Throwback Thursday Book Edition #4: The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker

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

Throwback Thursday Book Edition #3: The Lost Books series (1-4) by Ted Dekker

Picture from GoodReads

General Analysis

Series Title: The Lost Books (books 1-4)

Author: Ted Dekker

Publish Dates: 2007-2008

Genre: Young Adult, Christian Fiction, Fantasy

Plot for Chosen (from GoodReads):  Think with your heart and prepare to die . . . for you have been Chosen.

Thomas Hunter, supreme commander of the Forest Guard, has seen a great evil decimate much of his beautiful world. With a dwindling army and an epic threat, Thomas is forced to supplement his fighters with new recruits ages 16 and 17. From thousands, four will be chosen to lead a special mission.

Unknown to Thomas, the chosen four are redirected to a different endgame. They must find the seven lost Books of History before the Dark One. For these seven books have immense power over the past, present, and future, controlling not only the destiny of their world . . . but that of ours as well.

Why and When I Read This Book: I started reading the Circle trilogy, the companion series to the Lost books series, in middle school and I loved them.  I started reading this series in high school, but I only owned the first 4 books.  I now own the last 2 books as well and I hope to read them very soon!

  

In Depth Analysis

This series is a fantasy series that is just amazing.  The world that Ted Dekker created is so detailed and so beautiful.  The concepts behind this book are so unique.  I don't want to give away too much, but this series and the Circle series are closely related in that the main character in this series is also the main character in the Circle trilogy.  The Circle trilogy is set in the "real world"; whereas, the Lost books series is set in an amazing fantasy world.  I cannot explain exactly how this is possible without giving away too much information about the books, this unique concept is one of the reasons that I love this series.

Another reason that I love this series is that one of the main themes is good versus evil.  Unlike a lot of authors, Ted Dekker makes out evil for what it really is: dark and sinful.  He also illustrates the Love that God has for all of his children and contrasts this to the ideals of the evil character and by doing this shows how great God truly is.  I think it is important to show the darkness of evil not only to warn against it, but also to use it to show what true Love is and that God is whom we should seek after always.

This fantasy novel is great for those who love a good adventurous story full of action.  I would also recommend Ted Dekker's Circle Trilogy to read along with this series.  The chronological order of the books is Green ("The Beginning and the End" to the Circle Trilogy), Black (Circle Trilogy), the Lost Books series, Red (Circle trilogy), and then White (Circle Trilogy), but either series can be read first and still be easily understood.  Next week's Throwback Thursday will be on the Circle Trilogy.

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: 10 and up.  There are some violent scenes, but that are not graphic (if I remember correctly).

Overall Rating: 5/5

Throwback Thursdays Book Edition #2: The Hunger Games Trilogy

This weeks "Throwback Thursday:Book Edition" will be for the Hunger Games trilogy.

General Analysis

Series Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Publish Date: May 1st, 2011 (Kindle Edition with all  three books)

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian

In Depth Analysis

I originally read this book in high school.  I read the  first book as part of a group that I was involved in known as the Helen Ruffin reading bowl.  The Hunger Games was nominated for the Georgia Peach Book Award for Teen Readers in 2009 and won this award.  I read the first book as part of the Helen Ruffin reading bowl team.  I read the second book soon after and I read the third book shortly after it came out in 2010.  I recently bought all three books for my Kindle and have since reread the whole series.

My Original Thoughts:  I really enjoyed the first book.  I thought that the plot was so unique and I really enjoyed the plot twists.  The love triangle in the book was excellently placed and I was eager to find out who Katniss would choose.  As the series continued, I found that I was disappointed with how the series progressed.  The series became kind of predictable and never ending.

My Thoughts After Rereading The Series:  After I reread the series, I enjoyed the last two books much more than the first time that I had read them.  When I reread the books, I noticed more details than I did the first time and that really amplified how much I enjoyed the books.  Suzanne Collins developed a wonderful story that I will be happy to read once again.

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: I would recommend this book to mature teenagers and older as there is a good bit of violence.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Throwback Thursdays Book Edition #1: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I Would Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

I hope you are all having a wonderful Thursday.  I am going to be starting a new series on my blog entitled "Throwback Thursdays: Book Edition" in which I will be discussing and doing mini-reviews of books and series that I have read in the past.  I was part of a quiz bowl team in high school for books that were nominated for the Georgia Peach Teen Readers' Choice Award Nominees.  The first book that I am going to discuss is I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter.  This book is part of the Gallagher Girls series.  I first read this book as part of the quiz bowl team I was part of in high school and I reread this book recently.

General Analysis

Book Title: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You

Author: Ally Carter

Publish Date: August 20th, 2009

Genre: Young Adult Mystery Chick-Lit 

Plot:  Cammie Morgan is a student at Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, an all girls' school for spies.  Her mom is the headmistress and her classes are challenging, but she finds that the hardest challenge is falling in love. 

Overall Thoughts: I really enjoyed this super cute YA book.

In Depth Analysis

This book is a really enjoyable, light read.  The characters are detailed and the plot is simple, but I feel like this is a very well written book.  There was a lot of cheesy humor and I am usually not a big fan of cheesy humor, but it is well placed and it did put a smile on my face.  The romance is cute and tween feeling.  The book left a very good impression on me when I finished it.  I cannot wait to read the rest of the Gallagher Academy series.

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age:  This is a perfect book for tweens.  There is nothing inappropriate.

Overall Rating:  5/5

Rippler by Cidney Swanson

General Analysis

Book Title: Rippler

Author: Cidney Swanson

Publish Date: June 15, 2011

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal

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Plot:  Samantha has a unique gene that gives her the ability to turn invisible, or ripple.  There is a danger in possessing the gene.  The gene itself is not deadly, but there are people that want those who possess the rippler gene dead.  Will they be able to figure out the secret behind the gene and how to stay alive?

Why I Read this Book:  I found this book free on Amazon and the cover really popped out to me.  The cover is so gorgeous!!! After reading the synopsis on Amazon, I knew that I had to read this book.

Overall Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book.  It was full of suspense.

In Depth Analysis

I really enjoyed reading this book.  It was filled with plot twists and action.  Although sometimes predictable, this book really kept me on my toes and wanting to read more.  It did not take me long to get hooked and wonder were the time had gone after reading over 40% of the book at one time.  The suspense was really well placed and well written.  The romance was perfect for a young adult book.  The only negative thoughts that I had about this book is that it was poorly written in parts and the writing style was not very well developed and also there was a few curse words in the book, especially near the end.

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age:  I would recommend this book to ages 13+.  There was some cussing in the book, but that was the only inappropriate material in the book.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Saving Casper by Jim Henderson and Matt Casper

General Analysis

Book Title: Saving Casper

Authors: Jim Henderson and Matt Casper

Publish Date: September 20, 2013

Genre: Christian Nonfiction

Plot:  The book was written by both Jim Henderson and Matt Casper. Jim Henderson is a former pastor and Matt Casper is an athiest. They traveled to different churches together in order for Casper to share his view on different churches. It is interesting to hear an atheist's perspective about how effective Christians are at converting non-Christians. The book also discusses how effective we, as Christians, are at doing as Jesus did and serving others.

Source of Book: I received a copy of this book for review from Tyndale House Publishers.

In Depth Analysis

I learned a lot from this book; it really changed how I think. The book points out that it is important to befriend non-Christians and to serve others. We should show others the love of Christ and connect with people and not just try to convert them. It also showed that atheists do not always believe that religion makes the world a worse place.  Casper believes that if everyone truly acted like Jesus that the world would be a better place.  As a Christian, the book made a lot of sense and seemed to be accurate to what I believe Jesus was trying to tell us while He was on earth.

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: This book does not have any material in it that would not be appropriate for young audiences, but I believe that the book is geared towards an adult audience.

Overall Rating: 5/5

Future Reviews and Reads

I hope to finish Forgiveness by Matthew West soon.  I am currently reading Rippler by Cidney Swanson.  This is a young adult fantasy novel about a girl who finds out she had a genetic disorder that allows her to ripple (to disappear spontaneously).  I got this book free from amazon for my Kindle.  I hope to begin The Why of Things by Elizabeth Hartley Winthrop and Do What Jesus Did by Robby Dawkins very soon.  I received both of those books in FirstReads giveaways on Goodreads.

The Reason by William Sirls

General Analysis

Book Title: The Reason

Author: William Sirls

Publish Date: September 4, 2012

Genre: Christian Fiction, Inspirational, Contemporary

Plot:  Lightening hits a cross outside of a church that cannot afford to fix it.  Alex, a young boy and member of this church, is diagnosed with leukemia.  Although bad things are happening all around them, the characters in this book are reminded again and again to "only believe" and God will do what He does best: take care of things.

Why I Read this Book: I had been wanted to read this book for about a year now and I was blessed to have received a copy as part of a giveaway (from the author) in a GoodReads group, Christian Fiction Devourers about a month ago.  I received two personalized signed copies, one for me and one for a friend.

In Depth Analysis

I really loved this book!  The overall theme of the book was to trust in God. This theme was expressed since the beginning pages of the book.  The book also reminded me that God wants to be an active part of our lives and wants to have constant communication with us.  He wants us to fall to Him when we are in need and to trust in Him even when it seems that He is not here.  I am encouraged to just believe and let God take care of everything.

The book was not only encouraging, but also a fast-paced, exciting read.  There was not a dull moment throughout the book.  I have to admit there where a few tears shed, but I was left with a reminder of how great God is.  I love how this book is telling a fictional story for entertainment, yet the story leads you to focus not on the characters but on God and His magnificence.

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: I would recommend this book to ages 15 and up due to mature, real-life situations (alcohol, depression, ect.).  It is a clean book, but some situations in the book may be too emotionally tough for younger audiences to be able to handle.

Overall Rating: 5/5

A Woman's Heart for God: Drawing Closer to the Lover of Your Soul by Sheila Cragg

Book Title: A Woman's Heart for God: Drawing Closer to the Lover of Your Soul

Author: Sheila Cragg

Publish Date:  March 12, 2013

Genre: Christian Nonfiction Inspirational

I received this book from GoodReads First Reads giveaway.






In Depth Analysis

This book is absolutely amazing! It is a great book that has advice that I believe is applicable to any Christian, man and woman alike. It gives great ideas for getting to know the Lord better including making scripture index cards to bring with you throughout the day. It gives great advice about prayer and memorizing scripture. It also discusses how to release your life to the Lord and become closer to Him. I would recommend this to any Christian.  Sheila Cragg gives examples in her life where she has struggled to continue to yearn for learning more about God and she gives advice on how to overcome these road bumps in life.  I really loved this book, but do not want to tell everything that the author talks about.  She says it much more eloquently than I ever could.

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age:  Any, although the writing style may be more enjoyable to adults

Overall Rating:  5/5

Future Reviews and Reads

I am so excited to announce that I have received my first book from Tyndale Publishing company to review as part of their Tyndale Blog Network.  It came in the mail this week.  It is Saving Casper by Jim Henderson.  Here is the synopsis from GoodReads:

The authors of the popular "Jim and Casper Go to Church" are back! An unlikely friendship began when former pastor Jim Henderson brought atheist Matt Casper with him to visit a series of churches and give his honest feedback on the services. Since then, Casper has spent a "lot" of time deeply engaging with Jim and other Christians. And the burning question on everyone's minds is whether Casper has been saved. In "Saving Casper," Jim and Casper engage in a new conversation about that question. Most Christians have friends like Casper--people who've heard the gospel but still say no--so what happens next? Jim and Casper reveal the surprising answers to questions like: What can an atheist teach us about how to share God with those who don't believe? What have well-meaning Christians said to Casper that has helped--or hurt--their cause? What, if anything, might bring Casper and other nonbelievers to faith . . . and why does Casper say he's closer to God now than ever before? "Saving Casper" is a groundbreaking, game-changing look at evangelism and the "conversion conversation."

I hope to begin reading it soon.  I am currently beginning to read Forgiveness by Matthew West that I received as part of a giveaway from Thomas Nelson Publishers.  I received three copies from them so I get to share this book with two wonderful people.

I am also currently reading The Reason by William Sirls.  It is amazing so far and I cannot wait to read the rest of this Christian Fiction novel about the miracles that arise after a wooden cross in front of a church is hit with lightening.  I received two copies of this as part of a contest in a group that I am a part of on Goodreads (Christian Fiction Devourers).  The author gave out plenty of copies for these contests.

Finally, I have a few books on my shelf that I have won from GoodReads First Reads giveaway that I hope to read soon.  They are The Why of Things by Elizabeth Hartley Winthrop, Do What Jesus Did by Robby Dawkins, and Hope Conquers All by Sona Mehring.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

General Analysis

Book Title: The Uglies

Author: Scott Westerfeld

Publish Date:  February 8, 2005

Genre: Young Adult Dystopia

  

Plot:   In a society that makes you get a surgery that makes you “pretty” when you turn sixteen, Tally Youngblood is really excited about her 16^th birthday.  Until you have this surgery, you are considered "Ugly".  It is a “perfect” plan that is intended to prevent people for judging others.  Just before she turns sixteen and after her friend Peris has had the surgery, Tally meets Shay, a girl that almost never lives by the rules of the government.  Will Shay convince Tally that it is not worth turning pretty and that it is better to run away in hopes of finding a secret society?

Overall Thoughts: This is the second time that I have read this book and I enjoyed it as much, if not more, than the first time that I read it.I really enjoyed the plot and the characters in this book.  I also really enjoy the writing style.

In Depth Analysis

To me, this book is a mix of YA contemporary and dystopia.  It is a classic dystopian in the sense that the story is set in a futuristic society that is supposedly better than societies of the past, but the society has flaws that the government is trying to hide.  It also has a very contemporary feel to it.  It has a substantial amount of romance and “girlyness” to it that just makes it feel very contemporary.  It is a great mix of both of these genres that would seem not to mix well with each other but go very well together in this book.

My favorite part of this series is the intricate plot that Westerfeld presents.  The plot is full of so many new concepts and plot twists that are relatable to the reader and this makes the story an exciting journey.  Everything in this book is unexpected.

My second favorite part about Uglies is how well developed each of the characters are.  The reader knows little about the characters when he or she begins the book, but the reader quickly falls in love with each of the characters.

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age:  13+

Overall Rating: 5/5

Future Reviews and Reads

I am currently reading The Reason by William Sirls.  I received this in a giveaway as part of the GoodReads group, Christian Fiction Devourers.  It is a Christian Fiction novel.  I am thoroughly enjoying this book and hope to be finished with it before the end of the week.

I am also reading a devotional/inspirational type Christian book entitled A Woman’s Heart for God: Drawing Closer to the Lover of Your Soul by Sheila Cragg.  It is also very good and gives great tips on how to become closer to God.  I hope to be finished with this book by the end of the next week.