Some say the great mystery of how one can live in two worlds at once died with Thomas Hunter many years ago. Still others that the gateway to that greater reality was and is only the stuff of dreams. They are wrong. In the small town of Eden, Utah, a blind girl named Rachelle Matthews is about to find out just how wrong. When a procedure meant to restore Rachelle’s sight goes awry, she begins … awry, she begins to dream of another world so real that she wonders if Earth might only be a dream experienced when she falls asleep in that reality. Who is a simple blind girl to have such strange and fantastic dreams?
She’s the prophesied one who must find and recover five ancient seals–in both worlds–before powerful enemies destroy her. If Rachelle succeeds in her quest, peace will reign. If she fails, both worlds will forever be locked in darkness.
So begins a two-volume saga of high stakes and a mind-bending quest to find an ancient path that will save humanity. The clock is ticking; the end rushes forward.
Ready? Set?
Dream.
more
The story seemed slow after the initial blast of drama, then it seemed like it might be a YA novel.
THEN… I had to grab my pencil and start underlying. Besides being an exciting story, this is a brilliant allegory of the two parallel kingdoms in which we live: the physical and spiritual – according to Jesus.
How did I miss His references to “seeing with spiritual eyes?” Somewhere along my 40-year journey with Jesus, I started learning “about” Him, doing things “for” Him. I forgot about being “indwelt by” Him, in the spirit realm. Inside “me.”
I feel I’ve been born again, again.
Can’t wait to read the next book in the series. So grateful for Ted Dekker’s insights and writing.
The book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing through Interviews & Reviews. The views here are my own.
I give this novel five stars.
Great story. Lots of truth woven into the story!
I’m a long time Dekker fan! Dekker has once again shifted my perspective of reality. He is a master of sharing spiritual truths with story. I was blind but now I see!
Recommend to those who think outside the box.
I purchased a copy directly from Ted Dekker. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
This book and Rise of the Mystics is one of Ted’s more powerful books. It mirrored so many things that have happened in my own life. I found myself drawn into the life of the characters. I have gone back to read and reread the book and favorite passages many times.
This fantasy thriller about a young blind girl discovering that she is a mystic in dual realities and how she unlearns all the erroneous teachings given to her as absolute facts is a struggle that all go through when searching for THE original untainted truth. An easy to read page turner that builds duality worlds that are highly believable. I look forward to the final installment into Rachelle’s journey and transformation.
This was such an original book with a strong Christian message. As always with Dekker, his fantasy world and his characters drew me in.
I really enjoyed this first book in a two book series. I don’t read a lot of fantasy/sci-fi but I am glad I read this one. I love the back and forth of the dream world to the real world. I love the characters. I hate the ones I am supposed to hate also. I did not want to put this book down .i am looking forward to the conclusion of this series. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Admittedly, I enjoyed the trilogy Black; Red, White more. But, the 49th Mystic contains unique elements that I appreciated and it did keep me turning the page.
I enjoyed reading the Circle series by Ted Dekker, so I was excited when I heard he was writing another two books to add to the series. It has been quite a while and many, many books since I read these books, so I don’t quite remember how the story goes. In The 49th Mystic, Dekker took me for a ride with Rachelle and allowed me to see the plight and horrors of this little community and the world as they are succumbing to the demands of Vlad. The plot moved pretty rapidly. The characters were rounded and transformed by the end of the novel. I had a wonderful time returning to this world and can’t wait for the current conclusion in The Rise of the Mystic. Fans of the previous series will enjoy getting lost in the once again familiar world.
I received a complimentary copy of The 49th Mystic by Ted Dekker from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
Edgy. Powerful. Loved the connection to Dekker’s previous trilogy.
Another great offering from Ted Dekker.
Awesome book. Loved it. Would highly recommend this book and series
Like all Dekker books, it make you think. Love his imagery. Can’t wait for the next book in that series.
The subtitle for this book is “Beyond the Circle 1.” The “circle” refers to the world created in Dekker’s trilogy, Black, Red, and White. Blind Rachelle has grown up in a community shut away from the rest of the world, in an effort to keep it pure and holy. Suddenly her nightmares begin coming true when the main character in her nightmares becomes real. Is it true that everything they know of the outside world is only fiction; that the date is really further in the future than they believed; and that they were the only survivors of a nuclear holocaust? And does the salvation of the world rest on Rachelle’s shoulders? They answer will undoubtedly surprise you!
I call books like this “head benders” because you have to pay attention to keep characters, times, places and whatnot in any kind of order! crossing dimensions isn’t any easier for the reader than it is for the main characters! Keeping your friends straight and figuring out the bad guys…I mean, who do you trust? Ted Dekker is an AMAZING author! LOVE this book and can’t wait to find out what happens! (i’m not done with it yet!)
In typical Dekker style, this book kept me intrigued until the very last word. There is so much depth and meaning written between the lines. I can hardly wait until the second part comes out in October! Fantastic!!
Way to go Ted Dekker! Stunning is the word that comes to mind. Pulling together The Circle Series, incorporating the characters and themes into this new work of art, simply stunning. Biblical truths written in such a way as to get this reader thinking about God and grace in new, refreshing ways. Ways that touched my heart and made me cry, a good kind of tears.
I’ve been a fan of Ted Dekker’s books for years and have shared that love with friends, who in turn have become fans. A deeply spiritual man, Dekker has shared his journey throughout the years via his novels. His quest for deeper understanding is unquenchable and he successfully shares that quest while lighting the fire in the hearts of his readers.
Rachelle, it did not escape this readers notice that the author named the main character after is daughter, is a blind girl in the city of Eden; a city governed by a very strict interpretation of scripture. Strange things begin to happen when Rachelle sleeps for she finds herself in another world, a world very different than Eden. Rachelle moves between each world whenever she falls asleep; the reader easily moves with her.
She is on a hunt. A hunt for five seals. Seals she must find or both worlds will be destroyed in utter darkness. In this first of the Beyond the Circle series, Rachelle obtains the first three seals, through many harrowing adventures. What are they? You will have to read the book to find out!
The books I have read by this author are always good, but this one is over the top! Definitely ‘other-worldly’ with depth of wonder and spirituality which will challenge as well as inspire while you are swept along in the strange, fast paced lives of the characters. Couldn’t put it down!
I love this book! But I have to disagree with Ted in that having read the other books it definitely helped understand the plot and characters. Not sure it would have been as awesome without the prior knowledge of Dekker’s worlds.
Wow!! The 49th Mystic is an amazing book. It’s a hard book to put down as I was always wondering where the adventure would take Rachelle next. This is a great new addition to the works of Ted Dekker and will be a beautiful introduction to his writing for first timers. I’m looking forward to Rise of the Mystics.