This book was recommended to me by my husband as something to hold my interest while on the elipical machines. It did just that and left me feeling disappointed when it ended.
Randy Alcorn creatively navigates through several modern issues with interesting characters and a twists-and-turns story. I think it goes without saying that Alcorn is a talented writer. And once you read this book, you'll realize he's also a writer with a mission. That mission, it seems, is to illuminate how the earthly impacts the heavenly (Deadline alternates between Heaven and Earth).
The images and concepts of Heaven are like none I've ever read before. They radically expanded my vision of Heaven, and prompted me to live motivated by an eternal perspective. That's how impactful the imagery is.
Alcorn doesn't shy away from sizzling social and moral issues via Deadline's characters. At times I was surprised at what he was willing to tackle. The main character is a liberal columnist for a major metropolitan newspaper whose moral compass shifts gradually and radically throughout the book. Alcorn steers clear of religiosity, however, by preserving this character's wit, passion and humanity. He remains a critical thinker but from the side he had always scoffed. In the end, he returns to his true love, his teenage daughter, and seems to have found deep peace.
Whether you believe in Heaven and live with an eternal perspective or not, this book is a great read. It could make you angry if you disagree, applaud if you do agree, and simply think differently if you're somewhere in between.
Four stars only because the book is packed...so packed it could have easily been spread into two books. Regardless, thanks to Deadline, I'm looking forward to reading another Alcorn book.
