Hope Road

Blink by Ted Dekker *****

The cover of Blink boasts that the book is “compulsively readable.” I would wholeheartedly agree with that! I finished it in a couple of days. This gripping novel is the story of two lives that come together explosively. Miriam is a hidden princess from Saudi Arabia. To avoid being forced into an arranged marriage, she flees the country. Seth is a brilliant Berkeley student who has one of the highest IQs known to man, and a sudden clairvoyant ability to see multiple futures. Because of this, he is able to save Miriam from being recaptured by those who want to take her back to Saudi Arabia, and their escape ignites a manhunt that becomes a battle of wits, energy, and Seth’s strange prophetic ability.

In spite of the fact that the concepts of prophecy and seeing the future smack of other-worldiness, this book is remarkably grounded in real life. It is intense, intelligence suspense and romance woven together expertly. It is deeply moved by compelling spiritual issues, reaching far beyond the surface moralizing seen in so much contemporary Christian fiction. It is deft yet unflinching in its take on religious matters, including the life of women in a fundamental Islamic nation. And it is lightened by its very realistic feel and comedic moments.

Although many of its chapters are focused on the chase, this very predictable storyline is definitely enlivened by the strangeness and wonder of Seth’s clairvoyance. This adds a very compelling angle to the story. Even though the gift often detracts from some of the suspense, it also makes the times when the gift is gone that much more nail-biting. Sometimes, the gift is logically confusing, but overall, Dekker handles and explains it well.

Considering the massive amounts of information, new ideas, and plot twists that are conveyed in its 389 pages, Blink manages to remain consistently readable, thrilling, and accessible. I can’t wait to read more from Ted Dekker.

Recommended age level: 15+.