Outlaw by Ted Dekker

The story of how I, Julian Carter, and my precious two-year old son, Stephen, left Atlanta Georgia and found ourselves on a white sailboat, tossed about like a cork on a raging sea off of Australia's northern tip in 1963, is harrowing.

But it pales in comparison to what happened deep in the jungle where I was taken as a slave by a savage tribe unknown to the world. Some places dwell in darkness so deep that even God seems to stay away.

There, my mind was torn in two by the gods of the earth. There, one life ended so another could begin.

Some will say I was a fool for making the choices I made. But they would have done the same. They, too, would have embraced death if they knew what I knew, and saw through my eyes.

My name is Julian and this is my story. But more, it is the story of my son who was born to change the world.

Outlaw by Ted Dekker was a fantastic novel that boggled the mind and touched the heart. This novel is part of the Outlaw Chronicles and acts as a kind of prequel to Eyes Wide Open, Water Walker, and Hacker as the past and true nature of the "Outlaw" is revealed. Set in the Indonesian jungle very much like where Ted Dekker grew up, the novel delves into another culture where white people are never seen and the rules and customs are completely different than what Julian has ever experienced. The plot-line of Outlaw was excellent; well-written and kept me glued to the pages, eager to learn more. I was blown away by the intricate descriptions of the people, their customs, and the scenery as Julian was forced to begin a new life and to take on a new role as the wife and child-bearer to one of the chiefs. I was brought to tears by the great losses, trials, and darkness that both Julian and the natives she grew to love faced when evil and the warring tribe invaded their midst. I was convicted by the great love and sacrifice Julian demonstrated for those she loved even when she faced certain death. Most of all, I loved the redemption, love, and truth spoken by one wise man as he revealed God's truth to his young protegee in an unique way. As he prepared this young boy to battle evil and to lead others Out of the Law and darkness to which they were bound and into the light of God's overwhelming love and forgiveness. Outlaw.
I found Outlaw to be wonderfully well written and highly compelling as the real cultures that Ted experienced as a child were woven into the story and as I began to link this story to themes and situations that happened in Ted's novels like the Circle Trilogy and the Paradise Trilogy. I cannot wait to read this book again and delve further into the world of the Outlaw with Water Walker and Hacker.
I received this novel for free from Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.