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Title: Renegade (The Lost Books, Book 3) (The Books of History Chronicles)
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Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
List Price: $14.99
Our Price: $9.03
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| Renegade (The Lost Books, Book 3) (The Books of History Chronicles) by Thomas Nelson Dekkers mediocre series continues | It's getting really annoying how Dekker fans gush over every one of his books as if they were written by God Himself, proclaiming them to be "masterpieces" and riveting fiction every bit as deep and meaningful as his older works. It is a lie people. Ted Dekker truly has written some great fiction in the past but in recent years his writing style has become, how should I say this? Old, boring, childish, and cliché. Although I loved his recent novel Adam, I am equally disappointed so far with his farce of a series The Lost Books. These are not great books; they are hardly good books at all. All the progress Dekker made in Infidel has been sucked dry by this half hearted attempt at fiction. If I have to be the one to point this out to you, then fine, but don't shoot the messenger for giving his report.
There is only one HUGE problem with this book, and the whole series for that matter, which Dekker seems incapable of fixing; he doesn't get people, especially teenagers and young children. His characters idealistic clichés created to drive a point or the plot, which isn't bad in all situations but when they ALL are that way we have problems. An idealistic character is, necessarily, quite unrealistic in nature and will often act in such a way that will promote ideals which the author wishes to convey to his readers. Unfortunately when ALL the characters in a story are structured this way, as they are here, it sucks all realism right out from the beginning. There is nothing realistic about any of these characters, not Billos, not Darsal, not Karas, Silvie, or Johnis, they all act, talk, and live in manners which are totally inconsistent with ways real teenagers live. Am I really the only person to notice the absurdity of these characters actions? Am I really the only one who read this book and rolled my eyes almost every time they talked? Am I the only one to know that ten year old girls don't go on scary missions, willingly face death, or sacrifice themselves for others? Am I the only one who noticed how completely predictable the actions of our stupid tough guy, Billos, were? Or the plot of the story in general? Was this lost on everyone but me? I wonder who is reading these books.
But the biggest disappointment for this story was the newest member of our little group, Karas, the Hord girl who Johnis rescued in the last book. I still remember her from Infidel, the most adorable little girl to ever live who's suffering and joy became my own. I wrote in my last review that I hoped she would play a major role in this book, and she does, but she isn't the same character, not by a long shot; in fact, I'm not even sure she's ten anymore. She acts and speaks like someone twice her age, and for someone who's only recently become a citizen of the Middle Forest, she seems to already know all there is to know about love, Elyon, and a host of other subjects. I know how little kids act, I've been around them my whole life, and Karas is NOT a little kid. Maybe that's a twist of some kind for the next novel, I don't know, I haven't read it yet, but aside from that very unlikely possibility there is no reason to have her act this way. Why make her ten if you're just going to have her act like a twenty year old? Dekker completely and utterly ruined one of his best characters.
But this book is not all bad. Although some parts and copied and pasted from Black (remember Thomas swimming in Elyons lake?) it is, never the less, very interesting in the way it ties in with Showdown, Saint and Skin. I love how Dekker introduced Black (the villain from Showdown) into the Circle saga and explained the power and origin of the Books of History, which play pivotal roles in both the Circle series and the Paradise books. It even manages to tie Skin into the equation, although I'm not quite sure how that's all going to fit in at the end.
This isn't a great book by any stretch of the imagination. It isn't very well written, its characters are all heart and no substance, and the plot is thin in most places, but it does give its readers a better understanding of the original series, which is why it exists anyway. All I can hope is that Dekker will finish this series off with a bang and then get on with Sinner.
Re-read value; low.
| | Renegade (The Lost Books, Book 3) (The Books of History Chronicles) by Thomas Nelson A real treat for seasoned fans...you'll be lost if your new... | Renegade is a real treat for those who have been emersed in the world of Ted Dekkers Circle trilogy. You get an exciting and shocking trip back to Paradise, the world we see in Showdown and Skin.
You get an incredible further explanation and building of the characters Bilos, Darsil and Karas, the other two main characters taking a bit of a back seat after the second book. The plot is again fast-paced and you are left once again in typical Ted Dekker fashion, longing to know the resolution.
In this book, more than Johnis are learning what it means to follow their hearts and we get a great picture of how sometimes following our heart leads to darkness, but that if we keep following it, it will eventually lead us through to the light...powerful themes of falling/sin and redemption are present amidst a mysterious, sometimes confusing but altogether exciting world Dekker has invented... | | Renegade (The Lost Books, Book 3) (The Books of History Chronicles) by Thomas Nelson The Best of the Four | When Billos, touched the cover of one the books of history with blood, a black hole opened and he entered a different reality. Once in that reality, he comes face to face with Marsuvees Black. Black offers Billos the deal of a life time, find and bring the books that crossed to Black and Black will give him incredible power. Drawn by loyalty, Darsal makes a deal with Alucard and binds her life to the books and enters the new reality to rescue Billos. What they discover together will change their lives forever.
Renegade was also somewhat slow getting started. With each of the YA books, I've found that they seem to start by going around in circles with a lot of arguing among the recruits and them frustrating Thomas. However, once all the initial scuffles are over, the stories are riveting and pretty much mind blowing. If you want answers in Renegade to the whole book of histories saga, keep reading. There aren't many answers here, just more questions.
Typical to Ted's style, he incorporate some great tie ins with other books and some awesome spiritual truths. This book to me is one of his best since White. It's lush with imagery and symbolism. One of the scenes towards the end is reminiscent of a scene in Black. I remember my breath being taken away when I read it in Black, it's just as awsome in Renegade.
Truth is the most powerful weapon we possess as Christians and Ted wields that weapon quite effectively. Renegade is once again, another powerful reflection of the reality of us and the reality of God. Belief of God versus believing God. Do we really believe Him, do we really trust Him? Power from the world is an illusion. The only true source is from God alone. And of course, one of my favorites, the love, the choosing and the pursuit of God for each person. So many rich themes. I can not encourage people enough to try this series of books. It's awesome beyond imagination.
| | Renegade (The Lost Books, Book 3) (The Books of History Chronicles) by Thomas Nelson Wanna trip, Baby? | Okay... I've been anticipating the final two books in the Lost Books series ever since I read the first page of Chosen, and now my mind has absorbed each and every word of sheer awesomeness.
Renegade is more than a trip, trip, trip. It's a trip and fall, making your mind spin around every bend and curve definitely more than once.
Think of Showdown, The Circle Trilogy, and Skin compressed into one book, all your favorite locations, characters, and villains brought back to life in a whole new and unique way. Dekker promises to never let the tension break, and you'll be more than glad that you read this once you're done. I'm already tempted to reread it and I just finished it yesterday.
| | Renegade (The Lost Books, Book 3) (The Books of History Chronicles) by Thomas Nelson The Mission Continues | Ted Dekker has created another compelling, page-turning adventure that picks up right where "Infidel" left off. In Book 3, Billos struggles in a new world against both evil and his own hubris. Will he see clearly before it's too late for not only him, but Johnnis, Silvia, and Darsal?
Readers will not be disappointed by the next installment of the Lost Books series. Just as in our world, the conflict between good and evil permeates the characters' lives and mission, rendering visibility murky when we lose sight of the Giver of the water. | | Renegade (The Lost Books, Book 3) (The Books of History Chronicles) by Thomas Nelson Product Description | One of the chosen has gone renegade. Turning his back on all that he once believed, Billos enters the forbidden book and lands in a reality that is as foreign to him as water is to oil. A place called Paradise, Colorado, where he discovers he has strange new powers given to him courtesy of a mysterious figure known as Marsuvees Black. The chosen four have survived the desert, escaped the Black Forest, battled the Horde, and added a spirited refugee to their number. But nothing has prepared them for the showdown that Billos, the renegade, will lure them into. |
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