Marvelous

She simply heads into the murky shadows of the place she calls home. I sigh, knowing I have to go back to a similar place. Home should never be dark or full of shadows and secrets. It should be bright and full of open doors. It should be full of stories wanting to be told. I’m glad I’ve told somebody one of those stories I didn’t think I could ever tell. I just hope there won’t be any more of them. From either of us.

Book: Marvelous: A Novel (The Books of Marvella by Travis Thrasher, NavPress, 2014

Genre: Suspense/Horror

Target Audience: Boys 17+

Subjects: Murder, Fear, Sacrifice, Faith in God, Abuse, Family Relationships

Summary: She’s unique, unlike any girl he’s ever met. And he’s in love. But she doesn’t want him. Or so she says. Brandon is convinced otherwise, but proving it will not be easy. Marvel Garcia is not an easy one to sway! She has this faith, this deep, abiding faith in God that baffles and attracts yet repels Brandon all at the same time. He just doesn’t know what to make of it. But Marvel has secrets. She has a dark past. And a dark future. And Brandon has some dark secrets of his own. But worst of all, someone in the town has a dark secret, a dark secret about how a young boy wound up dead in the park all cut up and naked.

Notes: Marvel is the first in the Books of Marvella series by the author known for his suspense/horror books. This one focuses on a girl of great faith convinced that God is going to use her to do a great work and lose her life in the process. The boy is someone of no faith irresistibly drawn to the girl. Something dark and sinister is happening in the town but no one seems to know who is responsible for it. This first book sets up all the questions – who are these people, what are the terrible secrets they hold, who is killing young people in such a gruesome way, etc. It offers some hope at the end through Marvella’s faith and Brandon’s determination. All through the story Marvella clings to her faith even when she doubts. She frequently shares her beliefs with Brandon who continues to doubt.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 5:1-2 – Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.


Thank you to the publishers for providing me with a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.