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The Test
The Test is a young adiult novel focusing on the exploits of Katia Wynter, a teenage girl living in a commune in New Mexico. The aftermath of the War on Terror has left the nations of the world in a Great Depression after a succession of nuclear attacks. The communes are ruled by motorcycle gangs who exchange protection for tribute in the form of whatever they desire from the runaway teens. Katia is one of many kids who left their poverty-stricken homes in Truth or Consequences, searching for a better future outside the world their parents destroyed. She meets four mysterious men who have come to the outskirts of town on a mission to save the children from the nightmare world they are creating for themselves.
142 pages, Paperback
First published March 7, 2014
37 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
John Reinhard Dizon
84 books62 followersJohn Reinhard Dizon was born and raised in the Cobble Hill section of Brooklyn, NY. He participated in local and high school sports at Bishop Loughlin MHS, excelling in wrestling, hockey and football. The lead vocalist of the Spoiler and the Ducky Boys, he was a key figure on the Brooklyn rock scene during the Punk Revolution of the 70's. Relocating to San Antonio TX in the 80's, he moonlighted as a pro wrestler while working as a legal assistant. He successfully pursued a BA at UTSA and degrees in Korean martial arts during the 90's. He currently lives in KC MO where he is studying for his MA in English at UMKC. Mr. Dizon has been studying and writing about Irish history for over twenty-five years.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 20, 2014
THE TEST (REVIEW - spoiler alerts)
Let me start off by saying I’ve probably never read a Christian fiction story (at least not since I was a kid). What drew me to the premise of THE TEST was the post-apocalyptic theme, piquing my imagination to expect Walking Dead zombie-esque scenarios. This was not such a story. Fortunately, The Test is an interesting and compelling read nonetheless. A tale of the enduring persecution of Christianity set in the backdrop a post-apocalyptic reality, our heroes’ test (spoiler alert) is that of continued faith in God.
Meet Katia, a teenaged girl living in a makeshift commune on the outskirts of her decimated hometown of TrC (Truth or Consequences) under the rule of a kingpin biker gang called Excelsior. Katia is involved with ex-jock, before the mini nuclear attack, vice-president of Excelsior Devin. Struggling to survive and make sense in this new world of fallout destruction and despair, many teens like Katia have found some degree solace and safety within these communes, as the adults of the previous world have let them down profoundly. As appealing as the commune life is, it’s not without its own problems, and namely a rival commune biker gang named the Zodiacs, where a classic power struggle percolates.
Katia, meanwhile, meets up with some strangers squatting in an abandoned church who appear out of their element and who also appear to be Jesus’ apostles defying the effects of the radiation which has plagued everyone else. Despite the fact that they are adults, their truth and New Testament teachings resonate with our protagonists and at the apostle’s request, Katia and Devin are tasked to enlist potential worshippers from the Excelsior commune. A few miracles later and the growing ministry is underway. For Devin, this spells the beginning of the end in his role, as these apostles are an affront to Mark Excelsior’s leadership and his satanic stirrings. Forcing Devin to eventually make a fundamental choice.
To complicate matters, recognizing that a frontal assault on the Excelsiors would be a futile endeavor, the Zodiacs change tactics and decide to attack innocent civilians at TrC instead. On the verge of rethinking his association with the Excelsiors, Devin’s family home is the primary target and he must therefore maintain his strategic allegiance to retaliate and avenge. That allegiance, however, is on shaky ground as Mark Excelsior continues to lead in increasingly nefarious ways which flies in the face of the apostles’ teachings. Devin has no choice but to leave the Excelsiors, as their satanic rituals become more involved and Mark finally gives Devin the ultimatum.
In a somewhat supernatural turn of events, on the eve of joining the Zodiacs in an assault on the Excelsiors, Devin and company run into the Apostles, who warn them not to engage further. Devin is soon transported mystically to the caverns where the Excelsiors are grouped and witness a final showdown between the Apostles with select angels and the demons that possess the Excelsiors. In the end (of course), the apostles are victorious and usher in a new era of hope, faith and love with a strong emphasis on the importance of family. Physical miracles occur to reinforce a positive cause and effect and a renewed optimism for the future is achieved.
My only complaint (or perhaps disappointment) is that Katia starts off as the main protagonist but she almost completely disappears for a lot of the story. My hope was to see the “test” somehow involve a test of their relationship as his lack of faith clashes with her faith and in the end Devin passes the test. (aww). (But perhaps that would make it too much of a Nicolas Sparks story lol)
Overall it was a fast and enjoyable read and my introduction to the written world of John Reinhard Dizon.
Let me start off by saying I’ve probably never read a Christian fiction story (at least not since I was a kid). What drew me to the premise of THE TEST was the post-apocalyptic theme, piquing my imagination to expect Walking Dead zombie-esque scenarios. This was not such a story. Fortunately, The Test is an interesting and compelling read nonetheless. A tale of the enduring persecution of Christianity set in the backdrop a post-apocalyptic reality, our heroes’ test (spoiler alert) is that of continued faith in God.
Meet Katia, a teenaged girl living in a makeshift commune on the outskirts of her decimated hometown of TrC (Truth or Consequences) under the rule of a kingpin biker gang called Excelsior. Katia is involved with ex-jock, before the mini nuclear attack, vice-president of Excelsior Devin. Struggling to survive and make sense in this new world of fallout destruction and despair, many teens like Katia have found some degree solace and safety within these communes, as the adults of the previous world have let them down profoundly. As appealing as the commune life is, it’s not without its own problems, and namely a rival commune biker gang named the Zodiacs, where a classic power struggle percolates.
Katia, meanwhile, meets up with some strangers squatting in an abandoned church who appear out of their element and who also appear to be Jesus’ apostles defying the effects of the radiation which has plagued everyone else. Despite the fact that they are adults, their truth and New Testament teachings resonate with our protagonists and at the apostle’s request, Katia and Devin are tasked to enlist potential worshippers from the Excelsior commune. A few miracles later and the growing ministry is underway. For Devin, this spells the beginning of the end in his role, as these apostles are an affront to Mark Excelsior’s leadership and his satanic stirrings. Forcing Devin to eventually make a fundamental choice.
To complicate matters, recognizing that a frontal assault on the Excelsiors would be a futile endeavor, the Zodiacs change tactics and decide to attack innocent civilians at TrC instead. On the verge of rethinking his association with the Excelsiors, Devin’s family home is the primary target and he must therefore maintain his strategic allegiance to retaliate and avenge. That allegiance, however, is on shaky ground as Mark Excelsior continues to lead in increasingly nefarious ways which flies in the face of the apostles’ teachings. Devin has no choice but to leave the Excelsiors, as their satanic rituals become more involved and Mark finally gives Devin the ultimatum.
In a somewhat supernatural turn of events, on the eve of joining the Zodiacs in an assault on the Excelsiors, Devin and company run into the Apostles, who warn them not to engage further. Devin is soon transported mystically to the caverns where the Excelsiors are grouped and witness a final showdown between the Apostles with select angels and the demons that possess the Excelsiors. In the end (of course), the apostles are victorious and usher in a new era of hope, faith and love with a strong emphasis on the importance of family. Physical miracles occur to reinforce a positive cause and effect and a renewed optimism for the future is achieved.
My only complaint (or perhaps disappointment) is that Katia starts off as the main protagonist but she almost completely disappears for a lot of the story. My hope was to see the “test” somehow involve a test of their relationship as his lack of faith clashes with her faith and in the end Devin passes the test. (aww). (But perhaps that would make it too much of a Nicolas Sparks story lol)
Overall it was a fast and enjoyable read and my introduction to the written world of John Reinhard Dizon.
November 2, 2017
After terrorists launch a series of small but devastating nuclear attacks on various areas of the USA, the town of Truth or Consequences lies semi-ruined, the air and rivers, and lakes polluted with the aftermath of the nuclear strike. Groups of young people, knowing their parents can no longer support the, strike out on their own and form enclaves or communes a few miles away from town, the two largest being run by two motorcycle gangs, The Excelsiors and The Zodiacs.
Katia and Devin, friends and members of The Excelsiors are exploring the local terrain one day when they cone across an abandoned church. Living there, they find four mysterious men. Peter, Paul, Simon and John talk strangely and Katia finds herself entrances by their words.In this superb novella--length book, John Reinhard Dizon takes us to a post-apocalyptic world where, with little hope or faith remaining, we read that God has sent four of his apostles to earth in order to help humanity restore not only their world, but also their faith.
Katia, Devin and their friends soon begin to trust the four wise apostles and the old abandoned church becomes a rallying point for the rebirth of belief in God and Christianity.
There are plenty of obstacles to be faced along the way as the rival gang, The Zodiacs launch an attack on the peaceful Excelsiors, who, led by their own charismatic leader, Mark Excelsior, decide to hit back in kind. The apostles, take everything in their stride as they seek to bring the young people back into the fold of God's community, and through the young people, they hope to reach out to the parents, the older residents of the town, and to bring about peace and reconciliation.
Although fairly short, the author has managed to pack in a great amount of detail and, having read a number of Mr. Dizon's book in the past, I was surprised at the power he instills in the word of God as relayed to the people of one small town by the apostles. A really entertaining and thought-provoking read, that will have you wondering just how the story will pan out, and whether the apostles will succeed in their mission in a time of such modern day strife and materialism.
Highly recommended reading.
Katia and Devin, friends and members of The Excelsiors are exploring the local terrain one day when they cone across an abandoned church. Living there, they find four mysterious men. Peter, Paul, Simon and John talk strangely and Katia finds herself entrances by their words.In this superb novella--length book, John Reinhard Dizon takes us to a post-apocalyptic world where, with little hope or faith remaining, we read that God has sent four of his apostles to earth in order to help humanity restore not only their world, but also their faith.
Katia, Devin and their friends soon begin to trust the four wise apostles and the old abandoned church becomes a rallying point for the rebirth of belief in God and Christianity.
There are plenty of obstacles to be faced along the way as the rival gang, The Zodiacs launch an attack on the peaceful Excelsiors, who, led by their own charismatic leader, Mark Excelsior, decide to hit back in kind. The apostles, take everything in their stride as they seek to bring the young people back into the fold of God's community, and through the young people, they hope to reach out to the parents, the older residents of the town, and to bring about peace and reconciliation.
Although fairly short, the author has managed to pack in a great amount of detail and, having read a number of Mr. Dizon's book in the past, I was surprised at the power he instills in the word of God as relayed to the people of one small town by the apostles. A really entertaining and thought-provoking read, that will have you wondering just how the story will pan out, and whether the apostles will succeed in their mission in a time of such modern day strife and materialism.
Highly recommended reading.
September 17, 2020
Fun story!
Good Christian fiction done in a smart way. The story was good and the way the author used the disciples from the past really worked for me.
Good Christian fiction done in a smart way. The story was good and the way the author used the disciples from the past really worked for me.
March 8, 2017
I like this book, what I thought would be an apocalyptic story, but it was much more a story about belief in God and the teachings of Christianity. I did not love it because I thought there was so much more which could have been done with the characters and with the theme of God being all powerful. It is a short book, with good character sketches that could be great. It is a story of an apocalyptic event changing the lives of people which was really well told in some respects but had so much more flesh which could have been added. It parallels Stephen King's great work The Stand in a sense, but I think had much more to offer than it gave in the final analysis. It is a good, short, steady reading story which I enjoyed.
March 13, 2014
After nuclear devastation the town of Truth or Consequences is a torn apart, war ravaged world. Katia Wynter is living there as is her boyfriend Devin. Both are looking for a better life for them and their families when some new strangers to the town arrive. These men are more than meets the eye and show the town a few things they didn't expect. This is a great book with religious a reference that makes for a great read! Thanks again to the author for another great, well written journey!
April 27, 2015
The Test is a novel following Katia Wynter, a teenager living in post apocalyptic New Mexico in a commune. Katia and her boyfriend Devin try to find a better life and come in contact with four strangers who show them the way. Are the men disciples? Other worldly? This unusual story was written for young adults but makes a great read for any age group.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews