Why Save Alexander

by Phillip Telfer

Can a hardcore gamer survive a real-world crisis? Seventeen-year-old Alex Brooks is obsessed with becoming an e-athlete. What teen wouldn’t want to make a million dollars playing video games professionally? Especially if you’ve got a real shot at it like Alex. His mom, a television producer in Hollywood, casts her son in a reality show about young gaming hopefuls seeking fame and fortune. This gives him great exposure in the industry. On top of that, His dad owns an up-and-coming tech business that is about to launch a revolutionary product. Life couldn’t be better--or could it? Truth be told, Alex doesn’t need to go pro as bad as he needs to grow up, and what teen really wants to do that? He’s popular with other gamers but his over-inflated ego makes him obnoxious to almost everyone else. He hides a deep secret--the cavernous void in his life that nothing seems to fill. He thrives on a false sense of accomplishment but is haunted by an inescapable sense of loneliness. He has lived in the shadow of his dad’s relentless pursuit of building a tech empire while watching him fail to keep his family from falling apart. What will it take for Alex to gain a new perspective on what it means to become a man and what it takes to be a hero? Everything changes when Alex goes missing. He must face a life or death struggle in a foreign culture that doesn’t have a power grid. Man or computer mouse? His digital world didn’t prepare him for the challenges that are about to confront him. Alex is not ready to rescue anyone, he needs to be rescued. For those who really know Alexander, why would anyone want to save him? This coming-of-age story follows Alex as he is forced to grow up the hard way through extraordinary circumstances, which cause him to re-evaluate what’s important in life, his need for God, and the positive influence of older mentors. Adventure, danger, romance, survival, despair and Providence are the ingredients that help remake his life.

308 pages, Paperback

Published December 17, 2019

Reviews

[♡Haphazardly-E♡ (Elm's Version)]

Finally finished this book. It wasn't horrible, but i feel like it definitely needed to go through a few more drafts. You can tell the author normally does nonfiction Bible studies. I mostly skimmed this book out of boredom, i felt as though this book was trying to hard to be "realistic" that it lost all reality and just became boring 😴 honestly i felt like Alex had almost no struggles the entire book and wasn't even really a main character.

I get that the book was supposed to spread out over a year, but honestly, the story felt like it was either too slow or too fast.

I can see this book becoming a great story if the author spent more time learning this genre, in fact, what genre was this even supposed to be in? This book just leaves you with way more questions, but you honestly dont feel like trying to find the answers cuz you just wanted to be done with the story.

This book is one of the main reasons why i think Christian Fiction gets such a bad name.

[Meraki.reading]

I now get why the ratings on this book are so low. In the end they explain a little bit about the author and his believes and i think thats also the only reason why this book was written. It starts of as this kid named alex going to another country for his life show about gaming and going to a certain event with his 'friends/ teen co-workers' by plain. But alex got better seats thanks to his lawyer dad. Before they board he gets into an argument with his mom on the phone and breaks it out of frustration. He decides to call his dad for a new phone by calling with a friend's phone, and they agree to get him one as he lands. On the plain he meets an older lady and she talks to him about religion even tho he doesn't really belive in God and she decides to give him a small Bible.

*deep breath*

As they land a guy is waiting for alex by singing Alex's name on something (forgot what it's called)
And Alex follows him. Not even trying to figure out who he is first.

He gets kidnapped by some people who want to have this new secret technology Alex's dad is creating so they plan to take alex to this island for arround 2 weeks. Arriving there the bad guys get shot and alex get captured...

It doesn't seem Alex was bothered by either captures except for a time where he screamed and from time to time mentioning him wanting to go home...
He learns the language, falls in love gets pets and starts believing there is a god, because apperantly if you have a headache and you ask God to relief the pain it. Just. Happens...

Maybe this is me being sceptical cause im not a believer of God but this book just made me cringe so many times.. His friends didn't care he was even missing, 'yeh miss we don't know where he is but we're tired so we'll let other people look for him'

I mean what???? Also the whole beginning was just in there to be in there,, it has no relevance to the story except having a reason why he was traveling. Just as ANY of the bad people have relevance other than transporting him to the island and giving the police some kind of indication as to where he could be. Also hardcore gamer??? I think not, i bet they can't even fill 2 pages of them taking about games. And there is no, and i mean none whatsoever indication that Alex has to fight between life or death.. Whoever wrote this little summary is way too misleading.

Do. Not. Recommend. Unless you are a believer and are interested in some Bible parts.

[Molly]

If you’re into Hallmark movies, then you will like this book. I guess I am a slightly cynical person and prefer real world scenarios and endings. This book was too much like a perfect story. However I know that’s what we all wish for in real life 😂

[Nathan Hamilton]

"Why Save Alexander" is an excellent example of literature that is thrilling, intriguing, and engaging of the short attention spans of today's young adults. All while bringing glory to Christ.

I have to confess with pride, that the author is a friend of mine. While in the middle of writing this book, Phillip read some of the story and I was immediately captivated. I couldn't wait until the book was printed. Now that it is and I have read it, I can't wait to see how God leads Phillip next. I couldn't recommend this book enough. It's perfect for middle schoolers, teens and young adults alike!

[Addison S]

This book was awesome!! It tells the story of a hardcore gamer wannabe who is on his way to South Korea to witness a gaming competition. He is spoiled, rotten and whiny and even his friends think he’s pathetic. Everything changed when he is kidnapped and held for ransom. Will this spoiled California kid survive the wild? I would def recommend this book. I would categorize it as Christian/survival/adventure. Read this👍📖

[Hope]

I throughly enjoyed it! The writing was a bit weird (think middle school cheesy) at times so I had to dock a star. I honestly went into reading this with low expectations but, to my surprise, I was soon drawn into the story and character development. In my opinion the pace was perfect and the details not to overdone. I’d love to read a sequel because I feel like things weren’t tied up well enough for the story to be completely over.

[Aaron Zook]

Intriguing and Masterful Story!

Phillip Telfer provides an amazing storyline with unforseen twists and turns that made me want more. His acumen in weaving a tale of spiritual and emotional growth in a teen was superb. I highly recommend this novel!