Rachelle DekkerCritiques

This is a difficult book to review because I have so many mixed feelings about it. So to make it a little more understandable, here is a list of everything I noticed.
-Unique Plot, I have not read any book similar to this at all and I did like the imagery
-Drew me in but didn't hook me, sounds like an oxymoron, right? Well, I wanted to keep reading this but it didn't draw me in emotionally.
-Two-Dimensional Characters, maybe it was just because these characters were experiencing so many different things that what happens in normal, everyday life, but I could not connect to them at all.
To sum everything up, this was the first book I have read by either Dekker and I'm not sure if I will be reading more because this one was a bit of a letdown.

Rating: 3 Stars
Content: 3 Stars

*I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the author. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was in no way required.

I was impressed! To be honest, I was a bit disappointed by The Girl Behind the Red Rope, which was written by Rachelle and her father, Ted Dekker.
First things first, I really liked the characters. They were all so complex and I could just feel their emotions radiating off the page. I also had to wonder about the long-term psychological effects of the events happening.
The suspense aspect of the book was nicely-paced throughout. The book did leave off on a cliffhanger, which seemed to wrap up fairly quickly.
The only complaint I have about this book is the amount of violence. Reading about violence has never been something that I've been sensitive to but I felt that there was an extreme amount in this book, some with too much detail.
All in all, despite the amount of unnecessary violence, I did enjoy this read and am wondering what happens next.

Rating: 4/5
Language: n/a
Romance: n/a
Spiritual: n/a, Zoe escaped from the cult where she was raised
Violence: extreme number of deaths (easily 30 ) with violent details

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.

WOW! What a first novel. Amazing detail, characters and story. I read it in less than a day! I can't wait for the next book!

Largely if I had realized it was Christian based I probably would not have read this. I am INCREDIBLY particular about any book I read that are Christian fiction. I am deeply uncomfortable with it honestly (which given my complicated feelings on faith, Christianity and the Bible not so surprising).

But this has a considerably higher rating than most dystopian novels and I had the ARC so why not try?

After thirty pages I remember why I shouldn't have tried.

Remko and Carrington try to lead the Seer group. At the end Remko finally surrenders to Aaron and they make plans to rescue their daughter Elise who was kidnapped by Neil. Damien and the Scientist are injecting people for mind control and Jesse the archer I think is playing both side.

First time reader of Ted's, probably my last. I know, I know, sorry to all of you die hard fans of Mr. Dekker.

The premise was pretty good, but did not follow through for me anyway. For me, it was a story about Christian beliefs, after you weed through yes "the twists and turns" so to speak. Will you be on the right side of the rope when it's time? Or the wrong side? And should anyone make that decision for you?

You know that old saying "you can't judge a book by its cover" well it is very true in this case because I love this cover.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Revell, and this is my own opinion.

I received a free copy of this novel from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

The Returning is book three and the final book in The Seer series. This was an eagerly anticipated finale to a brilliantly written series by debut author Rachelle Dekker. Usually, by the time you've reached the final book in series, the story tends to slow down. But The Returning kept my interest right to the very end!

The story begins 20 years in the future, with a greatly anticipated good vs evil battle. I liked that they focused on Elise and we get to watch her grow from victim to victor. I loved the message that the story gives; that we as Christian are to always let our light shine to those around us.

I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

The Calling is book two of The Seer series. In this portion, a bit of time has passed. Remko and Carrington are happily married with a sweet little baby girl. Damien has started experimenting on some of it's citizens and Remko and the others rush in to rescue the believers of Aaron before they are executed. When the Authority begin to change the execution locations, Remko begins having a crisis of faith as he questions putting his family in danger for something he isn't sure he believes in.

Rachelle Dekker has written a wonderful dystopian series. I love how Remko's doubts were dealt with. There are lots of heartbreaking moments, but this series teaches us about God's grace, unconditional love, and to have faith through all circumstances. This is a great fast paced novel with action, romance, and even a mad scientist! All in all, this was a fantastic book that has something for everyone!

In 2111, a vaccine was created to cure all illnesses, mutating as diseases did. What they didn't plan on was the antibodies attacking themselves and causing a large percentage of the population that was vaccinated to die. Those days were called The Ruining. One hundred years later, a group of survivors gathered and were led by Robert Carson, in a new religious world.

The year is 2257, Carrington Hale has spent her whole life preparing for this day, her Choosing. She is taught that she is valued by how prepared she is for this big day and whether or not she gets chosen. To Carrington's dismay, despite her training and high marks, she isn't selected. Those not chosen are sent away to work as Lints, the very lowest class, never to see their families again. Will her friend Larkin be able to get through to her? Will she listen to the voice that continually tries to reach her in the quiet?

Rochelle Dekker has written a wonderful debut novel. The depth of the characters are amazing. In addition to Carrington's struggles, there's a mystery in the backdrop that also had me intrigued and engrossed throughout the novel. Although this was a dystopian story, I could actually see the plausibility in it. This was a brilliantly written first novel and I can't wait to see more from this author.

**I received a free copy of this novel from Tyndale House Publishing in exchange for my honest review.**

At first, this book reminded me of the movie The Village, and I wasn't sure how I felt about that because I hate that movie. Eventually, the book picked up and got better for me. I love everything Ted Dekker writes, but this is definitely not my favorite. I really loved the message in this book. It helped me see the analogy of the light of the world in a different way.

In the epic conclusion, Rise of the Light Bringer, Jack must face the greatest darkness this world has ever known. Only by discovering the greatest Truth himself, and stepping into the Light will he find the strength to do what only he can.

Jack is just 12, born on an Ark orbiting Earth among 169 survivors of a global apocalypse who eagerly await the planet's restoration so they can return to the surface. With supplies dangerously low, the time for waiting is over. Humanity must return now or die among the stars.

Jack is just 12, born on an Ark orbiting Earth among 169 survivors of a global apocalypse who eagerly await the planet's restoration so they can return to the surface. With supplies dangerously low, the time for waiting is over. Humanity must return now or die among the stars.

I didn't realize this was a thriller based on the write up from librarything at the time. If I had known I would have left it to someone else. Religiosity is not my thing anyway. Maybe this book will be better for others.

This novel got off to a strong beginning and the action carries the reader along. However, the main character Grace often seems to act without logic in order to drive the plot. In the last third the authors decide to become theologians which, I suppose, was their intent all along. This is where the novel really falls apart and it is both poor theology and poor plot. If their premise of love vs fear were true how did a place like Haven Valley ever come to exist in the first place given what exists in our actual world?

A thrilling suspense novel that continued to surprise me with twists and turns. Government plots and weaponized humans. The character and identity development blew me away. I was rooting for characters I didn't think I'd root for and the subtle romance felt so realistic. Fight scenes are described in perfect exciting detail, like I am watching an action movie while reading. Did you like Bourne Identity? You'll like Nine. Still a YA dystopian type feel though - so definitely for those who enjoyed Hunger Games and Divergent type material!

I received a free copy from Early Reviewers that did not influence the content of my review at all.

(first posted on Instagram Oct 12, 2020)

I received this ARC from LT Early Reviewers in exchange for an honest review.
The story is about Lucy - a young teenage girl (we later find out she is seventeen) on the run from "enemies". She has no memory of who she is or who she is running from- she has no memories at all except the most recent ones of a women that she trusted. She meets Zoe in a diner at Sherman, Texas and there their adventures start. Throughout the chapters they discover that she has super hearing, is super strong and extraordinary killing machine.

It is later shared that Zoe is really the daughter of the "crazy woman" that started the cult in Haven Valley Tennessee-- if you read The Girl behind the Red Rope by Dekker and her father you will know Zoe's backstory.

Anyway, Lucy finally gets all her memories back and we discover her truth. They go through betrayals and surprise help in their efforts to destroy the evil enemies that want to destroy Lucy. Lo and behold the winner is always....... LOVE.

Not a bad read, too much back and forth on the am I good or bad for some of the characters and a very loose (to me) tie in to the other book but still an enjoyable read.½

Straying away from some of Dekker's more comfortable plots (see Red Rope by Rachelle & Ted Dekker) Nine is incredibly tantalizing as the science fiction reality takes hold.

A seemingly harmless young girl captures the heart of a lost diner waitress and what they escape together leaves readers' blood pumping. This fast-paced and devouring read are not to missed.

*Disclaimer: a review copy was provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Title: Nine
Author: Rachelle Dekker
Pages: 352
Year: 2020
Publisher: Revell
My rating is 3 out of 5 stars.
Zoe Johnson is a young woman who works as a waitress in a small dingy diner. She keeps herself at a distance, sharing very little of her past and herself. Her world is turned upside down when a young teenage female walks into the diner out of the pouring rain. Lucy is on the run from “bad” men and knows only that she has to find a woman in Corpus Christi, Texas who will know what she needs to do next. She can’t remember much else. Zoe feels protective of Lucy and decides to take her home to help her figure out her next move. They are there for only a little while before they are discovered. Now, they are both on the run with little money and not much of a plan.
Agent Tom Seely has one task and that is to find Lucy and bring her back to headquarters. He has turned off his feelings years ago and remains numb to those around him. If he lets go of the darkness in him, he will be vulnerable to feeling and that way leads to disaster in his mind. He will stop at nothing to accomplish his goal, including manipulation of anyone and any circumstance. When he catches up with Lucy and Zoe, he knows what he has to do. However, his interactions with Zoe give him pause. Will he follow orders?
This was my first Rachelle Dekker book, and I really wanted to like it, but I felt like the plot has been done several times before in movies/TV/books. There was no reference to God or faith in the entire book, so I was wondering why it is listed as a Christian book. I did not read the previous novel, The Girl Behind the Red Rope, so maybe I missed some of the background to what was going on. I felt like I was missing something with Zoe’s character. There was no resolution with regards to her brother(s), and her history was not covered in much detail. There was torture and violence in the book that might not be something some readers want to read, so just a note on that. The relationship between Zoe and Lucy, however, was a redeeming quality of the story. It tugged at my heart. Zoe loved Lucy unconditionally for who she was not what she brought to the table so to speak. I will give this author another try.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.

A wonderful, gripping novel.
Filled with themes of image and worth and love.
Seriously chilling and suspenseful.

Review: Nine by Rachelle Dekker.

This was another Early Reviewers Book which I found was a great read. I was captivated right off because it was well written and was more of a science fiction with advance technology enhancing the story. There was plenty of adventure and action throughout the book.

The story starts out with Zoe Johnson who works in a diner keeping to her self and distanced from her uncomfortable past. Than Lucy walks into the diner and Zoe gets acquainted with this young girl who was being hit on by a trucker seated in the diner. Zoe becomes interested with the girl who seems to be lost and unable to remember anything about her or where she came from. Zoe, who felt an instant connection for this lost girl that she didn’t know a thing about, decided to take Lucy home with her. Zoe had trust issues but she knew this young girl needed help because her entire memory was gone.

Than FBI Agent Tom Seeley is introduced to the reader as someone who wants to help Zoe and Lucy. He was working on an assignment called; “Black Project” that Lucy/ Number Nine was running away from. The story goes on relating about genetics programming where Nine started being trained from a young girl (mental abuse) to become powerful with astonishing physical strength among other orders to obey.

Zoe and Nine/Lucy enter into a world of technology but hand and hand they helped each other, not knowing what was just around the corner and who the good guys were and who the bad guys were. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat with advance adventure and action to see what happens to Zoe and Lucy/Nine….

Grace and the rest of her religious community have been living isolated since a vision they all had ten years ago. In their vision, they saw the Furies, taking over the world and killing everyone. The community lives with the philosophy that fear will keep them safe. When Grace's brother is caught living the bounds of their community, Grace and her brother are both sent out to explore the world. The first night, Grace's brother is attacked by a fury, and a woman comes to Grace promising to protect her.

Although the book had an interesting premise, I don't think it was well executed. Grace came across as completely whishy washy. She felt like a weak secondary character, rather than the main character. I also thought that the philosophy needed some work. Sure, love is light, fear is dark. But the idea that light banishes dark, therefore love banishes fear, didn't really work for me. Overall, 2 out of 5 stars.

I have not read a book by Rachelle Dekker before. And I rarely read anything that has science fiction in it. This was a challenge for me. I thought there was a pacing problem. I like the beginning a lot, I was very interested in Zoe. Zoe was the one that I connected with.

Zoe was working at run down diner in northern Texas, a place with a violent past. I looked up Sherman, Texas, the town history could be a book itself. Zoe lived in a shabby motel across the road from the diner. She was hiding out from the public, she had had enough of the notoriety of her mother's many crimes committed after her parents joined a cult. Zoe feels very guilty about obeying the people who rescued her and told her to her to abandon her younger brother . Note, there could have been another book here on that story alone.

But Zoe meets Lucy, aka #9, at the dinner and when a surly man tries to pick up Lucy, Zoe steps in to save the girl from a possible assault or a rape. Lucy stays overnight with Zoe and Zoe makes an important second decision to go with Lucy to escape the "bad men".

I was really hooked on this book then but I actually wanted the author to either write about Sherman or Zoe's life. I proceeded turning the pages and finding myself in a science fiction world with plenty of violence. At the end the pace got furious and too fast for me. I could understand the references to the little voice that Lucy heard but for me it only coming through faintly.

The book was engrossing but I felt there was too much action for me at the end and I ended up liking the book but also being disappointed in it.

I received a finished copy of this book as a win from FirstReads from the publishers. My thoughts and feelings in this review are entirely my own.

“This time she would break the rules. Even the ones she’d set for herself.”

By turns dark and intriguing, “Nine” by Rachelle Dekker explores what makes us human and how much choice, if any, we have in what we become. Through a trio of main characters, Dekker presents a narrative that is as timely as it is terrifying, given the current direction of science and military weaponry. Lucy, a young amnesiac, bursts into Zoe Johnson’s carefully-constructed and reclusive life, and the metaphorical house of cards comes crashing down. Part one contains third-person narration, but in part two some of the chapters are narrated in the first person by Lucy, a shift that adds depth and insight. Each girl’s backstory is revealed slowly as the story progresses, and their similarities are essential to the plot. Both have been brainwashed, in a manner of speaking, and their trauma draws them together: Lucy from scientific studies and Zoe from her mother’s cult. Agent Tom Seeley seemingly walks the fine line of double agent, but in this story trust is a quality that gets you killed.

While there is a discernible interplay between goodness and darkness (evil), manifested through a myriad of topics, I am conflicted as to whether I would classify this as a Christian novel. It is marketed as such, and while I can extrapolate a general Christian message from the overall content, I still do not feel quite comfortable labeling it as such. I personally don’t think that if a non-Christian were to pick up this book and read it, they would consider it a Christian work without being told so. There is no profanity, just allusions to people cursing, and none of the characters demonstrate any kind of faith in God that I could see. The bits and pieces of the former cult are the only religion demonstrated in the narrative, and naturally Zoe has a bitter and negative view of such, which was reinforced after leaving the cult. I think that with the storyline, Dekker could have really turned this into a fantastic Christian inspirational novel by the last third of the book, and I’m disappointed that it didn’t happen.

Delving into the shadowy realms of military experimentation, neuroscience, and ethics, “Nine” is not for the faint of heart. There are scenes of and descriptions of torture that I could definitely have done without; while I am not naïve enough to believe that such things don’t happen, a sentence or allusion to the events without details would suffice, for me at least. The topic of abuse in the story is handled better in this regard, and I think that the questions Dekker raises about ethics are important and need to be considered, especially as we are rapidly entering into a new era of digital dependency and artificial intelligence. As we move forward, we, like the characters in “Nine”, have to determine who we are and wherein our identity lies. Otherwise, we open ourselves up to being controlled by whomever our community—be it small or large—says we should. From a Christian perspective, we have two choices: follow Jesus or follow Satan: “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’” (John 8:12).

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.

This book is a thrilling ride! It is a truly enjoyable read from start to finish. The plot is carefully laid out so that you discover tidbits of the backstories for each character at certain times, contributing to a suspenseful plot. I liked Zoe a lot and enjoyed her character as she grows and changes in the book. I thought I had the ending figured out but then there were surprising twists and turns that kept me guessing. There are some scenes of torture and violence that may be better suited for more adult audiences. Nonetheless, I would consider this a clean novel. There isn’t a strong faith element in the story but there is definitely triumph of good over evil. Overall, I enjoyed this story and recommend it to those who like contemporary suspense. I look forward to more from this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.