Kennedy Stern has returned to campus after surviving an abduction, but old scars cut deep. Vivid flashbacks and terrifying dreams paralyze her, threatening to ruin her academic career and any chance she has at peace or happiness. This mental anguish, however, constitutes only a small fraction of her post-traumatic nightmare.
A partner in Kennedy’s kidnapping remains at large and will not stop until he has silenced her witness permanently. His violent resolve risks not only her life, but the safety of anyone who tries to help.
Kennedy must engage in a deadly battle of the mind as she struggles to stay alive. While fighting on two fronts — one psychological and one physical — the question isn’t whether she’ll come out of the war stronger in the end.
The question is whether she’ll come out of it at all.
Alana Terry is a pastor’s wife, homeschooling mom, self-diagnosed chicken lady, and Christian suspense author. Her novels have won awards from Women of Faith, Book Club Network, Grace Awards, Readers’ Favorite, and more. Alana’s passion for social justice, human rights, and religious freedom shines through her writing, and her books are known for raising tough questions without preaching. She and her family live in rural Alaska where the northern lights in the winter and midnight sun in the summer make hauling water, surviving the annual mosquito apocalypse, and cleaning goat stalls in negative forty degrees worth every second.
My Impressions:
Alana Terry’s novels set in China and North Korea are some of the best books featuring the persecuted church. Her Kennedy Stern Suspense novels are spin-offs of a sort since they feature the daughter of missionaries figured in her other novels. Suited for a YA audience the 2 interconnected novels feature a college freshman who struggles with life back in the United States, her pre-med coursework and bad guys determined to silence her. The first book is titled Unplanned (you can read my review HERE), and I rated it a recommended read. Paralyzed is book 2 and is not a standalone, as it continues the storyline from book 1. Terry’s exploration of how Christians deal with trauma — therapy vs prayer alone — is realistic. However, I found many of the character’s actions to be unrealistic and the plot a bit implausible. For such a high profile kidnapping case, the police seem to be nowhere in sight. The characters’ reliance on their own devices may create suspense, but I found myself wanting to yell call the police!
While Paralyzed didn’t really appeal to me, I am looking forward to more from Terry, especially Flower Swallow, her new North Korean series release.
Audience: young adults.
To purchase this book, click HERE. (Unplanned is currently FREE for Kindle and Paralyzed is 99 cents.)
(Thanks to the author for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Thanks so much for the review. I appreciate it.
You are very welcome. Thanks for stopping by.