The Oath- Book Review

To contact us Click HERE
The Oath
Author- Frank Peretti
Release Date- 2003

An ancient sin. An ancient oath. A town with a deadly secret...

After reading Nightmare Academy and Monster, I became a big fan of Frank Peretti, one of today's leading Christian-fiction authors. I was a little disappointed with This Present Darkness, but The Oath is really an excellent novel.

Nature photographer, Cliff Benson, is found brutally killed after going on a camping expedition with his wife near the town of Hyde River. With very little evidence to work with, the local sheriff department closes the case, ruling that a rogue bear had been the culprit. Steve Benson, wildlife biologist and brother of the victim, is not satisfied with the sheriff's conclusion. He teams up with one of the local deputies, Tracy Ellis, and tries to find out what really happened. It seems that for the last several decades, dozens of mysterious deaths have occurred. The oddest thing is that the townsfolk of Hyde River, don't care at all what happened or is happening. In fact, the town tries to cover up these deaths, by removing any evidence of the attacks.

Steve Benson is repeatedly warned by the local sheriff office, to back off and go home. But the memories of his brother push him forward. He ends up unlocking a deadly secret that had been formed when the town was established over 200 years ago. It was back then, that the oath had been signed in blood and the terrifying predator had been unleashed.

"If This Be Sin, Let Sin Be Served"

The Oath was very suspenseful, and frightening at times. It was very well-written and carried a powerful message about sin and human bondage to it. Sin is a predator that when welcomed into the heart, grows stronger and stronger. The only way to stop sin's rule is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Warning: Even though The Oath is a Christian-fiction novel, the story does take place in a VERY wicked town. The people are wicked and their actions are very sinful. Hyde River contains a lot of murder (some rather gruesome), drinking, and immoral behavior. None of this is graphic in any way, but keep in mind that the characters in the book (even the main characters) are not saved.

Rating: Ages 15+