Into the Fire

Davis Bunn's latest release entitled Book of Dreams is published by Howard Books, a division of Simon&Schuster, and sent to me for review courtesy of Howard Books via Blogging Bistro, LLC. 

Set primarily around Oxford University, where in real life Davis Bunn and his wife are affiliated, Book of Dreams tackles two different subjects from both the physical and spiritual planes. Conceivably labeled a supernatural suspense, Book of Dreams follows psychologist and best known authority on dreams, Dr. Elena Burroughs, through a personal revelation of her soul while she traipses through her clinical duties as a still-hurting widow of five years. When a client with bodyguards enters her office, she sees the damage wrought by numerous overwhelming nightmares. This begins the journey for not only Elena but her client Sandra Harwood, wife of American diplomat Lawrence, an Italian ex-banker working for the Vatican and also suffering from the loss of his wife, and several others tied to the banking industry and to ministry. Preceding the spiritual awakening in Elena's soul, her elderly friend and godmother Miriam, also a retired clinical psychologist, presents her with a treasured series of ancient books designed to inspire those who read The Lord's Prayer within its ornate pages.

Exposing the poignant corruption in the worldwide banking business, Book of Dreams examines the ruthless methods of eliminating the scrupulous players in the banking industry. When the ethical appointees of former diplomat Lawrence Harwood and Italian Antonio d'Alba head the U.S and European commission to oversee the industry, their enemies make sure they're swiftly fired. While this is happening, Elena and various other individuals form a spiritual alliance to determine what God desires them to do. Dreams play a major role in leading them after the ancient book influences serious investment in listening to the Holy Spirit. Evil's presence is accompanied by the smells of smoke and sulfur and Elena learns to recognize it in individuals.

Not to be easily branded and tied down by single genre writing, Davis Bunn has written historicals, romances, contemporary adventures, and in partnerships with other novelists. I've read and enjoyed several of his novels. Unfortunately, this novel tried to tackle very different topics working hard to incorporate the supernatural aspects of prophetic dreams, ministry to both those rejected in the industry and those who'd become victims of the cruel and corrupt banking practices, infusing minor romantic elements, while murderers targeted members of the group. The plot is so ambitious and vacillates between the physical and spiritual messaging that I think it fails to clearly define its objective and create a true mesh between the two planes.

Book of Dreams is decidely English in flavor, although the heroine is an ex-pat American. Dr. Elena Burroughs makes for a somewhat interesting but dry protagonist, not strong enough to engage me emotionally. In fact the bulk of characters give only flashes of appeal and didn't sustain my attention. The supernatural elements of the story proved the most exciting, and I think they were handled very well, demonstrating the power of God and the ability of individuals to listen and respond to the Holy Spirit's leading. I found those parts of the story a much welcome addition to a cast of vanilla characters.

For readers who'd enjoy a contemporary look at the corruption in the banking industry across the world mixed with the hope of anointed individuals taking on the challenges when their physical abilities give them nothing but devastation and hopelessness, Book of Dreams is a story of personal revivals that only the Spirit of God can produce.

Father, I ask that you would continue to meet the supply for stories for Davis. Please inspire him to tell the diverse tales that honor you and bless him for his efforts to do so. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.