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Book Review By Harriet Klausner
Black by Ted Dekker



W Publishing, Feb 2004, 19.99, 400 pp.
ISBN: 0849917905

Multi-billionaire Valborg Svensson craves becoming the most powerful person on earth. To accomplish his objective, he finds a serum that will kill its human host in three weeks if left without a vaccine. Valborg plans to release this weapon of mass destruction on an unsuspecting world. Any nation that fails to capitulate to his demands will die for the vaccine will be limited to those who bow down to Valborg.

Wannabe writer Thomas Hunter learns about Valborg's terrorist plot to gain global supremacy. He tries to take control of the vaccine, but Valborg's agents attack him. As he flees a bullet grazes his head knocking him out. When he awakens, Thomas remembers in deep detail his fleeing from Valberg's thugs, but he is in some alternate realm running for his life from demonic creatures while looking for his beloved Rachelle. That night he goes to sleep only to awaken to a realm in which Valborg wants him dead and Rachelle is part of his dreams. He questions his sanity as each time he goes to sleep in one world, he wakes up in the other.

BLACK starts off as a medical thriller, but quickly spins into a science fiction tale that spans two worlds reminiscent of Piers Anthony's THE APPRENTICE ADEPT trilogy, but with more of a psychological hook. The story line is action packed on both worlds as Thomas struggles with what he perceives is reality vs. a dream fantasy.

Harriet Klausner


Plot & Themes
Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Explore/1st contact/ enviro story Yes
Explore:
Tech./$$$/Info hunt Yes
Stealing/recovering/destroying
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 10 %
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 %
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 30 %

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status:
Age: - 20's-30's

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status:
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters

Setting
Earth setting: - current (early 21st century)
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed
How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript
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