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Fiction. Suspense. HTML: 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 their balance. As Rachelle Matthews 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 ticking; the end rushes forward. Ready? Set? Dream.… (more)
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This book has it all. Adventure, meaning and romance all meet to lead one towards understanding God and ourselves. Using allegory it leads you towards more understanding of God's love and sacrifice for you.
I was given an ARC in exchange for a review.
As “The 49th Mystic,” the first volume in this series, drew to a close, Rachelle had found three of the seals, and the town of Eden had met an unexpected fate. Now, as “Rise of the Mystics” begins, she finds herself in Other Earth, imprisoned in a dark dungeon. Can Rachelle, following the ancient path, find the final two seals that will save humanity before time runs out?
To experience the full impact of this epic tale, readers are encouraged to read the first book in the series before reading this final volume. However, readers new to the series will appreciate the brief overview of the events recounted in “The 49th Mystic” that is included in this volume.
As good and evil battle for dominance, the amazing saga unfolds, weaving truth and love into a riveting narrative bursting with profound significance. It will challenge readers to abandon the masks they hide behind, the masks that blind them, and encourage them to examine truth in a new light. Like its predecessor, this book is can’t-put-it-down spectacular. Don’t miss this one.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book through the Goodreads First Reads program
Like The 49th Mystic, Dekker goes back and forth between the Earth we're all familiar with and Other Earth, where Rachelle is known as the
This book picked up right where the first book left off. It took a little while to really build up steam, but about halfway through the pace picked up quite a bit and it became difficult to put it down. I'd recommend it
This book picks up right where the first one finishes, so I'll second the author's recommendation, read the first one first.
This book continues Rachelle's journey as she discovers the truths surrounding the final two seals. We also uncover who really has been orchestrating the events that have been occuring in her life, and why. While I personally enjoyed the first book more that this one, I still recommend this one as well. Dekker's storytelling and the way he weaves principles of his faith into the storyline are always well done. They really are a part of the story, as opposed to simply plugging verses or quotes and trying to make them fit. I'd put him in the same class as C.S. Lewis in his ability to weave his faith into his fiction.
Well done, Mr. Dekker.
The first and only Dekker I have read is the Circle Trilogy. I bought Green as soon as it was released, but I hadn't found time to read it. Winning this book pushed me back to Dekker (as I hoped it
I love how Dekker writes such fast-paced, interesting, and deeply considered books. I felt that this book (and its predecessor) were no different. I am always quickly drawn into the story and find myself running along with the characters.
I also love the concept of the Other Earth and how he has executed it in these books. I am always interested in good speculative fiction, and this is no exception. And I am not put off by the Christian aspects. Of course, as a Christian myself, I am not deeply offended by the theology, but I also find that Dekker has a knack for weaving it into a story in a way that isn't too clunky. Maybe heavy handed for a few, but generally palatable for most and very thought-provoking for some.
Overall, I recommend this "continued" series for people who enjoy speculative fiction, quick-paced thriller'y type books (at which Dekker excels), and don't mind a little Christian theology thrown in there. FOUR of five stars.
Rachelle is at war between the mind and heart. She is
This is a faith-driven speculative thriller that makes you use your brain. I'd advise you not to skim the pages because you will get lost. At times the plot seems to be moving at a nice past and other times it moved really slow causing me to be bored. At times the dialogue seems forced and doesn't go along with the characters. Maybe it is just how I envisioned the characters in my head. When I got to the end of the book I felt like things weren't wrapped up. His recap on what important events that happened from book one "The 49th Mystic" at the beginning. When it comes to book series I always love authors doing a recap, glossary and character descriptions. For not reading the previous books I didn't mind it. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't outstanding either. It was an interesting read. The Rise of the Mystic is full of heart and is very intense.
The book was provided to me by Revell Publishing Company for an honest opinion of the book.
Now, I don’t want to say too much about Rise of the Mystics story-wise to avoid spoiling it. Still, I generally
A thought-provoking one, too. As expected, this second Beyond the Circle delves into theological matters—and I’m still not sure how I feel about what Dekker suggests. Generally, I appreciate challenges to my theology, making me think about and reflect on the truth. But after loving, loving, loving The Circle, this duology’s “preaching” did not feel right. Of course, it did not help that much of the theology expressed in Rise of the Mystics felt like repetition, especially after The 49th Mystic.
I may give a reread of the Beyond the Circle books a chance down the road, but for now, I still prefer the original Black-Red-White saga.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.