What do you think?
Rate this book
The Books of Mortals #0.5
The Keeper: A Short Story Prequel to Forbidden
In the Russian wasteland, a man named Talus bears a secret so terrible that it will cost him no less than his life to share it... a secret so terrible that he must share it in order to find those who will help him protect the knowledge that will one day save humanity. He has chosen two brothers, both hermit monks, to join him in his quest. But time is short... and no man is ready to receive the news that Talus must now share with them That they are both already dead.THE KEEPER is the short story prequel to Forbidden, the first novel in The Books of Mortals series. First there was the Circle Trilogy. Now a new stunning epic begins.
35 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 13, 2011
133 people are currently reading
3025 people want to read
About the author
Ted Dekker
202 books9,891 followersTed Dekker is known for novels that combine adrenaline-laced stories with unexpected plot twists, unforgettable characters, and incredible confrontations between good and evil. Ted lives in Austin with his wife LeeAnn and their four children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
October 5, 2011
Full post at One More Page
If you're still not sure if you want to splurge on Forbidden by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee, the authors have released a short story prequel to it, entitled The Keeper , available for free as an ebook. In this short story, a man named Talus meets two hermit monk brothers who he chooses to share the terrible secret that he has been carrying, to recruit them in helping protect the knowledge that will save humanity. This short story is a very quick read, and if you've read Forbidden before reading this, there's really nothing much to surprise you here. However, I think that it gives those who have yet to read the first Book of Mortals a chance to taste Dekker's world building and Lee's characters. I have a feeling that reading The Keeper will make you want to know more about what this secret is and if Talus ever succeeded with his mission. Also, if you have read the Circle series (Black, Red, White, Green), you will spot a very familiar name in this short story that will probably make you say, "I knew it!" Then the story of Forbidden suddenly makes more sense. :)
The Keeper is short and it's free, and you'll hardly notice the time you'll spend reading this. There's really nothing to lose, so there's no excuse not to get this. :)
If you're still not sure if you want to splurge on Forbidden by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee, the authors have released a short story prequel to it, entitled The Keeper , available for free as an ebook. In this short story, a man named Talus meets two hermit monk brothers who he chooses to share the terrible secret that he has been carrying, to recruit them in helping protect the knowledge that will save humanity. This short story is a very quick read, and if you've read Forbidden before reading this, there's really nothing much to surprise you here. However, I think that it gives those who have yet to read the first Book of Mortals a chance to taste Dekker's world building and Lee's characters. I have a feeling that reading The Keeper will make you want to know more about what this secret is and if Talus ever succeeded with his mission. Also, if you have read the Circle series (Black, Red, White, Green), you will spot a very familiar name in this short story that will probably make you say, "I knew it!" Then the story of Forbidden suddenly makes more sense. :)
The Keeper is short and it's free, and you'll hardly notice the time you'll spend reading this. There's really nothing to lose, so there's no excuse not to get this. :)
September 20, 2011
This was a very short story, but also served as a very nice introduction into Dekker's new book, Forbidden. It not only sets the stage for some of the main elements in the story in a compelling fashion that hooks the reader on this new world very quickly, but it ties the events of this book back into his Circle trilogy which long time Dekker fan's should enjoy.
February 15, 2014
"It was short. It was obvious. I liked it." Sort of.
Good writing. Barely enough story to set the hook for the longer series to which this a sequel. As a stand alone, it's . . . short.
Good writing. Barely enough story to set the hook for the longer series to which this a sequel. As a stand alone, it's . . . short.
March 4, 2018
Well it ended rather abruptly...
Do I feel like I know what is going on? Not really. When I read the synopsis, I really had a sense of adventure and excitement. I didn't get that from this short story though. I got that there was a couple of brothers, but didn't really go beyond that for me.
Will I read Forbidden? Probably, I love Ted Dekker's writing. Will I be rushing to get it today? No. I'll get it at some other point.
Do I feel like I know what is going on? Not really. When I read the synopsis, I really had a sense of adventure and excitement. I didn't get that from this short story though. I got that there was a couple of brothers, but didn't really go beyond that for me.
Will I read Forbidden? Probably, I love Ted Dekker's writing. Will I be rushing to get it today? No. I'll get it at some other point.
February 27, 2020
Great read
As always, Ted Dekker keeps you interested in the story and with the outcome of the characters. Looking forward to reading Forbidden.
As always, Ted Dekker keeps you interested in the story and with the outcome of the characters. Looking forward to reading Forbidden.
September 5, 2011
This short-story prequel to Forbidden reveals an interesting link between the world of the Circle and the world of Ted's new book series. The new series will take place between the end of the Raison Strain infection and the creation of Other Earth. I can't wait to read the next book!
June 15, 2012
This was certainly designed to make you drool in anticipation for "Forbidden." I am not immune - I fell neatly into their little trap and have the hardcover sitting in front of me as we "speak." I cannot wait to lift the lid on their Pandora's box (so to speak) and continue the adventure.
November 7, 2012
Nice that this short prequel to his book Forbidden is free on Kindle.
September 7, 2015
A nice short story with a little bit more of information about the Books of Mortals.
November 11, 2018
Ted Dekker is an imaginative author who always keeps you guessing in his stories. My favorite was Three. I generally won't pay full price for his books, because I never know if I will 'get' them or not. So, when I saw this short story offered for free, I thought I'd give it a shot.
The tale begins with two monks, actually biological brothers, who are living as hermits in the wilderness. They are approached by a stranger who shares a secret with them: They are dead men, and he soon will be, too, because of a genetically-engineered virus designed to rob them of all emotion except one. He claims to have the cure, and offers the monks a taste of what life could be like without this disease. The monks are skeptical, but one tries the remedy and experiences a moment of truth he would not have imagined.
Although I have not read the rest of the series, and don't think I will, I can guess what the allegory is. The virus is sin. Fear has enslaved us. The blood of Jesus is the cure.
If you want to know the backstory of Forbidden, the first book in the series, The Book of Mortals, then you can get this for free on your Amazon Kindle. Ted Dekker fans will no doubt appreciate it. It's an easy read that you can knock out in about 10 minutes--like at the doctor's office or on a commuter train.
The tale begins with two monks, actually biological brothers, who are living as hermits in the wilderness. They are approached by a stranger who shares a secret with them: They are dead men, and he soon will be, too, because of a genetically-engineered virus designed to rob them of all emotion except one. He claims to have the cure, and offers the monks a taste of what life could be like without this disease. The monks are skeptical, but one tries the remedy and experiences a moment of truth he would not have imagined.
Although I have not read the rest of the series, and don't think I will, I can guess what the allegory is. The virus is sin. Fear has enslaved us. The blood of Jesus is the cure.
If you want to know the backstory of Forbidden, the first book in the series, The Book of Mortals, then you can get this for free on your Amazon Kindle. Ted Dekker fans will no doubt appreciate it. It's an easy read that you can knock out in about 10 minutes--like at the doctor's office or on a commuter train.
April 19, 2021
The Keeper is a very short prequel to The Books of Mortals series. If you've read The Circle books, the beginning of the overall grand series, The Books of History Chronicles, then you will recognize the name Thomas Hunter.
This is all setup for Forbidden.
This is all setup for Forbidden.
May 7, 2021
"The Keeper", a very short, free, prequel to 'Forbidden' was presumably written to draw you into reading further.
It didn't work for me. I read it, didn't find it particularly interesting, and have no intention of continuing.
I have not read books by either of the authors, Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee, so I can't really comment on whether this represents their joint writing fairly.
For some odd reason this snippet of a story somewhat reminded me of "A Canticle for Leibowitz" by Walter M. Miller Jr. - but it has been decades since I last read it.
It didn't work for me. I read it, didn't find it particularly interesting, and have no intention of continuing.
I have not read books by either of the authors, Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee, so I can't really comment on whether this represents their joint writing fairly.
For some odd reason this snippet of a story somewhat reminded me of "A Canticle for Leibowitz" by Walter M. Miller Jr. - but it has been decades since I last read it.
February 21, 2019
Even in a short 16(ish) pages, Ted Dekker does not disappoint. I thought I would just find out some little tidbits to help pull the Mortal series together (as if it needed it). And BAM there is a surprise.... as my husband likes to say often while reading one of Dekker's books, "Oh, Tedward!" Worth the few minutes of reading.
May 17, 2020
I forgot
I've read all three of the books of mortals when they first came out,then I read this this morning. It brought back what went on in the books of mortals. Ted and Tosca's writing really you think and wasn't to dive deeper. This and The Books of Mortals are books that I definitely recommend to read. They make it very intriguing.
I've read all three of the books of mortals when they first came out,then I read this this morning. It brought back what went on in the books of mortals. Ted and Tosca's writing really you think and wasn't to dive deeper. This and The Books of Mortals are books that I definitely recommend to read. They make it very intriguing.
November 23, 2016
A short story. Read it in less than an hour. Overall, a good read. Creative allegory. I could see where the story is going. But, just not enough to generate interest in reading the longer series for me.
August 7, 2018
A Taste of the Forbidden
Well arranged entry to the saga. For those who have read Forbidden and it's following this is a good background to the story. For those who have yet to read, this is a great taste of that which is to come!
Well arranged entry to the saga. For those who have read Forbidden and it's following this is a good background to the story. For those who have yet to read, this is a great taste of that which is to come!
December 24, 2019
I read this after reading the entire series not by choice though, I didn't know about the book. Since, I knew how the story played out, this made so much sense to me but as a stand-alone or for someone trying to gauge how the books go, it's just not enough.
March 14, 2020
When they say short story, it really is short. However, it did its job, which was to entice me in to reading the book it points to. I am a big fan of the Circle Trilogy, so if this is in the same universe, then I am thrilled!
June 4, 2020
A free prequel to Forbidden, the first book in The Book of Mortals series. This series has never been on my radar, but after reading this story I want to check it out. I enjoyed the religious/cult like feel to this story.
October 15, 2020
An interesting little story with strong, strange concepts. The premise is quite clear and very disturbing. Well written.
Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Haunting. Scary. Tragic. Twisted. Unpredictable. Wonderful characters.
Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Haunting. Scary. Tragic. Twisted. Unpredictable. Wonderful characters.
May 13, 2017
I really enjoyed this short prequel, Dekker did a superb job of setting the stage for the Book of Mortals storyline.
May 25, 2017
Meeehh
It is okay but I was very disappointed at how short it was. I would recommend this book to ages 10-and up
It is okay but I was very disappointed at how short it was. I would recommend this book to ages 10-and up
February 11, 2019
Just a short little prequel introducing the original Keepers.
March 16, 2019
The Beginning
This is brief account of what happened before The Book Forbidden is started. I won't be giving out any spoilers
This is brief account of what happened before The Book Forbidden is started. I won't be giving out any spoilers
August 6, 2019
Very short but straight to the point and I love that.
May 11, 2020
Es una historia corta pero interesante que confirmo mi teoría con respecto a lo que pasa en el primer libro. Coño, xD que tenemos cameos locos acá
January 30, 2021
Short and sweet but with a message of life and death in a world gone wrong. I’ll now have to get the next book in the series and see where it takes me.
March 15, 2021
Wow! My interest is piqued! Ready to start reading Forbidden!
April 1, 2024
Odd little book, but it did peak my interest for the rest of the series. It seems like it’ll be like a dystopian series kinda like the giver or divergent where emotions are forbidden. I liked it.
June 8, 2020
I enjoyed this novella.
This is about these two brothers who are in the Russian wastelands who ends up meeting someone who tells them something that's changes them.
It was interesting short story and good start to a series.
It was interesting to see all the things that happened with these characters and will happen next to these and the characters in this series.
I cant wait to see what happens in the series.
This is about these two brothers who are in the Russian wastelands who ends up meeting someone who tells them something that's changes them.
It was interesting short story and good start to a series.
It was interesting to see all the things that happened with these characters and will happen next to these and the characters in this series.
I cant wait to see what happens in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews