Customer Reviews

White (The Circle Series)

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the third book in a series, so if you are reading this and are unfamiliar with the series, the first recommendation is to start at the first book titled: Black.

This three part story is quite unusual, even for the genre it represents, which can best be described as a science fiction/fantasy/suspense allegory of the Christian faith. As such, the imagery and way in which the story unfolds is quite powerful, and often shocking.

I am glad I waited several weeks after reading this book to write the review as I have found that images have stuck with me, and become clearer as time passes. This in itself is high praise for a novel, as many are discarded mentally as soon as they are finished.

In this final chapter of the saga we find the lead character still switching back and forth from two different worlds through the gateway in his dreams. On modern day earth a terrorist has unleashed a biological weapon that has infected most of the world's population, and has the anti-dote in exchange for the nuclear power of the world's nations. In the alternate world, Hunter, is still leading a small band in an attempt from being slaughtered by the enemy. Without giving away too much, he finds himself with a most unusual and conflicting situation: he has fallen for the daughter of his enemy. The entire enemy is diseased, and has an actually quite revoltingly described skin condition, and this daughter is no different, so he must look past this and try and rescue her before he himself and his small group are wiped out.

Sound strange? You bet. There is nothing remotely normal about this story or the depictions and events. It sends emotionally conflicting messages continuously. This is why it works so well as an allegory. The writing is superb; fast paced, and always leaves the reader on the edge of the seat. Ted Dekker is a writer of rare creativity and imagination.

Start with the first book, read the story all the way through the three books: Black, Red and White, (now no having to wait months between releases) and enjoy the plot and suspense. The deeper meaning becomes clear long after the story is finished. Well done.

All the things I love all in one place ~ Spirituality ~ Science Fiction ~ Time Travel/Alternate Reality combined with Romance, Suspense and Intrigue. What a series! I was lucky to read all three books at once without having to wait. I zoomed through them and was very pleased with the ending as sad as I was to see it. Ted Dekker has an incredible gift of going where no one has ever been and taking you with him. I am a new fan and highly recommend this book. Be sure and start with "Black" first!

If you've followed Thomas Hunter's story from the first two books of the series, you don't need me to tell you how much of a buildup we had getting to this book (if you haven't read the other two yet, DO IT NOW!). Everything is taken care of in this final book, with the numerous plot threads all neatly tucked in before the final page. Ted Dekker has firmly established himself as one of the best Christian fiction authors out there, and this trilogy will only further cement that sentiment.

While Thomas Hunter's story is told, I'd love to see Ted do this again in the future. While I know it has to be exhausting, an in-depth storyline like this is rare in novels today. Great work on this trilogy! Highly recommended.

This is the third book of a trilogy. Read the first two: Black and Red before going into this one.

Thoman Hunter lives in a world where a lethal virus threatens to destroy humanity. Then he goes to sleep as we all do. When he wakes he is in a world where he is involved in the struggle for peace and religious freedom. When he goes to sleep in this world, he wakes back in the first one.

Each time he wakes he encounters a crisis until he is unsure just which world is real and which is dream. Or are they both real, or both dreams.

It's a fascinating concept, very well executed and highly recommended.

The mind-bending story continues in White, the final book in the Circle Trilogy.

Dead in our world but alive in the other reality, Thomas and those that escaped to follow Justin now live in the desert. Those that have drowned in the red lakes and put their trust in Justin and Elyon are free from the disease that still afflicts the Scabs. They are still hated by the Horde and the Scabs continue to try to kill Thomas.

In our reality, the virus has been spread throughout the entire world. Using her brother's blood sample, Kara Hunter crosses over to the other reality where she shares minds with Mikil, Thomas's second in command.

Like in the other two books, White is filled with unexpected twists. The story is incredible and almost believable in an amazing way. After reading White, I have to say this is one of the best series I have ever read. Every time I thought I had it figured out there was a new twist and I was left guessing again. Make sure you have plenty of time before you start this book because yet again Ted Dekker has written a book you can't put down.

White by Ted Dekker is the 3rd and final installment of the Circle Trilogy. It continues with Thomas Hunter seeking away to save this Earth from the Raison Strain. The beauty of this book comes from the other Earth. While this Earth is quickly falling into disarray from the disease, Thomas of Hunter is involved with the Great Pursuit of Elyon. That is drawing the Horde into the Circle, to become Elyon's Bride. Will he have to give his life in that Pursuit, just as Elyon Himself had to do? Our will he survive?

How does our Earth fare in the end from the Raison Strain? Is there any hope for an anti-virus? At what cost to the nations? What would be the ultimate cost in this battle against time and a madman, set on destroying all?

In this book, Ted Dekker weaves a tale of great sacrifice, a sacrifice for love. Thomas meets a young woman by the name of Chelise, the daughter of General Qurong of the Horde. This woman captures his heart, which should not happen between those of the Circle and the Horde. She is one that has forsaken the Great Romance of Elyon and believed a lie. Yet, Thomas is taken by her.

He does everything within his power to woo her, to cause her to see that she is loved by Elyon. Will he succeed? The cost of rescuing the General's daughter is his life, and if she follows after him, it will cost her life as well.

Dive Deep, and Live!

Again, this is a masterfully written book. In it we see a great example of 2nd Corinthians 5:11-19. It beautifully shows the ministry that we as Christians have been given, the ministry of reconciliation. We were reconciled to God by Christ Jesus, and we have been called to reconcile man to Christ. The Great Pursuit of Elyon is all about this. Our God desires fellowship with His Creation, yet those that have pursued after there own desires have no understanding of this Love.

We are called to give up our life for the sake of winning the lost. The word Martyr actually means Witness. In this book, you will see that put in action in every way.

I have walked away from this series inspired to love more, to walk in remembrance of the great sacrifice Christ made for me, and what He has called me to do. I am still in awe of how this story overcame the barriers that so often come with preaching about love and sharing our faith. In a story, the truth comes through so much stronger and we are more willing to accept it.

By the way, in case you didn't know, Elyon is a name for God. It is Hebrew for The Most High God.

It's been about 2 weeks since Thomas Hunter woke up with knowledge of a potentially world-ending deadly virus strain. Although he was unable to stop the release of the deadly virus, he has been very busy helping to look for a cure.

At the same time, it has been over 16 years since Thomas of Hunter woke up in the Black Forest with knowledge of the Histories. Although he was unable to stop the disease-ridden Horde from overrunning the forests, he has been very busy helping those who want a cure to the disease to get it.

Both worlds are going to hell in a handbasket, and it's up to Thomas Hunter to figure out how to keep that from happening.

This third and final installment in the Circle Trilogy may be one of Ted Dekker's best ever. His ability to pull you into the story and then throw you for loop after loop will leave you breathless and eager to continue. I lost quite a few hours of sleep because I couldn't find a good stopping place.

As with the first two, this book is an unabashed Christian work. In addition to a gripping story, it also contains a retelling of the Bible. While you may not always agree with how the story has been rewritten, the main concepts are there. Not only will you be on the edge of your seat while reading this book, but your mind will be reading and understanding as well.

If you have not read "Black" or "Red" first, then "White" will not mean anything to you. Some people will be upset that they have to buy three books to read the whole story, but this is one trilogy that is worth it.

As in all trilogies, the author seeks to gather all of the textured patches of fabric shaped in the first two books and fasten them together in the final installment, hopefully in a satisfying and logical way. Dekker does not disappoint with White. Again picking up where the cliff-hanger ending of Red left off, we see Thomas Hunter defying numerous lethal situations with a definite sense of destiny and supernatural intervention. Aching from tragic loss, he presses onward in both worlds, searching for the solution that will bring freedom and survival.

All of the engaging elements from Black and Red are present here--exciting battles, astounding symbolism, emotional upheavals, dramatic encounters with the enemy--but a different tone is in the air. As positive readers, we assume the battles will be won; we want them to be won. But the momentum seems to be in the other direction, toward a gruesome loss. Thomas strains to do the right thing, his faith in Justin (Dekker's type of Jesus) severely tested, something many of us can empathize with. As his faith grows, we discover along with him that God's solution to their predicament is not victorious destruction of their enemy, for their enemy is loved by Him as well; rather the victory He has in mind is less predictable: free redemption for those who choose it, beginning with one act of insanely sacrificial love.

During the first pages of White, it is hard to imagine how Dekker will weave his trademark romance into this third book; yet he does so masterfully, almost catching the reader off guard with his sense of emotional and verbal nuance. One can't help but wonder when he will write a nonfiction work addressing romance and the nature of marriage! I found the romantic/redemptive aspect of White even more compelling and touching than that of the first two books--Dekker does an excellent job of conveying Thomas' awareness of being carried along in someone else's plan, and he takes us on the same trip, all the way to the revelations at the end which are simultaneously shocking and profoundly moving.

I finished White with a fervent desire for the story to not be over. This series is a tremendous accomplishment, and its intricacy and rich characters raise Ted Dekker to a level above most of his peers. And while he brings his Circle Trilogy to a highly satisfying conclusion, I find myself hoping he may someday pick up the pen to share more of Thomas Hunter's two worlds with us.

After being introduced to the world of Dekker through `Thr3e' and `Blink' I was eagerly awaiting the `Trilogy'. It hasn't disappointed.

A truly exhilarating ride.

When I first picked up BLACK I wasn't sure I would like the Trilogy. Fantasy doesn't usually do anything for me. I found BLACK a little slow for my liking, though intriguing. I ended up reading it three times however, and by the end of the third reading I was eager for RED.

RED picked up the pace. More `grounded' for my tastes. Left my desperate for WHITE.

WHITE blew me away! The wait was certainly worth it, the ride left me gasping. In his typical fashion, Dekker takes us on a roller coaster of journeys. BLACK took us up the gentle slope of story setting, RED sped us up the first steep inclines and WHITE raced us over the bumps, threatening to tip us out of the carriage before surprising us with yet another twist.

Thomas Hunters journey between two realities was a ride I wouldn't have missed. Many times throughout WHITE I was certain all hope was lost for the Circle. Again and again, Thomas finds himself in a seemingly impossible situation. Again and again, Dekker reaches deep and stretches our imaginations.

If there is one author that has impacted my life this year, it is Ted Dekker. His stories combine adrenaline-laced entertainment, all the while feeding me with biblically based themes that keep me thinking for months after.

Warning: Before picking up this book make sure you have plenty of spare hours ahead of you. Once you start, the journey will pull you along at breakneck speed. Breathing is optional.

A real keeper! Make room on your bookshelf.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion about a book. What grabs one leaves another flat. But those who chided Dekker for weak storylines in this third book of his trilogy missed the point.

In fairness let me say that I felt the same way at first. In White it seemed like the things going on in "our" world ended in a very anti-climactic way. Thomas Hunter's blood saves everyone and they all lived happily ever after. Then the action heads back to the "Other" reality.

That is the point! The spiritual reality - the one lost to most of us is the one that really matters. The redemption of one person lost to the diseases of the Horde is of far greater value the salvation of society. Thank you Ted Dekker for illustrating such a profound and needed truth.