Superstar
If you enjoy heavy stories with a lot of heart and meaning, I think you might find something worth reading within the pages of Superstar. This work of Christian fiction tells a heartbreaking yet inspiring story that will leave you thinking deeply about what we watch and listen to as well as the journey of the artists who produce those materials.
I will be the first to say I am not a fan of country music—nor am I a fan of music related books/movies. But Superstar sparked an interest when Long presented it to The Rebel Christian for review. Maybe its because of the drama, the heartbreak, betrayal, lies, and the plain and simple revelation of Christ that made this book a wonderful read—or maybe it was the talented writing and smooth dialogue, I don’t know! But altogether, Superstar is an entertaining and thought-provoking book that should leave you feeling thankful for the “simple” life you might be living in comparison to our protagonist.
Sometimes I’m not so sure if Trent is the hero or villain of the story. He lives a life to be envied by fans, friends, and family but once you step into his shoes and see things through an open eye, you quickly realize there is such a thing as a living nightmare. There is lying, cheating, even life-threatening danger hiding behind the curtains of fame but its all wrapped up nicely in screaming fans, all-night concerts, and red-carpet events. This reminds me of how I would sit and stare at my television in awe of the Grammys awards show or other events when I was a child. Back then, I always thought it looked so luxurious and those thoughts are reinforced with Superstar but quickly torn apart through Trent’s own behavior and experiences.
We are presented with a very flawed main character, but he is not beyond repair. One of the things I liked most about Trent was his ability to recognize his own mistakes. While there were definitely times where he victimized himself, I found his growth and his journey in his faith admirable. It takes a lot of courage to own up to your wrongs; part of being a Christian is facing your past head-on and having the strength to believe that God is bigger than any sin you will ever commit. You have to trust that you’ve been forgiven for your past and place your future in God’s hands. Trent didn’t have a perfect journey, but he did have one that opened his eyes to the Grace of God, and I found that to be beautiful.
Christians looking for a story of salvation will certainly enjoy this while fans of contemporary and drama will appreciate it as well. I would recommend this to adult readers.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*