Showdown (Paradise Series #1)

Can the wound of original sin be suppressed?

"Showdown" is a Ted Dekker novel set within a non-sequential series called "The Books of History Chronicles." It is the story of a Harvard Professor, David Abraham, who has been commissioned to conduct an incredible experiment: together with twelve of the best faith-based minds in world, raise thirty six orphans in a controlled environment void of any of the "evil" influences of the modern world. The question is, will children saturated in an environment of beauty, truth, and love shun the evil impulses within each of us as a result of our fallen natures through original sin? And if so, once released at the threshold of adulthood, would these young men and women have the interior strength and grace-filled spirits to transform the world?

In "Showdown", we see how a town called Paradise is impacted by the seemingly unrelated battle going on within this secluded project of innocent children (called "Project Showdown") who have now reached adolescence. The analogy of how the war in heaven impacts our lives on earth is excellent, and by weaving in elements (and even a character) from his Circle Trilogy, Dekker certainly will keep his fan-base happy. The question of whether truth (including sound reason/philosophy) necessarily leads to love is pondered throughout the story, and the more worldly arguments against are given room to play out as they do in our contemporary society today. There is a good message here; a person well-formed in Faith and morals is without question given a solid foundation to embark on a journey towards God. But unless that formation is imbued with love-not as the world defines it (laden with sentiment and emotion), but a self-sacrificing crucified love-all the "truth" in the universe, whether temporal or eternal, will not suffice.

Dekker has quite a gift for presenting "adrenaline-laced" thrillers which are modern day analogies of humanity's Salvation History. His stories are very creative and exciting (at times, I found I could not read quickly enough in the midst of intense scenes), yet what impresses me more is that Dekker is able to avoid the "predictability" of the plot; a reality common to Christian analogical stories. As well, Dekker avoids the over-sanitization of evil which often is found-understandably-in novels delineated as "Christian". It is the difficult challenge of a good Christian writer to portray the reality of evil in a manner which neither glorifies it nor uses it as a simplistic device to shock the reader; I feel Dekker navigates this tightrope well. (That being said, I would not recommend this book for kids under 16, and even then, would use discretion based on the maturity/impressionability of the youth -- evil is not as "comic-bookish" here as in the Circle Trilogy).

If I could offer one area of criticism (then seemingly contradict myself) it would be in relation to character development. Though I would not describe the characters in "Showdown" as one-dimensional, I do feel that, after completing the story, I only got to know them on a superficial level. That being said, this very well may have been a choice by the author; plunging into the inner-depths of a character generally slows a story down. As well, I think "Showdown", and perhaps all of Dekker's novels, are more about the story-the analogy-than the specific characters.

One final note: though the author claims you can read the "Paradise" novels in any order, I would suggest this one first (it is the earliest in t

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

outstandig book

the action the villian its amazing. I could rarily put the book down its worth the money.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

This was the first book by Ted Dekker I've ever read. I thought it was pretty good myself. It took me a while to fully grasp what his concept was. Over all I think this was a great book and I recommend it to everyone.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Somewhat disappointing

This is the first Ted Dekker book I've read, and I was disappointed after all the good things I had heard about this author and his works. The story seemed contrived to me. The concept was intriguing, in fact, if you are a writer, you may find the concept very intriguing. I'd like to see another author put a different spin on this concept I think it has a lot of potential. I know, vague review, but I just can't bring myself to give away the story. I will say this: I'll give Ted another chance sometime even though this disappointed me.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Something Wicked This Way Comes To Paradise!

Along a dusty road, walks a stranger dressed in black. He's wearing a cowboy hat pulled down low over his eyes and aside from hearing his crunching of his boots on the gravel street, there isn't much else going on outside the town of Paradise.

Sitting on the only bench outside of the town's drinking establishment, Cecil Marshall watches the stranger walk into town. The only other person sitting with him on that unseasonably hot summer day is a Johnny Drake.

"Looks lost." Johnny says to Cecil, who merely nods his head towards Johnny. He can't speak since he's a mute some eighty-one years ago. He and Johnny alone are the only ones watching the man in black walk into town. Yet there is something there that tells them today is about to change in the lives of those living in Paradise, for better or worse remains unknown but Johnny and Cecil believe it to be worse. Is all hell about to break lose in Paradise?

I received the novel Showdown by Ted Dekker, one of my all time favorite authors from my husband Steve for my birthday and honestly couldn't wait to find time to enjoy and savor the flavor of this book. Within the first chapter, you suddenly realize that once more Ted Dekker has masterfully captured the very essence of evil as it strolls into Paradise and with every page that turns after that brings you closer to what lies in store for the citizens of Paradise. Hands down another award winning book by Ted Dekker. This one rates 5 out of 5 stars with a word of caution. Read it with the lights on!

Incredible Story

Showdown is an amazing book. You never know what is going to happen next because everything is too crazy to think up, unless you're TEd Dekker. He creates an amazing story with unique and realistic characters with wondeful imagry and crazy twists that excite and sometimes terrify. I recomend this book to anyone who thinks reading is broing, and to those who love a good thriller with insane plots and novels with a wondeful meaning to them.

Give Ted Dekker a Chance

This is a surprising thriller that writes in a fast pace style which leads readers quickly to new developing storylines and plots. Very entertaining and a great read for thriller lovers.

Well written Suspense--

Although it was darker than I would have liked, I did enjoy this book. Dekker wrote very well!... There's a reason he's so highly acclaimed!!!
This story itself had much intrigue and was very much a page turner. Since this is my first Dekker book, I'm not positive on how I feel about the whole series but I finished this one last night and bought Saint today. Knowing this isn't a girly story, I did miss the romance but was glad there were still parts that touched the heart!

Not a favorite

I really enjoyed the first book by Dekkar that I read. I hurried to get another, expecting another absorbing story. This one is just too weird for me. Not intriguing in my opinion. Could be, but no likable characters. I want to read imaginative authors that can write something besides drugs, sex, ugly language, etc., but this one is just too offbeat to be interesting. After the first several chapters, I just couldn't finish it. I am still trying to talk myself into giving it another chance, but I don't look forward to forcing myself to read it!

I really recommend this nice book.

Yes, indeed there is none other who can mix together seuquences of romantic love in the field of religion, adrenaline-laced thrillers, and a literally...I mean, literally...extraordianry plot than Ted Dekker!the twists of this story are something else, and akin to every single other part therein--extraordinary. So I really recommend this book.

Showdown- Very interesting Story

I usually read only Sci-fi related material but I saw this on the discount rack and thought I would give it a try. It was a very good read, action packed, suspenseful, with intersting characters and idea. The questions of when what is imagined becomes real and the "innocence" of youth are explored very well in the story. It puts a new twist on the saying "and a child will lead them"!

very good!

i am 14 and heard about Ted Dekker by a friend. Showdown was beautifully written, at first i didn't really understand it, or the intelligence that came from the children, but i kept reading and came to love the story. A few things grossed me out, and i was shocked many times. You will gasp, jump, cry, and wish away everything if the little guy would just RUN AND GET HELP! Over all i think the book was very good and you should read it. This is the first Ted Dekker book i have read, but i dont plan on it being the last by far. i hope you read and enjoy this book, because i did!

Dull!!!

The cover drew me in. Unfortunately, the story did not live up to the cover. A very dull and uneventful book.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Not for my taste, just a boring waste.

Something about the cover gave me high hopes for this book. I bought this in hardback at the same time I bought "Comes A Horseman" (by Robert Liparulo and great book). I tried to get into Showdown, I tried really hard. It just was not meant to be. The book is boring and lacks any kind of feeling that you get when you are reading a good novel. The main villain is ok at first but eventual you are sitting there wishing he would just conquer all and end the story already. The children and the plot are just ridiculous. Oh, did I mention the slime? yeah, it has slime in it. I give myself credit for finishing it but at the same time it hurts to think I did and what a waste of time. but it happens. Some people that have reviewed this book actually liked it. A matter of taste. A taste for slime.

AMAZING

This book was such a great read, I highly recommend it. Ted Dekker is amazing.

Close but no cigar!

Ted Dekker is my favortie author, but this book did not do him justice. It was very creepy and sci-fi, which is not like him. A creepy man comes to town, some people love him, and some hate him. He's there for a big purpose that no one knows yet. The small town get turned upside down. He's a hero but yet he's a sinner with a dark secret that I never saw coming. It was suspenseful but not like House or Three. It took me a while to read it because it was hard to stay into. The beginning was excellent, the middle was boring, and the end was somewhat expected. Ted Dekker's writing style always entertains me because he goes back and forth between characters so we the reader can fully understand the situation and each character.

STUPIDEST BOOK EVER!!!

I had to read a book for school so I decided to read this one. It lacked everything. There was no suspense to keep it going; there is no surpises and it was very predictable towards the end.
If you are going to get it, I would get it from the library. If I didn't have to read a book for school I would have just put it down and never read it again.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

watch your back for Black!

oh, man! the main villian in this book 'Marsuvees Black'is amazing. dekker's villians have always been my favorite elements of his stories, and he really outdid himself on this one. black is a wonderfully horrible person who will leave you remembering him long after you finish the book.

FYI

I have not read this book but just a heads up if you like this book Saint also by Ted Dekker is the sequel. Right now im reading Red.

Fanastic

this is by far one of the best books i have ever read i got hooked to ted dekker books and now i cant put them down. they are suspensful and thriling the end will susprise you ted is an excellant writer and all of his books will keep you on the edge of your seat. this book will fly by and you wont be able to put it down