Customer Reviews

Soul Runner: A Novel of High Adventure

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read tons of books and magazines and it takes a lot to get my interest and even more to keep me 'til the end. This book did it. I put off reading it for a couple weeks after I got it until I had a great opportunity at some free time. While waiting for my vehicle to be serviced, I decided to get it started... and was hooked from the first few pages. I literally couldn't put it down, got in the first 105 pages before I picked up the car. When I got home, I started in again until it was finished. To me this is important, rarely do I engross in a book from start to finish. Jon has the ability to capture your attention and keep it throughout the book. There are no typical lulls in the action, it keeps you glued and interested. His knowledge of the subject matter and style of writing had me wondering if he had actually been to these places. If you like realistic action and a good story, you have to try this one out!

I really enjoyed this book, it was the first novel that I've read for some time and it was well worth it. From page one I was interested; no waiting 2, 3 or more chapters for the plot to develop, I was on the ride with Bram and turning every page to see what would happen next. Every time I thought there would be a lull and Bram would get a breather, another challenge was in his path. And through it all a great underlying message about living by faith. The faith aspect isn't oversold or preachy and was written in a way that made me understand that it was an integral part of the character. Even the scriptural references are woven into the story line and enforce the plot, rather than detracting from it. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys fast-paced action-adventure stories!

One other take-away from this read - I was surprised to find that even though we are in the 21st century, Christian persecution is still a reality around the world. If you've became a comfortable, complacent Christian (as I'm afraid I have), check out Voice of the Martyrs and/or the author's website.

I loved this book. It was like Indiana Jones, The Librarian and Billy Graham all rolled up in one wonderful character. It was fun, inspirational and even made me cry.

First, I must say that I am not usually a reader of high adventure novels, my genre being historical novels. However, from the moment I started this book, to the very end, I was completely intrigued...intrigued by the fast pace and heart stopping adventures of Bram, just when you thought things could not get much worse for him, they did and just when you thought he'll never get out of this particular pickle, he does. Jon has woven a tale that involves not only high adventure but enough historical background to satisfy my historical novel needs. Jon cleverly inserts a Greek chorus, in the form of Bram's asides and comments on the human condition, showing Bram to be a down-to-earth man who also aspires to the greater good of man and God. Jon gives us good insight into the plight of Christians who are not so lucky as to live where religious choice is available and where they will not be persecuted for their beliefs. Do read this wonderful book and be entertained and inspired to a new belief in God.

As a pastor I find myself often needing to "escape" a little from much of the stuff I often deal with, and I find in well written Christian fiction a perfect place to do so because while I am "escaping" I am also being fed. I don't have a love of time, and I find myself feeling robbed if I invest hours in a book labeled as Christian fiction that turns out to be simply a secular novel with a few verses in it, or a character that happens to be called a Christian. What I look for is Christian fiction that has depth of plot, depth of character, and yet reads like a good story that moves me along caught up in it. I especially hunger for novels that deal with the full picture of our Christian walk, as the Bible portrays it---and Soul Runner fits that bill! I value that it blends faith, real world issues, character struggles, the miraculous, the spirit realm, and so much more. I am very excited to have stumbled on this book on Amazon---it was one of my most refreshing finds in a long time. I am truly looking forward to the author's next work along these lines---it can't come soon enough. If you value good Christian fiction that has the full Biblical picture of what the Christian life looks like woven through it and that reads well, carries you quickly in to it, and doesn't let you go easily, then I would recommend Soul Runner to you as I am recommending it to members of my family as well.

Jon Guenther has written a fast-moving, action-filled story that is almost impossible to put down! He has taken a difficult theme of religious persecution that still exists in our world, and built an intriguing story around it with a tightly-woven and credible plot. It is an enjoyable read of courage, faith, and humanitarian justice. Jon has written numerous action/adventure novels and his talent, again, definitely shines through on this one! Don't miss this great read!

With its globe-spanning scope, its thematic depth, with its characters and action sequences that you'll not soon forget, Jon Guenther's SOUL RUNNER embodies every ingredient of the superior page-turner.

Jon writes in the first person, placing the reader in the shoes of the main character. The reader is treated to high adventure, and an extra bonus of living in the shoes of a genuinely good character. If you read this book, you will feel the plight of persecution that is an unfortunate fact of life in many areas of the world, and gain a new level of understanding and caring. Good clean fun!

I was so excited to learn about Jon Guenther and was even more excited when he volunteered to send me a copy of his book. As a new writer, I don't have a lot of time to read though and I told Jon this. I explained that I'd read what I could in the carpool line at school. HA! I dare you to try to read this book in short spurts. I double-dog dare you. Can't be done. No way. I found it difficult to find a place to stop reading when I eventually had to. I finally just quit reading when not-too-much was going on. For instance at one point I left two characters in a fist fight with the outcome pending simply because the alternative was to not quit reading. LOL Heart pounding action to be sure.

So wonderful to see more Christian Fiction like The Shack coming from self-published, non-affiliated Christian authors who know what they're doing. I'm so happy CBA affiliated Moody Press dumped this book instead of publishing it, backing out of the contract at the last minute. No exclusive work here. Just good, solid, heart-thumping, action-packed fiction from a very talented author. Soul Runner will keep you reading until the very end and then begging for more.

And what do you know, there's more coming! I can't wait.

I read tons of books and magazines and it takes a lot to get my interest and even more to keep me 'til the end.