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Students at her university are being attacked, and Winter knows there's more than flesh and blood at work.
Her gift means she's the only one who can stop it - but at what price?
shellie_c
Posted August 30, 2011
Winter Maessen finds her goth lifestyle is a challenge to maintain at a Christian college, but nowhere near as challenging as being called by God to be Tishbe University's personal prophet. No matter how hard she fights against this calling, Winter finds herself pulled deeper and deeper into the mysterious changes that are pulling Christ out of Tishbe. When she discovers the evil that lurks behind the changes, Winter must choose-deny her gift and lose her friend or fight a battle she feels inept to fight.
Keven Newsome's young adult novel, Winter, is a dark portrayal into the world of spiritual battles and real world faith obstacles. You never know what's around the corner of this suspenseful story, but you'll find yourself rooting for the characters as they open those closet doors we all want to stay shut.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.The words drew me in. Phrases like, "They oozed lifeless blood that pooled at their base and coagulated into white scabs. She broke a candle free and continued her ascent, tilting it so it bled on the planks." Immediately, the story caught my interest. A girl named Winter-dressed in goth, saved, and trying to figure out why God gave her this special sight. She roommates at college with a girl named Summer. Both are dropped in the middle of a chess game between good and evil.
The author cleverly created Winter and Summer to reflect the very seasons. Winter dresses like a Goth. Newsome goes back and forth between Winter's past and her present. I never thought too much of Goths. He explained how Winter became a Goth. Summer is the opposite-blazing sunshine almost hurting your eyes, flowers, fun, and all smiles. This is Summer's personality. I love how he managed to put them together and how he carefully explored prophecy from the Bible through Winter's experiences. The language cannot help but pull you into her story. You can feel her embarrassment when she trips over a crack in the sidewalk and feel the fear when she begins to understand what's happening at the college.
The clock read 10:19 pm. My hands pressed against my mouth. The house was quiet. I felt Winter's fear. I felt excitement for the battle God brought her to fight against the demon. The writing was so good that the intensity of the plot compelled you to turn the pages and read faster. (book given by publisher to review)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.th4kennedys
Posted June 2, 2011
The definition of captivated is "to influence and dominate by some special charm, art, or trait and with an irresistible appeal." No other definition could be as fitting as this! I didn't want this book down! The "special charm" was Winter herself, and her intriguing story. She doesn't fit the cookie cutter mold of how most people think a Christian should dress or even act and that is what I love about her. Winter allowed God to use her for HIS glory through her unique personality, just as He wants to do with each of us! The last part of the definition of captivate uses these two words, "irresistible appeal". The more I read, the faster I wanted to finish the book and not because it was a chore! "Winter" definitely has an irresistible appeal, you feel as if you are right there with all the characters. When I had to bookmark the page to do some household chores I found myself thinking, "What in the world is going to happen next?!" 'Winter' is a great book that will certainly grab your attention at the beginning and keep you turning the pages until you have read the very last word. A captivating thriller indeed!!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 1, 2011
From the first page, I didn't want to put this book down. The opening scene is so incredibly creepy, you are immediately captivated and wonder, "What in the world is this girl doing??" I was totally drawn into Winter's life. If you know anyone (especially a teen girl) who is being sucked into the "loner" world, give this book a look. It is a wonderful testimony of how God can use anyone, no matter their past. It also touches on how we as Christians can be overly judgmental of people based solely on how they look. (One of my pet peeves)
Just prepare yourself to need lots of time to finish once you start. I promise, you won't be able to tear yourself away!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Kat_Heckenbach
Posted June 1, 2011
Winter is a new Christian, but she's not your ordinary Christian. First, she's Goth. Second, she's having strange moments of deja vu that lead to full-blown prophecies. There's someone out there, though, that desperately wants Winter and her gift out of the picture.
Well-paced and truly suspenseful, Winter has a rich setting and strong characters. The dual story line is woven together quite well, revealing bits of Winter's past along with present action.
Highly recommended!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Tracykrausswrtr
Posted May 27, 2012
The novel Winter by Keven Newsome was a treat to read. It is a paranormal thriller with a Christian message – ‘Christian horror’ if such an oxymoron can exist. Winter is a young ‘Goth’ who is off to college for the first time. She has a past riddled with hurt and trouble, but she is now a Christian, despite her continuing espousal of Goth dress. This is one aspect of the book that I especially liked. The author has set out to completely destroy stereotypes in how his heroine should dress, behave, or even think. Winter has been plagued with recurring nightmares and once at college these escalate. She also starts having waking visions and premonitions. At the same time, disturbing events start taking place at the college. Someone is terrorizing the campus, culminating in a brutal murder. The student president is framed for the deed, while other controversies start to wrack the college as well. Winter and her new college friends begin to see a correlation between her visions and events at the school. Although a reluctant recipient, she seems to have the gift of prophecy, and believes she has been sent to the school to help solve the crimes that have been taking place. A Satanic group seems to be at the center of all the conflict and so Winter and her friends are toppled headlong into a twisted plot of mystery, intrigue and danger. Skillfully woven throughout are flashbacks to Winter’s traumatic past where she learns important life lessons which she draws upon to deal with her present predicament. Although sometimes brutally descriptive, the book never reads as sensationalized or gratuitous. Read this book for a thrilling ride into the occult where good triumphs in the end.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.JulieMorris
Posted April 21, 2012
Having spent many years as a goth that believes in God, it was refreshing to see that someone understands that such a creature does exist!
I was drawn into this book; I found myself having a hard time putting it down and would read into the wee hours of the morning. When not reading, I was wondering what was going to happen next. While sometimes being frustrated with the main character, I nevertheless fell for Winter and wanted her to be victorious.
Keven Newsome has a wonderful way with phrases. I can't wait for the next part of the story!!
Overview
Goths aren't all the same, you know. Some are Christians.
...Christians to whom God sends visions.
Students at her university are being attacked, and Winter knows there's more than flesh and blood at work.
Her gift ...