Customer Reviews

The Vision (The Last Publishers series) (The Publishers)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The Vision is a pretty good read. It stalls a bit in the beginning and then gets better and better until the end when it's both gripping and engaging. When writing a book about Muslims and cultural influence, I think there's a fine line that is walked between describing the issue and vilifying the people. While it's really clear at the end of the book that Mrs. Pearl means no malice and in fact has a deep love for Muslims, it's not so clear at the beginning. I wish she had described more of what the "Muslim problem" and sharia law looked like in Seattle, where the story begins -- and why this drove two of the characters to leave the area (yes, there was an assassination, but she described it as a general problem). Another thing that I wish she had done was describe the accents that she wanted to use instead of spelling them out word-for-word. It slowed the story down.

A few more thoughts: I'm glad she included notes at the bottom of the pages. It helped me take the whole Yellowstone Volcano idea seriously. At the same time I found it amusing for someone who I suspect is a young-earther to be referencing articles about a volcano that blew 70,000 years ago.

I enjoyed the pictures that were included in the book; however, the picture of Derek the eavesdropper didn't line up with his described age in the book...and his monolog at the beginning of the book is unbelievable. I guess my frustration with the book may be summed up by saying that I wish the beginning of the book had been either more carefully crafted or edited.

All complaints aside, this is a genius story. The end of the novel easily makes up for the beginning. I WILL be buying the next book. I may even re-read this one. Debi Pearl is a masterful story teller and I hope to see 20 or 30 more novels out of her.

I have read some of the Pearl's family books but did not know what to expect from a fiction book. I found The Vision to be an excellent novel. I do not read a lot of fiction and unfortunatly many of the Christian fiction books I have picked up over the years I have found either dull and preachy or poorly written with characters too perfect and saintly to be believed. The Vision was none of the above. There are a couple(short) sermons in the book but they flow well into the storyline. The characters are very realistic. I was especially pleased with the notes that allowed me to research some of the interesting topics the book touches on. It is a real page turner! I plan to order the next book in the series when it comes out.

This writer kicks down the boundaries of religious and church experiences and places her characters in the thick of some pressing life crisis. Tension builds as environmental concerns, racial bigotry and terrorist extremists all seem to be set at odds against the main characters. Scattered throughout the story line are snippets of information that range from helpful hints on how to use herbs to how to extend the gas mileage of a vehicle using water. The writer weaves a tale that brings assorted elements together into an adventurous saga, and she includes real-life references at the bottom of the pages. This is one book that left me feeling like I hadn't just wasted my time. It spurred me on to further research and reading to investigate some things for my own. That, to me, is the mark of a master teacher. This is one I'll read again!

This is a rather extreme book, and I expect that people will either love it or hate it. I don't know that I "hate" it but I was definitely disappointed by it. I have never written a book, so I acknowledge that I might not do any better if I ever tried. I am saying that to make the point that I am not intending to bash the author; rather, I am writing what I wish I had known about the book before buying it.

I purchased this book with the teens at our church in mind who love to read. I reject most of today's "romantic" fiction because I find it often rather carnal, even if it is considered "Christian", and I fear teen girls will get the wrong impression and see life through rose colored glasses. I had hoped that Mrs. Pearl would write a book that is more realistic, without the sensual romance, and spiritually uplifting to read. I did not get what I was looking for.

I am familiar with much of the Pearls material, "To Train Up A Child", "Created to be His Helpmeet", and I regularly read their newsletter. Many of the statements the Pearls have made in their previous publications show up in this book - unfortunately, mostly the extreme ones.

I have read their concept that children should be told the negative things about sin, in order to be frightened away from it. While I agree with that in principle, the book takes it pretty far. We read the thoughts of a stalker wanting to make a girl "scream" and about the specific brutality a man uses on a prostitute. If the book were turned into a movie it would be rated R for violence. You decide whether you want your teens, or yourself, to read things like that in a Christian fiction book.

Mrs. Pearl seems to be very strong on the influence of a wife in the family. Again, I principally agree, but Mrs. Pearl is strikingly unforgiving. A homeschooling family experiences trouble in their church - nothing new under the sun. The wife is described as griping too much about it at home. Certainly not a good quality, true. The consequences are smashing: her husband quits church all together and joins a White Supremacist group. The wife then tries to talk him out of it, but suddenly her oh-so-powerful influence is all gone. Apparently, she can influence him only to the worse, not to the better. What about the husband: did he not have a reason of his own to attend church? Did he not want to obey God because he was a Christian? Did he only go because his wife liked the church? Did he not have enough spirituality or backbone to say to his wife, "I disagree with you in this point; you're wrong for talking like that?" No telling. Apparently his spiritual life hinged entirely on his wife; when she failed to do right he collapsed.

The book has a rather bleak setting: Muslims have taken over America; American cities have taken on Sharia law; the police is permeated with White Supremacists; going to the local police for justice is useless [the Feds apparently can help in selected cases]; protection is possible only by moving into a warehouse surrounded by a fence and surveillance cameras. Store-bought yoghurt should rather be called "death-by-40 disease" and apparently the theology of salvation is so difficult that even a girl who has been working at a Christian place for years is still confused about it.

But then, to be honest, this bleak setting isn't the only thing in the book. Of course, God is at work, too, right? There are positive points, right? Well, yes, but unfortunately, I have some problems with those as well.

When the stalker kills a dog by kicking him with his boots [ - imagine for a moment the bloody picture such a dog would present], the mother pulls out an herbal potion and makes the dog come back to life [!]. Did the herbs cure the crushed skull too? I suppose so. The mother is awakened at night only to hear the audible voice of God tell her step-by-step what to do; elderly people see angels to comfort them; and there is a revival with Muslim girls singing a Christian song [one that they have never heard before!!] on a public square in Iran.

Unfortunately, the working of God is described as so unrealistic in this book that I wouldn't want to give it to my teenagers for that reason either because I don't want them to be discouraged for not experiencing this glorious (and rather exaggerated) work of God in their own lives.

If you are prepared to leave reality and realism and don't mind quite a fantastic story, this book might be a blessing to you. If you want to support the Pearls' ministry, make a donation - skip the book.

Debi Pearl is an awesome writer and I thank her for writing this book and all future ones for the series. Open your eyes. Things are changing in this country at a very rapid pace.

This book was painfully corny. I was looking forward to reading it because I had enjoyed Debbie Pearls Book "Created to be his help meet" I got the feeling that she was writing about her own family in the Vision and she made the characters so perfect it gives you the feeling that she see her family as perfect and views the rest of us as dummies!

Our family received this book and finished it a week later. I read it to my wife and children. We all had a couple of late nights because this book is really hard to put down! We enjoyed the gospel messages, herbal remedies, recipes, and, of course, the story! When are Asher and Cheyenne going to get married?! Haha. We are really looking forward to the next books being released.

I enjoyed this book very much. The plot is interesting and exciting. The characters have depth. The tidbits of factual information at the bottom of some of the pages are fascinating and makes this fiction book seem a little less fictional.

Adventure, a love story, and things to learn makes for a fun and thought provoking read.

Great book and biblically based. Can't wait for the next book in the series !!

When I saw The Vision by Debi Pearl (of THE Pearl family) being vigorously promoted in homeschooling circles I was eager to read it. A story that combines looming end-times evangelism, terrorism, romance, and herbalism - how exciting - in theory.

I was looking forward to reading the inspiring story of a group of committed Christians pushing on to share the gospel through dangerous times and apostasy, and while there is certainly some of that, the very strong tones of condemnation really ruined this read for me. It is clear that the Pearls have very strong ideological beliefs and The Vision almost reads like a platform for those strident beliefs.

Do you wear a head covering? Include some Hebraic practices in your spiritual walk? Eat junk food - ever? Weigh a bit too much? Prepare to be bashed within these pages. Unfortunately there is very little grace to be found within the pages of this novel, only those who line up with the Pearls `ideal' (and seem like copies of the Pearls themselves put into the pages of a novel) are put forward as good characters, and then they are idealized presenting a false and unbelievable perfection. Anyone with any flaw or differing belief is castigated. This is wearisome and reflects a poor understanding of the craft of writing fiction, but it doesn't really reflect love or mercy. The Last Publishers present a very harsh, very unyielding belief system.

Pearl is clear on the gospel, the need to share it with others, the need to persevere through persecution, the dangers of Muslim beliefs etc. but I would have loved to see these tempered with grace - as it was I found myself grinding my teeth and wincing throughout. There are also some issues with back-story and character development. There are a lot of family ties missing or poorly described - Cheyenne, though she apparently has siblings, seems almost like an only child - other family members just don't show up or make an impact in this story.

As much as I was looking forward to reading The Vision, I'm afraid I can't recommend it to others, and will not be reading future releases in the series.