The 49th Mystic

Author: Ted Dekker
Genre: Fantasy

​Some say the great mystery of how one can live in two worlds at once died with Thomas Hunter many years ago. Still others that the gateway to that greater reality was and is only the stuff of dreams.

They are wrong. 

In the small town of Eden, Utah, a blind girl named Rachelle Matthews is about to find out just how wrong.

When a procedure meant to restore Rachelle's sight goes awry, she begins to dream of another world so real that she wonders if Earth might only be a dream experienced when she falls asleep in that reality. 

She is the prophesied one who must find and recover five ancient seals--in both worlds--before powerful enemies destroy her. If Rachelle succeeds in her quest, peace will reign. If she fails, both worlds will forever be locked in darkness.

So begins a two-volume saga of high stakes and a mind-bending quest to find an ancient path that will save humanity. The clock is ticking; the end rushes forward. 

Ready? Set?

Dream.

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Reviewer: Robert Morton

I received an ARC of this book from Interviews and Reviews and the publisher, Revell.  What follows is an honest review.

The 49th Mystic is some heavy reading. The physical copy of the book that I received is 400 pages long. So in the physical sense it is a heavy book. In the story it tells, it is heavy as well. I usually put
who I think would like the book at the end of my reviews. I am moving that to the top this time.

This book is written in the style of allegorical style of the Narnia
books by C. S. Lewis. That is the last comparison I will make to Lewis here.  The book is heavy with scripture references. So many in fact, the author has notes at the end of the book to tell us where to find them. For that reason, I would only recommend this to Christian friends.  My only complaint with the book was if the author thought about his audience. I am sure that Mr. Deckker being a bestselling author did. If he is writing to Christians he is preaching to the choir. I am not sure that non-Christians would get the references and if they do not, the book would become unreadable.

The story is very gripping. Rachel is a blind girl who lives in the small town of Eden, Utah. It seems that Eden was built in a valley. with only one way in and out. The man in charge of the town has built it so that when the apocalypse comes, he will shut the road down and the town will be self sufficient.  Rachel, being blind has developed echolocation, clicking and listening for the echos to see things. Yes this is real, visit ted.org and search for it, you will find a talk by a man who is blind and does it. Some days she is blind but has some mobility. Nights, when she sleeps, she has dreams. Dreams where she can see and is being chased by an evil shadow man.

One day, when an experiment to bring her sight back does not seem to work, she is visited by a man named Vlad Smith (has to be the bad guy with a name like Vlad)  who pricks her arm and now she can see. Her dreams have changed. She now sees clearly, but has been transported to a world not like ours. We get the impression it is set in her future. It is in this setting when she begins to see her purpose. She has been the one, called by Justin (obviously Jesus) to save Eden from Vlad but also restore harmony between the three groups of people in this time. To do this she will have to discover the five seals and meet the other mystics (48 of them?), but her time is short. The three groups of people are obvious if one knows Church history. They are not so clear if you do not.

When she falls asleep in one area she wakes up in the other. I kind of felt sorry for her after a while. She never really slept. At times, she doubted the other existence was real, only a dream, until she woke up in it.

I did enjoy the book. It was a gripping story.  I did not like how it
ended, set up for the next book, that it is a pet peeve of mine. As
big as this book was I would say that another book was needed and the author wrapped up as many loose ends as he reasonably could.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

I must admit, I usually avoid books by Ted Dekker as I've always heard his books are a little "out there." Plus, I am more of a Historical Romance kind of gal, so this was a stretch for me. But I was intrigued by all the reviews and so I thought I would give it a try. I'll say this - he kept me reading until the end.

The book is an allegory of the two kingdoms in which we live - the physical and spiritual. How we view ourselves in those kingdoms is the key. Rachelle, our main character, is physically blind but as the book so wonderfully points out and shows the reader, we are all just as blind as Rachelle. If we are filled with the light of Christ why don't we act like it?

It will definitely get you thinking in regards to how you act in life as a Christian. Will you see with spiritual eyes or be blinded by fear? It's a great story and one I highly recommend. My only disappointment was the ending. It was abrupt and left unfinished. And after all the excitement that came before it and all the build up to the end, as I waited to see what would happen next I turned the page and that was it - nothing. Hence the reason for the 4 stars.
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If you like mystery and fantasy you will like this book.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

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Reviewer: Jill Jones

Ted Dekker always entertains, never disappoints and tucks inside his work a Christian message so obscure, yet so obvious you will wonder how you missed it in real life.

In Eden, Utah, Rachelle Matthews, a blind girl, soon discovers that she lives in two different worlds. One on Earth with a father who is trying to cure her of her blindness, and the other a world in the future where she finds out that she is the 49th mystic, and it is up to her to save both worlds–a lot of pressure for a 16-year-old girl.

However, in order to save both worlds, she must face her fear of the Shadow Man who comes to her in her dreams threatening to take away her sight, again and again.  As the clock is ticking, Rachelle must choose between her feelings and the truth.

Our world is much like Rachelle’s.  We are blind to the truth of God and His Word until the Spirit, given by God, leads us into all truth.  Seeing our blindness through the gift of Ted Dekker’s “The 49th Mystic” will open your eyes to some truths that you might have missed.

I love how Dekker hides truth in fiction and allows readers to come to their own realization.  He is a master storyteller when it comes to presenting biblical truth in ways that make you think and entertain you at the same time.

​Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing.

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Reviewer: Shannon McClure

Once again, Ted Dekker has outdone himself with this most recent book. It was exciting to return to “Other Earth” as introduced in the Circle Trilogy, but this book can absolutely stand alone as well.  It draws you in from the beginning, and you will find it hard to put down. As always, Dekker uses vivid stories and symbolism to reveal truths about our Father and ourselves.

This book truly challenged me to see myself in a different light and more as Jesus sees me instead of how I see myself or even how I think others see me. This book brings a new perspective on the opposing forces of good and evil, light and darkness, and also grace and the law.  Overall an excellent read that if you let it, will most definitely draw you closer to Jesus and challenge how you choose to live your day to day life. I can’t wait for the next installment.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing.

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Reviewer: Cheryl Colwell

Powerful. Inspiring. Transforming.
 
The story seemed slow after the initial blast of drama, then it seemed like it might be a YA novel. THEN... I had to grab my pencil and start underlying. Besides being an exciting story, this is a brilliant allegory of the two parallel kingdoms in which we live: the physical and spiritual - according to Jesus. How did I miss His references to "seeing with spiritual eyes?" Somewhere along my 40-year journey with Jesus, I started learning "about" Him, doing things "for" Him. I forgot about being "indwelt by" Him, in the spirit realm. Inside "me."

I feel I've been born again, again. 

Can't wait to read the next book in the series. So grateful for Ted Dekker's insights and writing.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing.

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