Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
Format: Bargain Price
Label: Amazon Remainders Account
Manufacturer: Amazon Remainders Account
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 400
Publication Date: 2006-09-30
Publisher: Amazon Remainders Account
Studio: Amazon Remainders Account

“We call you Saint.”

The name ignited a light in Carl's mind. Saint. He'd been covertly recruited for Black Ops and given his life to the most brutal kind of training any man or woman could endure. He was here because he belonged here. To the X Group.

An assassin. The most effective killer in the world. And yet . . . Carl Strople struggles to retain fleeting memories that betray an even more ominous reality. He's been told part of the truth - but not all of it.

Invasive techniques have stripped him of his identity and made him someone new - for this he is grateful. But there are some things they can't take from him. The love of a woman, unbroken loyalties to his past, the need for survival.

From the deep woods of Hungary to the streets of New York, Saint takes you on a journey of betrayal in a world of government cover-ups, political intrigue, and one man's search for the truth. In the end, that truth will be his undoing.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Great book - but read Showdown first!
Comment: This is another great book from Ted Dekker, but I strongly suggest reading the Circle Trilogy first, and then either the Lost Books series or Showndown (interchangeable second and third), then this book. I'm sure you can figure it out without doing that, but it will make MUCH more sense if you have read those already, especially Showdown.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Something Special
Comment: There was definitely something special about this story, and it stayed with me long after I finished it. I found myself in anguish for Carl and all that he was going through....and holding my breath as he begins to put the pieces together for himself, in a race against time with the villian. I also appreciated the struggle that Carl goes through as he deals with the moral dilema of his training verses his real core values. I think he is one of the strongest heros that Ted Dekker has written, and I look forward to seeing him in future books.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A knockout...
Comment: Dekker delivers a knockout hit with his new mind-blowing tale, Saint.

Welcome to the world of Carl Strople, also known as Saint. A first rate assassin, he trains to efficiently kill. He has endured memory wipes, identity stripping, and grueling tests that push his body and mind to the limit. But then doubts slink unbidden into Carl's mind and he wonders who he really is. He doubts the reality that has been drummed into his brain as a black ops sniper. Can he survive the truth?

As is true of any other Dekker book, little can be told without revealing an interesting plot point. No spoilers here. Just know that you will be taken on a ride that slams you one way, then another until you relinquish your preconceived notions and succumb to the story. And it's not only Carl's story, it's ours.

Story is what Dekker does best. This one will not disappoint. In fact, those who have read Showdown will be jazzed to see the many correlations to Saint. And in the midst of it all, Dekker weaves in a parallel to life that will stalk you until you deal with it. Prepare for your brain to be rocked, your emotions to be squeezed, and your soul to be stirred.

This comes most highly recommended. It is hands down the best novel I read in 2006. Dekker admittedly pushes the envelope with every new novel, but I disagree with those who say his works are too violent or over the top. He deftly deals with weighty themes in original ways. Saint is a must-read.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Can't put it down thriller
Comment: Ted Dekker is one incredible author. So many of his books are so different from each other as if written by someone else. This book is one you can't put down. Never guess the ending. Wow! I have all his fiction and can't get enough.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great book, but left me with mixed feelings.
Comment: I have really enjoyed the writings of Ted Dekker, especially the Circle Trilogy, so I bought the Paradise series (Showdown and Saint). Both books are great, however "Saint" left me with mixed feelings. From the beginning (and through the whole book actually) it seemed too similar to the Jason Bourne trilogy with the whole assassin-with-no-memory plot. However, those who are unfamiliar with the Bourne series most likely will not be bothered by this, as even I who have read all three books soon just ignored it.
Most of the book flowed fairly well. There was plenty to guess about, and Ted keeps you trying to guess it yourself before he tells you. I personally was close in my guesses about the true identities of Carl and the Englishman, however I was not right on either of them. Ted keeps the action going well also with plenty of descriptions of training sessions with Carl and later with chase scenes, however those chase scenes once again reminded me too much of Bourne.
The ending of the book is the main part that left me with mixed feelings. The book built up so much climax that the ending was just too short. In my opinion, Carl found his real identity and power too quickly for the background that had been set up so thoroughly. Also, the final showdown just seemed too simple and Carl avoided it too easily. Also, what was with Englishman's "trump card"? It was referred to so much, then it never seemed to be used. Plus, the one possible instance I can think of it being used was the part that Carl avoided too easily.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, but it had just enough drawbacks that 4 stars is the absolute most I can give it. If you have read the Circle Trilogy and/or Showdown, than I certainly recommend this book. Otherwise, it is your decision. This certaily is not Dekker's best effort, but it is still a pretty good book.

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