The Disciples

by Céleste Perrino-Walker

Stabbed and left for dead, Lilliana Vargas receives aid from the most unlikely source and is thrust unwillingly into the secret, underground domain of her rescuers, a group of Christians who call themselves the Disciples. She manages to shake her “keepers” long enough to get herself into an even worse situation. Saved once again by Someone whose existence she’d rather not even acknowledge, Lily is forced to face her life as it is and as it could be.

With the world crashing down around their ears, will she stay, or will she go back to the streets and try to navigate the coming crisis in which escape is not an option?

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 11, 2015

About the author

I’m drawing a line in the sand. It’s time to leave behind old, boring ideas of what Christianity is all about. It’s not sweet. It’s not prissy. And it’s certainly not boring. God is a relevant power in our lives, and yes, living His way can get messy. It can even get dangerous . . . to our pride, our arrogance, and our preconceived notions. But wouldn’t you rather live an exciting life connected to the source of all power in the universe than skulk in the shadows wondering how and why your life makes a difference?

In my writing, I try to demonstrate what that kind of dynamic Christian life looks like. My books are meant to be more than entertaining. They are meant to be life-changing. So if you want to come along, hold on. It’s going to be a wild ride.

Reviews

[Glen Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in a series, The Disciples is very well written. I loved The Shaking, the first book in the series, mainly because it tells the story of a reformed lesbian who struggles with acceptance by fellow Christians. It’s a story that you hardly, if ever, hear. It’s a unique story with strong characters, plot twists and turns that will keep you guessing, and a satisfying ending. It also serves to set up a world that is rapidly coming to a close, and the challenges that lie before committed Christians at that time. The sequel, Disciples is the story of a drug addict who is rescued by Christians during this dangerous time, and despite much resistance, ends up joining them. It also has strong characters and a fascinating storyline. I especially like the relationship between Lily and an eccentric, loveable former professor who is now an underground Christian, but being a professor, that’s probably to be expected.

The Disciples, in my mind, could be seen as two books. The first part tells of Lily’s rescue and how she develops a relationship with the group of underground Christians. The second develops into a series of the events that transpire as earth’s history wraps up and Jesus returns once again. The only hiccup I had with the second part of the book was that there were no major surprises for me. On the other hand, if your book is going to end with the Second Coming, there probably aren’t a lot of surprises that you can offer.

And I’m probably being unfair here. The book kept my attention–I read it in two sittings–and was well told. It is entertaining while offering a strong spiritual message. It’s one of those books that sticks with you after you put it down, and makes you take another look at your own spiritual walk. If you like Christian fiction that is more than just a story with Christian tagged on after the fact, then this is the book for you.

[Jodi Woody · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given a copy of "The Disciples" in exchange for an honest review. I didn't like this one as much as the first. It is still a great story of how God loves us and about getting past our past. Forgiveness is a main theme. I can clearly see the author's affinity with the Seventh Day Adventists. I pretty much figured it out in the first one when she talked about the "Sabbath" but congratulated her on keeping it neutral so as not to take away from her message of forgiveness. This one however ends up pretty much saying that anyone who goes to church on Sunday is part of the end times false church. I didn't like that part. There is a few other doctrinal issues I have with the story, some of the timeline and the return of Jesus. However, still a great story of forgiveness. Talk of drug use, and some violence, not graphic. No sexual content or swearing. I think it is appropriate for teens and up. I give it three stars, I liked it.

[Della Loredo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sequel to The Shaking -- this book follows Lily, Brooke's ex-partner (the protagonist from The Shaking).This book wasn't quite as much of a page-turner as the first one (a pacing problem IMO; some areas in the first half seemed to drag, whereas the ending reads a bit too quickly). Still, it's an excellent book overall. This protagonist's story is quite different from Brooke's; her tragic past has propelled her into drugs, prostitution, and violence. As she herself says, if anyone should be exempted from God's grace, it's her. But God not only loves her, He pursues her.

This story will encourage you to look at every drug addict, homeless person, and outcast in a different light. Given the opportunity, God is able to transform each one into a new creation.

[Faith Laughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

couldn't put it down

Gripping story.
I like the ending very much. Reminds me of the end of the book, Revelation.
I'm going to recommend it to my family and my students.