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High Treason
The future is here for a bankrupt nation gripped in the throes of the plague, and the corrupt government is in charge of the vaccine. Young Amishman Enos Yoder faces the greatest crisis of his life when his father refuses to accept the compromises the Bishop has made, and his mother lies on her deathbed. Will the family be consumed by his father's stubbornness? Regina Owens, the liberal minister in town, is having her normal world rocked to the core by what is happening. She wonders why a man would lift his own hand against what is most precious in life. Will Enos recover from the brutal shock when his girlfriend is taken from him? Will his faith, backed by five hundred years of teaching against violence, survive the hate rising in his heart? High Treason is a story of love, bitterness, and treason, rising up in the heart of a man and in the highest corridors of government.
- GenresChristian Fiction
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2011
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 2, 2011
I am so excited to share an interesting twist to your suspense fiction as well as your typical Amish storyline combined into one exciting novel, High Treason by Samuel Oakes.
This is NOT your typical Amish fiction story where everything is perfect and leaves you with a general feel good stories that paint the Amish people in a good light. This one shows such conflict, it often leaves the reader with their mouth hanging wide open when you realize what your getting. Let me first share the premise of the novel to give you a birds-eye view of just what you're getting yourself into.
The future is here for a bankrupt nation gripped in the throes of the plague, and the corrupt government is in charge of the vaccine. Young Amishman Enos Yoder faces the greatest crisis of his life when his father refuses to accept the compromises the Bishop has made, and his mother lies on her deathbed. Will the family survive, or will they all be consumed by his father's stubbornness?
Regina Owens, the liberal minister in town, is having her normal world rocked to the core by what is happening. She watches a woman fleeing the helping hand of the government, and wonders why a man would lift his own hand against what is most precious in life. And who is blowing up the government buildings?
Trouble seems to never stop, as it ever moves closer. Will Enos recover from the brutal shock when his girlfriend is taken from him? Will his faith, backed by five hundred years of teaching against violence, survive the hate rising in his heart?
This is a story of love, of bitterness, and of treason, rising up in the heart of a man and in the highest corridors of government. So as you can see this book has a little bit of everything geared to virtually every genre that readers LOVE! Now you can see where my excitement level stems from. This is such a unique style of book because at it's core is a virus that is killing people faster than they can manufacture a vaccine to fight it, leaving people exposed with nothing to fight it. Once you agree to accept receiving the vaccine, then you are pledging yourself to become part of the war effort and in a sense volunteering your services to be immunized. The only downside is if you pass on receiving it and come down with the plague, the hospitals are authorized by the government to refuse to treat you, leaving you with the option of dying a horribly, painful death in a matter of hours.
Now you can see where the triangle of story lines intersects with an Amish family refusing help from the English even though their Bishop has authorized that individual families can choose whatever course they deem beneficial to help fight against the plague, but Enos' father refuses to allow anyone in his household to receive it. Meanwhile Regina Owens, is struggling with finding a way to help people within the ministry while people are dying literally by the second, making desperate attempts to seek medical assistance even if it means breaking the law. All this while the government attempts to keep the lid on the media and being exposed for what is really going on and just who is ultimately responsible.
I received this book compliments of Samuel Oakes for my honest review and LOVED it! Once I started, I could not put it down. It's a thrill-ride a minute in trying to figure things out and wonder just what will happen next. It will leave you completely breathless and wanting more. Samuel Oakes has an amazing talent to hook his readers and keep them entertained and engaged til the very end. Hands down 5 out of 5 stars!!
This is NOT your typical Amish fiction story where everything is perfect and leaves you with a general feel good stories that paint the Amish people in a good light. This one shows such conflict, it often leaves the reader with their mouth hanging wide open when you realize what your getting. Let me first share the premise of the novel to give you a birds-eye view of just what you're getting yourself into.
The future is here for a bankrupt nation gripped in the throes of the plague, and the corrupt government is in charge of the vaccine. Young Amishman Enos Yoder faces the greatest crisis of his life when his father refuses to accept the compromises the Bishop has made, and his mother lies on her deathbed. Will the family survive, or will they all be consumed by his father's stubbornness?
Regina Owens, the liberal minister in town, is having her normal world rocked to the core by what is happening. She watches a woman fleeing the helping hand of the government, and wonders why a man would lift his own hand against what is most precious in life. And who is blowing up the government buildings?
Trouble seems to never stop, as it ever moves closer. Will Enos recover from the brutal shock when his girlfriend is taken from him? Will his faith, backed by five hundred years of teaching against violence, survive the hate rising in his heart?
This is a story of love, of bitterness, and of treason, rising up in the heart of a man and in the highest corridors of government. So as you can see this book has a little bit of everything geared to virtually every genre that readers LOVE! Now you can see where my excitement level stems from. This is such a unique style of book because at it's core is a virus that is killing people faster than they can manufacture a vaccine to fight it, leaving people exposed with nothing to fight it. Once you agree to accept receiving the vaccine, then you are pledging yourself to become part of the war effort and in a sense volunteering your services to be immunized. The only downside is if you pass on receiving it and come down with the plague, the hospitals are authorized by the government to refuse to treat you, leaving you with the option of dying a horribly, painful death in a matter of hours.
Now you can see where the triangle of story lines intersects with an Amish family refusing help from the English even though their Bishop has authorized that individual families can choose whatever course they deem beneficial to help fight against the plague, but Enos' father refuses to allow anyone in his household to receive it. Meanwhile Regina Owens, is struggling with finding a way to help people within the ministry while people are dying literally by the second, making desperate attempts to seek medical assistance even if it means breaking the law. All this while the government attempts to keep the lid on the media and being exposed for what is really going on and just who is ultimately responsible.
I received this book compliments of Samuel Oakes for my honest review and LOVED it! Once I started, I could not put it down. It's a thrill-ride a minute in trying to figure things out and wonder just what will happen next. It will leave you completely breathless and wanting more. Samuel Oakes has an amazing talent to hook his readers and keep them entertained and engaged til the very end. Hands down 5 out of 5 stars!!
July 8, 2011
Let me say two things right off the bat. One, this is not your typical Amish fiction. Two, this is a must read. Imagine the world as you know it now. Suddenly the world finds itself fighting an epidemic. Vaccines become mandatory. Without it you will not be treated. Imagine that rumors surface that the government is behind these problems. You have now been introduced to the beginning problem of this story. Now mix in two main characters that are from different worlds. One is a female pastor, Regina, who feels it is her job to take care of the ill no matter what those in charge say. She feels inadequate enough to do, what she knows can get her in trouble, secretly help those who need help. Add in a second main character, Enos, a young Amish man waging a war of his own. His father has decided they will not accept the Englishe'rs vaccine even as he watches his wife die and his children become sick. Their bishop has given them the go ahead but he still refuses. Enos disagrees with his father and takes the vaccine. His father pretty much disowns him. When his future plans are ripped from his hands he lets hate take over. He sees no way back for himself.
This book is different because we usually see Amish fiction as love stories, feel good stories that always paint the Amish in a good light. This book paints the Amish in a true light. This of course is my opinion. We know the Amish are human like those of us who are not Amish. They feel anger and hatred, etcetera. What is different is that often we act on those feelings, and usually they don't. We are led to believe through Amish fiction that they never get real angry or act on these feelings. Since their community is closed to most English people we never really know. This book brought out several questions about the Amish and made you wonder what would really happen in a situation like the one in the book. Both of the main characters were well developed. They were believable in their thoughts, emotions and their beliefs. I thought it wonderful that we see the way Enos struggles with his beliefs and the way he feels he is lost to God forever. We all feel that way at times. It is great to see the message of forgiveness. This was a wonderful book. I look forward to reading anything else this author puts out. It is now in my top 10 favorites of 2011. There are going to have to be some really great books published to knock it out of that spot.
This book is different because we usually see Amish fiction as love stories, feel good stories that always paint the Amish in a good light. This book paints the Amish in a true light. This of course is my opinion. We know the Amish are human like those of us who are not Amish. They feel anger and hatred, etcetera. What is different is that often we act on those feelings, and usually they don't. We are led to believe through Amish fiction that they never get real angry or act on these feelings. Since their community is closed to most English people we never really know. This book brought out several questions about the Amish and made you wonder what would really happen in a situation like the one in the book. Both of the main characters were well developed. They were believable in their thoughts, emotions and their beliefs. I thought it wonderful that we see the way Enos struggles with his beliefs and the way he feels he is lost to God forever. We all feel that way at times. It is great to see the message of forgiveness. This was a wonderful book. I look forward to reading anything else this author puts out. It is now in my top 10 favorites of 2011. There are going to have to be some really great books published to knock it out of that spot.
May 27, 2012
From the first page you’ll realize you aren’t reading the same old Amish fiction novel, this is something much, much different. Enos struggles with following the rules laid out by his Old Order sect and eventually makes his decisions as to what path he is going to follow. Regina, is also struggling, but in much different ways since she of course is used to the world and her father himself is a veteran of a foreign war. I was hooked after about the first chapter, it had everything I enjoy in a novel, however I will say that there was also a sexual relationship outside of marriage however it’s not detailed and it’s really so that the readers will see what struggles the new world is up against in the face of death, destruction and corruption on a grand scale.
I’m glad to have taken the time to read this novel, because even though it’s fiction, there is a lot in this book that could take place in our world today as things give more to evil. I still don’t know what I would do (I side more with Enos than with the female pastor, Regina) in Enos’ place because as he believes in non-violence, no government aid, etc, so do I – but what would I do when faced with my children and husband dying when there is a vaccine? Do I chance it? Do I let God control our life even unto death? These are just some of the questions that I pondered as I read this book – it wasn’t just an entertaining book but it many ways it shows what can happen when the government runs amok.
If you have been into Amish fiction, but are tired with the same old love stories and happy endings then please grab this book – it will have you seeing Amish fiction in a brand new and much needed light. Yes, there is love in this book, but it’s not the romantic, rose colored glasses love, it’s the real world love when one recognizes what may not be best for them is the best for the other. Sacrificial love. There is suspense and mystery and of course, faith, questioning faith – grounded faith, but faith nonetheless. It’s not a happy ending – where everyone is tiptoeing through the tulips – it’s an ending that leaves you with hope of what is to come and what is to be and I hope that there will be a forthcoming book with more of this faith and hope.
**Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book by the author, in exchange for my honest review, no other compensation was given.
I’m glad to have taken the time to read this novel, because even though it’s fiction, there is a lot in this book that could take place in our world today as things give more to evil. I still don’t know what I would do (I side more with Enos than with the female pastor, Regina) in Enos’ place because as he believes in non-violence, no government aid, etc, so do I – but what would I do when faced with my children and husband dying when there is a vaccine? Do I chance it? Do I let God control our life even unto death? These are just some of the questions that I pondered as I read this book – it wasn’t just an entertaining book but it many ways it shows what can happen when the government runs amok.
If you have been into Amish fiction, but are tired with the same old love stories and happy endings then please grab this book – it will have you seeing Amish fiction in a brand new and much needed light. Yes, there is love in this book, but it’s not the romantic, rose colored glasses love, it’s the real world love when one recognizes what may not be best for them is the best for the other. Sacrificial love. There is suspense and mystery and of course, faith, questioning faith – grounded faith, but faith nonetheless. It’s not a happy ending – where everyone is tiptoeing through the tulips – it’s an ending that leaves you with hope of what is to come and what is to be and I hope that there will be a forthcoming book with more of this faith and hope.
**Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book by the author, in exchange for my honest review, no other compensation was given.
November 23, 2011
Title: HIGH TREASON
Author: Samuel Oakes
Publisher: Horizon Books
ISBN 978-0-9787987-5-8
Genre: Futuristic Political Thriller
Reviewed by: Steve Hilton
330 pages
$14.99 US
How should we then live? This is a question (with apologies to Francis Schaeffer) that has been burning in my mind since I started reading HIGH TREASON. Regina Owens is a young, liberal, black, female minister who is not content with leaving well-enough alone. But this book is not about a young, liberal, black, female minister. Enos Yoder is a young Amish man whose world has been completely obliterated by death, mayhem and destruction. Yet this book is not about a young Amish man.
Instead, this book is about how every person who claims the name of Christ is to live in a society where corruption, violence and anarchy are the order of the day. It strikes at the very foundation of one’s faith, and challenges you to ask the really hard questions, such as, “Does God still care?” and “If God does still care, where is He now?” This book will either strengthen your faith, or cause you to question it. And if you are questioning your faith, this book will not leave you alone until you’ve settled the questions, once and for all. I found myself repeating, over and over to myself, as I read this book, “God is holy, because He said He is holy. God is righteous, because He said He is righteous. God is merciful, because He said He is merciful.” I said these things because the just shall live by faith. And the world described in this book will require a lot of faith just to keep on living.
I know this sounds extremely negative. To the contrary. Because I’ve been driven back to my roots, I’ve come to realize, all over again, how deep, and vital, and strong, those roots actually are. And I’m ready to start living, instead of merely existing. If you are ready to be challenged, if you are ready to be transformed, if you are ready to take the next step in your walk with The God Who Is There, then this book is for you. Samuel Oakes has done me a wonderful favor, and I’ll be eternally grateful, and eternally in his debt for having done so.
Author: Samuel Oakes
Publisher: Horizon Books
ISBN 978-0-9787987-5-8
Genre: Futuristic Political Thriller
Reviewed by: Steve Hilton
330 pages
$14.99 US
How should we then live? This is a question (with apologies to Francis Schaeffer) that has been burning in my mind since I started reading HIGH TREASON. Regina Owens is a young, liberal, black, female minister who is not content with leaving well-enough alone. But this book is not about a young, liberal, black, female minister. Enos Yoder is a young Amish man whose world has been completely obliterated by death, mayhem and destruction. Yet this book is not about a young Amish man.
Instead, this book is about how every person who claims the name of Christ is to live in a society where corruption, violence and anarchy are the order of the day. It strikes at the very foundation of one’s faith, and challenges you to ask the really hard questions, such as, “Does God still care?” and “If God does still care, where is He now?” This book will either strengthen your faith, or cause you to question it. And if you are questioning your faith, this book will not leave you alone until you’ve settled the questions, once and for all. I found myself repeating, over and over to myself, as I read this book, “God is holy, because He said He is holy. God is righteous, because He said He is righteous. God is merciful, because He said He is merciful.” I said these things because the just shall live by faith. And the world described in this book will require a lot of faith just to keep on living.
I know this sounds extremely negative. To the contrary. Because I’ve been driven back to my roots, I’ve come to realize, all over again, how deep, and vital, and strong, those roots actually are. And I’m ready to start living, instead of merely existing. If you are ready to be challenged, if you are ready to be transformed, if you are ready to take the next step in your walk with The God Who Is There, then this book is for you. Samuel Oakes has done me a wonderful favor, and I’ll be eternally grateful, and eternally in his debt for having done so.
September 10, 2016
High Treason is an interesting book, but I didn't really feel connected to the characters. The premise and meaning of the story was good, but I'm not sure I am a big fan of the execution of it. Overall, a nice book and a good effort. I hope to see more of Mr. Oakes' work in the future.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews