Customer Reviews

Heaven's Wager (Martyr's Song, Book 1)

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Several of my friends have read Ted Dekker's novels and strongly recommended I pick up a copy of one of his books. Any book. So I picked up Heaven's Wager. Starts a tad slow, but boy does it shine once you get into it. The patience required to work through the first 100 pages is worth the wait. What strikes me most is the spiritual message the begins rushing off the page in the latter half. I had noticed that one review broke ranks from a dozen other reviews here and questioned the books theology (although they failed to mention what bothered them.) What? Not unless you question the stories of the bible or noted works of fiction like Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, which is another author I would highly recommend. What we have here is a modern day Job story with some facinating twists thrown in. Very compelling. I also found the character of Kent among the most interesting I've read in Christian Fiction. Not at all stereotypical. In fact, Dekker's characterizations are one of his strengths in my opinion. He's not afraid to break from the typical characters found in these sorts of books. More like a John Grisham or a Dean Koonts, actually. I have since read Blessed Child, another of his books. I hear they are making a movie of it. Wow, Can't wait for that! Good Stuff! I just bought a copy of When Heaven Weeps, another Dekker novel. Someone told me it's like Redeeming Love (My favorite all time novel) on steroids. We'll see.

My friends have been talking about this book for nearly a year. "You've GOT to read it," they'd say. "I don't read fiction," I'd come back with. And I don't. I read a lot of business and motivational books, but I generally avoid novels. Still, they kept pestering me until I finally gave in and picked up a copy. From my library. No way I'm shelling out 15 bucks for a book I'll probably never finish. Boy, was I in for a shock!! That scene in Helen's house where she sees Heaven open up--WOW! I've never read anything like it. Let me tell you, I was hooked. I'm not a very fast reader, but I finished it in two days. Was up till 3 in the morning reading. What a roller coaster ride!

The only thing I didn't like was I thought the romance was just a little weak. But hey, what do I know?? I'm just a business guy. Anyhow, I plan to get my hands on anything this guy writes.

This book is amazing. It brings you into a whole new dimension of the spiritual side of life and the power of prayer. This is a must read, but beware, you will want to delve right into all the Ted Dekker books you can find.

Well written, descriptive, good plot development, good character development, GREAT STORY!

If you have ever: - had a great idea for the perfect crime - had a jerk for a boss - struggled with balancing work and family - had a hard time understanding where God fits in ... then you will find yourself in the pages of this book.

Kent comes across as a real person with real challenges, real emotions and real responses - not like the Barbie doll plastic that so many characters in this genre have. This book is head and shoulders above any other contemporary Christian Fiction I have read.

This is the first book I've ever reviewed despite being an avid reader, for the simple reason that it stands out as one of the most unique and insightful books I've ever read.

The story starts out a tad slow, but once I got into the story, I was hooked. This is one of those rare experiences that transends the mere thrill of a great story and speaks volumes. I picked the book up because of a Publisher's Weekly review that characterized it as intense and spine tingling, but which also took exception to the notion that God would allow the death of some for the sake of others. Having been through the death of a loved one, my curiosity was spiked. Why was a secular publication drawing this conclusion?

Now I've read the book and I must say, the Theology is not only rock solid, it is mainstream -- at least in Christian doctrine. True the idea that God would allow any to suffer for his purpose is one of the age old questions, but we cannot deny that God did indeed allow the death of a Godly wife and children for his purposes in the story of Job. In fact, the Bible is filled with examples of the death of innocents as is life itself.

The message I took away from this author's treatment of the subject is that death is not necessarily something to be feared, and honestly, he's put the point home in a most spectacular way. God's ways are not always man's ways. Death where is your sting? This is a novel - a work of fiction - but it speaks the truth in a way tha both opens the eyes and warms the heart. Daring treatment; well handled. Bravo!

The release of Heaven's Wager marks a new day for Christian fiction. This may be the most important book released by a Christian publisher since This Present Darkness took the religious publishing world by storm. Too long the step-child of general market fiction, it appears that Christian fiction has finally broken out of that mold and begun to forge a path uniquely its own.

What makes Heaven's Wager different? It combines three elements that set it above the run-of-the-mill Christian novel and actually make it superior to the vast majority of general market fiction. These are the three elements: Superior storytelling, real-world grounding, and spiritual impact.

As regards the first point, right off the bat, from the opening sections, readers can tell they've encountered a real storyteller. At the heart of this incredible novel is a veritable jet-assisted turbine powering the narrative. And it never quits. Yeah, there's a respite here and there, but the narrative drive never lets up.

As for the second point, this is where the author really shines. Seldom if ever have I encountered a story that has such believable surfaces. Too often, authors in the religious market seem to think it's enough merely to evoke settings and backgrounds, without taking the time to properly flesh things out. Not here. One of the really intriguing things about Heaven's Wager is the care that the author takes in setting up his story. I came away completely believing everything that happens--and some pretty incredible things happen.

Which leads me to my third point: spiritual impact. After all he's already accomplished, it's almost too much to expect the author to deliver in this last area, but that's really what the point is for Christian fiction--to make as powerful an impression on readers as possible. And, incredibly, that's where Dekker comes through strongest. I would venture to guess that almost everyone who reads this book will come away changed--it's that powerful. But don't just take my word for it. Buy this book now and find out for yourself.

Here's the deal: Everything up to now has been practice. Heaven's Wager is the first pitch thrown out to start the real season after Spring Training, the curtain up on a long-awaited Broadway play, the opening note struck by the orchestra of a world premier from Arvo Part. Sure, you say. I'll believe it when I read it. Well, what are you waiting for? Take up the gauntlet.

It's interesting to me that Mr. Dekker has appeared on the scene right after the turn of the millenium, because his work surely marks a new dawn for Christian fiction. I've been waiting for something like this for nearly forty years. Yes, I've spent many worthwhile hours with Lewis, Lawhead, Peretti, Percy, and scores of other writers plying the Christian fiction trade, but if you're like me, you've been waiting for that one utterly new voice, that one author whose vision is so clear, whose heart is so pure, whose message is so enthralling, whose story is so captivating that he (or she) literally signals a brand new start.

I'm here to say that that individual has arrived--no, has veritably burst on the scene, corruscating with crackling prose, armed with a message that cannot be gainsaid, and forging a path that I guarantee you will be well trod when the day is done. Like that old Nike commercial says, "Just do it"--that is, grab this book and don't quit until you've finished it. You won't be disappointed.