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The Circle #1-3
The Circle Trilogy
Three novels. Two worlds. One Story.
Enter an adrenaline-laced epic where dreams and reality collide.
Black - An incredible story of evil and rescue, betrayal and love, and a terrorist threat unlike anything the human race has ever known. A virulent evil has been unleashed upon the people of Earth. The only man who can stop it is Thomas Hunter, an unlikely hero whose life is stretched between two worlds. Every time he falls asleep in one reality, he awakes in the other. Soon Thomas no longer knows which reality is real. Yet it quickly becomes apparent that his choices in each world impact the other--and that the fates of both rest in his hands.
Red - In one world, Thomas Hunter is a battle-scarred general commanding an army of primitive warriors. In the other, he's racing to outwit sadistic terrorists intent on creating global chaos through an unstoppable virus. Thomas must find a way to change history--or face the destruction of two worlds.
White - Thomas Hunter has only days to survive two separate realms of danger, deceit, and destruction. The fates of both worlds now rest on his unique ability to shift realities through his dreams. Thomas and The Circle must quickly decide who they can trust--both with their own lives and the fate of millions. And neither the terror of Black nor the treachery of Red can prepare Thomas for the forces aligned against The Circle in White.
Enter an adrenaline-laced epic where dreams and reality collide.
Black - An incredible story of evil and rescue, betrayal and love, and a terrorist threat unlike anything the human race has ever known. A virulent evil has been unleashed upon the people of Earth. The only man who can stop it is Thomas Hunter, an unlikely hero whose life is stretched between two worlds. Every time he falls asleep in one reality, he awakes in the other. Soon Thomas no longer knows which reality is real. Yet it quickly becomes apparent that his choices in each world impact the other--and that the fates of both rest in his hands.
Red - In one world, Thomas Hunter is a battle-scarred general commanding an army of primitive warriors. In the other, he's racing to outwit sadistic terrorists intent on creating global chaos through an unstoppable virus. Thomas must find a way to change history--or face the destruction of two worlds.
White - Thomas Hunter has only days to survive two separate realms of danger, deceit, and destruction. The fates of both worlds now rest on his unique ability to shift realities through his dreams. Thomas and The Circle must quickly decide who they can trust--both with their own lives and the fate of millions. And neither the terror of Black nor the treachery of Red can prepare Thomas for the forces aligned against The Circle in White.
1182 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2004
288 people are currently reading
3327 people want to read
About the author
Ted Dekker
191 books9,990 followersTed Dekker is known for novels that combine adrenaline-laced stories with unexpected plot twists, unforgettable characters, and incredible confrontations between good and evil. Ted lives in Austin with his wife LeeAnn and their four children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
November 23, 2021
I finished.
So I finished.
This amazing, crazy, confusing, double world, fantasy, metaphoric recount and writing. Wow.
This was stunning. It was so deep. It was brilliant and eye opening. It was hard to fully understand, and I will be reading it again.
This book it ridiculous.
Ok. Now on to the review. I'm gonna try and do an organized review just to see if I can get my thoughts together.
BLACK.
Black was really cool. The characters Thomas, Rachelle, Johan, Tanis, and then of course The Boy, and Teeleh.
There was the introduction to everything Thomas knew, and everything he didn't know.
The Earth that he stumbled into was amazing. The Black Forest was dark, painful, deathly, and creepy. I could feel the utter pain and terror that radiated from Thomas when he was in it and the evil that Teeleh impersonated.
The way that the Roush and the Shatiki were both types of bats, but Roush being pure and white, and Shatiki being dark and evil and ugly. More than once the description of their eyes was simply "pupil-less. Like large red cherries"
The description was gripping.
And then the colored forest. Oh the beauty! The joy! They didn't know what it meant to be in pain, to be dis-satisfied or upset. The way they were so innocent, so clean and happy. The people. It was amazing. The way that Ted describes the world. It's amazing.
And then the story itself. At first, it was hard to get into, hard to understand what was happening. Don't get me wrong. This kept me reading the entire time. But it was rather mind boggling, like all fantasy is. The way the story progressed was really well done.
The end would have killed me if this was not a trilogy. If it was not together in one book. If I had had to wait to get Red from the library I would have died screaming. XD
RED
Red. What can I say? It was amazing. Where Black focused on the fall and the contrast of evil vs good, Red is the description of the fight against heresy, and the possibility of yourself being the heretic.
The characters, again. Loved them. Rachelle really developed herself in this book where she seemed to be lacking in Black. Thomas grew stronger, wiser, and more manly. And yet he was so torn, and so tired, constantly going from one world to the other.
In his "dream" world, the Forest Dwellers had retreated to the forests that Elyon had left for them. They must bathe every day to keep the disease of the Horde, and of the Scabs, at bay. This is symbolism of sin. I believe that the water represents The Word.
Marie and Samuel seem like extra characters that had to be thrown in to show that Rachelle and Thomas actually did something well he didn't dream for 15 years. Which was only 8 hours on earth.
In Red Kara Thomas's sister is also developed to have more strength than she had in Black.
I love Mikil, and oh my goodness my heart. Martyn. Johan. Carlos and Johan. That's all the same person! It was an epic adventure, realizing that both worlds were connected.
And Justin. What can I say about Justin? He's the sweetest, most sensitive, loving character, but he's got a courage and a confidence to stand for what is truth.
Can't tell you I was surprised that He was Elyon. That line that Dekker kept using.
"Am I a lion? Am I a lamb? Am I boy? Am I father or son? Am I Justin?" Because God, Elyon is so big, He is all those things.
Justin's execution/murder, and the brutality of it. The horror, the gore, the absolute evil of it. It was so perfect. The way that Teeleh played it out into his plan, but Elyon was victorious in the end anyway. You'll have to read it to find out how. ;)
And that ending. Oh my goodness. It was amazing. It was refreshing, the love, and the raw emotion, giggling, sobbing, then laughing and then weeping. Everything so perfectly mixed to express what our hearts go through.
It was... just. Wow.
WHITE
And white ended it all perfectly. Chelsie. A new main character, Mikil now married, Suzan, and Johan. Dear Johan.
The red lake. The requirement to drown to live. The way that was explained. Wow. And then of course there was the idea of how to gather more Scabs to Justin's bride, like He had told them to. The way Dekker handled that situation was perfect.
And then there was the virus. The terror and the despair for an antivirus. It was beautifully played.
Although I have to say that Thomas using his "dreams" so freely and easily to get help in the other worlds, it seemed too easy, but the problems themselves were so huge there wasn't really hard to accept it.
And then of course the beauty of the discovery that Thomas's blood allowed others to travel to the other reality, and discovering who was linked to who. That made it so much fun!
I think that Mike and Theresa were extra characters that didn't need to be there, but they played their parts well none the less.
And the end was satisfactory. It left open smooth streams of clean questions, available for whoever is interested in reading Green and then the other books, but for myself, those questions were something to look into later in life. When I recover from such an awesome book.
In conclusion. If you have 4 days in your life that you can do nothing but read and you can get your hands on this book. Do it. It's awesome. It changes the way you look at Elyons love and the Great Romance itself.
You won't regret this book, I can tell you that much, unless you're not taken to fantasy very well.
I wish I could keep talking, I feel like if I don't stop you can't not read it. You should. Really.
-Libby
So I finished.
This amazing, crazy, confusing, double world, fantasy, metaphoric recount and writing. Wow.
This was stunning. It was so deep. It was brilliant and eye opening. It was hard to fully understand, and I will be reading it again.
This book it ridiculous.
Ok. Now on to the review. I'm gonna try and do an organized review just to see if I can get my thoughts together.
BLACK.
Black was really cool. The characters Thomas, Rachelle, Johan, Tanis, and then of course The Boy, and Teeleh.
There was the introduction to everything Thomas knew, and everything he didn't know.
The Earth that he stumbled into was amazing. The Black Forest was dark, painful, deathly, and creepy. I could feel the utter pain and terror that radiated from Thomas when he was in it and the evil that Teeleh impersonated.
The way that the Roush and the Shatiki were both types of bats, but Roush being pure and white, and Shatiki being dark and evil and ugly. More than once the description of their eyes was simply "pupil-less. Like large red cherries"
The description was gripping.
And then the colored forest. Oh the beauty! The joy! They didn't know what it meant to be in pain, to be dis-satisfied or upset. The way they were so innocent, so clean and happy. The people. It was amazing. The way that Ted describes the world. It's amazing.
And then the story itself. At first, it was hard to get into, hard to understand what was happening. Don't get me wrong. This kept me reading the entire time. But it was rather mind boggling, like all fantasy is. The way the story progressed was really well done.
The end would have killed me if this was not a trilogy. If it was not together in one book. If I had had to wait to get Red from the library I would have died screaming. XD
RED
Red. What can I say? It was amazing. Where Black focused on the fall and the contrast of evil vs good, Red is the description of the fight against heresy, and the possibility of yourself being the heretic.
The characters, again. Loved them. Rachelle really developed herself in this book where she seemed to be lacking in Black. Thomas grew stronger, wiser, and more manly. And yet he was so torn, and so tired, constantly going from one world to the other.
In his "dream" world, the Forest Dwellers had retreated to the forests that Elyon had left for them. They must bathe every day to keep the disease of the Horde, and of the Scabs, at bay. This is symbolism of sin. I believe that the water represents The Word.
Marie and Samuel seem like extra characters that had to be thrown in to show that Rachelle and Thomas actually did something well he didn't dream for 15 years. Which was only 8 hours on earth.
In Red Kara Thomas's sister is also developed to have more strength than she had in Black.
I love Mikil, and oh my goodness my heart. Martyn. Johan. Carlos and Johan. That's all the same person! It was an epic adventure, realizing that both worlds were connected.
And Justin. What can I say about Justin? He's the sweetest, most sensitive, loving character, but he's got a courage and a confidence to stand for what is truth.
Can't tell you I was surprised that He was Elyon. That line that Dekker kept using.
"Am I a lion? Am I a lamb? Am I boy? Am I father or son? Am I Justin?" Because God, Elyon is so big, He is all those things.
Justin's execution/murder, and the brutality of it. The horror, the gore, the absolute evil of it. It was so perfect. The way that Teeleh played it out into his plan, but Elyon was victorious in the end anyway. You'll have to read it to find out how. ;)
And that ending. Oh my goodness. It was amazing. It was refreshing, the love, and the raw emotion, giggling, sobbing, then laughing and then weeping. Everything so perfectly mixed to express what our hearts go through.
It was... just. Wow.
WHITE
And white ended it all perfectly. Chelsie. A new main character, Mikil now married, Suzan, and Johan. Dear Johan.
The red lake. The requirement to drown to live. The way that was explained. Wow. And then of course there was the idea of how to gather more Scabs to Justin's bride, like He had told them to. The way Dekker handled that situation was perfect.
And then there was the virus. The terror and the despair for an antivirus. It was beautifully played.
Although I have to say that Thomas using his "dreams" so freely and easily to get help in the other worlds, it seemed too easy, but the problems themselves were so huge there wasn't really hard to accept it.
And then of course the beauty of the discovery that Thomas's blood allowed others to travel to the other reality, and discovering who was linked to who. That made it so much fun!
I think that Mike and Theresa were extra characters that didn't need to be there, but they played their parts well none the less.
And the end was satisfactory. It left open smooth streams of clean questions, available for whoever is interested in reading Green and then the other books, but for myself, those questions were something to look into later in life. When I recover from such an awesome book.
In conclusion. If you have 4 days in your life that you can do nothing but read and you can get your hands on this book. Do it. It's awesome. It changes the way you look at Elyons love and the Great Romance itself.
You won't regret this book, I can tell you that much, unless you're not taken to fantasy very well.
I wish I could keep talking, I feel like if I don't stop you can't not read it. You should. Really.
-Libby
October 13, 2007
THIS IS THE BEST TRILOGY I HAVE EVER READ IN MY WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE. It's packed with action, utels of suspense, fear, confusion, romance, and mystery. The main character, Tomas Hunter, is stuck between two realities (when he falls asleep in one he wakes up in the other) and ends up having to save them both. One world is present day with a sneaky and very intelligent terrorist on the lose with the only vaccine to a deadly contagious virus that he has infected upon all of the US. In the alternate reality, the world's evil is all physical, and no longer just spiritual and mental. There is the green forest, the remnants of the good and truth in the world with elion, God, and the black forest with Tonni, representing Satan. One of the creatures has come to Tonni's side and given him a foothold to attack and take over the green forest. The whole earth is being attacked. Thomas Hunter must save both worlds and he finds there is more to it than just outliving everyone else; it may indeed mean dying in order to live.
I recommend this book over all other books (except the Bible of course)... it is my favorite book (even though it's three) of all times!!!
PS. I recommend all Ted Dekker books... i have never EVER been disappointed! :D
I recommend this book over all other books (except the Bible of course)... it is my favorite book (even though it's three) of all times!!!
PS. I recommend all Ted Dekker books... i have never EVER been disappointed! :D
July 19, 2009
All three of these books were amazing. I didn't really start to "get into" the story too much until the second book, Red. Then I couldn't put it down! Ted Dekker did a great job in writing this inspiring novel. It was really exciting as well as impacting. I read it during a rough time in my personal life and it really gave me a new view about my relationship with God. That was probably the most important thing that I will say about the Circle Trilogy. Giving glory to 'Elyon'..God.
The last book, White, was absolutely amazing. It actually brought me close to tears in a few parts. Well-written, good plot, and the memorable characters puts this at the top of my list.
I would highly recommend this book to teens and adults. It is a bit intense and keeps you on the edge of your seat, dying to know what happens in the next chapter. I read the whole trilogy in 4 days and couldn't decide what to read after I finally put it down.
Bravo, Ted Dekker.
The last book, White, was absolutely amazing. It actually brought me close to tears in a few parts. Well-written, good plot, and the memorable characters puts this at the top of my list.
I would highly recommend this book to teens and adults. It is a bit intense and keeps you on the edge of your seat, dying to know what happens in the next chapter. I read the whole trilogy in 4 days and couldn't decide what to read after I finally put it down.
Bravo, Ted Dekker.
December 5, 2008
An absolutely spell-binding retelling of the salvation story from the Bible. Ted Dekker does an amazing job at giving the reader a sensory experience of the spiritual world around us and a dynamic glimpse at the fact that Christians really do live in two realities at once--both realities threatened by evil. The Good News is that Good has already triumphed and now works romancing those who would be His bride. Evil will not prevail!
I highly recommend these books to you. I'm definitely going to be diving into the rest of Dekker's books in this series.
I highly recommend these books to you. I'm definitely going to be diving into the rest of Dekker's books in this series.
June 17, 2011
This was an excellent sci-fi/thriller. I really enjoyed the premise of the book and Dekker really paints a good picture with his words.
When I first started reading Black, it took a little bit to figure out what was happening but once you do the story becomes a rollercoaster ride.
When I first started reading Black, it took a little bit to figure out what was happening but once you do the story becomes a rollercoaster ride.
October 21, 2011
Black — 2 stars
I quite like allegorical Christian fiction. I don't read much of it, but when I do I always enjoy it on some level. Sometimes things can get a bit out of hand, though, and I fear that that might be what has happened in Black, because if you'd ask me to sum up the book in one word, it'd be "silly".
Don't get me wrong, I liked quite a lot of the allegories in this book - Teeleh/Satan, Tanis/Adam and the lure of the forbidden water/fruit, especially - but others were simply bizarre. Elyon in the guise of a young boy was just weird, and the Great Romance thing was cheesy and boring.
As far as writing goes, Dekker seems to have a thing for pastels. I'm almost pleased that the book ended with the colored forest being destroyed, because after four hundred pages of reading about shimmering shades of blue and red and purple and pink, and juicy fruits that dribbled with juice, and golden this and topaz that, I was on the verge of stabbing myself in the eye with a spoon.
The strange thing is, Dekker's language isn't really flowery in that sense of the word - he spends a lot of time extolling the beauty of the colored forest, but when it comes to characters he doesn't really have much to say. The main characters aren't as flat as they are... nondescript. If you'd ask me to describe them and what makes them tick, I probably wouldn't be able to do it. I simply have no idea who these people really are (especially Valborg Svensson - I fear Dekker might be confusing Switzerland with Sweden, because that name sure ain't Swiss (not to mention that Valborg isn't even a male name)).
When it comes to Thomas Hunter, the main character... He's a smidgen Gary Stu, a dollop of idiot and a nugget of uninteresting. Most of these come about because he doesn't hesitate to tell people about his dreams of an alternative life in the Forest of Many Colors, where bats talk and no one wears shoes, and then demands that everyone take him seriously. He sounds like a nutcase, gets upset when people don't believe him (like a nutcase) and tries to convince them that he's telling the truth in ridiculous ways (like a nutcase). If I were a secondary character I wouldn't believe a word that came out of his mouth, and the fact that the characters in Black actually do is slightly disturbing and kind of a cop out, because they're being far too accommodating for me to take the plot seriously.
On the topic of Elyon/God, the "character" is such a disappointment. Elyon comes across as childish and insecure; like a fourteen year old girl clinging to her crush, Elyon latches on to Thomas and makes him promise not to leave. "Never leave me, Thomas. Tell me that you'll never leave me!" he says, and then tops it off with a chorus of "I love you I love you I love you" like some kind of desperate teenager. Even without the whole Fall of Man allegory, I wouldn't have been surprised that the colored forest got over run - Elyon is such a weak and helpless being that it was inevitable. Where's the righteous anger and just judgement? Where's the sovereign God in all of this?
Also, I'm kind of weirded out by the fact that the colored forest is supposedly post-Armageddon, yet evil still roams free (not to mention that man falls again). Had the dreams taken place in an alternative universe it wouldn't be a problem, but since it's implied that it's the same timeline... It's not a big thing, but it bugs me (just like the implied Monique/Hunter thing bugs me - it would have been okay if Monique looked like Rachelle or they were somehow connected, but since they're apparently not... It's a bit creepy, to be honest).
Still, this book is kind of a I-take-what-I-can-get kind of deal. As far as Christian fantasy goes, it's not too bad.
Red — 3 stars
Red is a whole lot more interesting than its predecessor, Black. The allegories are better, as is the writing; the action is more engaging; and there are less rainbow colored forests and more blood thirsty desert bandits (always a plus).
First off, I have to admit that when I first read this book a few years ago I didn't quite pick up on the Justin/Christ parallels. Maybe I was distracted by other things, maybe the desert landscape made me expect Thomas to somehow be Moses (thus displacing events a good many years); either way, the "aha! moment" I experienced with Justin's death continues to be one of the greatest reader experiences I've ever had. It's not often I'm so completely blindsided by a plot twist and I have to take my hat off to Dekker for that one, even though reading through the book now again, several years later, I can't believe I didn't see it coming.
That said, the character of Justin leaves me scratching my head, because I'm looking for Christ like qualities and I just don't see many of them. Surely it would have been better if Justin hadn't been a warrior? Or if it'd been the Forest People (Jews) who'd been the driving force behind his death instead of the Scabs (gentiles)? And why is he morphing into a weepy little kid at random moments? And there's still the issue of Elyon's characterization (see above review of Black).
I enjoyed the fact that it seemed like the book's content favored the "future" world rather than the "current" one. Because virus outbreaks and politics in all their glory, nothing beats sword fighting and explosions. It also bothered me that all the world leaders seem to be completely incompetent and bewildered when faced with an international crisis; surely the brightest minds in the world would be able to come up with something - seriously, anything - better than relying on a twenty five year old barista who, frankly, is a bit of a fruitcake? If you question someone's judgement or experience and their response is to perform a series of karate moves (or worse, rip their shirt off to show you their scars (most awkward scene ever written, perhaps?)), then you should probably think twice about trusting that person with the fate of humanity as a whole. I'm just sayin'.
Still, I quite enjoyed the book in spite of (or perhaps because) all its shortcoming (because I'm always happiest when I have something to rant about).
White — 1 star
To give an indication as to where this review is going: I read the first few chapters of this book, put it aside, and promptly forgot all about it for almost a week. It was a happy (but brief) period of blissful ignorance.
If Black is all about forest loving hippies who shun shoes, and Red is about epic sword battles in the desert, then White revolves around the epic romance of Thomas and Chelise. And by "epic" I actually mean "hot mess".
Because seriously, Dekker's attempt at writing a believable love story is the most out-of-the-blue, sloppily handled, cliché riddled, cringe worthy piece of romance I have ever read. It is very possible that it doesn't get any worse than this, folks.
It's not that the pairing is confusing and unbelievable; it's not that the characters insist on calling each other "my love" and speak like Shakespeare wrote their dialog; it's not that the Hero, in the face of their doomed love, likes to weep single tears of sorrow down a rugged cheek; it's not that their plot line reads like a rejected Disney film script with an all-mouse cast... Oh, no, actually - it is.
Never before have I cringed and facepalmed my way through so many pages. I didn't know you could get such bad second hand embarrassment from reading professionally published fiction. It's like Dekker, after "neatly" wrapping up his 21st century plot line, realized that he actually needed a resolution for the dream world too and, stumped, decided to use that Horde princess he briefly mentioned in a stray paragraph in Red (I do realize that the whole thing was most likely planned, but I prefer my version because I like giving Dekker the excuse of being the victim of time constraints and stress rather than simply being a downright awful writer. Because wow, Dekker. Wow...).
And it's not like one can ignore the Thomas/Chelise plot either, because as previously mentioned, that's pretty much all White is - an ode to their romance. The virus/nuke situation in the other word is downgraded to a subplot (and I use that word generously), because heaven knows that it's more interesting to read about two characters sitting in a library, crying over a book and making eyes at each other while trying to ignore the brimming UST.
The bad really did outweigh the good in this book. Dekker was cutting corners through the whole thing: using Johan to turn Carlos, like the flick of a switch, was such a cop out. The fact that Thomas blood was the key to it all was downright disappointing, because it was such an obvious solution that it was almost too obvious, and I was teetering on the brink of respecting Dekker for not taking the easy way out when, to my utter despair, he totally did.
The characters spend an unhealthy amount of time weeping, because apparently turning into pacifists means that they're now a bunch of pansies. Even Elyon/Justin can't help but desperately sob every time he appears, and by the end of the trilogy I didn't care if he was some sort of allegory for God - I wanted to punch Justin in the face because he was that obnoxious.
And what was up with the Elyon/God parallels anyway? Elyon gets a fair deal of screen time, and the characters are certainly acknowledging his existence, so I find it strange that it takes them three whole books to start connecting the dots between the Great Romance and Christianity (the MC was raised by a chaplain, for crying out loud!). And even when they do all agree that that's the way the land lays, no one seems to care about making peace with God. They're all about to most likely die in a few days, and they could care less about the salvation of their souls. Thomas witnessed Justin's sacrifice, which certainly moved him, and he claims to love Elyon above all else, and yet he never bothers picking up a Bible or researching the similarities between the two religions. This trilogy is supposed to be Christian fiction; I simply can't give this a pass.
Dekker also seems to get hung up on certain words or phrases and goes through long phases of using said words as often as he possibly can; in the first books everyone's eyes would twinkle and people would wink at each other all the time, and in White there seems to be a spitting epidemic; "he spit to the side", "she spit on the floor", "he spit before answering", "she looked away and spit". It's ridiculous.
That said, it wasn't all bad. Most of it was, but... I enjoyed the fact that the Horde couldn't read the Book of Histories, and the epilogue was kind of interesting. The fact that France was trying to take over the world never ceased to amuse me.
I was even planning on giving the book two whole stars, but then I got to the ending.
Thomas has spent most - if not all - of the books being somewhat of a Gary Stu. That's fine, I can live with that. But with the blood theme that's been a constant red thread throughout the books (Thomas' blood enabling dreaming, Justin's sacrifice turning the lakes red, etc. etc.) the ending seems downright inappropriate.
Thomas dying to save the world I can stomach, but the way it was worded, the things it implied: "his blood saved the world", "he gave his life for the world", "his sacrifice saved mankind"... Sound familiar? As a Christian, I balked at that; I don't appreciate it when the MC is turned into a Christ figure.
Overall, reading White was like pulling teeth, a disappointment which, looking back, has dampened my enjoyment of the trilogy as a whole. I reread the books because I hadn't written a review and I wanted to add one; from my first read through I remembered that the trilogy were pretty mediocre, but it was actually worse than I could ever recall.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2025
My youth pastor in college gave me this book, and at the time I just didn't have time to read it. My husband did, though, and he loved it so much that he read ALL of the other Dekker books connected to the trilogy (at least 10 of them). So it's been on my TBR list for over a decade! Many thanks to my book club for finally changing that status :)
The whole trilogy is just a really fun read. It's fast-paced, creative, and exciting. It's not the most in-depth or introspective book I'll ever read: the characters are on the flat side and the constant action just seems a little contrived after a while. But gosh it's a good time. Like the John Carter of Mars books--don't over-analyze, just enjoy yourself, and you'll have a blast.
It is very fun to see how Dekker takes the invisible parts of Christianity (God, sin, salvation, good works, etc.) and turns them into tangible realities in Thomas' dream world. Obviously not all of the analogies are perfect (these are mostly fun books, not theology books), but there are some good discussion points hidden in there. In this regard, Black covers the Fall of mankind and the entry of sin into the world, Red covers the Old Testament Law and the story of the Gospels, and White is analogous to Acts and the history of the early church. The trilogy would probably incite some great discussions about the foundational beliefs of Christianity in a youth group book club.
The whole trilogy is just a really fun read. It's fast-paced, creative, and exciting. It's not the most in-depth or introspective book I'll ever read: the characters are on the flat side and the constant action just seems a little contrived after a while. But gosh it's a good time. Like the John Carter of Mars books--don't over-analyze, just enjoy yourself, and you'll have a blast.
It is very fun to see how Dekker takes the invisible parts of Christianity (God, sin, salvation, good works, etc.) and turns them into tangible realities in Thomas' dream world. Obviously not all of the analogies are perfect (these are mostly fun books, not theology books), but there are some good discussion points hidden in there. In this regard, Black covers the Fall of mankind and the entry of sin into the world, Red covers the Old Testament Law and the story of the Gospels, and White is analogous to Acts and the history of the early church. The trilogy would probably incite some great discussions about the foundational beliefs of Christianity in a youth group book club.
January 25, 2024
Apparently I pick this up every seven years or so. On this, my third go, it doesn’t seem quite as EPIC and pure greatness as I thought when I was 11, but I definitely see why it captured my imagination. My favorite parts are the analogies with Justin and how you get to experience different Biblical events very differently. I’m not sure how I feel abt the characters trying to relate this back into the ‘real world’… I think it’s a bit more respectful kept in the ‘the dreams’.
There was a lot of info dumping in these books which had never stood out to me before…but hey…I think the author wrote it all in a year, so I can’t complain.
This series made a big impression on me as a child, and overall a positive one. Traveling back to these worlds for a third time, I could definitely feel I’d aged since reading…but the experience was still…”SURREAL!” 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
There was a lot of info dumping in these books which had never stood out to me before…but hey…I think the author wrote it all in a year, so I can’t complain.
This series made a big impression on me as a child, and overall a positive one. Traveling back to these worlds for a third time, I could definitely feel I’d aged since reading…but the experience was still…”SURREAL!” 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
May 2, 2012
WARNING, THIS BOOK MAY CHANGE YOUR LIFE! That's really all I can say without spoiling it but seriously, read it!
July 11, 2023
Great plot, but the writing could do well with a few more edits.
June 5, 2009
Played Russian roulette at the library and grabbed this because the first book's Graphic design was interesting as was the title. I was confronted with tons of religious imagery and a strange plot line of a character stuck between two worlds "dreaming" of both. I just couldn't get into it. I'm a person who likes to know the ending no matter what so I skimmed the better part of the whole trilogy and just wasn't impressed.
October 17, 2017
Great story! Very engrossing tale covering alternate timelines, including a spiritual dimension and absolute credible disaster. The central character is absorbing and very dynamic.
September 2, 2019
Dang. Incredible.
July 13, 2010
Black (Book One):
What would you do if you thought you were the only person in the world with information that would save mankind? Could you convince your one and only sibling (and ally) to believe that your dreams were prophetic? What if she just happened to have sleeping medication that enabled you to get information from the future to help the present world? What if the future world was WAY better than the present world? Would you try to stay there? What if the future, better world was ripped to shreds? Would you go back to the present and try to make the best of it, Raison Virus and all? Thomas Hunter is forced to answer all of these questions, and I liked "being there" to see what he'd decide.
Red (Book Two):
"Dream big." Classroom posters and graduation cards encourage youth to do just that, but when Kara, Thomas's sister, encourages him to "dream big", Thomas takes her literally and returns a much older, much wiser man, a future warrior in fact. Yet despite all his wisdom and knowledge, Thomas joins the masses in condemning Justin, and I, the reader, did too. Thank you, Ted Dekker, for the vivid reminder that my diseased self shed innocent blood and for the sinking realization that I am no better than a doubting Thomas.
White (Book Three):
Until yesterday I used to think that romance novels were my nemesis. “They clog up too much shelf space at local thrift stores,” I’d say. “If the general populace wasn’t so obsessed with reading about rippling biceps and buxom blondes, folks like me would have an easier time finding good books cheap!”
Then I realized that I had just spent the past two weeks reading The Circle Trilogy, which is all about romance, so much so that the Forest People, the Circle and, eventually, the Horde enjoy playing out what they call the Great Romance. Public displays of affection, self-sacrifice, and mercy abound in White. In fact, I was so inspired to love on a greater scale that after finishing Book Three (in which love knows no boundaries), I called up my widowed grandmother to see if she’d like some of the dinner only my sister and I were going to share. Our subsequent dinner together was one that I won’t soon forget. So I now ask myself: Why don’t I live out more fully what He’s written to His beloved, His church, His bride? Why am I not showing others that they are worth dying for?
Realizations like this made the Trilogy worth reading. I’m quite familiar with the Gospel story, but I’ve never read about it like this before. In Book Three, Dekker helped me understand the struggles of early Christians and church leaders. I was convicted at how I judge others and awestruck by the reminder that Christ sees believers as His bride!
If loads of people in my area spend loads of time reading loads of books about romance (or watching movies about romance or reading articles about romance or talking about/offering advice concerning/wishing for romance), “the fields are as white in the world!” The need to share about the perfect, all-encompassing, eternity changing, free love of God is great, hence The Great Romance. After all, Fabio can't do what Jesus can. :)
(Now onto Green and the other six related books…)
What would you do if you thought you were the only person in the world with information that would save mankind? Could you convince your one and only sibling (and ally) to believe that your dreams were prophetic? What if she just happened to have sleeping medication that enabled you to get information from the future to help the present world? What if the future world was WAY better than the present world? Would you try to stay there? What if the future, better world was ripped to shreds? Would you go back to the present and try to make the best of it, Raison Virus and all? Thomas Hunter is forced to answer all of these questions, and I liked "being there" to see what he'd decide.
Red (Book Two):
"Dream big." Classroom posters and graduation cards encourage youth to do just that, but when Kara, Thomas's sister, encourages him to "dream big", Thomas takes her literally and returns a much older, much wiser man, a future warrior in fact. Yet despite all his wisdom and knowledge, Thomas joins the masses in condemning Justin, and I, the reader, did too. Thank you, Ted Dekker, for the vivid reminder that my diseased self shed innocent blood and for the sinking realization that I am no better than a doubting Thomas.
White (Book Three):
Until yesterday I used to think that romance novels were my nemesis. “They clog up too much shelf space at local thrift stores,” I’d say. “If the general populace wasn’t so obsessed with reading about rippling biceps and buxom blondes, folks like me would have an easier time finding good books cheap!”
Then I realized that I had just spent the past two weeks reading The Circle Trilogy, which is all about romance, so much so that the Forest People, the Circle and, eventually, the Horde enjoy playing out what they call the Great Romance. Public displays of affection, self-sacrifice, and mercy abound in White. In fact, I was so inspired to love on a greater scale that after finishing Book Three (in which love knows no boundaries), I called up my widowed grandmother to see if she’d like some of the dinner only my sister and I were going to share. Our subsequent dinner together was one that I won’t soon forget. So I now ask myself: Why don’t I live out more fully what He’s written to His beloved, His church, His bride? Why am I not showing others that they are worth dying for?
Realizations like this made the Trilogy worth reading. I’m quite familiar with the Gospel story, but I’ve never read about it like this before. In Book Three, Dekker helped me understand the struggles of early Christians and church leaders. I was convicted at how I judge others and awestruck by the reminder that Christ sees believers as His bride!
If loads of people in my area spend loads of time reading loads of books about romance (or watching movies about romance or reading articles about romance or talking about/offering advice concerning/wishing for romance), “the fields are as white in the world!” The need to share about the perfect, all-encompassing, eternity changing, free love of God is great, hence The Great Romance. After all, Fabio can't do what Jesus can. :)
(Now onto Green and the other six related books…)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2011
Book two of the Circle Trilogy finds Thomas still caught between two worlds. In one he is a respected leader trying to help his people from and agonizing calamity that will end life as they know it. In there other world he is trying to stop the release of the deadliest air-borne virus ever created. Thomas must find a way to change history--or face the destruction of both two worlds. Time is running out! Read the trilogy to find out how or if Thomas can change history. This book is a true page turner.
March 23, 2021
This one is easily my favorite series. Instead of using normal fantasy elements such as dragons or dwarfs, Ted Dekker creates his own, entirely unique world. The series begins with Black, continues in Red and White, then ends (or does it) with Green. For anyone wanting a fresh perspective on God or the fantasy genre, this is the series for you. Dive deep!
January 14, 2010
I ONLY read historical romance novels. When my sister, mom and aunt were all excited, talking about this series, I felt left out. I stole my sisters copy and couldn't put it down from the moment I started reading it. This is the best book I have EVER read.
February 10, 2012
What a beautiful analogy of God's love for humanity!
June 29, 2023
Whatever review I write simply will not give this epic trilogy enough credit. So just read it for yourself. :)
October 28, 2010
THAT WAS AMAZING.
Read it.
I recommend it to everyone.
Have a box of tissues nearby.
:'D
BEST CHRISTIAN FANTASY BOOK I'VE EVER READ, besides LOTR and Narnia.
Read it.
I recommend it to everyone.
Have a box of tissues nearby.
:'D
BEST CHRISTIAN FANTASY BOOK I'VE EVER READ, besides LOTR and Narnia.
August 15, 2012
VERY good. Gets pretty deep and theological - as Dekker does a lot in his writing. Brace yourself. ;)
November 23, 2016
Id et quo est quia dolores numquam aperiam. At et accusantium vel fuga et sunt. Ut in omnis et. Quibusdam sed nobis.
October 19, 2022
Great series and analogy of spiritual warfare. HIGHLY recommend!
July 17, 2018
Black:
When Thomas Hunter falls asleep in this world, he awakes in another. It’s a world where what we know as the spiritual is physically present. He lives there until he falls asleep, then he reawakens in this world. As he goes back and forth, he loses sight of what’s real. Is it this world or that one? Are they somehow both real?
The only thing he knows for sure is that what happens to him in the other world affects him in this one. He learns of a virus that could wipe out the entire planet in three weeks. He’s the only one who can stop it, and no one believes him.
It’s up to Thomas to save both worlds as darkness engulfs them both.
This is my second reading of the Circle series. Black is book one.
When I first read this series, I fell in love with Dekker’s writing. When someone asks me what my favorite books are, this series is the first one I list.
Dekker has masterfully woven two plots into one. There is action, suspense, romance, and all-around entertainment. But my favorite thing about this series is the imagery. Symbolism and Biblical parallels are laced throughout.
Reading this again, I realize that I may have missed things that were fairly obvious in regards to Old Testament imagery in this first installment. Recognizing these parallels makes the story so much richer.
Red:
Thomas Hunter leads two lives. In one world, he is trying to stop a virus from wiping out civilization. In the other, he is the leader of warriors who protect their people from a fallen enemy.
The evidence of a link between these worlds grows, and Thomas must stay alive to change history, or both worlds could be destroyed.
Red is the second book in the Circle series. It picks up at the exact point that Black left off, and the rollercoaster continues. The Biblical parallels become richer in this installment as the over-arching story reaches a climax in the world of the Colored Forest.
This book does lag just a bit in places, compared to Black, but the story moves forward at a decent pace for the depth of the story being told here.
This book is also a bit more violent, but it’s poignant and essential to the story.
White:
Thomas Hunter isn't sure which is more real, the virus that will kill practically every person on the planet in less than two weeks, or the Horde that threatens the existence of his people.
The fate of two worlds rests in Thomas's hands, and they are somehow connected. More than Thomas could have ever imagined.
Book three in the Circle series picks up pace as the virus begins to present symptoms. Coupled with a new challenge for Thomas in the world of the Colored Forest, the tension stays thick.
Once again, the Biblical symbolism is powerful.
While White ends on a note that feels complete, there is one more book in the series. Green. So, be sure not to miss it.
When Thomas Hunter falls asleep in this world, he awakes in another. It’s a world where what we know as the spiritual is physically present. He lives there until he falls asleep, then he reawakens in this world. As he goes back and forth, he loses sight of what’s real. Is it this world or that one? Are they somehow both real?
The only thing he knows for sure is that what happens to him in the other world affects him in this one. He learns of a virus that could wipe out the entire planet in three weeks. He’s the only one who can stop it, and no one believes him.
It’s up to Thomas to save both worlds as darkness engulfs them both.
This is my second reading of the Circle series. Black is book one.
When I first read this series, I fell in love with Dekker’s writing. When someone asks me what my favorite books are, this series is the first one I list.
Dekker has masterfully woven two plots into one. There is action, suspense, romance, and all-around entertainment. But my favorite thing about this series is the imagery. Symbolism and Biblical parallels are laced throughout.
Reading this again, I realize that I may have missed things that were fairly obvious in regards to Old Testament imagery in this first installment. Recognizing these parallels makes the story so much richer.
Red:
Thomas Hunter leads two lives. In one world, he is trying to stop a virus from wiping out civilization. In the other, he is the leader of warriors who protect their people from a fallen enemy.
The evidence of a link between these worlds grows, and Thomas must stay alive to change history, or both worlds could be destroyed.
Red is the second book in the Circle series. It picks up at the exact point that Black left off, and the rollercoaster continues. The Biblical parallels become richer in this installment as the over-arching story reaches a climax in the world of the Colored Forest.
This book does lag just a bit in places, compared to Black, but the story moves forward at a decent pace for the depth of the story being told here.
This book is also a bit more violent, but it’s poignant and essential to the story.
White:
Thomas Hunter isn't sure which is more real, the virus that will kill practically every person on the planet in less than two weeks, or the Horde that threatens the existence of his people.
The fate of two worlds rests in Thomas's hands, and they are somehow connected. More than Thomas could have ever imagined.
Book three in the Circle series picks up pace as the virus begins to present symptoms. Coupled with a new challenge for Thomas in the world of the Colored Forest, the tension stays thick.
Once again, the Biblical symbolism is powerful.
While White ends on a note that feels complete, there is one more book in the series. Green. So, be sure not to miss it.
February 24, 2025
Ted Dekker's circle trilogy is an awesome work of fiction. If you've ever hated religious belief, this boom is definitely for you. Ted Dekker is definitely a Christian author, like the kind of book you'd find at Mardel. HOWEVER I'm not a Christian, yet I love this series. he puts a very novel spin on the christian doctrine, the most unique aspect being that he takes what otherwise would be purely evil characters and fleshes them out/ makes everyone of his characters just as evil and just as capable of evil as the "villains" in his book. It's a rare take of Christianity that doesn't actually exalt the christians above non christians. The best parts of the first book, black, happen within the modern day world. Thomas Hunter's future world that he wakes up in whenever he falls asleep in the modern day world definitely is a little strange and too utopian. As an example of what I'm talking about in Red Dekker's reimagining of Christianity, He has both angels and demons as giant BATS- white and black ones, respectively. It's not a metaphor, rather the angels and demons feel like just an entirely different species to our own than something more... metaphysical. You start to yearn for the cheesy utopian world once the plot gets going. In "Red" he does an amazing job of reimagining the "fall of man" and the nature of sin in a way that actually feels "fresh" when it comes to the christian story we all have known since Sunday school. I'm not just being overenthusiastic, it really is a totally original take on the christian message that could totally fly if it was in nonchristian works/ anime.
But the main reason I love this series is how Ted dekker portrays the christian God. Named "Elyon" in the distant future earth, God himself is portrayed as a character in such a way that the portrayal is unique enough to stand on its own in any nonreligious work of fiction.
His portrayal of God himself in "white" is easily the most emotionally impactful portrayal of God that I've seen : God is a little boy that is standing on a cloud overlooking the earth in the far future, with a great battle going on beneath him between humans. He stands there crying, mourning over
his creation.
Ted Dekker takes Christianity far deeper than most people ever even think of it their entire lives. Regardless of what I believe I have much respect for Ted Dekker as an author due to this series.
But the main reason I love this series is how Ted dekker portrays the christian God. Named "Elyon" in the distant future earth, God himself is portrayed as a character in such a way that the portrayal is unique enough to stand on its own in any nonreligious work of fiction.
His portrayal of God himself in "white" is easily the most emotionally impactful portrayal of God that I've seen : God is a little boy that is standing on a cloud overlooking the earth in the far future, with a great battle going on beneath him between humans. He stands there crying, mourning over
his creation.
Ted Dekker takes Christianity far deeper than most people ever even think of it their entire lives. Regardless of what I believe I have much respect for Ted Dekker as an author due to this series.
December 12, 2017
Okay. I'm going to try to explain myself here.
I've literally been reading this book for 9 years. Literally.
I read "Black" (book one of the trilogy) in a matter of weeks, less than a month, easily, while in college. I loved "Black".
I started "Red" nine years ago.
I pick up every single time I finish a different book and I made it a chapter OR LESS. It is SO BORING. I read the other reviews, the people who loved Red and I don't get it, what am I missing?
So, I read maybe half of it, maybe a little more, over nine years. I read some summaries to make sure my memory was in tack, and I quickly skimmed the rest.
I'm going to start "White" now and hopefully it wont take me another nine years, I loved "Black" so much, I really do want this to finally come together for me after all this ridiculous time.
I've literally been reading this book for 9 years. Literally.
I read "Black" (book one of the trilogy) in a matter of weeks, less than a month, easily, while in college. I loved "Black".
I started "Red" nine years ago.
I pick up every single time I finish a different book and I made it a chapter OR LESS. It is SO BORING. I read the other reviews, the people who loved Red and I don't get it, what am I missing?
So, I read maybe half of it, maybe a little more, over nine years. I read some summaries to make sure my memory was in tack, and I quickly skimmed the rest.
I'm going to start "White" now and hopefully it wont take me another nine years, I loved "Black" so much, I really do want this to finally come together for me after all this ridiculous time.
October 8, 2020
This is a review of all four books in The Circle cycle:
Confused and inconsistent religious symbolism bogs down what could be a very interesting conceptual novel.The story traces one man and those close to him as his dreams connect two parallel realities. The most entertaining story is of a deadly virus set to wipe out humanity in two weeks. This plotline is resolved by the end of the third book, leaving the author to bumble around in heavy-handed and indelicate religious symbolism as he attempts to draw his apocalyptic story of redemption. Dekker does have some success in painting spiritual realities through physical analogs. The book series simply doesn’t have a compelling enough story and it falls well short of the author’s clearly intended poignancy. Wouldn’t recommend or read again. Also, it’s stinking 1,594 pages long!
D+
Confused and inconsistent religious symbolism bogs down what could be a very interesting conceptual novel.The story traces one man and those close to him as his dreams connect two parallel realities. The most entertaining story is of a deadly virus set to wipe out humanity in two weeks. This plotline is resolved by the end of the third book, leaving the author to bumble around in heavy-handed and indelicate religious symbolism as he attempts to draw his apocalyptic story of redemption. Dekker does have some success in painting spiritual realities through physical analogs. The book series simply doesn’t have a compelling enough story and it falls well short of the author’s clearly intended poignancy. Wouldn’t recommend or read again. Also, it’s stinking 1,594 pages long!
D+
January 14, 2026
What if everything spiritual in our walk with the Lord were physical. Oof. What a series how beautifully written and thought provoking. The firs I read this series I didn’t realize it was a retelling of the gospel story and when it hit me it BLEW MY MIND. The descriptiveness of life if Eden had lasted past Adam and Eve could bring me to tears. His descriptions of community, romance, creation and relationship with Elyon without the hindrance of the fall brought me to such a whimsical and wonder filled view of what heaven could be. Then, pos fall his depictions of sin as seperation and baptism were just stunning. I could go on and on and on but if you couldn’t already tell this is my most favorite series of all time. And the sequel to this, the Mystic series is even better.
March 24, 2025
When I say 5 stars, I mean it. I wish these could be rated higher! I won't give a summery because you can look that up, but let met say that these books are well worth your time. Are you looking for an epic series filled with action, love, sword fights, hero stories, villains, valor, and grit?? Well, look no further. Are you looking also for a (mostly) clean Christian series that isn't cheesy and corny like many others...? Look no further. Ted has you covered. I won't say any more... you'll have to find out for yourself.
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