Product Description Action-packed suspense of a reluctant larger-than-life hero who finds himself in the vortex of rapidly changing world events. Dominion Trilogy book 1.
Hang On Tight For A Real Page-TurnerNovember 20, 2008 I had little expectations when I started Robin Parrish's RELENTLESS but the opening scene grabbed me and I hung on for the rest of the novel. It is a gripping read with fascinating characters and surprise twists and turns. I enjoyed this novel and it kept my attention until the final page. I recommend this novel and I'm already planning on reading more books from this talented novelist.
You Won't Want to Put Down This Fantasy ThrillerOctober 7, 2008 On that particular rainy morning, Collin Boyd was walking down a rainy street on his way to work and sees himself across the street. We're talking the same clothes, same briefcase, everything. As Collin runs to catch up with himself, he catches his reflection in the mirror and sees...a complete stranger staring back.
As he stares at the new him, a woman appears and warns him and he is now part of something huge. He must figure out who are his friends and who are his enemies because there is an assassin after him. And with that warning, she vanishes.
Thrust into a world he hardly knows, the now named Grant Borrows must figure out what is happening to him and how to control the powers he suddenly seems to have. Because the answers hold the key to a long ago prophecy that he just might fulfill. If he can stay alive long enough, that is.
I've had this book since it came out, but only picked it up recently. I wish I had picked it up sooner. I was hooked on page one. And just when I got one answer or Grant survived one problem, two more took their place. As a result, I had a very hard time putting it down. The characters were interesting. And the multiple view points added to the story.
This is a fantasy novel of sorts. While most of the action involves fantasy, it takes place to real humans in modern day Los Angeles. I certainly enjoyed the aspect of watching the action take place in a world I knew. And there is a conspiracy behind things that I have a feeling will become much bigger in future books.
The only weakness is the writing. It was obviously a first novel, and at times it could have used a tad more polish. But it was still highly readable. I certainly flew through the pages.
I can hardly wait to get my hands on the next two books in the series and see where Grant's path truly lies.
Intriguing but spiritually profitlessAugust 27, 2008 Relentless begins with Collin Boyd looking out of a bus window and seeing HIMSELF walking down the street! When he disembarks to investigate, he notices his reflection in a store window and doesn't recognize the face looking back at him. Somehow, he has been "shifted" and now occupies the body of Grant Borrows. His new body comes with a strange ring that gives him amazing powers, but there's also an assassin hot on his trail - the agent of a shadowy secret society driven by an ancient and malevolent prophecy.
This first book in the "Christian" superhero fantasy series "The Dominion Trilogy" is a fun ride, filled with heroes, villains, hairsbreadth escapes, and other comic book style daring-do. The pace of the book certainly lives up to its title, and Robin Parrish knows how to bait the hook of intrigue and plant it firmly in the reader's craw.
Unfortunately, the action & thrills leave little room for character development and no room at all for anything remotely spiritual. In the end it's nothing more than a cotton-candy confection that tastes pretty good going down, but provides no spiritual nourishment. You'd think that since the protagonists are facing villains with satanic connections they'd at least crack open the Bible to see what they're up against, but you'd be wrong. The closest thing to a Christian message in Relentless is "who you are on the inside is more important than the outside". Deep, huh? Parts of the story are even ANTI-Biblical; at one point, Grant actually communicates with his dead mother -- and it's portrayed as a good thing! What's next, Christian seances?
Even the entertainment value of this roller coaster ride suffers from some lurches in logic and continuity. For example, at the beginning of one chapter, Grant drives up to an electric fence with a locked gate, and sees a building "in the distance" (initially it's described as a "complex" but then we discover it's only one building). He and a companion exchange a few lines of dialogue, then suddenly they park the car right in front of the building. So how did they get through the gate? We're told later that Grant's friend has the code for the locks, but the transition from gate to building is jarring.
In another passage, a man rides a motorcycle past an alley at "suicidal speeds", but a second later he has apparently stopped at the entrance to that same alley. Wouldn't he have skidded half-way down the next block? In yet another example, two people manage to leap unseen from a speeding van even though pursuing vehicles are only three car lengths behind. I can suspend disbelief, but not at the expense of common sense and the basic laws of physics.
I give Relentless three stars for being diverting in a turn-off-your-gray-matter kind of way, but it gets zero on the spirit-meter. If all you want is entertainment, Relentless should fit the bill, but anyone seeking spiritual themes will be disappointed.
The 5000 Cliffhangers of Dr. PJune 10, 2008 Although it's not wise to say too much about book one of a trilogy I must say at least a few things. For one I don't think I've ever read so many cliffhangers in one book in my entire life. Trying to get some sleep was almost impossible. The writing style is good but nothing outstanding, a bit choppy. The story is unique and the characters are either likable or you want to strangle them. There is confusion in the story but it's only book one so I'm sure things will all make sense in later books. The concept of the origin of the rings was incredibly interesting and I'm looking forward to more on the subject. The book is not overtly Christian and none of the characters are believers to our knowledge but there are Biblical principals and one other thing I you'll have to read to find out. I'm glad I waited to read this just before book three is to be released because I don't think I could handle the stress of waiting. Thanks to Steven Lawhead's The Song of Albion trilogy I always wait now until all three books are released.
1 Star = I've been robbed! 2 Stars = Why'd I finish it? 3 Stars = Good 4 Stars = Excellent 5 Stars = Life changing
Did no one else notice?November 27, 2007 The parallels with the TV show Heroes? Or do just none of you watch it? I thoroughly enjoyed this book is the reason for my 5 star review. Was there problems? I guess so but none of them bothered me,I'm sure Robin will only get better. I rate him with my favorite authors, Dean Koontz, Ted Dekker and Randy Alcorn because when I started this book I couldn't quit thinking about it until I finished it, it was hard to put down. Several people said something about the charachters not being likeable. To me they were, but maybe the author purposely made them ordinary so their struggle with their life changes and new found powers would be more relateable. I agreed with most of the positives of the other reviews but was struck by how many just gave it 3 or 4 stars but mentioned the were anxiously awaiting the rest of the series. I guess 4 is pretty good but when I like something this much I tend ot overlook it's shortcomings, it is that good a read! I just ordered the next book and can't wait for it to come in!
