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Wow. Ugh. Blood, lust and more blood. This was not a book for me. The writing is really quite superb and I caught myself rereading sections with delight as I prepared for this review. The turn of phrase, descriptive language, active plot, interesting characters all work together to make this an excellent novel were it not for the sensuality, lust and blood that were deemed necessary (and probably are) to this type of novel. I just felt smothered by it – sickly fragrant syrup that I was drowning in.
There is much descriptive language and it is often a delight to roll particular phrases around the tongue and mull over in the mind. Some of these sentences are:
Enemies were about with sharp knives and blunt intentions. pg. 2
But now everything changed within me. The moon lost its place in the sky. There was another light edging into my horizon, and jealousy came like a storm to block it out. pg. 97
Trees rose higher here, clawing for the sky on either side, blocking out the moon’s glow. pg. 104
Four spires stabbed the moon…. pg 104
Many heroic and passionate knight scenes such as this one:
The only way to cope, I reasoned, was to remove myself from that horizon. And so I took another long ride around the entire property on my dark steed, quickly bringing him to a frothy sweat. pg. 97
His gloved hand was on his gold-busted sword. Leather armor wrapped his chest and thighs, same as mine. A goatee cupped his chin and joined his mustache but he’d shaved the rest of his face in the creek earlier, anticipating his ride into the estate, the arriving hero from abroad. Alec, the lover. Toma, the warrior. pg. 3
It is filled with sensuality that made me uncomfortable.
Caught staring, I turned. But everywhere I looked, I was surely staring. Though there was no overt sexuality on display here, the room was drenched in sensuality, in tracing fingers and weaving arms and smouldering looks that drew out the wildest imaginations, pg, 109
The dance resembled no movement I had ever seen – a twisting, twirling affair that might be better suited to dervishes than ladies and gentlemen. It was at once beautiful, even breathtaking, and terribly sensuous, in part because of the way the women were dressed in their tight-fitting leathers and boots. pg. 112
Bitten lips, blood drenched sheets, dark black eyes…. Too much for my comfort.
At about two thirds of the way through the book I was disappointed to see the plot revealing who these mysterious people really were. At this point, I kind of threw up my hands and shook my head – another book, Christian no less, in this expanding genre of popular fiction. It felt like a sell out to popular culture but having thought about it more why shouldn’t Christians have a voice here as well?
I also thought the plot reveal 2/3 of the way through was a way the author “dumbed” the book down spelling it out for those who hadn’t made the connections. I felt insulted at this.
Although having read one of the most popular in this unnamed genre, I have to say the writing in this Ted Dekkar book is considerably more mature, robust and eloquent. It was the language that kept me turning the pages when I felt like I was drowning in sensuality and blood. I really enjoyed the language, symbolism, and descriptive turns of phrase. If blood and sensuality do not bother you, then this book might be one to try. If you love good writing, then this is a great book to read.
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I almost feel the need to “defend” Ted in this situation, simply because I have been a fan of his for so long. However, I will refrain. You write great reviews, they’re enjoyable to read even if I don’t agree with your opinions.
Thank you for your kind words, however, if there were things you really loved about the book, please share them. There’s nothing wrong with a positive voice!
tracy recently posted..Immanuel’s Veins by Ted Dekker- Book Review
I enjoyed this book immensely too… I find it very intriguing.
cleffairy recently posted..One Night With The King
I really like how you comment on the writing here. I enjoyed that in this book as well.
Sheila (Bookjourney) recently posted..It’s Monday! What Are You Reading
Thanks Tracy for stopping by…:D Lovely review, I actually liked this so much because he dared used some things that make Christians go uh-oh is he talking about what I think he’s talking about…..
Dekker is my fav author so I tend to love all his books….if you havent read Blink or When Heaven Weeps Series….awesome!!!
Great review! And I understand why you feel the way you do.
This book…I thought was beautiful. But that’s me haha.
As for the creatures….they’re actually not what you think but rather what, in Ted’s world, started the legends. Those creatures are from his other books and here he was giving a neat history. Also, he has stated on his blog that this idea for these creatures being the start of unnamed creatures’ legends had been in his mind LONNNNG before popular culture picked up on it. He, rightly so, was pretty upset when those books/films came out LOL
Anywho, I agree to disagree
Either way, Dekker’s a master writer. LOL
Great review!
As you’ve read, I posted mine here:
http://whisperedroars.blogspot.com/2010/09/immanuels-veins-ted-dekker.html
Tracy,
Thanks for stopping by my site… and great review! I’d differ somewhat… in part, because 1) I’m a HUGE Dekker fan, lol; and 2) I think that the sensuality was “necessary.” Because of his emphasis (which you classified as a sellout to pop culture), I the blood and sexuality needed to be addressed. You’re right… we haven’t dealt with this much from a Christian worldview. But I thought Dek did a great job of isolating the overt lustfulness as being a part of a “demonic reality.” It’s almost as if he was saying, “So, you wanna be immersed in vampirism, huh? Okay, let me show you what you’re REALLY dealing with!”
If you haven’t already read it, read “The Circle Triology”!!
D Plum recently posted..Best Kept Secret…
Ted Dekker stated like at least ten times that this book wasn’t for everyone, and it may VERY WELL offend people.
I’m just saying, he plainly warned about all of this beforehand. I understand your reasoning, I’m just, you know, saying.
Ted Dekker uses darkness and evil in a way to make people, including Christians, realize how dark this world is. But he also uses it to show us how bright and awesome God is compared to this darkness.
Anyway, just throwing a couple thoughts out there. Nice review.
~Reuben~
Oh, also, thanks for the comment on my blog.
I love Ted Dekker but this wasn’t one of my favourites either. Though for different reasons bthan you. I last enjoyed “Adam” very much; it was almost as good as “The Bride Collector”.
I’m hoping to work on the circle series and it’s off-shoots in the new year. Just read the graphic novel version and it was wonderful!
I have only read one other Dekker novel, ADAM, which I liked quite a bit. If I remember correctly, it was pretty gory too.
I read IMMANUEL’S VEINS because of its fantastic blurbs which claimed the book was a life-changing experience. The fact that I didn’t find it to be so almost made me give it a more negative review. Frankly I was disappointed that I didn’t experience some kind of spiritual epiphany. But then I decided to evaluate the book on its own merits. I enjoyed it, it was exciting, I liked the old-fashioned, evil vampires. Yes, it was a little gory, but compared to some it was pretty mild.
If you don’t like gore then don’t read Jim Butcher or Laurell K. Hamilton. I read one each of their novels and I won’t do that again. Absolutely gruesome.
Leesa Dee recently posted..Operation Pet Rescue
Now that you mention it, I think that is one reason I didn’t like the book. I kept waiting for that “wow” moment that I had gotten while reading his Circle Trilogy, and I didn’t get it with this book.
I do like how this review points out the superb language in the book. I think it is the only thing I liked in the book, the syntax.
Hollie recently posted..Happy Holidays
You wrote a great review…and it only makes me want to read this book more. I’ve got to get my hands on a copy.
Joy@Edgy Inspirational Romance recently posted..Review- Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball
I would like someone to explain something to me? As I recall, in the book I saw that the demons drank of the wine or blood( I am not sure)
and said, “drink this in remembrance of me.” Jesus said that not some demon. It doesn’t not seem right for him to write it as tho they said it.
I find this book so fluent, precise and so describing every character a bit more intriguing which gives you more time to visualized the very tiniest detail of the character.But I say I am not into this kind of books. I don’t know but I find it too diabolic? Sorry for the word I use.
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I do like how this review points out the superb language in the book. I think it is the only thing I liked in the book, the syntax.
powerkilikili recently posted..Diet Plans for Men
you are a great book and journal review writer and artist although your ideas and perspectives are not in the same frequency as mine, i love the way you write!!! do you know where i can get a copy of that book you’ve read?! you’ve made my mind quite intrigued by that book!
glenbacala recently posted..CHRISTIAN DATING SITES
Great review! I might get a copy of the book too..
Kimberly recently posted..Remediation solutions for black mould problems
I actually liked this so much because he dared used some things that make Christians go uh-oh is he talking about what I think he’s talking about….. |
mouse recently posted..Free Streaming Movies Online
I was able to read and read at this time, hope you don’t stop making this and shared to people, keep up the great work and have a good life..
Corycantalop recently posted..angry birds android
your reviews are very formal and uplifts the author but I was not on the review but I am intrigued the story. I have to let my niece look for this, it seems worth reading.
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I think that the sensuality was necessary. Because of his emphasis which you classified as a sellout to pop culture, I the blood and sexuality needed to be addressed. You’re right… we haven’t dealt with this much from a Christian worldview.
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for me it is really a good book thanks for sharing this i can’t wait to sharing this beautiful words i get from the book.
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I think this should be on my list this week end. I am giving myself a whole day break and I am planning to spend it in the mall. I will be looking for this book. Definitely I will look for this!
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I thought Dek did a great job of isolating the overt lustfulness as being a part of a “demonic reality.” It’s almost as if he was saying, “So, you wanna be immersed in vampirism, huh? Okay, let me show you what you’re REALLY dealing with!”
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I enjoyed it, it was exciting, I liked the old-fashioned, evil vampires. Yes, it was a little gory, but compared to some it was pretty mild.
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I love for what you have shown here, It’s made me want to buy all the book you’re shared here, Thanks for getting my attention.