Mojave Man

Book 2 of the ArcPoint Series

Christian - Fiction
298 Pages
Reviewed on 03/08/2023
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Alex Ndirangu for Readers' Favorite

Far off on the horizon, a great rift spreads far and wide, separating the Mojave Restricted Area from the outside world. The Central Authorities have strict laws in place regarding anything that crosses the Calneva Rift from Mojave. Anything from that location must be quarantined until proper judgment can be made. But this has not been the case for Arcon so far. Since he escaped Mojave, he has stayed hidden from the authorities, thanks to his new friends. Among them is Roberto, a man battling the feeling that he is betraying everything he stands for. However, he knows he has to hold on until they can transition Arcon into modern society. But they will have to move fast. A determined reporter is scrutinizing tidbits of information and coming close to discovering with certainty that there's been a violation of the Mojave restriction. Read Mojave Man: Book 2 of the ArcPoint Series by J.W. Gilbert to find out more.

I truly enjoyed this book from start to finish. J.W. Gilbert explains some of the ArcPoint series events that led up to the current book as the story progressed; it made the plot easy to follow. The author is also a great narrator, and the change from the past to the present is seamless. Any reader can effortlessly become immersed in the book and visualize themselves as one of the notable characters. I could identify with these characters' emotions; when they faced difficulties, my eyes welled up, and when they triumphed, I was happy. Roberto was my favorite character. Like any good father, he was fiercely protective of his daughter and always turned to his heavenly father when things started getting out of hand. Robert and another character named Dan will undoubtedly inspire you to start trusting in God. The suspense is just right and will have you turning the pages until the very end. J.W. Gilbert included some hilarious scenes that will have you chuckling as you read. Anyone seeking something different and delightful should check out Mojave Man: Book 2 of the ArcPoint Series.

Scott Cahan

Mojave Man: Book 2 of the ArcPoint Series by J.W. Gilbert is a unique fish-out-of-water adventure story with Christian undertones. The account focuses on a young man named Arcon who had lived his whole life in an isolated village. His community has been cut off from the rest of the world for over a hundred years. In the first book in this series, Mojave Rift, Arcon made a dangerous journey from his village to meet Elaina, a woman he had fallen in love with. Their past communication had all been through electronic means. As this installment begins, Arcon and Elaina have been united in person. She and her father are thrilled to meet the gentle, innocent, and intelligent young man. Now they must hide him from reporters and government officials who wrongly perceive anyone from his village as a threat. Meanwhile, Arcon tries to adjust to this strange new world. Everything around him is new, including his face-to-face relationship with Elaina.

Mojave Man is a charming story, revolving around some great characters. The relationship between Arcon and Elaina is particularly endearing. The characters of Roberto, Elaina’s father, and Ranger Dan are also well-written and add depth to the story. The contrast between Arcon’s world and American culture as a whole is handled well and gives the reader occasion to reflect on how easily misunderstandings can arise between societies because of a lack of communication. J.W. Gilbert has a natural, easy-to-read flow to his writing which helped to make this book a joy to read. The author's style of writing is wonderful, as in the way he describes scenes, characters, dialogue, and the way he leads the reader through his story. I recommend it to fans of character-driven, thought-provoking adventures.

Rabia Tanveer

Mojave Man is the second novel in the ArcPoint Series by J.W. Gilbert. Arcon is finally away from his tribe hidden inside the warmth of Mojave Forest, and it is the perfect time for him to live. However, it isn’t as easy as he and Elaina thought. Getting away from his tribe is one thing but staying off the radar of the authorities is completely different. They want him under their thumb but Elaina is doing everything she can to hide him. His savior comes in the form of Ranger Dan who wants to help the duo but at what cost? He is a ranger and he must report what happens under his jurisdiction but Arcon has a soft spot in Dan’s heart. Will Arcon taste freedom or will he find himself in a situation worse than before? Is Elaina going to be helpful despite her problems?

What a fitting continuation of Mojave Man! Arcon’s character is so smooth yet so real at the same time. I loved how he was confused yet excited to taste the freedom that he never had, even if it was from the campsite. Elaina’s struggles are real, especially with a tenacious reporter hot on their heel, but I believe they handle it well. Author J. W. Gilbert brings something very special with Dan. He is compassionate, empathetic, and a gentle soul. I loved his interactions with Arcon; it felt like two kindred spirits. The pace was incredibly fast without feeling rushed, the plot was filled with suspense and a touch of drama, and the overall feel of the story was great too. Arcon’s character development was considerable but it was Elaina who truly grew the most. I loved it!

Foluso Falaye

Mojave Man is the second novel in J.W. Gilbert's ArcPoint series and the sequel to Mojave Rift. The plot revolves around characters who attempt to do the right thing to safeguard a kind young Mojave man named Arcon and his community. After allowing himself to be carried away by the idea of giving freedom to a Mojave man dressed like Tarzan, Ranger Dan's only chance to make things right with the Mojave people is to contain Arcon and ensure Elaina and her father Roberto operate according to his plan to keep him secluded. However, if Arcon does not move quickly, a relentless reporter on his trail may release details about him to the public prematurely. Will Dan finally have the opportunity to meet the Mojave people?

Mojave Man reminds me of Tarzan in that one of its heroes needs to learn new things such as driving, swimming, and other features of contemporary life. This aspect of the narrative made me appreciate the things I have had the opportunity to learn since childhood, but take for granted. The book is filled with Christian messages and profound teachings about being kind. I liked the way that the other main characters treat Arcon well despite his strange upbringing and background. Mojave Man by J.W. Gilbert is an intriguing tale that will appeal to fans of dramatic Christian fiction. I had a great time reading this book and its captivating blend of positive themes, humor, strong and memorable characters, and rich cultural descriptions. The world needs more books like this on inclusiveness and embracing humane principles.

Asher Syed

Mojave Man by J.W. Gilbert is a speculative Christian novel set in a future where the Mojave Desert has been transformed by God into a thick, protective forest and its inhabitants restricted to the safe haven it has been blessed with. Arcon, a young man from the forest, is smuggled out and across the divide into a new world to be with the woman he's fallen in love with, Elaina. The first book in the ArcPoint series, Mojave Rift, develops the secret relationship between Elaina and Arcon and his escape from the forest. In this installment, Elaina is desperate to share some moments of peace with Arcon despite the Authority implementing mandatory quarantine, after which they will determine whether to integrate him into a world that has now advanced by a century, or send Arcon back into the Mojave Forest. Between a father, his daughter, a persistent reporter, a ranger, and heaps of faith, Arcon's life outside the walls—and who he spends that life with—hangs in the balance.

In the interest of full disclosure, I read Mojave Man by J.W. Gilbert without having first read Mojave Rift, and while this did not in any way dampen the reading experience, I certainly think it would have further elevated it. Gilbert paints an almost cinematic portrait of what Arcon sees for the first time in a world his people have been sequestered from, by none other than Christ himself, for over a century. I had a bit of a chuckle because the story is set in and around San Bernardino, California, which isn't exactly a place that dazzles today, but maybe there's hope for it in the future. I personally love the Inland Empire and it was really fun to be positioned in it. The novel is in the Christian genre and there is no denying that this is where it belongs. The messaging isn't nuanced and instead takes an outright approach in stating that this is its primary vehicle. Still, the premise is compelling and the writing is tight, and I have no doubt that readers who enjoy the genre will also find pleasure in getting lost in its pages.