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soggyoatmilk's review against another edition
3.0
First of all, I'm disappointed in some other reviewers for knocking this book SOLELY because it is a Christian Fiction book. (I will say, however, that the author's note is ridiculously nauseating...) Also, to reviewers that knocked it for having a cliffhanger, this is the first book in a trilogy...
I tend to stay away from religious fiction books myself, but I was recommended this book by my mom. Her reactions while watching her read it made me want to give it a shot. The story was actually pretty good! Mystery/thriller esque. I won't say much about the story itself, because if you're thinking of reading it, I don't want to spoil the experience for you. However, it had me wanting to throw the book as the plot unfolded.
I don't know if I will be continuing the trilogy, but this was overall a pleasant reading experience!
I tend to stay away from religious fiction books myself, but I was recommended this book by my mom. Her reactions while watching her read it made me want to give it a shot. The story was actually pretty good! Mystery/thriller esque. I won't say much about the story itself, because if you're thinking of reading it, I don't want to spoil the experience for you. However, it had me wanting to throw the book as the plot unfolded.
I don't know if I will be continuing the trilogy, but this was overall a pleasant reading experience!
liaashryver's review against another edition
5.0
Oh… I liked this book so much! I was so implicated in the story. Everything was so intens and I was so curious how things will turn out for Casey. I’m so excited for the next book OH MY
myreadingjourney_0119's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
meganshu527's review against another edition
5.0
I was amazed at this book. I couldn't put it down. Two hours went by while reading and I was just lost in this book. This is by far the best book I've read in years.
votesforwomen's review against another edition
4.0
This is the book I never knew I needed.
This is a thriller series for Christians. It's a Christian book that doesn't shy away from the evil and violence and sorrow of the real world, but still offers glimmers of hope. It's about a young woman who's been crushed by the weight of evil for her entire life and still tries to do what's right no matter the personal cost. It's about a man whose PTSD cripples him, but he still works to follow his God and do what is right. It's about an incredibly corrupt man who has no qualms putting his crimes on a young woman who's completely innocent. It's about rescuing the helpless and defending those who can't defend themselves.
I definitely recommend this.
CONTENT:
Sexual: nothing graphic. A subplot involves a young woman who was kidnapped a few years before, presumably for sex slavery, although this is never even mentioned; the only indication is her baby. One villain has a mistress. A guy watches porn in the library to the disgust of the heroine.
Violence: This is a murder mystery, so there's some fairly gory and detailed descriptions of dead bodies. None of them are glorified, however, so I felt it was okay on that count. A couple of female characters are beaten by a man at one point, and suicide is considered early on, although it's quickly discounted. Dylan, the male MC, has severe PTSD as an Iraq veteran, and his memories are vivid.
Drugs, etc.: In a video, some of Casey's adult friends are drunk, although she doesn't get drunk and tells them that she'll drive them all home. She mentions a time when she drank a little too much and got loose-lipped about a secret. Dylan refuses most meds to deal with his PTSD, but he does take some--they're not addictive, however, and he refuses to put all of his weight on them. I feel like there's some other drinking, mostly from adult villains, though.
Overall four stars, and on to the next books in the series!
This is a thriller series for Christians. It's a Christian book that doesn't shy away from the evil and violence and sorrow of the real world, but still offers glimmers of hope. It's about a young woman who's been crushed by the weight of evil for her entire life and still tries to do what's right no matter the personal cost. It's about a man whose PTSD cripples him, but he still works to follow his God and do what is right. It's about an incredibly corrupt man who has no qualms putting his crimes on a young woman who's completely innocent. It's about rescuing the helpless and defending those who can't defend themselves.
I definitely recommend this.
CONTENT:
Sexual: nothing graphic. A subplot involves a young woman who was kidnapped a few years before, presumably for sex slavery, although this is never even mentioned; the only indication is her baby. One villain has a mistress. A guy watches porn in the library to the disgust of the heroine.
Violence: This is a murder mystery, so there's some fairly gory and detailed descriptions of dead bodies. None of them are glorified, however, so I felt it was okay on that count. A couple of female characters are beaten by a man at one point, and suicide is considered early on, although it's quickly discounted. Dylan, the male MC, has severe PTSD as an Iraq veteran, and his memories are vivid.
Drugs, etc.: In a video, some of Casey's adult friends are drunk, although she doesn't get drunk and tells them that she'll drive them all home. She mentions a time when she drank a little too much and got loose-lipped about a secret. Dylan refuses most meds to deal with his PTSD, but he does take some--they're not addictive, however, and he refuses to put all of his weight on them. I feel like there's some other drinking, mostly from adult villains, though.
Overall four stars, and on to the next books in the series!
edshara's review against another edition
4.0
2021 Re-Read:
I think this was better the second time around. I don't change my ratings for re-reads, if I did, this would get 5 stars. This is probably one of the better Christian Fiction mystery/thrillers I've read. It definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat and is comparable to other mystery novels that I've read. I'm glad I own the rest of the series and can actually continue it, right away.
Original Review:
This was my first Terri Blackstock novel and I enjoyed every bit of it. Classified as Christian Fiction If I Run was filled with suspense and mystery. This book had murder, corruption, and faith all blended together and not one of these elements seemed to overshadow the other. If I Run is unlike any other Christian Fiction novel I've ever read and I was so glad.
I was intrigued how Terri Blackstock tackled faith and God in this book. She made it understandable and acceptable that both Christians and Non-Christians can share their faith or question faith and do it in a respectable manner. Not everyone believes and she handled this with care and made it believable . Our main character, Casey Cox, wasn't a believer and even though she was in a dire situation, she wasn't written to immediately accept God into her life. Casey sought him out, however, she did it with hesitation and questions(which is much more realistic).
Terri Blackstock tackled serious issues, from a faith based stand point, without being too preachy. She discussed issues like suicide, drug abuse and PTSD, honestly. She came across understanding why some people may fall into certain situations that lead them down a certain path, while gently working through why, you should at least consider, an alternate path. I also liked how her character Dylan Roberts had issues, like Casey, but she showed how he handled them from the standpoint of a believer. She tackled both sides well.
I enjoyed the secondary mystery and thought it was a fun addition, although it was a bit predictable and came together too easily. The characters were a bit stereotypical and their were some clichés, but none bothered me enough to make me want to quit reading.
My one major pet peeve, was my e-book had some pretty noticeable typos and grammatical errors. While it had no bearing on the story, it just threw me off a bit and it just bothers me to see multiple errors like that in a published novel. I look forward to reading the second novel in the series and I would recommend this book, Christian or Not.
I think this was better the second time around. I don't change my ratings for re-reads, if I did, this would get 5 stars. This is probably one of the better Christian Fiction mystery/thrillers I've read. It definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat and is comparable to other mystery novels that I've read. I'm glad I own the rest of the series and can actually continue it, right away.
Original Review:
This was my first Terri Blackstock novel and I enjoyed every bit of it. Classified as Christian Fiction If I Run was filled with suspense and mystery. This book had murder, corruption, and faith all blended together and not one of these elements seemed to overshadow the other. If I Run is unlike any other Christian Fiction novel I've ever read and I was so glad.
I was intrigued how Terri Blackstock tackled faith and God in this book. She made it understandable and acceptable that both Christians and Non-Christians can share their faith or question faith and do it in a respectable manner. Not everyone believes and she handled this with care and made it believable . Our main character, Casey Cox, wasn't a believer and even though she was in a dire situation, she wasn't written to immediately accept God into her life. Casey sought him out, however, she did it with hesitation and questions(which is much more realistic).
Terri Blackstock tackled serious issues, from a faith based stand point, without being too preachy. She discussed issues like suicide, drug abuse and PTSD, honestly. She came across understanding why some people may fall into certain situations that lead them down a certain path, while gently working through why, you should at least consider, an alternate path. I also liked how her character Dylan Roberts had issues, like Casey, but she showed how he handled them from the standpoint of a believer. She tackled both sides well.
I enjoyed the secondary mystery and thought it was a fun addition, although it was a bit predictable and came together too easily. The characters were a bit stereotypical and their were some clichés, but none bothered me enough to make me want to quit reading.
My one major pet peeve, was my e-book had some pretty noticeable typos and grammatical errors. While it had no bearing on the story, it just threw me off a bit and it just bothers me to see multiple errors like that in a published novel. I look forward to reading the second novel in the series and I would recommend this book, Christian or Not.
emjaysmusings's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
smfreed's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
moonchild720's review against another edition
3.0
What is this book?! I am shocked that this is so good. I have never read anything like this. Like WHAT IS HAPPENING?!
cathyolibrarian's review against another edition
Not for me, not so subtly preachy.