Infidel

Infidel is the second book in Ted Dekker's Lost Books series, set within the timeline of his Circle Trilogy. The story follows four young Forest Guard members who must locate powerful ancient texts known as the Books of History before they fall into enemy hands. The narrative centers on Johnis and his companions as they face increasing pressure from the Horde, a group of diseased warriors who serve the Dark One. Their mission takes them into dangerous territory, including the feared Horde city of Thrall, where loyalty and conviction are tested against overwhelming odds. In this fantasy world, the Forest Guard protects the remaining faithful followers of Elyon from the growing threat of the Horde. The quest for the Books of History becomes more complex as new characters emerge, including a formidable Horde general and the daughter of a Dark Priest. The book explores themes of faith, sacrifice, and the struggle between light and darkness through its young protagonists' journey. It continues Dekker's tradition of using allegorical fantasy to examine spiritual warfare and redemption.

Readers describe Infidel as an intense thriller that builds on concepts introduced in the first book of the series. Many found the religious symbolism compelling and appreciated how it deepened the overall mythology. Likes: - Fast pacing and action sequences - Character development, especially Darcy's journey - World-building and expansion of supernatural elements - Religious themes without being preachy Dislikes: - Some confusion for readers who hadn't read Book 1 - Middle section drags according to multiple reviews - Several readers found the ending rushed - Romance subplot felt forced to some Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (190+ ratings) "The theological elements blend seamlessly with the action" - Amazon reviewer "Lost me in the middle but picked up strong" - Goodreads reviewer "More complex than book one but requires patience" - Barnes & Noble reviewer

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🔹 Ted Dekker wrote this series while recovering from a serious illness, which influenced the themes of transformation and healing present throughout the books. 🔹 The Lost Books series is set in the same universe as Dekker's bestselling Circle Trilogy, but takes place 15 years before those events. 🔹 The Books of History mentioned in the story are inspired by ancient religious texts and medieval illuminated manuscripts that were believed to hold mystical powers. 🔹 The savage Horde army in the book draws inspiration from historical nomadic warriors like the Mongols and Huns, known for their fierce battle tactics and tribal culture. 🔹 Dekker grew up as a missionary's child in Indonesia, which heavily influenced his ability to create rich, culturally diverse fantasy worlds in his novels.