Editorial Review

It takes guts to write a novel that combines an ancient secret brotherhood, the Swiss

Reviews (1990)

Page turner deluxe
Okay, please don't be a snob and tell me this is lousy fiction. I read T. C. Boyle and Graham Greene, too, and Brown is not in their league. But on the other hand, they're not in Brown's league either. They could not write as compelling a page turner as Brown has done. So let's stop the bashing of 'airport' novels and appreciate what they offer. Great entertainment. This book has that in spades. I defy anyone to pick it up and not finish it.

There's a lot to like about this book...
Page-turner...Will keep you up late at night...Can't put it down...Fast paced...More than worth the money...How books should be written...In this book, Dan Brown displays his talents more than in any of his other books.You absolutely must read this book before reading Davinci Code.This book should have been the one made into a movie.You will see a master writer in every page.You finish this book wondering what the hell is going on in Mr. Brown's life that possessed him to write this book.It's clever, intelligent, thrilling, and thought provoking.This is a book that will stay with you long after you've finished it.Others criticize the ending, but when a book is this good, any ending to it will be hard to accept, because you want it to keep going.We are lucky enough that Mr. Brown does keep it going with more books in the series...Davinci.

Great book 'till the end
This was another great book by Dan Brown untill the part with the helicopter. When Robert jumps out, he so happens to grab a tarp and it so happens that the tarp is big enough to slow down his fall. He falls a few thousand feet, AND WALKS AWAY ALMOST UNHARMED!. That almost ruined the book but this ruined the book. After Robert leaves the hospital, the camcorder still works, and it confesses the whole evil plot. Like I said, great book, till the end. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crimes against    2. Election    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller    5. Mystery & Detective - General    6. Mystery/Suspense    7. Physicists    8. Popes    9. Religious educators    10. Thrillers    11. Fiction / General   

Reviews (189)

another review
The book strated out very well, and could have been something great. Instead it turned out to be another spiritual ( if you call it that) Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
I Wish there was 0 Stars
Like others, I had high hopes for this book.Sadly, I was disappointed.As a voracious reader who keeps 5-6 books going at the same time, I usually force myself to finish even the worst of books in the hopes that perhaps they just had a bad start and will improve further on.This was one of the most poorly written books it has been my misfortune to purchase; it was a complete waste of money.The action was confusing and puerile...written at junior-high level, at best.I have tried to force myself to finish, but I'm halfway through and reading it has become a chore.This is one book about which I will not know the ending, because I honestly don't care what happens!If you feel you must read it because of the good reputation of these 2 writers, then do yourself a favor and check it out from the library; don't waste your own money on it.I wish I could get a refund.

Doctrinally off.
I've read Dekker's Circle Trilogy and loved it (except for the ending.)Also, Peretti's "Oath" and "Visitation" were both outstanding books with great analogies. But I was taken aback at the doctrinal error in this book. #1. Christ Jesus is very God and very man...He is not an angel and He is not female. #2. Our sin debt was owed to God not to satan.God is the one who was wronged. Christ's sacrifice was to absorb God's wrath...not satan's. We owe satan nothing.Christ certainly owed satan nothing.This book's core is anti-Christ and I was very saddened that such an interesting tale ended as it did...with the characters bowing before a female calling her The Son of Man and The Light Who came into the darkness and then affirming that she was an angel. I have read C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" and am fine with alegory and fantasy writing that depict Christ's sacrifice...as long as it is left doctrinally sound. Sure, Aslan was a Lion... to parallel Christ as Lion of Judah but Lewis didn't cross the boundary of using actual titles that belong soley to Christ Himself and he certainly didn't say Aslan was an angel. John 1, 1 John 1 and Hebrews 1 is a great place to start to see that that line just shouldn't have been crossed.What if people who don't know any better read this book and believe that Christ Jesus, The Son of God, very God, very Man, Creator, Lord, God is an angel? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Mystery & Suspense Fiction    2. Christian fiction    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Religious    5. Mystery/Suspense    6. Religious - General    7. Religious - Mystery    8. Suspense    9. Thrillers    10. Fiction / Suspense   

Reviews (98)

Great first 200 pages, so-so after that
My mother and step-father sent me The Ezekiel Option with rave reviews that I found to be well-deserved - for the first half of the book.Sharply worded and tautly written, this book begins with what might be the best 200 pages of political thriller that I've ever read.
The Ezekiel Option
This is one of the best novels I have read. Easy reading easy to follow hard to put down

Fast Paced Thriiler
Joel C. Rosenberg has written an outstanding novel. Taken from today's headlines, the Middle East is unsettled due to new oil discoveries in Israel.Jon Bennett, Presidential advisor is directly impacted by a government overthrow in Russia.He consults his mentor, former Mossad agent Eliezer Mordechai.Dr. Mordechai exposes Jon to the prophecy from Ezekiel 38-39, which tells of an uprising of Middle Eastern nations along with Russia.These nations intend to attack Israel.This is so familiar that it is uncanny. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Religious    3. Religious - General    4. Religious - Mystery    5. Suspense   

Reviews (76)

This is MY #1 book
To all of you who downgraded "The Expected One", please take your comments elsewhere! I thought this was an excelent book and would highly recommend to anyone with an open mind. I may be just a simple housewife and mom, but I do have very strong spiritual beliefs. I most certainly belief that Jesus and Mary were married with a family. And that Kathleen's claims in her book are very possible. I dont need physical proof, I have faith. I think it took alot of courage for her to bring forth these claims, and it's people like you that forced her to make her claims a fictional story. Please, have an open mind and heart.

Where is the literature?
i enjoyed this book for its ideas but as a literary work- a novel- it didn't move me.i wonder if this book wouldn't have been better if the publishers had left it as a nonfiction work, then readers wouldn't expect the kind of nuance and depth that one hopes for in a novel. For those looking for a more literary, if albeit more radical, treatment of Magdalen, i recommend The Passion of Mary Magdalen by Elizabeth Cunningham instead.

OK-- it isn't Tolstoy, but it isn't terrible either.
Ok-- I'll admit the writing and dialogue are not great, and the characters are flat.But I really enjoyed the take on the gospels and the role of women in the world of Jesus Christ.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller    3. Mystery And Suspense Fiction    4. Religious - General    5. Thrillers    6. Fiction / Thrillers   

Reviews (40)

The stunning and inspiring The Circle trilogy concludes
Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
One in a Million
The book "White" is a amazing book that keep you on the edge and begging for more as you continue the story of Thomas Hunter and his amazing dreams of another reality. I reconmend that you you read the first two books of a the circle series "Black" and "Red" before you read this book.

White: The Great Pursuit

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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Religious    3. Mystery/Suspense    4. Religious - Fantasy    5. Religious - Mystery    6. Religious - Science Fiction    7. Suspense    8. Crime & mystery    9. Fiction / Suspense   

Features

• Audiobook
• Unabridged

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Fiction/Religious    2. Audiobooks    3. Fiction    4. Mystery & Detective - General    5. Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths    6. Mystery/Suspense    7. Unabridged Audio - Fiction/Mystery    8. Fiction / Romance / General   

Reviews (43)

Time is running out, but will Thomas prevail?
Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
Ted Dekker & his Black, Red & White books were awesome!
I loved this series. The first book I read by Ted Dekker was THREE. That book kept me on the edge of my seat. So when I saw Black, Red & White, I couldn't wait to read them. Intense reading that will NOT lose your interest. The Christian parallel is phenomenol. Ted obviously has experienced a walk with God and His spirit. I loved the allegories, I loved the sci-fi element, and the story line is so intriguing. You won't be sorry you decided to read this series of books!
Thrilling and Fast Paced: Red delivers
When I first sat down to read the second book in the trilogy, I had high expectations because of the foundation that was covered in Black.This book exceeded my hopes and pushed beyond the realm of what I thought was possible in the world of Thomas Hunter.With the passing of each page, the intensity grows and raises mind-bending questions.Then the book delivers on its setup and rewards the reader with a story so fulfilling that it's hard to find words to describe.Red transitions beautifully into White, the last installment of the Circle Trilogy where the remaining questions are answered.Fast-paced, riveting, and wonderfully written, this book is a must read for all lovers of fiction. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Religious    3. Mystery/Suspense    4. Religious - Fantasy    5. Religious - Mystery    6. Religious - Science Fiction    7. Suspense    8. Fiction / Suspense   

Reviews (81)

A Waste of Time
This book came highly recommended from a friend, described as a "page turner a la the Da Vinci Code " by Dan Brown. I have a keen interest in the grail legend and related novels, so I eagerly anticipated reading this book.Trust me: this ain't no "Da Vinci Code" -- and you won't be seeing any movie made from this hopelessly confused story. It was all I could do to finish it. Very poor writing.I felt like I was inside a cheap harlequin romance novel. Gag.

GREAT BOOK!!
This story held my attention!! You have to be an open-minded person though, because if you are not (don't believe in reincarnation) than you will not like this book. I love the fact that the present day characters were the past characters reincarnated. You suspect you know things, but you never do until the last moment. Again, I say this is a GREAT book!

Other "Grail" stories are better
I was disappointed in this book.It was bogged down in too much detail concerning the battles that took place and was otherwise disjointed and confusing.Your time would be better spent reading "The Eight" by Katherine Neville. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Albigenses    2. Excavations (Archaeology)    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - General    5. Fiction - Religious    6. General    7. Mystery & Detective - General    8. Religious - Historical    9. Time travel    10. Fiction / Literary   

Reviews (55)

One of The Greatest Books On Esoteric Knowledge Ever Written
I have to honestly say that Hall outdone himself on this one. It is one of the greatest books on esoteric knowledge ever. He speaks openly about the mystery schools,divination,book of Revelation and other spiritual topics. A must have for anyone interested in the esoteric traditions.

Brilliant Work
Brother Manly P Hall has written a brilliant book that covers so much. His knowledge of esoteric philosophy and religion is endless. He was a brilliant man who has contributed so much through his many works. This book is very well written and is vey beautiful. It is a very insightful piece of work that will enlighten all who read it's text. I would encourage all to read this book, it is one of the most important and influential books that I have ever had the honor of reading. I would recommend reading some of Hall's other works and those of Sir Francis Bacon among others.

THE encyclopedia of esoteric teachings
The book is amazing in its amount of topics covered, from Gnostic beliefs, the lost city of Atlantis, who really wrote Shakespeare, who were the Rosecrucians,secret meanings of the Zodiac, alchemy, Pythagorean math, mystery schools and much,much, much, more at 56 chapters. For an introduction to every esoteric religion in history, buy this book.I read it from cover to cover and it was enthralling for all 672 pages.Also get "lectures on ancient philosophy" to go into more depth. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. General    3. History    4. Mysteries, Religious    5. New Age    6. Occult Sciences    7. Occultism    8. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    9. Secret societies    10. Spirituality - General    11. Symbolism    12. Self-Help / Motivational   

Reviews (113)

Terrible Book
I could not have been more disappointed in a book! This book offers no real spritual inspiration. Maybe Frank Peretti has become enchanted by the Bigfoot legend but this book is far and away his worst. The plot is weak, character development is terrible and the ending is anti-climactic. Extremely disappointing!
Big disappointment for a Peretti fan
I had thoroughly enjoyed all of Frank Peretti's novels, from This Present Darkness to The Visitation, until this one. While the story starts out well, the many scenes of Beck being dragged here and there through the forest by her Sasquatch abductors soon become repetitious and at times downright boring. As for the "science" behind the actual monster in the story, it appeared to me that Peretti was trying to go for a Michael Crichton-type story line, but Peretti doesn't have Crichton's gift for making complex science understandable (and entertaining) to layman readers. Also, if Crichton were writing this story (which of course he wouldn't, since he doesn't expound a Creationist doctrine), he would have concentrated more on the monster and it's creation and the various scientific, social and moral implications of it's creation, rather than spending endless chapters on Beck learning how to appease her captors. As a Christian, I always look forward to the underlying spiritual meaning of Peretti's stories, but with the exception of the rather perfunctory "Darwinism doesn't work" message, I could find no real spiritual values at all, unless you want to count Beck's gaining some self-esteem and losing her stutter. But then, you know that will happen before you finish Chapter One.

Frank Peretti Lite
I call this one "Frank Peretti Lite."It was very entertaining but not a deep as his previous books.Instead of focusing on sin and spiritual warfare, this one had a creationist angle.I really enjoyed it, just not the same as his other books.Also, you have to remember that this is fiction.Of course the scenario is highly unlikely if not impossible.But the central point about mutations comes through.Great summer read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Religious    3. Horror - General    4. Monsters    5. Mystery/Suspense    6. Northwest, Pacific    7. Religious - General    8. Religious - Mystery    9. Supernatural    10. Suspense    11. Wilderness areas    12. Fiction / Suspense   

Reviews (45)

How could this book ever get a good review?!
I got this book right after it came out and read it the same day I bought it. It was...to put it mildly..horrible. Several times throughout the book I thought I was going to have to make a run for the bathroom to empty the contents of my stomach. I kept on hoping that it would pick itself up and turn around until I reached the end and found that it would never be able to do so. When finished, I found that this book left me with a nauseated feeling and I could not read for close to 6 months for fear of something similar happening in another book. I do not recommend this book for anyone, especially people of the younger generation. What went wrong that Dekker's writing style changed so dramatically?!

Couldn't Quit Reading!
I am new to Ted Dekker: but I'll be getting further acquainted. The story kept me turning the pages; some of my guesses were prescient and others missed the mark. Captivating! Where have I been as this author emerged in contemporary mystery fiction? A great read!!!

What a Showdown!
Ted Dekker never disappoints!WOW!This book will have your mind spinning and just when you think you have figured it out, you sent down another tunnel with more twists and turns!A page turner from the very beginning and a much deeper story within.A must read for any one wanting more than a candy coated story.The truth is all over the story and shows us what a showdown we all will have to face in life!WOW! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Contemporary Fiction - Individual Authors +    2. Colorado    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller    5. Fiction - General    6. General    7. Mystery/Suspense    8. Religious - General    9. Suspense    10. Western stories    11. Fiction / Suspense   

Reviews (5)

Couldn't put this one down!
Both of these books are wonderful!I read them cover to cover!Terri Blackstock has done it again!

Awesome book
Terri Blackstock has done it again. This book made me think of the end of time...when we all must come together...trust in God for our needs and know he will provide as he says in scripture.What an awesome book and ending!

Great second chapter to the series!
I really loved this next book and now can't wait for the third book in this Restoration series.In this book, services and functions improve a bit (using pre-computer technology) and the people become very practical.Concerns of left-behind children, etc. come into the picture.
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Subjects:  1. American Mystery & Suspense Fiction    2. Children's 12-Up - Religion - Christian Living    3. Christianity - Christian Life - General    4. Fiction    5. Fiction - Religious    6. Mystery/Suspense    7. Religious - General    8. Religious - Mystery    9. Suspense    10. Christian Interest    11. Modern fiction    12. Religion / Christian Life   

Reviews (249)

Excellent historic novel
The name of the rose is one of those books that when you start reading them appear to be somewhat boring. But it was definitely not. Life in monasteries during the middle ages is incredibly depicted, and Umberto Eco builds a story of increasing mistery page after page.
"The Anti-Christ can be born from piety itself, from excessive love of God or of the truth."
Set in an Italian abbey in 1327, The Name of the Rose takes place during "the Babylonian Captivity," a seventy-year period in which the popes were French and the Holy See was transferred from Rome to Avignon.In this time of immense turmoil, monastic orders competed for influence, both temporal and spiritual.Some orders were declared heretical, and ecclesiastical trials for heresy reflected the struggle for power as much as they did the very real philosophical conflicts.Italian, French, and German emperors competed for political domination, and the often hostile relationships among the papacy, holy orders, and various emperors made monastic life anything but tranquil. Good but not great
All in all a very enjoyable read. I especially liked the feeling of time and place that this novel develops. Less interesting to me were the overly long philosophical musings or rantings of various characters; you get the feeling Eco was hoping to convey deep insight in these passages but they are generally pretty shallow. And loud warning sirens should go off whenever you stumble upon an entire chapter devoted to a dream or hallucination. You'd better hope to be in the hands of a master; if not, you'regoing to have to wade through pages of pseudo-meaningful drivel like what Eco offers in chapter Terce on Day 6. Ouch! He's a good writer, but not nearly good enough to pull off this type of stunt, which thankfully is attempted not too often.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    3. History    4. Italy    5. Middle Ages, 600-1500    6. Monastic and religious life    7. Monastic libraries    8. Mystery & Detective - Historical    9. Mystery and detective stories    10. Fiction / Mystery & Detective / General    11. Modern fiction   

Reviews (107)

The saga of The Circle begins...
Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
C. S. Lewis Meets Dan Brown
I am addicted to great story telling. Ted Dekker is now my main drug dealer. I'm halfway through Red, the second book of the Circle Trilogy, and have now put Mr. Dekker in my pantheon with Robert Jordan, Stephen Lawhead, C. S. Lewis and Professor Tolkien. This guy writes literary heroine.
it's a trilogy
I really enjoyed reading this book.A friend kind of randomly recommended it to me, but failed to mention that it was one of three.It was great.The descriptions the author used certainly painted life in a new way (you'll understand more when you read it.)Of the three books, I really enjoyed Black (1st) and White (3rd).I guess reading Red was necessary to get me there, but overall each book is very different and leave the reader hanging, so be prepared to read on.I was frustrated with my friend for failing to mention what I was committing to in starting to read the book, but it was a great read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Religious    3. Mystery/Suspense    4. Religious - Mystery    5. Suspense    6. Fiction / Suspense    7. General   

Reviews (51)

An emotional and spiritual journey
When Veronica (Ronnie) Swan was 12 years old and baby sitting her two younger sisters, Scott Early, an emotionally disturbed man, wandered in off the street and brutally murdered the two little girls while Ronnie was being "it" in a game of hide and seek. He was seized by the police but after trials and tests, was declared unfit to plead and was incarcerated in a mental institution for 3 years, before being released as recovered and normal. Ronnie's parents, practicing Mormans, elected to forgive the man but Ronnie struggled to find any feeling of forgiveness for him, much to her parent's sorrow. As a young adult, she located the Early's and infiltrated their home, using another name, as a sitter for their baby daughter. Eventually Early recognises her and the consequences of that recognition are catastrophic. The book brought me to the brink of tears several times as I don't think that I's have the charity or enough love for my fellow man to forgive this appalling crime, despite knowing that I probably should.

A gripping read
Crouched in wait during a game of hide and seek, 12-year-old Veronica Swan witnesses a stranger brutally murder her two younger sisters. The family -- as well as their entire Mormon community -- is never the same, as the memory of the two lives, only four and six years old, so tragically cut short is continuously with them everywhere they go. But eventually, Ronnie's religious parents come to grips with the murder, and even meet with the mentally unstable Scott Early to forgive him for what he's done to them.
Forgiveness In Many Forms
The power of forgiveness is the centerpiece for Jacquelyn Mitchard's sweet and satisfying novel, 'Cage of Stars.'
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Literary    4. Mormons    5. Mystery fiction    6. Religious - General    7. Utah    8. Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

For Steve Berry, it's a fortuitous coincidence that his third novel, a Vatican-centered conspiracy thriller titled Read more

Reviews (90)

Intriguing plot, yet with certain shortcomings
The Good:
Great Thiking Person's Thriller
I purchased this book thinking it was going to be very similar to the DaVinci Code (which I suppose everyone has to do when considering anything having to do with the Vatican,thrillers, etc., these days), however, I was pleasently surprised to find that it really didn't.This story is a very interesting and thought provoking thriller.It doesn't have a lot of "car chases" and "shoot em' up" kind of action, but it is still very, very exiting.The story also provides one with a great view of what goes on behind vatican doors, and I also found the historical information about several visitations by Mary to be fascinating.And, when you are done reading it, make sure to check out the predictions of Father Malachi Martin online.

No Secret: It's a load of crap!
What a piece of propagandistic garbage! If an author is going to use
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Subjects:  1. American Mystery & Suspense Fiction    2. Cardinals    3. Catholics    4. Election    5. Espionage/Intrigue    6. Fiction    7. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller    8. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    9. Mystery & Detective - General    10. Mystery/Suspense    11. Popes    12. Religious - General    13. Suspense    14. Thrillers    15. Fiction / General   

Reviews (166)

Hard To Put Down
Three is a psychological thriller with lots of twists and turns.They keep coming right up to the end.
Life or Death
Kevin was driving home when his cell phone rang, but little did he know that this phone call would change his life.A man Kevin didn't know was on the other line and this man said "Hello, Kevin you have three minutes to confess your sin to the press or your car blows sky high."End Call.
Mediocre at best.
"Three" aims to be suspenseful and insightful. It is neither. The plot is ill-contrived and bland. The characters are thin - you never come close to caring about any of them. It is in parts ridiculous. The ending has been done time and again. If you're a hardcore Ted Dekker fan, or if you're a suspense junkie not concerned with quality, dive right in. However, surely there must be better pieces of work out there. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Religious    3. Mystery/Suspense    4. Religious - Mystery    5. Suspense    6. Fiction / Suspense   

Editorial Review

James Patterson's