Wednesday, October 3, 2018

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!

30 comments:

  1. I will have to go check ✔ these out
    Thanks for sharing this book with us 😍🍯🐝😍
    Thanks for the chance to win 😃 iamabho AT gmail DOT com

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    1. It's an incredible series -- just two books so not sure if you call that a series? Anyway, very compelling. Good luck, Linda!

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    2. More then one is to me also lol Thanks

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  2. I'm not a huge Dekker fan. Some of his earlier books I've tried to read have been way too far out there for me. Maybe it was the book, maybe it was just my personal taste? In any case, I'll pass on this one. My sis-in-law's Overdrive digital library had both books. I may try reading at least the first one to see if it appeals to me.

    Thanks for your review,Kav! The spiritual warfare slant does sound interesting along with spiritual truths.

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    1. Do give that first one a try sometime when you're feeling brave. :-) I honestly, wouldn't have picked up The 49th Mystic if I hadn't been offered it to review. Even then I was really cautious and did a lot of research before accepting the offer and am I ever glad I did!

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  3. I love Dekker but realize I need to read the 49th Mystic before I can enter for this one. Great review, it did leave me feeling like I'm missing out if I don't read the series.

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    1. Check your public library -- bet they have that first book. And yes, definitely don't read this one without reading the other one first.

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  4. Eeee!!! So exciting!!! LOVE Ted Dekker's Circle-Universe books and I'm DYING to get my hands on this new one!!!!

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    1. So I haven't read the Circle books, but someone on Good Reads said I definitely should as they tie in with this Beyond the Circle series. Since you're familiar with the earlier series, you'll be pleased to know that Thomas Hunter plays an important part in this one. I read these two books easily without having read the Circle series but I can see how if you're familiar with Thomas Hunter, you'd probably be that much more thrilled over those plot lines. Good luck, Elly!

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  5. Will have to see if the library has the first book. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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  6. Will have to look into these. Thank you.
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. It's a break from my normal reading but I'm a fan now. Good luck, Lucy.

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  7. I love Ted Dekker's books! I have book one in this series. I'd love to add this one. KAV, Thank you for the great review and the opportunity to win a copy.
    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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  8. Sounds really good. I have the first book but haven’t gotten the chance to read yet.
    mindyhoung AT msn DOT com

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    1. Good idea to read them back to back. Good luck, Mindy!

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  9. I'm currently reading The 49th Mystic. LOOOVING it. ☺ Thanks for the chance to win the sequel!
    Marian
    Mbaaij at hetnet dot nl

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    1. Oooohhhh -- I'm so glad you're loving it. And you definitely need to continue the saga. Good luck, Marian!

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  10. This sounds like a stay-up-too-late-to-finish-it kind of story.
    turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Yep -- hard to put down for sure. Good luck, Jana Leah!

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  11. I'd like to enter. Thanks
    marcus802001(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  12. It sounds like Ted Dekker hits it out of the park again with Rise of the Mystics! My husband is a HUGE fan of Ted Dekker! I love a story that is not only entertaining, but causes you to think deep and challenges you on so many levels. Thanks for you wonderful review, Kav, and the chance to win this book! ~Alison Boss

    nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I'm really new to Ted Dekker's work -- this is only my second book -- but I'm impressed. Good luck, Alison!

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  13. We have Mr. Dekker's books in the church library. We also have his daughter Rachelle's books. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to win this book.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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