Showdown

The Books of History Chronicles, Paradise Series, Book 1

By: Ted Dekker

Narrated by: Kevin King

Length: 12 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's Summary

When a stranger named Marsuvees Black appears in Paradise, he brings with him a message of hope and love. Or is it death and hate? Perhaps neither - perhaps both. He seems to know too much about the town's many unspoken secrets, and he himself holds the greatest secret of them all. As black clouds and sandstorms envelop the town, it becomes almost impossible to get in or out. It quicky becomes apparent that Paradise is being isolated for a reason. But why?

©2005 Ted Dekker (P)2009 Oasis

Probably great with another narrator.

I am a Ted Dekker fan and have been for some time, trying to listen to this book has been trying & even painful at times. I find very rarely find difficulty in listening to most audio books, but the narrator was just not a good choice for this story in my opinion. His voice held nothing in the way of drama, suspense or the sinister nature of what I felt the main character should be. He did an excellent job in the roles of the children, but sadly I just couldn't find his reading and portrayal of the other characters believable or likeable. He would probably be great for another type of book or series but he didn't do it for me here.

Great Story, but...

My apologies for words which may appear personally attacking, however, I must admit my disappointment with the styles of 'voice'. I heard a mocking sarcasm from powerful characters which rendered them insipid. I endured the entire audio book because I appreciate Ted Dekker's depth of truth and spiritual imagination offered through each book I've heard thus far, and because I was confident his message would be made clear.

Ted Dekker = Great Stories

Ted Dekker is a great storyteller. He is a master of taking a story and using it to share truths and help the reader think on a whole new level.

Excellent continuation of the Circle Series

The vanishing blank books of history show up in an unique way in "Showdown". It is the first of three in the Paradise series an well worth the read if you enjoyed the Circle trilogy.

Absolutely repulsive

Would you try another book from Ted Dekker and/or Kevin King?

As much as I've read Christian fiction, maybe I'm just not into completely unrealistic and stupid writing. This is the most stupid book I've ever read. I'm not even sure I want to finish it. Ugh.

Kevin King is a horrible narrator. He misinterprets the obvious vocal rises and falls of questions and statements, he does the opposite of the what the words say (rendering a

Has Showdown turned you off from other books in this genre?

Yes.

How could the performance have been better?

The voices were not true to what was written. And the weaselly, icky voice that Kevin uses for every woman should seriously be done away with.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I guess I'll know if I decide to finish it. I'm far more than halfway through. So far, no.

Any additional comments?

Yuck. Yuck. Yuck.

Great message in a decent story

I am not sure what to say about this book. It isn't Red, Black or White. If you are expecting the same caliber of book, then you will be disappointed. The story moves a little slower and I felt it was more predictable. Also, I didn't find the characters nearly as interesting.

That all said, I enjoyed the book. This is my 5th Ted Dekker book. I think if you are new to Dekker and are looking for something to keep you on the edge of your seat, start with Red, Black and White. If you've read Red, Black and White, you may want to check out this book. If you want to know why, keep reading. The reason contains a very minor spoiler, but for what it is worth, the astute will figure it out in the first few of chapters.

** minor spoiler **
If you have read Red, Black and White, the story does tie in. For that reason alone it is probably worth the read.

Good book, terrible narrator

I’ve read this book before, probably about 12 years ago, and am a Ted Dekker fan. This narrator, I’m sorry to say, was truly awful. He was reading one of the characters, one of the teenage boys in the town, almost like Napoleon Dynamite. The female characters were all read atrociously, the main villain sounded ridiculous, and if I had not read this book before I would have found it ridiculous -which is not the case - because of the way the narrator read it. Truly distracting and did a major disservice to the story

Loved the book... Not the narrator

I enjoyed the narrator of Ted Dekkers Circle trilogy. I did not like this narrator as much as he tried to sound like a girl for the female characters.

Showdown

Struggled thru the book although interesting I had to back up often to follow the story. The narrator did a good job.

Amazing

I absolutely loved this book. it really captured my attention. Couldn't stop listening to it.

another great book

I have listened to 8 Ted Dekker books now and again I am impressed. Ted demonstrates his brilliant writing ability, spiritual grounding and hid amazing storytelling techniques. Can't wait for the second in the trilogy but it's a shame I have to look elsewhere for it...