Search - Riven

This is one of the best books I've read in years. A young man who can't seem to get up on the right side of the law and a minister who can't seem to preach worth hearing yet still believes with all his heart. When the two meet in a supermax prison...the whole world takes on a different appearance.

Although fictional, this book came the closest anything has in explaining to me how God could forgive someone of a heinous crime when they repent and accept Jesus. I loved the characters and felt as if I knew them...to the point that I really loathed when the book ended and I knew I'd never see the again. The story was phenomenal and touched me deeper than anything I've read recently.

Even more...I cried as I read the book...and I can't say that for many books.

If you get the chance to read the book, it is an opportunity not to be passed up. The story surpasses every hope I have when I pick up a new book.

AN AMAZING book. Such hatred, love, faith and grief in this novel. Th writer takes you to small towns, college campus and a supermax prison. A must read. Excellent read.

I don't want my review of this book to sound cliche, but I don't think any words can accurately describe Riven. I have never, never been so impacted by a novel. It is the most powerful and moving novel I have ever read. By far. There are two stories told simultaneously, one heart-warming and one gut-wrenching. I don't say lightly that the ending was life-changing. The last several chapters I read through tears. It's raw, and sometimes disturbing, but it's also uplifting and encouraging. Every person everywhere must read this book at some point in their lives.

Read this book. You will think much of it is predictable, but few books have made me think like this one has. Poor kid with a bad (almost non-existant) homelife grows up, gets in trouble, goes to jail - death row. Predictable. Soft-hearted pastor taken advantage of by manipulative people in his congregations becomes a prison chaplain. It provides some stability in his life. Predictable. The title is "Riven." Look up the definition. This is what your heart will feel like when you finish this book. Very UN-predictable.