Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Book Review: The Third by Abel Keogh

As an editor, I've had the opportunity to work on a lot of books.  Some of them have stuck with me over time, but none has impacted me the same way as The Third by Abel Keogh.

Our main character is Ransom Lawe, a man living in the northwest about fifty years into the future.  The world is running out of natural resources and the people of Earth depend on recycling for their survival.  Another law has been enacted, that of allowing only two children per family.  If a woman becomes pregnant after having her two legal children, she is taken in and an abortion is performed on her.  Regular pregnancy testing is mandatory, and Ransom's wife, Teya, works in the clinic where this testing is performed.

When she realizes she is pregnant, she knows she's in trouble.  She and Ransom already have two children, little boys they love dearly.  She hides the results of her pregnancy test by switching out blood samples with someone else, but then she is caught and taken to the clinic.  Ransom has a choice.  He can risk everything in the world to save her, or he can obey the law.  Teya and his children are his world, and he decides to fight for his family.

This book will give you chills.  It speaks to the male reader with the question, "What would you do to protect your family?"  It speaks to the female reader with the question, "What would you do to nurture your family?"  and it leaves both readers contemplating their own commitment and their own beliefs.  It's been over a year since I worked with Abel on this book and I still ponder it.  What does family mean to me, and would I risk everything to preserve it?  My answer is yes, and I believe yours will be too as you follow Ransom and Teya on their journey of self-discovery and ultimate self-sacrifice.

Also available on Kindle.

If you'd like to see what other reviewers are saying about The Third, click here to follow Abel's virtual book tour:

5 comments:

Carolyn Twede Frank said...

I've heard a lot about this book, saw it in the bookstore at Storymakers and liked the cover, but now I think I've really got to buy it. Thanks for the final blurb that put me over the top.

Tristi Pinkston said...

Carolyn, you will be so glad you did.

Getting Your Read On said...

I been hearing good things about this book and I'm very intrigued. It sounds like a good book. Thanks for the review.

Melissa Lemon said...

Sounds like a must-read. Thanks for the review. I think I'll read it with my hubby.

Unknown said...

Haven't read it yet, but it on my stack to take to the beach next week - 1 whole week to sit on the beach and read and read and read or maybe I'll sit by the pool and read and read and read.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...