Cover of “Green” by Ted Dekker.I’m back with another book review, and this time I’m reviewing “Green” by Ted Dekker! This is the sequel to “White” and the last book in “The Circle” series. My past reviews of the other books in this series haven’t been great, but I hope that this book will be at least a satisfying ending! Here’s the summary so we know what “Green” is about:
“AS FORETOLD BY ANCIENT PROPHETS, an apocalypse destroyed Earth during the twenty-first century. But two thousand years later Elyon set upon the earth a new Adam. This time, however, He gave humanity an advantage. What was once unseen became seen. It was good and it was called…”Green.”
But the evil Teeleh bided his time in a Black Forest.
Then, when least expected, a twenty-four year old named Thomas Hunter fell asleep in our world and woke up in that future Black Forest. A gateway was opened for Teeleh to ravage the land. Devastated by the ruin, Thomas Hunter and his Circle swore to fight the dark scourge until their dying breath.
But now The Circle has lost hope. Samuel, Thomas Hunter’s cherished son, has turned his back on his father. He gathers the dark forces to wage a final war. Thomas is crushed and desperately seeks a way back to our reality to find the one elusive hope that could save them all.
Enter an apocalyptic story like none you have read. A story with links to our own history so shocking that you will forget you are in another world at all. Welcome to “GREEN.” Book Zero.
FOUR NOVELS. TWO WORLDS. ONE STORY.”
Content Warning:
This book contains heavy mentions of Biblical elements throughout the story and worldbuilding, attempted drowning, graphic violence and actually-graphic character death. There are also a lot of misogynist happenings between Quorong and his wife in particular. If any of this content is unsettling to you, you may want to skip reading this book.
Plot Development: 2 out of 5 stars
For those unfamiliar with “The Circle” series, the point of the series is so that one can either read “Green” first before reading “Black,” “Red,” and “White,” or they can read “Black,” “Red” and “White” first before they read “Green.” I chose the latter option, mainly because I didn’t know that “Green” was originally written to be read first.
The main plot itself surprisingly made sense most of the time. There was a clear main plotline, at least in the fantasy world. Unfortunately, the plotline in the main world did not mesh as well, partially due to the vast time-jump between the fantasy and real worlds. I also thought that the sideplots of Quorong’s family tension with Chelise and Patricia, as well as the family tension between Thomas and Samuel, felt overly melodramatic and mainly served to advance the main plot, rather than stand out as individual subplots.
Worldbuilding Development: 3 out of 5 stars
The book relied heavily on the Bibically-inspired worldbuilding to fuel its main story. In a way, it actually worked. Those familiar with Christianity and/or Bible stories may find some of the scenes that happen in this book to be very similar to those Bible stories. I won’t say which ones to avoid spoilers. However, this book is the heaviest in terms of Biblical elements for its worldbuilding. As a reader who has an understanding of Christianity and/or Bible stories before reading this book, I found those sections to be understandable.
However, some of the worldbuilding was a bit confusing and could use more depth. I didn’t understand why Elyon and the Horde had to be such fierce enemies (other than having opposing gods that is). I also thought all the parts involving drinking blood and getting bitten by literal vampire monsters at one point in the book felt too unbelievable for me as a reader to feel immersed in this world, too.
Character Development: 2 out of 5 stars
Like Woref from the previous book, I felt that Quorong also came off as a character who had no dimensions to him. The only traits about him that stuck out to me were that he worshipped the god opposing Elyon, he was completely sexist and/or misogynist, especially towards his own wife, and he was supposed to be the main antagonist. If the author wanted me to hate him, the author succeeded. I just wish that Quorong had some more depth overall.
As for Thomas, I felt that he had more development in terms of his relationships with others, especially with his son Samuel. As an individual, however, Thomas didn’t really have much development. I also thought Monique, Billy, Kara, and the other characters would have more time to develop.
Romance Development: 1 out of 5 stars
The romance between Billy and Janae felt way too fast. They barely knew each other at the beginning of the book, and then by three-quarters through, despite barely having any proper scenes together, they’re making out. That romance just made no sense to me whatsoever at all.
Overall, I’m rating this book 2.5 out of 5 stars!
“Green” was surprisingly better than the rest of the book in this series, and actually is the best book in the entire series. I wonder how my view of the series as a whole would be if I’d read “Green” first before the rest of the books in the series.
Have any of you read any of the books in “The Circle” series? Did you read “Green” first before the others, or did you read it last like I did? What did you think? Feel free to let me know in the comments!
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