Obviously when I picked up this book I knew it would have a lot of prayer and Church-y stuff, but I think that it was still a little over the top, and that isn't even my main problem with this book. My main problem with this book was the ending. Seriously, "Will you marry me?" You have to be kidding me. And then the Epilogue, what was up with that? I don't know what it had to do with anything and it seriously took away from the book. Who were those people supposed to be and what was the point of having the boyfriend walk the girlfriend to the nurse at the abortion clinic? Was that supposed to be her daughter in the future in this far fetched viscous circle of getting pregnant when you don't want to and deciding whether or not to abort the baby. What I would have liked to see was how her parents reacted to her keeping the baby, if she got married, how the baby was a couple years in the future... anything other than how it ended. I might seriously say it was one of the worst endings to a book I've ever read.

Francine Rivers is one of the most talented Christian authors out there. This book was equipped with extensive research and believable characters. No matter what your stances on abortion are, this book gives light to the experiences of a few women in a way that helps the reader think outside of their own comfort and opens the mind to understand how a woman in a crisis pregnancy may actually feel once you strip away all of the socio-political debates. It was extremely enlightening for me and the story was a “page-turner” (though I listened to it).

Francine Rivers always give a great story based on God's character and men's depravity. This is a great example. With abortion such an issue even among Christians, I would encourage all Christians to read this. Her characters could be based on real people. I saw some that I knew personally. I think the one that gripped me the most was the doctor that was performing the abortions and the reasons why. I realize not all doctors have the same reason but I appreciated this part of the story the most. The story has real conflictions and emotions thru out. If you are pro choice, you will either feel that this book is an attack on your beliefs, however, I am sure that Rivers prayer that is God will grip the hearts of those that read this and see the truth of abortion.

I like a story that promises a heavy topic, but never do I ever enter a story that is obviously going to carry on with a character in a constant mournful state like this. It wasn't easy to prepare my mind to keep reading, no matter how hard Dynah Carey's life got. The main topic of The Atonement Child is abortion and the story is centered on whether or not Dynah keeps the baby after she is raped. So it says in the synopsis, so I knew what I'd be getting myself into, I guess.

This is Christian fiction so the main question on my mind was, "how is God going to redeem this situation?" It was impossible for me to grasp how Francine Rivers or anybody was going to tell me a story where such an unfair thing happens and we're to come out of it still trusting in God and His words and promises. The easier way out would obviously seem like the best choice at this time.

Francine Rivers does it though. She uses multiple POVs; from that of Dynah's parents to her doctor to tell a sympathetic and empathetic story about Dynah battling with her tragedy with God right by her side. Francine Rivers unpacks so many of the the world's familiar pressures and also uses scripture to battle some of my worst thoughts. By the end I was compelled to cling to God and even more determined to do so in Life's worst trials.

It was an emotional read and I appreciate how none of the hardships were glossed over or left out. I feel encouraged and like I did some deep thought weightlifting.