Riven

Jerry B. Jenkins

Tyndale, Jul 2008, $24.95

ISBN: 9781414309040

Pastor Thomas Carey was called at an early age to spread the Word and over the course of several years he became a pastor at different places around the United States.  His last calling ended in a disaster because a layman wanted to be the power behind the ministry; something Thomas could not accept.  He takes the position as chaplain at the SuperMax state penitentiary at Adamsville.

Brody Wayne Darby has spent his whole life committing one crime after another starting when he stole at the Laundromat where he worked.  As he grew older, he committed increasingly more serious crimes and did time.  When he was released, he vowed to go straight until a woman hurt him and he killed her.  He pleaded guilty and was sent to Adamsville.

In the years he ministered at the prison, Thomas met no sincere inmate.  He feels empty until he meets Brody; both come away from their encounters feeling as if God is working through them.

Jerry B. Jenkins is one of the best Christian authors writing today.  His latest work is a dark complex contemporary fiction tale driven by two seemingly opposite characters; their polar differences make each even more believable and the story line plausible.  RIVEN is a memorable tale starring a man who feels he is a failure and another who only has death waiting for him in three years time.   They met and both feel the Lord is working through them giving each what they need.  This book will move the audience in so many ways and make them feel so many things. This is a masterpiece.

Harriet Klausner