Product Description

Action-packed suspense of a reluctant larger-than-life hero who finds himself in the vortex of rapidly changing world events. Dominion Trilogy book 1.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #398462 in Books
• Published on: 2007-05-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

From Booklist
Parrish's latest opens upon a world so tilted--people are "shifted" into new bodies, while their old bodies and personalities proceed--that it brings Philip K. Dick to mind. Gradually, the Dick-like paranoia itself shifts into flourishes of sword-and-sorcery and a cast of characters rather like X-Men. Psychokinesis is the theme, and Parrish makes it seem plausible, as his reluctant hero, Collin Boyd/Grant Borrows, discovers his powers in a kind of spiritual journey. The cliff-hanging plot mostly holds up, and the pace is, well, relentless. It's almost as though Parrish has too much talent and can't quite bring it under control. Nonetheless, another of Bethany's sf writers, Randall Ingermanson comes to mind, and Parrish is every bit as skilled. John Mort
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Alan Paul Curtis, who-dunnit.com
"...excellent, different approach to a murder mystery... has my endorsement for this... very imaginative foray into a difficult genre."

Marty Medley, armchairinterviews.com
"If you enjoyed Ted Dekker's Three, or Frank Peretti's Monster, you will love this book."

Customer Reviews

Profitless
Relentless begins with Collin Boyd looking out of a bus window and seeing HIMSELF walking down the street! When he disembarks to investigate, he notices his reflection in a store window and doesn't recognize the face looking back at him. Somehow, he has been "shifted" and now occupies the body of Grant Borrows. His new body comes with a strange ring that gives him amazing powers, but there's also an assassin hot on his trail - the agent of a shadowy secret society driven by an ancient and malevolent prophecy.

This first book in the "Christian" superhero fantasy series "The Dominion Trilogy" is a fun ride, filled with heroes, villains, hairsbreadth escapes, and other comic book style daring-do. The pace of the book certainly lives up to its title, and Robin Parrish knows how to bait the hook of intrigue and plant it firmly in the reader's craw.

Unfortunately, the action & thrills leave little room for character development and no room at all for anything remotely spiritual. In the end it's nothing more than a cotton-candy confection that tastes pretty good going down, but provides no spiritual nourishment. You'd think that since the protagonists are facing villains with satanic connections they'd at least crack open the Bible to see what they're up against, but you'd be wrong. The closest thing to a Christian message in Relentless is "who you are on the inside is more important than the outside". Deep, huh? Parts of the story are even ANTI-Biblical; at one point, Grant actually communicates with his dead mother -- and it's portrayed as a good thing! What's next, Christian séances?

Even the entertainment value of this roller coaster ride suffers from some lurches in logic and continuity. For example, at the beginning of one chapter, Grant drives up to an electric fence with a locked gate, and sees a building "in the distance" (initially it's described as a "complex" but then we discover it's only one building). He and a companion exchange a few lines of dialogue, then suddenly they park the car right in front of the building. So how did they get through the gate? We're told later that Grant's friend has the code for the locks, but the transition from gate to building is jarring.

In another passage, a man rides a motorcycle past an alley at "suicidal speeds", but a second later he has apparently stopped at the entrance to that same alley. Wouldn't he have skidded half-way down the next block? In yet another example, two people manage to leap unseen from a speeding van even though pursuing vehicles are only three car lengths behind. I can suspend disbelief, but not at the expense of common sense and the basic laws of physics.

I give Relentless three stars for being diverting in a turn-off-your-gray-matter kind of way, but it gets zero on the spirit-meter. If all you want is entertainment, Relentless should fit the bill, but anyone seeking spiritual themes will be disappointed.

The 5000 Cliffhangers of Dr. P
Although it's not wise to say too much about book one of a trilogy I must say at least a few things. For one I don't think I've ever read so many cliffhangers in one book in my entire life. Trying to get some sleep was almost impossible. The writing style is good but nothing outstanding, a bit choppy. The story is unique and the characters are either likable or you want to strangle them. There is confusion in the story but it's only book one so I'm sure things will all make sense in later books. The concept of the origin of the rings was incredibly interesting and I'm looking forward to more on the subject. The book is not overtly Christian and none of the characters are believers to our knowledge but there are Biblical principals and one other thing I you'll have to read to find out. I'm glad I waited to read this just before book three is to be released because I don't think I could handle the stress of waiting. Thanks to Steven Lawhead's The Song of Albion trilogy I always wait now until all three books are released.

1 Star = I've been robbed!
2 Stars = Why'd I finish it?
3 Stars = Good
4 Stars = Excellent
5 Stars = Life changing

Did no one else notice?
The parallels with the TV show Heroes? Or do just none of you watch it?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book is the reason for my 5 star review. Was there problems? I guess so but none of them bothered me,I'm sure Robin will only get better. I rate him with my favorite authors, Dean Koontz, Ted Dekker and Randy Alcorn because when I started this book I couldn't quit thinking about it until I finished it, it was hard to put down. Several people said something about the charachters not being likeable. To me they were, but maybe the author purposely made them ordinary so their struggle with their life changes and new found powers would be more relateable. I agreed with most of the positives of the other reviews but was struck by how many just gave it 3 or 4 stars but mentioned the were anxiously awaiting the rest of the series. I guess 4 is pretty good but when I like something this much I tend ot overlook it's shortcomings, it is that good a read! I just ordered the next book and can't wait for it to come in!