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The Oath: A Novel

The Oath: A Novel

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Dark...but a good story
Review: I've read all of Peretti's adult novels, except The Visitation, and this is by far the darkest he has written. It seems secular for the most part with not much mention of God or Jesus, angels or demons. However, it does not have cursing or sex scenes in it, but there is some gore.

Cliff Benson is apparently killed by a bear, yet his wife survives the attack. Cliff's brother, Steve, a wildlife biologist, sets out to find out what killed Cliff. Well, he meets a brick wall in the form of a clanish town deep in the mountains, who believe in a dragon!

Only one individual, who is labeled a fanatic or looney of the town, Levi Cobb, knows what happened to his brother, and what deep dark secrets the town keeps. Another person, in the form of Tracy Ellis, deputy, assists Steve, but also they have a mini romance, and actually sleep together, though, thankfully, Peretti does not describe it. The question on your mind as you read this book, is who can you trust and is there really a dragon killing some of the people of Hyde River?

As the town becomes more corrupt, more people are killed, and black stains start appearing on people's hearts, of course, which is symbolic of sin. The town hates Steve for investigating into their private lives and "dragon" lead.

Well, there is a dragon in this book, and it symbolizes Satan. The head honco of the town, Harold Bly, apparently thinks he has control of this dragon to do his bidding, but read the book and find out what happens when you think you can do what you want with Satan and not have Christ in your life.

Very suspenseful and easy read. My second favorite of Peretti's to This Present Darkness.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Dreadful!!!!
Review: It seems most know this author is a christian writer. I did not know this when I read it. However this is a very boring book. I ceased caring what happened to any of the characters long before the 3 cassette. It is very contrived and lacking in originality. Some books have (perhaps unintentionally) clear conclusions from the start but you enjoy the ride to the end. This was not one of them. I think that this author would not get read if he was not known as a christian and do not intend to look for him in the future.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Spine tingling
Review: This book is an allegorical look at the effects of sin. Worth reading, but be advised, this book is difficult to put down once you start.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Thriller with Meaning
Review: Steve Benson gets more than he bargained for when he begins a personal investigation into his brother's gruesome death. Cliff Benson's widow, Evelyn, can't remember what happened on that horrible night near the mining town of Hyde River. And the local townsfolk are secretive--too secretive. A religious "nut" raves about a dragon who lives in the mountain and eats people as a judgment. At first, Steve doesn't take him seriously--until he meets an apparition that he can't explain. Benson is joined by beautiful Tracy Ellis, a Clark County deputy sheriff who is quickly struck on Benson. Only problem, she's married to one of the suspicious town boys. But, she's the only friend Steve Benson has while he tries to track down the dangerous and nearly invisible predator that killed his brother. Eventually, the reader must ask: Is Tracy Ellis the friend she seems to be, or is she keeping an eye on Steve for the good old boys of Hyde River, where Tracy grew up? There is edge-of-your-chair mystery and heart-stopping suspense in this thriller! You wouldn't know it's a "Christian" novel because the message is so carefully woven into a fast moving tale that would be totally unbelievable--if written with less than the skill of Frank Peretti.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Riviting!
Review: This is an excellent book! One of my favorites by Peretti. It's a branch off of This Present Darkness: no deamons in this one, just dragons, but symbolism that's awesome. Again it's just riviting from the get-go. Major recomend.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Blockbuster Christian Fiction
Review: Block Buster Christian Fiction

I read both Christian Fiction and Secular and I can definitely say that is most cases Christian Fiction just doesn't hold up against Secular stuff which is so much better!! But, Fank Peretti, "The Father of Blockbuster Christian Fiction" knows how to deliver a real thriller and still make I Christian! So if that's what you're looking for or even a just plain great book, look here!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: WOW!
Review: Frank Perretti is truly gifted!! Can't imagine why Christians would react negatively to it!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: No warm-fuzzies here.
Review: Most of what I heard from Christian friends about this book were negative comments. We like things that make us feel good and anything that doesn't is to be avoided. That's true for Christians as well as non-Christians. We like our Christianity sugar-coated, water-downed, and full of warm-fuzzies. We like to put Jesus in our pocket and place him on the dash of our cars. Anytime something forces us to realize that God doesn't fit in the little box we made for Him it fills us with dread. Such is the case with Frank Peretti's THE OATH.

THE OATH is a book about the battle between good and evil, sin and salvation. Cliff Benson, a wildlife photographer, is grotesquely mauled to death while on a camping trip. His wife temporarily goes insane attacking the grill of a semi truck. Cliff's brother, Steve, is a wildlife scientist and begins investigating his brother's death. What appears to be an attack of a large rogue bear proves to be otherwise and what Steve uncovers will change not only his life, but the lives of all those he meets.

THE OATH is not a typical book of Christian fiction. There is some romance, but not the syrupy kind you'll find in Christian "romance" novels. There is talk of God and Jesus, but not enough to be preachy. The style of the book is different too. Peretti is a gifted writer and his books are usually filled with action. THE OATH has a great deal of action, but it is much more dark and sinister, like something out of a Stephen King novel. It is this dark tone that has frightened many would-be fans away. Yet, at the same time, this tone is the novel's most appealing aspect and has drawn many outside of the Christian faith to read the book. It's more than worth your time to read, but just don't expect of get any warm-fuzzies.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Cool Book
Review: This book was really great it was a little long and it took a while to get into it but when you did you just couln't put it down. The ending is the best but still it was great book. I also like how they how to go around town asking people about the thing and they won't answer and I also like the black stuff they get over their heart when the thing is going to go after them. This book is really great and you so read it.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Time well spent......
Review: A very good book! Peretti is very talented in his storytelling style. I read just about all of his adult books and this one ranks as one of his best (second only to the wonderful "This Present Darkness")

There are those who feel this book is too dark and too horrific--This is as close that Christian fiction can come to secular horror novels such as those by Stephen King and Dean Koontz--And I admit, I was surpised from some of the content I read and often thought to myself: 'And this is supposed to be a *Christian* book!?'...But really, it does make sense and is warrented. All in all, this story is about Sin. This book is very allagoric and symbolic of what sin is and what it can do to people. It usually starts small, and it grows. Quickly you become addicted to it. You don't even want to aknowledge your sin and so you become blind to it...that is until it is too late. You become a slave to sin and the only way to truly free yourself is through Jesus. Otherwise Sin will grow and grow until it devours you (Something litterally from this book). I know that this is starting to sound like a sermon, but this message is EXACTLY what this book is about...And yet, It never gets *preachy*

It's a fairly hefty novel, especially for Peretti, and at times you wish something more interesting would happen. But the pace never falters and it does manage to hold you. Only the most impatient of readers would put this book aside for good without having it finished.


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