Book Review: The Last Thing I Remember

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The Last Thing I Remember, by Andrew Klavan, is a great book.  Years ago I saw it advertised in the CBD Magazine, and thought it looked interesting.  Now, last week, while I was loading my arms full of books, I found it on the shelves in the Teen section. Little did I know when I picked it up just how good it would be...  XD

Charlie West is a pretty normal kid... aside from the fact that he's a black belt in karate.  Everything is fine- he goes to school, gets good grades, practices his karate,  and plans to be an Airforce pilot.  The last thing he remembers is writing down the number of a girl he likes on his hand... everything was going great.

The next thing he knows, Charlie finds himself waking up, strapped to a chair in an empty room, bruised and bloodied all over.  And, just outside the room, he can hear the voice of a man ordering his death.

Somehow, seemingly overnight, his world has been turned upside down.  How did he get here?  Why do these men want him dead?  And, most importantly, how is Charlie going to escape alive?

This book is clean, engaging, and very exciting.  It's a Christian book, and the character Charlie is a young man of excellent character.  Some people who read the book expecting a secular conspiracy adventure novel have found the book to be a little preachy, but to a Christian it's perfect.  It portrays a young teen as he makes his way through the world, but manages to keep his purity and follow God's Will.  Charlie is a great role model- and on top of that, he's a really enjoyable character.  In fact, in my opinion, he's one of the best male literary heroes ever.  :) 

There is a bit of violence, for those who are very sensitive to that sort of thing.  But it is very clean violence, and no unnecessary gore is described.  I can't wait to read the second book.  

This book gets a full five stars from me- and even more!  :)  

-Rayne Speryll