Nine

Written by Rachelle Dekker

Narrated by Sandy Rustin

Some secrets can’t stay hidden

Zoe Johnson has spent most of her life living in the shadows, never drawing attention to herself, never investing
in people or places. But when a wide-eyed, bedraggled teenager with no memory walks into the diner where Zoe
works, everything changes.

Against her better judgment, Zoe, who has been trying to outrun her own painful memories of the past, finds
herself attempting to help a girl who doesn’t seem to have any past at all. With little warning, they must follow
the only sure thing they know: a woman hundreds of miles away, will either save them … or be the last person to
see them alive.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781705003374

Reviews for Nine

[kenagurl-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A thrilling suspense novel that continued to surprise me with twists and turns. Government plots and weaponized humans. The character and identity development blew me away. I was rooting for characters I didn't think I'd root for and the subtle romance felt so realistic. Fight scenes are described in perfect exciting detail, like I am watching an action movie while reading. Did you like Bourne Identity? You'll like Nine. Still a YA dystopian type feel though - so definitely for those who enjoyed Hunger Games and Divergent type material! I received a free copy from Early Reviewers that did not influence the content of my review at all. (first posted on Instagram Oct 12, 2020)

[jillrey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Straying away from some of Dekker's more comfortable plots (see Red Rope by Rachelle & Ted Dekker) Nine is incredibly tantalizing as the science fiction reality takes hold. A seemingly harmless young girl captures the heart of a lost diner waitress and what they escape together leaves readers' blood pumping. This fast-paced and devouring read are not to missed. *Disclaimer: a review copy was provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[lamb521 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Title: NineAuthor: Rachelle DekkerPages: 352Year: 2020Publisher: RevellMy rating is 3 out of 5 stars.Zoe Johnson is a young woman who works as a waitress in a small dingy diner. She keeps herself at a distance, sharing very little of her past and herself. Her world is turned upside down when a young teenage female walks into the diner out of the pouring rain. Lucy is on the run from “bad” men and knows only that she has to find a woman in Corpus Christi, Texas who will know what she needs to do next. She can’t remember much else. Zoe feels protective of Lucy and decides to take her home to help her figure out her next move. They are there for only a little while before they are discovered. Now, they are both on the run with little money and not much of a plan.Agent Tom Seely has one task and that is to find Lucy and bring her back to headquarters. He has turned off his feelings years ago and remains numb to those around him. If he lets go of the darkness in him, he will be vulnerable to feeling and that way leads to disaster in his mind. He will stop at nothing to accomplish his goal, including manipulation of anyone and any circumstance. When he catches up with Lucy and Zoe, he knows what he has to do. However, his interactions with Zoe give him pause. Will he follow orders?This was my first Rachelle Dekker book, and I really wanted to like it, but I felt like the plot has been done several times before in movies/TV/books. There was no reference to God or faith in the entire book, so I was wondering why it is listed as a Christian book. I did not read the previous novel, The Girl Behind the Red Rope, so maybe I missed some of the background to what was going on. I felt like I was missing something with Zoe’s character. There was no resolution with regards to her brother(s), and her history was not covered in much detail. There was torture and violence in the book that might not be something some readers want to read, so just a note on that. The relationship between Zoe and Lucy, however, was a redeeming quality of the story. It tugged at my heart. Zoe loved Lucy unconditionally for who she was not what she brought to the table so to speak. I will give this author another try.Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.

[carolee888 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have not read a book by Rachelle Dekker before. And I rarely read anything that has science fiction in it. This was a challenge for me. I thought there was a pacing problem. I like the beginning a lot, I was very interested in Zoe. Zoe was the one that I connected with.Zoe was working at run down diner in northern Texas, a place with a violent past. I looked up Sherman, Texas, the town history could be a book itself. Zoe lived in a shabby motel across the road from the diner. She was hiding out from the public, she had had enough of the notoriety of her mother's many crimes committed after her parents joined a cult. Zoe feels very guilty about obeying the people who rescued her and told her to her to abandon her younger brother . Note, there could have been another book here on that story alone.But Zoe meets Lucy, aka #9, at the dinner and when a surly man tries to pick up Lucy, Zoe steps in to save the girl from a possible assault or a rape. Lucy stays overnight with Zoe and Zoe makes an important second decision to go with Lucy to escape the "bad men".I was really hooked on this book then but I actually wanted the author to either write about Sherman or Zoe's life. I proceeded turning the pages and finding myself in a science fiction world with plenty of violence. At the end the pace got furious and too fast for me. I could understand the references to the little voice that Lucy heard but for me it only coming through faintly.The book was engrossing but I felt there was too much action for me at the end and I ended up liking the book but also being disappointed in it.I received a finished copy of this book as a win from FirstReads from the publishers. My thoughts and feelings in this review are entirely my own.

[stardust_fiddle · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

“This time she would break the rules. Even the ones she’d set for herself.”By turns dark and intriguing, “Nine” by Rachelle Dekker explores what makes us human and how much choice, if any, we have in what we become. Through a trio of main characters, Dekker presents a narrative that is as timely as it is terrifying, given the current direction of science and military weaponry. Lucy, a young amnesiac, bursts into Zoe Johnson’s carefully-constructed and reclusive life, and the metaphorical house of cards comes crashing down. Part one contains third-person narration, but in part two some of the chapters are narrated in the first person by Lucy, a shift that adds depth and insight. Each girl’s backstory is revealed slowly as the story progresses, and their similarities are essential to the plot. Both have been brainwashed, in a manner of speaking, and their trauma draws them together: Lucy from scientific studies and Zoe from her mother’s cult. Agent Tom Seeley seemingly walks the fine line of double agent, but in this story trust is a quality that gets you killed. While there is a discernible interplay between goodness and darkness (evil), manifested through a myriad of topics, I am conflicted as to whether I would classify this as a Christian novel. It is marketed as such, and while I can extrapolate a general Christian message from the overall content, I still do not feel quite comfortable labeling it as such. I personally don’t think that if a non-Christian were to pick up this book and read it, they would consider it a Christian work without being told so. There is no profanity, just allusions to people cursing, and none of the characters demonstrate any kind of faith in God that I could see. The bits and pieces of the former cult are the only religion demonstrated in the narrative, and naturally Zoe has a bitter and negative view of such, which was reinforced after leaving the cult. I think that with the storyline, Dekker could have really turned this into a fantastic Christian inspirational novel by the last third of the book, and I’m disappointed that it didn’t happen. Delving into the shadowy realms of military experimentation, neuroscience, and ethics, “Nine” is not for the faint of heart. There are scenes of and descriptions of torture that I could definitely have done without; while I am not naïve enough to believe that such things don’t happen, a sentence or allusion to the events without details would suffice, for me at least. The topic of abuse in the story is handled better in this regard, and I think that the questions Dekker raises about ethics are important and need to be considered, especially as we are rapidly entering into a new era of digital dependency and artificial intelligence. As we move forward, we, like the characters in “Nine”, have to determine who we are and wherein our identity lies. Otherwise, we open ourselves up to being controlled by whomever our community—be it small or large—says we should. From a Christian perspective, we have two choices: follow Jesus or follow Satan: “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’” (John 8:12).I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[lifeofliterature · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is a thrilling ride! It is a truly enjoyable read from start to finish. The plot is carefully laid out so that you discover tidbits of the backstories for each character at certain times, contributing to a suspenseful plot. I liked Zoe a lot and enjoyed her character as she grows and changes in the book. I thought I had the ending figured out but then there were surprising twists and turns that kept me guessing. There are some scenes of torture and violence that may be better suited for more adult audiences. Nonetheless, I would consider this a clean novel. There isn’t a strong faith element in the story but there is definitely triumph of good over evil. Overall, I enjoyed this story and recommend it to those who like contemporary suspense. I look forward to more from this author.I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[simmmba · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"Nine" by Rachelle Dekker is an impressive, fast-paced novel. The action starts with the opening scene, and it doesn't ever seem to let up. Even when characters are taking a break and just talking to each other, that never-ending sense of tension is still there. Some thrillers seem to be "all action, no real substance", but that definitely is NOT the case here. Rachelle Dekker is very skilled at keeping the plot moving along while never easing off on the important personal details that make this story so much more than a typical action/adventure.The three main characters (Zoe, a small-town waitress with a mysterious past; Lucy, a teenager with no memory of her own past; and Seeley, an agent with a complicated past) are all incredibly well drawn and detailed. I enjoyed learning more about each of them as the story progressed, and felt like I truly "knew" all three by the book's end.Once you finish enjoying all the action and see what happens to the characters at the end, you can take a deep breath and realize.....all that excitement wasn't REALLY what the book was about at all. The riveting storyline was the backdrop for an exploration of the theme of how much your past does or does not influence your present. As each character moves through this adventure, he or she contemplates the past and thinks about its effects on who they are in the present. Each also considers, in his/her own way, whether or not there's anything they can do about the past, and whether it's possible to write a new narrative for the future. This is a work of Christian fiction. God is definitely present throughout the story, but more in His "still, small voice" form than in more overt ways. Personally, I liked seeing how the characters responded to God speaking to them, even if they didn't really know Him. As a Christian, I walked away with some important things to think after reading this book. One note: While this is definitely a Christian book, some hard-core things take place. People get shot, people die, people are tortured. Nothing overly graphic in the descriptions, but if violence is a trigger for you, please be aware that you'll find some in this novel. I thought everything was appropriate and important to the plot, not just thrown in gratuitously, and did not detract from the message.All in all, I loved the story. Five out of five slices of perfectly-aged Provolone.

[khal_khaleesi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've been a fan of Rachelle Dekker ever since I read The Girl Behind the Red Rope. When I saw that Rachelle Dekker had released a new book entitled Nine, I knew it was a book that I needed to read. I was so glad I picked this book up!I felt that the plot to Nine was solid. Zoe Johnson is busy working at her mundane job as a waitress when a young 17 year old girl shows up. From the get go, Zoe is protective of this young girl named Lucy who appears naive, scared, confused, and willing to trust anyone. However, trying to protect Lucy will have a high cost as Lucy is much more than she appears to be.I read Nine in about a day. The pacing was so spot on that I didn't want to put this book down. The action starts out right in the first chapter and just carries on throughout the book. From the very first page, I was sucked into this suspenseful world Rachelle Dekker had masterfully created. Though it does have some similarities with the video game/movie Resident Evil (sans zombies), Dekker did a fantastic job at making the plot line feel original although it's been done many times before. There are a few plot twists including one that links back to The Girl Behind the Red Rope which I was very excited to read about! Yes, some of the plot twists are a bit predictable, but Nine is a very interesting story nonetheless.I have to gush about the characters in Nine now. Dekker did an amazing job making her characters feel fleshed out. I felt as if the characters in Nine were people I actually knew in real life; that's how realistic these characters were written. I loved Zoe's character. Even though she had a sad story and baggage of her own, it was refreshing to see her actually put her trust and care about someone else. I will say I would have liked to know more about her brother Stephen and read more in detail about what happened to him. Perhaps Dekker will write a story about Stephen another time. Anyway, Zoe was an amazing character, and I could always feel what she felt from elation to deep sadness and more. Although Olivia isn't in the book very much, I also loved Olivia and how much she sacrificed for a certain experiment. Lucy was my favorite character, and it was interesting to be able to see her thought process starting in part two of Nine. Reading about her internal struggle with how she was raised versus who she wanted to be felt very emotional to me. We have all had that struggle with ourselves to become a better version of ourself. Seeley was a bit of a wild card. Sometimes I loved him, and other times I hated him although I could understand why he was doing what he did (not that it was justified for most of it). I would have hated to have the same ultimatum given to me as Hammon gave Seeley. Even all the minor characters (especially McCoy) I really enjoyed. Every character added to the story and fleshed it out even more.Trigger warnings for Nine include violence (including gun violence), torture, and murder.Overall, Nine is an emotional story with a positive message that really makes you think about how you can change no matter your given circumstances. Nine would make a fantastic movie or tv series, and I know I would watch it should anyone ever do that. I would definitely recommend Nine by Rachelle Dekker to those aged 16+ that love highly suspenseful stories that include a positive message.--(A special thank you to Revell for providing me with a paperback of Nine by Rachelle Dekker in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.)

[anne_rightler-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Having enjoyed both daughter and father Dekker stories, I am always excited to see a new one. Nine from Rachelle Dekker did not disappoint. It held my attention from beginning to end. The author has melded together lots of edge-of-the-seat action, government agents and innocent public, characters you either really like or despise, and a concept of understanding who we really are and can we change, to bring readers a gripping and suspenseful thriller. I'm hoping there is more to come in a future book for some of the characters. I was given a complimentary copy of the book through LibraryThing and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

[true54blue · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've read many of Ted Dekker's books (Rachelle's father) and there are many similarities in style and obviously genre (e.g. The Priest's Graveyard). As I was reading this book it struck me that it seems more the plot for a movie than a suspense novel. There is certainly more emphasis on thrilling action and body count than artful suspense. I quickly lost count of how many soldiers and FBI agents were killed by Nine. However, the book isn't particularly descriptive so the violence seems less than the numbers indicate. There is at least one more book to come in this series and I do look forward to reading it to see where the characters' discoveries of who they can be takes them next.

[grumpydan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is an intense and complex thriller that deals with Nine, a teenage girl bred and programmed to be a weapon for the US government. With the help of one of the scientists, Nine is somewhat deprogrammed and becomes Lucy, a girl with no memory at what she was. When she meets Zoe Johnson at the diner Zoe works at, she doesn’t know why she is running. Zoe, herself has a secret past and feels something for this girl and they embark on a very dangerous journey.At first, I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this book as I am not crazy about the supernatural or another humans programmed to be killers scenario, but this was an intense thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed.

[tabrowne · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyed this book tremendously. It is set after The Girl Behind the Red Rope but you don't need to have read that to understand and enjoy this book. Small sections would probably be clearer and I loved 'red rope' too so would recommend that as well.This book is about love and forgiveness but is mostly an exciting story of government experiments with lots of action and adventure. Rachelle Dekker writes well without some of the clumsiness of other newer authors. I am a fan and own all of her other books. Like her other books, the plot and characters are well developed. They aren't perfect but instead are relatable. There is very little faith and God talk in here but instead it is behind the ideas of not having to be what someone tells you to be. For those who prefer not a lot of romance, this is a good book for you as it is mostly action and the love is primarily between various women who assist each other in this book.I received an ARC with the hope that I would give it an honest review.

[sbell060112 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was great. I had me interested from the first chapter. Highly recommend.

[coverloverbookreview · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Whew! This is a fast-paced and powerful suspense story. I don't normally read this genre so I didn't have a good feel for what to expect, but I was pulled in quickly and enjoyed it. There are many wonderful themes to this story - but what gripped me the most is the question, what makes us who we are? I recommend this page-turner to those who enjoy fast paced stories with strong leading women and lots of suspense.I received a complimentary copy of this book from LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

[jenniferrobb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I don't recall reading Rachelle Dekker before, though I have read some books by Ted Dekker whom I believe is a relation, so I didn't really know what to expect.The book is suspenseful but also explores the idea of identity. How do we form what we are (our identity)? Is it a product of our genetics, a product of our upbringing, or can we choose what we are or what we will become? Lucy is running away. She can't remember her past and only knows that she needs to find one specific person. Zoe is hiding from her past and wondering what her future holds. Each wonders if she can ever move on from her past and be free or become something more. NOTE: I received an ARC of this book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer's Program.

[jjean7-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fast paced thriller - one trying to escape the past - one trying to reach the future - a little romance and murder along the way. Interesting characters but I never felt that I really got to know them.