Book Review: Dark Star by Creston Mapes (Rock Star Chronicles #1)

Dark Star by Creston Mapes (Rock Star Chronicles #1)

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publish Date: August 17, 2011

E-book, 400 pages 
Fiction, Christian fiction/thriller/suspense/court drama
 ASIN: B004EWEVSC

My Review:
Talk about a wild ride.  Everett Lester is the epitome of the bad boy rocker to the extreme.  Not the bad boys of today, but I think back to the Ozzy Ozbournes and the other extreme bands of the 70s and 80s that my generation was warned against (and I am sure there are still some of those today, they just aren't the mainstream, just like they weren't back then).  Drugs, sex, drinking, a psychic on tour with him, Everett had all of that.  He was hardly likable, yet there was one fan that wrote to him of God's love and she continued to write to him over a ten year period.   Everett kept her letters for some reason and always read her letters.  That was his turning point, this one girl who kept praying for him and kept the faith that he could change.

I really like how the book goes back and forth in the story between the current court case and Everett's previous life.  It slowly fills in the blanks of what happened that leads up to the court case and it's a thrill ride for sure.  I liked getting to know Everett and seeing what happened.  I also liked meeting Karen, her parents, Everett's sister Mary and her friend Jerry and the others along the way as well.  The story that Mr. Mapes weaves is really intriguing and it kept me reading into the wee hours of morning to see what would happen next.

I enjoyed the plot thoroughly.  It felt plausible.  Bad boy rocker one day realizes his life is empty and finds his way to God, but of course, it's really not that simple, you have to read the book because I don't want to give anything away.  Just know that it moves quickly alternating back and forth, but it's easy to tell which is in the past and which is in the present.  I was never confused so that was great.

The characters were also well done.  From the seemingly perfect like Karen (who had her flaws as well) to the down right evil and all of the ones in between, which is where most everyone else fell, the characters are down-to-earth and real.  Sometimes really scary, but still real to me.  I liked Everett even though he is deeply flawed to begin with, he is still redeemable, as well all are.  I think he reminded  me not to judge because we all sin and no sin is worse than another in God's eyes because it is all sin.  I like how the Christian characters preach love, but they still preach trying to live a life for God, so it's not skewed in either direction where it's too much law or too much love.  It's seems the perfect mix.  The book is not preachy at all, the Christian parts just seem to flow.  Karen never screams at Everett, she just gently writes to him over the years and prays.

This book is just amazing to me and I can't wait to start reading Full Tilt, which I have, but have a bunch of review books to finish before I can start.  But I will get to it soon and can't wait to get back to see what happens in Everett's life next.  Try it out, this book is one of those that can wow you.

My Rating: 4.5/5.0

Check back next month on December 22, for my review of the next book in the series Full Tilt.

About the Book:

Can Fame, Wealth, and Power Buy Happiness?
Everett Lester and his band, DeathStroke, ride the crest of a wave to superstardom. But the deeper they become immersed in fame, wealth, and power, the more likely they are to be swallowed alive by the drugs, alcohol, and discontentment that have become their only friends. Everett is headed down a perilous road of no apparent return when he’s charged with the murder of his personal psychic. The only hope he can cling to comes from Topeka , Kansas , and the letters written by a prayerful young lady who lives there. Consistent and persistent, the notes cut straight to Everett ’s empty heart, offering a fulfillment he’s never grasped before. But what if he’s found guilty of murder? Will he recognize the spiritual battle that’s raging for his soul?

About the Author: 

Talented storyteller Creston Mapes graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1983 with a BA in magazine journalism. Since then, he has written for major corporations, colleges, and ministries. He has written for Coca-Cola, TNT Sports, Focus on the Family, Walk Thru the Bible Ministries, and The Urban Alternative. His stories have been featured in magazines including Private Colleges and Universities, In Touch, Leaders for Today, and The Hockey News. Creston makes his home in Georgia.

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FTC Information: I received this book through Media Guests for an honest review.  

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