Heaven's Wager (The Martyr's Song Series, Book 2) [Hardcover]

Ted Dekker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2000

satan challenged God the he could make Job a righteous man, curse Him-lost, but in this extraordinary novel, there a new twist to his challenge

Product Details

• Hardcover: 369 pages
• Publisher: Word Publishing (2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 073941240X
• ISBN-13: 978-0739412404
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,632,867 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Works Up to a Healthy Gallop, February 20, 2001

By 

Eric Wilson "novelist" (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Heaven's Wager (Martyr's Song, Book 1) (Paperback)

A friend shared this book with me, claiming she couldn't get past the first hundred pages. "I'm curious to hear your opinion," she said. "Maybe you'll like it."

Bottom line: Yes, I liked it. Loved it, even.

So why her frustration? This novel starts slowly, falling behind the pack of suspense thoroughbreds, appearing to be out of the race before it even begins. Dekker's writing is far from amateurish (except for the repetitive use of certain tags, such as: Stupid Street, pineapple-smiling face, and pinhead, to name those most annoying to me). He overdescribes near the beginning, then settles into a nice pace that I hope continues into his next two contracted books in the series.

Around page 100 of "Heaven's Wager," I thought the story was worth it, and the pace was improving. Around page 150, this little racehorse makes a break for it. The story of Kent Anthony's criminal activities is captivating and suspenseful, rivalling at times some of Grisham's best. The plot was intelligent, and the spiritual aspects, though somewhat heavy-handed at the onset, blended nicely into the story as it picked up speed.

As the book neared the finish line, the spiritual and criminal pieces came together--with one or two minor surprises. Although it didn't quite catch the leaders in the genre of thrillers and suspense, it passed a good portion of the field for a nice showing.

Next time around, I might just place my bets on Ted Dekker.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A modern day twist on the Job story, September 13, 2003

By 

Michael Erisman (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heaven's Wager (Martyr's Song, Book 1) (Paperback)

This is a different kind of book altogether. The key to fiction is to draw the reader into the story and the author does this masterfully. The life of the lead character undergoes such drastic and sudden change in the first few chapters that it is often painful to read. Another reviewer mentioned similarities to Grisham, and while there are some in style, unlike Grisham who weaves the reader slowly into an unfolding story, Dekker hits you in the head with it! Just when you think you have an understanding of the life of Kent, the lead character, out of nowhere comes a dramatic and unexpected turn. The whole book is like a roller coaster, a steady thrill punctuated by moments of sheer terror.

The best aspect of the book was the emotion captured in the lead character. His reaction to being unfairly cheated out of an employment financial bonus, his outrage at the betrayal and his feelings of helplessness when it is discovered that the decision to do so goes all the way to the top of the organization, sets off a journey of revenge. All through the story the conflicting emotion is captured powerfully. Also excellent were the realities of how empty life really is when wealth is substituted for relationship. The spiritual battle was always kept just out of reach and therefore never really comes together as smoothly as intended. However, the reader never really understands the larger picture until the last chapter.

Overall, a very powerful depiction and fascinating story. I doubt one could read this book without being impacted along the way.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bringing Theology to Life!, October 28, 2001

By 

"maryvines" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heaven's Wager (Martyr's Song, Book 1) (Paperback)

I first discovered Ted Dekker's writing through a compilation of reviews in CBA Marketplace. Well known leaders like Jack Hayford and James Kennedy and Max Lucado and Tim Lahaye, were commenting on another of his novels, Blessed Child. "More sound theology than most theological textbooks" said one. "Towering truth... a cutting edge call..." said another, and still another, "Superbly written..." How could a novel, a work of fiction, garner such praise from such respected leaders, I wondered. So I read it. And then I bought every book written by this author. His theology is not only right down the middle, it comes to life in ways I've never experienced. Whenever you take theology out of an ancient book and place it in a contemporary story, amazing things happen. Some who perhaps don't think it through, find it too real and bothering -- they might prefer to keep thier religion seperated from thier real lives. But most,like myself, find it refreshing and challenging. This book speaks volumes about the passion of God for every person he created. It is a stunning portrayal of God's love. It is thoroughly captivating. Highly recommended.