The Circle Series by Ted Dekker
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
- mui-scrimp
- Posts: 242
- Joined: 24 Sep 2014, 21:06
- Favorite Book: This question is impossible
- Currently Reading: The Red Queen
- Bookshelf Size: 0
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mui-scrimp.html
The Circle Series by Ted Dekker
-Brian Herbert
- rssllue
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 50731
- Joined: 02 Oct 2014, 01:52
- Favorite Book: The Bible
- Currently Reading: A Year with C. S. Lewis
- Bookshelf Size: 602
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-rssllue.html
- Latest Review: My Personal Desert Storm by Marcus Johnson
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. ~ Psalms 4:8
- mui-scrimp
- Posts: 242
- Joined: 24 Sep 2014, 21:06
- Favorite Book: This question is impossible
- Currently Reading: The Red Queen
- Bookshelf Size: 0
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mui-scrimp.html
-Brian Herbert
- rssllue
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 50731
- Joined: 02 Oct 2014, 01:52
- Favorite Book: The Bible
- Currently Reading: A Year with C. S. Lewis
- Bookshelf Size: 602
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-rssllue.html
- Latest Review: My Personal Desert Storm by Marcus Johnson
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. ~ Psalms 4:8
- ConnorDiemer
- Posts: 5
- Joined: 06 May 2015, 08:02
- Bookshelf Size: 0
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-connordiemer.html
- Momlovesbooks
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 328
- Joined: 13 Apr 2015, 12:49
- Currently Reading: A Book for Oreo
- Bookshelf Size: 253
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-momlovesbooks.html
- Latest Review: Winter's Kiss by H.L. Hines
- MKRUGEL77
- Posts: 8
- Joined: 07 Jul 2015, 11:19
- Bookshelf Size: 187
- Reading Device: B00BWYQ9YE
- e-tasana-williams
- Posts: 358
- Joined: 13 May 2016, 18:50
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 141
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-e-tasana-williams.html
- Latest Review: Monkey Mind Madness by Sharon Dorival
- Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
The recurring themes of the power of blood (as a gateway to another world/reality), the power of faith in the face of sure defeat, and the power of words to become reality form the pillars of the novel.
What Dekker does quite well in Green is how he includes biblical parallels. While it is truly a work of fiction, Green is unashamed Christian allegory. The faithful Circle await the second coming of their god Elyon. Some of the Circle remain faithful while others question their faith or lose faith altogether. The members of the Circle have died to this life (through baptism) in order to follow Elyon, while the evil Horde are consumed by a disease (sin). Dekker even includes scripture in his work; some straight from the Bible, some thinly veiled. Christian readers will enjoy finding these peppered throughout the story.
One drawback for me was that Dekker’s conclusion to his Circle series is at times confusing. The reader is constantly made aware that the story occurs in circular, not linear fashion but this method of storytelling tends to take away from the reader’s enjoyment of the story. For example, Dekker’s writing of an abstract titled, “The Beginning and the End”, followed by a prologue that repeats word for word some of the abstract, then the first chapter titled simply, “0”, causes the reading of the first 20 pages to be halting, as the reader re-reads previous paragraphs for clarity.
Another con is for readers expecting wholesome Christian fiction. Dekker openly describes sensuality. Green is not for kids. It is an adult Christian novel, if one could choose such a genre. From the reference of couples as lovers to the erotic descriptions of encounters between the vampire-like shataiki and their victims/worshippers, Dekker risks offending some readers expecting less risqué writing from a book with “Fiction/Christian/Suspense” as its Library of Congress subject heading.
Overall I enjoyed the novel once I got past the confusing introductory pages. The fantasy aspect of the book appealed to me, and so did the Christian allegory. It was fun imagining the otherworldly scenarios described, and gratifying to find parallels between the story and the Bible. I give this book 3 out of 4 stars.
- Brittster
- Posts: 37
- Joined: 04 Apr 2016, 15:37
- Currently Reading: Inkheart
- Bookshelf Size: 25
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-brittster.html
- Latest Review: "Trankarri" by Christopher Dean
- Reading Device: B00KC6I06S
-
- Posts: 11
- Joined: 19 Jul 2019, 16:36
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 27
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-suzannem-81.html
- Latest Review: The McCoys Before The Feud by Thomas McCoy