Book Review: The Choosing by Rachelle Dekker

Recently, at VStock, I parsed the Ted Dekker section..."Got it, got it, got in on Kindle, got it." Since this bookstore carries new and used books, there's always a chance I could find one of his lesser known novels. (For example, I only have one of the Martyr's Song series.)

Ok, so in lots of stores, I've seen authors with similar names (i.e. various Decker's) but never another Dekker. Jokingly, I picked up The Choosing, "Hey look someone else has Ted Dekker's name," I said to the hubby. "This does NOT look like a Ted Dekker novel," I point at the cover with a picture of a funnily dressed woman staring down at her feet. Again joking, because I had the impression his spelling of the name was unique, "I wonder if they're related?"

And then I actually looked at the cover and description more closely; it was written by his daughter. Mystery solved. And though the cover made me think it was some sort of historical romance, once I read the description, "Hey, this sounds good. Can I get it?"

I'm happy to report that Rachelle Dekker is a good storyteller. The world she builds is a future city where the Authority takes control after a semi-apocalyptic event. At first, that's a good thing; the Authority is like a council with a police force but it follows Judeo-Christian teachings. As the story unfolds though, you realize it follows them to ritual extreme.

The main character, Carrington, becomes a Lint (basically a servant) after failing to get chosen at her once-in-a-lifetime Choosing Ceremony - where all the young men of a certain age get to choose their spouse. The Authority tells the Lints it's their own fault and it must be God's will for them.

But a strange circumstance leads the Authority to allow one of their own to be choose a bride, only from the Lints. Carrington thinks Authority Knight's choosing her is a blessed second chance at a normal life. Boy, was she wrong.

I can't tell you much more but I can say this was an excellent and engaging novel. I love how the main character finds out the difference between ritual religion and a relationship with God. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel. I don't think I have a negative thing to say about this novel.