Review: The Returning by Rachelle Dekker

The Returning by Rachelle Dekker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Twenty years have passed since Carrington and Remko Brant's baby, Elise, was kidnapped and they were forced to leave her captive in the Authority City. Though they fled with the Seers far from Authority reach, they've never given up hope of rescuing their daughter from the man who betrayed them. Now Authority President, he's ushered the city into a new era of "peace"--one where the Scientist Roth Reynard's Genesis Serum has eradicated all memory of emotion or rebellion.But the mysterious Aaron and his Seers are once again on the move, threatening the illusion the Authority has worked so hard to build. As the Seers send seven chosen warriors to rescue Elise and bring restoration to the Authority City, the lines are drawn for a final battle between light and darkness. The key to ultimate victory may rest within the strangely powerful girl who has felt forgotten but was never abandoned--a truth she'll need to wage war against the powerful forces of evil.

Blog Tour Review: The Calling by Rachelle Dekker

The Calling by Rachelle Dekker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Remko Brant had never been so sure of anything as escaping the Authority City with Carrington Hale. But bravado comes easy when you have nothing to lose. Now a husband, father, and the tactical leader of the Seers, Remko has never had so much at risk.

As he and his team execute increasingly dangerous rescue missions inside the city, they face growing peril from a new enemy. Recently appointed Authority President Damien Gold claims to be guiding a city shaken by rebellion into a peaceful, harmonious future. But appearances can be deceiving. In order to achieve his dangerous ambitions, Gold knows he must do more than catch the rebels—he must destroy the hope their message represents . . . from the inside out.

With dissension in his own camp—and the CityWatch soldiers closing in—Remko feels control slipping through his fingers. To protect those he loves, he must conquer his fears and defeat Gold . . . before one of them becomes his undoing.

A riveting sequel to The Choosing.   While The Choosing focuses mostly on Carrington, The Calling focuses more on Remko.  Remko is going through the fire for sure!  He is now a husband, a father (awww), and the tactical leader of the Seers.   With all of this added responsibility and so much at risk, Remko lives in a state of constant fear.  He struggles to let his fear go and live free of this burden that is overwhelming him.   His love for and faith in Carrington has brought him this far but he will have to learn to surrender and find faith in the God of Aaron before he can be at peace.

There is lots of action, twists and turns, and nail-biting close calls as well as calming, peaceful moments of spiritual refreshment (the field scenes).  The descriptive words of this author will draw you in and make you feel every moment with the characters.

At the end of the first book they are escaping toward freedom and hope for a better life outside the city.   In this second book, they are struggling to stay free and constantly in danger.   You'll rejoice with each successful rescue and you'll cry with each death and capture.  You'll gasp as things appear to be falling apart and then you'll wonder at the apparent miracles that will lead you to an ending you won't want to miss.   I'm now on pins and needles waiting for the third book!

*Thanks to Tyndale for a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to post a positive review and all opinions stated are my own.*

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Q&A with Rachelle Dekker

Remko struggles with his anger often throughout the book. Is this expression of anger connected to his fears? If so, how?

Anger is just a natural reaction to the circumstances Remko faces. Sometimes being afraid can stir up anger because it makes us feel weak or out of control. This is definitely true for Remko in The Calling.

Carrington struggles with the pain that comes from watching Remko miss the Truth that was so clear to her. What encouragement would you give to others that have loved ones who do not yet share their faith?

Everyone needs to take the journey. For some, truth comes more easily, and others have to struggle to see it. It can be incredibly hard to watch someone you love miss the truth right in front of them, but don’t forget that the Father is still God, and He holds them in His hand. So love those that struggle restlessly and trust that the Father is ever-present, even in the darkness.

What do you hope readers will take away from the story?

I hope they take a moment to see themselves as children of the Father. I hope they see that true freedom and fearlessness rest in surrendering, and that when they stand with the Father than nothing can stand against them. There is incredible peace in that truth, and I hope, like I am beginning the experience, that readers feel that same peace.

What can readers expect in the final book of the series?

Characters they know and some new ones I hope they’ll love! More questions of identity, and fear, but the characters will also be looking at forgiveness and letting go. I’m really happy with the way the final book played out, and I’m hoping readers will be as well.

Full interview here: The Calling Q&A with Rachelle Dekker

The oldest daughter of New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker, Rachelle Dekker was inspired early on to discover truth through storytelling. She graduated with a degree in communications and spent several years in marketing and corporate recruiting before making the transition to write full time. She lives in Nashville with her husband, Daniel, and their diva cat Blair. Visit her online at:

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Review: The Choosing by Rachelle Dekker

The Choosing by Rachelle Dekker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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New author Rachelle Dekker has written a YA dystopian novel that will grip your interest and keep you riveted to the end. Carrington Hale's Choosing Ceremony Day - a moment she'd spent a lifetime preparing for - ends in disaster when she is not chosen and is ripped from her family. She is sent to the edge of the city to spend her days serving as a Lint, the lowest level of society. Through her haze of disbelief, horror, shame, and hurt, she knows it's her duty to follow the true way of the Authority and determines to accept her fate. As the days go by though, Carrington makes some friends whose ideas begin to rattle her beliefs. Though their ideas and beliefs contradict everything she's been told, they resonate deep within.

Then Carrington is offered an unprecedented chance at the life she’s always dreamed of, yet she can’t shake the feeling that it may be an illusion. With a killer targeting Lints and corruption threatening the highest levels of the Authority, Carrington must uncover the truth before it destroys her.

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There was much to like about this debut novel from Rachelle Dekker.  The story grabbed my attention in the first chapter and kept me involved the whole way through.  I felt for Carrington and her brother as she is forced to leave him and her parents behind.  I cringed at the disappointment portrayed by her mother that she was not one of the chosen.  I felt her discomfort at the stark plainness of her new living quarters and the stiffness of her roomates.  I could almost smell the stench that made her queasy at her new job.   There is no doubt that this author has no problem writing a story.

The romance was gentle and sweet. The suspense was there from the beginning as you start reading pretty quickly about the person murdering the Lints. The supporting characters were well fleshed out. The ending will leave you wanting more.  All in all, this was a great debut for a new series!

*Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions stated are my own.*

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Rachelle Dekker The oldest daughter of New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker, Rachelle Dekker was inspired early on to discover truth through storytelling. She graduated with a degree in communications and spent several years in marketing and corporate recruiting before making the transition to write full time. She lives in Nashville with her husband, Daniel, and their diva cat Blair. Visit her online at www.rachelledekker.com.