Customer Reviews

Maggie (Awakening Series #2)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
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The "Dead Don't Dance" ends with Maggie Styles waking up from a coma after a traumatic labor and this book continues the story of Maggie and Dylan. Their problems are far from over and they struggle with many issues which begin to drive a wedge into their once-wonderful relationship. They are surrounded by an interesting array of characters from the first book and these characters are further developed and explained in "Maggie". Dylan and Maggie go through many frightening experiences, perhaps TOO many, but Charles Martin always seems to find a way out of seemingly hopeless circumstances without making his solutions too easy or too black and white in a gray world. Perhaps his biggest accomplishment is creating characters who, while certainly not perfect, are usually loveable and very human.

Maggie continues the poignant journey of Dylan and Maggie Styles introduced in Charles Martin's excellent debut novel The Dead Don't Dance. Martin did not intend to write a sequel when he completed The Dead Don't Dance but his readers will be grateful he changed his mind!

Maggie has awoken from the coma into which she fell after the traumatic labour that ended in the stillbirth of her firstborn son. Dylan, forever grateful for her restoration believes, "All the world was right.". As with all tragedy those it strikes are permanently changed and life never returns to what it once was. Dylan and Maggie struggle to adjust to the emotional and physical fallout from their trauma and as life becomes complicated and their hopes for a family diminish rapidly they need to find a way to hope again.

Parallel to their story, Martin develops the intriguing yet damaged character of Bryce Kai McGregor, whose penchant for playing the bagpipes naked added so much humour to The Dead Don't Dance. In Maggie, his eccentricities are highlighted and explained, as Dylan discovers the horrors through which he has lived, survived but scarred in deepest places of his heart.

Dylan and Bryce's friendship is one of the many treasures to be discovered in this novel. Dylan's childhood friend, Amos and his wife, Amanda Lovatt also return as part of the tapestry which connects this sequel so seamlessly to The Dead Don't Dance.

Charles Martin's characters tug at your heartstrings due to their authenticity and his ability to convey the inner workings of their hearts and minds. His secondary characters are of the same quality and substance as his main characters being one of the many factors that set Charles' writing apart. While the number of tragedies befalling the young couple and their friends escalate at an alarming rate, the story is saved by Charles' unique literary style and unequalled character development. Charles use of symbolism throughout his novels is beautifully done and his avoidance of tying up all the loose ends neatly is a credit to him and a compliment to his readers.

Fans of Charles Martin's THE DEAD DON'T DANCE happily will receive this moving sequel. Beginning where Martin's tale of husband and wife Dylan and Maggie Styles's loss of their newborn son and Maggie's subsequent slip into a coma left off, this follow-up opens with a brief explanation of the couple's horrendous experience. Dylan's voice speaks throughout the text with a raw edged candor, the kind born of grief. Though still suffering from the aftereffects of having held watch over his beloved Maggie during her four-month-plus coma, Dylan can't help but be awed by every move his wife now makes. Whether sleeping, eating or working in the garden, Dylan doesn't miss a beat if it concerns Maggie. His alertness to her movements is so beautifully depicted, readers instinctively understand how deep and abiding Dylan's commitment is to his wife and her full recovery.

As Maggie gains strength again, the yearning for another child becomes the topic around which their lives revolve. In both fear and wonder Dylan is greeted with the news that Maggie has conceived again. He can't help but trace his thoughts back to the results of her first pregnancy, the death of their baby and the coma. Dylan is preoccupied with the "what ifs" and Maggie takes note. Day by day, Dylan gives it his all to ensure Maggie's continued progress both physically and emotionally. Just when he starts to relax somewhat, the inconceivable occurs --- Maggie is assaulted and loses the baby. Another loss, coming so closely on the heels of the previous one, feels like a bombardment from every vantage point. After grief, tears and some physical mending, Maggie seems to rally at first. Then mounting despair pulls her down and away from Dylan.

Almost as destructive as the attack on Maggie, Dylan internalizes her silent rebuffs and attempts to continue loving her out of her depression. In every practical way possible, Dylan softens the blows of life for her. He doesn't tell Maggie that they've been rejected as potential adoptive parents. He doesn't explain how much it hurt to sell his truck in order to pay for the hefty loan to even apply for the adoption, nor does he tell her how deeply he struggled while she was "away" in her coma. Dylan's own despair forces him to ask difficult questions about life, faith and love. Meanwhile, Maggie is barely surviving on any front.

Amidst their personal woes, a few good friends supply slim assurances of hope with their small generosities and just enough encouragement to hang on for another day. As the climax of the story intensifies, both Dylan and Maggie must look within their hearts and decide whether or not they will allow the hurt, the anguish and the injustices of a fallen world to steal their future.

As readers contemplate the various life markers revealed by way of personal pain, rejection and bereavement, each segment of this story offers a singular lesson framed by faithful and enduring hope.

--- Reviewed by Michele Howe

This book is amazing. Charles Martin is an amazing author. His characters are authentic and you can't help but feel their pain as the story unfolds - it's a hard one to put down. I highly recommend this book.

Charles Martin is a Christian writer without being obvious about it, and this book is a story of redemption that will leave you feeling happy and uplifted about your fellow mankind. Don't try to rush through this one... rather take your time and fully absorb it as the author intended. It's well worth it. I'm glad that Martin is a young man--readers can look forward to many, many more inspirational stories from this author.

I have been saved a great deal of time/trouble/money because the "reviewers" seem to think it is their job to tell the entire story. Even if a book sounds good, knowing it all in advance puts a very real hesitancy on reading it.

I had read all of Charles Martin's books but had put off reading Dylan and Maggie's story because I knew that the story was traumatic and sometimes violent and wasn't sure I really wanted to go there. I finally decided to brave it and take it on. As always Mr. Martin shows a tremendous gift and insight in developing his characters. The secondary characters are unforgettable people you will think about for some time. The relationship between Amos and Dylan (Ebony and Ivory)was touching and deep felt passing all racial barriers. Also Dylan's relationship with Bryce (an unusual character)a damaged man who Dylan accepts without question.

There is as with all of his books, the right amount of humor to off set the traumatic events. I couldn't help but think the tragic events were just a bit much for the space of time the story takes place in which is about 2 years. Maggie and Dylan's baby is still born and Maggie goes into a coma for 4 months, she is expecting again and is beat up and loses what turns out to be twins, their house is burned (I never did get why these men went after Dylan and Maggie), Maggie shuts Dylan out and their dog is killed (that last one just did it for me-too much already). I don't think I'm giving anything away as the synopsis of the books tell this much. You have to read it to see how Mr. Martin weaves the story around all the characters and tragic events.

Dylan and Maggie's story is not for the faint of heart and there are times when I would have found it too depressing to read. As always Mr. Martin does not tie up the ending in a neat package. He leaves you with your own idea of how all the characters will go on (somewhat happily you hope). Mr. Martin is not afraid to touch subjects that some Christian or Inspirational writers won't touch and is more graphic in detail. He will indicate the person cursed but doesn't need to tell us what the curse words are as opposed to secular books. Also he's not afraid to touch on the sexual side of Dylan and Maggie and since this is done in the bounds of marriage, I don't find it offensive but some might. There might even be some moments one might describe as crude but seem to fit in the confines of the setting of this story.

I'm glad I read Dylan and Maggie's story but wasn't what I call a totally enjoyable read (due to so much tragedy)as I usually read for enjoyment. I do like to read one once in awhile that you have to think a bit and "The Dead Don't Dance" and "Maggie" were 2 of those books. "Wrapped in Rain" is still probably my favorite followed with "When Crickets Cry". Both of those have characters that just tug at your heart especially the kids.

I have read everything Charles Martin has written now and he really is a tremendously gifted writer and I'm anxiously waiting his next book to be released this summer.

As with all his other books, Charles Martin continues to hold you spellbound as you read Maggie

After falling in love with Charles Martins writing while reading The Mountain Between Us I very quickly ordered all of his from Amazon Used Books. Have to say that I feel Maggie is THE best. Laugh! Cry! Hope! If you love love and romance, you will drink this book!!! Kate Fishill NY

Maggie is the follow-up in the Awakening series and it's a great book that made me laugh and cry. I love this series! I'm not a huge romance novel fan at all, but these are great!