Customer Reviews

The Watchers

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In today's world, every author, writer/songwriter, musician, and filmmaker is faced with a quandary that's almost biblical in proportions: "There is nothing new under the sun". Especially in the world of fiction, authors must undoubtedly struggle with the looming feeling that every story has already been told, and they face the pressure of putting unique spins and crafting original takes on stories that have been told over and over again.

Sometimes, that's the barometer for judging a good book versus a great book; when reading a "good" book, readers think to themselves at the end, "That was good, but it's been done before". When finishing a "great" book, the reader is conscious this plot isn't new, but some wispy intangible in the story's narrative - be it the strength of the characters, vivid description, introspective first person narrative, or unique perspective - elevates it past that, and the reader thinks, "That was unbelievable!".

The Watchers, by Mark Andrew Olsen, is written well, a few of its characters are interesting - the strongest, in my mind is assassin-turned-protector, Dylan Hatfield - and Olsen crafts suspense well enough, but the overall plot simply falls into the former category: a good, solid read that's suspenseful, written well...but it's been done before. For example: A young girl plagued with nightmares and visions is hunted by an ancient, ruthless Order older than time itself as she races to uncover the truth about herself and a mysterious, holy group of woman who are also being hunted by this evil, dark Order. Along the way, an assassin who's always "followed" orders discovers a deeper truth as they hurtle on a global adventure that will reveal the truth about who they are, and who they will become.

Now for the disclaimer: this is not a bad book, by any means. For most of the novel, the sheer suspense and action is engaging, though I found myself far more interested in Dylan's character, which seemed much deeper and more complex than the main female protagonist, Abby Sherman...who at times was flat, one dimensional, and uninspiring (of course, perhaps that's just because I'm a guy). However, this need not be a gender-related thing: I just found it too convenient that these tremendous visions and dreams would come to someone who was already an ardent, passionate, zealous Christian. For me, I would've been much more engaged if Abby had been unsaved, and struggled with the meaning of visions through her unbelief. Also, Dylan Hatfield conveniently comes to salvation halfway through the novel, so everything is wrapped up nicely and neatly.

The bad guys are a little too predictable, and a usual pet peeve of mine: like many CBA novels, the dialogue for these evil bad guys is sanitized, watered down. As I've said many times before, I'm certainly not a proponent for allowing rampant swearing in Christian novels, but at some point the story's realism breaks down when a hardened covert operative who's sold his soul to evil and kills for sport and pleasure calls everyone either "fools" or "losers" for the whole novel. I certainly don't want to be exposed to a trash-mouth, but when I read that, a little alarm trips off in my head and I think: 'there's just no way a guy like that would really say that'.

In the end, The Watchers definitely has my recommendation as a good read, and fans of a certain genre and plotline will definitely enjoy this tale, however, though it isn't a bad story or novel, it just falls into my former category listed above: a "good" story that's been told before.

I enjoyed this. Plenty of action and it reads well. Enough spirituality for Christians, but not too preachy for those who aren't. Could be described as a 'lighter' version of This Present Darkness, but still on the same theme. Having said that spiritual warfare itself is I believe a serious, yet interesting subject. Very interested in reading the sequel The Warriors (The Watchers Series #2). 4 stars for the potential to refine.

This book is amazing.. a friend gave it to me to read for something new. i usually don't read these kinds of books but it was amazing. I couldn't put it down and i finished it in like 2 days! A great adventure but has a many different meanings to it. I am right now reading the sequel and so far it is an amazing book as well. i would recommend it to anyone!

Come along with Mark as he invites you to travel with Abby Sherman around the world. Well written, I couldn't put down this book because there are surprises every step of the way in her quest to obey her Creator. With strong support and understanding of who she is, her helpers guide the teenager into a deep supernatural world where she discovers gifts beyond her wildest imagination. She learns of an ancient linage that will always be despite her enemies best efforts to distinguish the lineage.

Mark is predictable in writing page turning supernatural adventure, this is no exception.

Paulette L. Harris
Author/reviewer

Abby Sherman would be just your average twentysomething if not for her dreams - intense, vivid experiences that catapult her into ancient times, seeing and feeling life through another's eyes. When she posts her dream journal on the web, begging for any insight and understanding others might be able to offer mysterious dreams, she unwittingly sets a dangerous chain of events in motion. Abby's plea for help puts her in the crosshairs of an ancient organization that marks her for death in order to prevent her from realizing the true nature of her dreams and awakening others to their life-changing message.

The Watchers is a well-crafted suspense story, brimming with non-stop action, fast pacing, and colorful settings. It's a good read - at times very good. However, the dialogue can be a little flat, lacking some crispness and "sizzle." The setting of this novel spans the globe - and at times, the scene and point of view is changed multiple times within a chapter. While this lends the novel a fast-paced, intense feel, it can at times be somewhat confusing to follow and prevents one from really delving deeply into the characters of all of the players revealed.

As a main character, Abby would perhaps be more interesting if she possessed more inner conflict or a need for some real deep, soul-shaking change. She's likable enough, but considering all of the challenges thrown her way in the course of the story she can seem a bit too "perfect" and level-headed. Instead of being a character that grows and develops, she serves more as a catalyst that spurs change in those she encounters - particularly in Dylan, the hardened assassin sent to kill her before the story of her dreams can spread. Dylan's encounter with Abby forces him to re-evaluate the entire foundation on which he's built his life, shaking him to the core of his being.

Those caveats aside, The Watchers is a compulsively readable novel. Once you start it, you won't want to put it down. Olsen may not be quite the wordsmith of, say, a Ted Dekker -- not yet, at any rate. I feel there is a slew of unexplored potential in Olsen's writing, and the promise held within The Watchers, and his previous novel, The Assignment, is staggering. The global scope of Olsen's novels, pacing, and the way in which he explores the spiritual world, is very reminscent of Dekker's early Martyr's Song novels. He is a writer I definitely want to hear more from. There's a certain lush, almost poetic quality to his "world-crafting" that is a joy as a read. Definitely worth checking out!

If you like globetrotting spiritual warfare novels, you're going to want to check out "The Watchers."

With a different twist on the standard warfare, "The Watchers" tackles some intriguing church history, and some tragic realities about the current state of religion. Crossing cultural and racial boundaries, Mark Andrew Olsen writes of an age-old demonic plan, and the way it could play out in our age of technology.

Some segments are truly creepy and will give the Big Honkin Chicken Club members a shudder or two. The novel reads very much like a screenplay and would be an action-packed movie. Christian themes of prayer and submission are well handled. The Gospel is present, obvious and not overdone.

Though written in omniscient POV, my least favorite, and though the main characters are not always believable, I found this an enjoyable read. My character issue likely stems from the omniscient POV. Dylan ended up being a little stereotypically alpha-male. But in a thriller genre, a reader generally isn't looking for depth of characterization.

Overall, Mark Andrew Olsen tells a great story with compelling writing.

Fans of Dekker, Peretti, Mapes and Mackel will find this a satisfying power-packed read.

Twentyish Abby Sherman is undecided what she will do with her life, but the deeply religious young woman is not concerned as she believes the Lord will show her the way. However, Abby is shocked to find out she has been contaminated with an inexplicable, deadly disease and given a short time to live. She posts her story including some strange dreams onto her blog. Thousands of women claim the same experience turning Abbey's blog into a popular site and her into an online star. Abby feels she owes it to everyone to learn the truth before she dies and make it clear on her blog that she intends to pursue this quest.

Black Ops sniper Dylan Hatfield is assigned to kill Abby. He internally objects because he feels she has done nothing wrong to deserve death. He decides before completing this distasteful project, he will at least learn why this Abby is considered a danger needing elimination though he also fears the truth will make him aware that perhaps he is playing for the wrong team.

At times graphic, WATCHERS is a terrific exhilarating romantic fantasy with the emphasis on the action on the mortal and supernatural planes. The story line is fast-paced yet quite vivid and needs a warning label: once started one can not stop reading this book. Abby is a strong female lead who wants to do good deeds before dying although she confesses to herself that she would like to know why for closure purposes too. Dylan in some ways is the more fascinating character as he has always been the loyal soldier willing to die for his mission, but has doubts about the honor of this assassination. Readers will appreciate this strong thriller that circles this world and that beyond.

Harriet Klausner

What a wild, vivid,and stirring book Olsen has written. It is an exciting book which began slowly for me but gathered force and then kept me reading until the end. The Watchers involves a group of women who are holy people and who have become separated but have their gifts handed down from one generation to another. No more to be said because it is a book you have to read to enjoy.

J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"

This book was amazing! The day I got it, I didnt put it it down until the next day when i finished it. I was sad too. However, I cant wait until i get the second book. It sounds bigger and even better than the first one!

This is not a book for the faint of heart. A little graphic violence but not too bad as you get engrossed in the story. This book is a cross between Frank Perretti's Piercing the Darkness and a novel by Ted Dekker. This is book one of a series. You do have to have an imagination to read this book as it deals with seeing angels and demons. The author's note at the end is interesting as he lets you know what places are real.