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Blink
The future changes in the BLINK of an eye...or does it?
Seth Borders isn't your average graduate student. For starters, he has one of the world's highest IQs. Now he's suddenly struck by an incredible power--the ability to see multiple potential futures.
Still reeling from this inexplicable gift, Seth stumbles upon a beautiful woman named Miriam. Unknown to Seth, Miriam is a Saudi Arabian princess who has fled her veiled existence to escape a forced marriage of unimaginable consequences. Cultures collide as they're thrown together and forced to run from an unstoppable force determined to kidnap or kill Miriam.
Seth's mysterious ability helps them avoid capture once, then twice. But with no sleep, a fugitive princess by his side, hit men a heartbeat away, and a massive manhunt steadily closing in, evasion becomes impossible.
An intoxicating tale set amidst the shifting sands of the Middle East and the back roads of America, Blink engages issues as ancient as the earth itself...and as current as today's headlines.
Seth Borders isn't your average graduate student. For starters, he has one of the world's highest IQs. Now he's suddenly struck by an incredible power--the ability to see multiple potential futures.
Still reeling from this inexplicable gift, Seth stumbles upon a beautiful woman named Miriam. Unknown to Seth, Miriam is a Saudi Arabian princess who has fled her veiled existence to escape a forced marriage of unimaginable consequences. Cultures collide as they're thrown together and forced to run from an unstoppable force determined to kidnap or kill Miriam.
Seth's mysterious ability helps them avoid capture once, then twice. But with no sleep, a fugitive princess by his side, hit men a heartbeat away, and a massive manhunt steadily closing in, evasion becomes impossible.
An intoxicating tale set amidst the shifting sands of the Middle East and the back roads of America, Blink engages issues as ancient as the earth itself...and as current as today's headlines.
404 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
About the author
Ted Dekker
238 books8,904 followersTed Dekker is known for novels that combine adrenaline-laced stories with unexpected plot twists, unforgettable characters, and incredible confrontations between good and evil. Ted lives in Austin with his wife LeeAnn and their four children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 865 reviews
July 14, 2017
This book was a bit of a wild ride! Whew! I enjoyed it’s heady, brainy approach and the consequently mysterious and exciting adventure that ensued. Though, I must say that overall, I left the book feeling very disappointed. IT was one of those stories that you have such high hopes for as you read it, and then when it wraps itself up (or fails to do so) you walk away disappointed and shaking your head.
Also, let it be known, I actually read the republishing of this under the title, In the Blink of an Eye.
//LIKES//
~ The adventure. Like I said. . .really exciting! Once I got past the slow start, I read the last two thirds in one day, mostly because I was trying to figure out what the heck was going on.
~ Clive. . . I wanted him to be a good guy so bad and I was really happy that he finally was. *Spoiler alert* Actually, Clive was conceivably my favorite character in the whole book. :D
~ I was invested in the characters. . . always a sign of good writing.
~ The Clairvoyance aspect was quite interesting. . . though I had my issues with that as you will see below.
~ I found the view of Muslims and the way they think fascinating. If somewhat gruesome. I can’t attest to whether this was realistic or reflects the thoughts and mindsets of these people in real life or not, but the comparisons from Christianity to Muslim was quite interesting. It helped me understand a bit better.
//QUIBBLES //
Some of these are smaller than others, so I will start with the less significant and work my way to the heavy hitters.
~ Seth bounded a lot. LOL! IT was one of those author quirks, but it totally started to drag me out of the story and in the midst of a serious moment, I would start chuckling at the mental image of Seth bounding everywhere.
~ The beginning was slow. And there was a terrible back story dump in the first chapter where we find out the entire life story of Seth. Personally, I find these annoying and try to avoid them at all costs in my own writing. It really bogged down the pace of the plot as well.
~ The issues of physical attraction bothered me a bit too. Thankfully, Dekker did not go crazy overboard with this, but that is the main reason the MC’s were so invested in each other. The look of the others. IT lacked a spiritual depth in this part of the story and some of the instances or situations made me cringe. The feelings and sensations of touching/kissing/admiring the physicality of the other person was annoying to say the least. Again, thankfully, he didn’t go crazy in this department, but it was still there and was scattered throughout the entire book.
~ Miriam’s sudden insertion into American culture felt rater unrealistic. The author excused it away with two things, 1) she had spent a summer in Berkley and 2) she was intoxicated with her newfound freedom. I can see the point of the second a little bit, but I feel like it contradicted her character. She had a very strong moral code and to all of a sudden in a day’s time be such an old hand at flirting made no sense. She was totally comfortable with flirting, and just being alone with a man in general. That felt very unrealistic. I understand the circumstances were far from ideal, but she could have shown a bit of restraint/uncomfortableness.
//PLOT/STORY//
It was slow at first, but then picked up pace and like I said before, I couldn’t put it down. But when I finished it, I walked away very confused and felt that there were quite a few loose ends to be tied up. Some of the issues made no sense. One of my biggest concerns was that the Clairvoyance was never explained. It was briefly mentioned in an off-handed remark that could have been easily missed. Something along the lines of “He had the ability because he needed the ability” insinuating that God (I am assuming because they never said this) gave him the gift to save who he needed to save. Throughout the whole book, I was excited to see where the author went with this. As a Christian, was he going to go the route of Christianity and supernaturalism and explain it using the fact that God had placed that gift in Seth? Or was he going to go the scientific method and explain it with the equation that Seth had discovered? In my personal opinion, he did neither and left it totally up to the imagination which, quite frankly, annoyed me.
Which leads me to another point. This may be a personal opinion, so feel free to take it with a grain of salt. I left the book really feeling like a salvation message of some sort was lacking. Ted Dekker totally set himself up to explain Christianity and lead the Main Character, Seth, to Christ. He did nothing of the sort which was another feeling I felt quite let down by. It wasn’t just that he didn’t put it in, it was that he primed and readied me (the reader) to prepare for Seth to come to some realization of God or His existence, or even His love. No such thing happened. Super disanointing and another reason I left this book totally confused. It felt like it all of a sudden wrapped itself up, and left so many strings hanging from the package.
This book really lacked a point. And what point that it had was weak. It’s one point, (that wasn’t very clearly portrayed) was that Love is a good thing. Sounds a bit weak. And I had to read the interview with the author in the back of the book to realize what his intent and “moral” to the book was. Was it an exciting ride? Sure! Did it have any point? Not really. I was really quite disappointed that the author didn’t take it farther and explain why God’s love was important. This book was entirely void of the salvation message. Jesus is talked about with some frequency, but only as a comparison between Muslim and Christianity.
So, I guess this review comes down to would I recommend this book. The overall answer is no, unless under a certain circumstance I know someone who might enjoy the science fiction feel to it. But to other people in my age and peer group of Christian girls and young women? I would say no. I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable offering this book to any of my friends or family.
//CONTENT//
This book contained a good bit of content. Most of it stemmed from the few Muslim extremists. Again, I will say my disclaimer that I understand that this is real life, however, arranged marriages, polygamy, vague mentions of the relations between a husband and wife and violence such as killings, the mindset of “owning a woman” etc. were prevalent in the Saudi Arabia parts of the book. Like I said, I know this is real life, but it was a little creepy for me.
Contained a
Also, let it be known, I actually read the republishing of this under the title, In the Blink of an Eye.
//LIKES//
~ The adventure. Like I said. . .really exciting! Once I got past the slow start, I read the last two thirds in one day, mostly because I was trying to figure out what the heck was going on.
~ Clive. . . I wanted him to be a good guy so bad and I was really happy that he finally was. *Spoiler alert* Actually, Clive was conceivably my favorite character in the whole book. :D
~ I was invested in the characters. . . always a sign of good writing.
~ The Clairvoyance aspect was quite interesting. . . though I had my issues with that as you will see below.
~ I found the view of Muslims and the way they think fascinating. If somewhat gruesome. I can’t attest to whether this was realistic or reflects the thoughts and mindsets of these people in real life or not, but the comparisons from Christianity to Muslim was quite interesting. It helped me understand a bit better.
//QUIBBLES //
Some of these are smaller than others, so I will start with the less significant and work my way to the heavy hitters.
~ Seth bounded a lot. LOL! IT was one of those author quirks, but it totally started to drag me out of the story and in the midst of a serious moment, I would start chuckling at the mental image of Seth bounding everywhere.
~ The beginning was slow. And there was a terrible back story dump in the first chapter where we find out the entire life story of Seth. Personally, I find these annoying and try to avoid them at all costs in my own writing. It really bogged down the pace of the plot as well.
~ The issues of physical attraction bothered me a bit too. Thankfully, Dekker did not go crazy overboard with this, but that is the main reason the MC’s were so invested in each other. The look of the others. IT lacked a spiritual depth in this part of the story and some of the instances or situations made me cringe. The feelings and sensations of touching/kissing/admiring the physicality of the other person was annoying to say the least. Again, thankfully, he didn’t go crazy in this department, but it was still there and was scattered throughout the entire book.
~ Miriam’s sudden insertion into American culture felt rater unrealistic. The author excused it away with two things, 1) she had spent a summer in Berkley and 2) she was intoxicated with her newfound freedom. I can see the point of the second a little bit, but I feel like it contradicted her character. She had a very strong moral code and to all of a sudden in a day’s time be such an old hand at flirting made no sense. She was totally comfortable with flirting, and just being alone with a man in general. That felt very unrealistic. I understand the circumstances were far from ideal, but she could have shown a bit of restraint/uncomfortableness.
//PLOT/STORY//
It was slow at first, but then picked up pace and like I said before, I couldn’t put it down. But when I finished it, I walked away very confused and felt that there were quite a few loose ends to be tied up. Some of the issues made no sense. One of my biggest concerns was that the Clairvoyance was never explained. It was briefly mentioned in an off-handed remark that could have been easily missed. Something along the lines of “He had the ability because he needed the ability” insinuating that God (I am assuming because they never said this) gave him the gift to save who he needed to save. Throughout the whole book, I was excited to see where the author went with this. As a Christian, was he going to go the route of Christianity and supernaturalism and explain it using the fact that God had placed that gift in Seth? Or was he going to go the scientific method and explain it with the equation that Seth had discovered? In my personal opinion, he did neither and left it totally up to the imagination which, quite frankly, annoyed me.
Which leads me to another point. This may be a personal opinion, so feel free to take it with a grain of salt. I left the book really feeling like a salvation message of some sort was lacking. Ted Dekker totally set himself up to explain Christianity and lead the Main Character, Seth, to Christ. He did nothing of the sort which was another feeling I felt quite let down by. It wasn’t just that he didn’t put it in, it was that he primed and readied me (the reader) to prepare for Seth to come to some realization of God or His existence, or even His love. No such thing happened. Super disanointing and another reason I left this book totally confused. It felt like it all of a sudden wrapped itself up, and left so many strings hanging from the package.
This book really lacked a point. And what point that it had was weak. It’s one point, (that wasn’t very clearly portrayed) was that Love is a good thing. Sounds a bit weak. And I had to read the interview with the author in the back of the book to realize what his intent and “moral” to the book was. Was it an exciting ride? Sure! Did it have any point? Not really. I was really quite disappointed that the author didn’t take it farther and explain why God’s love was important. This book was entirely void of the salvation message. Jesus is talked about with some frequency, but only as a comparison between Muslim and Christianity.
So, I guess this review comes down to would I recommend this book. The overall answer is no, unless under a certain circumstance I know someone who might enjoy the science fiction feel to it. But to other people in my age and peer group of Christian girls and young women? I would say no. I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable offering this book to any of my friends or family.
//CONTENT//
This book contained a good bit of content. Most of it stemmed from the few Muslim extremists. Again, I will say my disclaimer that I understand that this is real life, however, arranged marriages, polygamy, vague mentions of the relations between a husband and wife and violence such as killings, the mindset of “owning a woman” etc. were prevalent in the Saudi Arabia parts of the book. Like I said, I know this is real life, but it was a little creepy for me.
Contained a
June 8, 2011
First off, Ted Dekker is not qualified to write this novel. He is neither an expert in physics nor an expert in Saudi Arabia. It was almost insulting that he puts on the front of having deep insight into either. Second, the use of seeing the future as a plot device felt like a huge cop out. Dekker takes the supposedly smartest man in the world and instead of using his intellect, he uses magic to get out of the random sticky situations he finds himself in. Don't get me wrong, there is a place for magic in literature... It just belongs in the realm of science fiction and fantasy. The main character Seth is certainly no Kwisatz Haderach who can be many places at once. On a final note, the religious message of this book feels completely forced. The characters practically sit down and take a break to shove Dekker's religious views about Islam and Christianity down our throats. Now I don't mind religion in books, but Dekker doesn't even try to blend it into the story as thematic or symbolic elements.
Sure this book is a fast paced page turner, but that doesn't excuse it's many flaws. The 'story', while unbelievable is somewhat intriguing. But eventually I just got tired of checking my brain at the door, and no amount of story was going to make the book worth the time.
Sure this book is a fast paced page turner, but that doesn't excuse it's many flaws. The 'story', while unbelievable is somewhat intriguing. But eventually I just got tired of checking my brain at the door, and no amount of story was going to make the book worth the time.
December 23, 2013
don't like it. full stop.
i have nothing against Dekker really. but i would suggest him to really study the religion before he tries to write about it. nothing in the book shows the way a Muslim live.
first, Muslims take each of the five pillars seriously. not one is less important than the other.
second, no religious man would have commit violence against woman. if he do, that means he is not a religions man. simple. (an uncle kicking his niece until she is being admitted into the hospital for a week, where are her parents anyway?)
third, no Muslim woman (a good one) will touch a man (which she is not married to, unless it is her father, brother or son), yet alone kiss him. (Miriam had done with her boyfriend and Seth)
forth, a Muslim is not allowed to and won't drink wine, scotch or any alcoholic drinks. period.
fifth, Muslims won't sentence a punishment on anyone without proof or witness. to blindly punish others is just plain ridiculous. no one with wits will do that.
sixth, everything that is being portrayed in the story is the lifestyle of the Arabs thousands years back. it does not show the current Arabs at all.
seventh, no Muslim woman would be able to feel comfortable without her veil let alone wearing a fitted dress.
so in conclusion, miriam does not portray islam at all. she acts more like a filthy rich teenage american girl whom run away across the globe using the first flight when she disagrees with her parents.
i admit that Dekker wrote the story with just the right choice of words and suspense. he is a good story teller. i guess being a Muslim I couldn't help feeling uncomfortable being stereotyped that way. worse, the wrong way. it'll be nice if he could write the story with less ethnocentrism.
Seth. i like Seth. despite his refusal to admit God, i like his wit. i was feeling, if he really is a genius, why is it so hard for him to see that God exists? it is a simple math. we have a smart phone, wouldn't the smart phone creator would be smarter? he is a genius. why couldn't he figure it out? he even had came out with a mathematical equation which supposed to convince him that God exists.
anyway, i have a complicated feeling about this book. it is a mess of frustrating ideas and content. but i'll give thumbs up for the pace and diction.
i have nothing against Dekker really. but i would suggest him to really study the religion before he tries to write about it. nothing in the book shows the way a Muslim live.
first, Muslims take each of the five pillars seriously. not one is less important than the other.
second, no religious man would have commit violence against woman. if he do, that means he is not a religions man. simple. (an uncle kicking his niece until she is being admitted into the hospital for a week, where are her parents anyway?)
third, no Muslim woman (a good one) will touch a man (which she is not married to, unless it is her father, brother or son), yet alone kiss him. (Miriam had done with her boyfriend and Seth)
forth, a Muslim is not allowed to and won't drink wine, scotch or any alcoholic drinks. period.
fifth, Muslims won't sentence a punishment on anyone without proof or witness. to blindly punish others is just plain ridiculous. no one with wits will do that.
sixth, everything that is being portrayed in the story is the lifestyle of the Arabs thousands years back. it does not show the current Arabs at all.
seventh, no Muslim woman would be able to feel comfortable without her veil let alone wearing a fitted dress.
so in conclusion, miriam does not portray islam at all. she acts more like a filthy rich teenage american girl whom run away across the globe using the first flight when she disagrees with her parents.
i admit that Dekker wrote the story with just the right choice of words and suspense. he is a good story teller. i guess being a Muslim I couldn't help feeling uncomfortable being stereotyped that way. worse, the wrong way. it'll be nice if he could write the story with less ethnocentrism.
Seth. i like Seth. despite his refusal to admit God, i like his wit. i was feeling, if he really is a genius, why is it so hard for him to see that God exists? it is a simple math. we have a smart phone, wouldn't the smart phone creator would be smarter? he is a genius. why couldn't he figure it out? he even had came out with a mathematical equation which supposed to convince him that God exists.
anyway, i have a complicated feeling about this book. it is a mess of frustrating ideas and content. but i'll give thumbs up for the pace and diction.
April 28, 2021
Out of Mr. Dekker's vast writings, I find only a couple to enjoy. This is not one. 2 of 10 stars
December 7, 2022
According to the notes at the end, this book was supposed to be adapted into a film...yet, I first read this well over a decade ago, and I have heard nothing about a celluloid version. Maybe it was shelved after both House and Thr3e tanked at the box office.
Regardless, this was a fun madcap adventure with plenty of intensity and romance. It's a far cry from the author's infamous Circle Trilogy, but, it's still entertaining for what it is.
Regardless, this was a fun madcap adventure with plenty of intensity and romance. It's a far cry from the author's infamous Circle Trilogy, but, it's still entertaining for what it is.
July 17, 2008
I loved this book!!
An adventure, romance and a man and a woman's search for the Truth. It was incredibly well written, fast-paced, easy to read and easy to understand, plus a hilarious, frightening and edge-of-your-seat plot.
An atheist student (Seth Border) at a small college with an IQ of 196 (Einstein's was 160 something) who has discovered a strange ability he has to see multiple futures in the blink of an eye, runs into a Saudi Arabian Princess on the run from her family and her nation, who are attempting to trap her into an unwanted horrifying marriage (to an older man who already has numerous wives as it is).
They meet up miraculously and then continue on a desperate run from the people who will stop at nothing to kill her.
As they run, Seth questions the existence of God. And how could a God exist if he can see multiple futures?
Very thought-provoking and wonderful (despited some theological differences). I love this book! :)
An adventure, romance and a man and a woman's search for the Truth. It was incredibly well written, fast-paced, easy to read and easy to understand, plus a hilarious, frightening and edge-of-your-seat plot.
An atheist student (Seth Border) at a small college with an IQ of 196 (Einstein's was 160 something) who has discovered a strange ability he has to see multiple futures in the blink of an eye, runs into a Saudi Arabian Princess on the run from her family and her nation, who are attempting to trap her into an unwanted horrifying marriage (to an older man who already has numerous wives as it is).
They meet up miraculously and then continue on a desperate run from the people who will stop at nothing to kill her.
As they run, Seth questions the existence of God. And how could a God exist if he can see multiple futures?
Very thought-provoking and wonderful (despited some theological differences). I love this book! :)
October 26, 2008
Amazing writing. It is obvious Ted is a Christian but he never preaches at you. He just lets the character cope with the situation in their lives and watches God deliver.
This particular book appealed to the linear side of my brain. His progression was so logical and made such sense. I loved how he blended the fact-based person with the faith-based person to bring about change in both of their lives.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'll keep it and read it again.
This particular book appealed to the linear side of my brain. His progression was so logical and made such sense. I loved how he blended the fact-based person with the faith-based person to bring about change in both of their lives.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'll keep it and read it again.
February 1, 2012
I won't waste electrons by repeating the plot of the book--there's a sketch above--but I will give my uncensored opinion. This book is an indictment on Anglo bibliophiles. In other words, we're a bunch of tarnal fools, and Ted Dekker knows it.
Here's the method: Take an attention-getting subject like islamic extremism--never mind where you buy it, whether it's the genuine article, or whether you even know what it is. Take some cool surfing stuff from California. Add in some royalty to spice up the first and some genius to justify the second (that is just to show up on the ingredients list, because it really won't affect the taste of the final product at all). Add three tablespoons of your broadest and blandest Christianity, --don't mix it in too well, so it will leave startling pockets in the batter--oh, and DON'T put it on the ingredients list, unless serving at CBD--and half a teaspoon of tolerance for world religions. Grease your eyes. Bake at 150° F for two minutes.
Voila, and congratulations on your bestseller. Enjoy after 8 ounces of absinthe. Serves Rambo lovers.
Here's the method: Take an attention-getting subject like islamic extremism--never mind where you buy it, whether it's the genuine article, or whether you even know what it is. Take some cool surfing stuff from California. Add in some royalty to spice up the first and some genius to justify the second (that is just to show up on the ingredients list, because it really won't affect the taste of the final product at all). Add three tablespoons of your broadest and blandest Christianity, --don't mix it in too well, so it will leave startling pockets in the batter--oh, and DON'T put it on the ingredients list, unless serving at CBD--and half a teaspoon of tolerance for world religions. Grease your eyes. Bake at 150° F for two minutes.
Voila, and congratulations on your bestseller. Enjoy after 8 ounces of absinthe. Serves Rambo lovers.
January 6, 2020
"Las religiones del mundo se habían comprometido en una lucha. Una lucha entre quienes querían arreglar el mundo a punta de espada y quienes querían arreglarlo con amor”
Lo confieso no conocía al autor y ésta ha sido la primera novela que he leído de él, y se que no será la última. Me llamó poderosamente la atención su sinopsis y la sobria portada del libro, y verdaderamente me ha parecido emocionante de principio a fin.
Ted Dekker me demostró que tiene una manera única de escribir, que pocos escritores logran, transportarte a otro mundo con tan solo palabras.
Esta novela lo tiene todo en un justo balance: romance, ficción, suspense; y tiene un hermoso mensaje sobre el amor y la fe, sobre las ideas preconcebidas acerca del destino y un lección sobre el poder de las elecciones que hacemos y cómo influyen en el futuro. Asimismo, los personajes son sencillos, pero no por esto dejan de ser fuertes, están bien desarrollados tanto que, dentro de la ficción resultan muy creíbles.
100% recomendado
Lo confieso no conocía al autor y ésta ha sido la primera novela que he leído de él, y se que no será la última. Me llamó poderosamente la atención su sinopsis y la sobria portada del libro, y verdaderamente me ha parecido emocionante de principio a fin.
Ted Dekker me demostró que tiene una manera única de escribir, que pocos escritores logran, transportarte a otro mundo con tan solo palabras.
Esta novela lo tiene todo en un justo balance: romance, ficción, suspense; y tiene un hermoso mensaje sobre el amor y la fe, sobre las ideas preconcebidas acerca del destino y un lección sobre el poder de las elecciones que hacemos y cómo influyen en el futuro. Asimismo, los personajes son sencillos, pero no por esto dejan de ser fuertes, están bien desarrollados tanto que, dentro de la ficción resultan muy creíbles.
100% recomendado
December 22, 2008
ETA: Oh man. The ending of this book turned this overall mediocre, yet still page-turning story into a true stinker. What I wrote earlier is still relevant for the first 3 quarters of the book, but by the end, the story takes a turn into the preposterous.
What went wrong?
I hate to do it, but it is the final, climactic scene where Seth, our resident "genius" turned savior-of-princesses, gives up on trying to see the future and puts faith in God to swoop in and save the day.
Quite literally a Deus-ex-machina. To make things worse, the execution involved ham-fisted, unsubtle conversions of two nonChristians, an incredibly amateurish intimidation scene that SOMEHOW works, and an easy future-assisted take-down against a supposedly seasoned killer.
I could almost see people sing "Kum Ba Yah" when the Moment of Truth came.
*BLeeahurgh.*
So goes another contemporary Christian novel into the pile of poo. You're better off rereading anything by C.S. Lewis.
-------Original On-going Review----------------
So the story is about a young American genius who somehow gains the ability to see the future and becomes mixed up with an Arabic princess who is fleeing for her life/virtue/freedom. It is a fast, somewhat exciting read, but it fails to be truly heart-pounding due to under-realized, black & white characterizations.
On the side of Good:
1) Our protagonist, Seth, is a young American genius who excels in math and science. He happens to be ruggedly handsome and muscular. (Okay, no problems there. I know plenty of people who fit that description.) His IQ is 190, above Albert Einstein's. (Also ok! That is the conceit of the story) Not only is Seth brilliant, he's remarkably well-adjusted! In fact, he's so well-adjusted that he has no emotional scars from being regularly beaten by his drunk father for most years of his childhood! Now my flags go up.
If you look at the history of geniuses in all fields, you'll find that a disturbingly large number of them ended up neurotic, self-destructive, psychotic, and depressive even as they churned out great works. Drugs, visions, isolation, cutting off your ear and mailing it to your girlfriend, etc. At minimum, if you're going to be smarter than Einstein, then at least be as eccentric. Being so brilliant in a certain area often means being stunted in other areas, such as, oh, social skills. At halfway through the book, Seth displays no OCD traits whatsoever; at most, he shows a little teenage rebellion against authority.
Then a bigger problem comes up. Let's say I could accept the idea that Seth is an all-rounded genius with no debilitating flaws. He goes on the run with a Saudi princess and is basically living minute-by-minute trying to elude 3 groups of pursuers using his newfound precognition. He relies completely on his precognition even though he's only had it for half a day. He is pure reaction, and does not even try to think ahead. He advertises to his pursuers that he has precognition, so everyone now knows his abilities and can therefore work out his limits! Are these the actions of a genius? Sure, it's not like he's naturally a criminal and knows how to disappear, but for someone portrayed the way he is, you'd think he'd be able to adapt.
The princess also is described as being intelligent, one of the first reasons why her bodyguard fell in love with her. But again, I don't see much intelligence; she also just reacts blindly to situations, or rather, she sticks to Seth and becomes the romantic interest/non-entity.
The NSA agent that's chasing them-- also not smart enough! His verbal sparring with the Saudis is intellectually unstimulating.
Seth's verbal sparring is unwitty.
The Saudis are hur-hur Evil, with a capital E.
The author tries too hard to tie God and Christianity into precognition. I had no problems with theology being discussed between the characters, but it stretches disbelief that not only Seth but the NSA agent would reference the same Biblical elements as proof that precognition existed. Within a couple chapters of each other. If Seth had telepathy instead, would the author find a Bible passage to support that too?
Bleh. Well, it could be worse. At least the pacing is pretty good, so I can keep reading even as I continue to grouse.
What went wrong?
I hate to do it, but it is the final, climactic scene where Seth, our resident "genius" turned savior-of-princesses, gives up on trying to see the future and puts faith in God to swoop in and save the day.
Quite literally a Deus-ex-machina. To make things worse, the execution involved ham-fisted, unsubtle conversions of two nonChristians, an incredibly amateurish intimidation scene that SOMEHOW works, and an easy future-assisted take-down against a supposedly seasoned killer.
I could almost see people sing "Kum Ba Yah" when the Moment of Truth came.
*BLeeahurgh.*
So goes another contemporary Christian novel into the pile of poo. You're better off rereading anything by C.S. Lewis.
-------Original On-going Review----------------
So the story is about a young American genius who somehow gains the ability to see the future and becomes mixed up with an Arabic princess who is fleeing for her life/virtue/freedom. It is a fast, somewhat exciting read, but it fails to be truly heart-pounding due to under-realized, black & white characterizations.
On the side of Good:
1) Our protagonist, Seth, is a young American genius who excels in math and science. He happens to be ruggedly handsome and muscular. (Okay, no problems there. I know plenty of people who fit that description.) His IQ is 190, above Albert Einstein's. (Also ok! That is the conceit of the story) Not only is Seth brilliant, he's remarkably well-adjusted! In fact, he's so well-adjusted that he has no emotional scars from being regularly beaten by his drunk father for most years of his childhood! Now my flags go up.
If you look at the history of geniuses in all fields, you'll find that a disturbingly large number of them ended up neurotic, self-destructive, psychotic, and depressive even as they churned out great works. Drugs, visions, isolation, cutting off your ear and mailing it to your girlfriend, etc. At minimum, if you're going to be smarter than Einstein, then at least be as eccentric. Being so brilliant in a certain area often means being stunted in other areas, such as, oh, social skills. At halfway through the book, Seth displays no OCD traits whatsoever; at most, he shows a little teenage rebellion against authority.
Then a bigger problem comes up. Let's say I could accept the idea that Seth is an all-rounded genius with no debilitating flaws. He goes on the run with a Saudi princess and is basically living minute-by-minute trying to elude 3 groups of pursuers using his newfound precognition. He relies completely on his precognition even though he's only had it for half a day. He is pure reaction, and does not even try to think ahead. He advertises to his pursuers that he has precognition, so everyone now knows his abilities and can therefore work out his limits! Are these the actions of a genius? Sure, it's not like he's naturally a criminal and knows how to disappear, but for someone portrayed the way he is, you'd think he'd be able to adapt.
The princess also is described as being intelligent, one of the first reasons why her bodyguard fell in love with her. But again, I don't see much intelligence; she also just reacts blindly to situations, or rather, she sticks to Seth and becomes the romantic interest/non-entity.
The NSA agent that's chasing them-- also not smart enough! His verbal sparring with the Saudis is intellectually unstimulating.
Seth's verbal sparring is unwitty.
The Saudis are hur-hur Evil, with a capital E.
The author tries too hard to tie God and Christianity into precognition. I had no problems with theology being discussed between the characters, but it stretches disbelief that not only Seth but the NSA agent would reference the same Biblical elements as proof that precognition existed. Within a couple chapters of each other. If Seth had telepathy instead, would the author find a Bible passage to support that too?
Bleh. Well, it could be worse. At least the pacing is pretty good, so I can keep reading even as I continue to grouse.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2011
Another good book by Ted Dekker. All though not his best book, but still the plot and characters make it a book that can stand on its own. The two main characters are certainly very different than each other, one a princess and the other a genius American college student. Both end up falling love, some thing you could see coming from the very beginning. I believe both characters, especially Seth, needed more depth. Seth's genius mind really did seem that noticeable through most of the book. The other surrounding characters fell more on the cliche side of most Dekker novels. But the idea of someone seeing many different futures at once is a very good concept and should have been used in more creative ways. Dekker does a good job at exploring the world of the Middle East and expanding on the struggle woman face in that society. But being a Christian book, many Christians would have a problem with Seth and Miriam getting married when the characters didn't share a Christian faith, or were not like minded when it came to religion. But maybe this really wasn't the focus of the book, and author did give a witness to Jesus several times, a reader could assume both characters became saved later on. If your looking for a fast read and pager turner this is a good book.
October 10, 2018
I listened to this audiobook while driving from Salt Lake City Utah, to Las Vegas and then down through L.A.. It was a great time waster.
Here we have a Saudi-Arabia modern Princess who flees to America because she's forced to marry some political butthead who's trying to take over the thrown. Yawn! The fun part is: she meets up with a Berkeley student Genius who has a Supernatural gift to choose the future. The run from bad guys and FBI agents... hilarity ensues.
Ted Dekker is a Christian author who inserts very little Christianity into his fictional tales. Yet Christian bookstores are overflowing with his literal dribble. Oh well. There's worse things people could read. I generally enjoy them.
This is a fun and annoying love story. The Princess and the surfer dude. I can't picture them ending up happily ever after. They barely have anything in common other than lust and attraction, and quirky conversation. But that's better than some folks I know.
AS I was truckdriving through the L.A. area in California: the characters in the story were having a car chase through L.A.. AS if that wasn't fun --- the characters then turned onto the 210 freeway in the Pasadena area, AND I WAS ON THE 210 in Pasadena. How's that for making a book come to life. The characters were heading to Las Vegas to win some gambling money and fly to Paris. I just came from Las Vegas with no intention of winning or flying. But it was a fun moment.
The book had a creative angle: The main character SETH (student genius at Berkeley University) could see the future possibilities in front of him. He knew what possibilities were about to happen. He could then choose his next actions based on knowing what the police or badguys were likely to do. His gift strengthens throughout the book.
The characters philosophize over this slightly. By the end of the story his gift fades... God only loaned it to him for a short mission.
It was the humor that made this story amazing. Probably the funniest think Ted Dekker has ever written.
His insights and Islamic abuses will most likely have every Muslim raging against him as if he drew a cartoon character of Muhammad and put it in the Sunday Times. But Islam is what it is. Which led to some very interesting religious discussion amongst the Surfer and the Princess.
This would make a fun movie. But Hollywood would most likely seriously screw it up. Or worse: have Tom Cruise play the surfer dude.
Here we have a Saudi-Arabia modern Princess who flees to America because she's forced to marry some political butthead who's trying to take over the thrown. Yawn! The fun part is: she meets up with a Berkeley student Genius who has a Supernatural gift to choose the future. The run from bad guys and FBI agents... hilarity ensues.
Ted Dekker is a Christian author who inserts very little Christianity into his fictional tales. Yet Christian bookstores are overflowing with his literal dribble. Oh well. There's worse things people could read. I generally enjoy them.
This is a fun and annoying love story. The Princess and the surfer dude. I can't picture them ending up happily ever after. They barely have anything in common other than lust and attraction, and quirky conversation. But that's better than some folks I know.
AS I was truckdriving through the L.A. area in California: the characters in the story were having a car chase through L.A.. AS if that wasn't fun --- the characters then turned onto the 210 freeway in the Pasadena area, AND I WAS ON THE 210 in Pasadena. How's that for making a book come to life. The characters were heading to Las Vegas to win some gambling money and fly to Paris. I just came from Las Vegas with no intention of winning or flying. But it was a fun moment.
The book had a creative angle: The main character SETH (student genius at Berkeley University) could see the future possibilities in front of him. He knew what possibilities were about to happen. He could then choose his next actions based on knowing what the police or badguys were likely to do. His gift strengthens throughout the book.
The characters philosophize over this slightly. By the end of the story his gift fades... God only loaned it to him for a short mission.
It was the humor that made this story amazing. Probably the funniest think Ted Dekker has ever written.
His insights and Islamic abuses will most likely have every Muslim raging against him as if he drew a cartoon character of Muhammad and put it in the Sunday Times. But Islam is what it is. Which led to some very interesting religious discussion amongst the Surfer and the Princess.
This would make a fun movie. But Hollywood would most likely seriously screw it up. Or worse: have Tom Cruise play the surfer dude.
March 21, 2013
Seth Borders, a genius student in the graduate program at Berkley, thinks he's seeing things. Not hallucinations, exactly. Definitely not "visions"- the term has too many religious connotations. More like- the future. The future is just math, after all- calculating possibilities. Seth has always been brilliant at math- though the future thing is starting to freak him out a little...
Blink.
Miriam is on the run. Her father is trying to force her into a political marriage to a man she knows to be abusive. Her adoptive father would kill her before he allowed it. Knowing that her only hope for freedom lies in escape, she flees Saudi Arabia for America, hoping to enlist the aid of an old school friend at Berkley...
Blink.
Seth "sees" her before he meets her- and Arabic woman, a hand holding a gun pointed at her face. He interrupts before the real scenario can occur, spiriting her off campus and out of harm's way- at least for the moment. Then, of course he has to explain how he knew that she was in trouble.
Blink.
Their are already groups from both families trying to find Miriam in America- Seth has his hands full trying to keep out of their reach. He is seeing longer and more clearly, multiple futures- options. As their enemies converge, however, he finds a weakness in the gift: he can only "see" while he's awake.
And the Saudi's are near enough that they could catch up with them in the blink of an eye.
Blink.
Miriam is on the run. Her father is trying to force her into a political marriage to a man she knows to be abusive. Her adoptive father would kill her before he allowed it. Knowing that her only hope for freedom lies in escape, she flees Saudi Arabia for America, hoping to enlist the aid of an old school friend at Berkley...
Blink.
Seth "sees" her before he meets her- and Arabic woman, a hand holding a gun pointed at her face. He interrupts before the real scenario can occur, spiriting her off campus and out of harm's way- at least for the moment. Then, of course he has to explain how he knew that she was in trouble.
Blink.
Their are already groups from both families trying to find Miriam in America- Seth has his hands full trying to keep out of their reach. He is seeing longer and more clearly, multiple futures- options. As their enemies converge, however, he finds a weakness in the gift: he can only "see" while he's awake.
And the Saudi's are near enough that they could catch up with them in the blink of an eye.
March 15, 2015
This is my second attempt to read Christian "fantasy" fiction this summer. I gave this book 2 stars (would have given it 2.5 stars if possible) because it was a quick read, had somewhat intriguing characters and for the most part, the story line kept me turning pages. At first, I was really into the story, but then the story bogs down as the author literally stops the action to discuss a brief and biased overview of Christianity and Islam. The book is full of stereotypes, lacks proper background research and does not dip below the surface of the very important topic of prayer. The author missed a great opportunity to develop and delve into the personalities of his characters. Dekker could have done so much more with the story line (especially the ending). Typical "storybook" ending. This book was OK for a quick, one time read, but I highly doubt that I will be reading Dekker again.
April 6, 2016
This book was thrilling!! I started it at 10:15pm and HAD to stay up until I finished it at 1:30am, despite having to work the next morning. It had it all--political intrigue, a clean romance story, and page-turning suspense.
My main complaint? This was NOT a Christian novel. I was talking with a co-worker and he mentioned the version he read was much more overtly Christian. I read Blink of an Eye and in it, he equated agnosticism, deism, Islam, and Christianity as equals. So long as you pray and think God exists and is love then you're a-ok. But what that fails to acknowledge is that God's love is most displayed when Jesus takes on our punishment for sin at the cross...which had to happen in order for a most holy and righteous God to listen and have a relationship with sinners like us! What amazing love!!! How then can someone understand God's love or have access to his throne of grace without it? You diminish God's holiness if you forget the exclusivity of the cross.
My main complaint? This was NOT a Christian novel. I was talking with a co-worker and he mentioned the version he read was much more overtly Christian. I read Blink of an Eye and in it, he equated agnosticism, deism, Islam, and Christianity as equals. So long as you pray and think God exists and is love then you're a-ok. But what that fails to acknowledge is that God's love is most displayed when Jesus takes on our punishment for sin at the cross...which had to happen in order for a most holy and righteous God to listen and have a relationship with sinners like us! What amazing love!!! How then can someone understand God's love or have access to his throne of grace without it? You diminish God's holiness if you forget the exclusivity of the cross.
January 14, 2022
Say…doesn’t this one seem familiar? And the answer is yes. After the success of the Circle Trilogy, Thomas Nelson immediately got to work reprinting Ted Dekker’s early novels. Most of these books just got a new cover, but Blink’s update was more than just cosmetic. The primary reason for this was because Dekker, along with editor Erin Healy, had adapted Blink into a screenplay called Blink of an Eye.
In what may be a good example of counting chickens before they’re hatched, Dekker reworked the novel to match the screenplay. The cover of Blink of an Eye even boasts “With New Content Based on the Upcoming Major Motion Picture.” And then there was no major motion picture. The book released in November 2007. The movie was slated for a release in 2008, but like a lot of sold screenplays, stuff happened and the movie was never made.
However, it wasn’t all for naught. Dekker’s attitude toward Islam and the Middle East shifted from the original writing of Blink in the early 00s and the rewrite to Blink of an Eye in 2007. The rewrite doesn’t paint all Islam as a stereotypical villain. Dekker has a better grasp of Islamic culture and religion. In the book’s afterword, he writes:
In many ways my overall attitude toward the Middle East has changed since 9/11 and that change is reflected in this rewrite. I think love is the order of the day, more so than some of the antagonism that slipped into the first version.
For that alone, the update is a good one and would later serve him well when Hachette purchased the rights and reprinted it in mass market paperback for a secular audience.
Blink of an Eye is best termed a philosophical thriller. The plot itself, though improved in this version, is still a fairly generic extended chase scene. It’s the philosophical underpinning that makes the novel stand out. Blink of an Eye is an exploration of what theologians call middle knowledge. Developed by Luis Molina and espoused by philosopher-theologians like Alvin Plantinga and William Lane Craig, middle knowledge (also called Molinism) posits that God not only knows the future, but all possible futures. This provides a way of reconciling God’s absolute sovereignty with human free will.
Miriam Al-Asamm is a Saudi princess turned fugitive on the run. Forbidden from marrying her true love and instead forced into an arranged marriage with an older man, Miriam flees to the United States and finds herself in the company of super-genius Seth Border.
Seth isn’t an average genius. He’s got an IQ that would make Einstein blush and has no qualms about showing it. But then something begins to happen that’s even weird for him…he begins to see the future. And not just the future, but possible futures. When one of those futures is Miriam’s kidnapping, the two go on the run using Seth’s supernatural prognosticating to avoid capture.
Behind the scenes, the political machinations within the Saudi royalty are at work and a coup is imminent. Miriam is the missing piece that’s needed. Her marriage to a key figure will cement a partnership that’ll bring new power to the Saudi throne.
Then, underneath that all, is the book’s tagline: love changes everything. When all hope seems lost, will God answer prayer? Will he create a way where there was no way? Will his love change the future? It’s a Christian fiction novel, so you can pretty well guess the answer, but the journey made to that answer is thoughtful and poignant. I’m still a bit salty the church scene was cut in this version, but I’d still watch a movie based on it. Blink of an Eye is a worthy update to an early Dekker favorite.
In what may be a good example of counting chickens before they’re hatched, Dekker reworked the novel to match the screenplay. The cover of Blink of an Eye even boasts “With New Content Based on the Upcoming Major Motion Picture.” And then there was no major motion picture. The book released in November 2007. The movie was slated for a release in 2008, but like a lot of sold screenplays, stuff happened and the movie was never made.
However, it wasn’t all for naught. Dekker’s attitude toward Islam and the Middle East shifted from the original writing of Blink in the early 00s and the rewrite to Blink of an Eye in 2007. The rewrite doesn’t paint all Islam as a stereotypical villain. Dekker has a better grasp of Islamic culture and religion. In the book’s afterword, he writes:
In many ways my overall attitude toward the Middle East has changed since 9/11 and that change is reflected in this rewrite. I think love is the order of the day, more so than some of the antagonism that slipped into the first version.
For that alone, the update is a good one and would later serve him well when Hachette purchased the rights and reprinted it in mass market paperback for a secular audience.
Blink of an Eye is best termed a philosophical thriller. The plot itself, though improved in this version, is still a fairly generic extended chase scene. It’s the philosophical underpinning that makes the novel stand out. Blink of an Eye is an exploration of what theologians call middle knowledge. Developed by Luis Molina and espoused by philosopher-theologians like Alvin Plantinga and William Lane Craig, middle knowledge (also called Molinism) posits that God not only knows the future, but all possible futures. This provides a way of reconciling God’s absolute sovereignty with human free will.
Miriam Al-Asamm is a Saudi princess turned fugitive on the run. Forbidden from marrying her true love and instead forced into an arranged marriage with an older man, Miriam flees to the United States and finds herself in the company of super-genius Seth Border.
Seth isn’t an average genius. He’s got an IQ that would make Einstein blush and has no qualms about showing it. But then something begins to happen that’s even weird for him…he begins to see the future. And not just the future, but possible futures. When one of those futures is Miriam’s kidnapping, the two go on the run using Seth’s supernatural prognosticating to avoid capture.
Behind the scenes, the political machinations within the Saudi royalty are at work and a coup is imminent. Miriam is the missing piece that’s needed. Her marriage to a key figure will cement a partnership that’ll bring new power to the Saudi throne.
Then, underneath that all, is the book’s tagline: love changes everything. When all hope seems lost, will God answer prayer? Will he create a way where there was no way? Will his love change the future? It’s a Christian fiction novel, so you can pretty well guess the answer, but the journey made to that answer is thoughtful and poignant. I’m still a bit salty the church scene was cut in this version, but I’d still watch a movie based on it. Blink of an Eye is a worthy update to an early Dekker favorite.
December 26, 2020
Miriam is a Saudi Arabian princess who discovered that she is to marry an evil man as pawn in a coupe to overthrow the present monarch. Horrified, she flees to America where she meets Seth Borders whose intelligence levels are off the charts. Not only that Seth is clairvoyant and able to see multiple futures. He rescues Miriam but both Saudis and Americans are hot on their tales. Miriam has a secret lover in Saudi Arabia who also comes to America to get her but ends up betraying her and takes her back to Saudi Arabia. When Seth's learns of this he sneaks into her country to once again rescue her. They continue their dangerous chase of cat and mouse to escape the man who is determined to destroy their lives and the monarchy. This was a breathtaking story of danger and the power of love.
June 1, 2012
This book was a page turner from the beginning. It kept me up late. Most books take me two or three weeks to read, but I read this one in under a week.
The plot is riveting. The main character, Miriam, is destined for a life of brutality and loneliness. Her entire life has been planned for her from the moment of birth and she has absolutely no say in what befalls her. In fact, objections of any kind are a sure death sentence. Women in her culture are nothing more than objects whose sole purpose is to produce male offspring. Death is preferable even to life in luxurious surroundings. When Miriam escapes to the U.S. and encounters Seth, the chase is on. Mr. Dekker keeps the reader in suspense for chapter after chapter as the pair run in desperation succeeding against all odds.
If you are a realist, you will have to suspend quite a bit of disbelief. Seth can see into the future. Hundreds of law enforcement officers are in pursuit, but for some reason, the press never gets wind of a Saudi princess on the run fleeing an arranged marriage nor is any public sympathy aroused in America. This would normally be the stuff from which headlines are made. Nevertheless, the plot is so entertaining, the realist will be willing to overlook such departures from reality for the sake of enjoying an exciting book.
Is this Christian fiction? I suppose many would call it that. God is indeed mentioned throughout the book. However, the core teaching of Christianity, that Jesus Christ died for the sins of all people, is never addressed. It's hard for me to call a book "Christian" when that particular teaching is absent. If you are seeking inspirational Christian reading within the context of a suspense novel, this is not the book for you. If you're just looking for clean entertainment which happens to be written by a Christian author, than this will be worth your while.
The plot is riveting. The main character, Miriam, is destined for a life of brutality and loneliness. Her entire life has been planned for her from the moment of birth and she has absolutely no say in what befalls her. In fact, objections of any kind are a sure death sentence. Women in her culture are nothing more than objects whose sole purpose is to produce male offspring. Death is preferable even to life in luxurious surroundings. When Miriam escapes to the U.S. and encounters Seth, the chase is on. Mr. Dekker keeps the reader in suspense for chapter after chapter as the pair run in desperation succeeding against all odds.
If you are a realist, you will have to suspend quite a bit of disbelief. Seth can see into the future. Hundreds of law enforcement officers are in pursuit, but for some reason, the press never gets wind of a Saudi princess on the run fleeing an arranged marriage nor is any public sympathy aroused in America. This would normally be the stuff from which headlines are made. Nevertheless, the plot is so entertaining, the realist will be willing to overlook such departures from reality for the sake of enjoying an exciting book.
Is this Christian fiction? I suppose many would call it that. God is indeed mentioned throughout the book. However, the core teaching of Christianity, that Jesus Christ died for the sins of all people, is never addressed. It's hard for me to call a book "Christian" when that particular teaching is absent. If you are seeking inspirational Christian reading within the context of a suspense novel, this is not the book for you. If you're just looking for clean entertainment which happens to be written by a Christian author, than this will be worth your while.
August 22, 2016
Put a Saudi princess and a certified genius together and a story unfolds.
Seth Border, Berkeley student, blinks and sees the future. In that future, a princess needs saving.
My Thoughts:
It’s rare I read a book twice since there are so many books I’d like to read. However, “Blink of an Eye,” I reread.
Seth Border has become my favorite character of all times. His quick wit, smart alec, personality drew me right into the story.
The first scene shows Seth debating with a University professor. “I’ve learned never to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed person, sir.” And so on goes Seth. Funny.
Phrases like, convention of penguins (At a University awards ceremony.) And she borrowed legs from a horse made for a humorous story. But the humor didn’t take away from the tension.
Seth and Miriam were on the run. Placed in impossible situations, and yet, Seth because of his genius thinking skills escaped.
In the future, I’ll probably visit this book again. It’s that good.
If I had a suggestion to Ted, I’d love to see Seth Borders run for President. Wouldn’t a Presidential debate make a good scene?
Seth Border, Berkeley student, blinks and sees the future. In that future, a princess needs saving.
My Thoughts:
It’s rare I read a book twice since there are so many books I’d like to read. However, “Blink of an Eye,” I reread.
Seth Border has become my favorite character of all times. His quick wit, smart alec, personality drew me right into the story.
The first scene shows Seth debating with a University professor. “I’ve learned never to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed person, sir.” And so on goes Seth. Funny.
Phrases like, convention of penguins (At a University awards ceremony.) And she borrowed legs from a horse made for a humorous story. But the humor didn’t take away from the tension.
Seth and Miriam were on the run. Placed in impossible situations, and yet, Seth because of his genius thinking skills escaped.
In the future, I’ll probably visit this book again. It’s that good.
If I had a suggestion to Ted, I’d love to see Seth Borders run for President. Wouldn’t a Presidential debate make a good scene?
May 9, 2008
I actually read "Blink of an Eye" which is a revised edition of Blink. I had never read anything by Ted Dekker only watched a few of his movies. I am not one to read scary books as I get nightmares, but this one was fine in that area. I really enjoyed this book. I have recommended it to many people since reading it and they have all really liked it as well. It has a bit of romance, lots of adventure, and some suspense. I learned a great deal about the culture in Saudi Arabia that I had no idea was happening.
January 15, 2021
This was a crazy ride.
For someone who loves the discussion of free will and God's omniscience, the plot pulled me in instantly. Is the future truly open? If we truly have free will, does God know our future free choices? If so, then are they truly free?
I also enjoyed, at the risk of being politically incorrect, Dekker's brutal honesty about the extremism of fundamental Islam. Not that he painted all Muslims with a broad brush, on the contrary - he distinguished between moderate and extremists.
Finally, I enjoyed the journey the main character went as he processed the logical conclusions of agnostisism, theism and Christianity.
For someone who loves the discussion of free will and God's omniscience, the plot pulled me in instantly. Is the future truly open? If we truly have free will, does God know our future free choices? If so, then are they truly free?
I also enjoyed, at the risk of being politically incorrect, Dekker's brutal honesty about the extremism of fundamental Islam. Not that he painted all Muslims with a broad brush, on the contrary - he distinguished between moderate and extremists.
Finally, I enjoyed the journey the main character went as he processed the logical conclusions of agnostisism, theism and Christianity.
February 13, 2021
Very interesting plot line!
March 5, 2014
The plot was super irritating and quite popular nowadays ~ an adventurous tale about a super brilliant and equally attractive American white male who gets thrust into world politics. In this case, it's a Westernized fantasy about a Saudi princess named "Miriam" (which is totally an Arabic name) who flees the oppressive prospect of marriage in her country and experiences "true freedom", that is, not wearing an abaya (which Dekker equates with looking like Darth Vader) and having titillating encounters with the Greek sculpture (yes, the white boy is a Greek sculpture. SMH)In any case, there was very little spiritual development in which the most concrete Biblical "truth", if you will, is when the hot-headed protagonist after a flirting session enters a church building where he meets a pastor, who, like in many Christian fiction stories, seems to have all the answers. Towards the end there is an appeal to the Christian God, though, why Miriam would make such a drastic change after being raised a Muslim isn't really expanded on other than the idea that she's equating her religion with the supposed cultural duties she has observed being thrust upon women. The issues within the Arabian Gulf do need to be addressed, however, the sensationalization by the Western media that exploits the trope of defenseless and oppressed Middle-Eastern women does little to help improve the issues. Arab and Muslim women do not need liberation in the form of marriage to white men or Westernization. They simply need education and resources that they can utilize to improve the political and social environments that they live in.
[Edit]
The cover has the Dome of the Rock. The Dome of the Rock is in Al-Aqsa, Palestine. That is a Palestinian monument. That has absolutely NO relation to Saudi Arabia at ALL. (for those of you who don't know much about the Mashriq, al-Aqsa is in Israel/Palestine, Saudi Arabia is MILES away.) Further driving my point about Orientalist narratives.
[Edit]
The cover has the Dome of the Rock. The Dome of the Rock is in Al-Aqsa, Palestine. That is a Palestinian monument. That has absolutely NO relation to Saudi Arabia at ALL. (for those of you who don't know much about the Mashriq, al-Aqsa is in Israel/Palestine, Saudi Arabia is MILES away.) Further driving my point about Orientalist narratives.
July 9, 2015
This novel is an amazing wild ride. I loved every second. The author gave a fascinating look at a princess who runs to America. She doesn’t want to marry a man she despises. It is her duty and custom to marry her family has chosen. This author does a brilliant job of allowing the reader to get into the skin of a woman who has been veiled all of her life and is suddenly exposed for all the world to see. It’s freeing and terrifying to come out from behind the cloth. When the princess arrives in America she starts to run for her life. She finds someone to will help in her escape from her father’s clutches. There is an emotional transformation of this princess as she runs away from the men who want to take her back to the only home she has known.
This story is a very action packed, heart racing page turning novel; full of twists and turns. You will be up all night reading this great story and have a compassion for the women behind the cloth of their country..
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
May 23, 2016
Blink of an Eye by Ted Dekker was definitely a different read than some of the other books I have read by Dekker - The Bride Collector and Boneman's Daughters, for example - but this novel did not disappoint me.
The two main characters - Seth, a genius, and Miriam, a Saudi Arabian princess - are set on a course that is and isn't believable that something like this could actually happen. Are there geniuses out there who can do what Seth does - see numerous options into the future and analyze them as quickly as he does - possibly. So, this is what, to me, gives the story a hint of fantasy. Are there beautiful Saudi princesses out there, who are used as political pawns - more believable than Seth's unusual powers - to me.
Yet, having said that, these two unlikely individuals are thrown together by fate and together they weave a tale of love and political intrigue that is fascinating to read. There were moments, though, when I got lost in Seth's analyzing of situations, but not long enough to make me want to set the book down. When every corner of escape is blocked and when you think there is no hope, Seth pulls through. How does he do it? Is it just his genius mind, or is there another element at work - his love (although unrealized) for the beautiful princess?
A very different read from Ted Dekker, yet one you will not be disappointed in.
The two main characters - Seth, a genius, and Miriam, a Saudi Arabian princess - are set on a course that is and isn't believable that something like this could actually happen. Are there geniuses out there who can do what Seth does - see numerous options into the future and analyze them as quickly as he does - possibly. So, this is what, to me, gives the story a hint of fantasy. Are there beautiful Saudi princesses out there, who are used as political pawns - more believable than Seth's unusual powers - to me.
Yet, having said that, these two unlikely individuals are thrown together by fate and together they weave a tale of love and political intrigue that is fascinating to read. There were moments, though, when I got lost in Seth's analyzing of situations, but not long enough to make me want to set the book down. When every corner of escape is blocked and when you think there is no hope, Seth pulls through. How does he do it? Is it just his genius mind, or is there another element at work - his love (although unrealized) for the beautiful princess?
A very different read from Ted Dekker, yet one you will not be disappointed in.
June 7, 2019
What happens when you cross a Muslim girl on the run from a political marriage and a genius level college student on the run from himself? A wild ride across the world where only God and faith can save them from certain death.
Blink is not Dekker’s best novel that I have read and the main characters needed some work. Especially Seth the quirky genius who bordered on cheesy. Well, that might have been intentional. Regardless, I was certainly entertained and Blink is likable if you take it for what it is and not try to over analyze it. One thing is for certain, Dekker has produced many novels across the span of his career and you can always count on a story of good versus evil.
Blink is not Dekker’s best novel that I have read and the main characters needed some work. Especially Seth the quirky genius who bordered on cheesy. Well, that might have been intentional. Regardless, I was certainly entertained and Blink is likable if you take it for what it is and not try to over analyze it. One thing is for certain, Dekker has produced many novels across the span of his career and you can always count on a story of good versus evil.
May 17, 2017
Ted Dekker has never failed to suck me in to one of his books. Blink was no different! I was hooked by the first page and found myself on the run right alongside Seth and Miriam as they eluded their foes.
I also liked that Dekker introduced another culture with Miriam being a Saudi Arabian princess. It gave me a view into something that I otherwise have no knowledge on. The way of life there is so different and it made me sympathize with Miriam in a strong way.
There are many possible futures, but only one future wins out in the end. Another great book from Dekker!
I also liked that Dekker introduced another culture with Miriam being a Saudi Arabian princess. It gave me a view into something that I otherwise have no knowledge on. The way of life there is so different and it made me sympathize with Miriam in a strong way.
There are many possible futures, but only one future wins out in the end. Another great book from Dekker!
January 2, 2014
This book is a slight rewrite of Dekker’s 2002 novel Blink. Unlike some of his later works, this story feels more like a whole story -- complete with character development, story arcs, and a decently satisfying conclusion. It's a strong testimony to the page-turning prowess that Dekker clearly possesses. Blink remains a clever, solid read that, while enjoyable, had the unfortunate side-effect of making me wish that Dekker would once again start writing more like it.
November 5, 2019
This book was so strange that at first I thought it was a continuation of of "The Martyr's song" but when I read that Seth had the gift of seeing the future, I completely changed my mind. This book talks about the future, love, the Middle East conflict, faith, etc.. I loved the characters and enjoyed every page but the names seemed a little strange but in the end, the whole story was great.
September 15, 2021
Este libro me voló el bocho. La historia es espectacular por dónde la mires; es súper atrapante, contemporánea, simplemente increíble.
Tiene un toque de fantasía pero está tan bien incluida en la vida del personaje que hace súper ligera la lectura.
El final me decepcionó un poquito porque quería que terminen juntos, pero igual quedé conforme.
Tiene un toque de fantasía pero está tan bien incluida en la vida del personaje que hace súper ligera la lectura.
El final me decepcionó un poquito porque quería que terminen juntos, pero igual quedé conforme.
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