When I worked at the bookstore, one of the most prominent authors on the mystery/suspense/thriller shelf was Ted Dekker. His titles were intriguing. His cover art even more so. So I used part of my Christmas Amazon money (yes, I ask for Amazon gift cards every year) to buy the e-book omnibus edition of his Circle Series. From what I read it was a blend of two stories: a modern thriller story and a futuristic-yet-unwesternized-fantasy story. Cool concept, right? I certainly thought so. I should also mention that Ted Dekker is a Christian Fiction author. I usually don’t read Christian Fiction unless the reviews specifically say that the story is unbiased (aka not preachy). I did my due diligence on Mr Dekker and was satisfied that his books dealt with Good vs Evil. I said, I can live with that. Bring it on, Teddster. One last thing to point out and I’ll get to the rant, I promise. The Circle Series is made up of four books, Red, Black, White, Green. Green is the odd man out because you can read it at the beginning of the series or at the end. Hence, the “circle” concept. Man, this is gonna be good, I thought.
Begin Rant (SPOILER ALERT):
- I started with Black. I liked the Thriller side of the story better that the over-beautified Fantasy side, but I still enjoyed the way the main character’s modern life intertwined with the Fantasy side through his dreams, which were really a portal between the two worlds. Not too shabby. I gave it 4* on Goodreads.
- Next up was Red. I enjoyed it, but the metaphors and allegorical references to the Old and New Testaments began to be really OBVIOUS. Like elephant in the desert obvious. Like strip mall on Mars obvious. My own personal religious beliefs aside, I felt it was kind of a cop-out. The Bible is full of great stories and all Dekker did was steal from it and change a few things around. But I still gave it 4* on Goodreads.
- Then I read White. UGH! Thomas Hunter’s (the main character) wife dies. A year later he’s head-over-heels-in-love-over-the-moon for the daughter of his enemy’s leader. I felt like 80% of the book involved him trying to get to this woman and being all about her and blah, blah, blah. I didn’t sign up for a Romance novel, Ted. You’re killing me. I gave it 3* on Goodreads..
- I chose to read Green last. At this point I just wanted the series to be over. (I have this quirk about reading an entire book no matter how unhappy it makes me…and since I was already so invested in the story, I had to finish the damn series.) Vampires. All I have to say is vampires. A character is revealed to be the biblical version of vampires, nephilim, to be specific. I have no problem with vampires. But why now? It was just so random and really didn’t explain anything or further the plot along. It was like good ole Teddy just learned about the nephilim in his travels and was like, “Hey, this series I’m writing is pretty biblical. Let’s add some biblical-ass vampires. Bam!” Oh and there was more of the whole I-can’t-live-without-my-second-wife/first-wife-who? nonsense. Badly wanted to give this 2*, but gave it 3. Might still change it. I’m debating.
In the end I wasted the whole month of February and first week of March reading this series. I even stayed up until damn near 2am one night to finish the damn thing. Because I just couldn’t do it anymore.
Rant over. I feel better. Thanks.
journeyofjordannaeast 
You’re a braver soul than I… I wouldn’t have read it in the first place knowing it was Christian fiction or whatever… but if I didn’t like it, I definitely would have been incapable of going further.
Well, I don’t usually mind good vs evil. It’s a common theme even among secular literature. But it was just so biblical.
Yeah, it’s definitely an odd quirk that I have to finish reading everything.
The Circle series does sound as an incredible read, but from what you wrote I’d probably have a few problems with it. Also, I’m not sure about different genres in the same series. Regarding the preaching part, there are good chances he had to per contract.
Per contract, huh? Hadn’t thought of that.
Yes, Christian publishers have strict rules about what must be published. Which in a way makes commercial sense. I read somewhere about how Christian romances are structured and it’s quite a list of requirements. From where in the story the first kiss must happen to the marital status of the characters, etc. It was an interesting read, unless it was a bunch of bull of course 🙂
Hunh. That kinda makes sense. But I still think he didn’t have to steal directly from the bible.
This is why it is okay to give up on a book or series. I gave up on The Wheel of Time Series. Instead I spent my time devouring everything Brent Weeks has written. We can only read so many books in our lives, no point wasting that time on bad books.
Oh, and Christian fiction was bad enough with the first book.
Haha, I love how no one understands my obsession with finishing things. Everyone always has the same reaction.