Customer Reviews

The Judas Ride

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

 

 

I hate to be so negative, but here goes...

While I love an edgy story (and this book has lots of edge) it bugs me when the point of view switches so often that you barely feel what the one person is going through and then you are out of their head. Plus the author does not resist the urge to explain. While some of that info may be good info, it needs to be shown through the book, not explained and told. It's like taking a basic math class and having the professor explain about numbers and then branch into calculus. I was like, "huh?" The author has major potential when it comes to setting, description and quirky characterization, but the technique she uses is severely lacking especially when it comes to characterization and dialog.

The way the characters think and the words they use in their internal thoughts don't fit either. And I've worked with many, many domestic violence victims and none of them have begged to be hit or said they loved it. Now I understand when people have death wishes, but that wasn't how it was portrayed here. And there wasn't anything to like about Sonia so having two guys pining for her was weird. I just had a hard time liking any of the characters. Some of the sickest ones had the most spiritual thoughts. You don't beat someone half to death and talk about Jesus like you know him. Strange personality switches, everyone yelling a lot and telling people to shut up. It was like everyone was tense all the time. At first I thought I liked the pastor and even he ended up being strange. He shoved one of the guys he was supposed to be ministering to and it just seemed over the top and inappropriate.

Bottom line, I think the content in this book was interesting, but after reading 100 pages I still didn't get the point of the story. Then when I turned the last page, rather than thinking I felt a sense of completion like you should feel when you finish a book, I felt a lack of worth. It was like "why did I just waste a lot of time reading this story?" I hate to say that because it's not nice, but honestly, I wouldn't know where to begin to fix this book if I were editing it. It also had a dark theme. I wouldn't call it a Christian book, but a book of theological fiction. They debate theology, but I didn't see real faith in any of the characters, many of whom died by the end or were maimed for life.

On the good side, I loved a few of the scenes because they were so realistically done, like the scene where the boys went fishing and one was attacked in the bathroom and watched the worms die from the floor. I was there for that scene--including the ride home. Most of the others were very abrupt and frenzied-feeling. I don't like feeling negative tension. I did like the way each title began with a phrase from Ecclesiastes. That worked well. Unfortunately by books end, I had to agree. It was utterly meaningless.

Deciding to go on "The Judas Ride" is not a Sunday afternoon ride through the country. It is a jumping into a car without your seatbelt going 110 mph on the streets of New York. There is nothing comfortable about it. It will take many readers out of their comfort zone. It explores subjects that few people have to deal with on a day to day basis. Much less as young teenagers.

Our world is very much like this book today. Raw. Edgy. Desperate for hope. There is a LOT of desperation in this book. What I find lacking is hope which is sad for a book of Christian fiction. One of the main characters is a pastor and even he is as lacking and confused as the rest of the characters in the book. I realize that pastors are human and have their "moments", but Pastor Manny truly disappointed me.

I wish I could say I recommend this book, however the "Judas Ride" is one I would just skip.

I hate writing negative reviews. I know the author spent epic time pouring out her heart and soul into this book that is her baby, I don't relish saying anything that will be devastating to her. But as a reviewer I owe it to my readers to tell the truth and point out the good and the bad or how can they trust me when I say something is really worth their time and money to read? This is one of the times that I have to seriously dissuade my readers from wasting time, money or brain cells on this book.

Starting out on a positive note... I like the cover of this book, and even the title. For a small publisher I was impressed by the presentation of the book. There is also a lot of good character development, quite a few central characters yet I still felt like I was really getting into their heads (almost more than I wanted to). Okay, that is about where the good ends.

Rarely do I read a "Christian" book that leaves me with the sense of wishing I could get my precious hours back that I spent reading it. That leaves me wishing I could take a shower and wash it away. This book did just that. I kept thinking that there would be some redeeming factors by the end that would make it all worthwhile - but no, instead there are tons of funerals (which was repeatedly spelled wrong by the way) whether by suicide, murder, fire or more suicide. Really? The pastor in the story is losing his faith by the end, for a long time I couldn't even figure out why it was called a Christian book. Then some of the characters started debating theology quite a bit - but that doesn't make it Christian. I look for God's redemption, His grace and mercy to shine through and bring hope... just because the baby born is named Mercy Grace does not mean God's grace and mercy have been exhibited to the reader.

This was the darkest, vilest book I've ever read. I understand that the author was going for "realism", "edginess" and "grit". But that doesn't mean you have to take every evil thing that has ever happened to someone and roll them all into one book (molestation, rape, murder, physical abuse, mental abuse, drug and alcohol addiction, premarital sex, unwanted pregnancy, abortion, and the list goes on...) This is supposed to represent the struggles of youth today, I may be naive but I don't know one single teen that is going through all those things.

I do know that no book is written for everyone and I am convinced that this book was not written for me... I just haven't figured out who it was written for. I have 2 copies of this book and I was going to give them away, but that is before I read it. I can not in good conscience pass them on to other readers.

The odd thing is that I read Peggy's book "Tare" and didn't think it was awful, it was kind of dark at the end, and didn't have the closure I was looking for but it wasn't anything like this book.

The Judas Ride shares the story of a group of troubled teenagers and their pastor as they question not only their existence, but the very existence of God- and how he does or doesn't play a role in their lives. The fictional tale has this particular group of characters in some very dark places - drugs, murder, self loathing, teen pregnancy, alcohol and corruption.
The tale itself is craftily written and holds well on its' own merits. There are moments in the story that will make the reader stop and think about their own beliefs and question their own moral caricatures, but as a novel in the Christian genre that is to be expected.
The book is well written and should be a suggested reading in all Christian high schools so that the intended audience will benefit from the advice that flows from Ms. Yarber's pen.
The part I found especially rewarding was when the pastor was also tested along the way and his faith in brought into question as well. There are so many twists and turns in this book that it really is difficult to put it down until the last page is turned.
Peggy Sue Yarber, Phd, is an educator and mother and drew upon her own experiences when writing this book.


Brenda Youngerman, Author
Private Scars
Public Lies
Hidden Truths
Sorrowed Souls
Restored Hope
Disrupted Lives