I am an avid Ted Dekker fan having read many if not most of his more than forty novels. I am also a fan of Rachelle Dekker, frequently recommending her Seer series. That said, I must admit that about halfway through The Girl Behind the Red Rope I told my husband, “This is a great story, but I know there's got to be a deeper message, and I'm missing it.” Shortly thereafter I got to chapter twenty-four and the veil was lifted. While I would love to share the insights the Dekkers so skillfully crafted into this story, I will not rob you of the pleasure and depth of discovery. I can assure you this book has life-giving treasures for those who persist.

I am most grateful to have received a copy of The Girl Behind the Red Rope from Revell via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

If this is the first book you've read that was written by Ted Dekker, or Rachelle for that matter, you may find it an incredible book that reveals a truth about many people.

If, like me, you've read everything Ted and Rachelle have written ... then this book is going to read almost verbatim of the last couple books by them.

As I write this it really seems harsh to write about such talented authors, but Ted seems to have become a one-trick pony. I even contemplate deleting that last sentence because of my delight in his previous books; but I can't. I was so disappointed in The Girl Behind the Red Rope.

The disappointment doesn't come from the story because, as I started this review, if this is your first Dekker experience then you will be thrilled. I can almost guarantee it. For me it happened around chapter two or three; when I realized I've read this story before. I read it in Forbidden, Mortal, and Sovereign. I caught glimpses of Outlaw and those chronicles. Absolutely I saw it all before in The 49th Mystic and Rise of the Mystic. It's the same story. You could even make the argument that A.D. 30 and A.D. 33 should be included.

It comes down to the reality that Ted has had an experience, an awakening to a spiritual outlook and wants to share that with his audience. I find no fault in that other than his stories have become repetitive. In all of the previously mentioned story you will read a character basically lecture on the thoughts that Ted has written in his devotional book.

Now here's the thing. The argument can be made that this has been the way Ted writes. And this is true, you could go back to Obsession maybe Black to where he writes about similar themes but from different sides of the story-prism. And I would concede that point.

The difference is that before, those stories were fresh, and each one was different in unique and clever ways. Here lately we're reading the Exact. Same. Story.

I'm afraid I may be done with the Dekkers. And I so wish I could delete that sentence and make it not true.

If you've made it this far, allow me to share about the actual story: this book is a thrill-ride-page-turner. Without a doubt, new readers will want to see who's who and what's what by the end of the story. Even I was pulled in to see if twists were going to pan out or things were exactly as they seem. Ted has such a talent to get readers to question what they're reading.

Near the climax one of main characters goes so nuts it almost pulled me out of the experience. In fact, it did. I remember stopping, sitting back and thinking. "Wow, this person has really gone off the bend. Would that really happen? Would someone like that really go that far?"

The Girl Behind the Red Rope is a Dekker tale through and through. You have thrills and reveals. And unfortunately, for me, you have the same basic story read before.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Revell Publishing.

In the past, Ted Dekker has collaborated with other writers, most notably, in my opinion, Tosca Lee, to write some absolutely amazing works of Christian fiction. While I knew Ted’s daughter, Rachelle, had written a few books of her own, I never read anything by her, but when I saw that the two of them joined together to write this, I couldn’t wait to see what they had come up with.

The story started in a way that was reminiscent of a few other popular dystopian books that were published in recent years. But since this is a Dekker book, I expected the living situation of the Christians who decide to hide away in a small town surrounded by red rope and patrolled by their own chosen guards to take some unexpected turns. And, wow! does it ever! At times I had to keep flipping through the pages to make sure the main character, Grace, would be ok because you just never know with a book like this how things will turn out. Grace of course was my favorite character; although, I came to like and appreciate Eli too. The characterization is well done, giving the reader a good sense of why the characters did what they did.

I will be looking for more from these two.

Another wonderful captivating book by Ted Dekker and his daughter Rachelle! A Perfect allegory! What a wonderful story to show who we truly are in the light!!! I Read this in one day as it was speaking to me and I couldn’t stop reading!! I highly recommend this book for an inspiring, captivating, and relevant read!

What would you do if you were a 6 year old child sitting in church and a being like an angel appeared and told you that in three years your world would be destroyed while you hid away in a secret place and tried to never do anything wrong?
While I read the book, I was imagining that these things could actually happen as it is easy to believe and trust what a supernatural being tells you to do

This was a very thought provoking and gripping tale. I was drawn in early on and didn't want to put it down.

I found this a perfect example of Jesus's warning to beware of "wolves in sheep's clothing". These people truly believed they were following the right path, when in reality, the devil was leading them away from Christ.

If you enjoy dystopian novels, this book is perfect for you. It made me question my views on religion vs what the Bible truly says. We can only trust the message laid out for us in The Bible.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of the book mentioned above in the hope that I would review it on my blog. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

I just couldn't get into this book at all...not for a lack of trying but because it's so weird. It took until the last 10% for me to even understand why it's marketed as a Christian book, but it finally got there. The story centers around a brainwashed cult of people and what happens when a couple dare to go beyond the (literal) red rope into the wider world. If you're into dystopian fiction, then you might really enjoy it, but it wasn't my cup of tea. As an aside, while talking with my husband about the book, our son (who does love dystopian books, and has read Dekker's The Circle graphic novel series) piped up and said that it sounded very similar to his comic books...so maybe that's where the idea originated.

I very much enjoyed this book. It was not too wildly outrageous and had a great message at the end.

Evil is cunning and lurks in the places you’d least expect it.
This is a great book that pits us against our own human frailties. When fear becomes your constant companion what lengths will you go to in order to feel safe?
This book was thought-provoking and I found myself contemplating the concept of religious rules verses the message of love. Do I conduct myself according to my perceived fears or do I seek truth?
Haven Valley has separated itself from the rest of the world in anticipation of a cleansing that is to come in the form of the Fury. The community adheres to strict religious rules, hoping that by doing so they will avoid the retribution that is to come.
They live in fear that they will not be holy enough, and the fear increases when they find out one of their own has been going beyond the red rope perimeter.
When a young boy from outside shows up in their town, innocent and fearless at the same time, they can’t see the love that radiates from him. All they see is their own fear. Is the boy an angel? A demon? Or is he something else?
Grace must face these questions and more when she is caught in the middle of the battle between good and evil. Where will deception end and truth begin?
As tension behind the red rope increases, the citizens must each examine themselves and decide what to believe. Choices must soon be made that will determine the future.
Will the people of Haven Valley find freedom in their perceived faithfulness? Or will their choices hold them in bondage? How far will the people go to protect their way of life?
A gripping story that had me examining myself, holding my breath and guessing to the end. I highly recommend this book.
I received a copy of this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group group through Interviews and Reviews. This is my honest review.