Customer Reviews

And If I Die (The Black or White Chronicles #3)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

And If I Die by John Aubrey Anderson is the third book in The Black and White Chronicles. Missy, Mose, Bill, Pat and the rest of the gang are back to do more battles with the demons of Cat Lake. We're now up to 1968, and Bill is getting finished with college. He's taken up bull-riding with his friend Will Pierce. Pat hires two new interns Griff and Supe. The Bainbridges are still in pursuit of their sons' killers, and Estelle has hired an assassin to track down Mose and Bill. I really enjoyed finally getting some back story on Mose. His life as a child is fascinating, as are his encounters with demons before Missy is even born. Bill is blossoming as a character, and I think that he will really shine in upcoming books. This book introduces a hoard of new characters, but I didn't feel it was as strong as the first two in the series. Abiding Darkness was phenomenal, and Wedgewood Grey was terrific. This book carries on the story and gives the Gospel well, but so many new characters were introduced, some of the regulars didn't feel as deep as they usually do. This book closes some chapters and opens the door wide for some new stories to be told while continuing the saga of Cat Lake. I look forward to the next book.

I've read the first two books in this series and although Mr. Anderson is not a great writer in my opinion, he has been able to offer suspense and intrigue as well as spiritual edification in his novels. Unfortunately, I found this latest one dragging and unclimatic. There were sections that were enjoyable (Mose's childhood for example) but most of the book just offered extremely mundane details about people making acquaintances with each other. The end was horribly predictable and unimpressive. It read more like the telling of a real-life story that was deeply spiritual but lacking the intrigue to make it into a movie. If I'd read an abbreviated version of this book in a Christian magazine under "testimonials" then I'd be thoroughly impressed. I love this author and hope he does well in his future literary endeavors.

And If I Die is the third in the Black and White series and an excellent close to a great story. The characters are ventage Mississippians of the fifties and sixties.

John Anderson is one of the best writers I have read in a long time. I was not able to put this book down. It is suspenseful, funny, and sad all at the same time. You feel like you know these characters. Excellant read.

My father found this series and recommended it to me and I love it !!! I was upset at first to be unable to find these books at my local library, or the online coalition library!!! However, I purchased the books and have enjoyed reading them and sharing them with other people !!! Great series, great author, cannot wait for more !!

The war with the demons started at Cat Lake but it isn't over yet....

Estelle Bainbridge, a demon possessed congresswoman, wants revenge on Moses Washington and his "grandson", Bill Prince. She hires an assassin to track them down and kill them, as they have disappeared and are living under the assumed last name of Mann (unbeknownst to Estelle). Mose continues to faithfully devote his life to God while Bill is more interested in bull riding than anything to do with God. God has a plan, and this time it will be Mose's "almost daughter", Missy Parker Patterson, who hears the call.

AND IF I DIE is the third book in The Black or White Chronicles. While it can be read as a stand alone, readers should probably follow this series in the correct order so that the nuances of the storyline won't be missed. The relationship between Mose and Missy was well established in ABIDING DARKNESS and WEDGEWOOD GRAY, along with the history of the demon involvement and issues of faith that make this series so successful.

AND IF I DIE is a very thought provoking book. While on the surface, the battle between the forces of God and demonic beings may seem a bit sensational, John Aubrey Anderson keeps this series realistic and focused on the issues of faith in God. The faith of Mose is deeply moving; he is a man completely at peace in his faith. Missy's impetuousness will strike a chord with many readers as she has to reign herself in at times, but her faith is unwavering as well.

AND IF I DIE takes the reader further into the spiritual journey regarding faith. In ABIDING DARKNESS, many of the basic tenets of Christianity were explained, while in WEDGEWOOD GREY, the importance of prayer was fully explored. AND IF I DIE not only takes both of these issues into account, but also demonstrates the various ways that faith in God and Jesus can be shared with others. John Aubrey Anderson continues to write powerful, deeply moving stories about faith that transcend both time and racial barriers. Thank you, Mr. Anderson!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

The last book in this trilogy was okay...not as good as books 1 or 2. However I would purchase another book written by J. A. Anderson

I read this in 2 days. It was definitely a page turner. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more action in it. Of the three books in this series I liked the 1st one more. It seemed to clue the reader in more on the demon activity/plan throughout the book which made it more chilling. And in the first one there were repeated attacks, with the snakes, then the possessed boyfriend...just more action.

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (7/07)


Good continues to fight evil in "And If I Die," the third in the "Black or White Chronicles" series. It all began in Mississippi in 1945 when evil attacked Missy Parker. Demons were loosed on the small town of Cat Lake. But the evil didn't stop when her life was saved. The demons travel across time and land to continue to enact their wickedness.

In 1960 Bill's mother was beaten to death. A white man stepped out of nowhere and helped Mose to protect Bill from the young college men about to kill him. When the dust settled, the young men were dead. The white man disappeared without leaving a trace. Mose became a surrogate grandfather to Bill, now an orphan. One of the young men was the son of Congresswoman Bainbridge; she pledged her soul that she would find and destroy those she held responsible for her son's death. Mose and Bill fled the town, took different names, and started life over. Twenty years later Bill is attending North Texas State University.

It's now 1968 and Bainbridge is filled with hatred, anger, and a demon. She is determined to exact revenge for the death of her son. Only God and His angels have the power to intervene.

John Aubrey Anderson's "Black or White Chronicles" continues with book three, "And If I Die." While this book can stand alone, it would be better to read the whole series in order. I found it like stepping into the middle of a movie and wishing I could have seen the first half. However, I caught on to most of the characters. I particularly liked Mose. Character development is one of Anderson's strongest talents. This plot is filled with demon-possession and angels. Anderson manages to show the struggles taking place in both the spirit and physical world, without being preachy. I highly recommend this book to believers, fans of fantasy, and science fiction.

Received book free of charge

Mose Washington and his young charge, Bill Mann finds themselves at odds over many things despite the bond forged through fire years before at the scene of his mother's murder. Bill is determined to pursue his love of bull riding while Mose puts his energies into prayer and love for the boy he calls his grandson.

Missy and Patrick Patterson's devotion to each other is unwavering. Pat is Head of the Philosophy Department at North Texas State University and Missy soaks up Mose's wisdom and chafes at Bill's choices.

Estelle Bainbridge continues her search for Mose and Bill, exerting her significant influence as a Congresswoman towards one goal - the location of Mose and Bill to exact her chilling revenge. The evil that lurked beneath the waters of Cat Lake back in 1945 is poised to strike again without mercy.

John Aubrey Anderson's extraordinary gift of writing does not waver in the third book of The Black or White Chronicles, And If I Die. The layers of his characters continue to be revealed with the focus on Mose Washington, his childhood and his growth into a man of integrity, compassion and spiritual strength. This book does not have the roller coaster intensity of the previous instalments instead its pacing is slower with a steady buildup to the climactic ending. This is far from a criticism - I was enthralled by Mose's story, to see his strength develop through his response to adversity and impact of the faithful nurturing and encouragement of a man after God's own heart, his Great Grand Pap.

Another dimension to the story is Pat's philosophical discussions with his students. These interactions paint a clear picture of the case for Christ without being overbearing and the resulting sacrifice made by one of the characters, moved my soul. This book will challenge, encourage and engage you and leave you wanting more of John's storytelling abilities and the destiny of the folks from Cat Lake.