Rebecca Reviews ~ The Girl Behind the Red Rope by Ted Dekker & Rachelle Decker

Paperback, 338 pages

Published September 3rd 2019 by Fleming H. Revell Company

Ten years ago, Grace saw something that would forever change the course of history. When evil in its purest form is unleashed on the world, she and others from their religious community are already hidden deep in the hills of Tennessee, abiding by every rule that will keep them safe, pure--and alive. As long as they stay there, behind the red perimeter.

Her older brother's questions and the arrival of the first outsiders she's seen in a decade set in motion events that will question everything Grace has built her life on. Enemies rise on all sides--but who is the real enemy? And what will it cost her to uncover the truth?

For the first time, bestselling authors Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker team up and deliver an intense, tightly focused ride through the most treacherous world of all.

Rebecca’s Review

4 STARS!!!

"The biggest lie is that fear will keep you safe in the darkness, but fear is the darkness."

Tucked deep within the forested hills of Tennessee lies a small religious community, seemingly protected from the darkness without, marked by a simple perimeter. Its residents live by an undemanding creed; embrace the safety bestowed upon them behind the red rope or face the furies of hell itself which roam boundlessly beyond. And how do they know this? From a single prophecy, delivered from the lips of an angel of light, thirteen years ago.

Two incidents tilt the tightly wound balance of existence in Haven Valley; Grace and her brother Jamie dare to breach the boundary while two outsiders, Ben and Eli, dare to venture in. As accusations abound, Grace struggles to discern the truth between what has always been and what life without fear could be. Does "light without darkness" actually exist?

The "Girl Behind the Red Rope" is rather difficult to contain; no one will doubt its beautiful cadence, and incessant theological clues leading straight to its core. Analogous, metaphorical, slightly fantastical, . . . . dark, insidious, foreboding. Rather than trying to over analyze its meaning, relax and let the story carry you to a nearly perfect ending, assuring its readers that perfect love does indeed cast out all fear.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

Senior Reviewer Rebecca Maney

Rebecca is a graduate of Bryan College with a degree in Christian Education, and is currently serving at the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, North Carolina as the Director of Children's Ministry. With over 30 years of experience in her field, she has had many opportunities to use her love of reading and writing in creative ways across the generations. A wife, mother of four "nearly" grown children, and grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren, Rebecca has been able to return to her love of reading and more recently reviewing, with a renewed passion for the "beauty of story".