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Ollie Chandler #2
Dominion
Sweet Revenge?
When two senseless killings hit close to home, columnist Clarence Abernathy seeks revenge for the murders--and, ultimately, answers to his own struggles regarding race and faith. After being dragged into the world of inner-city gangs and racial conflict, Clarence is encouraged by fellow columnist Jake Woods to forge an unlikely partnership with a redneck homicide detective. Soon the two find themselves facing dark forces, while unseen eyes watch from above. This re-release of Randy Alcorn's powerful bestseller spins off from Deadline and offers a fascinating glimpse inside heaven.
Can One Man's Search for Justice Stand Up to the Forces of Evil Threatening to Destroy Him?
A shocking murder drags black newspaper columnist Clarence Abernathy into the disorienting world of inner-city gangs and racial conflict. In a desperate hunt for answers to the violence (and to his own struggles with race and faith), Clarence forges an unlikely partnership with redneck detective Ollie Chandler. Despite their differences, Clarence and Ollie soon find themselves sharing the same mission: victory over the forces of darkness vying for dominion.
Filled with insight--and with characters so real you'll never forget them--Dominion is a dramatic story of spiritual searching, racial reconciliation, and hope.
I don't know when I have read a novel that affected me so profoundly. Randy Alcorn has combined a superb mystery/detective story with a lesson in racial relations in America, gang dynamics and symbols, Christian values, and spiritual warfare.
--Dave Kirby, Troy (Alabama) Broadcasting Corporation
Even better than its predecessor...Alcorn's writing remains top-notch.
--Sean Taylor, CBA Marketplace
READER'S GUIDE INCLUDED
Story Behind the Book
Randy Alcorn thoroughly researched his characters, spending time in the inner city with homicide and gang detectives to better create the scenes for this bestselling novel. He set the story in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, and the main character, Clarence Abernathy, is a black journalist whose unforgettable father played baseball in the old Negro Leagues. Randy has received many letters from readers who assume he is African American due to his accurate portrayals of racial issues.
When two senseless killings hit close to home, columnist Clarence Abernathy seeks revenge for the murders--and, ultimately, answers to his own struggles regarding race and faith. After being dragged into the world of inner-city gangs and racial conflict, Clarence is encouraged by fellow columnist Jake Woods to forge an unlikely partnership with a redneck homicide detective. Soon the two find themselves facing dark forces, while unseen eyes watch from above. This re-release of Randy Alcorn's powerful bestseller spins off from Deadline and offers a fascinating glimpse inside heaven.
Can One Man's Search for Justice Stand Up to the Forces of Evil Threatening to Destroy Him?
A shocking murder drags black newspaper columnist Clarence Abernathy into the disorienting world of inner-city gangs and racial conflict. In a desperate hunt for answers to the violence (and to his own struggles with race and faith), Clarence forges an unlikely partnership with redneck detective Ollie Chandler. Despite their differences, Clarence and Ollie soon find themselves sharing the same mission: victory over the forces of darkness vying for dominion.
Filled with insight--and with characters so real you'll never forget them--Dominion is a dramatic story of spiritual searching, racial reconciliation, and hope.
I don't know when I have read a novel that affected me so profoundly. Randy Alcorn has combined a superb mystery/detective story with a lesson in racial relations in America, gang dynamics and symbols, Christian values, and spiritual warfare.
--Dave Kirby, Troy (Alabama) Broadcasting Corporation
Even better than its predecessor...Alcorn's writing remains top-notch.
--Sean Taylor, CBA Marketplace
READER'S GUIDE INCLUDED
Story Behind the Book
Randy Alcorn thoroughly researched his characters, spending time in the inner city with homicide and gang detectives to better create the scenes for this bestselling novel. He set the story in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, and the main character, Clarence Abernathy, is a black journalist whose unforgettable father played baseball in the old Negro Leagues. Randy has received many letters from readers who assume he is African American due to his accurate portrayals of racial issues.
603 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
110 people are currently reading
2270 people want to read
About the author
Randy Alcorn
223 books1,580 followersRandy Alcorn is the founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM), a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching biblical truth and drawing attention to the needy and how to help them. EPM exists to meet the needs of the unreached, unfed, unborn, uneducated, unreconciled and unsupported people around the world.
"My ministry focus is communicating the strategic importance of using our earthly time, money, possessions and opportunities to invest in need-meeting ministries that count for eternity," Alcorn says. "I do that by trying to analyze, teach and apply the implications of Christian truth."
Before starting EPM in 1990, Alcorn co-pastored for thirteen years Good Shepherd Community Church outside Gresham, Oregon. He has ministered in many countries, including China, and is a popular teacher and conference speaker. Randy has taught on the part-time faculties of Western Seminary and Multnomah University, both in Portland, Oregon.
Randy is a best-selling author of 50 books including Heaven, The Treasure Principle and the 2002 Gold Medallion winner, Safely Home. He has written numerous articles for magazines such as Discipleship Journal, Moody, Leadership, New Man, and The Christian Reader. He produces the quarterly issues-oriented magazine Eternal Perspectives, and has been a guest on more than 650 radio and television programs including Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, The Bible Answer Man, Revive Our Hearts, Truths that Transform and Faith Under Fire.
Alcorn resides in Gresham, Oregon with his wife, Nanci. The Alcorns have two married daughters, Karina and Angela.
Randy and Nanci are the proud grandparents of five grandsons. Randy enjoys hanging out with his family, biking, tennis, research and reading.
Taken from the Eternal Perspective Ministries website, http://www.epm.org
"My ministry focus is communicating the strategic importance of using our earthly time, money, possessions and opportunities to invest in need-meeting ministries that count for eternity," Alcorn says. "I do that by trying to analyze, teach and apply the implications of Christian truth."
Before starting EPM in 1990, Alcorn co-pastored for thirteen years Good Shepherd Community Church outside Gresham, Oregon. He has ministered in many countries, including China, and is a popular teacher and conference speaker. Randy has taught on the part-time faculties of Western Seminary and Multnomah University, both in Portland, Oregon.
Randy is a best-selling author of 50 books including Heaven, The Treasure Principle and the 2002 Gold Medallion winner, Safely Home. He has written numerous articles for magazines such as Discipleship Journal, Moody, Leadership, New Man, and The Christian Reader. He produces the quarterly issues-oriented magazine Eternal Perspectives, and has been a guest on more than 650 radio and television programs including Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, The Bible Answer Man, Revive Our Hearts, Truths that Transform and Faith Under Fire.
Alcorn resides in Gresham, Oregon with his wife, Nanci. The Alcorns have two married daughters, Karina and Angela.
Randy and Nanci are the proud grandparents of five grandsons. Randy enjoys hanging out with his family, biking, tennis, research and reading.
Taken from the Eternal Perspective Ministries website, http://www.epm.org
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
December 4, 2013
This review isn't going to be the easiest to write if I really delve into why I liked the book and the parts I didn't like, because someone out there is bound to call me a rascist. That's not the case.
The truth is, I thought this book was awesome. As a Christian mystery novel, it obviously came across as spiritual, but in a way that didn't overpower a reader. Even a non-Christian could read the book and get into the main story. Alcorn puts alot of philosophy in his book as well, and the picture he paints of Heaven was probably one of the best I've ever read...while the one he paints of Hell actually scared me.
The story centers around Clarence Abernathy, a columnist for an Oregon newspaper and man with a huge chip on his shoulder about being treated differently for being black. When his sister and his niece are killed in a gang related shooting, Clarence takes it upon himself to solve the crime with the help of Ollie, a policeman who Clarence considers a "redneck" and his good friend Jake (apparently the main character in this novel's predecessor, which I haven't read). While the main storyline threads through the story, several smaller stories branch out from it. Many happenings that could have been told in one or two paragraphs end up spread out onto two or three pages. I would find this obnoxious in many novels, but Alcorn does a good job of holding the reader's interest and finding a way to tie it all in to the spiritual nature of the story.
I had to give this book five stars, not only because it was a good story, but because it made me think. It also made me irritated. There were moments in the book when I actually felt like I should feel guilty for being white. Race is a key theme in this book, so much so that the main character's chip about being black made me want to just scream. In those moments, I wondered if the author had an alternate agenda in his writing.
But by the end of the book, I believed that this wasn't the case. The main character, chip or not, actually comes to terms with his own racism and the fact that while he believes others are judging him, he is judging them as well. The main theme comes to the fact that racism is everywhere, even in people who don't believe they have an issue with other colors. It shows how hard it is to be color blind with so many stereotypes. I also truly appreciated the fact that the story explored other beliefs in the context of a spiritual conflict between the main character and his brother. While I came to the conclusion that I'm sure I'm missing out on alot of things since I don't have firsthand experience of being a different color, I also liked the thought that race should have no bearing on how you try to live and the personal success you aim to achieve (re: I'm very much anti-affirmative action).
Overall, this book was excellent. It made me laugh, cry, and above all, think and question my own thoughts, beliefs, and pre-conceived notions about the world and society as a whole.
The truth is, I thought this book was awesome. As a Christian mystery novel, it obviously came across as spiritual, but in a way that didn't overpower a reader. Even a non-Christian could read the book and get into the main story. Alcorn puts alot of philosophy in his book as well, and the picture he paints of Heaven was probably one of the best I've ever read...while the one he paints of Hell actually scared me.
The story centers around Clarence Abernathy, a columnist for an Oregon newspaper and man with a huge chip on his shoulder about being treated differently for being black. When his sister and his niece are killed in a gang related shooting, Clarence takes it upon himself to solve the crime with the help of Ollie, a policeman who Clarence considers a "redneck" and his good friend Jake (apparently the main character in this novel's predecessor, which I haven't read). While the main storyline threads through the story, several smaller stories branch out from it. Many happenings that could have been told in one or two paragraphs end up spread out onto two or three pages. I would find this obnoxious in many novels, but Alcorn does a good job of holding the reader's interest and finding a way to tie it all in to the spiritual nature of the story.
I had to give this book five stars, not only because it was a good story, but because it made me think. It also made me irritated. There were moments in the book when I actually felt like I should feel guilty for being white. Race is a key theme in this book, so much so that the main character's chip about being black made me want to just scream. In those moments, I wondered if the author had an alternate agenda in his writing.
But by the end of the book, I believed that this wasn't the case. The main character, chip or not, actually comes to terms with his own racism and the fact that while he believes others are judging him, he is judging them as well. The main theme comes to the fact that racism is everywhere, even in people who don't believe they have an issue with other colors. It shows how hard it is to be color blind with so many stereotypes. I also truly appreciated the fact that the story explored other beliefs in the context of a spiritual conflict between the main character and his brother. While I came to the conclusion that I'm sure I'm missing out on alot of things since I don't have firsthand experience of being a different color, I also liked the thought that race should have no bearing on how you try to live and the personal success you aim to achieve (re: I'm very much anti-affirmative action).
Overall, this book was excellent. It made me laugh, cry, and above all, think and question my own thoughts, beliefs, and pre-conceived notions about the world and society as a whole.
September 16, 2018
This marks my second time reading this particular book. In my opinion, it doesn’t pack quite the same punch as its predecessor. While still a good story, it feels bloated with repetitive information, and I believe it would have been a better story if a couple hundred pages had been trimmed out. If I were to recommend Alcorn’s work to a friend, I would recommend Deadline without hesitation. I don’t know that I would do the same with this book. While I still loved the theological elements and the beautiful presentation of heaven, I found the plot and characters stiffer and harder to engage with than those in Deadline. And even as someone who shares a worldview with the author, I found this book to be very preachy.
Dominion is the story of Clarence Abernathy, a coworker of Jake Woods, the main character of Deadline. Clarence is a sports writer transitioning into a general columnist. Four things make Clarence stand out in the newsroom. First, he’s a big man. He’s physically very imposing and is built like a linebacker. Secondly, he’s an incredibly sharp dresser. While most journalists favor casual or even sloppy attire, Clarence is always impeccably dressed in expensive suits. Thirdly, he’s a conservative in a newsroom full of outspoken liberals, which means most everyone working at the paper disagrees vehemently with almost everything he writes. Fourthly, Clarence is African American, which makes his conservatism all the more unusual in the eyes of his fellow writers.
One of my issues with this book is that Clarence is just not as likable or empathetic as his main character counterpart in the first book. Clarence was a fun side character in Deadline, but he was so abrasive and defensive as a main character that it hindered my enjoyment of the book. Also, watching Jake come to faith in Deadline was a wonderful experience. We don’t get that here. Clarence is already a Christian, who thinks he is living a model Christian life because he follows a list of do and don’ts. In actuality, he is lukewarm at best and has stepped away from a true relationship with God. He is a believer in the “prosperity gospel,” which is an element of some segments of Christianity that I disagree with strongly. Obviously, so does Alcorn, and Clarence’s “name it and claim it” belief system is put to the test and found to be false. When God fails to live up to Clarence’s misguided expectations, Clarence turns his back on God because he feels betrayed.
Christians were never promised prosperity upon accepting Christ. In fact, we were promised the opposite in the form of troubles and persecution. God is not a genie, waiting on wishes to grant. He is not to be bartered and bargained with. We shouldn’t expect to find a new car in our garage just because we prayed really hard. That just isn’t how God works. He blesses us richly, but often not in the ways we demand. I could write a book on all of the issues I have with the prosperity gospel mentality, but suffice it to say that I disagree with it completely and have never found a single verse of Scripture that supports that view.
This is a book that I don’t believe would be published today. It’s the story of a black man and his family and neighborhood, and it deals heavily with racism and the past that still haunts every African American. So why do I think it wouldn’t have been published if written last year instead of over ten years ago? It was written by a white man. Though every element was handled with tremendous grace, I fear that this book would be viewed as appropriation in today’s political climate. However, it’s a very good book, and I think that Alcorn handled every single element of the story with great consideration and finesse.
Dominion and Deadline are both staunchly Christian books. I view them as apologetics with plot. I thoroughly love both (though I prefer Deadline), and my worldview lines up completely with that which Alcorn presents, as I myself am a conservative Christian. I just want to make people aware of the point of view being presented in these books. If you’re a Christian or are interested in learning more about what Christians believe, these are definitely the books for you. If neither of these describe you, I fear that you will likely find these books offensive, though I could be wrong. I suggest going into these books knowing that they are largely apologetic (explaining and defending a particular faith) in natural, and that knowledge will make the books more enjoyable.
Dominion is the story of Clarence Abernathy, a coworker of Jake Woods, the main character of Deadline. Clarence is a sports writer transitioning into a general columnist. Four things make Clarence stand out in the newsroom. First, he’s a big man. He’s physically very imposing and is built like a linebacker. Secondly, he’s an incredibly sharp dresser. While most journalists favor casual or even sloppy attire, Clarence is always impeccably dressed in expensive suits. Thirdly, he’s a conservative in a newsroom full of outspoken liberals, which means most everyone working at the paper disagrees vehemently with almost everything he writes. Fourthly, Clarence is African American, which makes his conservatism all the more unusual in the eyes of his fellow writers.
One of my issues with this book is that Clarence is just not as likable or empathetic as his main character counterpart in the first book. Clarence was a fun side character in Deadline, but he was so abrasive and defensive as a main character that it hindered my enjoyment of the book. Also, watching Jake come to faith in Deadline was a wonderful experience. We don’t get that here. Clarence is already a Christian, who thinks he is living a model Christian life because he follows a list of do and don’ts. In actuality, he is lukewarm at best and has stepped away from a true relationship with God. He is a believer in the “prosperity gospel,” which is an element of some segments of Christianity that I disagree with strongly. Obviously, so does Alcorn, and Clarence’s “name it and claim it” belief system is put to the test and found to be false. When God fails to live up to Clarence’s misguided expectations, Clarence turns his back on God because he feels betrayed.
Christians were never promised prosperity upon accepting Christ. In fact, we were promised the opposite in the form of troubles and persecution. God is not a genie, waiting on wishes to grant. He is not to be bartered and bargained with. We shouldn’t expect to find a new car in our garage just because we prayed really hard. That just isn’t how God works. He blesses us richly, but often not in the ways we demand. I could write a book on all of the issues I have with the prosperity gospel mentality, but suffice it to say that I disagree with it completely and have never found a single verse of Scripture that supports that view.
This is a book that I don’t believe would be published today. It’s the story of a black man and his family and neighborhood, and it deals heavily with racism and the past that still haunts every African American. So why do I think it wouldn’t have been published if written last year instead of over ten years ago? It was written by a white man. Though every element was handled with tremendous grace, I fear that this book would be viewed as appropriation in today’s political climate. However, it’s a very good book, and I think that Alcorn handled every single element of the story with great consideration and finesse.
Dominion and Deadline are both staunchly Christian books. I view them as apologetics with plot. I thoroughly love both (though I prefer Deadline), and my worldview lines up completely with that which Alcorn presents, as I myself am a conservative Christian. I just want to make people aware of the point of view being presented in these books. If you’re a Christian or are interested in learning more about what Christians believe, these are definitely the books for you. If neither of these describe you, I fear that you will likely find these books offensive, though I could be wrong. I suggest going into these books knowing that they are largely apologetic (explaining and defending a particular faith) in natural, and that knowledge will make the books more enjoyable.
July 12, 2010
This book was very hard for me to get through. It was LOADED with racial issues (we're talking every sentence, no exaggeration, was regarding race, white vs. black, judging based on race, etc.) and frankly it was so distracting that I ended up skimming/skipping those sections by the end (as well as the Heaven scenes. They seemed irrelevant to the story line). The point was made in the first 100 pages. Besides, the dialogue wasn't believable during the race discussions. Don't get me wrong, I think dealing with racial issues is important, but it was a little overkill.
I wanted to like this book more because I read other reviews where readers raved about it, and I did enjoy one of his other books, Deception. The plot didn't progress until around page 450, but once the story did take off, it was very gripping. If you plan on reading this book, know that it is heavy with racial conversations and slow on the story line.
I wanted to like this book more because I read other reviews where readers raved about it, and I did enjoy one of his other books, Deception. The plot didn't progress until around page 450, but once the story did take off, it was very gripping. If you plan on reading this book, know that it is heavy with racial conversations and slow on the story line.
August 15, 2024
3⭐️
A lot less about Heaven & Hell and angels than the first one, and a lot more focus on racial prejudice.
It was a curious choice for a white author to write from the perspectives of mostly black characters.
6 n words
A lot less about Heaven & Hell and angels than the first one, and a lot more focus on racial prejudice.
It was a curious choice for a white author to write from the perspectives of mostly black characters.
6 n words
February 21, 2024
This series definitely requires a physical or e-book read—skip the audiobooks; they’re abridged and leave out way too much. Otherwise, this was a fantastic reread for me. Looking forward to rereading the final book of the series.
August 30, 2012
My favorite in this series, which seems to be unusual in my reading circle. I appreciate that Alcorn doesn't shy away from uncomfortable issues involving race and gang crimes, but doesn't wallow in their ugliness either.
July 8, 2020
Okay. So, if you feel like reading a lot of ranting, I guess this is the review for you. While this was a great book that held my attention and kept me on the edge, there were two big turn-aways that you might consider before picking it up:
1. Racial Obsession-
Alcorn is a great guy, I think. He is pro-life and often brings that viewpoint into his books. However, I think when writers write novels they shouldn't make characters that they can not relate to. A fifty-year-old white male in America might have trouble truly representing the way an Asian twelve-year-old girl might feel. Similarly, Alcorn might have trouble as a white man truly representing the way Clarence Abernathy, a black man, would feel. EVERY. SINGLE. PAGE. had Clarence thinking about race. I'm not exaggerating. Anything at all happened, and Clarence would gripe and whine about how everyone was out to get him because he was black. I mean a waitress would say: "What would you like?" at a restaurant and Clarence would see red because she apparently had a lot of pent-up racial-based hate. It was sickening and I am surprised I finished the book (I only stomached it because I was super involved in the detective's investigation)
2. Heaven Scenes- Alcorn has evidently spent a lot of time studying heaven and spiritual beings and has come to his own conclusions that I do not share. He had mini-chapters dedicated to the viewpoint of characters in a strange heaven that I repeatedly skipped. His idea of guardian angels in sword-to sword combat with demons right next to us as we go about our daily lives is not a viewpoint I share. It weirded me out and probably will do the same with the average reader.
1. Racial Obsession-
Alcorn is a great guy, I think. He is pro-life and often brings that viewpoint into his books. However, I think when writers write novels they shouldn't make characters that they can not relate to. A fifty-year-old white male in America might have trouble truly representing the way an Asian twelve-year-old girl might feel. Similarly, Alcorn might have trouble as a white man truly representing the way Clarence Abernathy, a black man, would feel. EVERY. SINGLE. PAGE. had Clarence thinking about race. I'm not exaggerating. Anything at all happened, and Clarence would gripe and whine about how everyone was out to get him because he was black. I mean a waitress would say: "What would you like?" at a restaurant and Clarence would see red because she apparently had a lot of pent-up racial-based hate. It was sickening and I am surprised I finished the book (I only stomached it because I was super involved in the detective's investigation)
2. Heaven Scenes- Alcorn has evidently spent a lot of time studying heaven and spiritual beings and has come to his own conclusions that I do not share. He had mini-chapters dedicated to the viewpoint of characters in a strange heaven that I repeatedly skipped. His idea of guardian angels in sword-to sword combat with demons right next to us as we go about our daily lives is not a viewpoint I share. It weirded me out and probably will do the same with the average reader.
November 21, 2022
A great book with a great message. It's the hardest to get through of this trilogy, but it is such an important book.
September 17, 2019
This book was profoundly eye- opening , thought- provoking and amazingly interesting! I learned what it was like to put myself in a black man/ woman’s shoes and learned on a deeper level their mistreatments, sorrows, hurts and injustice done to them many years ago before owning a slave was against the law. I learned a lot about racialism. The book was sobering and heavy at times but I thoroughly enjoyed too seeing the side of heaven and getting more excited about going there. This book really spoke to me!
August 30, 2020
First of all, this is not just a thriller. I mean, it is. There is gang violence, murder, political drama, journalism shenanigans and more. But REALLY, really this book is about 2 important topics: racial inequality and...Heaven.
So, while the story is thrilling, Alcorn is using the story to teach teach TEACH. Here's how I know the teaching on racial equality is good--some of it caused me to raise an eyebrow, hurt my feelings almost. That's when you know he's preaching full-force and not just one-sided. I would love to hear an African American Christian's review of this book. What made me the saddest was that this book was set in the 90's. And the problems seem exactly the same as today. Why aren't they better??
The parts about heaven could be a little long BUT, if you stick with them, they are SO WORTH it. While I was in the middle of this book, one of my friends lost her battle with cancer. And having this teaching about how AMAZING Heaven is (and how MUCH MORE AMAZING Jesus is) gave me such encouragement in the grief.
I think this is an important book. My very favorite quote is one I remember from the first time I read it years ago, "black people see race as a marinade--it is in and through everything. White people see it as a sauce, they take as much or as little as they want." (from memory)
If you've never read a Randy Alcorn book, put it on your TBR. This is the 2nd in the series, but still a great standalone!
So, while the story is thrilling, Alcorn is using the story to teach teach TEACH. Here's how I know the teaching on racial equality is good--some of it caused me to raise an eyebrow, hurt my feelings almost. That's when you know he's preaching full-force and not just one-sided. I would love to hear an African American Christian's review of this book. What made me the saddest was that this book was set in the 90's. And the problems seem exactly the same as today. Why aren't they better??
The parts about heaven could be a little long BUT, if you stick with them, they are SO WORTH it. While I was in the middle of this book, one of my friends lost her battle with cancer. And having this teaching about how AMAZING Heaven is (and how MUCH MORE AMAZING Jesus is) gave me such encouragement in the grief.
I think this is an important book. My very favorite quote is one I remember from the first time I read it years ago, "black people see race as a marinade--it is in and through everything. White people see it as a sauce, they take as much or as little as they want." (from memory)
If you've never read a Randy Alcorn book, put it on your TBR. This is the 2nd in the series, but still a great standalone!
January 21, 2023
Дуже глибоко піднята тема расизму в США, війни банд, та корупції в поліції.
Але зачепила мене ця книга іншим, якщо у своїй попередній робіті паралельно основному сюжету, автор зміг показати пекло так що воно в перше у моему житті було страшне. То в цій книзі він робить акцент на Небесах, і робить це настільки вправно, що тобі справді хочется пережити цей досвід.
Я можу описати це лише як цілющий досвід. Переосмислення досвіду життя на Землі, горя та болі, житеві страждання відкриваються під іншим кутом коли ти дивишся на них кріз призму Небес. Книга залишає відчуття туги за цим місцем, враховуючи що ти там ніколи не був. Як поклик Моря у ельфів Толкіена.
Але зачепила мене ця книга іншим, якщо у своїй попередній робіті паралельно основному сюжету, автор зміг показати пекло так що воно в перше у моему житті було страшне. То в цій книзі він робить акцент на Небесах, і робить це настільки вправно, що тобі справді хочется пережити цей досвід.
Я можу описати це лише як цілющий досвід. Переосмислення досвіду життя на Землі, горя та болі, житеві страждання відкриваються під іншим кутом коли ти дивишся на них кріз призму Небес. Книга залишає відчуття туги за цим місцем, враховуючи що ти там ніколи не був. Як поклик Моря у ельфів Толкіена.
April 6, 2022
I really don't know how to review this book properly. So I will just suffice it to say it was a good book but parts did bother me.
April 16, 2012
Second in a series of three books by Randy Alcorn, "Deadline" and "Deception" being the other two, I highly recommend reading all three. Randy is a writer of Christian literature, but for those of you who may be turned off by the label "Christian literature", this series of three books will entertain you as suspenseful thrillers on their own merit. The Christian aspect is present, but subtle, and will not interfere with your enjoyment of three good thrillers. Randy does not write his fiction with an "in your face" presentation of his Christianity, but simply incorporates it as a real-life component in the lives of many people, several of whom happen to play a role in these books. Brought together by tragic circumstances, the two main characters are a police detective and a newspaper columnist. At first they circle each other like a pair of dogs trying to determine which should be the dominant one, but that soon evolves into a strong friendship by which they are able to deal with some major crises. Murder, gang violence, drugs, drive-by shootings, etc, are the real focuses (foci?) of these three companion volumes, and those issues are well researched and well presented by Randy Alcorn. I strongly recommend all three books to fans of detective thrillers, as well as people who enjoy Christian fiction.
February 3, 2011
Not as good as Deadline.
Maybe it's just because I live in the UK - where racial prejudice is nowhere near such a big issue, because most 'non-English' (!) moved here of there own volition - but it got tiresome being bashed over and over again for being an assumedly ignorant white American. And that while the protagonist is the biggest racist in the book. And doesn't seem to actually realise it ever.
Maybe it's just because I live in the UK - where racial prejudice is nowhere near such a big issue, because most 'non-English' (!) moved here of there own volition - but it got tiresome being bashed over and over again for being an assumedly ignorant white American. And that while the protagonist is the biggest racist in the book. And doesn't seem to actually realise it ever.
May 10, 2016
Not sure if the intent of the author was to write a Christian novel, a mystery, or use the book as a platform about racism. I loved the 1st book in this series, but found this one difficult to finish. In the 1st book, there was a fresh approach to looking at what eternal life in heaven could be coupled with a fast moving murder mystery. The second in the series, in my opinion, was too much detail about racism that interfered with the main plot of the story.
December 28, 2010
This book wasn't the full of the typical fluff that a lot of Christian books have - it had a lot of depth. It also made me think about a lot of things that don't normally cross my mind much: inner city life, gangs, drugs, racial conflict, prejudices and also heaven. Heaven was REAL in this book and while I have believed that my entire life, this book left me with a longing for my true home.
November 25, 2021
Wow, this book was exhausting. 600 pages, mostly about how much misery black people have and still do endure. The 200-300 pages of actual storyline were pretty good though. I'm curious to know how any black readers of it felt about the book since it was written by a white author but from a black man's point of view.
November 1, 2013
I really enjoyed the first book in the Ollie Chandler series and was a little disappointed in this one. I was hoping that Jake Woods would be more involved in this book, as I thought he was a very likable character in the first.
April 12, 2017
A great mystery and Christian fiction. The pictures in heaven have had a profound affect on my looking forward to it! I've even gone through my copy and marked these so I can come back and find them easily. I've read it many times. Thanks, Randy!
September 21, 2018
This is the second book in Randy Alcorn's series. While it was still a good story, I just didn't like this book as much as the first one or the third one. I highly recommend the last book in this series! It was the best.
April 12, 2019
Great book
This book was clean (no foul language or sex). It gave me a better glimpse and understanding of life after death, both in heaven and hell. Thanks for such a good read.
This book was clean (no foul language or sex). It gave me a better glimpse and understanding of life after death, both in heaven and hell. Thanks for such a good read.
October 1, 2017
This book was hard for me to read. I struggled to get into it and had difficulty sticking with it to finish. I don't recommend it. It is long, I believe the author is trying to do too much and I don't agree with his theology which made me dismiss much of the side plots.
The surface story has a woman and her five year old daughter killed in a gang-style shoot-up of their house. Her brother, a newspaper columnist works within and outside the confines of the law to bring the killers to justice, along the way distancing himself from his own wife and children and his nephew who is dabbling with gang membership, and jeopardising his job and reputation. One question Alcorn presents to readers is whether human sought justice is worth it or should just be left in God's hands. Along the way, Clarence explores in excruciating detail the history of racism in North America and goes on a soapbox about abortion--the comparison to rape was ridiculous!
Meanwhile in heaven--oh boy--his sister is meeting all kinds of people like C.S. Lewis and relatives who give her a family history and reinforce the evilness of racism theme--in case we're missing it on earth--the views to earth through historical and current portals weren't for me.
Finally the references to key passages in the Narnia Chronicles and books such as the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn were too much of a hammer to the head--what happened to SHOW, don't tell?
Did not like it.
The surface story has a woman and her five year old daughter killed in a gang-style shoot-up of their house. Her brother, a newspaper columnist works within and outside the confines of the law to bring the killers to justice, along the way distancing himself from his own wife and children and his nephew who is dabbling with gang membership, and jeopardising his job and reputation. One question Alcorn presents to readers is whether human sought justice is worth it or should just be left in God's hands. Along the way, Clarence explores in excruciating detail the history of racism in North America and goes on a soapbox about abortion--the comparison to rape was ridiculous!
Meanwhile in heaven--oh boy--his sister is meeting all kinds of people like C.S. Lewis and relatives who give her a family history and reinforce the evilness of racism theme--in case we're missing it on earth--the views to earth through historical and current portals weren't for me.
Finally the references to key passages in the Narnia Chronicles and books such as the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn were too much of a hammer to the head--what happened to SHOW, don't tell?
Did not like it.
September 30, 2017
I really enjoy Randy Alcorn's books and especially his portrayals of heaven and even those of hell which are frightening to say the least.
However this book is all about racial tension, gangs, drugs and as someone else said 'it is heavy with racial conversations and slow on the story line' which sums it up for me.
Towards the end when it is time to wrap the story, the plot moves along at a cracking pace but earlier it is VERY slow with loads of conversations about racial issues both now and back into slavery. A little less of this would have worked well for me. There is a lot to say but you don't need to try and say all of it in one novel.There are times too when the American culture and insight is overwhelming for non Americans.
Having said all that the characters are well portrayed, the gang talk is very well researched (I assume) and the plot is plausible if rather slow going at times. However I would take issue about how evidence and confession are gathered. Do cops really only lie through clever little questions to trick suspects to get confessions? Too often also evidence was gathered in a rather suspect manner.
Nevertheless it is a great story, very well researched and recommended.
However this book is all about racial tension, gangs, drugs and as someone else said 'it is heavy with racial conversations and slow on the story line' which sums it up for me.
Towards the end when it is time to wrap the story, the plot moves along at a cracking pace but earlier it is VERY slow with loads of conversations about racial issues both now and back into slavery. A little less of this would have worked well for me. There is a lot to say but you don't need to try and say all of it in one novel.There are times too when the American culture and insight is overwhelming for non Americans.
Having said all that the characters are well portrayed, the gang talk is very well researched (I assume) and the plot is plausible if rather slow going at times. However I would take issue about how evidence and confession are gathered. Do cops really only lie through clever little questions to trick suspects to get confessions? Too often also evidence was gathered in a rather suspect manner.
Nevertheless it is a great story, very well researched and recommended.
October 9, 2024
》Audiobook Review《
It felt like all my complaints about the first book in the series were addressed in this second one. It actually felt like there was a plot, it wasn't ONLY about the author's opinions on a controversial topic, all the unnecessary extra chapters following a dead character in heaven weren't included, Ollie ACTUALLY did some detective work instead of allowing a journalist to do the investigating...things like that. I do think the audio book is missing some chapters. Like I had zero clue Clarence had diabetes and children of his own until almost the end of the book.
Overall, this book was a good step in the right direction as far as writing a book instead of an opinion essay goes. The only thing I won't ever get over is a the fact that Randy Alcorn is a white man writing a lead character that is a black man who brings up the topic of and his struggles with racism. Randy can never truly understand life from the perspective of a black person. Also, I don't care if the book was published in 1996, the use of the "N" word is not okay.
It felt like all my complaints about the first book in the series were addressed in this second one. It actually felt like there was a plot, it wasn't ONLY about the author's opinions on a controversial topic, all the unnecessary extra chapters following a dead character in heaven weren't included, Ollie ACTUALLY did some detective work instead of allowing a journalist to do the investigating...things like that. I do think the audio book is missing some chapters. Like I had zero clue Clarence had diabetes and children of his own until almost the end of the book.
Overall, this book was a good step in the right direction as far as writing a book instead of an opinion essay goes. The only thing I won't ever get over is a the fact that Randy Alcorn is a white man writing a lead character that is a black man who brings up the topic of and his struggles with racism. Randy can never truly understand life from the perspective of a black person. Also, I don't care if the book was published in 1996, the use of the "N" word is not okay.
April 11, 2021
This second book in the Ollie Chandler series took me by surprise. I tried reading it a few years ago, but had a hard time getting into it. This time around, I persevered and it was well worth it. Alcorn’s main character is a black man named Clarence who works for a major newspaper in Portland Oregon. When his sister and niece are killed in inner North Portland, Clarence, who already experiences racism as a black man, meets up with Ollie Chandler to try and solve who and why they were killed.
Filled with historical context of racism of the black race, this story delves into gang warfare, a poignant and realistic view of heaven and hell, and one man’s path to finding what it means to have true redemption.
Filled with historical context of racism of the black race, this story delves into gang warfare, a poignant and realistic view of heaven and hell, and one man’s path to finding what it means to have true redemption.
November 26, 2023
In the second book of this trilogy, newspaper columnist Clarence Abernathy loses his sister in a senseless murder. He takes in her kids and relentlessly seeks justice. Doing so means mucking through the darkness of gang violence and racial tension and learning about how good and evil battle for dominion.
Love this series. Love the friendship Jake and Clarence have. Ollie is a little on the outside at first because he has very different convictions, but I love that guy. There were some implications about racial tension that I disagree with, such as the idea that television villains wearing black contributes to associating black people with crime. Love the comparison between gangs fighting for territory and evil fighting to gain ground.
Love this series. Love the friendship Jake and Clarence have. Ollie is a little on the outside at first because he has very different convictions, but I love that guy. There were some implications about racial tension that I disagree with, such as the idea that television villains wearing black contributes to associating black people with crime. Love the comparison between gangs fighting for territory and evil fighting to gain ground.
March 29, 2024
The intersectionality of institutionalized racism, family preservation, gang life, heaven, wrestling with faith, and solving a mystery. That's what you'll see when you read this book. Randy Alcorn does a wonderful job of displaying real and raw struggles of the Christian faith while also discussing the ever complex topic of racism. This book was deeply challenging as you learn with the characters what it looks like for God to have Dominion over all. When we recognize that all is God's, that everything is His dominion, that is when we can truly be transformed my God; being used by God.
In a time where the vast majority of people are quick to have their feelings hurt & thus straying from uncomfortable topics, Mr. Alcorn addresses these topics head-on, bearing Truth, pointing to Jesus.
In a time where the vast majority of people are quick to have their feelings hurt & thus straying from uncomfortable topics, Mr. Alcorn addresses these topics head-on, bearing Truth, pointing to Jesus.
July 28, 2019
Columnist Clarence Abernathy's sister, Dani is killed, his niece, Felicia is badly injured. He wants revenge.
Meeting with Detective Ollie Chandler, Clarence finds out there is, "no word on the street." That's strange because gangs like to take credit for what they do. Also, it was a targeted determined hit on Dani and Felicia.
Dani gets a glimpse inside heaven.
Someone gets a glimpse inside hell.
What a contrast. The book went from earth to heaven, sometimes hell. I found myself wanting to get back to the heaven scenes. This read gave the reader a look into the African American world. Dominion is a very good read.
Meeting with Detective Ollie Chandler, Clarence finds out there is, "no word on the street." That's strange because gangs like to take credit for what they do. Also, it was a targeted determined hit on Dani and Felicia.
Dani gets a glimpse inside heaven.
Someone gets a glimpse inside hell.
What a contrast. The book went from earth to heaven, sometimes hell. I found myself wanting to get back to the heaven scenes. This read gave the reader a look into the African American world. Dominion is a very good read.
April 12, 2021
My 1st read from this author. Found the snippets of black history interesting. Enjoyed the grandfather's wisdom. "There's bad Christians & there's good Christians; there's phoney Christians & there's real Christians. The devil can go to church once a week. Nothin' to it. It's livin' it that matters, & the people that live it, those are the real Christians - not just the ones that mouth it. ... anybody who hates a man for the color God made him isn't filled with God, he's filled with the devil. So jus' because somebody say he a Christian, it don't mean he is. And even those that is Christians is still just people..."
January 6, 2025
Wow. It started off similarly to Deadline, and I was afraid it would follow the same pattern, and perhaps in a sense it did, but it built upon it and became so much deeper. While Deadline deeply considered abortion issues and teen "sleeping around," Dominion dove into race issues. The ending was beautiful, one of those books you put down and stare into the distance for a while after finishing.
It's a murder mystery, for those wondering about the premise, and I would recommend to older teens. It's deeply disturbing in many parts, but in a good way, one that helps you reconsider and restructure your knowledge of racism issues and other things.
It's a murder mystery, for those wondering about the premise, and I would recommend to older teens. It's deeply disturbing in many parts, but in a good way, one that helps you reconsider and restructure your knowledge of racism issues and other things.
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