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Vigilante - Robin Parrish

Nobody would ever understand the nightmare that Nolan Gray lived for two years while he was held hostage during the war. It was a nightmare that nobody could even imagine—something so horrible that he wished he could just forget; but unlike other trauma victims, Nolan was highly trained in almost every type of combat. As a matter of fact, nobody on earth was trained as he was; so he pushed back all of the memories, and took action. For the past ten years, he has been working on a plan—a plan that would put a stop to the evil that was destroying New York City.  After ten years of intense preparation, Nolan became the hope that New York had been waiting for; but at what cost? Nolan becomes obsessed with finding the man who is responsible for the worst evil in New York City; but is the man he is searching the only man who can stand in his way? Will confrontations with evil bring his past back to destroy him? Will he have to sacrifice everything he values to destroy the evil of New York? Is it even possible that the cost of destroying the biggest crime boss of New York would be everything that Nolan has ever loved and valued? And of course, will Nolan’s faith be destroyed by the Vigilante mission he has taken?

With his unique skills and training, and high tech gadgets created for his mission, Nolan Gray gives off the superhero persona that makes this book very unique and keeps you hanging on every word.  Unlike actual superhero stories, Nolan is not truly a superhero; but to the people of New York, he becomes one as he seems to appear or fly out of nowhere just when help is needed most. I absolutely loved this aspect of the book and I feel like it is something that really makes the book stand out among other stories of this type.

I have heard from many people that they felt like the story would be too similar to "The Priest's Graveyard". To respond to that belief, I would say that although the two books have similar qualities since both characters come from a tragic past and feel as if they can personally defeat evil, the books also have many differences, including the superhero aspect of "Vigilante" and the difference in the ways that Nolan and Danny handle their "victims". In "The Priest's Graveyard", Danny killed his victims if they were not willing to admit to their wrongs and repent; whereas in "Vigilante", Nolan has a very strong (though controversial) faith, and doesn't begin with the thought of killing any of his victims, but instead exposing them so that they can be punished and the streets of New York can be free of their influence and destruction.

(I promise the following tangent has a point; but if you really just want to skip this then go down to the last 2 paragraphs)
Initially, I chose “Vigilante” for my next review because it had a quote by my favorite author (and author of "The Priest's Graveyard", Ted Dekker on the front: “Parrish’s stories are sure to shape fiction for years to come.” I was searching for another book that would be of a similar caliber of the adrenaline producing thrillers and the unforgettable fantasy that I have grown accustomed to as a fan of Ted Dekker. It is obvious to anyone who knows me, that I have a passion for discovering and exposing truth. This passion is something that I have always been interested in; but it became so much stronger when I began reading books by Ted Dekker. My entire life changed when I was introduced to his books because, until then, I had never read a book that was so real—a book that exposed evil for what it really was, and didn’t try to make it into something easier on the eye. Considering my past, it is very important to me that people do not become desensitized to the horrible realities in this world.

I have become obsessed with books that expose the war that goes on around us every moment of every day. I search for truth in books—often a truth that is ignored by many of the typical sheltered Americans because it is too gruesome for them to accept as reality.

            As a reader, a writer, and a student, I try to live by a particular quote that I always keep in mind.

“We Christian writers must paint evil with the blackest of brushes, not to sow fear, but to call out the monsters to be scattered by our light. If Satan cloaks himself as an angel of white, intent on deceiving the world, any attempt on our parts to minimize evil is only complicit with his strategy... Turn to the light; don’t fear the shadows it creates.”
-Ted Dekker

  

Evil is darker than the darkest you can imagine. It can't be cleaned up and made pretty for the books you read or the movies you watch. It's real...intense...terrifying. Our world is a battle between a gruesome enemy and the Savior who defends us; and we all know that battles are never pretty; but if we ignore it, we never truly understand the power of Yeshua on the cross and His authority to destroy the darkest of darkness. We can’t ignore evil; we have to expose it; and we can’t fear evil, but instead we must destroy it in His name.

Even with the hundreds of books I have read throughout my life, I have never been able to find an author who portrayed truth through story as accurately as Ted Dekker.  That was until I read “Vigilante” by Robin Parrish. This was the first book by Robin Parrish that I have read. To say that I was amazed would be an understatement. Robin Parrish peels back the layer of comfort that many Americans live behind so that they do not have to accept the true terror of evil. Robin Parrish exposes evil for what it really is—gruesome, terrifying, dirty, and sickening. I must warn anyone who is considering this book that it is definitely not for someone who would like to continue living a sheltered life, unaware of what is going on in the world—both the beautiful and good and the ugly and sickening. There were several times toward the end of “Vigilante” that I had to put down the book, take some deep breathes and calm down before continuing. The intensity and the feeling of truth in the story makes you feel like you are actually IN the story—as if you were actually the main character and the story was your story.  The story literally became my story since I felt such a connection to Nolan because of his suppression of the events of his past--a past too terrible for him to live with.  I appreciated being able to read about a character who I could understand--and since the story felt so real, a character that represented a person who I felt could understand me (I can think of only 1 group of people who will understand what I just said there so don't feel bad if that made no sense ^_^).

"Vigilante" also provokes a lot of thought about what and, more importantly, Who can truly defeat the heart of evil. Evil is not something that can be destroyed by destroying 1 evil man, even though Nolan believes that this man is solely responsible for all of the problems in the city of New York. While Vasko (the crime boss) is clearly being used by the enemy to cause a lot of turmoil in New York, the real issue of New York is the problem of sin.

Sometimes I laughed; or I cried; or I felt like I was going to pass out from dizziness from the overload of emotions and the fast-paced plot.  “Vigilante” has earned a spot on my list of favorite books of all time and I am sure to be watching for any future books by Robin Parrish!

 *I received an Advanced copy of "Vigilante" from Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review.*

The Great Books Reader - John Mark Reynolds

I write.  I create ideas…stories…things.  I bring life to characters and I give them a purpose…a story.  I am passionate and my characters reveal my heart.  I hide in my dungeon to escape into a story that is not my own…to discover something new.

I read.  I dive deep into Elyon’s red waters in Other Earth.  I’ve been locked in prison with a persecuted Chinese Christian.  I’ve experienced a world where humans have been stripped of every emotion except for fear.  A demon has told me his story.

I study.  I explore the mind in the study of Psychology and I study and debate Theology with other students. 

I search.  I search for truth, knowledge, and understanding.  Unfortunately, I have found that truth is often buried over time.  It is buried with the people who made it their lives to discover that truth—a truth that was too easily forgotten.  I have dreamed of debating theology with Thomas Aquinas or John Calvin, of exploring the mind of Homer to discover one man’s unique reality, of studying with Socrates, of arguing with Freud.  To be in the company of some of the most influential writers, philosophers, psychologists, and theologians of all time is something I can only imagine; but here’s a thought: we, as Christians, will one day be in the presence of some of these influential people—at least the ones who stood for a common purpose: Elyon.  We will be a part of the great debate; a great conversation.

“The Great Books Reader” gives you a taste of this anticipated conversation.  Compiled in a single book are excerpts from works of 28 different authors who have made discoveries and contributions so significant that they have earned their places on a list of people who have shaped the world that we live in today.  The book is complete with essays on each work, written by students who study these writers who are worthy of our attention, and thought-provoking introductions by John Mark Reynolds.  You will begin a journey of discovery and you will be disappointed when you have to leave the debate that forms in your imagination for each individual work.  As you read “The Great Books Reader”, you feel as if you are in a room with these influential writers and fellow students who are anxious to understand every word and debate the significance, truth, and journey of the author.  When you enter into the journey eager and ready to explore something new, and come out changed and anxious to read the complete works of all of these incredible writers, then the book has served its purpose.

“The Great Books Reader” is a great addition to any library; and I am certain that you will find yourself reading, studying and exploring the book over and over again.  It is an excellent book for someone who has a lot of time to spend lost in thought since every word grabs at your attention; but it is also perfect for someone who has very little time and needs something that can be read slowly.  As a grad student, I enjoyed the feeling of being lost in a conversation about an author and a work, but then being able to put the book down at the completion of that particular debate, only to pick it up again later for the next debate! 

*This book was provided by Bethany House Publishing in exchange for an honest review.