Deep in the mountains of Romania stands a fortress, and deep within that fortress lies a chamber. In that chamber, ruling the dead for over two thousand years, live one Shataiki bat straight from the bowels of the Black Forest. He seeks the final Books of History with which he will destroy the world.
But there are four who stand in the way.
The chosen are trapped in a new world of high technology and weapons of mass destruction. In the midst of chaos, they must find the last book before the Dark One can in this final test to save the world.
Ted 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.
This one didn't start as strong as the others in this series, but it did have quite a bit of humor. It picked up somewhere after the first handful of chapters with the action and thrill we expect and love from this author. And as always... a Ted Dekker, power-packed, didn't see that coming ending... that sets the story up for yet another series!!! Ted Dekker is brilliant!
Wow...! Ted Dekker never ceases to amaze me! I love this series! It is soooo good! Once you get into it, you go nuts waiting for more! A must read, no doubt!
PERSONAL RESPONSE Chaos was yet another one of Ted Dekker’s great works. This was my favorite book in the “Circle” series. I think having the setting on earth and being more current was a lot more relatable towards me. I also enjoyed how much action was included in the book.
PLOT Johnis and Silvie found each other after entering what they called “Second Earth.” Time wasn’t the same on “Second Earth.” Seconds in the Forests turned into hours. It seemed as though everything worked on magic, as well. Bright lights raced by attached to horseless buggies. Lights glowed different colors. They saw a brightly lit sign that read, “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas.” They saw what appeared to be a buggy feeding station that they headed towards. When they arrived at the station, Johnis spotted a beautiful, red buggy. He had to have that one. They tried to buy it, but the clerk did not let them, so they stole it. Johnis felt a connection with it and then began driving as though he had been driving for years. Johnis sped away, and soon after other buggies with red and blue lights on seemed to be following them. Johnis raced into Las Vegas trying to get away from the other buggies. Johnis ran into trouble and crashed. They stumbled into “Excalibur,” with the police still on their trail. They flew through the building faster than they have ever run before. They hid in a closet full of clothes and weapons. To disguise themselves, they put some of the clothes on. Johnis chose a bright red cape as part of his disguise. When they thought it was safe, they exited the closet. Soon after, they were confronted by an official who stated that red capes are sent into an arena. Johnis was forced into the arena and was to battle. Johnis was overtaken by his opponent, but he was faster in this world. He quickly ran and pulled his knife on the man dressed as an executioner. Quickly, people realized that Johnis was about to kill the man. The warriors from before quickly subdued Johnis. Silvie only saw Johnis being beaten on “The Net,” so she quickly took a hostage herself. She was trying to get Johnis freed. Her hostage was one of the most famous singers in that world. As quickly as she took the woman hostage, she was on “The Net” being broadcasted all over the world. They were arrested for their actions. Then Karas came and bailed them out of jail. This was where the journey to find the books began. Now that they have Karas they have three books. Soon into their search, they were informed of someone who had a book and claimed to know Darsal. They quickly met her, and she seemed pretty suspicious from the start. She ended up taking all the books and flew away. Now there was a problem. She had all four of the Forest books, and all she needed was to find the earth books and she could do whatever she wanted. They needed to find the earth books before she did, so their mission began.
CHARACTERIZATION Miranda was a mysterious person from the start. She showed up out of nowhere with a book claiming to know Darsal. She claimed that Darsal told her all about the books and about Johnis and Silvie. Then she stated that Darsal was dead. She turned out to be Alucard’s second in command. Miranda became the main antagonist as Alucard rarely came out of his lair. She did all his dirty work for him. She relied on the fact that Silvie loved Johnis to capture them on multiple occasions. She tried her hardest to get all seven books. There was an unexpected twist about her. She actually turned out to be Darsall. She used cosmetics to hide her identity and work for Alucard. Johnis was truly the main focus of both Silvie and Miranda. He was precious to both of them. Silvie loved Johnis and did not want to be separated. Miranda used Johnis as a tool to get the books from Karas and Silvie. Johnis was focused on the mission of finding the books. He had left Silvie at times just to complete the mission. He had jumped out of the plane to be able to stop Miranda from getting all the books to use for evil. Johnis truly was dedicated to this task. He risked his life many times for the books.
SETTING The book was set in the year 2035 outside of the well-known Forests. Johnis and Silvie found themselves inside the books in what they called “Second Earth.” Time was different there. When Johnis entered the books seconds after Silvie, she had waited for hours. Many bright lights shone in the distance. There was Horde everywhere. A loud gigantic bird flew overhead. It never beat its wings once as it glided down onto its belly in a stone field. The people didn’t look or act like Horde, but they sure weren’t as kind as forest dwellers. Johnis and Silvies abilities were different than back in the Forests. Johnis was quicker and can take control of a "Chevy" with tremendous ease. Silvie had incredible knowledge and was smarter in this world.
RECOMMENDATIONS I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys action and fiction. It draws the reader in with everything that is going on. This book is great for girls and guys. Girls can relate to Silvie and her troubles of trying to keep Johnis. Guys will relate to the adventurous, daring, and stubborn character Johnis. It is a nice easy read for middle and high schoolers.
One thing about Dekker's is you can't put them down. You get sucked in and can't leave, this book was no exception. One thing I found humorous is this particular book is set in 2033, written in 2008, things are definitely different 😂
This wasn't my favorite of the series but I am sure it made a big hit with the Young Adults. Johnis and Silvie actually find themselves in today's Earth, searching for the Books of History. They end up in Las Vegas of all places. Imagine, being born in the Middle Earth, where there is no electricity, no modern conveniences.
What I did love was Dekker's ability, through his characters, to try to explain a car, phone, streets, hotels, neon signs, etc. Things we take for granted through the eyes of someone who never saw these things before.
They do find Karas and Darsal, who were there already, and have been there for 10 years. And of course there is the Dark One and his lair. Can't give away anymore...
This is Chaos! When Johnis and Silvie end up in today's Earth in search of the Lost Books of History it is more than they can imagine. What follows is a wild drive in a Chevy and other dangerous antics from United States to Romania. For me it was amusing but I knew they were desperate to get a hold of the books before the Dark One got his or her hands on them. At the end in one of the Shaitaiki's lairs they learn who is actually the Chosen One and who is the Dark One. It was surprising but it made total sense.
Well, Dekker really finished strong with the story in the first 4 books. While there are still two more books in the series (thus completing the "L" and "E" in circle), this was the end of the major arc told throughout the first four books and it ended up being quite enjoyable. Where the first two books suffered a bit from being a bit too "YA" centric and were a bit too simplistic, the last two evolved quite nicely into quality story-telling with all the action, twists and turns that Ted is famous for.
The story picks up where book 3 left off and places all of the remaining "Chosen" in the old earth where Thomas Hunter is from. Billos has apparently just lost his life to the Shaitaki and sent Darsal to the wherever the books would take her along with Johnis, Silvie and Kara. Johnis and Silvie's story is a lot of fun as they acclimate to this new reality, especially with Johnis learning to drive and their adventures in the Vegas. Eventually Kara joins the duo, and they set out to track down the remaining books of history while facing a couple of unknown adversaries, one of which turns out to be one of the big twists in the book and quite interesting.
While the plot was a bit schizophrenic in places and the resolutions to issues a bit thin in places, if you're able to just accept the story that's unfolding without questioning too much, it makes for a very enjoyable ride and fills in a few gaps connecting the Circle series, Paradise series and other Dekker books and how they tie together in much the same way the Stephen King's Dark Tower series ties into many of King's novels. All in all, while it won't stretch your critical thinking skills, it's a great story laced with all the elements that makes Ted such a great writer and ends on a very nice note revolving around who is chosen, who the "dark one" is and what we can learn from that. Highly recommended to Dekker fans, don't be nervous about the "YA" label applied to them, it's only really a small issue in the first two books and isn't a problem afterwards.
Picked up the 1st book in this series for $3 at the store. I didn't get a chance to read it right away, but lent it out & was told it was a must read...
Chaos & Infidel were OK - not amazing, but not terrible. Renegade felt like it was trying to tie the storyline with something else, but the transition was anything but smooth. Then we get to Chaos. This book really feels like Dekker had to wrap this series up and get back to the "main story" that is shared in the Circle series & the Paradise books. Perhaps Lunatic will help tie it all together nicely, but I don't currently have that one.
All in all, this felt very choppy. He takes warriors from the future and transplants them to Las Vegas... where they adapt almost immediately to cars, airplanes and all of the amenities of our modern world. Really? OK.
Oh, and since they are so much smarter than we are, they are able to make fantastical amounts of money in a short time.
The 2nd half of the book was a better story, however, and all that earned it the 2nd half of a star to get it to 3 instead of the 2.5 I was tempted to give it.
Twists, turns & intrigue. Interesting, but at such a distance from the beginning of the story that it's hard to meld the two worlds together.
Deep in the valleys and mountains of Romania, lies the Dark One. For two thousand years he has ruled the dead; yet he still seeks all 7 Lost Books of History. He seeks them to destroy the world, but the four chosen ones are in his way. The book is about a war between good and evil and a battle of the finding of the 7 Lost Books of History. Who will prevail and who will fail to find the 7 Books? I really liked the book because it was very suspenseful and it was easy to picture the book’s setting in my head. Every time I had to stop reading, I would want to read more so I could go on to the next book of the series. I recommend this book to people who like science fiction and fantasy with a little bit of adventure.
The first of the Lost Books I’m giving 5 stars too! Yall this was by far my favorite so far. I wasn’t as salty about Thomas not getting any page time (i dont think that’s much of a spoiler but literally the dude was only mentioned in this whole book) and enjoyed Johnis as the main character again since Billos and Darsal took center stage in the last one. I felt more on the edge of my seat in this one. There was actually one big reveal that caught me off guard which was awesome! I’ve found the other Lost Books to be rather predictable thus far but this one thru in one big curveball! I found with this book that I think I made a mistake in reading the Lost Books immediately after reading Black. I’ve had that feeling this whole time but there were a lot of things in this book that I don’t think I was supposed to know until after reading Red, White, maybe even Green and maybe even Showdown and Saint. Tbh I’m still not sure when the Paradise trilogy fits in the Circle series and when I should read that but I certainly got more understanding of the entire universe in this book. And for spoiler reasons I wont get into here, I’ve decided to put a pause on the Lost Books and start up Red.
🚨 Spoilers ahead 🚨
Fave Chapter: Ch 5 had the car chase in Vegas which was freaking awesome. Silvie and Johnis’s reaction to the Histories and Vegas and the car was so entertaining 🤣
Fave Character: Karas She was my favorite in Infidel and she had the big reveal for me. 21 yr old Karas!!! Oh my gosh when she revealed herself I literally gasped. I felt so much for how she mustve struggled the last ten years on her own but she took it in such stride and became an amazing confident woman! Well established enough to help Johnis and Silvie immensely. I was terribly sad she decided to stay in the Histories and not return with Johnis and the others but on the other hand I hope she ends up with Tony Montana and maybe even show up in Red or White or Green. Probably not super likely but that’d be super cool!
Ship: Johnis x Silvie These two got the spiciest content in the Lost Books so far with a makeout sesh in Vegas 😝 In all seriousness though they were pretty cute. Still not super invested but I still like them together. And it’ll be fun I think to see them 5 yrs older when they return to Middle.
Johnis and Silvie find themselves in a strange new world called "Second Earth," where time operates differently and technology seems to be powered by magic. They stumble upon a bustling city called Las Vegas and attempt to purchase a vehicle, but are forced to steal it to escape the authorities. While on the run, they crash and seek refuge in a hidden location. To avoid detection, they disguise themselves using clothing they find, including a red cape for Johnis.
Johnis is captured and forced to participate in a gladiatorial battle. Silvie, desperate to save him, takes a hostage and is also captured. Karas bails them out of jail, and they learn that a mysterious woman named Miranda possesses all four of the Forest books.
Miranda, initially an enigmatic ally, reveals herself to be Alucard's second-in-command and the main antagonist. She uses her knowledge of Silvie's feelings for Johnis to manipulate them and capture them multiple times. Johnis, driven by his determination to find the books, risks his own safety and even separates from Silvie to complete his mission.
The story takes place in the year 2035, outside of the familiar Forests. "Second Earth" is a technologically advanced world with a unique blend of magic and modern technology. The characters encounter strange creatures, unfamiliar customs, and dangerous challenges.
This action-packed adventure novel is perfect for readers who enjoy fast-paced plots and complex characters. With its blend of science fiction and fantasy elements, it offers a thrilling escape for both boys and girls. Middle and high school students will appreciate the relatable characters and exciting adventures.
I have mixed feelings about this installment in the Circle series. First is the timing for the four plus Alucard coming into this world. If Karas was there for ten years, having gone in a few minutes before Sylvie, and Sylvie was there for hours ahead of Johnis, it would make more sense that Darsal arrived hours or more after Johnis, rather than 10 years before.
Alucard went in on the heels of Karas, yet claimed he was there for 2,ooo years. It reminds me of the wormhole in a Star Trek episode, but with no predictability. More plausible would be Alucard going further back in history, even to the time of Christ, by using Darsal's book, but then, that implies there wasn't a demonic presence prior to that.
The portrayal of Miranda and later Darsal seemed like a stretch without any real, plausible foundation.
The monastery in Paradise was introduced, but there was not much description about its purpose or how it connected to the warriors, Thomas, or the books. Some of that comes out in Green, but the connections still seem loose and sort of forced.
Chaos works as an entertaining book that moves the story to some resolution, but I found frustration with some details that didn't seem consistent.
I really wish I could do half stars.... four for the beginning. I'm trying to figure out exactly what bothered me. Probably mostly the amount of times Silvie said she loved Johnis and went all googoo over him and vice versa. They're like that annoying couple in high school where they are constantly together and constantly fawning over each other and they never talk to anyone else and just sit there staring at each other and making out.... I wanted to punch them....
But then the book got REALLY good. I actually couldn't put it down which hasn't happened with a book for me in a long time. So despite the stupid over-the-top teen romance bit I guess it deserves five stars for the overall plot and content.
This is my least favorite of the books by Ted Dekker, that I've read so far. The plot was thin and character developement was lacking. One thing that really surprised me for a Christian fiction, was the complete blaise attitude about sin. They steal a car and beat up people without any legitimate cause and are without remorse. An explanation about it being due to atmosphere differences was inadequate. The consequenses and guilt of sin still should have been delt with. This is one book I am not passing on to the grandchildren.
Getting close! I'm reading through the Books of History that I never visited when I read the Circle series years ago. I reread Black, and then decided to work my way through this. I'm loving all the connections to the Circle as well as some of the other series that Mr. Dekker has written. This series has been a ton of fun, and I'm looking forward to reading the last book of history soon! What a trip! This book did well continuing the story, and was fun to experience things in the other direction...Things really heated up in this book, and I'm looking forward to finishing these histories soon!
The Lost book series in general is not like the most amazing series ever. However, I do thoroughly enjoy the quick reads, story lines, and quirky characters. I always love underdog/unlikely hero stories. Even more so if the heros have more of an antihero feel. Ted Dekker's writing does take some getting used to but I love the underlying themes of redemption. Overall, good, fun reads with great Biblical themes.
Chaos, was so far my favorite of the Lost Book Series. The 4 chosen ones , wake up, in the United States. Their quest continues for the 7 Lost Books of Histories. Ted Dekker , once again has left clues in this book about the next Series, following this 6 book series. Well written Sir and thank you for the ultimate ride.
2020 Book Nerd Your Way Challenge.... #28 Did not fit an available category for the EBN Challenge.
Book #4 of The Lost Books series. This was cute and heartwrenching at the same time. Two find themselves in "the past" (or our futute) in 2023 Las Vegas! The way the author describes what they see and how they interpet it is amazing. I loved it.
So many truths in this on the edge of your seat novel! I loved the description when Johnis and Silvie first entered Las Vegas, describing the gas station as a feeding station with troughs! I've been on this wonderful journey alongside these wonderful characters, finding truth in the histories! Following your heart is the only way to find truth!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
After two chapters of car description I could not get into this one. I felt disappointed - it was very disjointed and I was left feeling lost and confused. Questioning if I should finish the last two and read the the companion series to this. I’m bummed because I wanted this one to be even better than the last.
The beginning of the book felt difficult to read because they were not smart in our world It felt like they were children so it was hard to remember all they had been through before. I also would’ve loved a bit more on Darsal and understand what happened there. It felt too rushed to find out she was Miranda and then the Dark One all in the same chapter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
As with the other three, I like it, but it's kind of average. I will say this is my favorite so far though! It was a page turner, so I gave it a four. Really weird, Mr. Dekker has a great imagination! I like his stuff!
These books are for children, so I completely understand the repetitive pattern in each installment- it's just gotten too painstakingly of a challenge to force myself to enjoy the stories. I really enjoyed the start, but in afraid I'll have to DNF the series here.
This has been my favorite so far. It was a nice change of pace as I’ve felt the first two were very similar and the third one lead into such promise for the fourth. Which I enjoyed at lot more. For the first time in this series I’m excited to see what the next book has in store.
Absolutely hated the first half of this book. It got better, but still rounded out at 3 stars. For me, not great. The book also had enough of an ending that I’m not feeling compelled to continue reading.
This is now at least the second time I’m reading through this series. Each book is short and can be finished in several hours. Very creative and inventive. It’s like reading a modern day Narnia series. Very entertaining and enjoyable!