First of all, I would like to say a big thank you to Bethany House Publishers for sending me a copy of this new book. Invitation is a book made up of four short stories, each one from the perspective of a different character. These four characters don’t know each other at the beginning of the book, but by the end of the book after a few adventures that seem anything but coincidental, they are convinced they are being brought together for some larger purpose. They just don’t know what that might be.
I am usually not a fan of books written by multiple authors. However, this approach worked well with Invitation because each story is from a different character’s perspective, so a fresh writing style is appropriate for a fresh point of view. Each of the characters were equally developed with intriguing lives and backgrounds. There is street-smart Brenda, mathematical and pattern genius Andi, the ex-priest known as The Professor, and the lovable yet naïve jock Tank. Each of them has a special ability, or gift, you might call it. And none of them are quite sure when or how to use it or why the four of them keep getting pulled together.
I liked the idea behind this book. The idea of strangers with supernatural abilities being pulled together to fight some greater cause is reminiscent of a TV show I used to enjoy called Heroes. So I liked the concept. The characters were believable, and I found myself especially intrigued by The Professor, an ex-priest who now travels the world lecturing people on why they shouldn’t believe in God. I wish his backstory would have been developed more. I really enjoyed each of the characters. As different as they were, they were each entertaining in their own ways.
This book was an enjoyable enough read and it was something different in regards to spiritual reads. It was contemporary with a supernatural twist. I just didn’t like the way each of the four stories was left unresolved. By the end of each story, the characters know little more than they knew going in, with no idea why they were brought together or what they’re meant to do. I had hoped by the end of a 300+ page book to have gotten some kind of answers. But perhaps that’s what the next book in the series is for. I only hope that each of these stories gets linked together in future books and an explanation is offered for exactly what happened and why. I don’t like books with unresolved endings, but that is just my personal taste. If you don’t mind cliff-hangers and enjoy reading series, then Invitation is probably right up your alley. I would be curious to read the next book in the series to see if it all ties together somehow.
Overall, an entertaining read.
Kaitlin Scirri