Customer Reviews

Chayatocha

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Fantastic! We read this book just after seeing Mel Gibson's "The Passion". There are some comments during the time Paradine is at the crucifixion that made both the book and the movie regarding Mary very special. Great insight into how so many of us fail in our courage, yet we are still useable. Look deeply at the spiritual warfare and realize it is going on now. We have many of Shane's books and look forward to more in the future. Thanks for a great lift.

I loved the beginning of this book! It was creepy and gave me this sense of foreboding that absolutely got to me. But then as we learned more about Chayatocha and the origins behind the creature, it lost steam. The climax in the cave was good (though most of the action is limited to what the lead character hears rather than sees), but the tone of the book was different by then. The novel starts as a horror/thriller story, then ends as more of a spiritual warfare kind of thing (and that's not necessarily bad).

I will definitely have to give the author credit for one of the more powerful scenes involving the crucifixion in recent fiction. That was the highlight of the book's second half to me.

All in all, this was satisfying, and I'm looking forward to Mr. Johnson's next novel (hopefully the sequel to "Ice"!). If he goes in this vein again in the future, I have no doubt it'll be another hit. The ending doesn't deliver what the beginning promises, but I recommend it because it's the first of its kind in Christian fiction. I hope other authors will build upon it.

With Chayatocha, talented author Shane Johnson has proven that Christian fiction and horror are not incompatible. It's about time! Johnson has tackled some intriguing subjects in the past, and this novel doesn't disappoint. Recommend Chayatocha to readers who enjoy Stephen King or Dean Koontz.

Contrary to the reviews already written, I thought the story began well but tended to fade somewhat nearing the middle as it became almost cartoonish in nature. It began with ample suspense but couldn't hold it and I found I lost interest too early on, finishing the book simply because I wanted to end it. Starts off believably but loses momentum and ends satisfactorily in my opinion

Like Randall Ingermanson ("Premonition") and Michael Crichton ("Timeline"), Shane Johnson has an imagination worthy of any fiction writer. He jumps from fantasy and sci-fi to historical fiction with ease. As in his previous novel "Ice," his storytelling is fast-paced and always full of memorable detail.

"Chayatocha" (pronounced "kie-ah-toe-ka") follows the tale of a wagon train headed for the Oregon Territory in the mid 1800s. Already struggling with the hardships of the trail, the group of pioneer families make a fateful decision when they turn away from an alleged Indian massacre and head for an uncharted pass through the mountains. There, they discover something far more deadly than renegade Indians...They run headlong into "Chayatocha."

The story moves quickly, leading from historical fiction to near horror-type details. Soon, team members and oxen are missing; others are dead; and only a few are bound to survive. The heart of the story beats with Daniel Paladine. He's a bookworm, a school teacher, nothing like your typical frontiersman. Through his horrifying experience, he comes to understand the love and sacrifice of his Savior. Only then is Daniel able to confront the evil that has overtaken them.

Although explanations of the horror came too quickly for me, thus muting some of the suspense, I couldn't stop reading to discover the truths and lies behind Johnson's fascinating story. And, of course, the question remains: Will his wife and son survive? You'll have to read the story to find out.

I liked this book alot. I started on a Monday evening and finished on Wednesday morning. I could not put it down until the final chapter. I normally do not read Christian or Western styled books but this book and its title and cover grabbed me. It was very different. I will not divulge the parts that I enjoyed most but I will tell you that the author grabs hold of you in the first few pages and doesn't let go. The story can be scary at times and I would not recommend this to the very young. Side Note: I loved the characters, and the authors portrayal of the known historical events woven into the plot and storyline. (very nice) As far as being a spiritual influence, I found this book disturbing. Not because the book isn't biblically sound, but that I found myself guilty of forgetting the sacrifice made on my behalf - this book reminded me of that again and made me think. Read it... and pass it along to someone without telling them what it is about...then ask them two days later what they are thankful for. It will make for a great conversation.

This book was very Hitchcock in nature. Fun-scary, and I loved it. Definitely one that will keep you looking for red eyes in the dark, but a good swift read if that's what you're after!