Play Dead

I have been a fan of Ted Dekkers since I was in high school and began with his and Frank Peretti's book, House. He has such an interesting way of getting a message across. Circle was a great illustration of how our lives are not meant to be thrown away so easily and that we are called to be in a family that transcends anything this world has to offer! This story gave me a lot to think about. Is it political? Is it deeply theological? Does it hold to a certain philosophical view? The answer to all these questions is yes! He deals with the political and social climate of today and sheds light on certain negative outcomes that can come from our way of thinking. It felt to me like a George Orwell novel in that mind set. It's theological, because it deals with our citizenship as believers and what we are all striving to do. I felt as if John Bunyan's, The Pilgrim's Progress, may be an influence in Dekker's writing of Play Dead. And then philosophically I want to say that there is a great awakening for those trapped in their limited understanding and those who have been awakened to this k0new worldview is responsible for bringing that news back to those still trapped. In this I believe Dekker turned to Plato's, The Cave, analogy as he tackles the philosophical issues that comes with understanding the truth of the world around us.Over all, this is a great read! It feels like Ted Dekker has found a new realm to express his thoughts that are more than just simple fantasy or thrillers. After reading Hacker I felt like this was just a follow up to that book. Not that these 2 books are a series but the realm of thought and understanding are very similar. It's worth reading both Hacker and Play Dead!

As always Mr. Dekker hit it out of the park. Very well written and thought out. I read another review of someone who thought this book was about reincarnation. That is not at all what I got from it. This is a well written fantasy story set in the not to distant future and anyone who realizes what is coming next to the human experience will appreciate Dekker’s ability to carefully craft such a complex and detailed story to help others see behind the curtain of this world. He also does a great job of incorporating Christian beliefs of love and forgiveness and even becoming who you really are instead of who the world convinces you that you must be. This was right up there with the Circle series for me and in a way even better because I am a lifelong computer nerd and Dekker did his homework - much of this story is theoretically possible and he’s spot on with where virtual reality could go. AI is another very real beast coming at us at high speed also (even though that’s not the theme in this book). I will caution some that the concepts in this story can get deep. Personally I am one of those people who sees science and technology as supporting the existence of God even when people set out to use it to try to disprove Him. This book also reminded me of another book by a Christian author, Bill Myers, called The God Hater. Also worth a read. Thank you Mr. Dekker.

"Play Dead" written by Ted Dekker had some really well laid out material. It is a story about virtual reality technology and how it is being used in the world. Dekker made the plot line of this book in such a manor that you may be wondering if the reality you are in is real or not. The way he writes make this even more exciting. I was able to get lost in the pages of the book because it was very well written.This book reminds me of how the Matrix world was set up. It had that type of feel and excitement. This made me read the book even faster because I wanted to know what was going to happen.There were times where I felt it was a slower pace and when I think of Dekker's books, fast pace usually comes to mind. Other than that the book was amazing! It definitely incorporated VR in a way that you wouldn't think of it. A lot of people blame video games and such for violence and this book explores it in a way that only fiction books can. The ending of the book was a twist that I was not expecting which made it worth finishing that much more.This book does step away from his Christianity writing which is a nice change. It makes the read that more interesting. It is still a Thriller book that he writes which makes it that much more interesting and intriguing. With this book there are a lot of twists and turns that you would not expect to run into.I give this book a 4/5 stars. It had really amazing moments of excitement and twists that you aren't expecting. I highly recommend this book and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Ted dekker has been one of my favorite authors for years. I own most of the books he has written. But this particular story just didn’t work for me. He’s written what feels like a rewrite and amalgamation of many of his other works. He still seems to be dealing with pulling back the reality veil to see God angle. Which is fine. I have no problem with it. This one just feels like it’s on autopilot. The characters don’t have the depth of many of his others, so it’s hard to get into the story arc. Still love ya, Ted. But you can do better than this.

Play Dead drew me in as a close family member is autistic and also a VR gamer. As for me, I don’t game. Not my thing. However, using a TD metaphor from the book, I’m being transformed in this world from a caterpillar into a butterfly while living the Practice. Intrigued? We are all on a spiritual journey. Perhaps, with eyes of compassion, you will see mirrored by this book where you are on your own unique path.Ted Dekker has shown me repeatedly in this and previous books, that he is a butterfly free to love!Enjoy the read!

Why did this book have to end? I absolutely love Dekker's work.One of the best books I’ve ever read.

Well written as usual by Tex Dekker. Wished there was a sequel! Would have loved more showing in the book. Towards the end, it felt like he had run out of room and so had to do a lot of telling to wrap up the story.But I still love the worlds he creates!

Another great read delivered by Ted Dekker. A nice mix of mysticism, science fiction and intrigue. I would recommend to anyone who wants a thriller with a mix of the above.

Ted Dekker does it again, another great book that I couldn't put down from start to finish, I was hooked. And what I love most is how subtly I notice myself worshipping creator God as I read, discovering great revelations of deep truths explained in a fictional story. Amazing! It's like modern parables on steroids and fully explained all wrapped up in a really exciting story!

Combining spirituality with science, the authour cleverly spins this world with the eternal story of our source. What is reality? I hear overtones of Enoch, Elijah, Moses and Jesus throughout. We are spirit, we are one, we are eternal! Discover this for yourself and really live!

Ted Dekker has a very good imagination, this was part of that. Interesting but not my favourite book written by him

Once you come to the realisation that we all live in a life consisting of only light, love, it makes the illusion bearable and death the gate to freedom. Ted Dekker is a philosophical author that explains the true reality of our temporary existence.

This story was well worth the wait. I loved this book, a fully immersive experience with so much truth woven into the fabric of this story. TD thank you for writing as you do.