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Summary: I Thought I'd Read Just About Everything . . .
Review: . . . but Ted Dekker's Blessed Child is, as they say in the jazz world, beyond category.Take one part supernatural thriller, one part poignant love story, one part slam-bang action tale and you've got the most addictive cocktail of a book to come along in many a moon. I don't want to go too much into the story; it's always better to encounter a great book with fresh eyes. But let me just say that it involves a kid with miraculous powers, a black-hearted priest, a clueless Peace Corps worker, a beautiful but emotionally and physically scarred nurse, and a ruthless politician who'll stop at nothing--including murder and mayhem--to keep his dirty past under lock and key. The action's cranked nearly beyond the breaking point, there's a killer love story, it plants a big wet spiritual kiss smack on your heart--what more could you want?
Rating:
Summary: Read this book
Review: A fast paced book with quite a message. It will challenge you and you will enjoy the read. It makes you take a look at what you believe, and you'll be thinking about how the Spirit of God works all around you. A modern day parable.
Rating:
Summary: Read this book
Review: A fast paced book with quite a message. It will challenge you and you will enjoy the read. It makes you take a look at what you believe, and you'll be thinking about how the Spirit of God works all around you. A modern day parable.
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Summary: Intriguing Story by Bright & Dekker
Review: All in all, a great read. I especially liked the opening scenes in Ethiopia, and the last 50 pages. The developing relationship between Leiah and Jason also very well done. My only complaint was I thought Nikolas was a bit thin, hence, 1/2 star off. Contains a powerful spiritual message as well. Not to be missed. Dekker is certainly at the top of the class of the new breed of Christian writers, and I'm very much looking forward to his next project.
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Summary: A cut above
Review: Although I don't either of these authors, I bought this book because CBA Marketplace called it "brilliantly crafted" and I must say, they were right. Compared to most Christian fiction I've read, Blessed Child is a gem. It reads more like the kind of fiction you read from the bestsellers list than the kind you find in Christian bookstores -- certainly not literary fiction but very well crafted. Like most here, I found the plot to be totally upredictable and extreemly engaging from the first chapter. But most impressive was the emotional impact this book had on me. Not many books move me -- this one did. A solid five stars.
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Summary: Could not put it down until finished!
Review: Bill and Ted have done a wonderfull job of telling a thrilling story that is woven with The Great Truth. I usually have a hard time staying with a novel and do not finish most. The Blessed Child had me staying up till 5:30am one night because I could not find a place that would let me sleep without wonder. A great read!
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Summary: Another Thumbs Up For Dekker
Review: BLESSED CHILD is an excellent novel that both inspires and thrills. Teaming with Bill Bright for inspiration, Ted Dekker shows that he's the real deal (in this, his third book) and should he continue to put out work like this I expect to see him around for a long time. BLESSED CHILD is basically a thriller with supernatural elements and romantic overtones. It takes you on a journey from the wilderness of Ethiopia all the way to Pasadena, California. In the process we meet and begin to love a little boy who exudes innocence, the love of God, and great manifestations of His power. We never question that this power comes from God (as some in the story do) because we are allowed glimpses of his heart, so the real conflict lies in how this power is accepted by the world around him. The road is an exciting one and Dekker does an admirable job of making sure that he paints the trip in vivid spiritual colors. This is another one of those rare novels that works on two levels -- it's a good read and it will challenge you in your Christian walk. Bill Bright's afterward notes that he believes a good novel on biblical themes can reach many more people than a normal theological work (similar to how Jesus' use of parables was so outstanding). BLESSED CHILD is a good example of how that can be true. FOUR STARS.
Rating:
Summary: thoroughly enjoyable
Review: Blessed Child is an excellent novel that provokes even more thought after you've finished reading it. I had a hard time putting it down.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant stuff
Review: Brilliant stuff, no pun intended. In the tradition of the Bible itself, full of light and stunning characters, and mind blowing experiences, Blessed Child is nothing less than a modern day retelling of that ancient book. Very moving. It's not suprising that some might take exception. This book is a wake up call.
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Summary: Enjoyed it...
Review: but not necessarily for the story. It wasn't the miracles, the bright lights or even Caleb's powers that impacted me, but rather the words of the dying leader,"Who says that a straightened hand is more powerful than a healed heart?" Little Caleb's battle with the "brine" in the oil of his heart and his struggle to "walk in the kingdom" reminded me of my first days as a Christian and how much I earnestly desired Christ and His kingdom as the pearl of great price, worthy of surrendering everything in my life for. That the book caused me to evaluate my desire for Christ and whether He was still my first love was this book's success for me, not the fiction. The story dragged in places for me and the constant use of the phrase "The Greek" to describe the priest threw me for some reason. In some ways, all the good characters seemed the same and all the bad characters seemed the same. Only Caleb and the dying man really stood out, but perhaps that was intentional. After the last page, I was on my knees, so the book did its job. :)This is my second Dekker title. It won't be the last.
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