Review: Amazing and beautiful!!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 23, 2012
What a beautiful way to start off this series! I have been left wanting more and think that this story could have really been a great novel, and not just an amazing short story, but I am definitely ready for the next book! I am much anticipating what God has in store for David and the new characters in the next book.I love that this book brings in the greatness of God, even in the face of tradgedy. It provided a wonderful balance between love and heartbreak. My favorite quote in the book is "Faith is, believing in something we can't see, something greater than us. It's something we somehow learn to put all our trust in. For me, there is only one thing I put my faith in now, and that's God." (Mariza) Her brother's original faith and trust in a higher power is orignally what helped secure her own trust in God. And when her brother David starts to falter, she does what she can to help bring him back to his original path, and she does help him, but in a way that she could never possibly imagine. The events that take place would test the faith of the strongest believer, which makes it that much harder for the character of David, who is struggling to find his way back to God. Many times when a character is faced with a crisis, they tend to question God's intentions and turn their backs to Him, but it seems like this tradgedy may be what will eventually bring David back to God....eventually.Mariza is a beautiful character and I loved her from the beginning. She was self-less and wanted more than anything to bring her brother out of his unexplained depression. She is willing to do whatever it takes to help her brother, including embarking on a vacation across county in the worse storm imaginable. The bond between Mariza and David was intense, and what the love between siblings should be. They were in many ways a typical brother and sister who loved to tease each other and push the other's buttons. But coming from a broken home they had relied soley on each other for support over the years,and could never imagine life without the other.I am really glad that the author showed perspectives from both sides, so that the reader really gets to know and love Mariza before we shifted to David's point of view. For me, it really made me feel everything right along with David as he searched for his sister. I desperately wanted him to find her, because I missed her too.This was a beautifully written story that helps you to think about your own relationship with God, and how that bond may be tested in the face of the worst tragedy you could imagine. Both characters are strong and easily related to, and you really feel each emotion as they do. The stuggles that they face, especially David, is enough to bring you to tears, so keep the tissues handy. The author also builds up the suspense well, and keeps you on the edge as you get to know the characters, but you have a bad feeling in the pit of your stomach that something is going to happen. I also noticed the second time I went through the story, that the author uses a lot of foreshadowing to the events to come, which only adds the suspense and the dramatic effect that this book has on it's reader.This would be a good book for anyone to read regaurdless of what type genre you prefer. Its has amazing characters and a message that goes down into your soul, and will keep you thinking long after you have finished the last page. I am looking forward to reading more from this author especially the next book in this promising series.