True Light

The Brannings are now into their eight month living in a world without the comforts of electricity, mass communication or technology. After watching how the family tries to adapt to their new way of life, the story now turns towards the ugly side of this new society. What happens to the criminals and prisoners? With the jails full of those who've committed petty crimes to mass murderers, it's getting harder and harder to find those who will watch over these lowlifes. What will happen when the police stop watching and the criminals are allowed to roam around freely with no one to stop them? This was my favorite book out of the series so far. I think the characters have become more well developed. The Brannings aren't as shallow as they were in the beginning of the series. They finally act as if they want to get along well in this new society they are living in. The scenes in the jail were surprisingly realistic and difficult to read. You really felt for Mark as he chooses to turn the other cheek and ignore the hurtful remarks made by the prisoners. It's also scary to think about a world where criminals run free because we have no means of keeping them separated from society. Very suspenseful reading about the police chief's son wanting to get revenge. What I like best about this series is how much is really makes you think about how we take technology for granted. In the first book, the community is clueless about what to do without electricity. Even simple things like heating water or even using the bathroom are now almost impossible to do. If a situation like this would happen in our world today, I think it's a possibility our country could collapse. How would governments work without communication? It's interesting to think that all the top moneymaking jobs in this country like engineerings or informations technology would be useless. That's when all the jobs like history, geography, and geology would be high demand again. I'm really looking forward to the last book in the series because I want to know if, when and how society will be able to truly function again.

I enjoyed this book as much as the first two of this series. Terri Blackstock weaves her mystery of an attempted murder through the tale of a world thrown back into time by a starpulse which has rendered all electronics, transportation, communication/media, etc. useless. Imagine the impact on your modern day life if suddenly all modern technology became useless. This is a warm, inviting story of a family and community who not only find ways to survive in a new society but, grow in their faith and appreciation of our awesome God. This spell binding mystery, sprinkled with romance and a strong spiritual message woven throughout, will keep you turning the page and leave you wanting more.

I'm only half way through this book but have so enjoyed all three books in this series. I love the way Terri writes and the way you can get into her characters so quickly and feel what they feel. In my own life, I felt the Lord led me to read these books to prepare me for actual experiences that could take place in our country during hurricane outages or nuclear attacks. Terri has really captured the human spirit and how people become true Christians concerned for their fellow man or serve their unredeemed nature and live for their own selfish concerns. All three books in this series give you lots to think about in your own walk with the Lord and also about preparing yourself should you find yourself in similar situations.

Again, Terri has held me enthralled with another masterpiece. Normally, it takes me a week of better to finish a book. With Terri's books, I am usually done in 2 days. Can't put them down. Fast paced, great action, heart-warming Christian literature. This book just whets your appetite for #4--the biggest problem is waiting for the next one to come out. Keep it up, Terri. Your books are always GREAT!!!!!!!!!

"TRUE LIGHT," Terri Blackstock's third installment in her current "RESTORATION" series, continues this unique "what if" premise, which I've reviewed in my previous postings on the first two novels (summarized below). Ms. Blackstock's special talents of combining mystery and suspense, faith and inspiration, and a cast of characters to whom readers are drawn, flow seamlessly into "TRUE LIGHT," and create a longing for the series finale. "NIGHT LIGHT" was the second book in the series--a truly great sequel to her compelling "LAST LIGHT," which launched this gripping saga of what might happen in the event that this earth were to suddenly, and inexplicably, lose its sources of power and communications...no electricity, no telephones, few operational motor vehicles...all of our 'taken-for-granted' conveniences stripped from our lives--with no idea as to when, or if, they will ever be reinstated. Will today's generation cope as well, having lost these 'entitlements,' as the generations before us functioned without ever having, nor expected, marvels such as those to which we've grown accustomed? And how is God perceived during such a time of crisis? Is He indifferent to our problems, or might this be a way for Him to capture our attention, when some have been oblivious to the ruler of our universe, having been lulled into a state of complacency as we've relied more and more upon technology as our source of power and problem-solving? As I wrote when reviewing "LAST LIGHT," those who have read any of Terri Blackstock's more than two-dozen books can attest to the undeniable fact that she is truly an extraordinary writer. Her suspenseful novels meet or exceed the best of this genre, while remaining true to her deeply held Christian faith (her books are always '...lovingly dedicated to the Nazarene'). We eagerly look forward to the fourth "RESTORATION" novel...and all of Ms. Blackstock's future books! --Ron Howe / Erskine, Minnesota