The Returning

Twenty years have passed since Carrington and Remko Brant's baby, Elise, was kidnapped and they were forced to leave her captive in the Authority City. Though they fled with the Seers far from Authority reach, they've never given up hope of rescuing their daughter from the man who betrayed them. Now Authority President, he's ushered the city into a new era of "peace"--one where the Scientist Roth Reynard's Genesis Serum has eradicated all memory of emotion or rebellion.But the mysterious Aaron and his Seers are once again on the move, threatening the illusion the Authority has worked so hard to build. As the Seers send seven chosen warriors to rescue Elise and bring restoration to the Authority City, the lines are drawn for a final battle between light and darkness. The key to ultimate victory may rest within the strangely powerful girl who has felt forgotten but was never abandoned--a truth she'll need to wage war against the powerful forces of evil.

My thoughts: I've read all the books in this series. This one is the best, in my opinion! At first, I was a bit disappointed that so many years have passed since the second book, but it wound up adding a lot to the story. I can't imagine, as a parent, how hard it would be to have faith that leaving a child behind is where God can use them the most. Rachelle does a wonderful job of bringing the battle of Remko and Carrington to life.
I do wish that the light that Aaron represented was explained a bit more in the book, since it feels like more stalk is put into his character then the source from where he gets being a prophet and teacher. I would of liked more on the spiritual side of things.
I like that this book has a lot more going on. If you enjoy dystopian stories, then this series is one that you should check out!
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

The Remnant

In the year 2069 the Apocalypse came and went, but Jesus didn’t show up, as some expected.

Instead, a cataclysmic war, natural disasters and pandemics eradicated 90 percent of earth’s population. Now, in 2131, a totalitarian government rules the world from the majestic, opulent capitol of Carthage, Tunisia. Blamed for igniting the war, religion and religious books are banned. Citizens who will not renounce their religion are sent to work camps.

Grant Cochrin, imprisoned in a bleak petroleum camp in what was once North Dakota, leads his family and friends to escape and embark on a long, dangerous quest for a Christian community. Their resource in this journey? A cherished page torn from the now banished Bible—a remnant of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount handed down from Grant’s grandparents.

What if there were an Apocalypse and Jesus didn’t return? What if the survivors found themselves living in a world ruled by a totalitarian government, where religion is forbidden and all religious texts have been destroyed?

In The Remnant, award-winning author Monte Wolverton tells the tale of a band of concentration camp escapees who trek through the lawless American wilderness on a quest for authentic Christianity, only to come face to face with an unthinkable dilemma. The Remnant is a fast-paced story punctuated with dry satire, memorable characters and hard questions about religious institutions.

My thoughts: In all honesty, I have mixed feelings about this one. The story line and characters are interesting, and I loved the twists in the story, but it isn't Biblicaly accurate. It is an interesting dystopian style story about a world in the future where the one world government has tried to make all religions extinct. I think the sequel, if there is one (which, it left at a cliff hanger, so I am sure readers will want another one!) could be interesting if it still explores the one world government, but perhaps with that world forcing one religion. Time will tell.
If you love dystopian stories, then you will enjoy this one!
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

The Gifting Series

The Gifting
"If science is right, then I am crazy. And crazy is dangerous."

In a world where nothing supernatural exists, Tess Eckhart is positive she’s going crazy. After her complete freakout at a high school party, her family is too. So much that they pack their bags and move across the country, next to a nationally-renowned facility for the mentally ill.

Tess is determined to fit in at her new school, despite the whispers and stares. But when it comes to Luka Williams, a reluctantly popular boy in her class, she’s unused to a stare that intense. Then the headaches start, and the seemingly prophetic dreams that haunt her at night. As Tess tries harder to hide them, she becomes increasingly convinced that Luka knows something—that he might somehow be responsible.

But what if she’s wrong? What if Luka Williams is the only thing separating her from a madness too terrifying to fathom?

The Awakening
"I can't go home. It's not safe. Nowhere is."

Tess Eckhart isn’t crazy. She’s not suffering from psychosis. She and Luka Williams are part of The Gifting. Before they can find out what that means, the man with all the answers turns up dead. The only thing he left behind? A few patient files that lead to the nation’s most lawless city.

With authorities chasing them, Luka and Tess escape into the very heart of peril and against all odds, find an underground community of people just like them. They aren’t gathered together for the sole purpose of survival, either. They have a plan and a purpose–to awaken as many people with The Gifting as possible. It’s dangerous and deadly work. Tess wants to help. Luka is desperate to keep her safe–a task that proves increasingly difficult as Tess’s gifting comes to light.

Is Tess Eckhart the One they’ve been waiting for? The One with the power to save them all?

The Gathering
"Darkness is a tricky thing. Especially when it cloaks itself in light."

Luka isn’t dead. He’s not beyond saving. Tess knows because she saw him with her own eyes. After what she saw, she’s sure of one thing: If they don’t rescue him soon, Luka won’t be Luka anymore.

If only she could convince the other members of the hub. They’re not sure Tess saw what she claims she saw. And they’re preoccupied by the fact that their kind is being systematically eradicated. Answers lie in an ancient prophecy, one that revolves around a seventeen-year-old girl who never asked for any of this.

K.E. Ganshert’s final installment in The Gifting Series brings readers on an action-packed journey through loss, sacrifice, betrayal, and the impossible choice between what we want most and what we know is right.

My thoughts: Over all, I loved this series! The characters are easy to relate to and I like that each book adds plenty to the story, rather than growing stagnant like some can do. I would of liked to see more development and explanation for the gifted side of things, since the term Believers is mentioned but there isn't an explanation in what they are believing in or that there is even much of another side in the war they are in. The last book needed a few more chapters to explain, in my opinion.;) This series is still an excellent read that it is hard to put down! The writing style is excellent and engaging.

The Calling

Remko Brant had never been so sure of anything as escaping the Authority City with Carrington Hale. But bravado comes easy when you have nothing to lose. Now a husband, father, and the tactical leader of the Seers, Remko has never had so much at risk.As he and his team execute increasingly dangerous rescue missions inside the city, they face growing peril from a new enemy. Recently appointed Authority President Damien Gold claims to be guiding a city shaken by rebellion into a peaceful, harmonious future. But appearances can be deceiving. In order to achieve his dangerous ambitions, Gold knows he must do more than catch the rebels--he must destroy the hope their message represents . . . from the inside out.With dissension in his own camp--and the CityWatch soldiers closing in--Remko feels control slipping through his fingers. To protect those he loves, he must conquer his fears and defeat Gold . . . before one of them becomes his undoing

My thoughts: I have to say, I think that this one has a lot more going for it then the first book. While the first book was okay, I felt like it could have had more to the story. The Calling does a better job of bringing to life the characters, as they seek to keep the rebellion going now that things are growing harder. I found the new characters and changes in the city interesting, I especially enjoyed the new characters.:) While I wasn't surprised with some of the twists in the story, they still added some unique elements. I like the over all theme of faith over fear and especially appreciated Remko's personal journey.
Over all, I would give it a 4 out of 5. It didn't blow me away, but it was interesting and held my attention until the end, leaving me looking forward to the next book in the series (Warning: this one ends in a bit more of a cliff hanger than the last one!). It is a great story to curl up with on a cold day!
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

The Choosing

“Not to be Chosen would yield a cruel fate of my own making.”
Like all citizens since the Ruining, Carrington Hale knows the importance of this day. But she never expected the moment she’d spent a lifetime preparing for—her Choosing ceremony—would end in disaster. Ripped from her family, she’ll spend her days serving as a Lint, the lowest level of society. She knows it’s her duty to follow the true way of the Authority.

But as Carrington begins this nightmare, rumors of rebellion rattle her beliefs. The whispers contradict everything she’s been told; yet they resonate deep within.

Then Carrington is offered an unprecedented chance at the life she’s always dreamed of, but she can’t shake the feeling that it may be an illusion. With a killer targeting Lints and corruption threatening the highest levels of the Authority, Carrington must uncover the truth before it destroys her.

My thoughts: I was curious to see what a Christian dystopian story would be like, since a lot of the popular ones out there would have a whole new dimension to them if there was a religious overtone or message of hope at the end. This one was interesting, and I thought that the writing was well done. I would of liked for the story to be less predictable, but Rachelle does a wonderful job of building her own dystopian world and making it come alive. While parts of the story remind me of some of her father's (Ted Dekker) stories, she still has her own unique voice and I thought she did a great job of presenting a different kind of dystopian world. One where women are raised for very distinct roles. I look forward to seeing where the next book takes the characters! (I hope there will be some happy endings in store;)) I look forward to some of the characters personalities being more developed.
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.