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Customer Reviews for Bethany House Through the Fire
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Bethany House Through the Fire
Firefighting burns in Aidan O'Neill's blood. The son of a fireman, O'Neill has a sixth sense about fire and often takes dangerous risks. When one act of disobedience nearly gets a rookie killed, O'Neill is suspended. His weeks off are supposed to be a time to reflect but instead he escapes to Mexico, where another rash act of bravery actually kills him. But only for a few minutes.
Average Customer Rating:
(29 Reviews) 29
Rating Snapshot (29 reviews)
5 stars
16
4 stars
11
3 stars
1
2 stars
1
1 star
0
8 out of 989%customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Through the Fire
Review 1 for Through the Fire
Overall Rating:
Excellent read, would read more by this author.
Date:August 15, 2012
LORRIE
Location:Yonkers, NY
Age:Over 65
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Looking forward to reading more by this author. He conveys
feelings and story very well.
feelings and story very well.
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Review 2 for Through the Fire
Overall Rating:
Vivid firefighting details
Date:March 11, 2012
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
"Through the Fire" is a Christian suspense novel about firefighters and a serial arsonist. The fast-paced, non-stop action mainly involved fighting fires. The details about firefighting and firefighters were expertly woven into the story in a way that brought the job vividly alive in my imagination without slowing the action.
The characters were interesting, but I felt like we only "got to know" Aidan. Even him, we didn't get to know very well. I also never understood why anyone at the station would suspect Aidan of setting the fires since he was right there at the station when most of the fires were set. As to "whodunit," I had wondered if the person who turned out to be the arsonist was the arsonist, but it also could easily have been another character. The story was more about action than clues.
Aidan was a Christian who apparently rejected God for letting his father die and refused to listen when the other Christians in the story told him the same thing again and again. Then, suddenly, he listened, said a prayer, and started heavily using Church-speak. The change seemed abrupt to me, especially since I didn't quite understand what was different that time that made him listen--unless it was never God he was actually mad at.
There was a minor amount of "he cussed" style bad language. There was no sex. Overall, I'd recommend this book to Christians who enjoy action-packed firefighting stories.
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Review 3 for Through the Fire
Overall Rating:
Date:August 19, 2011
khimje
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
a nice read,entertaining and educative. builds christian values
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Review 4 for Through the Fire
Overall Rating:
Great quick read!
Date:August 15, 2011
sahm2000
Location:Crystal MN
Age:45-54
Gender:female
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
This was a great quick summer read! Grady did a good job with pulling you into the story. Also enjoyed the way scripture was woven throughout the story. Looking forward to reading more from Grady.
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Review 5 for Through the Fire
Overall Rating:
Date:August 11, 2011
terrylady
Location:Ardrossan, Alberta
Age:55-65
Gender:female
I downloaded this book to my pc but was unable to put it on my ereader. What is the point of giving free ebooks when you have to sit in front of your pc to read them. What is the point of having an ereader???
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-3points
0of 3voted this as helpful.
Review 6 for Through the Fire
Overall Rating:
nice book
Date:July 29, 2011
lchacanaca21
Location:Bishop, CA
Age:45-54
Gender:male
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Since I am home bound it makes getting books and reading them so much easier. The book kept me interested even when I was tired and wanted to go to sleep.
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Review 7 for Through the Fire
Overall Rating:
Date:July 5, 2011
guardgirl
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
This book was sosososososososo good!!!!! Shawn Grady wove suspense, mystery, and romance together so well, I couldn't put the book down!!!!
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Review 8 for Through the Fire
Overall Rating:
Date:July 2, 2011
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
This was the first time I have read a book by this author, and I found the book to be a great read! I got caught up in the characters lives, and the plot zinged along. Highly recommended!
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Review 9 for Through the Fire
Overall Rating:
Couldn't put the book down!
Date:November 3, 2010
Ronnie
Location:Sacramento, CA
Age:45-54
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
I was surprised to find out this book was Shawn Grady's first novel. I enjoyed it immensely and thought it was well written. He did use a few words above my head that I didn't know the definitions for, but overall it was a great read.
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Review 10 for Through the Fire
Overall Rating:
Date:September 2, 2010
A J Hawke
I hadn't planned to be a firefighter when I picked up Shawn Grady's debut novel, Through the Fire. But that's what it felt like as I plunged into the action with firefighter, Aidan O'Neill. Wow! This guy can write. And are you serious? This is his first novel? I look forward to the next offering by Shawn Grady.
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Review 11 for Through the Fire
Overall Rating:
Date:January 8, 2010
Through the Fire by Shawn Grady is a powerful debut novel about the power of redemption and letting go of the past. Aidan O'Neill has firefighting in his blood. His grandfather, father, and uncle all served the Reno Fire Department with honor, but he blames himself for the death of his father in a fire several years ago. A.O. has become almost self-destructive in his quest to find the truth about his father's death and to prove himself as worthy. His recklessness leads to his dismissal from the department, but they are forced to bring him back when a series of fires are started by an arsonist that are unpredictable and frightening in their intensity. Working with fire investigator Julianne, the two of them create their own sparks while trying to bring down arsonist. Grady writes every scene involving the fires with frightening intensity. The reader can practically breathe in the smoke and feel the heat of the flames. The mystery isn't as tautly rendered. While the culprit makes perfect sense when all is revealed, it felt like there were a few too many loose ends. That said, Grady is fantastic with his characterization of a man who goes from living like there's nothing to live for to understanding the true value and Giver of his life. I look forward to more of Grady's writing.
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Review 12 for Through the Fire
Overall Rating:
Date:December 23, 2009
You wouldn't believe that this was Shawn Grady's debut novel. You will, however, believe that Shawn Grady IS a firefighter and is writing about something he knows about.Aidan O'Neill is a firefighter who has a gift for what he does. But after the death of his father, his gift starts slipping away. And it happens at the worst time -- when a serial arsonist is on the loose. Everywhere Aidan goes, a fire is sure to follow. His life spirals out of control and he feels at a loss for what to do. He learns, through the help of a friend/mentor, where he needs to turn to put his life back together.The book is predictable in spots and sometimes a little over this non-firefighter's head (perhaps a small "dictionary" in the back of the book with firefighting terms described would help??), but overall a very good book. A favorite that I will recommend to friends for sure.
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Review 13 for Through the Fire
Overall Rating:
Date:December 2, 2009
The author pulled me into the fire fighter life. In the scenes at the fire station or fighting fires, I was completely planted in the environment. There were enough details to make it feel real, without bogging down. I could easily imagine the firehouse, the trucks, even smell the smoke and taste the fear of being surrounded by the flames. There is a hint of romance, a layer of faith, and plenty of great supporting characters.There was one part of the book that almost became a stopper for me. The problem was that it was early in the book, and I had to fight to come back to it. Once I did I was incredibly glad I did. But beware that theres what appears to be a detour in the first quarter of the book that becomes key at the end. Thats all Ill say because you need to read the book for yourselfjust keep reading!Even with that detour, I look forward to Mr. Gradys next book. His attention to detail, twisting plot and way with words will have me buying his next book.
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Review 14 for Through the Fire
Overall Rating:
Date:October 21, 2009
Aidan ONeill is a firefighter in Reno, Nevada and very good at what he does. At least he has been until recently. But now, driven by the distraction of his fathers death, an arsonist like none hes seen before, and a gnawing sense that the fires he faces have a personal grudge against him, Aidans tough exterior is beginning to show signs of falling apart. Add to that, he is losing the woman he thought he would marry and making some serious mistakes in a job where the smallest error can cost lives and we have a man in deep need of regrouping.This story has everything needed to make for good suspense. The hero is nowhere near perfect yet determined to do the right thing. The action moves along nicely with only a few scenes that sag just a bit. While there is a surprise twist along the way the real villains are the fire and the darkness threatening ones mans emotional, mental, and spiritual moorings. Through the Fire is Shawn Gradys debut novel but it is obvious he is no probie when it comes to firefighting or writing. His descriptions are vivid and the action entirely believable. While some may find themselves a bit overwhelmed by the technical details of firefighting, Grady uses those details to offer the realism needed to put ones self in the boots of his main character. But in the end, the real hero of this story is not Aidan but the one who sees though all the smokescreens of a wounded mans life and conquers his soul. In the words of Aidan ONeill, I felt a warmth inside me. A timeless, familiar, and wonderful presence. And in my heart I yielded. A hard place to come to a wonderful place to find.
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Review 15 for Through the Fire
Overall Rating:
Date:September 21, 2009
In Through the Fire by Shawn Grady Aidan ONeill is a firefighter in Reno, Nevada who is chasing a firebug who he suspects set the fire that killed his father five years ago. The closer Aidan gets to finding out who the arsonist is, the more it seems the fires are chasing him. With the help of fire investigator Julianne, Aidan hopes to find the arsonist before the fire finds him.Although, the basic storyline of this book is somewhat of a clich the overconfident firefighter seeking to avenge the death of his father the story is very well told. The story moves very quickly and has a nice mix of action with the firefighting scenes, suspense and mystery as Aidan and Julianne search for clues, and a bit of romance. The Christian aspect of this book was very well done. Actually, I was quite impressed with how the author infused faith into the story without it feeling forced or out of place.They say you should write what you know, so it only makes sense that Shawn Grady, being a firefighter and paramedic himself, would write a book like this. It helps the story feel more real, but I found that in Through the Fire, the authors expertise might cause the layperson reading this book some confusion. I wouldnt know a Nederman exhaust tube from a Halligan bar and I found that there was a little too much technical jargon for my liking. Overall, this book is well written. There were some aspects of this book that did not suit my liking, but there were also many aspects that I really appreciate. Fans of action novels will enjoy this book and, Im sure, future books by Shawn Grady.
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Review 16 for Through the Fire
Overall Rating:
Date:September 8, 2009
Aidan O'Neill is a third generation firefighter in downtown Reno. Fighting fires is more than second nature, it's first. That is until an accident land him on suspension and worse, a rookie firefighter badly hurt. However, the suspension is cut short when a serial arsonist begins attacking not just Reno, but Aidan's section in particular. What worse, is this arsonist is no hack; whoever it is, they are leaving virtually no evidence behind. As Aidan works with the fire investigation team (including the intriguing Julianne), he begins to piece to together this new string of fires and the one that killed his father. The truth is something that Aidan never saw coming. Grady is, indeed, a promising writer (as the 2008 Mt. Hermon Writers Conference boasts). His characters are pretty good and the story is interesting. I often felt that his real life experience as a Reno firefighter got in the way as he could so accurately describe the fire fighting procedure and equipment used that at times I felt lost. Where the book lost major points for me was in the sometimes random and often dropped sub-stories. In the beginning Aidan has a fiance who pretty much drops away. It starts with a note, then a fight, Aidan sees her in the car of his best friend, and she reappears later and cruelly demands her apartment keys back and that's it. The relationship between her and the friend is dropped along with everything else. Now of course this doesn't take away from the main story, but did leave me feeling unsatisfied, as though the author was tired of writing before he finished the book. Overall, I think this is a fair debut novel. Grady has potential, as long as he doesn't force things and lets his well developed characters play out to their own potential. This novel is alright, but the next one will better.
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Review 17 for Through the Fire
Overall Rating:
Date:August 29, 2009
colleen
In this suspenseful story, an arsonist is targeting Reno. Firefighter Aidan O'Neill has to find out who he can trust while trying to fight the fires, and keep his life together. It seems as things are falling apart for him things start to heat up in the city. While Aidan is typically overconfident, accidents have left him with out that confidence and realizing he has to put his faith in God to help him overcome his fears. This debut novel by Shawn Grady is outstanding. He puts the readers right in the action and keeps you wondering "who did it". The suspense is never ending. The one thing this novel has that some other suspense novels lack, is faith. Shawn Grady does a wonderful job pulling in the emotions of the characters and the acceptance to trust God and have faith in his actions.
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Review 18 for Through the Fire
Overall Rating:
Date:August 29, 2009
Aidan O'Neill is a firefighter with an uncanny ability to sense what is going on within a fire. He can see if a person is trapped inside and where the seat of the fire is located. After an accident that injures his parter, he is put suspended from duty. While in Mexico visiting his uncle, he sustains a life-threatning injury that takes away his ability to "see" a fire. He is called back to work when a rash of arsons breaks out. Suspicion for arson is turned to Aidan when he goes to work with the beautiful investigator Julienne trying to solve the mystery of his fathers death. I have learned a lot about firefighting. You won't be disappointed with this novel.
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Review 19 for Through the Fire
Overall Rating:
Date:August 26, 2009
Michelle Moore
This is Grady's debut novel, and he will not leave you disappointed. I'm sure if I had any sort of knowledge about firefighting, I would be thoroughly impressed with his seemingly accurate descriptions of all things relating to fire. Very well written, I found myself at both ends of the spectrum through the course of the book. Grady knows how to elicit emotion, and I highly anticipate his next work.
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Review 20 for Through the Fire
Overall Rating:
Date:August 20, 2009
Shawn Gradys first work is a smash as far as Im concerned. His own experience as a fire-fighter comes shining through in this fast-paced, suspenseful novel. I loved every moment of my reading. Aidan ONeill is the son of a fire-fighter. His father died under less than ordinary circumstances and Aidan, once he overcomes the demons that haunt him from that episode, hopes to be able to solve the mystery. His energy gets poured into sensing where, in the midst of a blazing inferno, the fire is lurking to cause the most damage. Its this amazing ability, however, that gets him into trouble right from the start.While Aidan is seeking some answer to the mess hes found himself in, an arsonist is wreaking havoc all around Reno. The fires grow progressively worse, and it appears there may be a pattern, one which, if Aidan can just piece together, along with the help of a beautiful Fire Prevention investigator, may just lead him to the answers hes seeking.I found this book riveting. If it werent for the fact that I had other work to do, I would have easily finished it off in a single day. The pace is marvelous, reaching right out and grabbing you by the front of your shirt and not letting go until the climax. The characters are very real and totally believable. Since you dont know who the villain is until the end, Grady has avoided making his antagonist too easy to hate. I found myself trying to predict just who the bad guy (or girl) would be, only to be foiled again and again. The ending revelation was quite excellent.If I have any negative critique about this book, it would be in the way Aidan finds his way back to faith. I only wish that Christ would have played a more central role. Instead, Grady uses God in general to be the focus of ONeills faith, which is not necessarily bad, but biblically, it falls short just a bit. Nevertheless, the prodigal moment was good, natural and fitting, not contrived at all.Well done, Mr. Grady. Well done.
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