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The Caleb Books #1-2
The Caleb Collection: Blessed Child and a Man Called Blessed
"Blessed Child"
A young orphaned boy was abandoned in the midst of an invasionand raised in an Ethiopian monastery. He has never seen outside its walls at least, not the way most people see. Now he must flee those walls or die. But the world beyond is hardly ready for a boy like Caleb. When relief worker Jason Marker agrees to take Caleb from the monastery, he unwittingly opens humanity's doors to an incredible journey filled with political intrigue and peril. Jason and Leiah the French-Canadian nurse who escapes the monastery with him quickly realize Caleb's supernatural power to heal. But so do the boy's enemies, who will stop at nothing to destroy him. Jason and Leiah fight for Caleb s survival while the world erupts in debate over the source of his power.
"A Man Called Blessed"
Rebecca Soloman leads a team deep into the Ethiopian desert to hunt the one man who may know the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. But Islamic extremists fear that the Ark's discovery will compel Israel to rebuild Solomon's temple on the very site of their own holy mosque in Jerusalem. They immediately dispatch Ismael, their most accomplished assassin, to pursue the same man. But the one in their sights is no ordinary man. His name is Caleb, and he is also on a quest to find again the love he embraced as a child."
A young orphaned boy was abandoned in the midst of an invasionand raised in an Ethiopian monastery. He has never seen outside its walls at least, not the way most people see. Now he must flee those walls or die. But the world beyond is hardly ready for a boy like Caleb. When relief worker Jason Marker agrees to take Caleb from the monastery, he unwittingly opens humanity's doors to an incredible journey filled with political intrigue and peril. Jason and Leiah the French-Canadian nurse who escapes the monastery with him quickly realize Caleb's supernatural power to heal. But so do the boy's enemies, who will stop at nothing to destroy him. Jason and Leiah fight for Caleb s survival while the world erupts in debate over the source of his power.
"A Man Called Blessed"
Rebecca Soloman leads a team deep into the Ethiopian desert to hunt the one man who may know the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. But Islamic extremists fear that the Ark's discovery will compel Israel to rebuild Solomon's temple on the very site of their own holy mosque in Jerusalem. They immediately dispatch Ismael, their most accomplished assassin, to pursue the same man. But the one in their sights is no ordinary man. His name is Caleb, and he is also on a quest to find again the love he embraced as a child."
- GenresChristian FictionFiction
733 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2014
90 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Ted Dekker
191 books9,996 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.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 31, 2025
Understanding the context of this book makes all the difference. When I approached it as a fictional novel written in the style of a parable—with the intention of teaching spiritual truths—I would easily rate it 5 out of 5 stars. There are many valuable lessons woven throughout its pages. I especially appreciated how the story made me think deeply, offering a thought-provoking and plausible lens through which to interpret real-world events. It wasn’t just reading for entertainment—it was engaging my faith and encouraging me to draw connections between Scripture, current events, and potential future realities.
The only reason I initially hesitated to give it a full five stars was because of my experience with the first book in the series, Blessed Child. I didn’t realize at first that it was meant to be a parable. The author does explain this between books 1 and 2, but I wish I had known that earlier. While the writing style in Blessed Child is excellent, I found myself putting it down several times—not because of poor storytelling, but because I was personally wrestling with how the plot aligned (or didn’t align) with my beliefs. I tend to be very cautious about what I allow into my mind, especially if it might challenge or distort biblical truth. That was a personal struggle, not a flaw in the book.
I’m so glad I decided to pick it up again. Once I understood the parabolic nature of the story, the lessons became clearer, and I was better able to separate the fictional premise from foundational truth. With that shift in mindset, I found the second book especially compelling—particularly in light of what I know to be true and what's unfolding in the world around us. A Man Called Blessed kept me on the edge of my seat, eager to see what would happen next.
If you’re reading the first book and find yourself struggling as I did, I’d encourage you to keep going. Read it with the understanding that it’s a parable, not a doctrinal teaching, and you’ll find it well worth your time.
The only reason I initially hesitated to give it a full five stars was because of my experience with the first book in the series, Blessed Child. I didn’t realize at first that it was meant to be a parable. The author does explain this between books 1 and 2, but I wish I had known that earlier. While the writing style in Blessed Child is excellent, I found myself putting it down several times—not because of poor storytelling, but because I was personally wrestling with how the plot aligned (or didn’t align) with my beliefs. I tend to be very cautious about what I allow into my mind, especially if it might challenge or distort biblical truth. That was a personal struggle, not a flaw in the book.
I’m so glad I decided to pick it up again. Once I understood the parabolic nature of the story, the lessons became clearer, and I was better able to separate the fictional premise from foundational truth. With that shift in mindset, I found the second book especially compelling—particularly in light of what I know to be true and what's unfolding in the world around us. A Man Called Blessed kept me on the edge of my seat, eager to see what would happen next.
If you’re reading the first book and find yourself struggling as I did, I’d encourage you to keep going. Read it with the understanding that it’s a parable, not a doctrinal teaching, and you’ll find it well worth your time.
December 27, 2024
I LOVE fiction, but even more than that I love things that help me love and delight in Jesus more. Very few Christian fiction has truly impacted my heart and walk with God a lot. The two books in this series have really done that for me in the way that only C.S. Lewis fiction has done for me. I will read Christian books, but if I can learn those concepts through fiction I will learn it better and remember it longer, and both the first and second book in this series SERIOUSLY have encouraged my walk with God and brought me to tears and helped me love and delight in God more!
December 14, 2020
Beautifully written!
Loved every page of this book! The story is amazing and absolutely not boring.
Each character has something to tell, and the descriptions from each POV are very well written.
Young adults would really enjoy this series. The story also makes you think about what a true relationship with God entails.
Loved every page of this book! The story is amazing and absolutely not boring.
Each character has something to tell, and the descriptions from each POV are very well written.
Young adults would really enjoy this series. The story also makes you think about what a true relationship with God entails.
January 5, 2021
This first book is very good keeping you glued to your seat. The second one is good and keeps you wondering what comes next. I enjoyed them both and the two together is a very good read with some awesome truths and things to reflect upon.
Read
June 26, 2022These books open your eyes to the power of Jesus! Caleb is such a blessing and does such wonderous things because of the Lord, and his belief in Him! It was so impactful to read these, I absolutely loved them!
November 25, 2018
The Caleb Collection
Ted Dekker is a wonderful story teller that takes you on a wonderful journey that also renews your faith in Christianity.
Ted Dekker is a wonderful story teller that takes you on a wonderful journey that also renews your faith in Christianity.
November 29, 2018
Spell bound.
These two books were very captivating. I didn't want to put them down. Felt like God was talking to me!
These two books were very captivating. I didn't want to put them down. Felt like God was talking to me!
Read
January 22, 2021I'm fairly confident these weren't good.
May 25, 2021
Awesome
Another great book by Ted Dekker! I have yet to read a book by him that I didn't like! Thank you Mr. Dekker for giving us thought provoking books!
Another great book by Ted Dekker! I have yet to read a book by him that I didn't like! Thank you Mr. Dekker for giving us thought provoking books!
August 17, 2025
The Caleb Collection
I really loved this two book series. Some stories are predictable but not this one. Good characters, good writing and entertaining story line.
I really loved this two book series. Some stories are predictable but not this one. Good characters, good writing and entertaining story line.
September 11, 2025
A Blessed Child was awesome. One of the better books I have read. The second book, A Man Called Blessed was ok at best. It wasn't bad just did not seem to live up to the first book.
April 27, 2016
Incredible!
This was one of those books that once you start you can't stop. I found myself drawn into the story and challenged to question my own way of faith. In the second book, A Man Called Blessed, Caleb talks about having the faith of a child and dancing with God - imagine worshiping with that kind of joy!
This was one of those books that once you start you can't stop. I found myself drawn into the story and challenged to question my own way of faith. In the second book, A Man Called Blessed, Caleb talks about having the faith of a child and dancing with God - imagine worshiping with that kind of joy!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews