Yes, it’s finally over. The famous Circle Trilogy. Sheesh.
So, White wrapped things up well enough, though I saw the ending coming a mile away. Apparently I wasn’t supposed to. There were a few unexplained loopholes too…but I can’t say without majorly giving away the ending.
Oh, and Justin. Okay, so he’s supposed to represent Jesus…but every time I heard “Justin’s bride” in reference to the “bride of Christ” I nearly shot myself. It just…didn’t sound right at all. I mean, if you’re gonna use a random common name, might as well go all the way…it doesn’t have to start with a “J.” “Elyon” being the word for “God” was a good choice…but “Justin?” I mean, it’s purely aesthetics, but it just irked me.
The main thing you come away with at the end of reading this trilogy, however, is a rather refreshing perspective on romance. The whole story is about God’s love for his creation and how he gave us romance as a picture of that love on earth. Usually, we hear of marriage as a picture of Christ’s love for his bride, but hardly “romance.” So it was nice, it gave a less frivolous perspective of truly falling in love. This quote from the first book, Black, summed it up well:
“What if I don’t want to be in love?”
“Stop that nonsense!” Michal ordered, “Of course you want to be in love! You’re human!”
Man, I loved the Roussh.
Oh, and Joshua! He could have used “Joshua” instead of “Justin” and it would have sounded way better. Why? Cause Jesus’ name in Hebrew is “Yeshua”, which basically is “Joshua.” See, that wasn’t hard at all.
Justin. Seriously.
So… it’s a pretty good story and all, but it’s not on my Top Favs. I’d definitely recommend the trilogy as ideal for 10-16 year-olds, or older if you’re like me and want to see what the big fuss over Ted Dekker is all about. I’ve gotta say I still prefer the classic Frank Peretti when it comes to Christian thriller fiction…
You know, you kinda said everything I would have said about these books. I read them awhile ago.. So I don’t really remember the whole story, but I agree with what you’ve said. Along with the name!! Oh that annoyed me sooo much! Thank-you for stating the obvious =D But the whole opening your eyes to the romance factor and everything. I think that is what the books were pretty much written for. Once again, I don’t remember a ton about them, it was half a year ago last time I opened one of the three. But I think you’ve summed it all up pretty well. So congrats! And yes, I definately put Frank Peretti above Ted here, it’s an obvious choice. And with that, I shall end this. I just had to comment on something here lol
Ps. Roussh were totally the best part of the book! =D
I must say, I agree about Justin. I hate that name (mostly because I always think of Justin Timberlake)… plus its also (please correct me if I’m wrong) the name of a god in Greek mythology. Elyon is hebraic… Joshua would’ve paralleled that nicely. Also… I was 14 when I read it and was so wildly enthusiastic about it, if that tells you something.
However, I do love the notion of the Great Romance. Think Song of Solomon. Although, I don’t hold to the whole deal of that just being a metaphor of the church and not the real deal between Sol. and his wife.
Lol, you’re right about the Justin thing not feeling right. I think Dekker might have actually been trying to make it seem this way though, kind of like how Jesus might have seemed a mundane name centuries ago? Anyway, still doesn’t mean I have to like it
Oh by the way there’s going to be a fourth major book in the series named “Green” (Maybe we’ll be used to ‘Justin’ by then……)
-JD