Imagine a virtually realistic world designed to figure out how to save our own world from its inevitable self-destruction. No matter how many ways super genius Travis plays out the various scenarios, the end result is always the same. Thinking he must have missed something, he contacts his brother Nicholas, a reclusive professor, to bounce ideas.
Nicholas, an avid atheist who loves nothing more than shredding incoming students’ faith, is shocked to find that the premier male in the VR world is patterned after his own long-dead son. And all Nicholas can think of is saving the world of Alpha 11. Maybe if the people understood basic rules it would help. But…maybe…rules alone wouldn’t be enough. Maybe they need a visit from the Programmer.
Follow the adventures of the real life (though fictional!) Nicholas and his VR counterpart as they seek for solutions–not only for the VR world, but for Nicholas’s soul.
The author has a compelling premise in The God Hater. Allegorical symbolism is prevalent throughout the tale, but as we’re reminded in the author’s notes, these are always going to fail at some point. Myers says, “Allegories…only capture pieces of truth and are way too slippery to do much more…just as I would encourage you not to base your science upon this science, the same should go for your theology.”
With that in mind, I found this novel to be quite thought-provoking and very excellently written. The world-within-a-world is as complete and defined as the Santa Barbara area that Nicholas and his brother inhabit. This book is both a keeper and a loaner. It will challenge your thinking.
One of the most original minds in supernatural suspense, Bill Myers deftly weaves timeless truths into incredible tales, powerful and thought provoking. His worlds have brought millions of readers not only amazement and entertainment, but also into a deeper relationship with God.
This book was provided by the publisher free of charge to members of the Christian Science Fiction Fantasy Blog Tour for the purposes of review. As always, opinions are mine alone. If you want to know the opinions of other tourists, check some of these links: Noah Arsenault, Red Bissell, Thomas Clayton Booher, Keanan Brand, Kathy Brasby, Rachel Briard, Beckie Burnham, Morgan L. Busse, Carol Bruce Collett , Karri Compton, CSFF Blog Tour, April Erwin, Amber French, Andrea Graham, Tori Greene, Katie Hart, Ryan Heart, Joleen Howell, Bruce Hennigan, Becky Jesse, Cris Jesse, Becca Johnson, Jason Joyner, Carol Keen, Emily LaVigne, Shannon McDermott, Matt Mikalatos, Rebecca LuElla Miller, Mirtika, MollyBuuklvr81, John W. Otte, Sarah Sawyer, Chawna Schroeder, Andrea Schultz, Tammy Shelnut, Kathleen Smith, James Somers, Donna Swanson, Jessica Thomas, Steve Trower, Fred Warren, Dona Watson, Nicole White, Dave Wilson.
Nice review, Val. Glad you liked this one.
Becky
Thanks for stopping by, Becky! Yeah, I enjoyed this book 🙂