Rise of the Mystics

GIVEAWAY

DEKKER, TED
RISE OF THE MYSTICS

Some say the great mystery of how one can live in two worlds at once died with Thomas Hunter many years ago. Still others that the gateway to that greater reality was and is only the stuff of dreams. They are all wrong.

Rachelle Matthews, who grew up in the small town of Eden, Utah, discovered just how wrong when she dreamed and awoke in another world. There she learned that she was the 49th Mystic, the prophesied one, tasked with finding five ancient seals before powerful enemies destroy her. If Rachelle succeeds in her quest, peace will reign. If she fails, the world will forever be locked in darkness.

In The 49th Mystic, Rachelle found the first three of those five seals through great peril and mind-altering adventure. But two seals remain hidden, and the fate of both worlds hangs in the balance.

As Rachelle sits deep in a dungeon, Vlad Smith is just getting started. Thomas Hunter's world is about to be turned inside out. The Mystics say that there is no defense against the Fifth Seal -- but finding it will cost Rachelle everything. So begins the final volume of high stakes in one girl's quest to find an ancient path that will save humanity. The clock is tickingl the end rushes forward.

Ready? Set? Dream.

My Review:

That wheezing you hear is me trying to catch my breath after finishing the sequel to The 49th Mystic! And this is definitely the case where you need to read that book first. Dekker does give a great catch-up to refresh a reader's mind but The Rise of the Mystics is way too intense and involved to pick up as a standalone read.

Once again I'm gobsmacked over this author's ability to create such depth and meaning in a work of fiction. This is a truly inspired piece of work. The kind of faith driven speculative thriller that makes you think. And wrestle. And stretch. Not to be read lightly -- or quickly -- or you'll miss experiencing the full spiritual journey.

"Do not resist. Enter that fear with love, which casts it out. Work out your salvation from the storm through that fear. It's the only way to finally see fear for what it is, a shadow." (p 138)

Rachelle is back, facing the greatest battle of her life -- and most of it happens inwardly -- the war of wills, a conflict between heart and mind. Learning what it means to live love without judgement. And that includes self-doubt and condemnation. There are times I had to pull back and just sit in the story as I made connections between Rachelle's journey and my own.

"I was now condemning myself by calling myself a failure. Did it never stop? It was no wonder there were so few water walkers in the world." (p 253)

Dekker writes about the masks we hide behind and the power they have to block out the Light. Honestly, there are layers and layers of mind blowing concepts that have the ability to lead a reader deeper into her faith. At least, that is my experience with this novel.

The Rise of the Mystic challenges and entertains -- a heart-stopping, soul-stirring thrill of a read!

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Rise of the Mystics, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If  you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 7 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!