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The Quest
A single phone call launches twenty-three-year-old Emma Seeger on the journey of a lifetime. And it turns out to be a more dangerous—and more consequential—journey than she could have imagined …or feared.
The call is from the woman Emma despises most in the world—her father’s wife, Emma’s stepmother, a woman who had taken away Emma’s father. Not once. Not twice. Three times. She had turned Daniel Seeger into a “born-again” Christian, married him, and dragged him off to Israel, where they worked as some sort of missionaries—an occupation Emma views as misguided, if not outright dangerous.
Now, Emma learns, her father has disappeared in the midst of escalating political tension and violence. After early efforts to find him prove fruitless, Emma launches out on an odyssey filled with adventure, frustration, danger, and an unlikely partner—her stepmother Katya, whose faith alternately repulses and intrigues Emma. Their conflicting personalities and competing beliefs could even endanger the success of the one thing they have in common: their shared goal of finding Daniel and returning him to safety.
Will they come together to rescue him before it is too late? Or, will their greatest fears be realized?
- Read the first seven chapters of The Quest at http://outr.ch/8p
The call is from the woman Emma despises most in the world—her father’s wife, Emma’s stepmother, a woman who had taken away Emma’s father. Not once. Not twice. Three times. She had turned Daniel Seeger into a “born-again” Christian, married him, and dragged him off to Israel, where they worked as some sort of missionaries—an occupation Emma views as misguided, if not outright dangerous.
Now, Emma learns, her father has disappeared in the midst of escalating political tension and violence. After early efforts to find him prove fruitless, Emma launches out on an odyssey filled with adventure, frustration, danger, and an unlikely partner—her stepmother Katya, whose faith alternately repulses and intrigues Emma. Their conflicting personalities and competing beliefs could even endanger the success of the one thing they have in common: their shared goal of finding Daniel and returning him to safety.
Will they come together to rescue him before it is too late? Or, will their greatest fears be realized?
- Read the first seven chapters of The Quest at http://outr.ch/8p
- GenresFiction
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 16, 2011
About the author
Sean McDowell
143 books179 followersDr. Sean McDowell is a gifted communicator with a passion for equipping the church, and in particular young people, to make the case for the Christian faith. He connects with audiences in a tangible way through humor and stories while imparting hard evidence and logical support for viewing all areas of life through a Biblical worldview. Sean is an Assistant Professor in the Christian Apologetics program at Biola University.
Sean still teaches one high school Bible class, which helps give him exceptional insight into the prevailing culture so he can impart his observations poignantly to fellow educators, pastors, and parents alike.
Read more about Sean on his website.
Connect with Sean on Facebook.
Sean still teaches one high school Bible class, which helps give him exceptional insight into the prevailing culture so he can impart his observations poignantly to fellow educators, pastors, and parents alike.
Read more about Sean on his website.
Connect with Sean on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 28, 2011
I won a copy of this book on Goodreads, and was excited to read it - the premise sounded interesting: a young girl (age 23) gets a call from her Stepmom that her father is missing in Isreal. She decides to go there and team up with her Stepmom to try to find her dad.
It was obvious to me when the book arrived that it was a Christian book. I'm ok with that. I believe in God, and consider myself to be open minded, even though Buddha is my homeboy. Where the book completely lost me however was when Emma (main character) gets into a debate with a guy on the plane about Darwinism vs. intelligent design. Of course it's argued for many pages that intelligent design is the correct theory about the origin of man. This is where I began to tune out, not so much because it was an opposing viewpoint to my own, but because it just went on and on and on and I felt like they beat that proverbial horse to DEATH. I ended up skimming most of the book thereafter - BUT I was interested enough in the characters to see if they found Emma's dad, so that says something.
A strong positive was the explanations given for the conflict in Jerusalem, and the politics of the West Bank, as well as the process for how one would go about looking for a missing person in a foreign country. Step 1: Call your congressperson - it said "congressman", but I digress - lol
Basically, I guess I am just not the "target audience" for this book, and honestly probably couldn't appreciate it as well as someone with a strong conservative belief system would. I caught a few instances where gender neutral language could have been used instead of gender specific ones, which just always sticks out like a sore thumb to me.
Even though it deals with adult themes (kidnapping), the language wasn't over anyone's head. It is appropriate for Young Adults (13+) in my opinion, if they don't scare easily. Also, the layout with "handwritten" fonts for journal entries and mock webpages should keep interest for younger readers.
It was obvious to me when the book arrived that it was a Christian book. I'm ok with that. I believe in God, and consider myself to be open minded, even though Buddha is my homeboy. Where the book completely lost me however was when Emma (main character) gets into a debate with a guy on the plane about Darwinism vs. intelligent design. Of course it's argued for many pages that intelligent design is the correct theory about the origin of man. This is where I began to tune out, not so much because it was an opposing viewpoint to my own, but because it just went on and on and on and I felt like they beat that proverbial horse to DEATH. I ended up skimming most of the book thereafter - BUT I was interested enough in the characters to see if they found Emma's dad, so that says something.
A strong positive was the explanations given for the conflict in Jerusalem, and the politics of the West Bank, as well as the process for how one would go about looking for a missing person in a foreign country. Step 1: Call your congressperson - it said "congressman", but I digress - lol
Basically, I guess I am just not the "target audience" for this book, and honestly probably couldn't appreciate it as well as someone with a strong conservative belief system would. I caught a few instances where gender neutral language could have been used instead of gender specific ones, which just always sticks out like a sore thumb to me.
Even though it deals with adult themes (kidnapping), the language wasn't over anyone's head. It is appropriate for Young Adults (13+) in my opinion, if they don't scare easily. Also, the layout with "handwritten" fonts for journal entries and mock webpages should keep interest for younger readers.
September 23, 2011
I was so excite to receive The Quest: A Novel by Sean McDowell and Bob Hostetler. It was my first win on goodreads first reads.
I was thoroughly engrossed in Emma's character. She's a typical college-aged girl who has typical emotions as wonderfully displayed in the book. I would have liked to have learned more about her attachment the the two boys, though. Emma's relationships could have been developed a little more fully.
Kayta...I loved how you got to know her through her diary entries even though you haven't "met" her yet.
The story is set up to be an intriguing adventure. However, before the characters are fully developed, it all starts. It was religious lecture after lecture. From Emma's friend, to the stranger on the plane, to her stepmother. At first I thought it was just a foreshadowing of the relationship she would have with her stepmother, but by the end of chapter 12, I couldn't take it anymore. The story's plot was getting lost in all the preaching. The characters' stagmated.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for a good book where the character has to have faith, or find it. But this was way over the top. Sadly, I couldn't bring myself to finish it.
I was thoroughly engrossed in Emma's character. She's a typical college-aged girl who has typical emotions as wonderfully displayed in the book. I would have liked to have learned more about her attachment the the two boys, though. Emma's relationships could have been developed a little more fully.
Kayta...I loved how you got to know her through her diary entries even though you haven't "met" her yet.
The story is set up to be an intriguing adventure. However, before the characters are fully developed, it all starts. It was religious lecture after lecture. From Emma's friend, to the stranger on the plane, to her stepmother. At first I thought it was just a foreshadowing of the relationship she would have with her stepmother, but by the end of chapter 12, I couldn't take it anymore. The story's plot was getting lost in all the preaching. The characters' stagmated.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for a good book where the character has to have faith, or find it. But this was way over the top. Sadly, I couldn't bring myself to finish it.
November 14, 2011
I won this book in goodreads First Reads.
I did not read the part about this book being part of a outreach christian group with reading the details of the entry.
Reading is fundamental.
The Quest seems like a good read for those who are into Christian types of books. Though I am of no domination, I tend to like books with a little spiritual enlightenment. I can see how this book can create that for some people. Re-establishing their faith.
Now, don't go getting upset. Not that I do not have faith nor believe in god but this book is a bit too "preachy" for me.
I would have liked it much better if the step mom's letters where not too much. Those journal entries are what sealed the deal for me. I had to put the book down.
Well maybe a 1 star is bit unfair to some. Perhaps, it is. I would have given it a 1.5 or even 2, had it not been for the journal entries.
I am thankful I won the book, but I think I need to pass it along to someone who would appreciate the lecture of finding faith.
"This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day"-
Polonius
My Opi
I did not read the part about this book being part of a outreach christian group with reading the details of the entry.
Reading is fundamental.
The Quest seems like a good read for those who are into Christian types of books. Though I am of no domination, I tend to like books with a little spiritual enlightenment. I can see how this book can create that for some people. Re-establishing their faith.
Now, don't go getting upset. Not that I do not have faith nor believe in god but this book is a bit too "preachy" for me.
I would have liked it much better if the step mom's letters where not too much. Those journal entries are what sealed the deal for me. I had to put the book down.
Well maybe a 1 star is bit unfair to some. Perhaps, it is. I would have given it a 1.5 or even 2, had it not been for the journal entries.
I am thankful I won the book, but I think I need to pass it along to someone who would appreciate the lecture of finding faith.
"This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day"-
Polonius
My Opi
December 3, 2011
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and so was very excited to get it and read it. However, it soon became apparent why this book needs to be given away. The plot seemed okay but the writing style was too simplistic. I felt I was being talked down to all the time; nothing was left to me to imagine or to fill in. One of the main characters, Emma, was constantly sneering at anything having to do with religion or God. She made snide comments often, to the point where she would tune out "God talk", yet the whole purpose of this book was Emma's "quest" in the belief of God. One chapter would have Emma reading the Bible, and the next she would be tuning out anything having to do with religion. It was a roller coaster ride, and not in a good way. It seemd the authors were trying to present their case for the existence of God but also trying to play devil's advocate in the form of a nonbeliever, Emma. They did present a good case, however, Emma was so unlikable that it was hard to see her side of the story.
January 27, 2014
The free PDF of this novel has sat on my hard drive for at least a year or two, with me not even giving it a look...until yesterday, when it captivated me almost from the first page. Great story, wonderful characters, good writing...what's not to like?
October 26, 2011
ive read part of the book so far and im really liking it, cant wait for more!
Want to Read
September 16, 2011I won this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Hope to read it soon. Thanks.
Read
September 22, 2011A very well written and deeply religious journey. A must read for anyone needing a inspirational boost.
October 9, 2011
I won this book from GoodReads and i have to say after reading it it was a very good book. I liked how it talked about things and brought things up and how it explained things.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews