Sinner: A Paradise Novel [Paperback]

I finished reading SINNER after a day-long sit-down and read. And now I really don't know what to make of the book. Yes, this was definitely a Dekker book, there is no doubt about that stylistically. I think I just expected a lot more from someone like Ted Dekker. And especially from a Paradise Novel.

I know this review will probably generate a lot of "non-helpful" votes, but before you say that it wasn't helpful just because you love Dekker, give me a moment to explain my feelings on SINNER.

First off, I have read this plot in other books. The LEFT BEHIND books has a similar idea (religious freedom being banned), as well as THE MIND SIEGE PROJECT and a couple of different Frank Peretti novels deal with similar subjects (PIERCING THE DARKNESS and NIGHTMARE ACADEMY for example). So I guess some of the plot just seemed like old news and ideas. Even with what Dekker decides to do with the characters ended up feeling rote.

Second, I didn't feel the danger as much. Normally, in a Dekker book, I am on the edge of my seat just gasping out loud because I don't know what on earth is going to happen or if the characters will even make it out alive. There is always such a sense of danger -- and I love that. In SINNER though, there were a few really great initial scenes that had me just not able to wait for what happened next. But then I got to the middle, and things just starting fizzling out. And by the last third of the book, I saw the ending coming miles ahead of time. I kept pushing on through the book, hoping and praying that Dekker would give me that great twist that he always does near the end, and when I got there, I just thought, "That's it?"

I think a third thing that kind of brought down my enjoyment was the characters. Billy and Darcy are along for the read the majority of the book, and they aren't likeable. They aren't supposed to be in the plot, but I don't like it when I don't like the characters. And they just didn't endear themselves to me. Not even Johnny seemed that exciting this time around. He felt like a cardboard cut-out being shoved around for story's sake. And the new character, Kat, just made me ask, "Why?"

And lastly, this is the preachiest Dekker book ever. One thing that I have always enjoyed about his books is the fact that the message isn't always right on the surface. You have to dig a little to see it, and when you do, it's always amazing. But this time around, the message was right in my face -- no doubt about what he wanted to get across. And that left me a little annoyed. I know Dekker is better than having to make his characters dump the entire idea in dialogue to me, because he's done it before with BLACK, RED, & WHITE.

One thing I will say however, that I wasn't ever bored reading SINNER. And on one level, I did enjoy reading it. A new Dekker book, a day to read it, it's just not my favorite -- by a long shot. There are definitely some great scenes along the way for sure, just like any Dekker book, but on a whole, it just all felt a little flat to me. Here's to praying that maybe Dekker will slow down his output just a bit so that he can take a little more time on his books.

Once again Dekker's work is hyped up to his maximum potential. We all know what he is capable of. Those of us who have read his best, know that when at his best, Dekker can't be matched! Not in a million years. Before you even get to the title part, Dekker has a "Dear Friends" page. And Ted Dekker dares us to possibly compare this by giving us "Old and new all at once." In other words, while this is totally "Circle," you may find it ringing a familiar tune with "Heaven's Wager" or "Blessed Child" coming to mind. Well, not in my mind. And this really isn't what I consider Dekker's best either! I consider this to be Dekker's tease. And ladies and gentlemen, I HATE BEING TEASED!! But I'm also a committen fan of Ted Dekker, and he isn't yet so bad that he's out of his element.

Ted Dekker did his best bringing us Darcy, Billy and Johnny. I believe that. Darcy and Billy are determined to get people to listen to what they have to say. And they have ways of making you listen. And you also have Johnny, simply a natural leader, who's been there, done that, and isn't fazed so easily, not even by something that reaks of Black! Oh yeah, you have Marsuvees Black, and he's as evil as his name. Plans are the name of this game, and something will go through. Leaders will be followed, and there will be a price to pay.

And it sounds pretty exciting, doesn't it? The problem is that Dekker doesn't make it exciting. This was pretty easy for me to put down, and when I read Ted Dekker, that's a first! I've never felt the urge to just put down a Dekker book to go do something else. Reading this, there was always something else to do!

My wife and I are always in competition when a Dekker book comes in the mail. Simply put, one of us gets to read it first, while the other waits in agony for that last page to turn. With my wife, that last page never did turn, and she was disappointed. Another person told me that he finished it only in hopes that it would get better. That doesn't sound like the Dekker I've been reading all these years. But it gives me hope when I hear rumors like that start to form. It means that hopefully we've still got the best of Ted Dekker to come about in the future!! Hey, I know, because I've read his best. And I can't WAIT for those to get on my bookshelf.

But as for the usual, when fans might say, "The latest is the greatest!!" Nope. I'm not saying that this time. I'm saying that SINNER is a TEASER, and I can't stand to be teased!! Don't do it again, Ted. I'm waiting for more of your best. The best of the best!!

The United States citizens lose their right to freedom of speech. What does this mean for the followers of Christ? The premise of the story in "Sinner" is almost upon us. We see it everyday in the news. What will you do about it? Take a stand for Christ or back down to the governments new law? Dekker tackles the subject head-on in this conclusion to the Paradise novels. The message is not to be missed and it'll cause you to evaluate your life and see who you really serve.

As for the story itself, I hate to say, I had to force myself to finish the book. Too many government meetings, too much talking and too much dislike for the two main characters. Things did start to pick up after page 300 and the book finished with a great ending but it was hard getting there. However, the "surprises" at the end were not surprises at all unless you weren't paying attention to what you were reading. They were very obvious. I've read everything Ted has ever written and I'm not convinced he actually wrote this book. It just didn't seem like his writing style and format.

I highly recommend this book for it's powerful message. On the other hand I can't recommend it due to the long-winded story. As always, the choice is yours.

1 Star = Pathetic
2 Stars = Fair
3 Stars = Good
4 Stars = Excellent
5 Stars = Life changing

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 46 reviews  3.8 out of 5 stars