(from the back of the book) Following the lives of several people and animals, this story explores relationships in the midst of trials. Living in a time of tribulation, the characters maneuver through precarious situations - a government reeducation program, a train hijacking, an earthquake - circumstances that occur with little warning. But despite these hardships loyalties are tested and battle lines drawn. Eyes are opened and hearts are pierced.
This is not your mother's bedtime story. Starvation, disease, and natural catastrophes plague the earth in this futuristic account. For readers who are daring, willing to step into a world of betrayals and miracles, fear and wonderment, crack open this cover
This is a Christian fiction novel. The plot takes a back seat to the gospel message Cousins is trying to send here. I don't think that is a bad thing. I'm glad she didn't compromise her message to make the story more main stream. But it will make the audience for this book much smaller. It is a good story about what God will do for His people if they believe and follow Him. When the 'World Government' takes over and the people are required to get a mark, Christians (and a few others) refuse. Which not only makes them outlaws but, cuts them off from society. So they start their own. These people of faith see miracles and witness wonderous things and God is ever present with them. But I was glad to see that Cousins didn't make it a fairytale; bad things still happen. I like the bible verses in the footnotes so you can look up the relevant scripture for yourself. But I'm not a fan of the animals talking. Even though they can't talk to humans, it always struck me as slightly goofy and distracted from the message. And most of the characters are black and white. You are either a good guy or you are horribly evil. There is no middle ground. And there were a couple of thing in the plot that didn't add up for me. The Peacekeepers (the police) arrest people without the mark and send them off to camps. The Peacekeepers know where this whole community of unmarked Christians are and, although they harass them some, they let them stay together and free. It is a good, strong Christian message, which is nice, but as a story I couldn't connect enough with it. It is the first in a series but I will not be reading the others.
I got a free copy of this book from Librarything.com, Early Reviewers.
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