So beautiful, I could cry! I really enjoyed this book, it was really sad, and happy at the same time! I loved the storyline as well as the characters. This author has made me nervous before by making me feel like the story will finish horribly, but she proves me wrong in the end. If you haven't read this book, I recommend it.

As a big Francine Rivers fan I’m surprised this wasn’t a 5 star for me. For the most part the storyline was enjoyable and made me consider my own views and thoughts on abortion, but the ending didn’t do it for me. It felt rushed and honestly the epilogue just left me feeling confused. But I would still say it was a good read right up until the end!

A classic Francine Rivers book. The ultimate message of the book is really what makes it excellent. Of course, the message is controversial, since it takes a firm stance on a very controversial subject. So, if you are in favor of abortion, you probably won’t enjoy the read quite as much as I did. But you might still appreciate it, because, messages aside, it’s a good story — emotional, complex, interesting.

Rivers has a knack for writing in a way that makes you feel like you’re watching a movie but still reading a book. One day I’ll figure out a better way to explain that. Sometimes it feels a bit on the nose (something like a Hallmark movie), probably due to the nature of the message she’s trying to get across, or perhaps due to the 90s American suburb setting (I’m used to the historical settings in her Mark of the Lion series and Redeeming Love), but still, the plot and characters are compelling, deep, and engaging. I was absorbed. I couldn’t wait to learn what would happen next in Dynah’s life. Quite a shocking series of events.

And, as I appreciate most in all stories I read, the characters model excellence. They face hard situations and critical decisions, and they struggle, learn from their mistakes, and ultimately find the wisdom or courage to do the right thing. The effects of their goodness ripples throughout, right on into the reader (me), and inspires me to do the same.

I love this book. Dynah is raped and going back to her life is almost impossible. Her finance can't get over it and then the impossible happens, she becomes pregnant. Leaving her finance and school she returns home to her family but everyone in her life wants her to have an abortion, which she can't face doing. The only one who is her corner is her friend Joe. She runs away but soon discovers she needs to be back home which causes problems with her parents. Who can she turn too? Christ is her comforter and redeemer. Trusting is Christ she continues her journey. Can she keep the baby who is the product of rape. Can her views heal many hearts? I have to say I read some reviews and some hate this book. I can see their point of views but I know what abortion can do to you and the family and this is an excellent example of God Grace. I highly recommend this wonderful book. No it isn't an fun read. You will face many difficult things in this book but its so worth the read!

*This book made me sob on multiple occasions.* One of the hardest but most incredible books I’ve ever read.

Dynah Carey is heartbreakingly raped and becomes pregnant and The Atonement Child is the gut-wrenching tale of her decision to either keep the baby, or have an abortion.

This book was more than just a gripping novel, it educated me more about abortion. Francine Rivers does a spectacular job of presenting alternative viewpoints through her wide range of characters and it never feels like she’s condemning those who hold an alternative view, rather she writes with love.

Francine Rivers’ writing style is one of my favourites. And she clearly has an extensive knowledge of scripture as it’s laced into every page. She’s so bold. As a Christian, I just LOVE her books, they make me feel safe

I really do not like books that are “on the nose,” stories that mask an agenda with plot, no matter how well written. This book clearly has an agenda: to discuss abortion through narrative. That does, I believe, make it different than other books I have criticized. This story does not try to hide it’s purpose.

Nevertheless, because it has a purpose, not simply to tell a good story, it does I think hyperbolize and overemphasize Christian culture in some ways. However, it is not a caricature. It feels more soberly satirical than that, sort of like a marriage of Swift’s Modest Proposal and modern fiction. Even though the subject matter is messy, the story is too neat. But it has to be to fit into a couple hundred pages.

The story was written almost 30 years ago, and definitely feels dated. Parts of it have not aged well.

Nevertheless, this book is sweet and important. Discussing it with your students can lead to discussions about generational sin, hypocrisy, judgement without compassion, the absolute necessity of caring for women who have had abortions or are considering them, and of course the sanctity and dignity of every life.

Rivers touched on almost every topic surrounding the topic of abortion. It can feel clunky at times, but I honor her for tackling such a difficult subject manner in such a kind, genuine, thoughtful, Scriptural and nuanced manner.

this book was a heartfelt, brutal, and beautiful story about how devastating abortion can be, not just in the moment, but later in life.
while taking place in the late 90s (so slightly less modern), the author still manages to capture so many emotions, cover so many ideas, and display God’s true character.
so many things are covered:
-hypocrisy of the church when it comes to abortion
-the generational continuation of sins
-the trauma of assault/rape
-the trauma of abortion
-the warped views of virginity and purity
-self-righteousness within the christian community
-the beauty and uniqueness of life
-the slick nature of the abortion industry
-the value of the unborn human life
-the value of supporting pregnant women
-the damage abortion does on a marriage
-how God constantly speaks and only few listen

and there was romance and such a beautiful story of God redeeming what the enemy stole.

i loved every second

The young girl in this book starts out with everything a girl could want; a healthy, pure relationship with a guy, attending a Christian college, friends that love her, and a strong relationship with God. But all that changes as one night she is badly raped and ends up with a child. After many show resentment and anger towards her, she begins to feel doubts about living with the child inside her. With help from her family and a true friend, she must find the strength to follow the path that her Savior has for her, and she just might find everything she could ever ask for.

This book brought me to tears when I read it. I loved the power and meaning of this book that shows our path may not always be God's path for us. Even though we find pain and suffering in life and on the path that we have, God always has a purpose for all of it.

I liked how the author wrote from all angles, in this story. The girl who was raped- her fiancé- friends on the sidelines- a teacher- mom- dad- grandparent- abortion doctor- abortion clinic director- a pastor... A boyfriend who had no choice, when his girlfriend had an abortion- and a boyfriend who pushed his girlfriend into it.

Mrs. Rivers portrayed them with care and honesty, not just using cookie cutters, but going into the "why's" behind things. She's had an abortion herself, which gave even more weight to her words, personally. ❤️

I honestly didn't know what decisions or paths characters would take! I was constantly at the edge of my seat.

Redemption, as always, is a main point of her work. That forgiveness is possible. Where she takes you into the darkness, she always shows that the Light can reach through it all. And she did it here... ❤️

This book will touch your heart in many ways. You will feel the fear and loss Dynah experienced after the rape. You will feel the loss of relationships as those around her struggle with their own feels. Yet you will see the Overwhelming Love of God and His designs for her life. Thank you Francine for presenting this honest view of a woman's struggle and how God's there to give strength and purpose.

3.5 stars rounded up. I liked it, but I didn't love it.

First off, this is a book about abortion and faith. It's not a romance - it's about people dealing with God. Questioning God, believing His promises amid extreme circumstances. There's a lot of scripture here, which is good. It's pretty much every day life for the Christian, pushing thru difficult problems. This story doesn't really answer the question of why bad things happen to good people. Rather, it highlights what happens to every Christian every day. We all have something in our past that we'd like to forget or undo, and that haunts us. We forget the whole east/west thing of forgiveness and we refuse grace because we place our own human limitations on God. If I were to rate the book on how it displays the way American Christians today deal with their shortcomings, I'd say it was accurate and I'd give it 5 stars.

n  Tell me how on God's green earth we can dare offer salvation to a dying world when we're so busy shooting our own wounded."n

On an enjoyment level, I have to say that this book hit too close to home to be entertaining. Not in the specific circumstances of rape or abortion, but in the way that Christians tend to take a legalistic view of God. Everybody thinks they know what He wants and expects. Nobody seems to be dropping to their knees to actually find out. Beyond that, there were just a lot of loose ends. It appears that in the interest of resolving the God issues Rivers opted to concentrate there instead of the characters and their situations. Things were left vague at best. And that's probably because trying to resolve God issues is unending - the Christian life is a journey and ultimately, nothing ever really gets resolved.

But that aside, I can see why this author is so respected and loved in the Christian community. She writes a great story and backs it up with the truth from scripture.

I sampled this, even tried it on audio, but it was done some time ago and the narrator wasn't the best suited for the character. I switched to Kindle pretty quickly, and I can't really recommend the audiobook. The print book, however, I can recommend.

This book I had mixed feelings towards as I read it. One point I'd get annoyed with the characters, another point I would begin to think the book was getting better, until it just takes another big downfall in the next few pages.
I've read a few of Francine Rivers and they were great. Marta's Legacy, for example, I thoroughly enjoyed. But this... not really.

For one, I felt the main character, Dynah, was portrayed as much too perfect to be a real person. The beginning of the book seemed to explain that she lived a life under rather extreme protection, no problems and issues through her 18 years of life before the rape... that's not what reality is truly like. Everyone has hard times no matter who they are. And because of this, I felt I couldn't really relate to Dynah. And not to mention a lot of the book was extremely predictable.

Joe was a great character. He had a pretty bad past that he turned away from when he met God. He was probably a character many would resonate with; he was the most realistic one. He was very caring and understanding, and tried to help people as much as he could. I thought that was awesome.

I had a big problem with the fact Dynah just went along and proposed to Joe in the middle of a hospital. Yes, I know it was because God told her he was the one, but that ending just frustrated me immensely, they didn't even date at all, and just went from friends to taking a big jump to fiancee. Slow down, guys, you're still teenagers!!Please!

I usually like deep, heart-touching books, but this one was depressing - and not in a good way. Yes, it's a rather deep subject to write on - abortion and rape, and the book opened my eyes to the reality of some womens' lives, but I'm sure it could've been dealt with better. The ending didn't even leave me with a good feeling.