One thing we wanted to try and explain is the book’s frequent reference to ‘magic’, which we know some Christian parents are a bit weary of (and others very wary of). We will say up front it never feels overwhelming, but it does come up quite a bit. At first this is explained in a way that makes it seem to be explained by AI growing in its understanding of the way God has created this world that they just got much more advanced at things we as humans don’t yet understand. This feels like a “eventually man would have gotten there scientifically” kind of explanation. At other points though it does feel more “superpowerish”, where some are able to have power that are unexplainable naturally. This eventually includes things like telepathy and the ability to change forms (e.g., into an animal) temporarily. On the good side, this feels attributable to coming from God (in fact when Gunner finally experiences “The Breath” he mostly abandons his quest for ‘magic’). There is a group of humans on the bad side that use this as more of dark magic. Their use actually involves the use of blood.
This book is certainly one intended for a bit older, more mature audiences. Gunner spends most of the book in a negative stance to our faith. The more mature Christian will see this as a result of immense trauma (see below) and an eventual build up towards redemption, which it is. Similarly, an unsaved character says, “at least I’ll join my family in the afterlife or nothingness”. Again, here a more mature reader will see this as a comment from someone who is speaking out of ignorance.
The other area that points to a mature audience is the violence that typically accompanies this type of story. The author is intentional with this and it never gets heavily graphic, but there are a few lines/points that go a bit further. For example, when the author wants to show what things were like when the world as we know it ended, we see a few lines like “execute one survivor after another”. This obviously comes across as a very bleak and depressing time. Later examples include, “if this maniac decides to splatter my guts all over the ground”. In the middle of the book a somewhat scary scene unfolds as a group captures Gunner and his friends. They wear frightening masks and bring them to a creepy town. They are rescued by a huge creature (one of them can communicate with animals), who proceeds to basically bite one of the wicked characters and “fling his bloody body across the sky”. Another it bites in half. We read “a pool of blood spreads across the floor”. Later someone comments, “like those people who tried to skin us alive”. Once the android’s evil plan is revealed we find out they are capturing babies to use their blood to further enhance their capabilities. These are very spread out and, given the length of this book, infrequent, but we want to make sure parents know they are there (there is quite a bit of fighting in the final battle scene).
Other things to be aware of:
A man refers to the AI / Androids as “digital gods”
A list of smells includes “cigarette smoke”. When joking a character asks for a “strong mimosa”, adult characters have wine and beer is referenced. Later a character on the good side, but not spiritually connected, brings out two beers and Gunner drinks for the first time.
An unsaved character mocks a spiritual idea with ”hal-e-freaking-lujah”.
Someone “utters a curse” and another “shouts curses”
Gunner can’t believe he is being scolded by “someone who hasn’t gone through puberty”
Someone responds to a confusing comment saying, “You mean like a vampire”. Another who has shapeshifted to various animals turns into a ‘werewolf’.
A creature is referred to as a ‘monster’, but in context it is much more like a prehistoric beast (think Leviathan).
Someone is said to have a ‘physic link’, but this is typically referred to more like telepathy.
A hopeless plan is referred to as a “suicide” mission
Near the end when Gunner is trying to be encouraging, he says something and then thinks, “I know it’s a lie, and I think she knows too”.
The following terms appear: jerk, idiot, freak, zombie, santa claus