🚨 "NINE" (2020) 🚨 - Book Review
Paperback: 352
pages
Publisher: Revell
(September 1, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10:
080073596X
ISBN-13: 978-0800735968
Click Picture for Purchase Information
Thank you in advance to Revell (a division of Baker Books) for providing a complimentary review copy through Interviews and Reviews. A positive review was not required and all words are my own.
Very seldom does a book shake me to the core and make me wonder – “what did I just read?” – this was one of those books. It’s meant in both a bad way and good way. That’s a first for me though.
Admittedly, I am new to Rachelle Dekker’s books, but … WOW!
As a fan of romance; romantic-suspense; and even suspense – the premise on this book just drew me in. The haunting and mesmerizing cover made it that much more appealing. The plot? I definitely wanted this book!
Lost memories, on-the-run from federal agents, and super secret mission plots are ones that I am timid on. But, there was something about this book that I just had to read it!
After reading it, I was particularly mixed on this book despite the high rating I’m giving it. I will state that I was also drawn in by the location where this first starts – Sherman, Texas. As a child I lived there and in/around the DFW Metroplex (born in Grand Prairie), so it was interesting to read the city in a book.
The main characters are Zoe and Lucy who are being chased by Agent Tom Seeley. Though the why mostly eludes the reader until about halfway in. There is little to no effort in the beginning to disguise Seeley and his mission. The reader is left trying to figure it all out. I spent most of the book wondering if he was good or bad. Or even if any of the FBI agents in this are good or bad. Are they even real or merely posers?
Although this is designed as a standalone read, I found some of Zoe’s past is connected to the book “The Girl Behind the Red Rope” by the author and her father Ted Dekker. While it isn’t mandatory that book is read first, it might help the reader gain some insight as to why Zoe is the way she is. But, by chapter seven (7), the reader will learn the truth about her past or her real identity.
This started off with a literal bang and held my attention after the first chapter. The short chapters made the story progress though there were times I fought between putting it down and rushing right through this.
Dekker’s vivid and descriptive writing puts the reader in the center of the action and brings the book to life. More so in certain scenes.
There are hints to a government plot involving the president and secretary of defense. And, I honestly would’ve liked to see that angle concluded. There were mentions of conspiracy theories and to some readers; it could feel like there are/were some political overtones. I would certainly be interested in another novel where this is brought to light or sufficiently concluded.
There were also times I felt it was far too violent for this particular genre, and that the author could’ve excluded some of the graphic descriptions of certain killings as well as torture. And, there are a lot of people killed in this novel. For those readers who are sensitive to those matters, you might want to re-think this book. Anyone not comfortable with teenagers being depicted as agents of violence might want to skip this book as well.
It was hard to tell if any plot holes existed due to the writing as well as the action taking place. I know there were certain questions I had regarding the plot – what was the purpose of the project, was it necessary to use kids, and when was the project going to be “unleashed”. Some of the way this story was plotted out could be confusing for some readers.
Told in two parts, the first part is told in third person. When it shifts to the second part, it is told in first person from Lucy’s POV and all other POVs are in third person. Part two is where the drama comes to a head and plays out with many deviations, twists, and turns that are head-spinning.
Dekker’s writing is definitely vivid and descriptive so much so that I felt this could’ve easily been a Lifetime Movie or a Sci-Fi channel movie.
The title “Nine” refers to someone’s past/current identity. It really isn’t clear, until about the end of part one as to what the Grantham project is. Although, the purpose for the project is never truly revealed.
This book left me with so many emotions and questions that I still can’t even wrap my head around this plot.
Not sure after a major betrayal between Lucy, Zoe, and Seeley that I would be able to ever trust the other party again. So, I did find that part a bit questionable.
This story will make some of us question the choices we make, the things we do, have done, and the motivation for doing them.
I alternately loved and loathed this book. And, as of this review, I am still trying to decide where I lean more towards. Though, it is worth the 4/5 stars I am giving it.
While distributed by Revell, which is a Christian publishing group, there were hardly any references to God or religion. There are no bible quotes or any real religious talks. There does seem, at one point, to be an anti-religious comment in the book. This book has dark overtones, and at times was almost terrifying. It seemed more like it was a psychological thriller than suspense. And, thrilling it was. It definitely wasn’t what I was expecting though.
Fans of the author and those who’ve read “The Girl Behind the Red Rope” will no doubt enjoy this book. I will give it up for the author – this is definitely a smart, complex, twisted, intense, riveting, and unpredictable read.
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
Rachelle Dekker is the Christy Award-winning author of The Choosing, The Calling, and The Returning in the Seer series. The oldest daughter of New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker and coauthor with him of The Girl behind the Red Rope, Rachelle was inspired early on to discover truth through the avenue of storytelling. She writes full-time from her home in Nashville, where she lives with her husband, Daniel, and their son, Jack. Connect with Rachelle at www.rachelledekker.com.
You can follow her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelledekkerauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelle_dekker/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rachelledekker
Website: https://www.rachelledekker.com/about/
*This post contains affiliate links
Comments
Post a Comment