The Girl Behind the Red Rope

by Ted Dekker

Paper Book, 2019

Status

Available

Call number

F DEK

Collection

Call number

F DEK

Publication

Baker Publishing

Description

Ten years ago, Grace saw something that would forever change the course of history. When evil in its purest form is unleashed on the world, she and others from their religious community are already hidden deep in the hills of Tennessee, abiding by every rule that will keep them safe, pure--and alive. As long as they stay there, behind the red perimeter. Her older brother's questions and the arrival of the first outsiders she's seen in a decade set in motion events that will question everything Grace has built her life on. Enemies rise on all sides--but who is the real enemy? And what will it cost her to uncover the truth? For the first time, bestselling authors Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker team up and deliver an intense, tightly focused ride through the most treacherous world of all.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member amaryann21
The story of Haven Valley started 13 years ago, when the angel showed Holy Family Church what was coming, the afflictions God had in store for those not pure of heart. Now, they're waiting for the day when they can inherit the earth. But Grace, the protagonist of our story, is presented with a
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choice that could mean her own destruction.

Ted Dekker wrote this with his daughter, Rachelle Dekker. It's overtly Christian while definitely setting itself in opposition to religion. The message of light vs. dark is good, but faith vs. religion? I don't know how well that will set with many. This book presents no challenge in the reading, going very quickly, and for the observant reader, there aren't any real twists or turns.
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LibraryThing member Brenda63
This fictional narrative about a small sect of uber-zealous Christians held my attention from the very start. Rose, the leader of the group along with her husband Harrison, instruct the others on how to live ever vigilant pure Christian lives. Rose is frequently visited by a Spirit named Sylous
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that gives her direction. The whole group lives under a cloud of fear, it guides every thought and deed... Until a little boy comes to them and changes everything. I don't want to spoil the story so I will just say this- the Gospel was told throughout this book without apology. I loved it.
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LibraryThing member JillRey
Haven Valley is a religious cult, separated from the outside world by a red rope thought to keep the evil fury out. Jamie begins to doubt that the fury exists and wonders beyond the red rope with the help of his sister Grace. Forced to be cast out or repent they must commit to their faith now more
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than ever, but a series of events, including two strangers entering their town causes a whirlwind of changes to Haven Valley.

Without providing any spoilers, the message is paramount in today's world. However, the rough storyline has already been down by Dekker in his "Beyond the Circle" series. The idea of the light and religious cult are reused from his other works. Daughter, Rachel Dekker, provides a much needed refresh as she appears to tone down her father's fantastical genre insertions, but overall it was too similar to works he's already done.

*Disclaimer: A review copy was provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
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LibraryThing member Suzanne81
If you have read any of Ted Dekker's previous books, you will find nothing surprising in The Girl Behind the Red Rope. Sometimes it is comforting to read an author when you know exactly what to expect. In this case, I found the story simplistic, predictable, and one dimensional. I read it quickly
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in a single afternoon, hoping for some thing to grab my interest, but it was not to be. On top of the banal plot, there was very little character development so I never really cared that much about what was happening.
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LibraryThing member grumpydan
As a child Grace, her brother, mother and the rest of their congregation saw what can only be classified as evil. To protect themselves, they hide in a community in the Tennessee as they evil takes over the world. For ten years, the inhabitants have been protected by staying behind a red rope and
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not venturing out. But then Grace’s brother does and their lives are pulled apart.

I enjoy reading Ted Dekker and was looking forward to this one written with his daughter. But I couldn’t get into it. I’m was hoping to see what happened to the rest of the world when they hid themselves. This was about good versus evil. God versus the devil and the reader and Grace had to figure out who was who. Didn’t intrigue me in the least. I drudged through it but didn’t care for it at all.
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LibraryThing member alyssaross
This was a very thought provoking and gripping tale. I was drawn in early on and didn't want to put it down.

I found this a perfect example of Jesus's warning to beware of "wolves in sheep's clothing". These people truly believed they were following the right path, when in reality, the devil was
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leading them away from Christ.

If you enjoy dystopian novels, this book is perfect for you. It made me question my views on religion vs what the Bible truly says. We can only trust the message laid out for us in The Bible.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of the book mentioned above in the hope that I would review it on my blog. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
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LibraryThing member CoverLoverBookReview
I have not completed The Girl Behind the Red Rope yet, so I’m offering my first impressions. I will update at a later date, after I’ve finished it.

First and foremost, I have to mention the cover art. Wow—it certainly captures my attention, and the title draws me in quickly. Even though this
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isn’t the type of book I normally read, I wanted to know more. I wanted to know who the girl was, and what the rope kept out, or in, or perhaps symbolized.

So far, this story is very different. That’s the best way for me to explain it. It’s Christian, it’s a thriller, kind of dystopian, and strange. It’s difficult to pigeonhole into one category. I want to mention, I’ve never read dystopian novels, and have little if any interest in them, but the eerie, spiritual essence from the first chapter of this book drew me in quickly.

I’ve never read a book by these authors (father and daughter, Ted and Rachelle Dekker.) As I understand it, it’s their first collaborative book together, and that intrigues me. So far, this is a suspenseful and original story!

First line: It was hot that day in the hills of Tennessee.
Source: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was under no obligation to post a positive review.

#TheGirlBehindTheRedRope
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LibraryThing member lamb521
Title: The Girl Behind the Red Rope
Author: Ted Dekker & Rachelle Dekker
Pages: 336
Year: 2019
Publisher: Revell
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
Whether you’re a new fan of the Dekker writings or an old hat, this novel will definitely grab your attention. One quality of the Dekker writings is the strong
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spiritual theme throughout the story. When I started reading the tale, I was not sure what the spiritual truth the tale would focus would on. By the end of the book I wanted to start it over again!
Readers get many different perspectives from a book. For me, it was the need for spiritual eyesight to see the evil threats that were keeping the characters blinded and in bondage. One woman had the tenacity to face her fears, threats, and suffering in order to break free from the “Fury” in the Haven Valley community. Grace had to wrestle with the rules, laws and expectations that were supposed to keep the inhabitants safe from the suffering the world was undergoing.
As the wife of a pastor, Rose is an interesting character. She fell victim to the temptation of the Fury. Their power scared her. However, the manifestation was not scary as he cloaked himself in light. The boy Eli is a very compelling little boy whose very presence seemed to threaten everyone who lived in the Valley, and his death was all they wanted as they believed he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
The tale, while fiction, echoes with truth and challenges for those who follow the Lord today and for them to be willing to acknowledge the wolves that are among the sheep. It’s a tale of hope and heartache; it’s very moving and thought provoking. You don’t want to miss reading this novel and sharing it with friends and family everywhere. Grab a copy and when you are done, share it or gift a copy so others can enjoy the latest work of the Dekker father and daughter team.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.
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LibraryThing member NadineC.Keels
Grace and others in her religious community stay within the boundaries of Haven Valley. They adhere to the strict rules made to keep them pure and safe from the evil that's been unleashed in the world outside of their perimeter. But doubts about the reality of what's out there and the course those
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in Haven Valley are supposed to take set Grace on a perplexing path in The Girl Behind the Red Rope by authors Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker.

First off—high five to a father and daughter authoring a novel together!

While it's not my usual kind of read, I chose to try this book because of its cultish theme. Indeed, that theme set my teeth on edge, as it were, as I read: the whole issue of an isolated community with a warped sense of righteousness, where oppressive laws, leaders who rule by fear, and the magnification of sin come under the guise of "holiness." I was 99.9% sure I'd know what the authors' basic message would be about fear vs. love, but I wanted to see how they would get it across.

However, this suspense novel turned out not to be quite what I was expecting. That is, I expected the dark and dystopian feel, but the supernatural elements with strange creatures laced into the allegory kind of threw me. I trusted nothing and no one as I read, couldn't really get behind the characters, and the pacing and development of the plot didn't grip me. The story is bizarre but didn't keep me interested enough to continue on after I got through a third of it.

I've enjoyed some historical/biblical fiction by Ted Dekker before and may give one of his thrillers a try sometime. I'll probably opt for one of his older titles.
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Revell provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member Virginia51
This is a book of science fiction and a bit of fantasy and a bit of Christianity. What happens when someone is part of a religion and has visions of a savior. This person gets everyone to believe that they are all in danger unless they conform in a certain way. If they conform than they will be
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saved someday. This is a bit of the premise for this book. This story made me laugh and cry. There are lots of hidden meanings throughout the story. This flows very nicely. I loved the characters. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
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LibraryThing member MarcusBrutus
I’m on the fence about how I feel about this book. It was a slow build in the beginning but eventually got more compelling as it went along. In the end, it even told a valuable lesson and had a satisfying conclusion. On the other hand, instead of letting the heroine discover the lesson in an
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organic way, it essentially preached at her (and by extension the reader), beating us over the head with it. So, I guess I think it’s a fine story for one read-through, to glean what you can from it, but it’s not told in a very natural way.
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LibraryThing member fcplcataloger
This book is not the typical Christian fiction that I normally read! The father and daughter writing team of Ted and Rachelle Dekker have created an intriguing tale of Grace and Jamie and the thirteen years that they have lived "behind the red rope" in a secluded community in the hills of
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Tennessee. Grace was six when she witnessed the appearance of an angel named Sylvanus and what was the beginning of their separation from the outside world. Now, thirteen years later, her brother Jamie begins to question as he secretly begins to slip beyond the perimeter of the red rope to view the outside world. Grace fears that he will be discovered and that they both will be ejected from this place that they call home. It is only when her father and a young boy show up that Grace begins to find errors in much of what she's been told and she has her own questions that need answering!

The Girl Behind the Red Rope shows how fear can control our lives and how the best intentions can be destroyed by this emotion. I found this to be a fascinating story with intriguing characters and even though I have many questions I do see that love is the central theme among the symbolism used by the authors. The members of this group were like many people: they thought that they must be perfect to earn God's love but we know that perfection isn't possible and that God loves all of us. It is His Grace and Jesus's sacrifice that makes our redemption possible.

The Girl Behind the Red Rope has certainly made me think and it is a book that I want to read again, if only to gain more insight!

I received a copy of this book from Revell but a positive reiew was not required. These are my honest thoughts.
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LibraryThing member hes7
The Girl Behind the Red Rope, written by not one, but two Dekkers, is the thrilling, chilling I hoped to find when I picked it up—and so much more.

Grace lives in a cultish community, protected by the boundary of the red rope. Yet, when what she has long believed as reality comes into question, it
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is time for her to search out the truth. With plenty of twists, plus the supernatural elements I would expect of a Dekker, the story proceeds with poignancy about fear, security, and the freedom of God.

I enjoyed the disturbing and entertaining The Girl Behind the Red Rope. I easily recommend it to interested readers and look forward to more of what this father-daughter duo has to offer.

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.
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LibraryThing member jfe16
Grace, like the other in habitants of Haven Valley, adheres to a strict set of rules, all designed to keep her safe when a cruel punishment is unleased on the unbelieving world. Their fear of not being good enough to escape that punishment keeps them committed to following the rules as set forth by
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their prophetess, Rose.

But, although forbidden, two have ventured outside the perimeter and not been destroyed. And two, Ben and Eli, have ventured into Haven Valley. But those living in the valley cannot accept the innocent child’s lack of fear. Their own fears keep them from seeing the love and light that fills the boy.

Grace, caught up in the quintessential battle between good and evil, must overcome her own fears to find the answers. Is the child the Fury? A demon? An angel? What is true? What is deception? And who speaks the words she must believe?

Strong, well-developed characters and a captivating plot filled with unexpected twists combine to create a palpable tension that radiates from the page, building suspense and keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Ominous, dark, allegorical; the telling of this tale is both uplifting and inspiring. Readers will find it difficult to set this one aside before turning the final page.

Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member muddyboy
This is the story of a young girl living in a strict religious compound and no one is allowed beyond the "red rope" beyond which there are evil scary creatures know as furies. The girl does venture out and finds things different than she expects. Her estranged father and younger brother show up at
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the dad is killed by some of the members but she rescues her brother before they can kill him. Her brother teaches her a whole new way of looking at religion. The book is mainly a look at the authors' religious beliefs more than anything else.
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LibraryThing member khal_khaleesi
(This review will be on my blog All the Ups and Downs soon.)
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I'm a fan of dystopian novels, so when I heard about The Girl Behind the Red Rope by Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker, I knew it was a book that I just had to read sooner rather than later. Everything about the synopsis was calling out my
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name. Luckily, this book lived up to the hype.

As I stated previously, the synopsis of The Girl Behind the Red Rope definitely left me intrigued. Grace has seen what not following her religious community's strict rules can bring. However, when a young boy makes his way into their tight community, Grace begins to question everything she's been taught which puts her in extreme danger.

Everything flowed so smoothly including the pacing which never let me down. I was constantly finding excuses to finish reading The Girl Behind the Red Rope since I had to know what would happen next. While I felt the plot was predictable more often than not, I still really enjoyed this book. I felt like their were no cliff hangers, and all of my questions were answered by the ending.

As for the Christian aspect of this book, it didn't read like a Christian novel most of the way through. I'd say it was probably around the last quarter of the book where Christianity came into play. I didn't think it was overly preachy although I think that those who aren't very spiritual or who are agnostic or are atheist may feel it's a tad on the preachy side. I would say The Girl Behind the Red Rope is more anti-religion and pro-Christianity overall. That's what I took from it anyway. It does have a really good message regarding love though which I found really nice to read about.

I very much enjoyed how every character in The Girl Behind the Red Rope was written. I felt like I was actually part of their world, stuck in the same community with them. Grace is a very likable character. I loved how the characters made her feel like a real person by giving her the conflicting thoughts as to who was to be believed throughout the novel. I enjoyed Grace's thought process about everything throughout the book. While I knew who and what she should choose, it was easy to see why she was so torn. Bobbie and Sylous were both very intriguing characters. I never trusted Sylous from the start, but Bobbie was one character that I wasn't sure if she actually had Grace's best interest at heart or if she had ulterior motives. There were times I despised Rose, not because she wasn't written poorly, in fact, she was written perfectly, but because of how much trust she put into Sylous and how overly judgmental she could be sometimes. I know that Rose was only going on what she thought to be true, but there were just so many times I wanted Rose to disappear! My favorite character was Eli. I loved his innocence and how happy go lucky he was.

Trigger warnings for The Girl Behind the Red Rope include cult mentality, violence, and murder.

All in all, The Girl Behind the Red Rope is such a fantastic read with such a powerful message. The characters are written beautifully, and the plot is done superbly. I would definitely recommend The Girl Behind the Red Rope by Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker to those aged 15 . Christians will definitely enjoy this book, but I think even non-Christians will probably love it as well.
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LibraryThing member JanaRose1
Grace and the rest of her religious community have been living isolated since a vision they all had ten years ago. In their vision, they saw the Furies, taking over the world and killing everyone. The community lives with the philosophy that fear will keep them safe. When Grace's brother is caught
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living the bounds of their community, Grace and her brother are both sent out to explore the world. The first night, Grace's brother is attacked by a fury, and a woman comes to Grace promising to protect her.

Although the book had an interesting premise, I don't think it was well executed. Grace came across as completely whishy washy. She felt like a weak secondary character, rather than the main character. I also thought that the philosophy needed some work. Sure, love is light, fear is dark. But the idea that light banishes dark, therefore love banishes fear, didn't really work for me. Overall, 2 out of 5 stars.
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LibraryThing member True54Blue
This novel got off to a strong beginning and the action carries the reader along. However, the main character Grace often seems to act without logic in order to drive the plot. In the last third the authors decide to become theologians which, I suppose, was their intent all along. This is where the
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novel really falls apart and it is both poor theology and poor plot. If their premise of love vs fear were true how did a place like Haven Valley ever come to exist in the first place given what exists in our actual world?
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LibraryThing member JKJ94
First time reader of Ted's, probably my last. I know, I know, sorry to all of you die hard fans of Mr. Dekker.

The premise was pretty good, but did not follow through for me anyway. For me, it was a story about Christian beliefs, after you weed through yes "the twists and turns" so to speak. Will
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you be on the right side of the rope when it's time? Or the wrong side? And should anyone make that decision for you?

You know that old saying "you can't judge a book by its cover" well it is very true in this case because I love this cover.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Revell, and this is my own opinion.
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Awards

Christy Awards (Nominee — Mystery/Suspense/Thriller — 2020)

ISBN

9780800736538

Barcode

51916
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