Rating: 
Summary: Boy, Was I in for a Shock
Review: My friends have been talking about this book for nearly a year. "You've GOT to read it," they'd say. "I don't read fiction," I'd come back with. And I don't. I read a lot of business and motivational books, but I generally avoid novels. Still, they kept pestering me until I finally gave in and picked up a copy. From my library. No way I'm shelling out 15 bucks for a book I'll probably never finish. Boy, was I in for a shock!! That scene in Helen's house where she sees Heaven open up--WOW! I've never read anything like it. Let me tell you, I was hooked. I'm not a very fast reader, but I finished it in two days. Was up till 3 in the morning reading. What a roller coaster ride!The only thing I didn't like was I thought the romance was just a little weak. But hey, what do I know?? I'm just a business guy. Anyhow, I plan to get my hands on anything this guy writes.
Rating: 
Summary: A bit slow to be interesting
Review: Okay. Here I go. I did read several books of Frank Peretti, Yancey and other popular Christian writers. This book isn't that good. Everything is going so slowly in this book. Truly it wasn't either literally or spiritually inspiring. The only inspiring parts in this book is Helen's personal relationship with God. Sorry Ted Dekker you might be a good Christian but you are average writer. Again, sorry I don't mean to insult. If you like the similar genre of book read Frank Peretti.
Rating:
Summary: Packs an Emotional Wallop
Review: One of the most thought provoking and emotional novels I've read in a long time. I agree with some of the other reviewers -- it's about time a novalist who can write with as much substance as flare surfaced in contemporary fiction. The story starts off a little slow, but once you hit about the 75th page, you find yourself on a roller coaster that won't quit. A novel of crime and intrigue and revenge with totally unpredictable and immaginative plot twists. You honestly don't know the whys or the whos untill the last chapter, and then they fall into your mind like the last piece of an amazing puzzle to reaveal a very, very cool story. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A new standard for Christian fiction
Review: Reading Heaven's Wager, the average Christian fiction reader is likely to lean back, heave a big sigh of relief, and think, "Finally! This is what I've been waiting for all this time!" That's because Dekker delivers a knockout combination -- an actual ability to write fiction, a gripping story, and an original vision. The guy has a notion of the spiritual dimension that is both concrete and satisfyingly ethereal. And his characters are no one-dimensional Christian role-models, either. They're flawed people with much living to do, and a lot of learning in store. In short, this book represents a new standard in Christian fiction. Its intricate conspiracy, thrilling crime sequence and tour-de-force ending make it a can't-put-down read for readers of any stripe, CBA fans or not. Go buy it, and spend your vote for better religious fiction.
Rating:
Summary: A new standard for Christian fiction
Review: Reading Heaven's Wager, the average Christian fiction reader is likely to lean back, heave a big sigh of relief, and think, "Finally! This is what I've been waiting for all this time!" That's because Dekker delivers a knockout combination -- an actual ability to write fiction, a gripping story, and an original vision. The guy has a notion of the spiritual dimension that is both concrete and satisfyingly ethereal. And his characters are no one-dimensional Christian role-models, either. They're flawed people with much living to do, and a lot of learning in store. In short, this book represents a new standard in Christian fiction. Its intricate conspiracy, thrilling crime sequence and tour-de-force ending make it a can't-put-down read for readers of any stripe, CBA fans or not. Go buy it, and spend your vote for better religious fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Right on the Money!
Review: Several of my friends have read Ted Dekker's novels and strongly recommended I pick up a copy of one of his books. Any book. So I picked up Heaven's Wager. Starts a tad slow, but boy does it shine once you get into it. The patience required to work through the first 100 pages is worth the wait. What strikes me most is the spiritual message the begins rushing off the page in the latter half. I had noticed that one review broke ranks from a dozen other reviews here and questioned the books theology (although they failed to mention what bothered them.) What? Not unless you question the stories of the bible or noted works of fiction like Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, which is another author I would highly recommend. What we have here is a modern day Job story with some facinating twists thrown in. Very compelling. I also found the character of Kent among the most interesting I've read in Christian Fiction. Not at all stereotypical. In fact, Dekker's characterizations are one of his strengths in my opinion. He's not afraid to break from the typical characters found in these sorts of books. More like a John Grisham or a Dean Koonts, actually. I have since read Blessed Child, another of his books. I hear they are making a movie of it. Wow, Can't wait for that! Good Stuff! I just bought a copy of When Heaven Weeps, another Dekker novel. Someone told me it's like Redeeming Love (My favorite all time novel) on steroids. We'll see.
Rating: 
Summary: A good read....but good theology?
Review: So, a modern Job story? A story that displays God's sovereignty? I agree it was a good book. I thought about it when I wasn't reading it. I couldn't put it down when I was. But do you all freely agree with his theology? Just because it's in a fiction book do you think that God really works that way? Job was a God-fearing man. His ungodly children died...b/c of Satan. I don't remember a time in the Bible that God killed off a bunch of Christians so that an ungodly man would turn to him. Just because an author can craft a great book doesn't mean he's always right.
Rating:
Summary: You Either Love Him or Hate Him
Review: Some of us girls have this reading group, and we all decided to read Heaven's Wager. There's usually about a dozen of us that get together once a month to discuss the latest in Christian fiction. Someone suggested we read Heaven's Wager. I'd never heard of it, but some of the others had. Well, the strangest thing happened. Everybody loved the book except for two people, who couldn't stand it! One girl thought it was contrived, and one didn't buy the set-up. Everyone else practically went bonkers over it. One of the women said it was the best thing she's read since Danger in the Shadows by Dee Henderson. Another woman said Ted Dekker reminded her of Francine Rivers. I don't know about that. All I know is that Heaven's Wager was absolutely riviting. I'm going out and getting everything this guy's written.
Rating:
Summary: Heaven's Wager
Review: Ted Dekker has rapidly become my favorite author. Heaven's Wager cannot be put down once picked up. It is powerful and intriguing. When it's over, you'll want to take a few days and just continue to soak it all in.
Rating:
Summary: - A book that keeps you in suspence
Review: Ted Dekker's Heaven's Wager is an excellent book that keeps you in suspence. A captivating tale of a man who endures great tragedy and loss, takes you through a string of conflicting emotions of grief, anger, fustration, and joy. Dekker portrays a spiritual battle; a desperate struggle for the fate of one man's soul.
|
