Once again, for the final time for me, Dekker disappoints. We get some weakwilled teens who must decide what is real.

From a theological perspective, Dekker vanilla'fies his theology so much [so as not to be preachy and turn off non-christians would be my guess] that I'm not sure if he's talking about Christianity or some sort of Zen-Buddhism/New Age/Love Yourself thing.

So while I've enjoyed Dekker's past books, his recent books just don't do it for me. ( )

From Amazon:

My name is Christy Snow. I'm seventeen and I'm about to die. I'm buried in a coffin under tons of concrete. No one knows where I am. My heart sounds like a monster with clobber feet, running straight toward me. I'm lying on my back, soaked with sweat from the hair on my head to the soles of my feet. My hands and feet won't stop shaking. Some will say that I'm not really here. Some will say I'm delusional. Some will say that I don't even exist. But who are they? I'm the one buried in a grave. My name is Christy Snow. I'm seventeen and I'm about they?

My Thoughts:

I didn't hate the book as the 2 stars are supposed to indicate...I just didn't like it and could not in any way relate to the story line or the characters. I can only say that I remained confused all the way up to the last page and then felt betrayed at not having an ending. Instead, this book continues with yet another series. Not for this reader.
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The first of the Outlaw chronicles. A novel exploring identity and a good read. ( )

Eyes Wide Open by Ted Dekker is a compilation of what was originally a 4 part novel now joined together. The original four parts include: I. Identity; II. Mirrors; III. Seer; and IV. Unseen. In this novel two teens Christy Snow and Austin Hartt are mistakenly/maliciously imprisoned in a psychiatric ward. The procedures for admitting patients to this psych ward are unconventional, as are the treatments that patients must undergo. Both Christy and Austin are in danger of losing track of who they really are.

This is a fast paced, tension filled novel that is a quick and easy read. Since it is by Ted Dekker there are also Christian elements embedded in the story and especially in the climax. I have enjoyed immensely several novels by Dekker in the past and had high hopes for this novel.

Unfortunately, while I did enjoy the novel, I'm going to have to admit that I simply couldn't suspend disbelief and overlook several facts presented right at the start. Both Christy and Austin are 17 year old orphans. They can't remember their lives before age 13 when they entered the orphanage. Both have a trust fund that gives them $2,000 a month, starting when they turned 17. Gulp. Perhaps it is because I am an adult with adult children, but I simply can't accept these facts about these characters, and make the novel work for me.

I have a suspicion that Eyes Wide Open would work much more successfully as a YA novel with its worthwhile message concerning self-esteem. Even with the message, the characters weren't hitting the mark for me which lessened my enjoyment of the novel. A So-so novel. I've enjoyed many of Dekker's other books much more.

Eyes Wide Open is the start of a new series of novels by Ted Dekker called the Outlaw Chronicles.


Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of Worthy Publishing via Netgalley for review purposes.

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Verschrikkelijk ongeloofwaardig, 2 studenten komen "per ongeluk" in een psychiatrische instelling terecht. En niemand gelooft dat ze daar niet horen, niemand controleert hun identiteit. Heb het boek na 1 of 2 hoofdstukken weggelegd. Vond het gewoon te flauw... ( )