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sade's review against another edition
5.0
I love how Peretti brings Christianity to life.. Amazing read
mirandacasteel's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this one. Didn't really know where it was going at first but got really wrapped up in it.
smmcgoldrick's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
wjlongiii's review against another edition
2.0
I would love nothing more than to say that The Oath is either terrible or amazing. The truth is much more complicated. I don't usually skim reviews before I read a book, but something told me to do so this time. What I found were several warnings about Peretti being a deeply entrenched Christian writer as if that is inherently a bad thing.
I am not religious myself, but I was raised around it, so I shrugged off everything I read and dove in. At first, I was enthralled. The initial 200-250 pages were like reading an excellent small-town conspiracy horror story. An outsider is killed in a horrific way that cannot be easily explained. The people of Hyde River stonewall every attempt to dig any deeper while alluding to long and closely held secrets. While in the shadows, a mysterious killer stalks our protagonist as he seeks to understand just what happened to his brother.
Great stuff, right? I thought so, too, but it careens off a cliff at about page 300. From there, the rules of the world, previously established, fall apart in favor of the Christian message. Now, if the novel had established this tone and reality earlier on or even highlighted the spiritual troubles of our two main characters before literally having another character speak them into existence more than halfway through, even this could work.
Peretti's views on Christianity are also askew from anything Baptist churches taught me, but that discussion shouldn't count against the book. Only what is written in these pages should matter for
a review. Character assassination becomes the method by which the author brings forward his message. The story's logic takes a massive hit as well, and on top of it all, Jesus becomes the Deus Ex Machina that resolves the story, tying too shiny a bow on the events that take place.
Needless to say, I was thoroughly disappointed in this one. I do not recommend The Oath. 2.5/5
I am not religious myself, but I was raised around it, so I shrugged off everything I read and dove in. At first, I was enthralled. The initial 200-250 pages were like reading an excellent small-town conspiracy horror story. An outsider is killed in a horrific way that cannot be easily explained. The people of Hyde River stonewall every attempt to dig any deeper while alluding to long and closely held secrets. While in the shadows, a mysterious killer stalks our protagonist as he seeks to understand just what happened to his brother.
Great stuff, right? I thought so, too, but it careens off a cliff at about page 300. From there, the rules of the world, previously established, fall apart in favor of the Christian message. Now, if the novel had established this tone and reality earlier on or even highlighted the spiritual troubles of our two main characters before literally having another character speak them into existence more than halfway through, even this could work.
Peretti's views on Christianity are also askew from anything Baptist churches taught me, but that discussion shouldn't count against the book. Only what is written in these pages should matter for
a review. Character assassination becomes the method by which the author brings forward his message. The story's logic takes a massive hit as well, and on top of it all, Jesus becomes the Deus Ex Machina that resolves the story, tying too shiny a bow on the events that take place.
Needless to say, I was thoroughly disappointed in this one. I do not recommend The Oath. 2.5/5
debs4jc's review against another edition
3.0
This creepy thriller requires the reader to accept the premise, that the realm of the Spiritual has spilled over to the realm of the physical. A strange attack and death of a man camping in the woods brings his brother and others to a secluded town to investigate. At first they think it is a bear attack, but strange rumors and odd behavior of the local residents keeps the brother puzzled enough to keep investigating. What he discovers is an evil with power over everyone who succombs to i's temptations.[return]I found this an easier read that Peretti's classic, This Present Darkness, which seemed to get bogged down in details. The story flowed well in this one and while a lot of it was highly unbelievable it was an compelling yarn. If you like creepy stories, especially with a spiritual underpinning, than this will be just your cup of tea.
thepurplepeep's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
richter10's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jacqueshol's review against another edition
4.0
A number of reviews here on this site have been quite critical regarding the book having religious undertones. While I will agree that it did come a bit out of the blue and was handled a bit clumsily, it didn't really detract too much of what otherwise was an enjoyable read. I don't know why some readers become so aggressive in their criticism once faith and religion is brought into a storyline. I suppose we all have our views, but to dismiss a book purely on these grounds, seems a tad narrow-minded. Just my opinion.
Yes, the storyline digresses into fantasy, but that is why I read books. It doesn't have to be 100% realistic for me every time I read a book. That is why I enjoy most of Stephen King, Matthew Reilly, Andy McDermott and Chris Carter's books too. It is pure escapism for a few hours. Frank Peretti's writing actually does remind me a bit of Stephen King, but not quite as good.
So yes, the religious connection wasn't dealt with in a good manner, but I still enjoyed the book. It was different and I could relate to a number of characters. I will probably remember this book for a while as it was different to anything I've read for some time. I'll probably look out for another book of Frank Peretti.
Yes, the storyline digresses into fantasy, but that is why I read books. It doesn't have to be 100% realistic for me every time I read a book. That is why I enjoy most of Stephen King, Matthew Reilly, Andy McDermott and Chris Carter's books too. It is pure escapism for a few hours. Frank Peretti's writing actually does remind me a bit of Stephen King, but not quite as good.
So yes, the religious connection wasn't dealt with in a good manner, but I still enjoyed the book. It was different and I could relate to a number of characters. I will probably remember this book for a while as it was different to anything I've read for some time. I'll probably look out for another book of Frank Peretti.
britt0478's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5