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The Circle #3
White: The Great Pursuit
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370 pages, Paperback
First published December 25, 2003
319 people are currently reading
11030 people want to read
About the author
Ted Dekker
192 books9,955 followersTed Dekker is known for novels that combine adrenaline-laced stories with unexpected plot twists, unforgettable characters, and incredible confrontations between good and evil. Ted lives in Austin with his wife LeeAnn and their four children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 867 reviews
September 4, 2024
The epic trilogy (of sorts) comes to a conclusion (well, sort of)...
January 11, 2011
The Circle starts out as a flawed (due to Dekker's poor characterization) but enjoyable fantasy epic with a powerful allegorical message about God's love for His people, but as the trilogy progresses, Dekker's story increasingly falters, and by the end it unravels on itself, leading two very good volumes into a disappointing conclusion.
Once again, Dekker fails to resolve his story in a meaningful or concise manner, and a promising trilogy ends on a disappointing note. The novel in itself is not entirely bad, thought the allegorical elements across the three books end up being so rigid that they lose their resonance and meaning. The most offensive move the author makes here (aside from his consistent inability to create fleshed-out human characters) is that his ending is purely nonsensical. Yes, I understand that this story continues in a future novel (Showdown), but it doesn't even follow the rules Dekker creates. While from a narrative perspective, the ending of the "real world" plotline works, there are three glaring plot inconsistencies that mar this book (and take away from the first two novels also):
(1) The issue of the blank books. I'll grant that Showdown deals with this issue and explains what became of the books, but it is a pretty cheap move for a writer to insert something significant into his plot for the purpose of using it in a separate story. Furthermore, they present an annoying plot hole in the form of the characters not using such an obvious and powerful tool as the books to stop the virus. While Thomas and Monique's lives are important, it's just stupid to suggest that the characters would not write 'they found an antivirus and saved the world' or any other arbitrary sentence that could end the global crisis.
(2) On a related issue, for that matter, the words of the mysterious Billy that caused the entire saga to occur don't follow Dekker's rules that the blank books only change history within the histories. Since the timeline only allows Billy to do this after he has come into contact with the books, and the books cross over in 2010 with Thomas, Billy's writing must take place during or after the events of White. We can understand the "histories" as any time before the events of the forest world (given that it is a time far enough in the past that the living generation does not remember it, hence the Books of History). Technically, Billy could write Thomas out of his own time (since his time is withing the histories), but to write him into the forest world is to write him into the future, and violates the rules of the blank books.
(3) The third plot hole that bothered me was the fact that the Roush state the Thomas' actions changed history by altering the timeline. They go on to state the the Deception and the Tribulation still occur, only the date has been changed. So after the entire story, Thomas saves the world, but it is doomed at a later date anyway, so he merely prolonged the inevitable. It's Terminator 3 all over again.
(4) My final point is a theological fallacy that weakens the effect of the entire trilogy. Since we are led to believe in the end that the forest world is not an alternate reality, but actually the future of our own world, and Justin becomes not an allegory but a physical manifestation of Jesus, the books imply that Jesus had to die twice in the same reality in order to save humanity, a notion that most Christians would find heretical.
The third book is not a narrative disaster, it just suffers from a lot of negative plot elements and poor decisions that weaken not only this book but the whole trilogy. The Circle story started off as a promising allegory about God's love for the people, but it's almost as if Dekker forgot about earlier elements he had committed to and in the end didn't know how to finish his story. I give it three stars as a recommendation, but only for the reason that if you've read the first two books (which are quite good), you'll obviously want to know how it ends. But expect to be disappointed.
Once again, Dekker fails to resolve his story in a meaningful or concise manner, and a promising trilogy ends on a disappointing note. The novel in itself is not entirely bad, thought the allegorical elements across the three books end up being so rigid that they lose their resonance and meaning. The most offensive move the author makes here (aside from his consistent inability to create fleshed-out human characters) is that his ending is purely nonsensical. Yes, I understand that this story continues in a future novel (Showdown), but it doesn't even follow the rules Dekker creates. While from a narrative perspective, the ending of the "real world" plotline works, there are three glaring plot inconsistencies that mar this book (and take away from the first two novels also):
(1) The issue of the blank books. I'll grant that Showdown deals with this issue and explains what became of the books, but it is a pretty cheap move for a writer to insert something significant into his plot for the purpose of using it in a separate story. Furthermore, they present an annoying plot hole in the form of the characters not using such an obvious and powerful tool as the books to stop the virus. While Thomas and Monique's lives are important, it's just stupid to suggest that the characters would not write 'they found an antivirus and saved the world' or any other arbitrary sentence that could end the global crisis.
(2) On a related issue, for that matter, the words of the mysterious Billy that caused the entire saga to occur don't follow Dekker's rules that the blank books only change history within the histories. Since the timeline only allows Billy to do this after he has come into contact with the books, and the books cross over in 2010 with Thomas, Billy's writing must take place during or after the events of White. We can understand the "histories" as any time before the events of the forest world (given that it is a time far enough in the past that the living generation does not remember it, hence the Books of History). Technically, Billy could write Thomas out of his own time (since his time is withing the histories), but to write him into the forest world is to write him into the future, and violates the rules of the blank books.
(3) The third plot hole that bothered me was the fact that the Roush state the Thomas' actions changed history by altering the timeline. They go on to state the the Deception and the Tribulation still occur, only the date has been changed. So after the entire story, Thomas saves the world, but it is doomed at a later date anyway, so he merely prolonged the inevitable. It's Terminator 3 all over again.
(4) My final point is a theological fallacy that weakens the effect of the entire trilogy. Since we are led to believe in the end that the forest world is not an alternate reality, but actually the future of our own world, and Justin becomes not an allegory but a physical manifestation of Jesus, the books imply that Jesus had to die twice in the same reality in order to save humanity, a notion that most Christians would find heretical.
The third book is not a narrative disaster, it just suffers from a lot of negative plot elements and poor decisions that weaken not only this book but the whole trilogy. The Circle story started off as a promising allegory about God's love for the people, but it's almost as if Dekker forgot about earlier elements he had committed to and in the end didn't know how to finish his story. I give it three stars as a recommendation, but only for the reason that if you've read the first two books (which are quite good), you'll obviously want to know how it ends. But expect to be disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2017
Unfortunately I had a tough time with this book. In the beginning, I was pretty bored. It felt so similar to the second book in the series. I was hoping for it to make a big change, like between the first and second book, but it didn’t. Then, when things started happening, it got worse. The instalove, and accompanying melodrama, was just too much. It was so ridiculous, and it made it difficult for me to focus on anything else. I was hoping the ending would salvage it and bring my rating up to three stars at least, but it was fairly lackluster. I’m still planning on reading Green: The Beginning and the End, because I like the series as a whole well enough, but I’m not looking forward to it very much.
May 25, 2019
I don't think I'm going to write a review for this one. But it was amazing. The whole series is. Highly recommended.
July 23, 2023
“Two ceremonies characterized the Circle more than any other: the union and the passing. The union was a wedding ceremony. The passing was a funeral. Both were celebrations.”
“White” is the third book in the Circle series of Ted Dekker’s greater Books of History Chronicles world and I have never been so disappointed in my life. I’m going to keep this short.
1) I hated the romance in this book so much
2) We spent a lot of time in the “future world” and not even enough in the past/present
3) It got repetitive. Why do they keep disregarding Thomas’ dreams!!! I’m looking at you William!
4) I really hated the romance in this book
5) That ending was so rushed, I barely understood what was happening.
6) So did Thomas change history or not. I know the story continues in Showdown but you can’t leave such an open ending.
7) Have I mentioned that I hated the romance in this book? Because it needs to be said and repeated.
November 7, 2016
Wow
Took me a long time with school and such
BUT THAT ENDING AHHHHH LIKE WHAT
SO WOW
WOW
WOW
I DONT EVEN know what to say
Took me a long time with school and such
BUT THAT ENDING AHHHHH LIKE WHAT
SO WOW
WOW
WOW
I DONT EVEN know what to say
May 13, 2013
It's rather dissapointing when you invest enough of yourself into a story to read more than one installment, just to find out it gets progressively worse. You get a really bad feeling that's too close to "I lost my time" to feel confortable.
I'm not going to make this long, there's no need to even try.
Summary? It started off well, then lost it. Maybe it was the actual writing, or maybe I just didn't feel the "magic" anymore.
I'm not going to make this long, there's no need to even try.
Summary? It started off well, then lost it. Maybe it was the actual writing, or maybe I just didn't feel the "magic" anymore.
March 18, 2013
[Reads final page. Blinks. Reads final page again. Rushes over and yanks copy of Showdown out of bookshelf to verify statements on final page.]
THAT'S how Thomas ended up in the black forest??? But...but...I don't even...
O_O
This whole series is a time paradox. I love it.
THAT'S how Thomas ended up in the black forest??? But...but...I don't even...
O_O
This whole series is a time paradox. I love it.
September 27, 2022
Wasn’t sure how this would end as the storyline takes many twists and turns. But the symbolism is BEAUTIFUL when everything comes together!❤️❤️❤️ (How much blood would Thomas have to give to save the world? ALL of it. 💔)
Jesus’ love for me is deeper and more fierce than my small mind can comprehend!
Such a unique trilogy combining natural and spiritual realities with fantasy, action, and adventure. Not my typical genre but I’m so glad I read them. Two more trilogies follow and answer some loose ends of this story.
Quotes I loved:
📖 ”And in his eyes her dress was spotless. White.”
📖 “Don’t let them forget my love or the price I’ve paid for their love.”
Jesus’ love for me is deeper and more fierce than my small mind can comprehend!
Such a unique trilogy combining natural and spiritual realities with fantasy, action, and adventure. Not my typical genre but I’m so glad I read them. Two more trilogies follow and answer some loose ends of this story.
Quotes I loved:
📖 ”And in his eyes her dress was spotless. White.”
📖 “Don’t let them forget my love or the price I’ve paid for their love.”
January 9, 2013
Well, it's over. I guess that's good.
It feels bad to slam on a book series that so many other people evidently love (from reading other reviews here on Goodreads). I guess I just can't let religion trump realism or logic... or frankly, good storytelling. I suppose folks more appreciative of this trilogy would say that's my problem.
I feel like there was real missed potential here. The author keeps the plot moving quickly with good action and set pieces. Unfortunately everything else is sacrificed along the way. All the logic complaints that I mentioned in my reviews of first and second books continue here. Maybe the author just needs a better editor? So many dropped story threads and characters, it feels he wrote this in one long session in which he kept writing himself into corners...
"Hmm... now I've got a
Huh?
And once served that one purpose, I think the author realized he just created a device that could resolve ANY plot conflict, so he had to dispose of it, ASAP! Same thing for the
And the hero's KIDS! What kind of father is this? He basically interacts with his kids from his first marriage in about three sentences in the entire trilogy. They didn't even make an appearance at his second wedding. Who is raising these kids? Where are the family values here? Thomas might be the worst deadbeat dad in history... second only to Darth Vader (Star Wars spoiler).
Even from the perspective of religious theology and Christian values there's a lack of consistency and logic. Characters flip flop political affiliations, relationships - good to bad, hate for love, vice versa, many times; all with no connection to real feelings or motivations, but rather just to serve the needs of the plot.
As an example, how does the world savior ? Is this supposed to be Christian allegory? Sure, Jesus may have freaked out and threw over a few lender tables in the Synagogue, but he never actually decapitated anyone or threw a spear in their guts. How would that reconcile?
I saw a quote relevant to this the other day. (Paraphrasing here): It isn't your BELIEFS that make you good or evil, it is your BEHAVIORS. By this measure, the characters in this book are outright terrible as moral/ethical/religious role models.
Specifically on religion (sorry, but one last major plot point niggle), the first line of the Gospel of John is not That Gospel starts out "In the beginning, there was the Word..." Sorry, but the author makes a big deal about that specific language linking books in the two worlds, but the lingo he references is completely non-existent in the bible.
OK... I'm done. I wasted too much time on this already.
It feels bad to slam on a book series that so many other people evidently love (from reading other reviews here on Goodreads). I guess I just can't let religion trump realism or logic... or frankly, good storytelling. I suppose folks more appreciative of this trilogy would say that's my problem.
I feel like there was real missed potential here. The author keeps the plot moving quickly with good action and set pieces. Unfortunately everything else is sacrificed along the way. All the logic complaints that I mentioned in my reviews of first and second books continue here. Maybe the author just needs a better editor? So many dropped story threads and characters, it feels he wrote this in one long session in which he kept writing himself into corners...
"Hmm... now I've got a
Huh?
And once served that one purpose, I think the author realized he just created a device that could resolve ANY plot conflict, so he had to dispose of it, ASAP! Same thing for the
And the hero's KIDS! What kind of father is this? He basically interacts with his kids from his first marriage in about three sentences in the entire trilogy. They didn't even make an appearance at his second wedding. Who is raising these kids? Where are the family values here? Thomas might be the worst deadbeat dad in history... second only to Darth Vader (Star Wars spoiler).
Even from the perspective of religious theology and Christian values there's a lack of consistency and logic. Characters flip flop political affiliations, relationships - good to bad, hate for love, vice versa, many times; all with no connection to real feelings or motivations, but rather just to serve the needs of the plot.
As an example, how does the world savior ? Is this supposed to be Christian allegory? Sure, Jesus may have freaked out and threw over a few lender tables in the Synagogue, but he never actually decapitated anyone or threw a spear in their guts. How would that reconcile?
I saw a quote relevant to this the other day. (Paraphrasing here): It isn't your BELIEFS that make you good or evil, it is your BEHAVIORS. By this measure, the characters in this book are outright terrible as moral/ethical/religious role models.
Specifically on religion (sorry, but one last major plot point niggle), the first line of the Gospel of John is not That Gospel starts out "In the beginning, there was the Word..." Sorry, but the author makes a big deal about that specific language linking books in the two worlds, but the lingo he references is completely non-existent in the bible.
OK... I'm done. I wasted too much time on this already.
August 3, 2020
El libro que en un principio creíamos que era el final de la serie… no lo es, pues Dekker nos sorprende con el lanzamiento de “Verde” (Libro 0) que al parecer nos sirvirá de puente entre “Blanco” y “Negro”.
Una vez más nos encontramos a Thomas Hunter, quien como líder del grupo del “Círculo” se enfrentará a su destino en un enfrentamiento brutal, la lucha de Elyon y Theele por el amor de Chelsie. En la otra realidad, las cosas no van mucho mejor, ya que el virus ha llegado a todas partes, y no se logra encontrar una cura.
El autor mantiene un ritmo bastante rápido y ágil, en donde el tiempo está en contra de los protagonistas, ambas realidades, donde pareciera llevarnos a un fin común: la desesperanza y la destrucción de la humanidad.
Me gustó mucho el epílogo, que le abre paso a “Verde” sin dejarte un final muy abierto...
“Si Thomas puede cambiar la historia, creo tener derecho de cambiar unas cuantas palabras.”
100% recomendado
Una vez más nos encontramos a Thomas Hunter, quien como líder del grupo del “Círculo” se enfrentará a su destino en un enfrentamiento brutal, la lucha de Elyon y Theele por el amor de Chelsie. En la otra realidad, las cosas no van mucho mejor, ya que el virus ha llegado a todas partes, y no se logra encontrar una cura.
El autor mantiene un ritmo bastante rápido y ágil, en donde el tiempo está en contra de los protagonistas, ambas realidades, donde pareciera llevarnos a un fin común: la desesperanza y la destrucción de la humanidad.
Me gustó mucho el epílogo, que le abre paso a “Verde” sin dejarte un final muy abierto...
“Si Thomas puede cambiar la historia, creo tener derecho de cambiar unas cuantas palabras.”
100% recomendado
February 12, 2022
Poor Thomas! This is the third installment. Thomas Hunter lives in two worlds. Today and the future (2000 years ahead...very symbolic).
Today's world is suffering from a pandemic (another shocking similarity to 2021 with Covid) because an 'evil scientist' releases a virus that no country has an antidote for and if the countries do not turn over their weapons of mass destruction, they will not get the antidote.
The future world is also still fighting between the forest dwellers (Christians) and the Horde. Thomas' first wife dies in the last book and in this book he falls in love with the most unlikely person. He loves Chelise, the daughter of Qurong, the leader of the Horde. Well, that is not going over well with anyone on either side.
Really was captivated by the symbolism and how closely it relates to our world today, how separated we are in so many ways. Really enjoyed this series.
Today's world is suffering from a pandemic (another shocking similarity to 2021 with Covid) because an 'evil scientist' releases a virus that no country has an antidote for and if the countries do not turn over their weapons of mass destruction, they will not get the antidote.
The future world is also still fighting between the forest dwellers (Christians) and the Horde. Thomas' first wife dies in the last book and in this book he falls in love with the most unlikely person. He loves Chelise, the daughter of Qurong, the leader of the Horde. Well, that is not going over well with anyone on either side.
Really was captivated by the symbolism and how closely it relates to our world today, how separated we are in so many ways. Really enjoyed this series.
March 22, 2012
Well...I finished the trilogy (though now a book titled Green is out so I guess it's no longer a trilogy, even though this one ties up the existing story line.). This one is (in my opinion)better than the second in the series and I give it a good solid "not bad". There is however a "but".
But.....these books could have been far better than they are. The way they are plotted the way the characters are presented even the way the story is told, all are a bit stilted. In an effort to be, I suppose meaningful and to tie the experiences of the characters together there is, for example, a scene here that is word for word the same scene as we find in "Red" except that it happens to the female protagonist so the name and pronouns are different and in the end the "third party" involved didn't "make it"... To some this may be a "strong point" to me it was just repetitive, I find it just annoyed me. A lot of things in the book simply annoyed me. It was like looking at something that could have been great...but ended up just "okay". The story exposition,the lay out, even what we are expected to accept is going on just so often doesn't really work. And I'm a fantasy fan, I love fantasy.
There is throughout the trilogy a use of Biblical symbology, rather heavy handed use. That in itself doesn't bother me. C.S.Lewis was accused (by among others J.R.R.Tolkien) of being heavy handed in his use of biblical symbols and you'll find I rate most of his books 5 stars. The heavy handedness doesn't bother me, but it's not done well. I wanted to like these books but in so many ways they just aren't done well.
I am a Christian, and I mean a practicing Christian and I'd like to rate these higher, I know many people love them. I wanted to like them. As lessons even as allegory they work fairly well... but as novels they just aren't that good. This one is, as I said in the opening of this review, a bit better than (in my opinion) the second and it's a good solid "not bad" but it could be so much better. I'd say try them yourself. Maybe try book 1 and see how you like the author's voice and style. Maybe a lot of this is me. But, my final evaluation is, "not bad, but could have been a lot better".
But.....these books could have been far better than they are. The way they are plotted the way the characters are presented even the way the story is told, all are a bit stilted. In an effort to be, I suppose meaningful and to tie the experiences of the characters together there is, for example, a scene here that is word for word the same scene as we find in "Red" except that it happens to the female protagonist so the name and pronouns are different and in the end the "third party" involved didn't "make it"... To some this may be a "strong point" to me it was just repetitive, I find it just annoyed me. A lot of things in the book simply annoyed me. It was like looking at something that could have been great...but ended up just "okay". The story exposition,the lay out, even what we are expected to accept is going on just so often doesn't really work. And I'm a fantasy fan, I love fantasy.
There is throughout the trilogy a use of Biblical symbology, rather heavy handed use. That in itself doesn't bother me. C.S.Lewis was accused (by among others J.R.R.Tolkien) of being heavy handed in his use of biblical symbols and you'll find I rate most of his books 5 stars. The heavy handedness doesn't bother me, but it's not done well. I wanted to like these books but in so many ways they just aren't done well.
I am a Christian, and I mean a practicing Christian and I'd like to rate these higher, I know many people love them. I wanted to like them. As lessons even as allegory they work fairly well... but as novels they just aren't that good. This one is, as I said in the opening of this review, a bit better than (in my opinion) the second and it's a good solid "not bad" but it could be so much better. I'd say try them yourself. Maybe try book 1 and see how you like the author's voice and style. Maybe a lot of this is me. But, my final evaluation is, "not bad, but could have been a lot better".
June 30, 2024
A Great Finale to a Fantastic Trilogy...,
Dekker really finishes off the Circle Trilogy with style.
This book was by far the best of the 3 and, although you really must read the first 2 to truly understand this book, Dekker does not dissapoint with the conclusion to this very long trilogy.
The story, including the metaphors of Christ's sacrifice for mankind, is brought home and shows the truly great talent that Dekker has for writing.
In this final installment, we are shown how the virus from this world is destroyed due to the sacrifice of one man.
I cannot really say much more except that this trilogy is fascinating, truly enthralling and worth every minute that you spend reading it. It is a fantasy story that few people could claim to create and it is do beautifully written that you believe that the dream world exists. Dekker has an unexplainable way of describing the imaginary and delivering a wonderful story that is impossible to put down.
A definite must read for any fantasy fan and just about anyone else that enjoys a book that is just a little bit left or right of center, delivering a unique reading experience with fantastic creatures, wonderous imaginary lands and riveting suspsense. My only complaint about this trilogy is that it was only a trilogy. I WANT MORE!
Dekker really finishes off the Circle Trilogy with style.
This book was by far the best of the 3 and, although you really must read the first 2 to truly understand this book, Dekker does not dissapoint with the conclusion to this very long trilogy.
The story, including the metaphors of Christ's sacrifice for mankind, is brought home and shows the truly great talent that Dekker has for writing.
In this final installment, we are shown how the virus from this world is destroyed due to the sacrifice of one man.
I cannot really say much more except that this trilogy is fascinating, truly enthralling and worth every minute that you spend reading it. It is a fantasy story that few people could claim to create and it is do beautifully written that you believe that the dream world exists. Dekker has an unexplainable way of describing the imaginary and delivering a wonderful story that is impossible to put down.
A definite must read for any fantasy fan and just about anyone else that enjoys a book that is just a little bit left or right of center, delivering a unique reading experience with fantastic creatures, wonderous imaginary lands and riveting suspsense. My only complaint about this trilogy is that it was only a trilogy. I WANT MORE!
January 27, 2019
Ugh this was so good. While RED is infinitely more impactful (to me) emotionally, WHITE has some equally powerful metaphors and symbolism. It also includes my favorite character in the whole trilogy, Chelise. I love her story and I love her growth. The romance between her and Thomas is just....so beautiful. I also really love WHITE’s overall plot more than that of the first two books. It’s very romance-centric but I also feel like it has more ins and outs, like it’s more complicated??? It really drew me in in a different way than the others
My biggest complaint about the entire series (aside from his poor writing lol) is how pointless the whole situation in our world was??? The virus just.....never created any fear or worry for the characters. I was only interested to find out who the characters would be in the alternate universe. The actual virus plot itself felt pointless. 😔
I’m really happy I finally took the time to reread this 10 years after I originally read them. They aren’t as brilliant as I remembered, but they’re just as powerful. I’ll probably try again in 10 years.....
My biggest complaint about the entire series (aside from his poor writing lol) is how pointless the whole situation in our world was??? The virus just.....never created any fear or worry for the characters. I was only interested to find out who the characters would be in the alternate universe. The actual virus plot itself felt pointless. 😔
I’m really happy I finally took the time to reread this 10 years after I originally read them. They aren’t as brilliant as I remembered, but they’re just as powerful. I’ll probably try again in 10 years.....
February 26, 2019
Oh man. This one. Talk about a tear jerker. I think White might be the best book in the series. Ahhhh
October 7, 2023
Oh how this series fell...
March 10, 2024
Do I love these books because they are good books? Or do I love these books because they are so nostalgic for me? We may never know. Nevertheless, it was fun to reread them.
November 22, 2022
I felt compelled to finish this trilogy even though I didn’t rate it highly. The plot was interesting and I genuinely wanted to know what happened.
However, my issues with this trilogy are these: little character depth, repetitive plot elements, and writing quirks that bothered me (may or may not be my own subjective annoyances, you decide).
***spoilers follow***
Character depth issues: The main character did not have any major weaknesses or difficult moral choices to make and neither did any other character. The love stories felt instant and convenient because the characters seemed to love only based on a few short interactions and looks. And Elyon/Justin felt like it was trying to be like Aslan’s fun side, but nothing like the all-powerful, holy God of the Bible that he is supposed to be. Aslan was written as his own character like God, whereas Elyon is written to be the same God of our world.
Repetitive plot elements include multiple resurrections and fake out deaths, the main character having a relationship with another woman without any feelings of guilt after his wife died (when he was said to absolutely love his wife), and shallow world building. Also, plot elements came up and were introduced with powerful implications, only to be sidelined for the rest of the book e.g. writing in the blank books.
Lastly, there were a few things that bothered me about the writing. I’m not sure if it’s just my opinion or if it is objectively not good. He used the verb “eased” an excessive amount of times. He also used the phrase “panic filled his mind”, or “sorrow flooded his mind”, “‘something’ ‘blanked’ his mind” over and over. The phrase “juice ran down his chin” or something similar was used a lot. And finally, “kissed her on the lips” was the only way that physical romance was described.
Ok. I’m done. Thanks.
However, my issues with this trilogy are these: little character depth, repetitive plot elements, and writing quirks that bothered me (may or may not be my own subjective annoyances, you decide).
***spoilers follow***
Character depth issues: The main character did not have any major weaknesses or difficult moral choices to make and neither did any other character. The love stories felt instant and convenient because the characters seemed to love only based on a few short interactions and looks. And Elyon/Justin felt like it was trying to be like Aslan’s fun side, but nothing like the all-powerful, holy God of the Bible that he is supposed to be. Aslan was written as his own character like God, whereas Elyon is written to be the same God of our world.
Repetitive plot elements include multiple resurrections and fake out deaths, the main character having a relationship with another woman without any feelings of guilt after his wife died (when he was said to absolutely love his wife), and shallow world building. Also, plot elements came up and were introduced with powerful implications, only to be sidelined for the rest of the book e.g. writing in the blank books.
Lastly, there were a few things that bothered me about the writing. I’m not sure if it’s just my opinion or if it is objectively not good. He used the verb “eased” an excessive amount of times. He also used the phrase “panic filled his mind”, or “sorrow flooded his mind”, “‘something’ ‘blanked’ his mind” over and over. The phrase “juice ran down his chin” or something similar was used a lot. And finally, “kissed her on the lips” was the only way that physical romance was described.
Ok. I’m done. Thanks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2009
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars If you hated the ending you missed the point., April 21, 2006
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion about a book. What grabs one leaves another flat. But those who chided Dekker for weak storylines in this third book of his trilogy missed the point.
In fairness let me say that I felt the same way at first. In White it seemed like the things going on in "our" world ended in a very anti-climactic way. Thomas Hunter's blood saves everyone and they all lived happily ever after. Then the action heads back to the "Other" reality.
That is the point! The spiritual reality - the one lost to most of us is the one that really matters. The redemption of one person lost to the diseases of the Horde is of far greater value the salvation of society. Thank you Ted Dekker for illustrating such a profound and needed truth.
August 8, 2015
Esperaba mucho más. Un final mejor, no tan milagrosamente raro.
La saga logró atraparme a pesar de su clara tendencia religiosa y mis prejuicios debido a esto, y me entretuve bastante, pero en cada libro el final lograba convertirse en una suerte de sistema evangelizador y la tercera y ultima entrega no está lejos de sus predecesores, siendo incluso menos sutil al momento de abordar los temas biblicos...
Y el final, pensé que sería espectacular y no lo fue :(
Lo pasé bastante bien con la saga, pero no la volvería a leer nunca más en mi vida. Solo una vez es suficiente. Gracias Ted Dekker por la entretención, pero no me convertiré.
La saga logró atraparme a pesar de su clara tendencia religiosa y mis prejuicios debido a esto, y me entretuve bastante, pero en cada libro el final lograba convertirse en una suerte de sistema evangelizador y la tercera y ultima entrega no está lejos de sus predecesores, siendo incluso menos sutil al momento de abordar los temas biblicos...
Y el final, pensé que sería espectacular y no lo fue :(
Lo pasé bastante bien con la saga, pero no la volvería a leer nunca más en mi vida. Solo una vez es suficiente. Gracias Ted Dekker por la entretención, pero no me convertiré.
November 27, 2024
Ted dekker did amazing as always. I couldn't put the book down
November 15, 2014
Reseña de toda la serie en español
No, I'm not crying, my eyes are sweating...
No, I'm not crying, my eyes are sweating...
May 7, 2019
*cries* This was the best of the whole trilogy. Justin's utter love being Elyon, Thomas' pursuit of Chelise. I'm so in love, so I'm love.
*cries again*
*cries again*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2022
Such a powerful series! Definitely the next generation fictional salvation allegory from C.S. Lewis’ Narnia!
June 1, 2022
I wish I enjoyed this one as much as the last two.
May 2, 2017
"He was riding into insanity to fetch a woman who - despite his misguided assumptions - did not love him. And Susan was enabling him because she knew that once Thomas of Hunter put his mind to something, he always saw it through. That, and the romance in her own spirit, was cheering him on. All fine and good, but what if he didn't come back? He'd drawn her along with his infectious passion; but what if it all went badly. If Thomas was dead by morning, she would share the blame.
'Be careful Thomas, it will be The Lake, not The Library if you get caught.'
'I know.' He gazed north toward the city.
'Am I doing the right thing?'
'Do you love her?'
'Yes.'
'Then go get her Thomas of Hunter - we've said all there is to say.'
He smiled, and nodded, 'Elyon's strength.'
'Elyon's strength!' "
[Ted Dekker - WHITE: THE GREAT PURSUIT]
'Be careful Thomas, it will be The Lake, not The Library if you get caught.'
'I know.' He gazed north toward the city.
'Am I doing the right thing?'
'Do you love her?'
'Yes.'
'Then go get her Thomas of Hunter - we've said all there is to say.'
He smiled, and nodded, 'Elyon's strength.'
'Elyon's strength!' "
[Ted Dekker - WHITE: THE GREAT PURSUIT]
February 6, 2018
This book was more of a romance than the others, but it was very intriguing and creative.
March 12, 2025
Fast paced, interesting, and powerful way to bring a new chapter into Thomas's story. I enjoy Dekker's Christian apologetic theming, even if it can be intense at times.
November 4, 2025
This one was my least favorite. I loved Black and Red but this one just… nah. I loved the symbolism but this one went just a little farther from book one.
I’ll read Green at a later date.
I’ll read Green at a later date.
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