Review: RabbitRabbit: Chasing Beth Rider is the story of the famous novelist Beth Rider, author of vampire books and a Christian, who finds herself being pursued by the Rakum, an ancient order of vampires. Labelled a "Rabbit," a marked target, by an Elder, she is hunted by all Rakum to be tortured again and again because her books have started causing Rakum to leave the fold in search of a better way.When some of the vampires try and protect her, she finds herself surrounded by conflict as the power struggle rages around her. As the conflict grows, Beth finds her faith a pillar of strength in the midst of it and soon her strength inspires those around her. They began asking questions and seeking answers they'd never thought about before. The "virus" sweeping through the Rakum, so feared by Jack Dawn, Beth and Michael's nemesis, begans spreading all the more, until the final confrontation with the Rakum Fathers and Beth's God.I have to admit, when Ellen first described her book, I was skeptical. I had no concept of how Christianity and Vampires could be in the same book. Other than a vampire hunter priest, it just didn't make sense to me. And I also have to say the book had a slow start. Despite the short chapters and moving between characters, it didn't really hook me until 40 pages in when the back story of one of the supporting characters just touched me. After that I devoured the book rapidly, page after page.First novels are tricky, especially then they are self-published, which is becoming more and more common. But Maze avoids most of the pitfalls. There are some missed words, such as "to" for "too" and such, but even novels from the major print houses let those slip through sometimes. For me the novel's major weaknesses were two holes in character motivations. First, with Michael seeming to flip over Beth because she's a pretty girl and looks too nice to be an enemy of the Rakum. Given the risks and potential costs for him, I expected a stronger reasoning. Men are attracted to pretty girls, yes, but this is a vampire and his own kind all hunt him over this. Why would a man who has lived on human blood take such a risk just for a pretty human? He's immortal, she's not, and he could lose everything.The second motivational issue involved Beth herself, whose faith is so solid and even that she seems to hardly fear the events unfolding around her. In my experience, even strong, devoted Christians would have moments of fear and questioning when being hunted by blood thirsty killers, especially mythical creatures, but Beth never seems to. Additionally, faced with the possibility of extraterrestrials at one point, she finds them hard to believe while fully accepting the vampires and other craziness consuming her days.Despite these issues, the book sweeps you away. Maze does an amazing job with pacing, keeping things moving at a lightning pace in a way that catches you up and takes you along for the ride. The plot continues unfolding with various complications that raise the stakes as the book races toward the inevitable confrontation between the Rakum and Beth's God.A powerful first novel, I am surprised a mainstream house has yet to snatch this up. It may be because of the present competitive environment, but I have no doubt that as this book keeps growing in popularity, they will take notice. I have the pleasure of proofing/editing the sequel next month, and if it's this good, the series can only become more popular.Whether you're a vampire story fan or reticent as I was, I highly recommend this book from an exciting new talent. ( )

This is the story of Beth Rider who got marked, by the blood of an elder, as a 'rabbit' which means every Rakum will be after her to do whatever they want with her for an eternity or as long as she will last. Why is she marked? Well her novels come with a message that changes the very 'soul' of the Rakum who reads it. And of course there is someone who just doesn't take this and marks her.

We meet a few characters, Rakum and human, and they all have their own take on the marking of Beth, the books she writes and faith. Some are after her and others are protecting her.
Beth is a strong lead female character, who knows what she wants and believes, she has her faith and peace and I found her a very likeable character. This story is told from different characters, so you get to see Beth, the good guys and the bad guys. Normally I'm not much of a fan when it comes to telling a story from different perspectives, the story just seems to get lost at times then, but Ellen id a good job on this and she made sure you like most of the characters and dislike the ones, well you would dislike these kind of guys in real life too.
The story is fast pasted. When I started this I didn't stop reading and read it in one sitting. Although a lot of stuff happens it isn't a 'heavy' read and you don't get the information overload you seem to get in a lot of first novels. This is a vampire novel but of a different kind. A kind you don't find often and I absolutely loved it.
I do want to say that this is a very Christian novel. So if you are easily offended then you shouldn't read it. But if you have an open mind I would absolutely recommend it. I'm not a Christian and well like I said I absolutely loved it. ( )

The whole thing that caught my attention was 'Christian Horror'. I really wanted to know how this author would combine her love of vampires, blood, and horror with Christianity. Is that even possible?

Ellen Maze has proven that it is. Kudos to you, Ms. Maze, as you have won me over. I am neither a horror fanatic nor a vampire novel reader (this is my first) and I appreciated how your character, Beth Rider, maintained her faith throughout the entire story - from each disturbing element to the next. Her belief that God would deliver her (if He chose to) from the evil Rakum was never ending, and her willingness to be a witness to them was intriguing, to say the least.

This book was well written, and being the queasy stomached person that I am, there were times I had to put the book away for a few moments. Good job, Ms. Maze! ( )

This book is a hard one for me to rate because, quite honestly, I am not a big fan of Christian fiction. This one has a major religious focus that is narrow and unwavering and, therefore, will make it a difficult read for anyone with varying religious (or nonreligious) opinions. Given that, I find it odd that neither God nor Christianity is mentioned in this book’s blurb.

I found Beth Rider, the main character, to be two-dimensional and not as “human” as I would have liked. Her faith never ever wavered. She was stoic and a tad boring for me. Because the main character never had a moment of fear or hesitation, neither did I. The suspense was lost for me.

That being said, the plot was unique. Maze’s take on the Christian faith against the Rakum race was an interesting spin on the current vampire novel trend. If you have a strong Christian belief, you will likely enjoy this book. If you are of another faith or no faith at all, you probably will not. ( )

The real significance of the expression "truth is stranger than fiction" becomes apparent to novelist Beth Rider one seemingly normal evening at a book signing, when she is suddenly accosted by a stranger who later marks her as a target, a "rabbit," to be hunted by a legendary ancient race. What follows is one of the most original and inspiring vampire stories I've ever read.

Explaining all the reasons I love Ellen C. Maze's "Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider," without any spoilers, is almost impossible because, although the novel reads like any fast-paced and exciting story of suspense, the underlying themes and symbolism are much more complex.

The unique premise of this novel alone - of a fiction author who, unknowingly, writes the truth about and suggests the possibility of salvation for the creature known to most human beings as the vampire (though not known as such to this race of beings themselves, we learn) - was enough to fascinate me and draw me into the story. Many other factors, however, impressed me and made it a story that really touched me on a deeper level.

First, the character of Beth, who in the beginning of the story has no idea why she's been made a target, is a kind of archetype for all human beings, each of whom have an individual role to play in God's plan, even when they are unaware of that role or don't realize at all that their daily decisions and actions are part of that design. Beth must learn, as all hopefully one day do, that what she had considered the gift of her talent, leading her to a particular career path, was, in fact, divine inspiration leading to a much more vital role. Further, the symbolism of a fiction writer whose creative work is the inspiration which can change the lives and spiritual destinies of so many is a great testament to the power of the written word and how what writers write can influence and transform another, for better or for worse. The deeper symbolism, that this is exactly how God transforms man - through His Word - is more significant still.

Over and over throughout the novel, I was struck by how much "Rabbit" reminded me of a parable. While, on the surface, the author seems to be simply telling a fascinating story with a moral theme - because these ideas are not presented in a systematically theological manner meant for scholars, but instead like one of those intriguing folklore tales listeners of any age can understand and enjoy - delving into deeper layers of the story offers an even more beautiful message of redemption, pointing toward fundamental truths about the love and mercy of God, the value of human life and the lengths to which God will go to bring each of His creatures back to Him.

While indisputably Christian fiction, I believe any reader who appreciates an original, well-written and inspirational supernatural story will love and be touched by this unique vampire novel. Highly recommended reading. ( )

I downloaded a sample of Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider after seeing it listed in a giveaways draw over on goodreads.com. No, let me explain. I had seen it previously on a “listopia” list on GoodReads. The cover image seemed to keep popping up into my head shortly after. Then I saw it in the giveaways section and couldn’t resist getting a little sample on the Kindle for myself to see what it was all about. Before I knew it I had finished the sample and was already purchasing my downloadable copy, unable to even wait and see if I’d win the draw.

The story opens with a bang – a glimpse of “Rakum” (the name the vampire-like creatures give themselves) and the torture they are capable of dishing out to those in their way. The focus quickly shifts to Beth Rider and we get another glimpse. The focus shifts yet again – this time to a Rakum member – it is yet another glimpse but much more intimate. As the story unfolds we receive more and more pieces of the puzzle about who these “people” are, how they came into existence, and what Beth Rider’s mission will become. The story is full of action and these glimpses add yet another layer of immediacy to the tale. They make the reader want to know more and make it incredibly difficult to put down.

This is a Christian tale which is very unique. I have never seen a vampire tale that had such immense amounts of spirituality to it. Ellen C. Maze has not only told the story from the point of view of a Christian, she has also provided a realistic example of how vampires could exist on “God’s green earth”. She has most importantly, shown the reader why vampires should be revolting in our culture rather than revered. There has been a huge market growth in the paranormal – vampire genre in recent years. It has been difficult for me to think of the majority of these as more than just entertainment. This storyline made me think twice about just how much books that are “just entertainment” affect our viewpoints of what is going on in the world.

Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider is genuinely one of the best books I have read this year and I have read around a hundred or so this far. If it had any faults it was in the sporadic spelling mistakes, and once in a while a clunky sentence or two. Both of which, are nothing compared to the benefits I have gained by reading Ellen C. Maze’s story. As I mentioned in the beginning of my review I had a difficult time getting this book out of my head before finally deciding to purchase it. I have also had an extremely difficult time getting it out of my head since. Every time I have read one of the other more popular vampire books (I wont mention names here) I finish only to find myself reminiscing about my time with Beth Rider, the Rakum, and yearning for the place where vampires are revolting rather than scary or to be revered. I am looking forward to reading all the books the rest of the Rabbit series along with The Judging books.

Full Review and Original Post at my blog:
http://100starsorless.blogspot.com/2010/11/rabbit-chasing-beth-rider-by-ellen-c.... ( )

When Beth Rider wrote a best selling novel, she had no idea that its popularity would someday bring her into a battle as old as time—the battle between good and evil. At one of her book signings, Beth encounters Jack Dawn, a vampire from an ancient race known as the Rakum. Angry at what she wrote, he marks her as a rabbit, the worst thing a Rakum can do to a human. This marking makes her a target for every blood lusting sadistic Rakum who finds her. Enough said; its scary being a rabbit.

Disclaimer: although I haven’t read any of the new vampire novels, I have to admit I watched vampire movies as a teenager. They scared me so much that I slept with a crucifix over my bed and the sheets up to my chin, so it was with great trepidation that I read Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider. Author Ellen Maze caught my attention when I heard that her vampire story was Christian fiction. How could this be? I had so many questions. Everyone knows that vampires are demonic, blood sucking villains beyond redeeming, or are they? What are they? Is this the type of book I could give my niece who reads all the new authors of vampire books, and who willingly stands in line for the movies? To answer all those questions in this review I would have to add a spoiler alert, but let me say this: If you or someone you know already reads vampire or the horror genre you’ll like this book. If you like Ted Dekker’s novels you’ll like this too. Ellen Maze has intriguing characters and interesting historical details that add depth to the story. And rumor has it that there are a few Rabbits still on the loose. This is a vampire story with a twist. Happy Halloween. ( )

Given the recent popularity of vampire tales, it is challenging to come up with something original. This story is a mixture of old vampire lore with a new twist that most stories either avoid, or hesitate to offer any explanation for because the unknown is typically the allure. Why do vampires exist and where did they come from? This question is as old as the vampire itself. Maze does not shy away from providing an answer, but rather tackles it head on and gives the reader a POV that might satisfy those with similar religious beliefs. Just as the main character is clear about her convictions, the author also makes it equally clear about where and why these creatures exist. Secondarily, an undercurrent theme appears and I found it way more intriguing than those dealing with religion. In the story, humans are compared to cows and rabbits, both food sources. In our world cows are milked, and in the story, humans are bled for nourishment. They are nothing more than farm animals, and some characters even resemble domestic pets. This is an interesting concept and got me thinking about our own perception of the food chain and consumption. What is moral and immoral when it comes to feeding on living things or their by-products?

This story adheres to a religious POV and if the reader is either not prepared for it, or simply does not agree with the general inferences or beliefs, then they will be in for a very bumpy ride. Because of this, audiences will either be alienated or confirmed. It leaves little room for interpretation or alternative possibilities. Generalizations about gender and sexuality are implied as well as attitudes towards homosexuality. At first, I thought perhaps something progressive was happening, but the deeper I got into the story, the more I realized that certain behaviors and lifestyles were associated with evil concepts. Although this might not be problematic for some readers, I think others might be offended. I'm actually rather surprised that the story hasn't taken more hits from critics because this is one of those books that if it agrees with your own personal morals and beliefs, the reader will love it -- but if it doesn't, they will despise it and say so. Honestly, I've never seen so many 5 star ratings for a book with such a strong religious view and coupled with vampires, it is staggering to think that hardly anyone disagrees. I'm all for having a religious POV when it comes to subject matter, I'm just shocked it hasn't been met by more debate. Either readers are timid to confront this, or as I suspect, the book is primarily appealing to a certain corner of the readership. In addition, I need more personal conflict and fight from the main character, Beth Rider. I understand that she truly puts her faith in God, but given the situation, I can not help but image some weakness should have arisen -- I wanted to see more cracks in her exterior so when she did come to her final decision, it would be more powerful. She is the only person who does not have an epiphany or change. At some point, I guess I needed to see her question her religious beliefs (just a hint) so I could witness her true strength. I wanted to experience this, so I could also see or relate to her as 'human.' ( )