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meezcarrie's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
In Paralyzed, Alana Terry deals with the subject of PTSD and counseling. Kennedy has endured much trauma over the past few weeks… and the hits keep coming in the current story. While people closest to her continue to recommend counseling, she insists if she just reads the Bible more and prays more – maybe goes to church more regularly – she will be okay. And yet, we see very plainly that she isn’t. While this thread isn’t resolved yet by the end of Paralyzed, I am interested to see where the author will take it in future books.
Another thing I like about this series is that you have to stay on your toes and pay attention! One little innocuous thing or person may play an important role later on in the next book. While I was reading Paralyzed, the description of the current goon out to get her rang a bell with me and even though Kennedy didn’t remember seeing him before I just knew I recognized the feature that the detective emphasized. Turns out I had to go back to Unplanned to find him but there he was! Blink and you’ll miss him :) And then there’s this reporter that pops up in the first scene of Unplanned and a couple times after that … and then he’s mentioned again in Paralyzed. I have a feeling that he has something important to do with something important… but as yet we aren’t given any hints really as to what either of those somethings might be. Oh – and the slight hints of a romance angle whispering through both books but not really developed yet. All of these mysterious and unresolved elements very much keep me interested in the rest of the series!
The only real flaw I would mention is that, in Paralyzed, the plot is a bit farfetched … unless there’s something we’re not being told yet. If that proves to be true in the next book, I will happily eat those words :) I did wonder about some of the police procedures – how they were able to hear things going on in the house (or car) one time and then not another time. WHY does Kennedy’s phone battery keep dying … and why for the love can she not remember to keep it charged? Little things like this poked at my more rational side, but again – given the tendency of this series to throw in seemingly-trivial information that plays a part later – I might be nitpicking prematurely.
Bottom Line: Fast-paced action, well-written narrative, and intriguing characters make this a nice way to spend an evening. The realistic look at what it means to live – and struggle – as a follower of Jesus will appeal to both Christians and non-Christians, in my opinion. The clues dropped from one book to the next ensure that this whole series is an ideal read for puzzle and mystery lovers. Bring on the next book!
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
In Paralyzed, Alana Terry deals with the subject of PTSD and counseling. Kennedy has endured much trauma over the past few weeks… and the hits keep coming in the current story. While people closest to her continue to recommend counseling, she insists if she just reads the Bible more and prays more – maybe goes to church more regularly – she will be okay. And yet, we see very plainly that she isn’t. While this thread isn’t resolved yet by the end of Paralyzed, I am interested to see where the author will take it in future books.
Another thing I like about this series is that you have to stay on your toes and pay attention! One little innocuous thing or person may play an important role later on in the next book. While I was reading Paralyzed, the description of the current goon out to get her rang a bell with me and even though Kennedy didn’t remember seeing him before I just knew I recognized the feature that the detective emphasized. Turns out I had to go back to Unplanned to find him but there he was! Blink and you’ll miss him :) And then there’s this reporter that pops up in the first scene of Unplanned and a couple times after that … and then he’s mentioned again in Paralyzed. I have a feeling that he has something important to do with something important… but as yet we aren’t given any hints really as to what either of those somethings might be. Oh – and the slight hints of a romance angle whispering through both books but not really developed yet. All of these mysterious and unresolved elements very much keep me interested in the rest of the series!
The only real flaw I would mention is that, in Paralyzed, the plot is a bit farfetched … unless there’s something we’re not being told yet. If that proves to be true in the next book, I will happily eat those words :) I did wonder about some of the police procedures – how they were able to hear things going on in the house (or car) one time and then not another time. WHY does Kennedy’s phone battery keep dying … and why for the love can she not remember to keep it charged? Little things like this poked at my more rational side, but again – given the tendency of this series to throw in seemingly-trivial information that plays a part later – I might be nitpicking prematurely.
Bottom Line: Fast-paced action, well-written narrative, and intriguing characters make this a nice way to spend an evening. The realistic look at what it means to live – and struggle – as a follower of Jesus will appeal to both Christians and non-Christians, in my opinion. The clues dropped from one book to the next ensure that this whole series is an ideal read for puzzle and mystery lovers. Bring on the next book!
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
quirkylitlover's review against another edition
4.0
Paralyzed is the second book in the Kennedy Stern Christian Suspense series, which I did not realize until after I started reading it. However, I feel that I was able to gain enough background knowledge to understand the basics of what happened in the first novel. I found this book to be intensely suspenseful and fast-paced. I enjoyed Kennedy's story and could somewhat relate to the struggles that she faced as she tried to return to living a normal life. However, it becomes increasingly difficult for her to live as a normal college student because as the story progresses she faces another set of challenges.
I appreciate the fact that Alana Terry tackles some difficult and controversial issues in this novel. That's something that I don't see very often in the Christian novels that I read. There are times throughout the book when Kennedy questions and reaffirms her faith in God. Despite this I wish that her faith had played a larger role throughout.
This was the first book I've read by this author, but I will definitely be seeking out more.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I appreciate the fact that Alana Terry tackles some difficult and controversial issues in this novel. That's something that I don't see very often in the Christian novels that I read. There are times throughout the book when Kennedy questions and reaffirms her faith in God. Despite this I wish that her faith had played a larger role throughout.
This was the first book I've read by this author, but I will definitely be seeking out more.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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