Saint (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: Assim Feroz, Project Showdown, David Abraham (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

An assassin. The most effective killer in the world. And yet . . . Carl Strople struggles to retain fleeting memories that betray an even more ominous reality. He's been told part of the truth-but not all of it.

Invasive techniques have stripped him of his identity and made him someone new--for this he is grateful. But there are some things they can't take from him. The love of a woman, unbroken loyalties to his past, the need for survival.

From the deep woods of Hungary to the streets of New York, Saint takes you on a journey of betrayal in a world of government cover-ups, political intrigue, and one man's search for the truth. In the end, that truth will be his undoing.

The Bookshelf Reviews, which gave this novel from Ted Dekker 5 out of 5 stars, stated, "Saint reads like The Bourne Identity [Robert Ludlum] meets The Matrix meets Mr. Murder [Dean Koontz]."

About the Author

Ted Dekker is known for novels that combine adrenaline-laced stories packed with unexpected plot twists, unforgettable characters, and incredible confrontations between good and evil. He lives in the mountains of Colorado with his wife and children. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595543678
• ISBN-13: 978-1595543677
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 4.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (96 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #542,461 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great build-up, bad climax, October 31, 2006

By	Ulysses Castillo "ulyssescastillo" (Eudora, KS United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Saint (Paradise Series, Book 2) (The Books of History Chronicles) (Hardcover)

The beginning and middle of the book is very engaging. From the very beginning I was hooked. Many times I stayed up later than I planned so that I could read one more page. Alas, towards the end, it all fell apart. There is a whole lot schmaltzy "it's all about love" crap towards the end that is just horribly written (did someone else take up the pen?), and the actual last page left me thinking, "huh? that's the end??" It's as if Dekker either didn't plan the ending well, or ran out of time, or his editor butchered it, or he just couldn't find a better idea. If it weren't for the last 20 pages or so, I'd have given the book 5 stars.

Although it makes references to previous books that I haven't read, it isn't necessary to have read them to enjoy this one. But, it still makes me want to go back and find those other books.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 4 1/2 Stars...With Ridiculous Ease, November 19, 2006

By	Eric Wilson "novelist" (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Saint (Paradise Series, Book 2) (The Books of History Chronicles) (Hardcover)

Dekker, in his trademark fashion, brings us another high-concept story set against a backdrop of spiritual questions. This time, the central theme is identity: Who are we? Why are we here? How do we discover and embrace our gifts?

Before you think this is a thriller bogged down by overwrought philosophy (a mistake you wouldn't make if you've read Dekker's previous books), let me assure you that this book starts with a race against time and ends with a rockin' climax. Carl discovers he is one of the world's finest assassins, yet wonders what has brought him to this place. He gets hints along the way of something not quite right--mysteries of his past, and doubts about his future. The story leads Carl through a stripping of his identity to understand that which he has truly been called to do.

As usual, Dekker paces his books with the ridiculous ease of a child prodigy at a chessboard. He moves his characters here, then there, for and against each other, never letting things idle too long in one place. Not that I'd mind a little more time with the characters. Dekker's books, though, are geared toward universal truths and plights common to everyone; in essence his characters and settings reflect a broad appeal that is no doubt a part of his success. While "Saint" is a standalone story, it grows from the foundations of his earlier book "Showdown," and seems poised to move right into his next, "Skin." With some obvious nods here to Stephen King's Dark Tower series, Dekker continues to create his own world within a world, one that is instantly recognizable and distinctly its own.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can he be this good forever?, October 12, 2006

By	James A. Wilson "Author" (Idaho,USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Saint (Paradise Series, Book 2) (The Books of History Chronicles) (Hardcover)

I approach every new Dekker book with excitment and dread. Really, I'm wondering if he can continue writing amazing books for the rest of his career. Someday, one would think he'd lose his steam and give us something just plain bad.

However, that has yet to happen. And it's fine by me if it never does.

With Saint, Dekker proves that he still has many cards up his sleeves. No, he isn't cheating. He's just surprising us with a win every time. Saint may be the hardest to put down of his novels thus far. As mentioned, the book will be much deeper for those who've visited the Circle Trilogy, and Showdown. There are one or two slight references to House. In fact, I wouldn't really recommend reading Saint until reading at least Showdown first. Which, in hindsight, is Saint's greatest weakness. It may have been better to lable this Project Showdown as a series, because it is so much more satisfying to read it as the whole it is so far.

There are a few sentences that feel rushed, or at least in lack of some simple editing. But they are few and far between.

There are many comic book elements here that lend to the fast, thrilling, and fantastical feel of the read. And it is a fantastic read. Well worth the time and hours of sleep it will steal from you.