My rating: 3/5
Romans 8:35;37 (ESV) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
A relatively intriguing read, The Color of Sky and Stone, written by Sara Davison, is a novel that addresses grief, hopelessness, and despair, as well as renewal through love, emotional healing, and the grace of Christ Jesus.
Set in Vancouver, Cananda, The Color of Sky and Stone, follows two main characters, Tane Temauri and Lia Swanson. Tane is an undercover agent for a highly secretive drugs, arms, and gangs policing unit. Living a life of immense secrecy and perpetual danger provides a blanket of shield around his heart and gives him a false sense of security, as he is terribly emotionally wounded from a traumatic childhood. Dealing with issues of guilt, grief, and hopelessness, the sudden appearance of a letter from a mysterious woman forces him to confront the grappling issues of his past, while also stimulating healing, and igniting the renewal of his faith in Jesus.
Lia Swanson lives an incredibly engaging lifestyle, yet still battles a sense of loneliness. Although she has a close relationship with her sister, she yearns for an emotional connection with a companion. Her compassionate heart compels her to seek this companion in an unconventional manner. The risk in her seeking will either prove to be fruitful, or it will result in disappointment. Her faith in God will anchor her in the unknown moments.
During the first few chapters of the novel, I was immensely interested in the plot. There was a thrilling aspect of the story that proved to be intriguing. I also enjoyed the author’s descriptive writing of the inner-city area of Vancouver. The author accentuated the destitution of the city, regarding the criminal activities that impacted the residents. This included drug dealers, addicts, homelessness, and gang activities. Prior to reading this story, I was unaware of the problems that occurred in Vancouver and appreciated the transparency of the issues. However, I became quite disappointed in the progression of the plot almost halfway through the story. There were some unrealistic scenarios that occurred in the plot, that made the story unbelievable. In addition, Tane’s constant self-deprecating thoughts and actions became aggravating. I understood how his negative ways were established by his childhood trauma and grief, however the constant cycling of his self-sabotaging ways and thoughts became quite frustrating, especially when he was being encouraged and reminded by several characters in the story, that he was loved and valued. Tane’s character really highlights how one can be so immersed in their anger and pain, that it thwarts their ability to see the blessings in their lives.
The conclusion of the story was a bit disappointing as well. Tane grew in his faith in God, however it was quite fickle at times, because he constantly questioned his worth and future. There were also times when Lia became a little too desperate for companionship. However, I admired her loyalty and faith. The Christian content in the story was satisfactory. I loved the moments of prayer, thanksgiving, and reliance upon God that was included in the story. Although I was a bit disappointed in the plot, I found the author’s writing style to be quite pleasant. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a story with a touch of thrill, and a clean romantic storyline.
Purchase it on Amazon! #CommissionsEarned
