Customer Reviews

Unspeakable Journey

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The cover of this book intrigued me when I saw a man reading it on a plane. I read the back of the cover to see what it was about. That was 2 years ago. I wrote down the name of the book and the author, wanting to buy it at some point. I finally did buy it last week and once I started reading, could not put it down. This book teaches you that with hope and faith in Christ, you can make it through situations that arise in life that you may feel you can never overcome. It also gives insight into what happens in a Muslim culture and, as many Muslims are living in the US today, it helps to know some of the background when you happen to encounter people from that culture and society. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.

I ordered this book based on the rave reviews it received here on Amazon. I expected way more than the book delivered. While it was an interesting story I never felt that I connected with the main character and most of the others as well. I only finished it because I rarely don't finish a book that I start - but it was forced. The ending was a real collapse. I did appreciate the Christian thread that ran through the book but I felt that could have been explored on a deeper level. The dialogue was choppy throughout.

The emotions that kept me up late at night reading my pre-release copy of Unspeakable Journey were intense: horror, disgust, anxiety, and grief intertwined with faith, hope, trust, and a skeptical optimism. I'm almost embarrassed to say this about a fictional character, but as Isabella searched for strength to fight through an unimaginable situation, I found myself praying with her and desperately longing for the impossible outcome. I was stressed out and fully engaged considering the possibility of an unexpected separation from the whole world and life that I know and love. Despite its intensity, the author masterfully interlaced hopeful moments of joy, accomplishment and even youthful flirtation that allowed much-needed relief from the horrific gravity of the situation. I could relate with Isabella throughout the book and was personally and spiritually challenged by her courage and refusal to lose sight of the one true source of strength.

For a first novel to capture and hold its reader through such a wild ride speaks to the author's natural talent and creativity. I look forward to future works from this author!

This book was a disappointment. I did not get the impression that the author is well versed in the Middle East. I can appreciate the Christian theme - however, it seems to be more about mocking Islam. The story line wasn't great and HIGHLY unbelievable. It was a waste of money and time.

Ok... first off, holy smokes did this audio get me heart racing! While this is a fiction read it felt as though it could be a memoir. Isabella's abduction seemed very real to me, I think in the times we live in there is so much out in the world happening that I listened to the start of this audio and thought, "Why not? It could happen."

Isabella's story is one of a strong faith. While she loses everything that can be taken away from her, there is one thing that can not by taken - and that is God. As Isabella's captivity goes from days, to weeks to months... she has little hope of ever returning home to her husband and her children, and she literally gives it all to God. If this is His plan for her, then she will abide. A powerful, POWERFUL reflection of being fully committed to whatever will be.

I found the characters to be well written and the story line engaging. As Isabella fully gives herself to this new husband as she is demanded to... I found this to be an incredible topic for a Christian fiction read. There are many questions that came to mind and I felt that author Rinda Hahn wrote a very impressive book.

My only complaint is the ending was so abrupt. I would have liked to have known more from that point on - however I can see where if there was to be a sequel (hint hint hint!!!) I can see where this story line could pick up and continue into another book.

A book about keeping your faith and knowing God is with you, even in the darkest of days. A wonderful debut for author Rinda Hahn, who I would gladly read again.

I purchased Unspeakable Journey by Rinda Hahn several weeks ago and finally read it last week. It is the amazing story of a woman named Isabella who is abducted by a human trafficker, taken to the Middle East, and forced to marry a Saudi Arabian prince. The story itself is fascinating, but I was more enthralled with Isabella's inner struggle as she tried to reconcile her faith with the nightmare she was living. Her struggle to surrender to God's sovereignty and to see His hand in her situation touched something deep within me. I highly recommend this book! You might want to start reading it on a weekend when you have no plans, though. Once I started reading Unspeakable Journey, I couldn't put it down!

Unspeakable Journey begins with the main character, Isabella, celebrating the eve of her 30th birthday with a close college friend. Although enjoying the rare break from her role as wife and mother, Isabella adores her family and is headed home, happy and content with her life. An ill-fated stop at the grocery store changes Isabella forever when three men in an SUV abduct her as she is leaving the store and getting into her car.

Although she does her best to fight back and resist, Isabella is taken against her will, drugged and flown out of the country.
As Isabella begins to awaken from her drug induced sleep, panic threatens to overcome her when she realizes she most likely will never see her husband and children again. Hasam, the Middle Eastern man responsible for her abduction, informs her that he will kill her if she doesn't cooperate. Isabella quickly discerns that Hasam is not only a man of power, but pure evil. Hasam ends up selling Isabella to his closet friend Latif, a very wealthy Saudi Arabian prince. Isabella is suddenly forced into a country, a culture and a marriage that will shake her faith to the core and test her limits mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

I found myself inspired by Isabella's faith and determination in this story, as she faced unimaginable horrors. You can't help but walk away from this book thinking deeper about your own personal convictions and what it might be like to walk in Isabella's shoes. In the midst of a truly horrific nightmare, Isabella manages to dig deep within and share the love of Christ with those around her. The impact she has on many lives is amazing and inspirational. This is an example of being the hands and feet of Jesus no matter where we are, or how difficult the situation is. As others observe us in a difficult situation, our life may have more impact than we realize and our testimony more power, than we ever imagined.

Rinda Hahn's debut novel, Unspeakable Journey will take you on the ride of your life! This is one of those books you might not want to start at bedtime unless you plan to be up all night. I could hardly put it down and felt like I was right next to Isabella as she clung to her hope and faith in Christ. Congratulations to Rinda for a brilliant debut!

I read this book based on a friend's recommendation, and I could not put it down until the conclusion. The character development was thorough, with villains being real humans with legitimate pasts and agendas, and I wanted to know how it ended from the first page. The spiritual journey of letting go of your own plans and trusting in God is one that can be realized anywhere - whether at home in Indiana or far off in a distant country. Well done, and worth the read! I gave it four stars because it was a quick read, and I personally prefer books that are a bit meatier, if that is even a word. Perhaps "heavier" is a better choice. For the genre of Christian Fiction, it was well done!

I've read Rinda book and I love the life she brings to her caricatures. The story really made me respect the freedom we have in America not only with our daily rights but that we have a choice with our religion. I recommend this book for husbands & wives so they can really appreciate their love for each other and how Christ has his place in theirs.

Where can I start with Unspeakable Journey this book is AWESOME!!! I was hooked on page 1 and was like so utterly sad when I came to the last page. I didn't want Isabella's Journey to end. I feel in love with her character.

So many times when she felt alone and abandoned it was God's love and guiding hands that renewed her faith and will to go on. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to give away too many details about this book! You have to add this to your Must Read list!

This book is soo good, seriously right after I finished it I was ready to start it all over again. I can literally say that about maybe 2 other books in my lifetime of reading and I've read alot of books :)