Customer Reviews

The Hunted: A Novel

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you like Frank Peretti (The Oath, Monster), you'll love this Christian novel by Mike Dellosso. This powerful, edge-of-your-seat suspense tale has everything you'd expect from a good Peretti: scary scenes, a supernatural battle between the forces of good and evil, flawed Christian characters who struggle with their faith, spiritual warfare, a town with a dark secret, a touch of romance, a freakish monster on the prowl for his next victim, nail-biting suspense, and lots of well-crafted action.

This novel has everything going for it. The mysterious plot is fresh and original, and Mike does an excellent job of dangling the mystery over the head of the reader and very slowly revealing it bit by bit. He kept me guessing and the pages turning. The novel also offers several powerful spiritual themes about prayer and about returning to the God we sometimes turn our back on. The story's message has stayed with me long after I finished the last page.

This is an amazing debut novel that kept me hooked from the first chapter. I had a hard time putting this book down, and I'm eager to see what Mike does next. Check out this novel. You won't be disappointed. It's better than most Ted Dekker I've read. Deeper. More complex. More spiritually satisfying. I especially enjoyed the ending. Just when I thought the story was over, culminating in a creepy hunt in the fog, more was yet to come. Don't miss it. This novel delivers. Just be sure to keep the light on.

Reading a debut novel can be like going on a first date. There's a sense of mystery, thrill, wonder, and the fear that this might not go well. Or, if it does go well, you ask yourself if it's a long-term deal. In the case of Mike Dellosso, I think I've found an author I'll stand by for years to come.

"The Hunted" establishes a new voice in the suspense market. We find ourselves in small-town Pennsylvania, where grisly scenarios are being discovered as a new threat unveils old secrets. Joe Saunders is pulled into the mystery by his relationship to a victim, and his former feelings for the local female police chief.

Dellosso writes with a keen eye to detail, in much the same way Stephen King captures small-town life and personal histories. At times, these details seem a bit ponderous for their place in the story, but most often they add realism that nicely balances the plot's horrific aspects. Dellosso doesn't wallow in the horrors, but he makes them seem truly dangerous and threatening to any and all.

Nicely paced, "The Hunted" wanders through the landscape of both modern and traditional horror writers. I was reminded at times of some Nathaniel Hawthorne short stories, at others of Scott Nicholson's rural scares. Through it all, Dellosso weaves a spiritual thread that reminds us of the power of prayer and God's place in the midst of tragedy.

I can't wait to see what Dellosso has coming up next. I'm already anxious for a second date.

The Hunted by Mike Dellosso is a powerful thriller in the vein of Frank Peretti with a hint of Stephen King. Joe Saunders has to return to his hometown when his young nephew, Caleb, is mysteriously attacked by a strange animal. Joe hasn't been home in 15 years, because he's been avoiding facing up to the mistakes he's made in his past. His former girlfriend, Maggie Gill, is now the Chief of Police who is in charge of investigating the incident. But soon, Joe finds that Maggie seems more interested in covering up or denying the increasing attacks, and when he starts to investigate for himself, he discovers that his hometown is filled with generations of secrets and lies, and only the truth will save them all. Dellosso's debut novel definitely reminded me of Peretti's The Oath. I was impressed that through the darkness of his writing, he's able to portray a visible hope and deep faith. He keeps the tension going by writing like great horror films: he keeps the truth behind the monster under wraps until the last possible moment, drawing nerves to the breaking point: well done! And Dellosso throws in a twist at the end: I thought the end was rather anticlimactic until I turned the page and discovered the story was far from over. A stellar work by a first time author!

Mike Dellosso has written an excellent first novel. Great characters, well crafted story with a clever way of exposing the secrets of Dark Hills, just enough creeps to make me a bit more careful when hiking through the woods and a fantastic grand finale that lasts nearly 80 pages. It's good to see strong followers of Christ in a Christian novel and not just those seeking. Spiritually speaking the book is a five star.

Two things I had a bit of a problem with but they're minor. First, I'm not one for long descriptions in a thriller. An example would be I really don't care what someone's home decor looks like especially when in a few pages they're dead. It wasted a page and a half, it adds nothing to the story and slows down the pace of a thriller to a crawl. In The Hunted's case this happened a few times too many. Secondly some of the characters thoughts were redundant which also slowed down the stories rhythm.

All in all this is a great book and I'm looking forward to reading his next novel. If you're looking for an adventure do yourself a favor and get this book.

Please remember Mike in your prayers as he goes through this tough time in his life. Jesus is still in the healing business.

1 Star = Pathetic
2 Stars = Fair
3 Stars = Good
4 Stars = Excellent
5 Stars = Life changing

Advice to supernatural thriller fans -- pick up The Hunted, sink your teeth into it, and prepare for a wild ride. Debut author Mike Dellosso's prose is solid and descriptive. His characters are well-drawn, distinctive and believable. Twisted and fast-moving, the story delivers plenty of creeps and thrills. Dellosso delivers a solid plot line that intensified in the heart of the book and carried through to the end, no soggy middle here. Issues of faith were handled honestly and with sensitivity.

I whipped through The Hunted often reading "just one more chapter" and am giving it 4 enthusiastic stars. I found The Hunted to be a very well-written, intense first novel and I'm looking forward to reading more from Mike Dellosso.

Chickens, consider yourselves warned. You may find some scenes to cluck about...

While playing in the woods with his friends, eleven-year-old Caleb Saunders is viciously attacked by a large, snarling, mysterious animal. His uncle Joe, a man struggling with his newfound faith, sets out on a mission to find the creature. Along the way he rekindles a friendship, and maybe something more, with the local Chief of Police who's on a mission of her own. The two uncover things about themselves and the monster terrorizing their community they wish they hadn't.

As you read The Hunted you can't help but draw comparisons to another celebrated monster story--The Oath by Frank Peretti. Both feature heroes bent on finding a rogue animal (a bear in The Oath, a lion in The Hunted) who's either killed or hurt someone they love. Their female counterparts are law enforcement officers with pasts, and there's a spiritual battle raging behind what's happening in the physical realm. The Hunted has a little less gore and symbolism than The Oath but fits the horror/supernatural vein perfectly. I cut my Christian fiction teeth on Frank Peretti, so it was a pleasure to find a worthy counterpart in The Hunted.

It's refreshing to pick up a novel like this one which engages us right from the start and doesn't shy from Biblical truths. It's a dark world. We need more light in our books, and The Hunted lets it shine. It still delves into the gritty reality of its characters, but with a restraint that's appreciable.

A recent trend in Christian fiction is toward vague spiritual references and good stories that don't include swearing, sex or graphic violence but also don't include much in the way of Christian content, either. There's certainly a place for all types of novels, but it can be disappointing to pick up a book from a Christian publisher that really has no spiritual takeaway other than the characters believing in God. Dellosso's first novel doesn't disappoint. It's sure to earn him shelf space alongside the "greats" like Peretti and Dekker.

I was honored to have the chance to endorse The Hunted as follows:

From page one The Hunted grabbed me by the collar and wouldn't let go. It's full of intrigue, supernatural undertones, and true-to-life characters. I highly recommend this superb debut novel. Mike Dellosso could very well be the next Frank Peretti--if you liked The Oath and Monster, you are going to love The Hunted.

--Reviewed by C.J. Darlington for TitleTrakk

A touch of horror, a pound of suspense mixed with a good helping of secrets and faith blend together to create Mike Dellosso's "The Hunted".

When Joe Saunders learns of his nephew's disappearance in his hometown of Dark Hills, he returns to help in the search. As he begins his search, Joe also begins to hear about a beast in the woods, secrets of old dark places and comes face to face with his past, generational secrets and learns of plots of revenge too horrifying to believe. All of these will be a test for his freshly renewed faith.

As I read this book, I was really drawn into Joe's personal journey. Even though I read Mike Dellosso's books for the suspense, I really enjoy watching the growth of the "hero" on his journey through the story. The moment of his realization of his own helplessness and God's sovereignty are my favorite parts because it is then I know that, despite all the horrors and hurts being faced, that things will be all right in the end.

The Hunted by Mike Dellosso reminds me of Frank Peretti or Stephen King (without the foul language). However, Mike is no clone. His fresh voice makes his stories stand on their own. Combining suspense, mystery, horror and strong faith, he takes you on a thrilling ride that keeps you guessing. If you're looking for great entertainment with a spiritual message, you need to read this book.

I just finished reading, The Hunted. What a bone chilling thriller. I think everyone who likes mystery, suspense, edge of your seat drama should buy this book today. It's a real page turner!
I can't wait to read Mike's other novels.

Mike Dellosso's debut novel is most impressive. His writing style is reminiscent of the original Twilight Zone series. Small, sleepy town that time has forgot. A town with a dark history. Joe, returning to his hometown, only to come face to face with evil. Joe, who has turned away from God and left his faith by the wayside. Will he return to God and renew his faith before the evil that stalks overpowers and destroys him? Dellosso carefully reveals the story in such a way that the reader simply can't put The Hunted down. If you love true suspense and terror, then you're sure to love Mike Dellosso's novels.