Hacker Paperback – June 10, 2014

This book seemed to be a story about a "typical" brilliant computer hacker. It felt predictable at first. Then, wham, what a turn it took. So as not to spoil it for you, let's just say it goes where hacking has never gone before.

Throughout his career, Ted Dekker, whose father was a missionary in Indonesia when they still had cannibals - and wrote the best seller "Peace Child" -, has long been plying the tough trade of relating Christian Spirituality to experiences that people, especially young people, can relate to. His early trilogy, Red, Black, and White was a great example of how refreshingly creative he can be in doing this. This book is the first attempt I have read to connect spirituality to the physical brain and computer-based net work transmission. The premise in that the brain is a very powerful computer with the ability to reach spiriual realms where exist non-physical means to heal. The problem is that this ability is blocked by a "firewall" for most people, because (apparently) they would not yet be able to handle such a massive jolt of reality. The heros are two genius young hackers, a 17 year old part Asian girl who needs money for her mother's life saving operation, and a 20 something boy who has become super rich already by hacking jobs involving security, but now was dying of a brain tumor - he believes he can actually hack the firewall of his own brain and learn the higher physics that can cure his tumor - thus tying man-controlled technology to the spiritual healing, which he had never believed in. Hacking is difficult, dangerous and scary - especially when hacking your own brain or running from both the FBI and a crime syndicate because of another ill advised hack. How Dekker brings these two young geniuses together for a death defying, Heaven glimpsing, cyber chase is a real page turner, in the manner of an earlier Dean Koontz. And it is well written. I think Dekker's writing skill has improved a lot since Red, Black, and White, and he may not yet have reached his peak. For me, this is definitely 5 star.

Ted Dekker is the only author that I have read everything he has published, to the best of my knowledge. His storytelling keeps me coming back for more. "Hacker" is no exception. If anything, it is more of a return to the type of storytelling that originally got me hooked on Dekker, as in his older novels such as "Thr3e."Nyah is an expert hacker who finds herself in the know about information that was never meant for her eyes, as she tried to get hired for a job to make enough money to get medical help for her mother. In the process, she runs into Austin, from a previous novel, who has managed to find a way to hack into the human brain. They begin experimenting, with interesting results.I loved the storytelling, but there is one aspect of theology that Dekker pulls in that I disagree with slightly. I realize this is fiction, but Dekker obviously writes with a worldview in mind. It is the idea (in every Outlaw Chronicles novel) that our bodies are not who we are, but they are merely a costume that we will do away with eventually. I understand what he means, but I would word it differently. Instead of essentially saying that we are not our bodies or minds at all but are spirits, I would say we are more than our bodies and minds. That is, our bodies and minds are part of us (although corrupted from the fall), but we are also spiritual beings. I think this distinction is important, as Jesus was in a real body in the incarnation, and that body was raised having conquered death. I believe Scripture also teaches that we will have incorruptible bodies in the resurrection. It seems to me that while our bodies are fallen and can be a hindrance now, they will be renewed at the resurrection, not thrown away entirely. Obviously, as I stated, this is a book of fiction, and this is by no means a deal breaker for reading and enjoying this book. I just point it out for those interested. Even though fiction is largely made up, when worldview ideas are present, it is in our best interest to think through them as we would if they were presented in a nonfiction format.In short, if you are looking for a fast-paced novel that will keep you turning pages, pick up this book (and any other by Dekker); you won't be disappointed.

Nyah is a computer hacker. And she’s good at it. Maybe one of the best. She has a friend who is also a hacker, but he is trying to hack something a little different. He’s trying to hack the human brain in an attempt to cure his untreatable brain tumor. Nyah’s mother is in a hospital bed, little more than a vegetable, after a terrible car accident that not only nearly killed her but also claimed the life of Nyah's father and brother. Nyah has been trying to raise the money for experimental treatments for her mother, but the only real cure may lie in the research of her dying friend Austin. Nyah finds herself in a race against time as she runs from the FBI and a rogue corporation in an attempt to save her mother and Austin. What she doesn’t know is that what she finds beyond the “hack” may save her as well.This book is typical Ted Dekker. And I mean that as a compliment. It’s fast paced and draws you in from the very first page. Dekker weaves his usual literary “sleight of hand” as he gives you one story while cleverly introducing the spiritual questions at the heart of the real story. He develops Nyah and Austin’s characters enough that you care what happens to them. There are a couple of things I wish Dekker would have given more attention to, but I can’t go into those things without giving away key parts of the plot, but none of them are deal breakers for me. The book was still very enjoyable and well done. This book would be enjoyed by both those looking for a spiritual thriller, or even those who are just interested in computer hacking or the immerging biological technologies

As a Ted Dekker fan this book is right up there. Current, thrilling and cutting edge literally. One of my best reads this year, getting it for gifts. Bravo Ted, you keep delivering quality and excellence.

Ted Dekker takes one deep into eternal truth, through fiction: he plunges the depths of true spirituality. The journey is exciting, but the truth is eternal.

A great story line with some interesting twists along the way as you would expect from Ted DEKKER. Overall I really enjoyed this book.

I love ted dekkers books I'm a real fan I see his work as contemporary christian and can't wait for the next book

Yes. Enjoyed this story with its links to modern technology. An excellent link to Outlaw and the theme developed.