Ana

The message is good. I'm glad Rosenberg is trying to raise awareness of current events from a biblical standpoint. Seems like everyone has an opinion on what is happening or what is going to happen. I trust rosenberg's understanding of the Middle East and eschitology.

That said, as a novel, this one wasn't as good as his previous works. I've read some of his previous novels, and he is good at writing fiction, but this one didn't quite grab me.

I still recommend it for people interested in rosenberg's insights, but if you're looking for a really good story with complex plot and character development, this book probably won't cut it.

I highly respect the author and will check out other books of his. Maybe the next in this series will be closer to his usual standard.

Pros: definitely a page turner. It'll keep your attention if you're looking for a fairly easy escape read. Plenty happens and the writing is good. Cons: some aspects of the book stretch believability. If you look at it too closely you'll probably find holes. Approach it as a fun little read on a boring Saturday afternoon, and I'd say it's worth it.


Just curious though? Could bones that old even stand to be handled like that? Wouldn't they crumble easily and require professional equipment to move them?

I couldn't put this book down. Especially for the first half of it.

I've read about slavery and the horrible cruelties humans can justify inflicting on each other, but I'd never considered how white children were affected by that kind of society. Nor had I considered the plight of wet nurses and the relationship between them and the children put in their care.

A very eye opening read. Difficult at times, but worth it.


Note: there are some fairly graphic scenes in this book. They're not overly explicit in my opinion, but for those who appreciate prior warning there is some sexual content and a whipping scene.

Just not much depth to it. The plot mainly consists of one argument after another in which Ela demands people change in the name of the Infinite, makes people mad, is threatened, performs some kind of miracle, makes people more angry... repeat cycle.

Ela herself doesn't seem to have much personality. There's no way to really get to know her as a person. And what's with the obsession with being so-called prophet like? In a nutshell, too perfect and yet immature at the same time.

I tried hard to like this book, but just couldn't get into it. Perhaps it would work as a book for children or young teens?

I feel weird rating this when I'm not a guy, but my sweetheart and I read this and [b:For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men 15797975 For Women Only What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men Shaunti Feldhahn https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1364250976s/15797975.jpg 1491732] together, so I'm including it. Thoroughly enjoyed both books. Recommended reading for any couple.

Great read. Highly recommend reading this with your partner. I did, and he confirmed most of it. Definitely a fun and eye-opening experience.

I didn't think I liked westerns, but this book hit the spot. Very easy reading but the writing is good and the characters are lovable.

This was hard to rate!

The message? critically important. This is a wake up call to America, and a much needed one. I don't believe there is any time to spare.

The problem is, the author's chosen format for this book makes it seriously tedious reading. It's mostly dialogue, and unrealistic dialogue at that. If only he'd written the message as a straightforward account, I think it could have had an even greater impact.

That said, the point he's making has far reaching consequences. The warning makes me feel I should recommend this read in spite of the stilted writing.

A great little book for anyone trapped between a seemingly uncrossable sea on one side and a dangerous enemy on the other.

I figured out who the killer was within 15 percent of the book. Probably in part because this author used the same pattern as in the first book of this series. Given that technique, it was easy to pinpoint who the bad guy was. Pretty predictable in general.

It's not a bad book. Clean and easy to read. But it probably wouldn't stay with you or thoroughly enthrall most readers, IMO.

I wasn't feeling good yesterday, and needed something engaging but easy to read. This series is good reading material for that.

It's also a walk down memory lain for me. My grandmother read these books to me when I was little, and I think she enjoyed them as much as I did.

What a beautiful story!

Surprisingly, given our vastly different experiences and backgrounds, I was able to relate to a lot of the observations made in this book. Especially some of the comments on America from an immigrant's perspective.

Her story is told simply and honestly, and in my opinion, it is all the more touching for it's straightforwardness. I wish we had the chance to be friends.

Pros: Gave me a lot to think about and encouraged me to study the OT more than I do now.

Cons: Author relies a bit too heavily on tradition and reasoning, and not enough straight Scripture. At least this is true for the audio version of the book. There may be footnotes containing more Bible references, but these aren't given in the audiobook.

Over all, not sure what I think yet. Lots of food for thought.

I gave this book such a low rating because the author writes from a Cessationist position, which I disagree with, and because she tends to lump everyone who believes miraculous healing is for today into one sweeping category. Yes, there are people out there with counterfeit gifts, and/or with bad motives, simply looking for a thrill or gobbling up donations made by desperate patients. This, however, doesn't mean that the real, genuine gift of healing does not exist, nor does it mean that all who seek healing in this way are acting in disobedience to God.

The earlier chapters on the character of god and the nature of suffering, etc, were good. I only wish the author hadn't been so harsh toward those who may indeed be seeking God and striving to obey him in all things.

I absolutely love a Thousand Splendid Suns. This one wasn't quite as gripping, but it was definitely still worth the read.

I'm usually not a fan of books with more than a handful of main characters. This author, surprisingly, made it fairly easy to keep up with who was who and why we're hearing about them.

So... in short, not as good as the first book I read by him, but good enough to make me want to check out The Kite Runner.

P.S. It probably deserves 3 and a half stars if I had that option.

Not terrible or anything, but not very intriguing either. Too much on the cliche and predictable side. Though it would make a decent read for when one is sick or otherwise not up for anything deep or complex.

I don't necessarily disagree with the author, but I feel like he merely said the same things over and over again in a few different ways. Not a bad message, but little to no application.

Simply profound. I don't think I could do it justice with a review. I highly recommend this for anyone facing sickness of any kind. It's not bogged down with complicated theology, just straightforward Bible truths with the author's experience to prove it. Or more like his experiences to prove the reality of the promises God has made. Deeply encouraged by this one.

This was a hard read. The writing at times is so poetic, yet the subject matter is so horrendous. But I agree with with what Ellie says several different times in the course of this book.
“Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, that turned my life into one long night seven times sealed.
Never shall I forget that smoke.
Never shall I forget the small faces of the children whose bodies I saw transformed into smoke under a silent sky.
Never shall I forget those flames that consumed my faith forever.
Never shall I forget the nocturnal silence that deprived me for all eternity of the desire to live.
Never shall I forget those moments that murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to ashes.
Never shall I forget those things, even were I condemned to live as long as God Himself.
Never.”

And neither should we.

A good chunk of this book is testimonies and stories of people who's lives were radically changed by encountering God through Jesse. Lives have been healed, restored, and even resurrected from physical and spiritual death. This book is a powerful testimony, showing that this kind of life-changing reality is available to all of us. Not just “super Christians” or those specially chosen. God can and does use all of us if we are willing to truly follow him.

I like that the author also took some time to explain how anyone can grow in faith toward this kind of spiritual maturity. If you're looking for firsthand accounts of miracles, or want to learn more about how God uses people in everyday life, this book is a good place to start.

I haven't yet had enough personal experience with praying in tongues to be able to comment for myself, but this book really helped me better understand the roll and importance of praying in the spirit. This is a fairly new concept to me, since I am one of those who grew up believing such supernatural gifts aren't for today. Rarely have I seen such a profound subject explained so simply and easy to understand. Everything is backed up by scripture, quoted directly as the author presents each point.

Truly a great read, and probably one I'll come back to in my walk with God.

I started this book years ago, but only got maybe half way through. I think I was a bit too young for it at the time, and didn't know what to expect. I've wanted to find this book again for years now, but couldn't remember the title or author. I finally found it after much searching. Not a bad book. I'd say it was worth finding it again.

A quick and easy read that sparks the imagination. I kind of wish this was a little longer. It seems to be a children's book, but as C. S. Lewis once said, a children's book that can only be enjoyed by children isn't a good children's book in the slightest.

I think I would've given this book 3.5 stars if that was an option, only because I tended to skip some of the songs I didn't know. Four stars seems a bit enthusiastic when you didn't actually read it cover to cover, but the songs I do know and read made up for the ones I don't know. Now, these songs have even more meaning behind them. A lot of these already held a special place in my heart because of their personal meaning to me. I think this is a book I'll come back to and re-read the stories behind the songs that mean the most to me. I don't listen to country music as much as I used to, and some of the songs hold so much sentimental value for me that they're hard to listen to. But to me, country music will always be the best genre when it comes to beautiful melodies combined with lyrics that haunt you. It's music that can inspire you and make you cry all at once.

“You saw me before I saw you.”

This book is going to be hard to write any kind of review on. It takes you through so many different emotions. Is it possible for a reader to have Stockholm syndrome? I'll admit it. I actually like Ty, the kidnapper. There's no violence, no threats, nothing that could be called truly ugly, as such. Except for the fact that he kidnapped Gemma. Took her away from her family, away from her country, away from everything she knew and loved. He carried her off to the Australian outback. Yet there is something loveable in Ty. I guess because he seems to truly love Gemma. He genuinely believes he's doing the best thing for her. And in the end, when it's all said and done...He does do the best thing for her. And in doing so, proves he did love her. This book almost made me cry. They say you know you've read a good book when you finish it and are left feeling a little like you've lost a good friend. That's how I felt when I finished this. I want everything to end up being ok. I want both Ty and Gemma to find happiness and fulfillment, somewhere, somehow. Nothing says they will, though. Especially Ty.

So is it Stockholm syndrome? Or is it something much deeper, much more complicated than even that? Is it simply the twisted psychology of a kidnapper and his, “victim”? Or is it more like the heart's reaction to the harsh yet beautiful reality of the wilderness, and the hurting in another's soul.