Guest Reviewer: Jay Graham
Title: Sky Blue
Author: Travis Thrasher
Publisher: Moody Publishers
ISBN: 13: 978-0-8024-8668-4
Release Date: July 2007
Genre/Sub-genre: Contemporary Suspense
Year/Setting: Present Day/USA
Overall Rating: 4.5
Sexual Content Rating: Sensual
Language (Profanity/Slang) Rating: Mild
Violent Content Rating: Minimal
Travis's Website:
www.travisthrasher.com
Travis Thrasher weaves a powerful tale of sorrow and grace in this work. The ending is so powerful the reader literally leans forward through the last pages, as if in some way trying to help the story along. What a change from the first part of the book where the central character, Colin Scott, wallows through a series of bad choices and dire consequences.
Many books have been written about the loss of idealism, the way in which young firebrands grow into plump, middle-aged men and women who ‘settle;’ compromising the very values they held dear two decades earlier. How that younger version of self would be disappointed in what they see the future holds is a point Colin knows all too well. And yet page after page shows him powerless to stop. He is circling the drain, and in the depths of his madness you can sense his lifespan might be reduced to mere hours.
I have to admit that I personally found some parts of this very hard to read for the simple reason they convicted me personally. However, what a talent that is the author, not only that his characters have real human flaws, but he develops them so well, you begin to go through the experiences with them, almost feeling the pain they visit on themselves….and in the end you know that given a few bad choices on your part, the story could be about you.
There is however a clear and mistakable turning point. At life’s worst moment, Colin turns for help to the very Lord he ridiculed others for worshipping. This man is so desperate he will try anything, even prayer! There is no puff of smoke, winning lottery ticket or 7th Calvary to save the day, God uses Colin himself, and all that he believed in as a young man to save the Colin Scott of today. I’ll let you read the book to see how this transformation occurs but I will say, as God always does, when He reveals who He is, we can better understand who we are.
The intimacy in this book between Colin and his wife Jen was handled in about as fine a manner as I have read in any work. You KNEW Colin loved his wife, which made his bad decisions all the more horrific, and his later grief so much more profound. The reader would not feel such depths nor soar as high had Travis not handled these critical scenes so well.
Sky Blue is a great book and I recommend it highly. Sorrow and Grace will fill your heart, but in the end, you too will be cheering for Colin Scott.
Jay
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