Author’s intention was to challenge the modern (and too easy to follow) “version” of God - that He is some non-challenging and benevolent persona, like a nice therapist, who is here to make you feel good or at least better (mostly about yourself). This is a very worthy intention. Truly, God is not nice. He is much, much more.
But did the author succeed? I have a mixed feelings about this work. While he makes some very worthy points, I do not know if he himself had decided which audience he was going to engage. For non-believers the arguments might sound too scholarly and too convinced that he is the right one in this debate, the voice of “reason here”. I do not think that this us going to work! For believers - well, he is going to educate some well, presenting some good points and rightly attacking some false beliefs. Yet, the scholarly tone is also quite boring and I found myself fighting him with my arguments, also. Maybe the discussion might be lively:) I would love good debate.
I think the good, thorough Catholic education and good formation can cure most of the false belief presented here. Maybe this is the problem? That we do not study the apologetic of the faith more? Or our own faith more?
Also, and I am sure the author would not contradict me - the well-lived life of deep faith would attract the most.

This book addressed beautifully the image all too many f us, especially younger people, have of God being somewhat undefined and benevolent -- in other words, nice.

Lehner does a wonderful job of showing both philosophically and theologically why that image is limiting and false. He writes a strong argument and one that is thoroughly modern for viewing and accepting God in all His Wildness and not-niceness.

It's so easy to read that the reader can be tempted to gloss over his words. Don't, there's lots of great insights to unpack here.

Lehner is a great writer and makes it very easy to understand his train of thought. He is also wonderfully scholarly and his tone in this book is fantastic. It makes for a quiet, engaging read. While I think I have tired myself out on the wildness and recklessness of God sub-genre, I do appreciate Lehner's effort. I don't think I would too quickly recommend this book, but I do think it beneficial to read our brothers and sisters who differ from us in fundamental ways.