, Virginia with his wife and two sons.
Visit his website at Jonathanwakefield.com and his Facebook page at Facebook.com/AuthorJonathanWakefield.
I want to thank Ramona and OakTara Publishing for sending me a copy for reviewing purposes. Please visit OakTara.com for their selection of fiction and nonfiction titles. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Ephesians 1:7, 4:31-32
Fatal Reality is available in paperback and on Kindle
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