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Book Review

Publisher's Note:

When pilot Captain Ward Millar is forced to eject over enemy territory in North Korea, the ejection explosion snaps both of his ankles. Unable to walk, he is easily captured by North Korean and Chinese soldiers who interrogate, threaten, and starve him for strategic wartime information. He feeds the enemy false information while plotting his escape. But it's only a matter of time before they discover his lies. He knows it will take a miracle to gain his freedom, but his previous self-reliance on his own capabilities has never included appealing to a higher power. If only he had faith like his wife, Barbara, whose firm belief in God can move mountains. North Korean soldier Kim Jae Pil was raised to believe in the power of prayer, but, knowing the Communist Party's views on religious groups, Kim and his family must keep their Christian faith secret. He is desperate to escape the army, return to his family, and then flee to South Korea. With Millar imprisoned and unable to walk, and the North Korean army increasingly suspicious of Kim's actions, it seems impossible that either man will find the freedom they so desperately desire. But when these wartime foes cross paths, they find in each other an unlikely ally. Despite speaking different languages, Millar and Kim find common ground in their fragile faith and must rely on each other to undertake a daring escape.…

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Praying with the Enemy

By Steven T. Collis

Reviewer: Rachel
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 18+

Overall Book Review:

Praying with the Enemy is a captivating tale that will grab readers’ attention from the very first paragraph. Based on a true story, the novel reveals the remarkable plight of Captain Wade Millar and Private Kim Jae Pil during the Korean War. Millar’s experiences as a prisoner of war are heartbreaking and astonishing. During captivity he meets Jae Pil, a young man forced into the North Korean army when all he wants is to worship freely as a Christian. To tell this incredible account, author Steven T. Collis uses Captain Millar, Jae Pil and a few other secondary characters as narrators. These various perspectives give insight from both the east and the western world. Collis details the ghastly, horrible conditions of armed conflict and sets a quick pace throughout — especially during the characters’ nail-biting plans to escape. Praying with the Enemy explores the impact of God and religion in times of trial as characters rely heavily on their beliefs. The novel wraps with a bittersweet ending and a deep appreciation for freedom.

Review of an Advance Reading Copy from the Publisher

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language: 1 derogatory name.

Violence/Gore: A few verbal threats of execution are made by the enemy; frequent second-hand reports of violence include seeing battle and hearing gunfire, soldiers being shot at, injuries associated with warfare, tales of assault and murder of civilians and soldiers by the North Korean army. A non-life-threatening injury involves burns from napalm. Several brief incidents of violence include physically beating a child, attacking the enemy from the air and ground. A brief non-detailed scene of violent death occurs when a army deserter is shot. A brief scene of blood and gore and intense violence involves a plane malfunction, crash landing and severe injury from ejection.

Sex/Nudity: None

Mature Subject Matter:

Korean War, massacre, forced conscription, Communism, religious persecution, flight emergency and ejection from plane, loss of family members, child abuse, prisoners of war, deserters, dysentery,

Alcohol/Drug Use:

Men smoke in a few scenes; character plans to ‘drink a cold one’; a character is described as ‘rarely drunk’.

Overall Book Rating
Profanity/Language
Rating:
3
10
Violence/Gore
Rating:
6
10
Sex/Nudity
Rating:
0
10

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About the Reviewer

Rachel
My mother was the one who sparked my love of books. Long before school instruction, she sat me down and taught me to read. My childhood was filled with trips to the library and bookmobile to find great books. My first loves were The Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Pippi Longstocking series by Astrid Lingren. Now as a mom and speech pathologist, I am constantly looking for good, clean books to use at home and in therapy. I enjoy reading many different genres, but my favorites are usually historical fiction. I married my best friend, the “boy next door”, and we have a beautiful little girl who we often find sprawled out on the floor, flipping through picture books. Together our family likes to swim, run and play tennis. Besides reading, I also love to bake, garden and travel.

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