Customer Reviews

Deliver Me from Evil (Freedom)

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4 star:		(3)
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Deliver Me From Evil depicts the story of several youth whose lives could not be any different from each other. 18-yr-old Mara has been a victim of sexual slavery since her uncle brought her across the U.S. border from Mexico at the age of 6. Jonathan, also 18, and his 16-yr-old sister, Leah, reside in the comfort of suburbia, pastor's kids who have known relative security their whole lives and who have been largely unaware of the seedy undercover world around them. When Jonathan drops off a pizza at a motel as part of a routine delivery, his path crosses that of Mara and starts his whole family on a journey they never could have anticipated.

Kathi Macias has penned a heart-wrenching, well-written story, from the haunting beginning to its satisfying conclusion. The author writes with a steady hand, with beautifully developed characters and a keen insight into the world of human trafficking. The transitioning scenes between Mara's situation of being a sex slave and the home of Jonathan & Leah provide a stark contrast between the world of those where God is given priority, and the world of those where evil rules the day. The additional stories of other children being used for perversion, both in the U.S. and in Thailand, are also powerfully told. I found the novel to be engrossing, and the story impossible to stop reading as I had to find out what happened in the end.

This novel is not a light read. To be honest, I found it incredibly difficult to read about the horrific abuse suffered by the children trapped by human trafficking. At some points I wasn't sure I could even keep reading because the story made me sick to my stomach, but I'm glad I did as the story is an incredibly important tale, one that will stay on my mind for some time. My heart broke as the author vividly put a face to the experiences of millions of children every day, and I find myself wondering how can I respond? What would God have ME do about the situation?

I challenge everyone to read this book and have their eyes opened to a situation that is real and is likely occurring in their very own backyards. If your heart isn't touched by this book, then nothing will. Highly recommended, I give this story 4.5 out of 5 stars.

This review is based on an electronic copy provided by the publisher via netgalley for the purpose of completing this review.

Wow. What a book. Readers who pick up Deliver Me from Evil are sure to be changed by the powerful story found within the pages. I just finished the book minutes ago, and I am still trying to take it all. How incredible sobering, eye-opening, and stirring! People everywhere are often ignorant of this very real issue (human trafficking) going on around us, but this books brings it into a very up-close and personal prospective.

Told from the point of view of a wonderful cast of characters--several of them begin young girls stuck in the sex-slave world--Deliver Me from Evil is a story I won't soon forget. I've read a few of Kathi Macias' books before, but this one trumps them all! While she did a great job keeping the book as clean and non-graphic as possible, she doesn't steer away from the facts of the trade and what the girls go through.

Because of this, I wouldn't recommend it for younger readers, but older teen girls and mature readers should make this a must read. How many times do girls complain about protective parents? Reading the story of Jolene and Jasmine, girls taken when they wandered from the protection of their family, made me resolve to never complain about an over-protective parent again! Oftentimes, we girls think "it won't happen to us"...but Deliver Me from Evil shows how sex slavery is in our backyard! And, yes, it could very well happen to you. Sobering stuff, this book, but necessary. Eye-opening.

From the very first sentence in this book, my attention was captivated. I forewarn you that this is a very heavy read--but good at the same time. Illegal sex slavery exists today because too many people want to believe it isn't there. I highly commend Kathi Macias writing about such a difficult and painful subject. I can't imagine how heart-wrenching the research for this book must have been. If you aren't aware how prominent slavery is in the world--in America--get this book. Read it asap. Your thoughts on this issue won't ever be the same.

I reviewed this book for Pump Up Your Books: Virtual Book Publicity Tour. It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done.

Perhaps one of the most powerful books I've read in a long time, exposes the world of child kidnapping and human trafficking. Often times we think this happens in other countries far away from us, but we would be so shocked to learn that it may in fact be happening in our own neighborhoods in this country.

Using a fiction based story, Deliver Me From Evil by Kathi Macias is an eye-opening and tragic story of one girl, Maria whose name is changed to Mara is sold by her family in Mexico to her uncle in hopes of a better life. The better life she had dreamed of turns into a nightmare when she learns she has been sold into a prostitution ring and her uncle is running it. Now year later, Mara has found a way to cope, a way to place herself outside of what is happening to her body in hopes that one day she will die from the hands of one of clients who beats and abuses her. She knows she can never escape and find a life of freedom again.

Jonathan is on the verge of graduating high school and works nights delivering pizza at Slice of Italy. Only tonight's delivery will change his life forever when he encounters a young girl running from a motel room, half naked, begging him for help. An older man appears and takes the young girl back from him, claiming he is her father and she is mentally unstable and hasn't been taking her meds. Just as Jonathan tries to intervene, Mara calls for the young girl and validates the story. Thinking nothing more of it, Jonathan leaves, but can not forget the image or the young girls face pleading for his help.

In the novel, Deliver Me From Evil from Kathi Macias, the first book in the Freedom series, Kathi takes the reader into the world of human trafficking in the prostitution market within San Diego as the setting for this story. Finding it difficult to read as a parent of two girls, this book really hit home for me. Wondering if this isn't really occurring in our own towns and neighborhoods as young girls go missing, claimed by police as merely runaways or the victims of internet dating. How would a parent ever know if their child wasn't a victim of this senseless crime that is happening all over the world, especially when kids are walking home from school or attending late night events or a day at the beach.

This makes the reader more aware that these things are happening and even want to take a proactive approach at seeing this end. Not just criminals placed behind bars but for the need of this type of service to end and the tragic lives that are taken away forever, finding a way to heal the pain inside. I want to thank Kathi for taking a stand and writing a difficult novel with a strong story line like this one, if not to create an awareness in us, but to cause us to help in finding a way to stop this abuse once and for all.

I received this book compliments of Pump Up Your Book Tours and New Hope Publishers for my honest review and highly recommend it. Not a subject for young adults but definitely something that the church ministries should all actively be pursuing in their own communities. The more aware we become, the more we can find a way to end this nightmare for those involved. I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

Simply amazing. This book wasn't an easy one to read, but it's such an important issue. I think everyone should read it to open their eyes to the atrocities of human trafficking and sexual slavery and develop a heart for these victims. Kathi Macias tackled this tough subject with such empathy and grace. She delves deep into the emotional aspect of the issue without dragging the reader through the mud with too many gritty details. She also provides us breathing space from the atrocities by allowing us to spend time with a nice Christian family being drawn towards stopping this injustice. But at the same time she never shies away from the truth. The way she wove together stories from around the globe seamlessly completely wowed me. Her storytelling prowess is top notch. I go back to amazing. Simply amazing.

Kathy Macias is making me cry and want to get involved to help abolish human trafficking. I felt from the first page that I knew Mara and her deep pain and suffering. While in "the hole" I felt like I was suffocating with her. She has no hope...her family selling her and her uncle being a part of the slavery ring. It is heart wrenching. Having been involved with a ministry that rescues girls out of prostitution in the Golden Triangle in Thailand, I knew these things happened "over there" but not in my own backyard. Thank you, Kathi for bringing this horrible situation out in the open. May it be as powerful as Uncle Tom's Cabin in sparking the Civil War. We need to declare war on human trafficking. A good ministry called W.A.R. (Women at Risk) has a website where you can find out how you can get involved. [...]

Some novels entertain, some challenge, and some penetrate to the deepest recesses of your heart. In Delivery Me From Evil, Kathi Macias brings the issue of human trafficking to the forefront of our minds, removing the option of apathy. And yet, she does much more than weave a thought-provoking, and at times, gut-wrenching story. Throughout her novel, using various characters from different walks of life, she presents options for positive change.

We begin the story with Mara, an eighteen year old who should be planning for college and dreaming of her future but who, instead, spends each day fighting for survival. Her greatest defense is a hardened heart, if only she could keep the walls barring her emotions erected. Her heart bleeds for the abused children brought into the brothel, but her fight-or-flight instinct forces her to choke down her compassion. She's learned the hard way--emotions are dangerous and human attachments lead to pain. Beaten, humiliated, abandoned, and betrayed, she's given up hope for better, until, standing in the doorway of a seedy hotel, she meets the gaze of a man with eyes free of hatred and lustful hunger. Could kind men exist? Those who aren't out to use and abuse her? Although the question draws her, her shattered heart fights against the hope it awakens.

Meanwhile, Jonathan, the young man who catches a glimpse of Mara while delivering a pizza, can't shake the image of the terror-filled eyes staring out at him from a hotel room doorway. He tries to rationalize away what he saw, but God pricks his heart, bringing heart-wrenching clarity. As the reality of what he witnesses weighs down on him, the enormity of the problem becomes overwhelming. Sex trafficking in the United States? The thought is inconceivable, and yet, the truth is undeniable. But what can he, a high school senior, do? He's faced with two choices: pretend this evil doesn't exist or potentially risk his life to do something about it.

I loved this novel because not only does it educate through the story, but Kathi also provided numerous ways readers can get involved. As each character responds differently--from initiating meetings to sharing their testimony--readers understand that although the issue of human trafficking is monumental, there are ways to make a difference. The biggest of which may very well be awareness and education.

This was the first novel I've read by Kathi and I loved seeing her heart pour into the pages. Her choice of characters brought her message home. Through Jonathan and Mara--a youth about to embark on a very promising future and another youth robbed of her humanity--sex-trafficking victims are given a name and a face. In reading, it made me realize, but by the grace of God there goes my child or my sister. Which left me with one burning question--if Mara were my sister or daughter, to what lengths would I go to free her?

One of the largest problems in our society today is human trafficking. Many Americans mistakenly think this only takes place in third-world countries, but unfortunately it is being discovered on a regular basis in our own backyard. Kathi Macias, in her book, Deliver Me from Evil, paints a vivid picture of a sexual slavery ring in San Diego, California. The story involves Mara, a girl who is sold by her parents to her uncle. They never realized what he had in mind for her. While delivering pizzas, Jonathan happens upon Mara and another girl, and although he is told by a man that they are his children, Jonathan's conscience tells him otherwise. This is a gripping novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is entertaining, and yet educational, as you walk through the lives of these young people caught up in the horror of human trafficking.

Deliver Me From Evil is not for the faint of heart, but it's a powerfully inspiring story and I highly recommend it. Readers will come away with a desire to make a difference in the world, not only because of the new awareness of the horrible problem of human trafficking the book creates. The exciting plot and characters we care about show the importance of taking a step to help whenever we're made aware of injustice.

"Deliver Me From Evil" by Kathi Macias, was by far the most riveting story I've ever read for young people. I must be honest and say I had to go into the story slowly, digesting it bit by bit. This topic of modern day slavery is something I have heard very little about. It's heartbreaking, we already know, that so many children around the world turn up missing and some end up slaves in our modern times.

I felt for all the characters, especially the slave girls. Mara, the tough one, Chanthra, the one willing to reach out and help another slave girl, and Lawan, who's faith in God was unwavering. She made me smile.

I rooted for the hero toward the end, so was not disappointed.

I'm glad Kathi has a sequel about Mara, as a free woman.

Anyone wanting to know about modern day slavery, without the sordid details (Kathi handled that especially well), you'll want to read "Deliver Me From Evil."

Thank you, Kathi, for being brave and writing a much needed book that will surely make a difference in our world.

In Deliver Me From Evil, Kathi Macias plunges her readers into the dark world of human trafficking and exploitation of young children. This story follows the broken and tortured lives of sexual slaves, including Mara, who is betrayed into prostitution by her own family at seven years old. Their innocence brutally torn from them, these young victims learn how to hide all emotion as they struggle for survival.

The novel not only portrays the lives of these helpless hostages, but gives us a glimpse into the ruthless mindset and motives of their captors.

Through the darkness and despair shines the light of hope sparked by the compassion of a teen who can't turn his back on the obvious abuse. He risks his safety, confides in his sister, and relies on God's direction to engineer Mara's rescue.

Realistic characterization and a compelling plot mesh to produce this heartrending story. Macias grips her readers with the impact of this degrading social issue and leaves a mark on the human conscience that is difficult to ignore.