gnull's review
4.0
4+ stars. Being a Christian, I like most Christian fiction. At the same time, I understand how a nonbeliever would see it as ludicrous. For them, there are plenty of other books to read that will help you to ignore God. Sad.
I appreciate hearing about God in peoples’ lives, and especially enjoy not having to put up with gratuitous sex and bad language. That being said, this is not a good read for your child. There is torture and killing and associated descriptions.
I appreciate hearing about God in peoples’ lives, and especially enjoy not having to put up with gratuitous sex and bad language. That being said, this is not a good read for your child. There is torture and killing and associated descriptions.
cherrysoda9_9's review
2.0
I wasn't in to this one, to be honest. I think the concept was interesting, but it just wasn't my kind of story. The other two books in this "series" had plots that kept me engaged, but this one didn't have that. There were a few high points, which is why I'll give it a 2.5 overall, but I found myself skimming a lot. Nothing against the author, since I did enjoy the other two books, but this one wasn't for me.
catrev's review
4.0
Vigilante by Robin Parrish is a thought-provoking look at just how far a man can be pushed. Nolan Gray earned a reputation as America's hero after his actions while a captured soldier helped bring his men home. It was Nolan's faith in God that carried him through the incredibly dark time, and in the end, he and friend Thornton Hastings made a vow to each other that when they got home they would try to fix what was broken in the world. In the years since they made that promise, Thornton has gone on to become president, but the American has continued to devolve into a violent, crime-ridden place. New York City is the epicenter of the violence, and it is there that Nolan has decided to take a stand. After faking his own death, Nolan has taken on the persona of a masked crime fighter, with the specialized tools of friend Arjay, he appears almost superhuman. The country becomes entranced by the Hand's fight against crime, but crime boss Yuri Vasko has marked the Hand as his nemesis when he believes that Nolan has murdered his wife and daughter. The stories of these two driven men: Nolan to bring justice to the world and Yuri to bring justice to the death of his family will bring the city of New York to its knees and maybe, just maybe, change it forever. Think Batman with his nifty gadgets and tortured personality against the Kingpin (yes, I know they are two different universes!) with his wealth, power over New York, and the fear he inspires. Nolan is a bit of an enigma with his brutal past and dark secrets, but Parrish has made him more than a cardboard cut-out tough guy. Nolan agonizes over whether his choices are right, and his relationship with Alice becomes an opportunity to peek at his soul. Parrish includes newspaper articles and transcripts of TV and radio conversations that bring up vital questions about how Christians are to respond to violence: with the OT view of an eye for an eye, or with the NT view of turn the other cheek. Parrish gives both arguments merit and allows readers to make their own decisions. Parrish's stories always begin with a "what if" premise that he carries out with a fresh and unique world view. His stories are never cliched or predictable. I do feel however, that this novel doesn't have the ending he originally wrote. The climactic scene is shocking in the questions it raises about whether the ends justify the means and how far can a good man go, but then he pulls back just a bit, and it feels awkward. I'm curious to see if a sequel is in the works, which would explain the strained resolution. I wouldn't mind a sequel to follow up on Coral, Nolan, Thornton and Arjay. I look forward to see whatever Parrish produces next; he's one of the freshest and brightest voices in Christian fiction today.
nicole1's review
5.0
I am not that into super heroes and Comic book characters, but Nolan Gray will forever be one of my favorite fictional heroes! All the characters in this book were fleshed out perfectly, but the plot and action did not lag. Even the villan was well written. Great action book!
jessicaleahreads's review
3.0
This was a really easy book to read, lots of action. The main character is an elite war hero with amazing skills and a team that provides him with cool gadgets for crime fighting. He develops a plan to "show the world a better way" and begins to help people by saving them from crime and villains. The action was great; the only issues I had were the character of Alice, while loveable and necessary to the story, seemed a bit unrealistic- he saves her from an abusive husband and immediately trusts her enough to risk his identity being revealed and eventually even invite her to live with them in his secret hideaway to save her from her husband. That whole thing came about too easy and she accepted his actions and plans with very little thought- it seemed to tied up and neat. The Christianity part of the book seemed almost secondary as well- growing up with a pacifist background, I was a little torn between the "help" the team gives others and the means used to do it, which granted, later becomes part of the character's conflict. It just seemed to be shoved to the side to allow for all the action to unfold. I did enjoy it though and would recommend it.
I recieved this book for free from the publisher for review.
I recieved this book for free from the publisher for review.
adamdavidcollings's review
5.0
Robin Parrish does it again. This story follows the journey of a war hero who sacrifices his identity, his whole life, to become a shadowy vigilante crime fighter. Nolan Gray exists in a world that really needs a hero - somebody to take a stand. To me, the feeling of this book was similar to that of the Christopher Nolan Batman films - especially Batman Begins.
I absolutely loved the character dynamics between Nolan and the other three characters that made up his team. Something made me just want to go and live with them all in their abandoned subway station under the city.
This was an intelligent deep story filled with suspense, heart-ache, and excitement that never rarely lets up. The book asks some very difficult questions, and doesn't provide any pat answers. There is still some doubt left in the protagonists mind at the end regarding the things he has done - but this just leads more powerfully to the thematic climax which points directly to the Bible as the best place to go for our answers.
Vigilante does not have any sci-fi or fantasy elements, but it is set in an 'alternate timeline' - although I'm not sure this was entirely necessary for the story to work.
I take my hat off to the author. This is everything that Christian fiction should be.
I absolutely loved the character dynamics between Nolan and the other three characters that made up his team. Something made me just want to go and live with them all in their abandoned subway station under the city.
This was an intelligent deep story filled with suspense, heart-ache, and excitement that never rarely lets up. The book asks some very difficult questions, and doesn't provide any pat answers. There is still some doubt left in the protagonists mind at the end regarding the things he has done - but this just leads more powerfully to the thematic climax which points directly to the Bible as the best place to go for our answers.
Vigilante does not have any sci-fi or fantasy elements, but it is set in an 'alternate timeline' - although I'm not sure this was entirely necessary for the story to work.
I take my hat off to the author. This is everything that Christian fiction should be.
More...