Description: Ten years ago, Grace saw something that would forever change the course of history. When evil in its purest form is unleashed on the world, she and others from their religious community are already hidden deep in the hills of Tennessee, abiding by every rule that will keep them safe, pure--and alive. As long as they stay there, behind the red perimeter.
Her older brother's questions and the arrival of the first outsiders she's seen in a decade set in motion events that will question everything Grace has built her life on. Enemies rise on all sides--but who is the real enemy? And what will it cost her to uncover the truth?
For the first time, bestselling authors Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker team up and deliver an intense, tightly focused ride through the most treacherous world of all.
My Thoughts: For me, its been a while since I have read one of Ted Dekker's books and the first time reading one by Rachelle. I've heard glowing reports of both authors' works and thought upon hearing that this was a mystery/suspense, that it would be just like Boneman's Daughter and The Bride Collector. Both of which had been some of my favorites of Ted's books. Instead, this had reminded me more of Forbidden or The Angel's Share (the latter of which is by a different author).
Both of those books I enjoyed, even though the allegorical styles were not my favorite compared to others. However, this one didn't capture my attention as well as those had. I hadn't felt drawn into the mystery, instead feeling like I had a pretty good grasp of everyone's roles and the story's outcome from the start.
The fear that is supposed to be prevalent in this book is more of an anxiety; a fear of messing up and doing the wrong thing, of being caught, of being judged and punished. And the story does a good job of showing that in this setting, and the red rope was a great picture of what the story was getting at. However, even though I also deal with anxiety issues, I didn't connect with this story or most of its characters.
Part of this could have been due to what felt like holes in the world building. The Fury are purposefully left vague, in my mind a little too vague so that I didn't see enough information to personally find them intimidating. And then there was the in-business general store for a small, completely cut off from the world community, as well as a long abandoned gas station with still running water. Those details, and others like them, might have had explanations, but the story world wasn't developed to a point that it did so.
This book had its strengths, but overall I felt that the weaknesses out weighed the rest. The novel is a fairly easy read, one that could still be enjoyed by the Dekkers' fans as well as those looking for stories like the two I named above. However, with the confusion I have seen over what genre this book truly falls into, it will not be for everyone.
I have provided an honest review after receiving a copy of the book from the authors and publisher.
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