The Priest’s Graveyard by Ted Dekker

     When his mother and sisters are killed during a religious war, Danny Hansen makes it his calling to deal with the injustice in the world. Renee Gilmore is a victim of such injustice. When the love of her life is killed, she vows to avenge his death by going after his killer. These two paths eventually cross, and the twists and turns lead them down a road that could end with the deaths of both.

If you’ve been to my blog enough, then you should know I am a huge fan of Ted Dekker. I have yet to read a book he’s written that I absolutely didn’t like. This one, however, is not one of my favorites. Dekker’s skill still shines. He knows how to weave a plot, and the characters are very well written. These characters in particular, though I could sympathize with them, were not really likable… but I believe that may have been intentional. These characters are born out of trauma and pain, which leads them to situations of more trauma and pain. But I think it was the unlikable characters that made me not enjoy the story as much.

As usual, Dekker’s overall theme is love. Not mushy, romantic love… real love. This one also brings in themes of judgement and grace. Overall, it’s still a good story, just not up to par with Dekker’s previous work, in my opinion. You do have to realize, however, that my love of Dekker’s other works puts me into the OMG!-I-love-Ted-Dekker!-fangirl category. So my “negative” review of this book really isn’t all that negative, seeing as I hold his previous work in such high regard.

1) Overall Plot = 4.5
2) Characters = 4
3) Flow/Pace of the story = 4.5
4) Is the story easy to follow? = 5
5) Overall Enjoyability = 4

Average of  score 4.4
Overall grade = B

Where to buy the book: CBD | Amazon | B&N

Monday Musings 1/2/12

Hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading, this week’s musing asks… What is/are the first book(s) you’re reading for the new year?

I am currently reading “Tyndale: The Man who Gave God an English Voice” by David Teems. It’s a biography of William Tyndale (what little is known about him personally) and his work on the translation of the english Bible. So far, it’s very enlightening.

The next book I plan to read, unless I get in one of the review books I’m waiting on, will be “The Priest’s Graveyard” by Ted Dekker.

Wednesday Wonderings

Every Wednesday I’ll post a question related to books or reading. Just answer the question in the comments or post the link to your blog post where you copied the question and answered it.

Today’s question:
Who is your favorite fiction author?

My answer: Ted Dekker. He writes some of my favorite genres (fantasy and suspense/thriller) and has an amazing style.

Green by Ted Dekker

Green is Book Zero, both the final and first book of Ted Dekker’s Circle Series. This novel picks up with Thomas of Hunter and the Circle ten years after the events in the novel White. But now the Circle is breaking. The followers of Elyon have begun to doubt that Elyon will return for them as promised. Some doubt he ever really existed at all. To make matters worse, it is Samuel, Thomas’s own son, leading this turn from Elyon. Thomas must fight to keep the Circle together. Their hope lies in the Lost Books of History and making a way from the future world back to our world.

Ted Dekker, the author, says you can read Green as either the first or last book of the Circle series. I admit, I was doubtful. But I can now see how it works. The story does indeed come full circle. But I must also admit that I was left with a few questions. I am hoping these questions will be answered for me when I re-read the Circle series or the Paradise series. Or when I read the Lost Books series. Yes, they are all connected… in quite an amazing way. Despite the questions I was left with, and what I found to be a slow start as a new character was introduced, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. As usual, Dekker’s symbolism was beautiful. The mirror to the Christian faith is wonderful. And once the story really gets going, it’s a page-turner. If you love fantasy, this one is definitely for you. If you love symbolism, I strongly suggest this book. Another great novel from Ted Dekker.

This was book 1 in my 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge.

Too fast Ted….

Ted Dekker (my favorite author) is putting out books SO fast. Already scheduled for release in early 2010 are 3 books, one solo and 2 co-writes. Three! I still haven’t had a chance to get the ones that came out in 2009 because I was catching up on some of his older work. As a fan I’m glad there’s more Dekker material out there, but wow. Three book releases by April 2010. And what about the rest of the year? Will we get another? I wouldn’t put it past him. Keep ‘em coming Ted. I’ll read them eventually.  

Check out Ted at his website: http://www.teddekker.com/