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The Face of the Deep #2
The Word Unleashed
Come out, come out wherever you are.
Hiding from the secret police offers Baden time for reflection. Specifically, what has he learned about taking things that don't belong to him? Never again. Ever since he salvaged an outlawed book from a space wreck, life has been damage control.
He should just stop this game of cat and mouse, hand the Bible over to the authorities if they want it so bad. Except, he can't let go of it. And now that Baden's shared what he's read with believers who've been awaiting the book's return, he's realized unleashing the Word is not a matter of hide but seek.
Hiding from the secret police offers Baden time for reflection. Specifically, what has he learned about taking things that don't belong to him? Never again. Ever since he salvaged an outlawed book from a space wreck, life has been damage control.
He should just stop this game of cat and mouse, hand the Bible over to the authorities if they want it so bad. Except, he can't let go of it. And now that Baden's shared what he's read with believers who've been awaiting the book's return, he's realized unleashing the Word is not a matter of hide but seek.
352 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2010
About the author
Steve Rzasa
102 books105 followersSteve Rzasa was born and raised in South Jersey, and fell in love with books—especially science fiction novels and historical volumes—at an early age. He earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Boston University’s College of Communications in 2000, and then spent seven years as a reporter and assistant editor at weekly newspapers in Maine. Steve moved to Wyoming in 2007 to become the editor of a weekly newspaper there, and now works at the local library. He and his wife Carrie have two boys and live in Buffalo, Wyoming.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 9, 2010
What I liked best about The Word Unleashed was its conclusion. Oh sure, this book has enough action to make it a page turner, and enough political intrigue to make even the late Frank Herbert proud, but where I think it shines brightest is in the closing chapters. For it is in the coda that Mr. Rzasa makes his thousand-page space epic both relevant and insightful. Kudos to him for upholding the grand tradition of science fiction by crafting a story that is about more than lasers, robots and spaceships. I look forward to whatever comes blasting out of Steve’s universe next.
October 13, 2010
Steve Rzasa’s The Word Unleashed is the most rip-roaring, heart-pounding space adventure since, well, since The Word Reclaimed. That book ended with the treacherous overthrow of the Realm of Five’s monarchy by Kesek, the Realm’s secret police. The Realm’s finest defenders had been lured away to a distant planet to be ambushed and destroyed even as Kesek orchestrated the kidnapping of the king and the arrest of their every congressional opponent.
But Kesek didn’t count on God, whose existence they do not acknowledge, getting involved—nor could they ever have predicted the people He would choose to accomplish His purposes.
This second volume of “The Face of the Deep” continues the story of moody teenager Baden Haczyk, whose life is increasingly turned upside-down by the illegal Bible he possesses. The Book convicts him, speaks to him in ways he doesn’t understand, and seems determined to use him as a mouthpiece. Not only that, but the Bible is extending its influence on others as well, from the hungry Christians on Bethel to high-ranking members of the Verge family—who, along with their surviving soldiers and every other loyalist in the Realm, are planning an invasion of Earth to find the king and stop Kesek once and for all.
Into the story are woven the fates of many fascinating characters, from the enigmatic, genetically enhanced Jason to Mission-Impossible-style secret agent Najwa to pirate captain Charlotte Ruby Bell, who offers comic relief while still managing to be a believable and even poignant character (gesundheit, Captain Bell).
Rzasa’s love of history shows through in his projection of a future where earth’s distinct cultures and religious traditions are still recognizable and influential and where events are believable because they are so familiar—history repeating itself on an intergalactic scale.
The Word Unleashed combines heart-stopping action, humour, and pathos with a sweeping plot and a masterfully drawn universe. At the heart of it all is an honest look at censorship, “tolerance,” and mankind’s deep need for religious freedom.
I highly recommend this series to anyone. A word of advice: buy both books at once. You’re not going to want to stop at the end of the first volume, and this story deserves the opportunity to carry you away with it.
- Rachel Starr Thomson, author of The Seventh World Trilogy: Worlds Unseen, Burning Light, and Coming Day
But Kesek didn’t count on God, whose existence they do not acknowledge, getting involved—nor could they ever have predicted the people He would choose to accomplish His purposes.
This second volume of “The Face of the Deep” continues the story of moody teenager Baden Haczyk, whose life is increasingly turned upside-down by the illegal Bible he possesses. The Book convicts him, speaks to him in ways he doesn’t understand, and seems determined to use him as a mouthpiece. Not only that, but the Bible is extending its influence on others as well, from the hungry Christians on Bethel to high-ranking members of the Verge family—who, along with their surviving soldiers and every other loyalist in the Realm, are planning an invasion of Earth to find the king and stop Kesek once and for all.
Into the story are woven the fates of many fascinating characters, from the enigmatic, genetically enhanced Jason to Mission-Impossible-style secret agent Najwa to pirate captain Charlotte Ruby Bell, who offers comic relief while still managing to be a believable and even poignant character (gesundheit, Captain Bell).
Rzasa’s love of history shows through in his projection of a future where earth’s distinct cultures and religious traditions are still recognizable and influential and where events are believable because they are so familiar—history repeating itself on an intergalactic scale.
The Word Unleashed combines heart-stopping action, humour, and pathos with a sweeping plot and a masterfully drawn universe. At the heart of it all is an honest look at censorship, “tolerance,” and mankind’s deep need for religious freedom.
I highly recommend this series to anyone. A word of advice: buy both books at once. You’re not going to want to stop at the end of the first volume, and this story deserves the opportunity to carry you away with it.
- Rachel Starr Thomson, author of The Seventh World Trilogy: Worlds Unseen, Burning Light, and Coming Day
September 16, 2010
Steve Rzasa's
The Word Unleashed
lets fly the finale to an action-packed story started in
The Word Reclaimed
. Even though it is the second half of a larger story,
The Word Unleashed
can be read on its own.
Baden Haczyk, the son of a freighter captain discovered a rare book on board a mysteriously destroyed freighter that embroiled everyone he loves in a far-flung conflict for control of an interstellar empire.
Now Baden is caught in the middle of a far-ranging coup as he tries to decide what to do with the mysterious book. A single-minded secret police inspector is determined to confiscate the book over the bodies of everyone who stands between it and him. Baden's friends, family and new allies are polarized by the book's presence, which seems to demand a decision from everyone who encounters it.
Rzasa's grand story is told from multiple viewpoints. He manages to keep all the action moving well without the reader becoming dizzy from a large cast of characters and locations.
Rzasa also manages to reveal more about the motivations of his characters, and the bad guys are less one-dimensional in this installment. There are more space battles and ground actions, with enough plot twists that surprised me and kept me from skipping ahead in the book.
As I mentioned in my review of The Word Reclaimed , Rzasa handles religious issues well, since they are integral to the story. His even-handed and thought-provoking approach ensures that you are not left with a sappy, cookie-cutter ending.
I recommend this book for lovers SF military stories and space opera. If you have a love of history you will spot a number of interesting parallels.
Baden Haczyk, the son of a freighter captain discovered a rare book on board a mysteriously destroyed freighter that embroiled everyone he loves in a far-flung conflict for control of an interstellar empire.
Now Baden is caught in the middle of a far-ranging coup as he tries to decide what to do with the mysterious book. A single-minded secret police inspector is determined to confiscate the book over the bodies of everyone who stands between it and him. Baden's friends, family and new allies are polarized by the book's presence, which seems to demand a decision from everyone who encounters it.
Rzasa's grand story is told from multiple viewpoints. He manages to keep all the action moving well without the reader becoming dizzy from a large cast of characters and locations.
Rzasa also manages to reveal more about the motivations of his characters, and the bad guys are less one-dimensional in this installment. There are more space battles and ground actions, with enough plot twists that surprised me and kept me from skipping ahead in the book.
As I mentioned in my review of The Word Reclaimed , Rzasa handles religious issues well, since they are integral to the story. His even-handed and thought-provoking approach ensures that you are not left with a sappy, cookie-cutter ending.
I recommend this book for lovers SF military stories and space opera. If you have a love of history you will spot a number of interesting parallels.
October 7, 2016
The Word Unleashed by Steve Rzasa is the second book in The Face of the Deep series.
I would not recommend jumping in without reading the first book, The Word Reclaimed.
Unleashed continues the story begun in Reclaimed, about Baden and his love hate relationship with a Bible he picked up off of a space wreck. Kesek, sort of like WWII Nazis, have taken control of the government and deposed the rightful King. Now a remnant of soldiers are on their way to Earth to stop them. But Before they get there Baden has a plan.
Kesek fears all things religious especially the Bible. What is Baden's plan? Check the title.
I loved this story right down to the conclusion, that was both satisfying, unexpected and still leaves room for more books. (The third one is titled The Word Endangered.)
I would not recommend jumping in without reading the first book, The Word Reclaimed.
Unleashed continues the story begun in Reclaimed, about Baden and his love hate relationship with a Bible he picked up off of a space wreck. Kesek, sort of like WWII Nazis, have taken control of the government and deposed the rightful King. Now a remnant of soldiers are on their way to Earth to stop them. But Before they get there Baden has a plan.
Kesek fears all things religious especially the Bible. What is Baden's plan? Check the title.
I loved this story right down to the conclusion, that was both satisfying, unexpected and still leaves room for more books. (The third one is titled The Word Endangered.)
August 22, 2016
Baden & Co are back and this time the stakes are higher as the Realm of Five topples into anarchy. The plot twists are unexpected. The world-building excellent. Action is intense and tightly worded.
Parental Guidance: While the book is fast-paced and high intensity, it does not have any bad language or unnecessary violence that most general science fiction is known for.
The spiritual thread in the book could be a problem for some readers, but Rzasa handles it very well. The whole concept is based in a universe where religion is banned and Baden finds a copy of the Bible. But the way that the Gospel is woven into the plot is pretty effortless and does not draw away from the story's intensity.
Very good for adult and young adult readers.
Parental Guidance: While the book is fast-paced and high intensity, it does not have any bad language or unnecessary violence that most general science fiction is known for.
The spiritual thread in the book could be a problem for some readers, but Rzasa handles it very well. The whole concept is based in a universe where religion is banned and Baden finds a copy of the Bible. But the way that the Gospel is woven into the plot is pretty effortless and does not draw away from the story's intensity.
Very good for adult and young adult readers.
November 10, 2015
Steve Rzasa’s books, The World Reclaimed and The Word Unleashed impressed an encouraging reminder upon me. The books are space odysseys that pulled me into the struggles of the characters, led me through more world-building detail than I personally care for, and left me with something far less fictional. The reminder that God is sovereign. I know and have known for most of my life that God is sovereign. These books just drove the lesson home a little further. They shed light on the truth from a slightly different angle.
Read my full review on Leah's Bookshelf.
Read my full review on Leah's Bookshelf.
March 27, 2013
Please see my review The Word Reclaimed. The Word Unleashed is a great book, really the second half of one huge story. Lots of characters, lots of action, and lots of depth. The characters feel authentic and the changes they undergo as the story unfolds feel authentic. My recommendation? Buy The Word Reclaimed and The Word Unleashed and clear your calendar. . . you will be busy for a while.
February 4, 2017
A great second book in this series. Excellent story and writing. There were numerous formatting errors in my ebook edition (i.e. missing parts of sentences at the beginning of some chapters, etc.) that I found very distracting.
Overall a great Sci-Fi read. Looking forward to reading the next book soon...
Overall a great Sci-Fi read. Looking forward to reading the next book soon...
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews