(Book Review) Persecuted: I Will Not Be Silent, by Robin Parrish and Daniel Lusko

Reviewed By: Cindy Akre

INTRODUCTION

Title: Persecuted: I Will Not Be Silent

Author: Robin Parrish, Daniel Lusko

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Publication Date: May 6, 2014

Format: Book (print edition read)

Length: 314 pages

OVERVIEW

I just finished “Persecuted” (subtitled, I Will Not Be Silent) by Robin Parrish. It took me 4 straight hours of reading, I could not put it down. It helped that this particular genre of mystery/thriller is one of my top favorites, and it was a nice change from the pre-teen writing the past two books. I began reading this on the trip up north, so was acutely aware of how long it took me to read it. Allowing time for breaks and non-reading periods, it was just over four hours, no skimming!

It was difficult to keep remembering this book is a work of fiction, because it is one of those you read that could be true right now. In fact, some of the storyline could be pulled from modern day headlines, it hit that close to home. It takes part here in the US, and the main character is a Christian named John Luther, who is visible on both a personal and political level and is highly respected as well. He is at the helm of a vibrant Christian ministry that becomes a target for the current Administration. His childhood experiences, important to the current events, are woven into the framework of the current story line.

The novel sheds light on the abuse of both the power of media and politics to tell a story of deceit and danger where the main character finds himself in the precarious position of being the only one who can see the truth is told, yet can’t be visible enough to do that because of the threat of his own death. There is a certain piece of politically charged legislation considered for imminent passage by Congress. Due to the influence of John’s ministry, the Administration wants John’s ministry to back the legislation, something he does not want to do. The pressure becomes so extreme as to lead other characters into criminal acts to get what they want.

The novel is intense, with its action beginning in the first chapter and going non-stop until the end. There were only a few times where I felt it a bit contrived when John became hard to “locate” for the people tracking him, and I wanted to hit him over the head with the book a few times for his naive nature when he misunderstood what he was up against.

Again, it’s a huge thriller, well written to the end. It is apparently based on a film by Daniel Lusko which I would like to view. If you like edge-of-seat, nail-biting thrillers, this is a great one, showing once again that books can be great without sex, language and graphic violence. I made notes in the book as usual, but wish there had been just ONE more chapter!

ASSESSMENT

Rating

5 out of 5 stars.

Suggested Audience

High school to adults.

Christian Impact

This book issues a wake-up call stating this on the back cover: “The question is not IF attempts will be made to limit religious freedoms, but WHEN. And when that day comes, will YOU stay silent?” The book was an urgent call to wake up, something I desperately wish to see around me. In Persecuted, the turning point for the novel WAS the Christian faith.

Cindy is an avid Christian fiction and non-fiction reader, and has been part of a book discussion for over 10 years.

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