General Analysis
Series Title: The Circle Trilogy (Black, Red, White)
Author: Ted Dekker
Publish Date: June 3, 2008 (The 3-in-1)
Genres: Christian Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Thriller
Related Series: Lost Books Series
Plot of Black (from GoodReads): An incredible story of
evil and rescue, betrayal and love, and a terrorist threat unlike
anything the human race has ever known. A virulent evil has been
unleashed upon the people of Earth. The only man who can stop it is
Thomas Hunter, an unlikely hero whose life is stretched between two
worlds. Every time he falls asleep in one reality, he awakes in the
other. Soon Thomas no longer knows which reality is real. Yet it quickly
becomes apparent that his choices in each world impact the other--and
that the fates of both rest in his hands.
Why and When I Read This Book: I began the Circle trilogy when I was in middle school. A friend let me borrow the books and this is when I fell in love with Christian fiction (especially the action-packed kind).
In Depth Analysis
This series goes along with the Lost Books series very well. The way that the books are intertwined is just ingenious. (For more information about how to books relate, see last week's "Throwback Thursday Book Edition".) The Circle Trilogy feels more like adult fiction, to me, compared with the Lost Books series which is young adult. Usually, I do not like science fiction, but this is the best science fiction series that I have ever read. The books are so action-packed and exciting that they are hard to put down. The Lost Books series is set in a fantasy type world; whereas, the Circle trilogy is set on a slightly futuristic Earth. This makes this series more realistic than the Lost Books, and I enjoy that.
The character and plot development are some of the best work that I have seen from an author. In the beginning of the series, the main character is confused about what is happening in the worlds ("dream world" and "reality") around him and that leads for a great opportunity for plot development that Dekker accomplishes really well. I hope to read this series again very soon, and I am also wanting to finally read Green, "the beginning and the end" of this series.
Final Statements
Recommended Reading Age: Any age
Overall Rating: 5/5