April 7th, 2014

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Precipice

Monday, April 7th, 2014

I am honored when someone asks me to do a review of their book, even though it is a mass mailing. 🙂 I have been blogging back and forth with TC Avey for over a year, I suspect. and I was in that mass email asking for help in getting the word out about her new book , The Precipice. Here is my review:

Futuristic. When I hear that word I think of something akin to Hunger Games or Divergent (to name a couple of movies). I am guessing when the “brains” behind Back to the Future-Part 2 were brainstorming about 2015, I doubt they really thought about the reality of Hoverboards or Power Laces. (Nike has announced Power Laces may actually be available in…of all things…2015). But when I speak of futuristic, I am not referring to any of the above examples.

I am referring to a new book by TC Avey called The Precipice, subtitled “When Everything We Know Ends.”  When I signed up to help with her book launch, I had no idea what to expect. I knew TC had a burning ache for our country. I know she kept up with the political realm. I also know she is a follower of Christ. But I honestly had no idea what she had in mind when she wrote her book.

The Precipice is easy to read. It is actually three short (futuristic) stories, but not what you might think. They are not about a zombie apocalypse or an alien invasion or robots (ala Transformers) or the need for SuperHeroes to come to the rescue.

Instead, The Precipice is three short stories about the future of America, specifically in relation to the “public” nature and expression of our faith. Here is a brief summary:

The Innocent and Simple: A man (David) invents a “big brother” type of device-a recorder which reads people’s thoughts. The only salvation from the recorder is a metal helmet called an “inoculator,” which protects against the air drones the government-the elites-has policing everywhere. The helmet blocks the thoughts of the person, but the helmet is ruining lives. David, the inventor of the recorder, wants to find an antidote. His suggestion? Well, you need to read the story.

The Price of Truth: A forbidden journal. An illegal religion. Government internment camps for Christians (known as “educational facilities”). Archaic biblical beliefs. Rations. Curfew. Media silenced from telling the truth. The solution? Well, you need to read the story.

What Would You Do? Going to church is illegal. A roster indicates who is a Christian. A sign on the church door says: “ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK: DEATH TO ALL WHO DISOBEY!” Dying for their faith. A real twist at the end. Well, you need to read the story.

I have to admit: at first I wanted TC to continue the stories to their conclusions, but then I realized there really is no conclusion. The reader makes his own.

TC also includes a Reality Check and Discussion questions after each story. It is my humble opinion you ought to buy The Precipice; read it; find some others to do the same; discuss it with them; then take a good long hard look into the futuristic mirror. Well done TC!

You can purchase TC’s book from her website or from Amazon.