PLEASE NOTE: I have to preface this review by saying that I am reviewing the audio version of the book. I did not actually read the books so I am sure many of my spellings of names are probably spelled wrong. Not owning the print book, I cannot verify the correct spellings.

In the second book in the brilliant The Circle trilogy, life has changed even more for Thomas Hunter. In the other Earth, he has married his love, Rochelle and born two children. He has not dreamed in 15 years as a result of eating rambutan fruit that has the power to keep people from dreaming when they sleep. Thomas of Hunter has risen to the position of General of the Forest Guard.

In our world, the deadly Raison Strain virus has been unleashed and the countdown begins. Thomas and company have only three weeks to find an antivirus or everyone in the world will die. Monique D’Raison, developer of the mutated vaccine that has caused such trouble, is captured by Valborg Svenson, the man who released the deadly plague on the world. Thomas will use his duality and every possible weapon in his arsenal of both worlds to rescue Monique and find a cure in time.

In the other realm, Thomas battles the Horde Army, humans who have become diseased with twisted minds as a result of the unleashing of the Shitaike at the end of Black. Where before the Horde was disorganized and easily defeated, they have a new general, Marten, who is surprisingly difficult to fight. It also doesn’t help that Justin, the man Thomas had hoped in the past would be his second-in-command, has been rumored to be staying with the Horde, preaching peace and understanding between the rival armies.

As tensions grow tauter in both worlds, Thomas will discover some shocking revelations about those he loves and hates… and himself… that will change him irrevocably.

Ted Dekker continues his powerfully inspirational story with Red. We see the degeneration of a society who over time has lost faith, and the drastic measures they take to convince themselves that very lack of faith is the right way to be. As the Forest people grow less like Elyon and more like the Horde they despise, love wanes and hate grows. Just when it seems all is lost, a new hope is born through sacrifice and maybe even… death?

One thing that is quite fascinating is seeing occurrences in the world of the Forests mirrored in our Earth through different events unfolding. As the other world is nearing destruction at the hands of its people, so too is our world. Though the two plagues are very different, they are also eerily alike in how people react to them. It is also quite enjoyable to play the guessing game of who is who in the two worlds. As secrets come to light, tension mounts even higher, compelling readers to barrel through the book as fast as they can, all too eager to discover what will happen next.

Red is definitely far more allegorical than Black. Society is divided in it’s feelings about Justin. Some feel he is the embodiment of all that is good and holy, while others feel he is a blasphemer of the highest order. We see the love bestowed on him by the people twisted into hate, just as the disease twists the minds of the Horde, and culminating in the horrors experienced as we come to the conclusion of this segment of our journey with The Circle. I was moved to tears more than once throughout the adventure, just as I found my self horror-stricken in the darkest moments, and overjoyed at the happiest moments. I was there in the heart and mind of Thomas with him, feeling everything as powerfully as he did.

Once again, Rob Lamont does a brilliant job performing. His various voices are all distinguishable from one another so there is never doubt as to whom is being portrayed. He is a master at putting so much emotion into his performance that I could really hear and feel what all the players were experiencing.

The Circle trilogy really needs to be read in order, as each book picks up where the other left off. So you have been prepared, make sure you have White available upon the conclusion of Red, because you will not want to wait to get to the next installment in this emotional powerhouse of a series by Ted Dekker.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, September 2006. All rights reserved.