“In this mind-bending thriller, father-daughter writing team Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker triumph in their faultlessly structured and deconstructed world of religious extremism. . . . the book’s suspenseful plot drives the story forward at a racing pace, making this a riveting novel that will long haunt readers.”–Ten years ago, Grace saw something that would forever change the course of … course of history. When evil in its purest form is unleashed on the world, she and others from their religious community are already hidden deep in the hills of Tennessee, abiding by every rule that will keep them safe, pure–and alive. As long as they stay there, behind the red perimeter.
Her older brother’s questions and the arrival of the first outsiders she’s seen in a decade set in motion events that will question everything Grace has built her life on. Enemies rise on all sides–but who is the real enemy? And what will it cost her to uncover the truth?
For the first time, bestselling authors Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker team up and deliver an intense, tightly focused ride through the most treacherous world of all.
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I have read several books by Ted Dekker, but have never read anything by his daughter. The description of the book intrigued me, as well as reading something the father and daughter teamed up on.
As with pretty much any Dekker book I have read, the book had its weird moments. It actually took me a while to decide if I liked the book or not, but then I hit a point that I found myself definitely liking it and found it harder to put down the further I got into it.
Through a fictional story, the authors did a tremendous job of showing how easily we can be captive to fear, and the effects it can have on us to be ruled by and controlled by fear. I was actually rather impressed when I finished the book, and saw how well the authors used the story to get that all across.
The plot was well done, and the book was full of great characters, some likable and some not so likable. One of the most likable was Eli, who the book never said exactly who or what he was, but this is fiction, so I guess that doesn’t really matter.
All in all, this was a rather riveting read that shows how even religion can be wrong, and use tactics like fear to control people and keep them as bound as the devil they claim to be fighting. Great read, and great message.
Whether you’re a new fan of the Dekker writings or an old hat, this novel will definitely grab your attention. One quality of the Dekker writings is the strong spiritual theme throughout the story. When I started reading the tale, I was not sure what the spiritual truth the tale would focus would on. By the end of the book I wanted to start it over again!
Readers get many different perspectives from a book. For me, it was the need for spiritual eyesight to see the evil threats that were keeping the characters blinded and in bondage. One woman had the tenacity to face her fears, threats, and suffering in order to break free from the “Fury” in the Haven Valley community. Grace had to wrestle with the rules, laws and expectations that were supposed to keep the inhabitants safe from the suffering the world was undergoing.
As the wife of a pastor, Rose is an interesting character. She fell victim to the temptation of the Fury. Their power scared her. However, the manifestation was not scary as he cloaked himself in light. The boy Eli is a very compelling little boy whose very presence seemed to threaten everyone who lived in the Valley, and his death was all they wanted as they believed he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
The tale, while fiction, echoes with truth and challenges for those who follow the Lord today and for them to be willing to acknowledge the wolves that are among the sheep. It’s a tale of hope and heartache; it’s very moving and thought provoking. You don’t want to miss reading this novel and sharing it with friends and family everywhere. Grab a copy and when you are done, share it or gift a copy so others can enjoy the latest work of the Dekker father and daughter team.
“The biggest lie is that fear will keep you safe in the darkness, but fear is the darkness.”
Tucked deep within the forested hills of Tennessee lies a small religious community, seemingly protected from the darkness without, marked by a simple perimeter. Its residents live by an undemanding creed; embrace the safety bestowed upon them behind the red rope or face the furies of hell itself which roam boundlessly beyond. And how do they know this? From a single prophecy, delivered from the lips of an angel of light, thirteen years ago.
Two incidents tilt the tightly wound balance of existence in Haven Valley; Grace and her brother Jamie dare to breach the boundary while two outsiders, Ben and Eli, dare to venture in. As accusations abound, Grace struggles to discern the truth between what has always been and what life without fear could be. Does “light without darkness” actually exist?
The “Girl Behind the Red Rope” is rather difficult to contain; no one will doubt its beautiful cadence, and incessant theological clues leading straight to its core. Analogous, metaphorical, slightly fantastical, . . . . dark, insidious, foreboding. Rather than trying to over analyze its meaning, relax and let the story carry you to a nearly perfect ending, assuring its readers that perfect love does indeed cast out all fear.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
Fear is something that encapsulates everyone and everything. Ted and Rachelle Dekker have written a fascinating novel with The Girl Behind the Red Rope covering this exact topic. What have we allowed fear to cover that doesn’t allow us to fully embrace God’s love? I know we all have little vises, whether we admit them or not. The plot of this novel starts with a cult feeling like Tosca Lee’s latest series The Line Between and A Single Light but it goes into a totally different direction. The plot moves along at a rapid pace and captured my attention. I had some ideas about Bonnie and Rose so that didn’t come as a surprise to me. Why the story is listed as a suspense novel is beyond me? A thriller. Yes. The definition of a thriller is something about to destroy humanity and this entire novel is based on the fear on the unknown and fear of not being good enough to earn heaven. Even though I believe the novel is labeled as the wrong genre, I don’t think it takes away from the strong message the Dekker’s are trying to portray to the reader. It is strong and makes me ponder. I journaled about the idea of fear and probably will go back and do a Bible study on the Light of God. Seems interesting to me. Overall, The Girl Behind the Red Rope is a wonderful parable story for today’s readers. It was well-written and filled with truth. Just like Jesus would have done in his day. A good book for the church to pick up and read. Definitely something I will be passing on.
I received a complimentary copy of The Girl Behind the Red Rope by Ted and Rachelle Dekker from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
Yes Yes I admit I’m a Dekker newbie.
I love the cover of this book! So mysterious looking and the most coolest thing of all is the rope itself on the cover for it feels like a real rope!! I was very surprised!
I think what I enjoyed the most was the many twists, turns and surprises that were in the story.
I know I had to blink a couple of times throughout the story because there were places in it that I found somewhat fantasy? Some was just too questionable.
I did like that Ted and Rachelle made the characters life like amd I could feel their feelings coming through the book. That’s why I stayed with the story because I wanted to see what happened to them.
Fear is a very real emotion. You can control it but you can’t run from it. Does that make sense? Satan uses that against each and everyone of us. It can lie low or it can come full force. Depending on how you control it is up to you.
Oh and did I say this book is creepy and will give you nightmares? It did me! Made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck and now I’m looking in every dark corner of my house lol!! I’ve left a light on in the bathrooms or have had a nightlight on for years even before this book came out. When I seen Night of the Living Dead that took care of the dark for me!
Yes, I am a believer but I still have insecurities as I imagine we all do!!
But I guess this is what thrillers are all about which is why I gave it 4 stars.
You’ll just have to read the book to find out.
My thanks to Revell Reads for this book. NO compensations were received. All opinions are my own.
Ted and Rachelle write beautifully together. The Girl Behind The Red Rope is a beautifully haunting story that will both sweep you away and draw you in. It is a captivating story that will leave you contemplating what you feel are your truths, your fears and who you truly are. Loved the characters. Loved the message. Loved the story.
As always, Ted Dekker does not disappoint with this new book written with his daughter Rachelle! The Girl behind the Red Rope is brilliant! It takes the truths of Scripture that we think we know. We know the words, we get what it means, we even think we are living it out. But played out in this amazing novel we find we are only scratching the surface. They take us so much deeper and we see we have so far to go. Love it! Couldn’t put it down! I will read this again…and again. It is the first book I have read by Rachelle, but it will not be the only one!
I am an avid reader and fan of all things Dekker. I have read most of Ted’s books and the couple I have not read are in my to be read pile. I also love the stories by Rachelle and have read all but one of her books. This was such a deep story to me. It would be so easy to believe lies in religion and with religious leaders, especially if one grew up in it. But those lies and deception birth so much fear. God is not a god of fear so we hopefully know that when fear hits us, that is coming from the enemy. I don’t want to spoil the story for other readers, but this is one of the best Dekker books I’ve read. I’m hoping father and daughter will continue to write together from time to time. I highly recommend this book!!!
**Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review**
Spectacular.
Ted and Rachelle take their readers on an adventure unlike anything else imaginable. A few months ago, I finished a book by Tosca Lee (“The Line Between”) with a somewhat similar premise: A chosen, select few people who are “protected” from the outside world by following strict rules they believe were given to them by God via a messenger. When I started “The Girl behind the Red Rope,” I was a little worried it’d be similar to “The Line Between,” but it wasn’t. Although some of the premises may have been the same, the two books couldn’t have been more different. This particular novel by Ted and Rachelle is one you won’t want to miss. The minute I started it, I couldn’t put it down…no, seriously, I stood at the stove, stirring pasta, while I flipped the pages beside me.
“The Girl behind the Red Rope” almost reminded me of Ted’s Circle series; it presented theology in a way that the average reader could vividly picture and understand. Although I devoured the novel in four hours, this is one that’s going to stick with me. The imagery is so perfectly described, and the lessons learned I feel are ones every reader needs to hear at some point—or points—in his/her life. It’s worth your time. It’s worth your money. You may have to reread some sections a couple times, but trust me, you won’t regret it. Dive deep, friends and family alike. This is one of the books I’ll be recommending to everyone I know, because it moved me and left me thinking, contemplating which voices it is I’m listening to, and how I can figure out whether that commentary is coming from me or from God.
However, I will say this: I’m not so sure how big of a fan I was that a message presented in a series was repeated in this one. That isn’t a spoiler, right? And furthermore, the book presents an argument of “faith” versus “religion” that left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. I agree that some of the concepts of Christianity have been marred by religious ideals—like the Pharisees in the Bible. I agree that “faith” and “religion” aren’t always synonymous. Some churches do indeed need to reevaluate where they stand in the faith, but it still left me with a bit of a sick feeling. Organized religion—and I’m talking about being together in fellowship, learning from a pastor—is an important aspect of Christianity. If we present certain concepts as wrong, then what message are we sending to nonbelievers?
I don’t regret the four hours I spent reading this book. I don’t think you will, either. Go into it with an open mind and an open heart, but keep in mind that it presents some concepts which may be…controversial in nature.
Evil is cunning and lurks in the places you’d least expect it.
This is a great book that pits us against our own human frailties. When fear becomes your constant companion what lengths will you go to in order to feel safe?
This book was thought-provoking and I found myself contemplating the concept of religious rules verses the message of love. Do I conduct myself according to my perceived fears or do I seek truth?
Haven Valley has separated itself from the rest of the world in anticipation of a cleansing that is to come in the form of the Fury. The community adheres to strict religious rules, hoping that by doing so they will avoid the retribution that is to come.
They live in fear that they will not be holy enough, and the fear increases when they find out one of their own has been going beyond the red rope perimeter.
When a young boy from outside shows up in their town, innocent and fearless at the same time, they can’t see the love that radiates from him. All they see is their own fear. Is the boy an angel? A demon? Or is he something else?
Grace must face these questions and more when she is caught in the middle of the battle between good and evil. Where will deception end and truth begin?
As tension behind the red rope increases, the citizens must each examine themselves and decide what to believe. Choices must soon be made that will determine the future.
Will the people of Haven Valley find freedom in their perceived faithfulness? Or will their choices hold them in bondage? How far will the people go to protect their way of life?
A gripping story that had me examining myself, holding my breath and guessing to the end. I highly recommend this book.
I received a copy of this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group group through Interviews and Reviews. This is my honest review.