Chrissie lives in the New Republic, a nation ruled by a brutal, totalitarian government: a government so strict that even an out-of-the-norm purchase can result in a call from the local police force. And Chrissie has a serious problem, for she is pregnant with a physically deformed child, and the law requires all such foetuses be terminated at a government run Parlour. Yet Chrissie loves her unborn child more than life itself, and does a runner on the day the termination is scheduled.

The love that Chrissie shows her unborn child touched me deeply, reminding me of when an ultrasound technician asked my wife, who was pregnant in her 40s, if she would keep her child if he had Down syndrome. My wife had answered without hesitation, "I will have my baby, regardless of what he is like." In the book, Chrissie says, "I will not kill my baby! In the Parlor, I saw his heart beating. How can anyone kill their baby after that?" This message is especially relevant to today's world.

'Chrissie's Run' is an awesome adventure with barely a dull moment. Although Chrissie is hunted by the might of the New Republic, including shadowy, evil 'closers,' she is rarely alone, for like with the Scarlett Pimpernel and others like him in the days of the French Revolution, many brave souls step up to help Chrissie on her 'run,' even though it places their own lives in jeopardy.

One aspect of 'Chrissie's Run' that puzzled me was that many protagonists and antagonists were clairvoyants. Speaking from a purely Christian point of view, I thought it would have worked better if the antagonists were the only ones to get their powers and abilities from clairvoyancy, while the protagonists could have gotten their powers and abilities from God, such as the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. That being said, the powers of the 'clairvoyants' in the book reminded me of E.E. Doc Smith's lensmen.

I particularly liked the characters in 'Chrissie's Run.' The chief antagonist was mean through and through, with a sadistic streak and unlimited resources at his fingertips that he did not hesitate to use. The other 'closers' were almost as evil. In contrast to them were those who helped Chrissie, fighting only as a last resort, and quick to offer mercy. The main character, Chrissie, began the book innocent and naive, which got her into bucket loads of trouble. However, she was also resourceful, adapted quickly to her circumstances, and is very, very determined.

The author was not afraid to bump off the characters; creating scenes that really tug at the heartstrings when a character I had grown fond of died in their efforts to help Chrissie and her unborn child escape the clutches of the evil closers.

The book was also satisfyingly unpredictable, taking many unexpected twists and turns, before it finally reached its dizzying and satisfying conclusion.

This book was a wonderful read! I couldn't stop once I picked it up. It has a beautiful message that comes within an action packed story. It is appropriate for teens on up. As an adult and a mother, this is one that I am recommending to all of my friends!

Chrissie is an unwed teen mother, and although she plans to keep the baby the Parlor has other plans. Shes told her baby will be born with deformities, and thus it needs to be aborted. Chrissie, however, has heard tales of a place called Haven where people can be free from the oppressive government she lives under now. She leaves for an underground society and is branded as a runner and a bounty is put on her head. Still, shes not entirely alone as a mysterious man saves her life, and he seems to know more about her than a stranger should. Chrissie's Run is an action-packed tale that shows Chrissie's struggle for freedom and survival in a world where shes marked for death.

The plot is captivating from the beginning, and it leaves you wondering about the fate of Chrissie's baby, why the New Republic wants her so badly, etc. Little time is wasted in the beginning, the story really hits the ground running (no pun intended). The narration closely follows Chrissie's thoughts, leaving the overall tone rather casual. The writing is good at describing the oddities of the books world. The unnerving citizens of the underground sent chills up my spine. The book also mixes in supernatural/religious elements, adding a further layer to the world building and overall story. The themes of the story contain parallels to the actual abortion debates we have present day, but even if you're not looking for ideology this is an enjoyable piece of fiction.

Chrissie is an unwed teen mother, and although she plans to keep the baby the Parlor has other plans. Shes told her baby will be born with deformities, and thus it needs to be aborted. Chrissie, however, has heard tales of a place called Haven where people can be free from the oppressive government she lives under now. She leaves for an underground society and is branded as a runner and a bounty is put on her head. Still, shes not entirely alone as a mysterious man saves her life, and he seems to know more about her than a stranger should. Chrissies Run is an action-packed tale that shows Chrissies struggle for freedom and survival in a world where shes marked for death.

The plot is captivating from the beginning, and it leaves you wondering about the fate of Chrissies baby, why the New Republic wants her so badly, etc. Little time is wasted in the beginning, the story really hits the ground running (no pun intended). The narration closely follows Chrissies thoughts, leaving the overall tone rather casual. The writing is good at describing the oddities of the books world. The unnerving citizens of the underground sent chills up my spine. The book also mixes in supernatural/religious elements, adding a further layer to the world building and overall story. The themes of the story contain parallels to the actual abortion debates we have present day, but even if youre not looking for ideology this is an enjoyable piece of fiction.

Chrissie’s Run is one of the best young adult books I’ve read all year. It fits in with the new popularity of dystopian based novels where the young must fight to survive. In Chrissie’s futuristic world, she becomes pregnant by her boyfriend, Jason, and when forced to plan for an abortion because her baby is shown to have abnormalities on the scans, Chrissie makes a run for it. She hopes to find a place called Haven, a mysterious area where things are much better than her current world. On her journey she finds out that her baby is very special and therefore protectors are sent to help her reach safety as well as save her from the Closers who are basically government assassins. This is a fast paced book that will keep readers constantly turning the pages. Chrissie starts as a typical sixteen year old (as typical as someone living in that world could be) but she grows up quickly and learns to become a warrior in order to protect her son. All of the characters are very well written and enjoyable, even if it’s to enjoy hating them. There are a few twists and turns that will teach the reader not to trust any of the characters in the book. The book read perfectly on my ereader and the cover, with its picture of a jackrabbit, will make sense once you start reading. I truly hope there will be more books telling the rest of Chrissie’s and her son, Daniel’s, story.

Chrissie lives in a world where it’s mandatory law to terminate a pregnancy if the fetus is deformed, or if the child is a second daughter or son for a couple. When Chrissie’s unborn son shows a deformity, she is scheduled for an abortion. Wanting to keep her baby, she runs. She has heard of a place called Haven that will accept these unwanted babies. Now being a fugitive, Chrissie finds how hard it is to survive on her own. Then she meets Moses, who claims to be her guide. Along their journey to Haven, Chrissie discovers that what she has been taught all her life is not totally true.

This story takes you on a fantasy ride to a world that could actually happen. I like the way the characters slowly grow on you, even some of the unpleasant ones. The plot has plenty of action with twists you don’t expect, keeping the reader on his/her toes. I enjoyed the futuristic setting of the story, and I look forward to this becoming a series.

I am not normally a reader of futuristic literature, but was given the book so I started reading it when I had a bit of time. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down! I read late into that night until I just fell asleep and then read it whenever I had a minute the next day and finished it that evening. Chrissie's Run is full of action, suspense and surprises with an excellent message.

In a world where choice is not an option, where non-conformity is punished in the most final way, a young woman finds a way to choose - rebelling against a repressive government to protect her unborn child. Chrissie cannot give up her child to abortion, even though he is "deformed" and "abnormal". It is a choice that many women face, but in Chrissie's case, her world doesn't allow choice, it simply destroys those who, in the womb, do not conform to their version of normal and valuable. So, Chrissie runs, leaving her safe, comfortable world for a wilderness of fear and privation in order to protect her unborn baby. Along the way she is guided by those who understand that worth is not determined by physical perfection, that belief in a higher good is the foundation of life. And along the way Chrissie becomes a strong, intelligent woman, accepting the consequences of her choice and fighting to protect herself and her child.

"Chrissie's Run" leaps off the page and immerses you in a world of danger, sacrifice, and action. From the opening words to the last page, you run with Chrissie through a world where everyone is either trying to kill her - or save her. A non-stop adventure, this amazing book will keep you reading long past your bedtime and leave you wanting the next installment of the story as soon as possible. An amazing blend of futuristic dystopia and C.S. Lewis style allegory, "Chrissie's Run" is the most absorbing and thought-provoking book I've read lately!

"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."

This is a fantastic book. Not only have I read it, but I have bought several books and given them as gifts. Everyone that has received one of these books have come back and told me how they could not put it down until they finished.

This book should be in school libraries, church libraries, etc. That is how wonderful it is. I recommend it for teens and adults alike. Don't miss out, get a book and read it today.

This little book by S.A. Mahan comes out of the corner swinging and packs a wallup from page 1, holding the reader's interest all the way to end, getting better as each chapter unfolds. You'd think that a book and its story would wind down at some point, but Noooo, it builds one layer on another and keeps getting better as a result, so that you just don't want to put it down ! This is a book to be enjoyed by futurists, by the young, the old, the forward-looking. There are good guys, bad guys, innocent bystanders, victories, losses, casualties of war and collateral damage. S.A Mahan makes you think while telling the story of Crissie. the human jackrabbit, who runs not only for her life, but also for her unborn son, Daniel. Will she make it? Will she find Haven, the fabled place of safety? Why is the New Republic putting so much effort and manpower into finding and destroying her and the child? Get this book and find out; you won't regret it. Two Thumbs Up! Two more if I had 'em!
S.A. Mahan, I eagerly await your next book. Place me on your mailing list.

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 . . .

I read for a bit before bed last night, and solidly for about 3 hours today because I couldn't put it down!   I just finished the entire book!  The characters grabbed me and the fast-paced storyline held me.   Oh, my!  My honest opinion?  Great job!  -Tarah, Teens4Life

What an exciting book! It sounds so cliche to say, "I couldn't put it down" -- but I really couldn't! Definitely not a book limited to young adults only. It's very creative and imaginative. Also so plausible that it's even a bit disconcerting! Very refreshing for an avid reader like me to find a book that I could not predict what was going to happen next. Definitely should be made into a movie!