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Nine
Zoe Johnson spent most of her life living in the shadows, never drawing attention to herself, never investing in people or places. But when a wide-eyed, bedraggled teenager with no memory walks into the diner where Zoe works, everything changes. Now, against her better judgment, Zoe, who has been trying to outrun her own painful memories of the past, finds herself attempting to help a girl who doesn't seem to have any past at all. The girl knows only one thing: she must reach a woman in Corpus Christi, Texas, hundreds of miles away, before the government agents who are searching for her catch up to them.
Award-winning author Rachelle Dekker throws you into the middle of the action and keeps the pressure on in this page-turning story that, asks Are we who the world says we are--or can we change our story and be something more?
Award-winning author Rachelle Dekker throws you into the middle of the action and keeps the pressure on in this page-turning story that, asks Are we who the world says we are--or can we change our story and be something more?
352 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2020
144 people are currently reading
4552 people want to read
About the author
Rachelle Dekker
21 books943 followersThe oldest daughter of "New York Times" bestselling author Ted Dekker, Rachelle Dekker was inspired early on to discover truth through storytelling. She graduated with a degree in communications and spent several years in marketing and corporate recruiting before making the transition to write full time. She lives in Nashville with her husband, Daniel, and their diva cat Blair. Visit her online at www.rachelledekker.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
November 16, 2020
I read this in a day. I had no plans to do so, but once I got into this I couldn't stop. This book was amazing. A girl who was a government experiment running away and a women desperate to help her and a FBI agent wanted to capture the girl and pretends to be their friends. I just loved every character in this book. Each one you feel emotionally attached to right away and wanting to know what will happens to each one of them. The book makes you want to love and hate each character when you should. The twist and turns makes you want to know what will happen next and each turn will have you gripping on the edge of you seat because you will not know what will happen next! The ending is amazing. You did not see the end coming. They left the ending wanting more. I hope they will be another book explaining what will happens to each of the characters. I never read Rachelle Dekker before and now I want to read more of her books. This book will be on the top of my favorite thriller book of 2020. I highly recommend this book, but be ready you won't be able to put this book down!!
April 30, 2021
Rachelle Dekker has crafted a compelling thriller that (thankfully) lacks many of the weird supernatural elements usually associated with the Dekker name/brand. I would say that the more fantastical elements found in Nine are more along the lines of the simulations in Divergent, instead of something from the demonic realm. So I appreciated that.
The character of Seeley was well-done. I can't say a lot more without giving away spoilers, but if you like dark, conflicted, 'yearning for the light, yet entrenched in the darkness' characters, you'll probably love Seeley. Lucy was also an interesting character, with the pull between her human side and her 'trained weapon' side. I didn't like Zoe so much, mainly for two reasons. 1) I found her absolute devotion to Lucy a tad unbelievable. 2) She's twenty-four, but seems much older. Couldn't relate. :P
I didn't know that Nine was connected to one of Rachelle Dekker's previous books, The Girl Behind the Red Rope (with Ted Dekker). Again, I won't say much more for the sake of spoilers, but that connection was interesting. However, just so you're aware, I wouldn't say Nine is a straight-up sequel to Girl (so you could probably read the one without reading the other).
The plot itself was tense and twisty. Nine is definitely a win for fans of thrillers!
(I do have a moral issue with the ending though. )
I received a copy of this book courtesy of Revell, through Interviews & Reviews, for my honest opinion.
The character of Seeley was well-done. I can't say a lot more without giving away spoilers, but if you like dark, conflicted, 'yearning for the light, yet entrenched in the darkness' characters, you'll probably love Seeley. Lucy was also an interesting character, with the pull between her human side and her 'trained weapon' side. I didn't like Zoe so much, mainly for two reasons. 1) I found her absolute devotion to Lucy a tad unbelievable. 2) She's twenty-four, but seems much older. Couldn't relate. :P
I didn't know that Nine was connected to one of Rachelle Dekker's previous books, The Girl Behind the Red Rope (with Ted Dekker). Again, I won't say much more for the sake of spoilers, but that connection was interesting. However, just so you're aware, I wouldn't say Nine is a straight-up sequel to Girl (so you could probably read the one without reading the other).
The plot itself was tense and twisty. Nine is definitely a win for fans of thrillers!
(I do have a moral issue with the ending though. )
I received a copy of this book courtesy of Revell, through Interviews & Reviews, for my honest opinion.
September 20, 2020
I felt like this book had an identity crisis. Not sure entirely what it was, or was trying to be. It was a good read overall, but I feel like parts of it I've seen or heard before. Other than it being published by a Christian publishing house, the reader would never know this fact. Is this book a stand-alone, or was there a book before, and/or coming after. Still not sure on that one...
The characters were good. I liked the overall story. From a worldview, I liked this quote:
"Lucy may have been built and programmed by the government, but wasn't Zoe programmed by the world around her? The stories she'd grown up with, the rules she's been taught. By that same logic, wasn't everyone just a product of their own personal programming?"
From a worldview only, YES, we get to choose and decide how we move forward. But, God....
There were a few minor plot holes that stood out to me, but otherwise a solid story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books/Baker Publishing Group and was under no obligation to post a review.
The characters were good. I liked the overall story. From a worldview, I liked this quote:
"Lucy may have been built and programmed by the government, but wasn't Zoe programmed by the world around her? The stories she'd grown up with, the rules she's been taught. By that same logic, wasn't everyone just a product of their own personal programming?"
From a worldview only, YES, we get to choose and decide how we move forward. But, God....
There were a few minor plot holes that stood out to me, but otherwise a solid story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books/Baker Publishing Group and was under no obligation to post a review.
March 2, 2021
2⭐️
The story seemed decent enough, but for some reason I couldn’t get into it and when I thought of picking it back up to continue, I just felt annoyed, so finally decide to DNF at page 210
The story seemed decent enough, but for some reason I couldn’t get into it and when I thought of picking it back up to continue, I just felt annoyed, so finally decide to DNF at page 210
September 17, 2020
By reading the blurb, I was expecting something completely different from the story that was delivered in Dekker's Nine. Told in multiple narratives (third person and first person alternating, which is one of the first books I've ever read like that), it alternates between the perspective of Zoe, a waitress just trying to live a normal life, and Lucy, the person who throws a wrench in Zoe's plans. The storyline is fresh and unique, and the themes of growing despite your past, and despite what other people had planned for you, were great and well-rounded. While readers are scrambling to learn about the mystery girl that shows up at Zoe's diner one night, they're also busy trying to decode Zoe's past too, which is slowly revealed throughout the story. Zoe and Lucy share many, many similarities given their past and involvement in scientific trials, but at the same time, they're radically different -- and that's what makes this story so compelling. I must admit that the main male character in this novel was not my most favorite character in the universe, but he made some pretty interesting decisions by the end of the novel as well. McCoy, on the other hand, deserved so much more and I still want to cry about him...if you read Nine, you'll see why. Overall, while this book had its flaws, I still enjoyed it. It's the kind of book that you have to sit and think about for awhile after the fact, and I'm starting to like it more the longer I think about it. So if you're in the mood for a heavy fall read, this is it.
I must admit that I struggled back and forth between what star rating I wanted to give this one -- from an action-scene standpoint, I'd give it maybe 3 stars, but the story itself was so gripping that I thought about 5 stars...so we'll average it out as a 4.
I must admit that I struggled back and forth between what star rating I wanted to give this one -- from an action-scene standpoint, I'd give it maybe 3 stars, but the story itself was so gripping that I thought about 5 stars...so we'll average it out as a 4.
September 23, 2020
“I am not looking to escape my darkness. I am learning to love myself there.”
Dekker took thriller, mystery, suspense and sci-fi and wrapped it up in this neat little book of action that I had a hard time putting down. When the universe places a lost girl with no memory in Zoe’s life a fight for survival ensues.
This is another novel that I highly recommend readers go into blind. The less you know the more exciting the ride will be and the revelations will be more climatic. The characters are easy to enjoy and I loved Zoe’s protective nature that shines despite her past. What I found intriguing was the ability of Dekker to take this suspenseful read and weave in the message that you are not bound by your past. The past does not define who you are and your limits are only what you allow to limit you.
My one drawback was the desire to know more about Zoe’s past experiences. Even though I know this was focused on the amnesic child the hints of Zoe’s cult-like childhood intrigued me. There isn’t a lot on it though in comparison to the main plot.
This was a fast paced and highly addictive read for me. The violence is graphic and there are incidents of torture. My favorite aspect was the science fiction element that blended throughout. I could see this as a series on Netflix or a movie. No spoilers though so I won’t tell you which movie this reminds me of most.
Thank you Revell Books for the opportunity to read this novel for an honest and unbiased opinion. All thoughts are solely my own.
Dekker took thriller, mystery, suspense and sci-fi and wrapped it up in this neat little book of action that I had a hard time putting down. When the universe places a lost girl with no memory in Zoe’s life a fight for survival ensues.
This is another novel that I highly recommend readers go into blind. The less you know the more exciting the ride will be and the revelations will be more climatic. The characters are easy to enjoy and I loved Zoe’s protective nature that shines despite her past. What I found intriguing was the ability of Dekker to take this suspenseful read and weave in the message that you are not bound by your past. The past does not define who you are and your limits are only what you allow to limit you.
My one drawback was the desire to know more about Zoe’s past experiences. Even though I know this was focused on the amnesic child the hints of Zoe’s cult-like childhood intrigued me. There isn’t a lot on it though in comparison to the main plot.
This was a fast paced and highly addictive read for me. The violence is graphic and there are incidents of torture. My favorite aspect was the science fiction element that blended throughout. I could see this as a series on Netflix or a movie. No spoilers though so I won’t tell you which movie this reminds me of most.
Thank you Revell Books for the opportunity to read this novel for an honest and unbiased opinion. All thoughts are solely my own.
November 19, 2020
An impossible to pigeonhole thriller. Is it speculative? Maybe a bit. Or Dystopian? Kinda but not quite. Suspense? Definitely! Action-packed? In spades! However you want to classify Nine, it's definitely a page-turner.
Equal parts creepy and intriguing and baffling and head-spinning-wait-what-just-happened?! I was enthralled and compelled -- even through the gnarly bits and reader beware: there is a significant amount of violence, including torture scenes. I found some of it really disturbing so if you are sensitive to that kind of content this might not be the right book-match for you.
The three unique points of view really fleshed out the tale and brought a sharper edge to the storytelling. I had issues with one protagonist -- he plays a pivotal role and has a complicated backstory that feeds his motivation but -- wowzers...just no. I was on tenterhooks the entire read because of that one character!
There's a light connection to The Girl Behind the Red Rope though there isn't any indication this is part of a series. There's sure to be a sequel at least, because the conclusion is somewhat open-ended. There's enough closure so that a reader can heave a sigh of relief and let her heart rate simmer down but Zoe and Lucy's journey is far from over and I'm anxious to see how it all plays out.
The one thing I found disappointing was the lack of a faith thread -- definitely a clean read, though with quite a bit of violence. It touches on forgiveness at the end but that isn't fully developed enough for me to consider it a Christian Fiction read. Anticipating a sequel, I'm wondering if this book has laid the groundwork for some inspirational aspects to come? I'm eager to find out because Dekker has me hooked despite my misgivings on the amount of violence in this book.
Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.
Equal parts creepy and intriguing and baffling and head-spinning-wait-what-just-happened?! I was enthralled and compelled -- even through the gnarly bits and reader beware: there is a significant amount of violence, including torture scenes. I found some of it really disturbing so if you are sensitive to that kind of content this might not be the right book-match for you.
The three unique points of view really fleshed out the tale and brought a sharper edge to the storytelling. I had issues with one protagonist -- he plays a pivotal role and has a complicated backstory that feeds his motivation but -- wowzers...just no. I was on tenterhooks the entire read because of that one character!
There's a light connection to The Girl Behind the Red Rope though there isn't any indication this is part of a series. There's sure to be a sequel at least, because the conclusion is somewhat open-ended. There's enough closure so that a reader can heave a sigh of relief and let her heart rate simmer down but Zoe and Lucy's journey is far from over and I'm anxious to see how it all plays out.
The one thing I found disappointing was the lack of a faith thread -- definitely a clean read, though with quite a bit of violence. It touches on forgiveness at the end but that isn't fully developed enough for me to consider it a Christian Fiction read. Anticipating a sequel, I'm wondering if this book has laid the groundwork for some inspirational aspects to come? I'm eager to find out because Dekker has me hooked despite my misgivings on the amount of violence in this book.
Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.
November 2, 2020
Thank you Revell for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Nine
By: Rachelle Dekker
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆
Rachelle Dekker's Nine is a thriller of the sci-fi/paranormal/dystopian variety. Because of scenes of violence and torture, I would not classify this book as young adult. And, please note the potential triggers before reading.
"Stupid girl, who says you get to be free?"
Freedom. To choose your path. To be more than your past. To let it go. Freedom, on the flip side. To let the past dictate the future. To repeat the cycle of failure. To hold on to the past. The question of choice is important to this story. Each of the three main characters have painful traumatic histories. As they move through the events of the story, past experiences are revealed in bits and pieces, and the damage to their present selves becomes clear. Thus, the questions are presented. Are human beings irrevocably chained to the past, or are human beings free to choose freedom from the past? Are you the sum of your experiences with no control over your life? Is it possible to really change and break free? Through a thrilling, fast paced, dark world, readers see the characters struggle to survive and accept their circumstances.
"Did people get a say in their experiences, or were they just products of what they were born into, taught to be a certain way, and powerless to change?"
The plot requires a suspension of disbelief, but that is easy enough once you become captive to the story. From the first page, it is riveting and shocking. The action might slow down, but it never stops. Because each character is so well developed and distinct, you will become attached to them, needing to know what happens next. This book is a Christian novel, and the presence of God is lightly defined, rather than overwhelmingly present, and I personally prefer stories written this way. Because of the science fiction aspect, this book is not for everyone. The ideas are "out there", creating a fascinating, thought provoking and deceptively simple story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Nine, and I recommend for anyone with an interest in paranormal/dystopian themes.
Nine
By: Rachelle Dekker
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆
Rachelle Dekker's Nine is a thriller of the sci-fi/paranormal/dystopian variety. Because of scenes of violence and torture, I would not classify this book as young adult. And, please note the potential triggers before reading.
"Stupid girl, who says you get to be free?"
Freedom. To choose your path. To be more than your past. To let it go. Freedom, on the flip side. To let the past dictate the future. To repeat the cycle of failure. To hold on to the past. The question of choice is important to this story. Each of the three main characters have painful traumatic histories. As they move through the events of the story, past experiences are revealed in bits and pieces, and the damage to their present selves becomes clear. Thus, the questions are presented. Are human beings irrevocably chained to the past, or are human beings free to choose freedom from the past? Are you the sum of your experiences with no control over your life? Is it possible to really change and break free? Through a thrilling, fast paced, dark world, readers see the characters struggle to survive and accept their circumstances.
"Did people get a say in their experiences, or were they just products of what they were born into, taught to be a certain way, and powerless to change?"
The plot requires a suspension of disbelief, but that is easy enough once you become captive to the story. From the first page, it is riveting and shocking. The action might slow down, but it never stops. Because each character is so well developed and distinct, you will become attached to them, needing to know what happens next. This book is a Christian novel, and the presence of God is lightly defined, rather than overwhelmingly present, and I personally prefer stories written this way. Because of the science fiction aspect, this book is not for everyone. The ideas are "out there", creating a fascinating, thought provoking and deceptively simple story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Nine, and I recommend for anyone with an interest in paranormal/dystopian themes.
September 26, 2020
Nine was such a unique story. We start with a flashback. A loving relationship between two characters. A sense of absolute reliance... and a bit of wonder. Such an awesome way to start a book. Then we get introduced to Zoe Johnson ( I still don't know how to pronounce that. I don't read it Zoey.)
The redemption arc of Zoe, and the discovery of the who and what Lucy were intriguing. And the reason behind the name of the book I ALWAYS LOVE DISCOVERING THE REASON BEHIND NAMES!
Lucy's conflict towards the latter half of the book was SO COOL. I loved seeing her fight between her "programming" and her sense of Lucy. And the difference of her coming out of the shadows and becoming.... herself. Neither Lucy nor *spoilers*.
And additionally the character Seeley. Guys I did a full instagram play by play as I read through this book (you can follow my bookstagram @ofsunflowersandbooks) My emotions for this character were so torn and for the sake of avoiding spoilers, I'll just say read the book.
Now for a content warning. This is a Revell book, so it's mostly clean, morally acceptable. However, there are several semi-detailed "torture" scenes that may be disturbing to certain readers. Lucy is... a killer, to keep things simple. Seeley is nothing less than that either. I didn't find anything overly gruesome, so if you're not especially squeamish and don't mind a bit of intensity, I'd say this book is perfectly okay. In regards to sexual content, I don't exactly recall any in the moment. I think there may have been one or two comments aimed about a woman by certain unsavory fellows, and there was a scene at the beginning of the book where a freeway fellow was going to "give Lucy a ride to town" that implied that wasn't all he was going to give her.
Personally, I enjoyed the story very much. If you've been around for some time you'll know that I adore the Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker, who is actually Rachelle's dad. So was I slightly excited to read this one? Yes. I was stoked to get the chance. Was I biased, no. The Girl Behind the Red Rope, which was written by Ted and Rachelle both, was something I personally didn't feel comfortable reading, so this was a hit or miss chance for me. And it was a hit.
Thank you Revell for the complimentary copy of this book! I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions were my own!
The redemption arc of Zoe, and the discovery of the who and what Lucy were intriguing. And the reason behind the name of the book I ALWAYS LOVE DISCOVERING THE REASON BEHIND NAMES!
Lucy's conflict towards the latter half of the book was SO COOL. I loved seeing her fight between her "programming" and her sense of Lucy. And the difference of her coming out of the shadows and becoming.... herself. Neither Lucy nor *spoilers*.
And additionally the character Seeley. Guys I did a full instagram play by play as I read through this book (you can follow my bookstagram @ofsunflowersandbooks) My emotions for this character were so torn and for the sake of avoiding spoilers, I'll just say read the book.
Now for a content warning. This is a Revell book, so it's mostly clean, morally acceptable. However, there are several semi-detailed "torture" scenes that may be disturbing to certain readers. Lucy is... a killer, to keep things simple. Seeley is nothing less than that either. I didn't find anything overly gruesome, so if you're not especially squeamish and don't mind a bit of intensity, I'd say this book is perfectly okay. In regards to sexual content, I don't exactly recall any in the moment. I think there may have been one or two comments aimed about a woman by certain unsavory fellows, and there was a scene at the beginning of the book where a freeway fellow was going to "give Lucy a ride to town" that implied that wasn't all he was going to give her.
Personally, I enjoyed the story very much. If you've been around for some time you'll know that I adore the Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker, who is actually Rachelle's dad. So was I slightly excited to read this one? Yes. I was stoked to get the chance. Was I biased, no. The Girl Behind the Red Rope, which was written by Ted and Rachelle both, was something I personally didn't feel comfortable reading, so this was a hit or miss chance for me. And it was a hit.
Thank you Revell for the complimentary copy of this book! I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions were my own!
October 9, 2020
Once again, Rachelle Dekker dives into the world of murky conspiracies where truth is not what it seems and good and evil are not so clearly defined. With carefully crafted scenes that crackle with tension and are permeated with a sense of dread of what is to come, "Nine" held me in it's grip from the opening paragraphs. It is a multi-layered novel that explores what it means to be human, and forces us to confront what we would do when we are called to step outside of ourselves and do what is right, and not what is easy.
Zoe is one of those characters who is so much more than she seems at first, as bits of her past are revealed and you realize that she's far more complex than she at first presented. As she encounters Lucy, a teenager shrouded in mystery, she makes a decision that will forever change her life. I loved that Dekker chose to allow us to discover who Lucy is right alongside of Zoe, and how in that discovery Zoe's own layers are peeled back and we glimpse the iron strength that she is made of. Together, they make a fascinating set of characters who form a bond of friendship that many readers can only dream of. As I raced to the end of the novel, I realized that I wasn't even sure what I was hoping for in the ending - I just knew I would be surprised, and I certainly was! Dekker has written one of those stories that is going to earn a permanent place on my shelves; I am definitely going to pick this one up again one day!
"Nine" is another excellent novel of suspense from the award winning Rachelle Dekker, and I am entirely certain that those who have already become fans of her works will greatly enjoy this story. As for those readers who are new to her works, this is a novel you really shouldn't miss. I award this novel a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Zoe is one of those characters who is so much more than she seems at first, as bits of her past are revealed and you realize that she's far more complex than she at first presented. As she encounters Lucy, a teenager shrouded in mystery, she makes a decision that will forever change her life. I loved that Dekker chose to allow us to discover who Lucy is right alongside of Zoe, and how in that discovery Zoe's own layers are peeled back and we glimpse the iron strength that she is made of. Together, they make a fascinating set of characters who form a bond of friendship that many readers can only dream of. As I raced to the end of the novel, I realized that I wasn't even sure what I was hoping for in the ending - I just knew I would be surprised, and I certainly was! Dekker has written one of those stories that is going to earn a permanent place on my shelves; I am definitely going to pick this one up again one day!
"Nine" is another excellent novel of suspense from the award winning Rachelle Dekker, and I am entirely certain that those who have already become fans of her works will greatly enjoy this story. As for those readers who are new to her works, this is a novel you really shouldn't miss. I award this novel a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
October 21, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! From the very first chapter I was hooked. I loved the mystery and suspense of the storyline and characters. One I would read again! The author did such an amazing job!
February 1, 2023
Action packed thriller-5 star book.
I read this book because I loved The Girl Behind the Red Rope so much. This book was just as suspenseful and the writing style just as excellent. It definitely has a lot of depth and the characters are so well developed. The small sci fi element was very interesting. And it was action packed, with things moving very quickly and the story never getting boring.
This book went pretty dark for me. I did not enjoy Dr Loveless or the large chunk of the book that involved torture. Or the constant murder throughout the entire book. I wasn't expecting that and am on the fence now if I will read more books by this author, although I really love her writing style.
This book was also not faith based at all. There was no mention of God or Jesus being the one who can bring change. There was no connection to or with God or Jesus. I didn't get the sense the changes we can make was coming from a New Age mindset, but it wasn't based in Christianity either. This was extremely disappointing for me, because in The Girl Behind the Red Rope, the faith based message was so strong and overwhelmingly redemptive.
I wont lower my rating because of my personal preferences. It's a 5 star book. But I'm will be very selective in what I read from this author in the future, because this one was too dark for me.
I read this book because I loved The Girl Behind the Red Rope so much. This book was just as suspenseful and the writing style just as excellent. It definitely has a lot of depth and the characters are so well developed. The small sci fi element was very interesting. And it was action packed, with things moving very quickly and the story never getting boring.
This book went pretty dark for me. I did not enjoy Dr Loveless or the large chunk of the book that involved torture. Or the constant murder throughout the entire book. I wasn't expecting that and am on the fence now if I will read more books by this author, although I really love her writing style.
This book was also not faith based at all. There was no mention of God or Jesus being the one who can bring change. There was no connection to or with God or Jesus. I didn't get the sense the changes we can make was coming from a New Age mindset, but it wasn't based in Christianity either. This was extremely disappointing for me, because in The Girl Behind the Red Rope, the faith based message was so strong and overwhelmingly redemptive.
I wont lower my rating because of my personal preferences. It's a 5 star book. But I'm will be very selective in what I read from this author in the future, because this one was too dark for me.
September 23, 2020
I read the companion book to this one, and was interested to see how it tied together. The short answer is trauma, but I won't give any more away since so much of this story is how characters overcame their past and present for a chance at perhaps a future.
This book focuses mostly on a third of the title number in characters. There is a mysterious young girl we first see fleeing for her life, though she has no memory as to exactly why. Then we meet Zoe, a kindly waitress who decides to help the girl. And finally, there is the FBI agent whose mission is that girl.
It was fascinating to go on the run with this unlikely trio as they try to figure out what exactly is going on and how to fix it, both in the bigger picture and in their own lives. And the question is, which would they rather sacrifice- what they hold close to or that bigger picture.
If you like action, intrigue, psychological suspense, and/or books with Christian elements, then this one is for you. It was so interesting to read a book that seemed to belong in a completely genre than its companion, but that is how this world is- so many different things all connected together. Like the trio.
P.S. My favorite character was the FBI agent. I'm just throwing that out there.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but the views and opinions are my own.
Review first published on my blog:https://agencyofbooksandspies.blogspo...
This book focuses mostly on a third of the title number in characters. There is a mysterious young girl we first see fleeing for her life, though she has no memory as to exactly why. Then we meet Zoe, a kindly waitress who decides to help the girl. And finally, there is the FBI agent whose mission is that girl.
It was fascinating to go on the run with this unlikely trio as they try to figure out what exactly is going on and how to fix it, both in the bigger picture and in their own lives. And the question is, which would they rather sacrifice- what they hold close to or that bigger picture.
If you like action, intrigue, psychological suspense, and/or books with Christian elements, then this one is for you. It was so interesting to read a book that seemed to belong in a completely genre than its companion, but that is how this world is- so many different things all connected together. Like the trio.
P.S. My favorite character was the FBI agent. I'm just throwing that out there.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but the views and opinions are my own.
Review first published on my blog:https://agencyofbooksandspies.blogspo...
October 16, 2020
4.5 stars for this science-fiction-y thriller. This was my first book of Rachelle Dekker's and probably won't be my last. I'm not a huge fan of her dad's work (Ted Dekker) as his stories get a bit too "out there" for me. This story followed a similar bent, but didn't get out of the realm of believability. I think this book would make a great movie! I can't really give a synopsis without giving spoilers, so I'll just suffice it to say that I enjoyed the mystery, the intrigue and the action that carried this book from start to finish. I didn't see many Christian elements, though the theme of choosing good/light over bad/darkness was strong and resounding. It was, nonetheless, a clean read. The characters curse, but you don't actually see the words they say and there's no sex. There is some violence in the form of shock and solitary torture, but I didn't find it to be overly graphic and it was essential to the plot in my opinion. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and would recommend it to mystery and sci-fi fans.
September 21, 2020
I was impressed! To be honest, I was a bit disappointed by The Girl Behind the Red Rope, which was written by Rachelle and her father, Ted Dekker.
First things first, I really liked the characters. They were all so complex and I could just feel their emotions radiating off the page. I also had to wonder about the long-term psychological effects of the events happening.
The suspense aspect of the book was nicely-paced throughout. The book did leave off on a cliffhanger, which seemed to wrap up fairly quickly.
The only complaint I have about this book is the amount of violence. Reading about violence has never been something that I've been sensitive to but I felt that there was an extreme amount in this book, some with too much detail.
All in all, despite the amount of unnecessary violence, I did enjoy this read and am wondering what happens next.
Rating: 4/5
Language: n/a
Romance: n/a
Spiritual: n/a, Zoe escaped from the cult where she was raised
Violence: extreme number of deaths (easily 30+) with violent details
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.
First things first, I really liked the characters. They were all so complex and I could just feel their emotions radiating off the page. I also had to wonder about the long-term psychological effects of the events happening.
The suspense aspect of the book was nicely-paced throughout. The book did leave off on a cliffhanger, which seemed to wrap up fairly quickly.
The only complaint I have about this book is the amount of violence. Reading about violence has never been something that I've been sensitive to but I felt that there was an extreme amount in this book, some with too much detail.
All in all, despite the amount of unnecessary violence, I did enjoy this read and am wondering what happens next.
Rating: 4/5
Language: n/a
Romance: n/a
Spiritual: n/a, Zoe escaped from the cult where she was raised
Violence: extreme number of deaths (easily 30+) with violent details
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.
April 26, 2025
*TW/CW- detailed fight scenes and death*
This book captured my attention. After a not-so-good fiction reading year, I was happy to get back into reading and finish it. There are two parts. Part two is told between the 1st and 3rd person. There is a reason this is done, but I know some people who don't like 1st person. So I want to point this out just incase you are that type of person.
One thing I didn't like is that this, is the fact that on Goodreads this is classified as Christian. There wasn't any faith in this. If there was, I must have missed it. But there wasn't any talk of Jesus. So I don't see how this is classified as Christian.
This book captured my attention. After a not-so-good fiction reading year, I was happy to get back into reading and finish it. There are two parts. Part two is told between the 1st and 3rd person. There is a reason this is done, but I know some people who don't like 1st person. So I want to point this out just incase you are that type of person.
One thing I didn't like is that this, is the fact that on Goodreads this is classified as Christian. There wasn't any faith in this. If there was, I must have missed it. But there wasn't any talk of Jesus. So I don't see how this is classified as Christian.
July 7, 2020
Rachelle Dekker’s writing journey has bounced through literary genres. Most authors find a genre and stick to it. Some may play around the edges, but most find that readers want to know what they’re getting into just by reading the author’s name. Dekker hasn’t exactly stuck to that, and yet, when I pick up a Rachelle Dekker novel—at least, to date—I’m pretty sure I’m going to find the story of a character searching for identity and purpose.
Her debut series fit squarely in the realm of YA dystopian fiction. It’s about a young woman name Carrington who must figure out her life after she is not Chosen. Her follow up novel was an intensely personal psychological thriller that deals with Alicen dealing with issues of family and identity. The one after that was an inevitable father-daughter team-up that recalled some of Ted’s older speculative fiction and is tinged with the same themes. Rather than being genre-focused, Dekker has positioned herself as issues-focused. Namely: Who are we? Where do we come from? Who controls us? Who or what determines who we become? This exploration of identity and purpose continues in thrilling fashion with Nine.
We begin with Lucy. She’s on the run, isn’t entirely sure why, and is way too trusting. The only thing she knows is that Olivia wiped her memories and she has to get to Summer in Corpus Christi. Against her better judgment, a waitress named Zoe commits to helping Lucy find her friend. If I had to explain it in terms of other media, think of Nine as Jason Bourne meets El from Stranger Things.
Meanwhile, Tom Seeley has been given orders to track down Lucy. Number nine. Part of the Grantham Project. Seeley had volunteered for the project because of its covert nature. Now they had him tracking down their human experiments. All he knew was that her mind had been wiped except for damaging information that would expose what was really going on at Grantham—information that would destroy some very powerful men.
Throughout the book, Lucy struggles with her true identity. Is she the product of her environment? Is she the product of her training? Is she the product of memory manipulation? Can she be her own person? These questions are mirrored in both Zoe and Seeley and we see how they also grapple with these questions as they alternately help and hunt Lucy.
Nine is a fast-paced thriller that never lets up, providing abundant opportunity for thrills but never really resting to fully consider the philosophical setup around which Dekker constructs the novel. We get snippets here and flashes there, none of them long enough to really get us to know the characters. And that may be part of the problem. It’s hard to be emotionally invested in characters you don’t know. And it’s hard to know the characters when they don’t really know themselves.
What I really wanted was more time. I would have read another hundred pages if it meant having time to really develop the characters. The plotting was strong. The story exhilarating. A page-turner that forced me to read it in one sitting. But I wanted more to the characters. In a story about identity, I think you have to. And if the only criticism is “I wanted more…” well…hopefully that’s a reasonable thing to want.
Her debut series fit squarely in the realm of YA dystopian fiction. It’s about a young woman name Carrington who must figure out her life after she is not Chosen. Her follow up novel was an intensely personal psychological thriller that deals with Alicen dealing with issues of family and identity. The one after that was an inevitable father-daughter team-up that recalled some of Ted’s older speculative fiction and is tinged with the same themes. Rather than being genre-focused, Dekker has positioned herself as issues-focused. Namely: Who are we? Where do we come from? Who controls us? Who or what determines who we become? This exploration of identity and purpose continues in thrilling fashion with Nine.
We begin with Lucy. She’s on the run, isn’t entirely sure why, and is way too trusting. The only thing she knows is that Olivia wiped her memories and she has to get to Summer in Corpus Christi. Against her better judgment, a waitress named Zoe commits to helping Lucy find her friend. If I had to explain it in terms of other media, think of Nine as Jason Bourne meets El from Stranger Things.
Meanwhile, Tom Seeley has been given orders to track down Lucy. Number nine. Part of the Grantham Project. Seeley had volunteered for the project because of its covert nature. Now they had him tracking down their human experiments. All he knew was that her mind had been wiped except for damaging information that would expose what was really going on at Grantham—information that would destroy some very powerful men.
Throughout the book, Lucy struggles with her true identity. Is she the product of her environment? Is she the product of her training? Is she the product of memory manipulation? Can she be her own person? These questions are mirrored in both Zoe and Seeley and we see how they also grapple with these questions as they alternately help and hunt Lucy.
Nine is a fast-paced thriller that never lets up, providing abundant opportunity for thrills but never really resting to fully consider the philosophical setup around which Dekker constructs the novel. We get snippets here and flashes there, none of them long enough to really get us to know the characters. And that may be part of the problem. It’s hard to be emotionally invested in characters you don’t know. And it’s hard to know the characters when they don’t really know themselves.
What I really wanted was more time. I would have read another hundred pages if it meant having time to really develop the characters. The plotting was strong. The story exhilarating. A page-turner that forced me to read it in one sitting. But I wanted more to the characters. In a story about identity, I think you have to. And if the only criticism is “I wanted more…” well…hopefully that’s a reasonable thing to want.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2020
Dekker knows how to write a page-turner that keeps the reader on their seats. It's one of the reasons I enjoy her stories. In this story, we have 3 combatants who are all in various stages of dealing with their pasts.
Zoe Johnson, comes from a traumatic family situation and has spent many a day in front of psychologists and other people who apparently seek to help her and her brother. She meets Lucy, a lost runaway, who happens to wander into Zoe's cafe where she works as a waitress. Zoe soon discovers Lucy is on the run and trying to get somewhere 700-odd miles away in Corpus Christi. And there are some serious people who want to find her and won't stop until they do.
Enter Agent Seeley, the lead pursuer. He too has a past that has led him to surrender to the darkness in himself which makes him a perfect agent: uncaring, unflinching in his duty.
It's exciting and Dekker keeps up the pace so those pages keep on turning. We discover Lucy is part of a human experiment (she's Number Nine), commissioned and approved by the President. She reminded me a bit of an American equivalent of Angelina Jolie's Russian 'Salt' - Lucy is a trained mercenary with very special skills.
It's hard saying much more without giving spoilers. It's thoroughly entertaining but I will warn you there is a lot of close hand killing which some readers may not appreciate.
But it's the struggle the 3 of them have with their own identities that takes the story to another level. Are we resigned to be who someone else wants us to be or defined by what happened in our past? Can we chose to be someone else? Fascinating themes. But this is where I struggled a little with the story. If it was a secular novel then all is good - some of the conclusions and discussions wouldn't have fazed me. However, who we are and who we were made to be are pivotal aspects of our stories and a relationship with God helps us to unravel it. I feel the novel missed an opportunity to present a powerful picture of how a relationship with God does this.
I'm hoping there's more to come in these three characters stories as Dekker has really only touched the surface and be fun to explore both their backstories and their futures.
I received an early ebook copy of the novel being a member of the Revell Reads program via NetGalley but with no expectation of a favourable review.
Zoe Johnson, comes from a traumatic family situation and has spent many a day in front of psychologists and other people who apparently seek to help her and her brother. She meets Lucy, a lost runaway, who happens to wander into Zoe's cafe where she works as a waitress. Zoe soon discovers Lucy is on the run and trying to get somewhere 700-odd miles away in Corpus Christi. And there are some serious people who want to find her and won't stop until they do.
Enter Agent Seeley, the lead pursuer. He too has a past that has led him to surrender to the darkness in himself which makes him a perfect agent: uncaring, unflinching in his duty.
It's exciting and Dekker keeps up the pace so those pages keep on turning. We discover Lucy is part of a human experiment (she's Number Nine), commissioned and approved by the President. She reminded me a bit of an American equivalent of Angelina Jolie's Russian 'Salt' - Lucy is a trained mercenary with very special skills.
It's hard saying much more without giving spoilers. It's thoroughly entertaining but I will warn you there is a lot of close hand killing which some readers may not appreciate.
But it's the struggle the 3 of them have with their own identities that takes the story to another level. Are we resigned to be who someone else wants us to be or defined by what happened in our past? Can we chose to be someone else? Fascinating themes. But this is where I struggled a little with the story. If it was a secular novel then all is good - some of the conclusions and discussions wouldn't have fazed me. However, who we are and who we were made to be are pivotal aspects of our stories and a relationship with God helps us to unravel it. I feel the novel missed an opportunity to present a powerful picture of how a relationship with God does this.
I'm hoping there's more to come in these three characters stories as Dekker has really only touched the surface and be fun to explore both their backstories and their futures.
I received an early ebook copy of the novel being a member of the Revell Reads program via NetGalley but with no expectation of a favourable review.
September 7, 2020
“Nine” is an entertaining book about possibilities. What could happen if we decide to let go of the chains in our past and rewrite our story? What could happen if we take a chance on people and choose to trust them? What happens if we embrace love? Rachelle Dekker introduces these questions and more in “Nine,” a book that entertained me and prompted me to think about my life and my reality.
Zoe Johnson spent most of her life living in the shadows and trusting no one. But when a wide-eyed, bedraggled teenager with no memory walks into the diner where Zoe works, everything changes. Now, against her better judgment, Zoe, who has been trying to outrun her own painful memories of the past, finds herself attempting to help a girl who doesn't seem to have any past at all. The girl knows only one thing: she must reach a woman in Corpus Christi, Texas, hundreds of miles away, before the government agents who are searching for her catch up to them.
Award-winning author Rachelle Dekker throws you into the middle of the action and keeps the pressure on in this page-turning story that asks “Are we who the world says we are--or can we change our story and be something more?”
I appreciated the theme of rewriting our story. At one point, Zoe realizes that she is two people at once - a 24-year-old woman who knew the coldness of the world and a 10-year-old girl who believed the world could be good. She asks herself, “Who says the world gets to claim the right to shape my identity? What if I want a different story? Who says I can’t have that?”
Lucy also realizes that she has a small light of recovery. She must nurture that light and keep her new identity and story in the forefront of her mind as she changes her identity. Our recovery is similar. We may need to take extra time in the beginning - and as memories of our past pop up - to remain committed to change.
And the key to change is love. Together, Zoe and Lucy realize that “it takes love to break chains of past. Our past is like programming that makes us who we are, but we can tell ourselves a new story as we learn and embrace a new normal.”As Lucy realizes, “I was more than a weapon because I had love. Deep love, the kind that was powerful enough to change the world.” This theme resonates with me as I strive to be a more loving person and watch God’s love change me and the people in my circle.
I enjoyed reading this book. It prompted me to think about my own story and the story I am helping my children and friends write.
The book is filled with action but also quite a bit of violence and murder, which I did not like.
Also, the women in this book are thin, trim and fit, and the author describes women three times as having a pretty voice. I wonder if it’s possible to not be thin and still be a heroine.
“Nine” is a sequel of sorts to “The Girl Behind The Red Rope,” but it can be read alone. I didn't make the connection until over halfway through the book when Zoe mentions her childhood in Haven Valley.
Overall, this book is one I would recommend to readers who enjoy action and entertainment. “Nine” is also a beneficial book for readers who want an opportunity to think deeper about how our past affects our present and how we can make meaningful changes that allow us to love ourselves and rewrite our story.
Zoe Johnson spent most of her life living in the shadows and trusting no one. But when a wide-eyed, bedraggled teenager with no memory walks into the diner where Zoe works, everything changes. Now, against her better judgment, Zoe, who has been trying to outrun her own painful memories of the past, finds herself attempting to help a girl who doesn't seem to have any past at all. The girl knows only one thing: she must reach a woman in Corpus Christi, Texas, hundreds of miles away, before the government agents who are searching for her catch up to them.
Award-winning author Rachelle Dekker throws you into the middle of the action and keeps the pressure on in this page-turning story that asks “Are we who the world says we are--or can we change our story and be something more?”
I appreciated the theme of rewriting our story. At one point, Zoe realizes that she is two people at once - a 24-year-old woman who knew the coldness of the world and a 10-year-old girl who believed the world could be good. She asks herself, “Who says the world gets to claim the right to shape my identity? What if I want a different story? Who says I can’t have that?”
Lucy also realizes that she has a small light of recovery. She must nurture that light and keep her new identity and story in the forefront of her mind as she changes her identity. Our recovery is similar. We may need to take extra time in the beginning - and as memories of our past pop up - to remain committed to change.
And the key to change is love. Together, Zoe and Lucy realize that “it takes love to break chains of past. Our past is like programming that makes us who we are, but we can tell ourselves a new story as we learn and embrace a new normal.”As Lucy realizes, “I was more than a weapon because I had love. Deep love, the kind that was powerful enough to change the world.” This theme resonates with me as I strive to be a more loving person and watch God’s love change me and the people in my circle.
I enjoyed reading this book. It prompted me to think about my own story and the story I am helping my children and friends write.
The book is filled with action but also quite a bit of violence and murder, which I did not like.
Also, the women in this book are thin, trim and fit, and the author describes women three times as having a pretty voice. I wonder if it’s possible to not be thin and still be a heroine.
“Nine” is a sequel of sorts to “The Girl Behind The Red Rope,” but it can be read alone. I didn't make the connection until over halfway through the book when Zoe mentions her childhood in Haven Valley.
Overall, this book is one I would recommend to readers who enjoy action and entertainment. “Nine” is also a beneficial book for readers who want an opportunity to think deeper about how our past affects our present and how we can make meaningful changes that allow us to love ourselves and rewrite our story.
September 16, 2020
"Nine" by Rachelle Dekker is an impressive, fast-paced novel. The action starts with the opening scene, and it doesn't ever seem to let up. Even when characters are taking a break and just talking to each other, that never-ending sense of tension is still there. Some thrillers seem to be "all action, no real substance", but that definitely is NOT the case here. Rachelle Dekker is very skilled at keeping the plot moving along while never easing off on the important personal details that make this story so much more than a typical action/adventure.
The three main characters (Zoe, a small-town waitress with a mysterious past; Lucy, a teenager with no memory of her own past; and Seeley, an agent with a complicated past) are all incredibly well drawn and detailed. I enjoyed learning more about each of them as the story progressed, and felt like I truly "knew" all three by the book's end.
Once you finish enjoying all the action and see what happens to the characters at the end, you can take a deep breath and realize.....all that excitement wasn't REALLY what the book was about at all. The riveting storyline was the backdrop for an exploration of the theme of how much your past does or does not influence your present. As each character moves through this adventure, he or she contemplates the past and thinks about its effects on who they are in the present. Each also considers, in his/her own way, whether or not there's anything they can do about the past, and whether it's possible to write a new narrative for the future.
This is a work of Christian fiction. God is definitely present throughout the story, but more in His "still, small voice" form than in more overt ways. Personally, I liked seeing how the characters responded to God speaking to them, even if they didn't really know Him. As a Christian, I walked away with some important things to think after reading this book.
One note: While this is definitely a Christian book, some hard-core things take place. People get shot, people die, people are tortured. Nothing overly graphic in the descriptions, but if violence is a trigger for you, please be aware that you'll find some in this novel. I thought everything was appropriate and important to the plot, not just thrown in gratuitously, and did not detract from the message.
All in all, I loved the story. Five out of five slices of perfectly-aged Provolone.
The three main characters (Zoe, a small-town waitress with a mysterious past; Lucy, a teenager with no memory of her own past; and Seeley, an agent with a complicated past) are all incredibly well drawn and detailed. I enjoyed learning more about each of them as the story progressed, and felt like I truly "knew" all three by the book's end.
Once you finish enjoying all the action and see what happens to the characters at the end, you can take a deep breath and realize.....all that excitement wasn't REALLY what the book was about at all. The riveting storyline was the backdrop for an exploration of the theme of how much your past does or does not influence your present. As each character moves through this adventure, he or she contemplates the past and thinks about its effects on who they are in the present. Each also considers, in his/her own way, whether or not there's anything they can do about the past, and whether it's possible to write a new narrative for the future.
This is a work of Christian fiction. God is definitely present throughout the story, but more in His "still, small voice" form than in more overt ways. Personally, I liked seeing how the characters responded to God speaking to them, even if they didn't really know Him. As a Christian, I walked away with some important things to think after reading this book.
One note: While this is definitely a Christian book, some hard-core things take place. People get shot, people die, people are tortured. Nothing overly graphic in the descriptions, but if violence is a trigger for you, please be aware that you'll find some in this novel. I thought everything was appropriate and important to the plot, not just thrown in gratuitously, and did not detract from the message.
All in all, I loved the story. Five out of five slices of perfectly-aged Provolone.
October 30, 2020
Lucy has lost her memory. All she knows is that Olivia has sent her west, to Corpus Christi, to find Summer Wallace and the robin. People are after her, to find the secret Olivia buried in her mind. Lucy meets Zoe, a waitress, in the first place she finds, and the two join up to get Lucy to Corpus Christi and hopefully figure out who Lucy is, who is chasing her, and why.
Nine is a fast-paced novel with lots of questions. The early questions are obvious: who is Lucy? Where has she come from? Why can’t she remember anything? The more challenging questions are those that appear as the novel progresses: who is Zoe? What secret is she hiding from her past? Who does Seely work for? Can Lucy and Zoe trust him?
The novel is set in our world and in our time, but has dystopian elements. (I hope.) It centres around the supersecret government department Olivia and Seely work for, and where Lucy aka Nine was born and raised. It’s one of those novels that gets you wondering about what the US government is up to in Area 51 or deep in the Colorado mountains … or other places. What is happening to people—children—in the name of research and politics?
There were a few things about the writing that bugged me. Some scenes were violent and showed the torture of children or teenagers. Was that necessary for the story? I don’t think we needed to see Nine almost drown while the “leader of the free world” watched (in case you’re wondering, he wore a blue suit and red tie). Zoe also had trauma in her background, but that was from a certified religious extremist, not from a government in “the land of the free”.
The evildoers worked for an unnamed organisation they refer to as Xerox, just not the Xerox we know (although I suppose Lucy and her compatriots were copies of sorts). And I wasn’t convinced by Seely’s character—it was never clear whether he was a good guy or a bad guy. Some readers might appreciate this ambiguity, but I like to know. I also found the ending somewhat abrupt—maybe there will be a sequel to answer the remaining questions.
The story isn’t overtly Christian fiction, but the overall message has definite echoes of John 15:13.
The writing is excellent, and there are solid themes about identity and sacrifice. Recommended for fans of speculative and dystopian young adult fiction.
Thanks to Revell and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
Nine is a fast-paced novel with lots of questions. The early questions are obvious: who is Lucy? Where has she come from? Why can’t she remember anything? The more challenging questions are those that appear as the novel progresses: who is Zoe? What secret is she hiding from her past? Who does Seely work for? Can Lucy and Zoe trust him?
The novel is set in our world and in our time, but has dystopian elements. (I hope.) It centres around the supersecret government department Olivia and Seely work for, and where Lucy aka Nine was born and raised. It’s one of those novels that gets you wondering about what the US government is up to in Area 51 or deep in the Colorado mountains … or other places. What is happening to people—children—in the name of research and politics?
There were a few things about the writing that bugged me. Some scenes were violent and showed the torture of children or teenagers. Was that necessary for the story? I don’t think we needed to see Nine almost drown while the “leader of the free world” watched (in case you’re wondering, he wore a blue suit and red tie). Zoe also had trauma in her background, but that was from a certified religious extremist, not from a government in “the land of the free”.
The evildoers worked for an unnamed organisation they refer to as Xerox, just not the Xerox we know (although I suppose Lucy and her compatriots were copies of sorts). And I wasn’t convinced by Seely’s character—it was never clear whether he was a good guy or a bad guy. Some readers might appreciate this ambiguity, but I like to know. I also found the ending somewhat abrupt—maybe there will be a sequel to answer the remaining questions.
The story isn’t overtly Christian fiction, but the overall message has definite echoes of John 15:13.
The writing is excellent, and there are solid themes about identity and sacrifice. Recommended for fans of speculative and dystopian young adult fiction.
Thanks to Revell and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
November 17, 2020
Zoe has been trying to avoid her past and for the last 8 months seems to be managing to do just that, whilst simultaneously struggling with guilt over a decision she made. One day whilst she is at work in a small diner, there comes a young girl, Lucy, who is so bedraggled with no memory of who she is or how she got there, just that she needs to get to someone in Corpus Christi. Soon Zoe realises that the young girl is in a lot of danger and must decide if to help her and quickly before the government comes chasing after her. Award-winning author Rachelle Dekker throws you into the middle of the action and keeps the pressure on in this page-turning story that asks, are we who the world says we are--or can we change our story and be something more?
This was an intriguing storyline and there was a lot of mystery around the characters that kept me reading to find out more. The characters themselves were complicated and built very well, especially when it came to FBI Agent Tom Seeley; I was constantly questioning his trust throughout the entire story!
The story would have been better for me if it would have been wrapped up a little bit sooner. I felt like there was a lot of action that could have been minimised whilst keeping the point of the story. I felt that towards the end I was starting to get easily distracted and losing focus. Having said that, I am not much of an action reader so it could be that someone who enjoys those genres would not agree with me.
I felt the story was especially strong in the area of how well the characters were built. I loved the struggle that Lucy/Number Nine went through in regards to her identity, that was really nice to see. I was instantly on edge with some of the characters and I felt that it made me feel like I was a part of it. The pacing was good throughout most of the book and I just wanted to find out more about what has happened to the characters before they met.
Overall, it was a good read with multiple character narratives and a cliff hanger. If you like a good action story then this is one for you. 3/5
This was an intriguing storyline and there was a lot of mystery around the characters that kept me reading to find out more. The characters themselves were complicated and built very well, especially when it came to FBI Agent Tom Seeley; I was constantly questioning his trust throughout the entire story!
The story would have been better for me if it would have been wrapped up a little bit sooner. I felt like there was a lot of action that could have been minimised whilst keeping the point of the story. I felt that towards the end I was starting to get easily distracted and losing focus. Having said that, I am not much of an action reader so it could be that someone who enjoys those genres would not agree with me.
I felt the story was especially strong in the area of how well the characters were built. I loved the struggle that Lucy/Number Nine went through in regards to her identity, that was really nice to see. I was instantly on edge with some of the characters and I felt that it made me feel like I was a part of it. The pacing was good throughout most of the book and I just wanted to find out more about what has happened to the characters before they met.
Overall, it was a good read with multiple character narratives and a cliff hanger. If you like a good action story then this is one for you. 3/5
September 10, 2020
“The only thing that will ever limit you is the belief that you can be limited.”
Nine by Rachelle Dekker drops readers into the middle of the action. A woman and a teenager are being chased through the woods by men with guns. The girl barely escapes but has no memories of who she is and only a vague idea of who she can trust. Zoe Johnson finds the lost girl, Lucy, and takes her in. But Zoe doesn’t realize that Lucy is no ordinary girl and the entire government will stop at nothing to bring Lucy back into their custody.
I’d classify this story as sci-fi/dystopian. The suspense is intense from start to finish as readers try to put the pieces together. Who is Lucy? What happened in Zoe’s complicated pass? Tom Seeley heads up the hunt for Lucy, and he’s an interesting character. I loved trying to figure out if he was a good guy, a bad guy, or both. The action is pretty intense and a few torture scenes might be over the top for some readers.
I found the overarching theme of the book surprising and engaging. Several characters had allowed past circumstances to dictate their present selves. They never seemed to escape their past. The story addresses the age old question: can a person really ever change? Can someone overwrite his or her past to become someone new? Several characters transformed throughout the story, dealing with past burdens and a realization that they were made for more. I was surprised that the author could take an action-driven story and bring out such poignant themes of hope and change.
All in all, this is an intriguing read, chock full of suspense. I’d put this on your TBR list if you like futuristic stories with intricate themes that really make you think.
Overall: 5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)
Suspense: 5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)
I received an ebook review copy of this book through Revell and NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Nine by Rachelle Dekker drops readers into the middle of the action. A woman and a teenager are being chased through the woods by men with guns. The girl barely escapes but has no memories of who she is and only a vague idea of who she can trust. Zoe Johnson finds the lost girl, Lucy, and takes her in. But Zoe doesn’t realize that Lucy is no ordinary girl and the entire government will stop at nothing to bring Lucy back into their custody.
I’d classify this story as sci-fi/dystopian. The suspense is intense from start to finish as readers try to put the pieces together. Who is Lucy? What happened in Zoe’s complicated pass? Tom Seeley heads up the hunt for Lucy, and he’s an interesting character. I loved trying to figure out if he was a good guy, a bad guy, or both. The action is pretty intense and a few torture scenes might be over the top for some readers.
I found the overarching theme of the book surprising and engaging. Several characters had allowed past circumstances to dictate their present selves. They never seemed to escape their past. The story addresses the age old question: can a person really ever change? Can someone overwrite his or her past to become someone new? Several characters transformed throughout the story, dealing with past burdens and a realization that they were made for more. I was surprised that the author could take an action-driven story and bring out such poignant themes of hope and change.
All in all, this is an intriguing read, chock full of suspense. I’d put this on your TBR list if you like futuristic stories with intricate themes that really make you think.
Overall: 5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)
Suspense: 5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)
I received an ebook review copy of this book through Revell and NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
September 26, 2020
Nine by Rachelle Dekker is a contemporary thriller about a girl with special abilities who is on the run from the government and who fights internal battles about what it means to be human and whether she can choose to be different than she was “programmed.”
There are three major characters in this story — the teen, Lucy, who was trained by the government but who is on the run, initially with no memories. Zoe is the one who found the memory-less Lucy and, against her better judgment, decided to help. And Seeley, the government agent chasing them down.
Much of the story is told as a thriller generally is, with characters getting chased, fighting, getting caught, escaping, lying and double crossing, meeting shady characters, and much more. It was a very well-done thriller.
But the real story is the one each character experienced internally. Each one of them had battles to face, and it all came back to these questions — what does it mean to be human? Can we change the way we were programmed to think?
Seeley thinks he lost his humanity when he chose his job and lost his family. He picked the dark side and doesn’t think he can return. And as for the second question, all three of the character recognize that they were trained by their experiences. Zoe was “trained” not to trust or love anyone because so many people broke her trust. But what if re-training is possible? Or is it?
It was a very insightful story, and I appreciated the thought the author put into writing it. The only thing I think would make it better would be to talk about God. (It’s written by a Christian and published by a Christian author, and yet there’s barely a mention of God at all.) He is the one who is truly, fully capable of changing our programming, better than we ever could, if we would but ask. His power, love, and life are what we should truly be seeking in order to change.
I received a complementary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
There are three major characters in this story — the teen, Lucy, who was trained by the government but who is on the run, initially with no memories. Zoe is the one who found the memory-less Lucy and, against her better judgment, decided to help. And Seeley, the government agent chasing them down.
Much of the story is told as a thriller generally is, with characters getting chased, fighting, getting caught, escaping, lying and double crossing, meeting shady characters, and much more. It was a very well-done thriller.
But the real story is the one each character experienced internally. Each one of them had battles to face, and it all came back to these questions — what does it mean to be human? Can we change the way we were programmed to think?
Seeley thinks he lost his humanity when he chose his job and lost his family. He picked the dark side and doesn’t think he can return. And as for the second question, all three of the character recognize that they were trained by their experiences. Zoe was “trained” not to trust or love anyone because so many people broke her trust. But what if re-training is possible? Or is it?
It was a very insightful story, and I appreciated the thought the author put into writing it. The only thing I think would make it better would be to talk about God. (It’s written by a Christian and published by a Christian author, and yet there’s barely a mention of God at all.) He is the one who is truly, fully capable of changing our programming, better than we ever could, if we would but ask. His power, love, and life are what we should truly be seeking in order to change.
I received a complementary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
September 30, 2020
I have not read a book by Rachelle Dekker before. And I rarely read anything that has science fiction in it. This was a challenge for me. I thought there was a pacing problem. I like the beginning a lot, I was very interested in Zoe. Zoe was the one that I connected with.
Zoe was working at run down diner in northern Texas, a place with a violent past. I looked up Sherman, Texas, the town history could be a book itself. Zoe lived in a shabby motel across the road from the diner. She was hiding out from the public, she had had enough of the notoriety of her mother's many crimes committed after her parents joined a cult. Zoe feels very guilty about obeying the people who rescued her and told her to her to abandon her younger brother . Note, there could have been another book here on that story alone.
But Zoe meets Lucy, aka #9, at the dinner and when a surly man tries to pick up Lucy, Zoe steps in to save the girl from a possible assault or a rape. Lucy stays overnight with Zoe and Zoe makes an important second decision to go with Lucy to escape the "bad men".
I was really hooked on this book then but I actually wanted the author to either write about Sherman or Zoe's life. I proceeded turning the pages and finding myself in a science fiction world with plenty of violence. At the end the pace got furious and too fast for me. I could understand the references to the little voice that Lucy heard but for me it only coming through faintly.
The book was engrossing but I felt there was too much action for me at the end and I ended up liking the book but also being disappointed in it.
I received a finished copy of this book as a win from FirstReads from the publishers. My thoughts and feelings in this review are entirely my own.
Zoe was working at run down diner in northern Texas, a place with a violent past. I looked up Sherman, Texas, the town history could be a book itself. Zoe lived in a shabby motel across the road from the diner. She was hiding out from the public, she had had enough of the notoriety of her mother's many crimes committed after her parents joined a cult. Zoe feels very guilty about obeying the people who rescued her and told her to her to abandon her younger brother . Note, there could have been another book here on that story alone.
But Zoe meets Lucy, aka #9, at the dinner and when a surly man tries to pick up Lucy, Zoe steps in to save the girl from a possible assault or a rape. Lucy stays overnight with Zoe and Zoe makes an important second decision to go with Lucy to escape the "bad men".
I was really hooked on this book then but I actually wanted the author to either write about Sherman or Zoe's life. I proceeded turning the pages and finding myself in a science fiction world with plenty of violence. At the end the pace got furious and too fast for me. I could understand the references to the little voice that Lucy heard but for me it only coming through faintly.
The book was engrossing but I felt there was too much action for me at the end and I ended up liking the book but also being disappointed in it.
I received a finished copy of this book as a win from FirstReads from the publishers. My thoughts and feelings in this review are entirely my own.
October 7, 2020
(This review can be found on my blog All the Ups and Downs.)
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I've been a fan of Rachelle Dekker ever since I read The Girl Behind the Red Rope. When I saw that Rachelle Dekker had released a new book entitled Nine, I knew it was a book that I needed to read. I was so glad I picked this book up!
I felt that the plot to Nine was solid. Zoe Johnson is busy working at her mundane job as a waitress when a young 17 year old girl shows up. From the get go, Zoe is protective of this young girl named Lucy who appears naive, scared, confused, and willing to trust anyone. However, trying to protect Lucy will have a high cost as Lucy is much more than she appears to be.
I read Nine in about a day. The pacing was so spot on that I didn't want to put this book down. The action starts out right in the first chapter and just carries on throughout the book. From the very first page, I was sucked into this suspenseful world Rachelle Dekker had masterfully created. Though it does have some similarities with the video game/movie Resident Evil (sans zombies), Dekker did a fantastic job at making the plot line feel original although it's been done many times before. There are a few plot twists including one that links back to The Girl Behind the Red Rope which I was very excited to read about! Yes, some of the plot twists are a bit predictable, but Nine is a very interesting story nonetheless.
I have to gush about the characters in Nine now. Dekker did an amazing job making her characters feel fleshed out. I felt as if the characters in Nine were people I actually knew in real life; that's how realistic these characters were written. I loved Zoe's character. Even though she had a sad story and baggage of her own, it was refreshing to see her actually put her trust and care about someone else. I will say I would have liked to know more about her brother Stephen and read more in detail about what happened to him. Perhaps Dekker will write a story about Stephen another time. Anyway, Zoe was an amazing character, and I could always feel what she felt from elation to deep sadness and more. Although Olivia isn't in the book very much, I also loved Olivia and how much she sacrificed for a certain experiment. Lucy was my favorite character, and it was interesting to be able to see her thought process starting in part two of Nine. Reading about her internal struggle with how she was raised versus who she wanted to be felt very emotional to me. We have all had that struggle with ourselves to become a better version of ourself. Seeley was a bit of a wild card. Sometimes I loved him, and other times I hated him although I could understand why he was doing what he did (not that it was justified for most of it). I would have hated to have the same ultimatum given to me as Hammon gave Seeley. Even all the minor characters (especially McCoy) I really enjoyed. Every character added to the story and fleshed it out even more.
Trigger warnings for Nine include violence (including gun violence), torture, and murder.
Overall, Nine is an emotional story with a positive message that really makes you think about how you can change no matter your given circumstances. Nine would make a fantastic movie or tv series, and I know I would watch it should anyone ever do that. I would definitely recommend Nine by Rachelle Dekker to those aged 16+ that love highly suspenseful stories that include a positive message.
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(A special thank you to Revell for providing me with a paperback of Nine by Rachelle Dekker in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.)
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I've been a fan of Rachelle Dekker ever since I read The Girl Behind the Red Rope. When I saw that Rachelle Dekker had released a new book entitled Nine, I knew it was a book that I needed to read. I was so glad I picked this book up!
I felt that the plot to Nine was solid. Zoe Johnson is busy working at her mundane job as a waitress when a young 17 year old girl shows up. From the get go, Zoe is protective of this young girl named Lucy who appears naive, scared, confused, and willing to trust anyone. However, trying to protect Lucy will have a high cost as Lucy is much more than she appears to be.
I read Nine in about a day. The pacing was so spot on that I didn't want to put this book down. The action starts out right in the first chapter and just carries on throughout the book. From the very first page, I was sucked into this suspenseful world Rachelle Dekker had masterfully created. Though it does have some similarities with the video game/movie Resident Evil (sans zombies), Dekker did a fantastic job at making the plot line feel original although it's been done many times before. There are a few plot twists including one that links back to The Girl Behind the Red Rope which I was very excited to read about! Yes, some of the plot twists are a bit predictable, but Nine is a very interesting story nonetheless.
I have to gush about the characters in Nine now. Dekker did an amazing job making her characters feel fleshed out. I felt as if the characters in Nine were people I actually knew in real life; that's how realistic these characters were written. I loved Zoe's character. Even though she had a sad story and baggage of her own, it was refreshing to see her actually put her trust and care about someone else. I will say I would have liked to know more about her brother Stephen and read more in detail about what happened to him. Perhaps Dekker will write a story about Stephen another time. Anyway, Zoe was an amazing character, and I could always feel what she felt from elation to deep sadness and more. Although Olivia isn't in the book very much, I also loved Olivia and how much she sacrificed for a certain experiment. Lucy was my favorite character, and it was interesting to be able to see her thought process starting in part two of Nine. Reading about her internal struggle with how she was raised versus who she wanted to be felt very emotional to me. We have all had that struggle with ourselves to become a better version of ourself. Seeley was a bit of a wild card. Sometimes I loved him, and other times I hated him although I could understand why he was doing what he did (not that it was justified for most of it). I would have hated to have the same ultimatum given to me as Hammon gave Seeley. Even all the minor characters (especially McCoy) I really enjoyed. Every character added to the story and fleshed it out even more.
Trigger warnings for Nine include violence (including gun violence), torture, and murder.
Overall, Nine is an emotional story with a positive message that really makes you think about how you can change no matter your given circumstances. Nine would make a fantastic movie or tv series, and I know I would watch it should anyone ever do that. I would definitely recommend Nine by Rachelle Dekker to those aged 16+ that love highly suspenseful stories that include a positive message.
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(A special thank you to Revell for providing me with a paperback of Nine by Rachelle Dekker in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.)
October 29, 2024
This was a decent story that didn't have enough groundwork for its readers to be truly invested, or for the book to linger in my thoughts long after I'm done with it. The plot started, got rolling quickly, and kept me entertained but I kept waiting for the characters' backstories. It kept hinting at Zoe's/Evelyn's, but we didn't get much even when they arrived at her ghost-town childhood home at the very end of the book. Another drawback was the multiple names for pretty much each character, but again in the end of the story that was also kind of the point. We decide who we are going to be, our choices and actions make us us, not entirely our pasts or what someone else decided for us. The only other oddness I found in this was how Dekker would describe Zoe and Nine/Lucy as "the girls" and get into the details of what is going on, "the girl, she", gets lost on who she is meaning to narrate. Not the worst I've seen but it was slightly muddled. I also noticed how Dekker would use both sides of analogies, such as comparing someone to a loveable stray-cat then in the next paragraph to a puppy-dog. Gotta love playing both sides of the interests and how she manipulated her words for this. Well done story but needs more meat! Without the nitty-gritty details it felt like too much plot convenience.
September 26, 2020
This book is a thrilling ride! It is a truly enjoyable read from start to finish. The plot is carefully laid out so that you discover tidbits of the backstories for each character at certain times, contributing to a suspenseful plot. I liked Zoe a lot and enjoyed her character as she grows and changes in the book. I thought I had the ending figured out but then there were surprising twists and turns that kept me guessing. There are some scenes of torture and violence that may be better suited for more adult audiences. Nonetheless, I would consider this a clean novel. There isn’t a strong faith element in the story but there is definitely triumph of good over evil. Overall, I enjoyed this story and recommend it to those who like contemporary suspense. I look forward to more from this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
September 1, 2020
Having enjoyed both daughter and father Dekker stories, I am always excited to see a new one. Nine from Rachelle Dekker did not disappoint. It held my attention from beginning to end. The author has melded together lots of edge-of-the-seat action, government agents and innocent public, characters you either really like or despise, and a concept of understanding who we really are and can we change, to bring readers a gripping and suspenseful thriller. I'm hoping there is more to come in a future book for some of the characters. I was given a complimentary copy of the book through LibraryThing and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
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