Chrissie's Run


Young Adult - Sci-Fi
288 Pages
Reviewed on 08/07/2014
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

S. A. Mahan lives in the mountains of Colorado with her husband of 40 years. She dreams of stories while hiking the Rocky Mountain trails, and then returns to her mountain home to write them. She has 3 children and 6 grandchildren. She raises alpacas, enjoys the fiber arts, and is an avid outdoorswoman. She would love to hear from you via Facebook or Twitter. S. A. Mahan's books include The Baby Sea Turtle, finalist for the Colorado 2015 Book Award in children's literature, Chrissie's Run, finalist for the Dante Rossetti Young Adult fiction award, and A Pigeon's Tale, which has received a Blue Ink Star Review and was selected as a Blue Ink Best Book of 2016.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Patricia Reding for Readers' Favorite

Just sixteen, pregnant, betrayed by boyfriend and family, alone . . . and an outlaw, Chrissie is in big trouble. So opens Chrissie’s Run by S.A. Mahan, a story sure to have readers turning pages quickly and furiously. In the dystopian world of the New Republic, Chrissie does the unthinkable. When ordered to show up for an appointment at which the authorities will abort her child, one they say would be born handicapped, Chrissie runs. She finds her way to the underground of the city. Vulnerable, in part due to the hefty price upon her head, Chrissie struggles to protect herself and her child. Enter Moses, a gifted man and a protector, who helps Chrissie on her journey to find the mythical land of Haven. He is followed by Samson, Angel, and others, each of whom is willing to risk death in an effort to protect life. Meanwhile, Chrissie’s pursuers become more plentiful and stronger. How many will be willing to pay with their own lives to protect the single life of an innocent?

I thoroughly enjoyed S.A. Mahan’s Chrissie’s Run. I was encouraged by the strength of a young woman who found value to life — to any life —including one deemed expendable because of a physical handicap. I was comforted knowing that Chrissie drew strength from her memories of her mother, though Chrissie had lost her years before. I was enamored with the fact that Chrissie could recall how her mother had introduced her to another way, a way represented by the “sign of the cross” the woman made out on her daughter’s forehead from time to time. Without any knowledge of what it meant, for talk of God was not allowed in the New Republic, Chrissie drew on her memories of love and found a faith that spurred her on to seek freedom. I was delighted to see Mahan recognize the value of characteristics far more important than mere physical “perfection.” Finally, I was reminded, once again, of the dangers that come of allowing those with power over us to make decisions for us . . .

Julia Schemmer

Chrissie's Run by S.A. Mahan provides a suspenseful insight into a 'perfect society', where a human life is anything but valued. This book follows Chrissie, a member of the Society who gives birth to a baby boy named Daniel. However, Daniel is born with a defect, and in this society, 'defected' children must be killed, and the woman must be sterilized. However, Chrissie takes a leap of faith by running away from the terrible, demeaning society into a life of hope and prosperity. Will Chrissie make it to Haven, or will she be forced to stay in the New Republic? Purchase your copy today and find out!

Life is valuable. From young birds hatching from an egg to seeing a baby being born, it is undeniable that life is precious, meant to be viewed as wonderful and delicate. However, in the New Republic, this is not so. The New Republic does not see children with disabilities as gifts, but rather disturbances to the flow of society. After giving birth to Daniel, the New Republic continues to hunt both mother and babe, and demands that she turn herself and baby Daniel in, or watch while thousands of innocents die.

Get ready for a read that will change your life. This book will have you on the edge of your seat, reading until the early hours. What I love about this book is that Chrissie chose life. Chrissie's Run by author S.A. Mahan provided the perfect balance of sweet, sentimentality, and suspense, making it an all-around great read. You'll be in tears by the time it is over, I guarantee.

Lit Amri

Living in the New Republic means the right to live is decided solely by special clinics called Parlors. A deformed child inevitably leads to abortion. Daniel, Chrissie’s unborn baby, is deformed and will face the mandatory abortion. In the meantime, Chrissie and her boyfriend Jason will be sterilized. A day before the abortion process, Chrissie decides to run like her aunt before her in order to save her baby, searching for a place called Haven. While being hunted down by the government, she meets some unusual allies. Chrissie’s Run is an exciting sci-fi fantasy tale by S.A. Mahan.

Author S.A. Mahan manages to present a believable 16-year-old protagonist, Chrissie, who is trying to save her unborn child while being hunted down like a criminal. The message about pro-life in the story is commanding and it definitely would make any readers contemplate the issue of abortion that we have in the real world today. Mahan has created a futuristic yet realistic world – you can’t help but think about how our decisions today would affect our future. Mahan manages to avoid creating a predictable plot and the ending is very satisfying to make readers look forward to the sequel. Quintessentially, Mahan’s novel stands out from the rest in its genre. Chrissie’s Run is written for young adults, but I have no doubt that mature readers would love it as well. Undeniably poignant, imaginative and suspenseful, this is a novel with a powerful message that will touch readers of all ages.

Angela

Loved this book! Grabbed your attention from the beginning and didn't let go. Really made you think, from the subtle biblical references to learning that the messages on the origami animals were from Mother Teresa. Looking forward to the next book.