Customer Reviews

Redemption (Redemption Series, Book 1)

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Redemption was the first book of Karen Kingsbury's that I read. Someone had passed it along to me and I almost didn't read it, thinking it looked too much like a romance novel. I found myself immediately immersed in the vividly painted characters and their trials. This is truly a book for anyone who wants to learn more about developing empathy, relating to family and friends, and working out a troubled marriage. As a devout Catholic, I found the Christian backdrop to the story very moving. It always carries the point that relying on God and trusting in Him is the only way to make the right life choices.

Perhaps an even better reason to buy this book is that it's the first in a series of 5 beautiful novels, each of which explores the lives of individuals in the Baxter family. My sound advice is to buy all 5 of the Redemption Series at once, because you will be eager to get to the next book as you close each preceding one. You'll also find your own faith bolstered by the many messages contained within the story line.

If you liked this book, just wait until you read Remember & Return, the next two books in the series! The first book, Redemption (named after the series), is very good but it starts out slow then builds to an exciting climax. The next two, however, are really the page turners as the characters become better developed and things start to happen at a much faster pace, making for some exciting reading.

I absolutly loved this book. I've read both this one and Remember, the next book in the series. Unlike the editorial review I thought it was a great book. The characters while beautiful are also realistic. I grew up not far from Bloomington in Western Ohio and these people are people I knew. They are solid salt of the earth people who face troubles and grow and learn from them. I've known people who are just like Kari and Ashley and even Ryan. People from middle america are truly like this. The editor states this is a predictable midlife affair. Perhaps it is, but to people living this life nothing like this is predictable. Perhaps this book should have been looked at by the editorial reviewer as a lesson in the ways of middle America and not compaired with the surreal life of New York or LA (I've lived both places, I know of what I speak) God bless

Redemption was wonderful! The story flowed nicely and there were many parts that were unpredictable. The story is about a married couple that battles with the consequences of infidelity. The authors do an excellent job of portraying human emotion. There were many powerful lessons in this book about forgiveness, the importance of communicating, and how to love. The one problem I found with the book is that most of the characters were too perfect both physically and otherwise.

I must admit I could not put this book down once I began reading. Redemption had SO much potential! The concept of Christians actually struggling with temptation, infidelity, and wayward children, is foreign in many churches who teach that you shouldn't have those problems as long as you come to church, read the Bible, tithe, etc. Hello, remember Job?

The problems with the book, in my opinion: each and every character was devastatingly beautiful - a bit sickening and unrealistic; the authors presented Kari and Ryan as the couple destined to be together, not Kari and Tim; you weren't really allowed to grieve for Tim because Ryan was immediately there to pick up the pieces; the Marriage Counseling center in the Ozarks just happens to be run by one of the authors...cheap trick!

Kari Baxter Jacobs thought she had the perfect life...a seemingly loving husband, a growing relationship with God, and a great modeling job. However, all security is shattered when Kari learns that her university professor husband, Tim, is having an affair with one of his journalism students. Shocked, angry, and heartbroken, Kari decides to go live with her parents while she attempts to sort matters out with Tim, who desperately wants a divorce. Relying on God for strength, Kari is determined to save her marriage. Yet her resolve is threatened and her goal becomes harder when she meets up with former boyfriend Ryan Taylor.

In many ways, I enjoyed "Redemption" and found it to be an insightful look at the devastating effects of adultery. Kingsbury (and Smalley) do a good job of characterization and show many different and compelling views in this novel. However, a few things bothered me as I read "Redemption." First of all, once I found out that the counseling center talked about in this book (the one that Tim and Kari went to) was the one that Smalley directed, I felt that was a cheap advertising trick that did not belong in a novel. More importantly, the wrap-up of "Redemption" made me a little uneasy. It is hard to go into any sort of detail without spoiling the story, yet I felt the ending was quite unrealistic and perhaps not a particularly moral way of resolving the relational issues between Kari, Tim, and Ryan. Since "Redemption" is overall an interesting book, it's unfortunate that an "advertising trick" and a poor resolution spoil it a bit.

Redemption by Karen Kingsbury has greatly influenced me. Kari is one character that I would desire to emulate from this book. She has a love for the Lord that stays strong during all the trials and hardships she faces. Her faithfulness to God and to her husband taught me a lot about life and being willing to forgive others. A verse that encourages Kari often throughout the book is 2 Corinthians 12:9: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Through Kari's example of living out this verse, I learned to rely on the Lord's grace during difficulties.

I enjoy Kingsbury's novels and generally find her to be one of the better Christian fiction writers because she tackles difficult issues that acknowledge that the day-to-day life of the Christian is not always a bed of roses. However, I had a couple of problems with REDEMPTION. First, I have to agree with a previous reviewer that the blatant advertising for a particular marriage counseling resource was a bit much. I don't know how much Gary Smalley actually contributed to the writing of this novel but he should have restrained himself instead of including a shameless plug. I know, I know, he's trying to help couples in trouble and that's good, but the actual name, address and other info could have been listed at the end of the book instead of being part of the actual story. My second problem was the resolution of the issues in the Jacobs marriage. Way, way to pat and at the end of the day, pretty unrealistic. I saw that coming from the opening chapters and it was an all too convenient way to resolve things.

Redemption is my second experience with Karen Kingsbury's novels and with Christian fiction as a whole. I was reminded that even (or perhaps especially) believers have the same struggles and temptations as the rest of the world. Besides the fact that nearly every character was notably "stunning" or "gorgeous" (thus 1 less star), I was able to relate my own family with the Baxters. I particularly enjoy the series format and the teaser in the end... couldn't wait to get my hands on book #2.

I read this book and also found it very hard to put down. The Lord lead me to read this book every day. Even though I could not always find the time to read the Bible and this book everyday I did not feel guilty at all about doing it. This book is a perfect example of what happens to those who do not follow the Lord and try to do his will on a daily basis.