Christian Fiction Book Reviews

Forbidden

Ted Dekker & Tosca Lee

Review by Lisa Norsworthy

This year, I made a decision to break out of my usual reading routine. I gravitate toward dramatic fiction with a strong emphasis on the characters and the relationships between them. Forbidden is the total opposite of that genre, and it was a very interesting and exciting read.

The story takes place in the post-apocolyptic world 480 years after war almost completely destroyed humanity. During that horrible time, referred to as Chaos, scientists developed a virus that would eradicate all emotion in humans except for fear under the guise of avoiding another war caused by emotions like anger and greed. It is apparent, however, that it was used as a way to control the world by using fear to subdue the masses.

Rom has a terrifying encounter with an old who gives him a vial and tells him he is a Keeper. When consumed, the contents of this vial reawakens Rom’s emotions and sets him on a risk-filled journey against the evil forces that are after this potion.

The descriptive narrative of this book is top-notch. Tosca Lee’s influence is noticeable in the rich language. The plot is fast-paced, and the climax of the book is extremely satisfying making way for their sequel, Mortal.

My only hesitation in recommending this book is its darkness. Ted Dekker’s fascination with blood is evident with several scenes of people having their throats slit described in detail. While I am not particularly sensitive, someone who is may have trouble with this book, but if you like dark fantasy, you will love the exciting, fast pace of this piece.

Ted Dekker Books at Amazon

Review By Lisa Norsworthy
The Promises She Keeps by Erin Healy

Chase is a 30-year-old autistic man with a savant-like talent for drawing, and a knowledge of trees. He awakes to the voice of his father--who has been missing in action for over ten years--telling him to draw a certain tree.

Porta Cerrato, an aging woman adept at witchcraft, opens an art gallery in Chase’s hometown, and uses her evil craft to influence people, while searching for a person she believes has the key to eternal life.

When Chelsea, Chases’s devoted twin sister, brings Chase on his usual walk over the same route one Saturday, she is shocked to see him deviate from his usual routine and enter Porta’s gallery. The pictures he is being told to draw all have recipients and Chase eerily knows who they are and why they need them.

In the meantime, Porta’s son, Zac, comes to know a young woman with cystic fibrosis. Because she knows her lifetime is limited, she is obsessed with becoming famous so she will not be forgotten.

All of these lives converge into a suspenseful, supernatural story of evil, greed, and the quest for eternal life. But, ultimately, it is child-like love, perception, and loyalty that are victorious. It can be difficult to find a story with supernatural elements that are not contrary to scripture but this tale unfolds in a way that doesn’t leave the Christian reader uncomfortable. Because a main theme of this story was the desire for eternal life, I was left wishing the author had emphasized that Jesus was the only true answer especially in Promise’s quest.

Erin Healy developed the characters nicely, and the uniqueness of this thriller was engaging. I look forward to Healy’s next work.

Book at Amazon by Erin Healy, alone and with Ted Dekker.