The Deceived

Forbidden Doors #2

by Bill Myers

When Ryan, Rebecca’s new friend, asks her to go with him to hear a speaker on reincarnation, she figures it’s no big deal. Then she agrees to be hypnotized—and her experiences are so eerie and powerful that she begins to doubt her faith in God.

Soon she is caught in a dangerous deception that nearly strangles her faith and destroys her life. Watch as God brings her through the dangers that lurk ahead.

Genres: Christian, Young Adult, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Teen

176 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Bill Myers was born into a Christian home, and although as a child he became bored with Christianity, he decided at the University of Washington quote, to "make God my boss." Ironically, at the University his worst subject was writing. He claims to have prayed, and said that he would be able to do anything for God, except write. Even so, he has become a prominent Christian writer, and has a large amount of successful books and films to his credit.

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis: Rebecca Williams and her new friend Ryan attend a seminar at the library where a guy discusses reincarnation, and claims to be Napoleon Bonaparte resurrected. Worse yet, the guy has a date with her mother! Becka's younger brother Scott knows how much danger they're in--he has experienced it himself--so, it's solely up to him to save them. Will he convince them of their wrongs, or will they simply refuse to listen?

Story: 4/5

What Bill Myers has done in previous novels, he continues to do well here. Just like The Society, this is a fast-paced novel that delves into spiritual warfare. Whether or not you agree with Mr. Myers' portrayal, you can't help but be riveted by it.

Writing: 5/5

Excellently written, as usual for Bill Myers. I felt like I was there.

Moral Content: 3.5/5

Spiritual warfare is a scary thing to even think about, so, it's no surprise that this novel has some frightening moments. What makes this even scarier than the premiere book in the series is a scene where demonic powers are used to hurt an animal. Hypnotism is used for evil purposes in this story, but it is mentioned that opinions on such a practice are split; depending on your experiences with it, you may agree or disagree with the book's claims.

Conclusion: Add this to the long list of Bill Myers' masterworks; seriously, he is one of the best Christian authors of our time, and it's books like this that prove it.

Score: 4/5

[aMandalin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good . . . once again Bill Myers stresses that as Christians, the only way to win is to have the spiritual armor on.

[Whitaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really great book shows us how everything is great and worth to die for

[LisaMarie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Offensive much? Having a character refer to Hinduism, of which there are 1.2 billion in the world (yep I just googled it) as a "just another one of those weird Eastern religions where people were afraid to kill a cow because it might wind up being their great grandmother or something." And as the story continues it gets even worse. When it comes to religion, none of us mere mortals actually knows; it's all based on faith. Different faiths, and we must respect those whose differ from ours. , which imo includes not declaring them “wrong,” or even worse, "demonic." And let’s not forget that tres Boebert-esque “junk.”
Even a non "Bible-based" Christian like myself as I've been sniffily called (but I'd say I'm Bible-supplemented) knows that the Bible doesn't even mention reincarnation. And the argument against it here is pretty weak, namely that since Jesus died for our sins there's no need to keep coming back to pay karmic debts, but all that means is it's not necessary for salvation, not that it doesn't exist for reasons we can only wonder about.
I may get too irate to continue reading this series. Yet I'm curious to see what other chestnuts of myopia there might be, and to find out who that know-it-all protype cyberstalker "Z" is.
I just realized this series is pretty old (1994), but still, Becca's encyclopedia scene is beyond ridiculous.
Oh, and we're supposed to believe the events this installment occurred a matter of days after the first one?

[Kimson Dooland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another book about Spiritual warfare - What happens when you go and open other doors. I couldn't keep away from this series. The books are small and fast phased. You could just read it in one sitting.

This time they talk about reincarnation and hypnosis. Why we get our self dabbled with things. There is a different kind of hypnosis which is done by doctor when you're sick and there is another kind of which is dangerous.

The devil just wants your soul. It wants to go against God. But end of the day the light always wins!

[Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian Teen Fiction exploring the appeal then dehumanization of Reincarnation.
Excellent!

[joyce lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

again, if i was younger, i probably would have rated this book differently.

another good read, tho, and as the previous one, VERY thought provoking. not so sure i like admitting that there really are people out there like that, in this day and time, but ...

unfortunately, there are! and therefore, we must be prepared for them, prepare for them, and alwasy be preparing to come up against them. 8^(

[Patrick Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome book in the Forbidden Doors series. Becca and her Mom both fall hook, line and sinker for a smooth talking occultist. He quickly reels them in and almost cost Becca her life. A great story of deception and how quickly Satan can grab you if you don't know and stay in the word. Now onto book 3 and more adventures with Scott and Becca.

[Samantha]

I LOVE IT!! and i am hooked. I am intrigued by how "Z" just knows everything. At first i thought Hypnotism was some mental joke that people play around with, this book has opened my eyes to quite a lot!

[B-rabbit · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was just another book that wasn't as good as others

[The Third Place A Teen Library]

F MYE fd bk.2

[Amanda J]

Read this christian books series as a tween. A horror/paranormal novel with the good guys being the christian teenagers and the bad guys being demons and the like.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was better than the first. A lot more suspenseful.
Although I'm not a believer in a lot that this book pushes, it was a good read. A bit creepy since i read it in the dark of night, haha.

[Peytyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great series, but a little dark. (which is understandable)

[Oscar]

Good book.