The Believer

Summary:

There is a place where the threat of foreign terrorism is nonexistent, where there are no arguments about religion, and no battles over politics. Welcome to New America-a place where reading the wrong book can cost you your life!
Ian Roshek finally believes in something. The young history professor has studied a contraband copy of the Book of Mormon-and he knows what it says is true. But now his newfound convictions will be put to the test as he struggles to listen to the still, small voice, while society screams in his ear.

A taut, must-read thriller, The Believer will cast a lingering shadow and leave you asking what you would give up in order to feel "safe."

I actually read this book a while ago, and then, when I was at girl's camp this past week had the opportunity to read it again. I give it...3 and a half pens. :)

The premise is particularily intriguing for me, as it takes you to a, what if this happened type of scenario, and what the United States of America would be like if this happened. There is a bit of suspense and mystery as you wonder who the real bad guy is in the book.

So, that being said, here is my criticism of it...while it does have a nice flow, and it is interesting to read, the beginning throws you right into the forefront of the story without much introduction. That isn't all bad, but it seems like there needs to be just a little bit leading into it. At least, that is how I think about it, anyway.

The characters are likeable, but some of the descriptions are good, but their personalities aren't fleshed out enough for me. And then, of course there's a character where I sit and go, am I supposed to like this person, or not? Are they good or bad? Really...

The feeling of this book for me, reminded me of what it seemed like the differences between West Germany and East Germany were, before they tore down the Berlin wall. Here you have a society trying to convince it's people that their way is best, and that they really are better off then the people who live in the United States, who can read whatever they want, think how they want, etc... etc...

The Neighborhood watch groups, and other occurences in the story were similar to me of the books I have read about what it was like to live in a communist Russia/Germany, and the hardships, the wary eyes, the hesitancy to speak your mind. Who do you trust? Who will turn you in? Where one thought or action could put you in prison, especially if you believed differently.

The pace is fast, and it does keep you reading until the end. The person behind it all, was someone I wondered at possibly being the bad guy, when I read it the first time, but I also remember that I went...WOW!

So, don't let my criticisms throw you. It's a good book, a thought provoking book, and I would recommend anybody read it.