Thursday, November 19, 2015

Review for Deny by Tricia Mingerink

Yesterday, I interviewed Tricia Mingerink about the writing of her second book in the Blades of Acktar series, Deny. Today, I am including my own review of this wonderful book. Read through to the end for a surprise!  

     
What happens when the lies we tell to protect others catch up with us? How do we reclaim our past moments of bravery and conquer the fear which keeps us silent and frozen in the present? These are questions that Leith and Renna must face in this next installment of The Blades of Acktar. 

  Leith has returned to King Respen and The Blades to continue his work as a spy for the Resistance and keep his friends safe. The lies and half-truths he has told to keep them safe are becoming more difficult to balance by the day. His new identity in Christ and the role he has to play as First Blade are at odds. He doesn’t know how much longer he can keep this up. Everyone depends on him and he cannot, will not, let them down but what, or who, will he have to sacrifice in the end because of his lies? Meanwhile, Renna continues to struggle with her own fear. She wants to be free from the fear that dominates her life, but she stays silent while other people make decisions for her, too afraid to speak out. Why can't she be brave and sacrifice everything like Leith? Why can't she speak openly about her faith like Brandi? Does she even have faith anymore? When everyone who makes her feel safe is taken away, will she find comfort in knowing that God is in control?

 True Courage LeithLike its predecessor Dare, Deny had me gripping my Kindle and reading furiously till eleven o’clock at night. Every time I thought I would take a break from reading, I would pick it right back up again. I’m pretty sure my husband caught me talking out loud to the book on several occasions when I would cry out at something that had happened. The storytelling was so beautiful. I loved the tender moments between Leith and Renna as they both tried to get over their nervousness and talk to each other. I wanted to hug them as they each dealt with their inner struggles. I understood Renna’s uncertainty and frustration of knowing what she should do, being unable to make herself do it, and then hating herself afterward. I felt for her every time she tried to be brave and fell back into her safe habits instead.  My favorite scene is near the end where she finally finds her courage and peace again. It was such a beautiful and tender moment, even more so because of how much we see her struggle with her faith throughout the story.

I have also experienced the same burden that Leith puts on himself when he tries to save everyone instead of putting them in God’s hands.  I loved the theme of denial that runs through the story and the way it shows how things become more difficult for us when we deny God’s power.
If you loved Dare, then you will love Deny. It picks up right where the first one left off and it wastes no time drawing you back into the world of Acktar.  You get to see characters from the first book grow, you will be introduced to new characters you will love, and you get to read an incredible story! I loved Deny just as much as I loved Dare and I eagerly await the third book!
Deny is available for purchase on November 30th, but if you can't wait till then, enjoy this two chapter sneak peek! Also, don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for the chance to win a signed copy of both Dare AND Deny! The winner will be announced at the Launch Party on December 4th (see link at the bottom of the page). Between now and then, please visit the other blogs on the blog tour to learn more about Tricia and her books.
Full Landscape Leith Torren


Blog Tour Schedule
November 16
November 17
November 18
November 19
November 20
November 21
November 23
November 24
November 25
November 27
November 30
  • Release Day!
December 1
December 2
December 3
December 4
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