The Messengers: Concealed

by Lisa M. Clark

Book two in The Messengers series! Less than a year ago, Simon discovered an underground group called the Messengers, and he set out to bring the truth they uncovered to light. The government of New Morgan, however, calls this rogue organization the Darkness and is determined to conceal, even eliminate, everything the Messengers know, whatever it takes. Coping with consequences and clouded with conflict, Simon tries to navigate the perilous city of Westbend and his new life as an outcast. The Messengers-who formerly only existed in the shadows of Simon's life-have become his family. And it's a good thing, because Simon's life is about to get more difficult than he ever imagined, and there is no way he will be able to make it through alone.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Young Adult, Dystopia

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2017

About the author

Lisa M. Clark spends her days reading and writing about God’s love for all people. She is an editor and writer for Concordia Publishing House, and she loves the opportunity to work on resources that share the saving message of Jesus Christ. A St. Louis native, she has an undying love for the Cardinals and Ted Drewes custard.

As a writer, Lisa takes joy in exploring a variety of genres, writing or contributing to the following:

Children:
Happy Times
Jesus Heals the Man at the Pool
The Songs of Christmas
My Devotions

Devotionals:
Blessings & Prayers for Parents
Portals of Prayer

Fiction:
The Messengers: Discovered
The Messengers: Concealed

Music and Worship:
“Brought to the Water”
Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, hymn texts
Sing & Wonder: Songs and Activities based on the Apostles’ Creed
"The Blood of Jesus"
“The Son of God Has Conquered Night”
"When the Darkness Claims the Moon"
"Why Do You Peer Into the Skies?"
"As Stone on Living Stone Is Set"
Joy to the World: A Children’s Christmas Service
To Us a Child Is Born: A Children’s Christmas Service
From Heaven Above: A Children’s Christmas Service



You can also find many of her blog posts on cph.org/blog and education.cph.org.

Reviews

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Concealed, Clark gives us the safety of a well-told story in which to explore our own vows to suffer all rather than fall away from the faith. As we dodge, crawl, question, ache, sing, and pray alongside the fictional Messengers their words and actions point us to the source of comfort and safety than transcends the borders of New Morgan - a Savior who has joined himself to our real, broken world - Jesus Christ.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anticipation abounds as we join Simon and the Messengers on their next missions. As the ever-present government dangers lurk closer, how far will they go and how much will they risk to spread the Message? Clark’s second installment in the Messenger series continues drawing deep, eloquent connections between the historic Christian church and the modern life of believers. Encouraged and resolved in their own faith, readers ponder: What is there to lose? What is there to gain? YA and adult readers alike will delight in the risks and suspense as Simon twists and turns through both alleys and the maze of his own teenage years. An excellent continuation of a series that should be on everyone’s shelf!

[Heidi Goehmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second installment in the Messengers did not disappoint. I can feel Clark's authentic connection to the characters and writing confidence in this one! I appreciate the stark look that did not shy away from the darker stuff of life, while still shining undaunting hope throughout. I was rooting out loud for Simon, crying while reading in public, and praying for the Light to shine brighter in every dark place in our world. A really good read!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book of The Messengers is great! You will shed a few tears as you mourn with the characters. You will be on the edge of your seat as you read the action-packed events that unfold. If you haven't read the first book, do it now because you won't want to miss this one! Don't be afraid to take a risk when sharing the Truth.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I don't usually care for sequels, but this one kept me almost as riveted as the first one. I'm afraid to say too much, I don't want to spoil the fun in reading it for the first time.

My favorite quote: "People are not the enemy, they are the prize."

[Kaitlyn Krispense · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY COW.
I laughed, I felt like my heart was breaking, I cheered for all the peoples, and I NEED BOOK 3

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

You may remember that I read the first book, The Messengers: Discovered, last year, and that I really loved it. I was asked to read and review the sequel, Concealed, and I have to say... I think I loved this one even more!

The book builds on the plot and world that was introduced in Discovered, and took the message of Christ even further. It was fascinating trying to connect the dots of the plot, from the narration in the Past (I was pretty sure who the narrator was the second or third time it popped up, and I was so excited when I realized I was correct), to the different POVs in the present.

And while there was a bit of foreshadowing that I caught, I was still surprised by the twists and turns that the story took. I laughed a few times, and I cried a couple of times. I found myself smiling as each familiar character popped up and grew and became real to me once again. Not only was the plot captivating, but I found myself wanting to look up the Bible verses mentioned to read their contexts and re-familiarize myself with the scriptures. Questions were answered, but new questions emerged.

In conclusion, the Messengers: Concealed is a very strong middle book, with it's own plot that isn't just a connector between two different books, but it still has threads of the overarcing plot. The characters were drawn well, with great development while still being true to their personalities. The scripture and faith discussions were honest and applicable to real life. It was an adventure, from start to finish. I can't wait for the next one.

[Sarah Weider · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second of The Messengers trilogy, Concealed is a deeper look into the world of Simon and the City. From beginning to end, the story twists and turns in an adventure which weaves suspense, drama, and, yes, even heartbreak. Simon and his father are back as the main characters, but we also learn more about many of the inhabitants of the City, as well as meet new believers from New Morgan.

While the plot is compelling on the surface, it is the continuing themes of struggling with faith amid persecution and granting forgiveness in utter betrayal that constitute the real stories here. Concealed, like Discovered, is not your average teenage drama! This is a story that won't disappoint if you are looking for smart but accessible young adult fiction. Not content to stay on the surface, Clark offers a much broader look into the lives of young people, and she does them a service by taking this deeper than the first book, Discovered.

As a mom of young people, it is a gift to offer my children young adult Christian fiction! As a homeschool parent, it is a blessing to be able to share books which offer virtue and truth. The Messengers: Concealed also offers my children a glimpse into a world so very different from their own. If we believe that literature is an opportunity to experience situations and emotions which we are unable to experience in our circumstance, this is worth our time. It is an excellent opportunity for young people to glimpse persecution and suffering for faith in Jesus Christ. There is much to consider throughout the book, including the very captivating questions, "What is there to lose?" and "How are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard?"

[Michele S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Messengers is another great read! It didn't take long to reconnect with Simon. It was great to see the characters grow during the dark times they faced. The plot twists and turns sometimes took me by surprise which had me smiling and crying throughout. The message of forgiveness permeates throughout the book in a real-life way -- no shying away from how hard it can be. My only complaint is that the book ends! Already thinking about what could happen next.

[Adrienne Rasmussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“How does she do it,” kept rolling through my mind while reading The Messengers: Concealed, author Lisa M. Clark’s second book in The Messengers Series from Concordia Publishing House. Lisa’s gift for writing an engaging work of fiction and applying the Christian faith throughout the story is absolutely genius. As Lutherans we ask, “What does this mean?” Lisa beautifully articulates the application of the faith in times of persecution, trial, moments of despair, uncertainty, and also in moments where the characters rejoice. While written for a youth audience, I would encourage anyone in middle school, through adulthood to read this book. It’s an exemplary work of Christian fiction to help us understand how Christ works in our lives. “People aren’t the enemy, Simon. They’re the prize.” Thank you, Lisa, for yet another church treasure helping us to understand and share the love of Christ.

[Sarah Baughman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon’s life has changed forever, after coming to know the Message worth dying for. In Concealed, the reality of sin in the world—the brokenness, the pain, the heartache and heartbreak—is explored and shown to be terrible adversaries. But the Truth revealed in God’s Word is also a powerful ally and stronger than the adversity the Messengers face.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simon's story is one that many people live, in one way or the other, and that's what makes it so intriguing.

[Rick Stuckwisch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really a great series, and I am anxious for the third book to be published, hopefully this coming year. I'm absolutely impressed by the way that Lisa Clark has managed to weave the Word of the Lord and the confession of the Christian faith so naturally into the flow of a well crafted story. It's all quite good, a gripping story line, compelling characters, and a frighteningly realistic scenario. Well done!

[Mary Moerbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another good read from Lisa M. Clark. After enjoying the first one, it took a little while to get back into the mindset crafted by the first one, but after a little review we were off and running. :) It is, of course, the problem with reading books as volumes are released instead of binging. When will I learn? To fight that problem I read the last two back to back!

It was good and necessary to explore the results of spreading the Word. I enjoyed how that was handled, although as an adult I'm hesitant to believe the Holy Spirit would be suppressed so easily whether by culture or tyranny. Or that the adult community would remain so . . . silent. I mean, why no secret printing press? Those have happened before.

Still, I read through this book in a day and ended anxious to read the next, which I happily did. That day. Without delay. Yay for having the trilogy completed!

The Messengers: Concealed continues The Messengers' reputation as a good introduction to both dystopian literature and some major concepts, both theological and practical, for young Christians.

Thank you, Lisa, for your work! I look forward to letting my kids read these!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa's second book in The Messengers series ups the ante for Simon and his friends and asks some important, life-changing questions: How do you balance honesty and safety? When does what you have to gain trump what you have to lose? How do you forgive the unforgivable? What does it mean to be a Christ-follower in a world that denies Him? This latest installment in Lisa's gripping YA series challenges youth to examine their faith--really examine it, and to answer these hard-hitting questions for themselves. A must-read for youth and adults alike, who enjoy a suspenseful story coupled with a thought-provoking message!

[Becky Filipek · Rating 3 out of 5]

This installment of The Messengers took a while for me to get into. The Message itself, of course, is good, but it really took until the action at the end to somewhat hook me into the story.

Lisa Clark made good use of foreshadowing. I knew something was coming, but I could not quite tell who and what it was going to be. Maybe I've read too many books lately, and that's why I am giving Concealed a lower rating, though I did like it, but it just didn't hook me as much as Discovered. I do look forward to Revealed to see what will happen next for The Messengers.

[Sharla Fritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concealed continues the story of Simon and his friends as they try to spread the good news of God's Word in a dark dystopian world that has tried to banish. it. Simon encounters many trials and great sadness along the way, but he has determined to let nothing keep him from his mission. The book made me think of how I would react if I did not have access to God's Word! Too often, I take this treasure for granted.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved The Messengers: Concealed. It had twists and turns I never saw coming which left me wanting to go back and reread Discovered to see if there were any clues that I missed. I love when that happens! I was drawn in from the start and enjoyed the fast pace leaving me unable to put the book down. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the second in a series by Lisa M. Clark. It is better than the first. There were times I was frustrated with Simon for being such a teenager (he is one) and times when I cried for him. I was encouraged by the words of his mentors and comforted by the kindness shown to him in his times of grief. This is such a good book, and I can't wait until the next book comes out.

[R.M. Lutz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really, really want to love this series. Confessional Lutherans proclaiming law and gospel in authoritarian society? Yes, please! Unfortunately, there are just a few too many plot holes and incongruencies for me to absolutely adore it. That being said, this was an improvement over the first book and I very much look forward to reading the third installment.

[Michael Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concealed did not disappoint me. I'm waiting with eager anticipation to read about Simon's next adventures of bringing the light into the darkness. What a great novel to show what's at stake in spreading the light!

[Richard Bicknase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great in all of the ways that matter. I initially found the little description the books give of the history and such of the countries in and around where the books take place overly vague and rushed, but I'm able to ignore that now in favor of everything the books do exceedingly well.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling page-turner; this second book in Clark's series continues the story of Simon as he learns who he is and what his role is among the Messengers in the dystopic world of New Morgan.

[Noah Pagel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great second book in the series. Liked it as much as the first.