Red

June 1, 2004
In the second part of his three-book Circle trilogy releasing this year, Dekker pens an absorbing thriller that convincingly blurs the lines between fantasy and reality. In Black, readers met Thomas Hunter, whose dreams move him from a contemporary world to a strange other-world and back again. In this sequel, Hunter finds himself again torn between two realities after a 15-year respite from his dreams. Pitted against the New Allegiance, which has intentionally spread a deadly virus known as the Raison Strain that threatens to destroy the modern world, he launches a desperate search for the scientist who can provide the vaccine. In Hunter's other world, the savage Horde with its loathsome skin disease is on the brink of overpowering the Forest People, who hope for Elyon's deliverance. But the Forest People's"Great Romance"-love of Elyon-has degenerated, and when the controversial, messiah-like Justin proposes a truce, things quickly disintegrate. Although there's gruesome violence (a torture scene paralleling the crucifixion and another torture scene involving a needle), Dekker steers clear of sexual situations and profanity. His writing has improved tremendously in a short period. The Christian symbolism woven into the story will delight readers of faith, and the intriguing plot will interest general fantasy readers.

June 1, 2004
Christian suspense author Dekker continues his highly successful "Circle" trilogy (after Black, published in February) with protagonist (and failed writer) Thomas Hunter living in two alternating realities, each on the brink of mass destruction. When he falls asleep or is knocked unconscious, Thomas switches worlds. In the first, he is a 25-year-old trying to thwart terrorists from using the threat of biological warfare to gain global power. In the second, he is a 40-year-old army general leading a small band of warriors. Each world's survival depends on information he must gain in the other. The strength of this series is its fast-moving, action-packed plot. However, the conservative political overtones are transparent: the French prime minister is described as a weasel who will give in to terrorists' demands to save his own skin. Later on, a Frenchman is revealed to be the mastermind behind the deadly virus. Mixing politics and religion this way will make some readers uncomfortable. Recommended with reservations. Dekker lives in Colorado. [White, the third volume, will be released in October, the first time a trilogy has been published in less than a year.-Ed.]

Copyright 2004 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.