You know the saying… don’t judge a book by its cover? Well I usually do. Maybe it’s my artist sensibility, but good covers usually mean good books (because well published authors usually hire professional artists). This book has an incredibly appealing cover that gives you a sense of the duality and a character at odds. Let’s see what our reviewer thought.
Brought to you by OBS staff member Katlyn
Summary
The past Janeal thought had burned away is rising from the ashes.
Years ago, the Gypsy Kumpania where Janeal Mikkado lived was attacked by outsiders. With her best friend about to be consumed by a fire, Janeal had two options: try to save her friend–at serious risk to her own life–or disappear with the million dollars that she had just discovered . . .
But the past is quickly coming back to haunt her. Both the best friend and the boyfriend that she was sure were dead have reappeared in her life, as has someone who knows about the money. There’s a debt to be paid for the money she found, but there’s an even greater debt she must face–and if the chaff isn’t burned from her own heart, it will consume her.
Source: http://www.teddekker.com/
Review
Ted Dekker and Erin Healy join forces again after their co-author debut novel, Kiss. Dekker and Healy merged separate ideas into a cohesive novel full of suspense and the choices that people make to survive.
After reading the synopsis for Burn, I thought I had some general idea of where the book would go. I was wrong. These characters took me on a thrill ride that had me hooked until the last page.
The major theme of this novel was choices. The choice between right and wrong. And the choice between surviving and risking your life to save another. These just touch the tip of the iceberg the make up the difference choices that each of these characters face in the wake of a devastating tragedy.
The characters that Dekker and Healy seamlessly created were fantastically shaped. They were deep and complicated, but each were honest and true down to their soul. Janeal was responsible for so much pain and heartache at a young age that she turned into a hard, stubborn, and strong woman who had to make terms with the decision that has haunted her since that day. With the discovery of the two survivors, her best friend and boyfriend, Janeal sets off on a journey to attempt to exonerate herself from the many wrong-doing she committed. Robert and Katie each handled the tragedy in different ways and shaped their lives accordingly.
I don’t want to spoil too much of this book, but I highly recommend this adventure for the twists and turns that will make your head spin and keep you wanting more.
One thing I have to say that really resonated with me was the cover of this book. Before starting to read it, I was enticed by the visual of this woman who is seemed to be made up of fire and ice. You will just have to go out and get the book to understand the significance of this amazingly artistic cover.
I suppose I'm happy that CBA/ECPA affiliated houses who produce work for a very closed market of Christians and not all faiths are finally allowing a few of their authors write what they tend to call more “secular” work. Too bad they won't take on the hundreds of other non-affiliated authors who already appeal to their core market readers and general market readers. Actually, this is nothring new. Mr. Dekker is one of the two or three authors they do let go a little further than what their sacred guidelines allow. Such a sad state of affairs. Not to say that the book isn't good. It's Dekker. CBA or not he's developed a following.
I hope my first post didn't go through. I hate to post twice.
I suppose I'm happy that the CBA/ECPA affiliated publishers that both these authors write for (a very closed market of Christian readers to be sure and not representitive of all faiths) are allowing some of their authors to attempt to write more “secular” material as they call it. Not so happy that they continue to only let a few select authors do this and kick all the other authors who appeal to their audience to the curb as though they were plagued. It's a real shame. There's some real talent out there that will never pass go and never collect $200 dollars because they can't get near the door of these houses much less in them. Argh!
I suppose I'm happy that CBA/ECPA affiliated houses who produce work for a very closed market of Christians and not all faiths are finally allowing a few of their authors write what they tend to call more “secular” work. Too bad they won't take on the hundreds of other non-affiliated authors who already appeal to their core market readers and general market readers. Actually, this is nothring new. Mr. Dekker is one of the two or three authors they do let go a little further than what their sacred guidelines allow. Such a sad state of affairs. Not to say that the book isn't good. It's Dekker. CBA or not he's developed a following.
I hope my first post didn't go through. I hate to post twice.
I suppose I'm happy that the CBA/ECPA affiliated publishers that both these authors write for (a very closed market of Christian readers to be sure and not representitive of all faiths) are allowing some of their authors to attempt to write more “secular” material as they call it. Not so happy that they continue to only let a few select authors do this and kick all the other authors who appeal to their audience to the curb as though they were plagued. It's a real shame. There's some real talent out there that will never pass go and never collect $200 dollars because they can't get near the door of these houses much less in them. Argh!