I just finished Eyes Wide Open by Dekker.
This story is written in an episodic nature, though I read
it like a novel, from front to cover. Dekker is offering the first episode of
this novel for free on Amazon
Kindle. The first episode is also available for free on Amazon in audiobook
format.
Eyes Wide Open is the story of Christy Snow and Austin
Hartt, two young people in love; the story is relayed using third person POV.
Christy sets out to find a lost locket but becomes trapped. When Christy goes
missing, Austin goes to look for her. In an eerie twist, the two become victims
of mistaken identity and encounter a mysterious figure named Outlaw.
The phrase, ‘things are not what they seem’ might be the
best way to sum up this novel. Vision is a common theme throughout the story,
and Dekker uses symbols like lamps to demonstrate this theme. This story made
me think of the Scripture, “Where there is no vision, the people perish”
(Proverbs 29:18a KJV). The Christian symbolism used in this story is very
evident. I’m curious to see where Dekker goes with the rest of the series. My
only criticism is that perhaps the symbolism was a little overemphasized so
that I felt pulled out of the story ever so slightly, but that could just be
because as a believer, I immediately recognized the symbols. Perhaps the
symbolism wouldn’t be so obvious to a mainstream secular audience. I don’t
fault Dekker for making sure his message is clear.
The story starts out more with a Boneman’s Daughters/The
Bride Collector feel and ends with more of a Paradise series vibe. The
beginning definitely hooks readers right away and, in a typical, Dekkeresque,
spine tingling, nail biting fashion. Few books can do that.
Dekker fans and other readers who enjoy suspense should
appreciate this novel. I look forward to the other books in this series.
*Please note that I received a free copy of this book in
exchange for my review. However, I was not required to write a positive review.
The opinion expressed here is my own.
Check out this gripping back cover copy from Eyes Wide Open:
Who am I?
My name is Christy Snow. I'm seventeen and I'm about to die.
I'm buried in a coffin under tons of concrete. No one knows where I am. My heart sounds like a monster with clobber feet, running straight toward me. I'm lying on my back, soaked with sweat from the hair on my head to the soles of my feet. My hands and feet won't stop shaking.
Some will say that I m not really here. Some will say I'm delusional. Some will say that I don t even exist. But who are they? I'm the one buried in a grave.
My name is Christy Snow. I'm seventeen. I'm about to die.
My name is Christy Snow. I'm seventeen and I'm about to die.
I'm buried in a coffin under tons of concrete. No one knows where I am. My heart sounds like a monster with clobber feet, running straight toward me. I'm lying on my back, soaked with sweat from the hair on my head to the soles of my feet. My hands and feet won't stop shaking.
Some will say that I m not really here. Some will say I'm delusional. Some will say that I don t even exist. But who are they? I'm the one buried in a grave.
My name is Christy Snow. I'm seventeen. I'm about to die.
Great review, Heidi. I have a friend who likes Ted Dekker -- I've never had the guts to read any of his, though I've thought about reading House (his collaboration with Peretti).
ReplyDeleteYour review was great. It pointed out both the strengths and weaknesses. Well done.