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Left Behind #9
Desecration : Antichrist Takes the Throne
Nicolae Carpathia, now the total embodiment of evil, desecrates the temple in Jerusalem by entering and declaring himself god. The explosive ninth book in the Left Behind series will carry the world to the brink of Armageddon. With over 40,000,000 products sold in the series, Left Behind is an international phenomenon.
410 pages, Hardcover
First published October 30, 2001
About the author
Tim LaHaye
715 books2,103 followersTimothy "Tim" F. LaHaye was an American evangelical Christian minister, author, and speaker, best known for the Left Behind series of apocalyptic fiction, which he co-wrote with Jerry B. Jenkins.
He has written over 50 books, both fiction and non-fiction.
He has written over 50 books, both fiction and non-fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 435 reviews
August 3, 2011
I know that the Left Behind series is controversial among Christians and non-Christians alike, but I appreciate it for what it is. First, to address some claims made against the authors that I really don't think are fair. One, they are accused of anti-Semitism. I didn't get that at all, ESPECIALLY in this installment. Chaim is a Jew. Tsion is a Jew. Thousands of converts are JEWS! How can they be anti-Semitic and still have Jews be the most important protagonists in the story? Secondly, they have also been accused of being male chauvinists, in part because of Hattie's character. Without giving too much away, let me just say that Hattie plays an important role in this installment. Meanwhile, Chloe is still the brains behind the co-op.
What I like about the Left Behind series is that it makes the book of Revelation easier to understand. I tried reading it, but much of it went in one side of my brain and out the other, mostly because I couldn't make an logical connection between the symbolism and the impact on the earth. Left Behind, even if it isn't the best interpretation of Scripture (and I know it's not), makes it easier to understand. I also somewhat admire the way the authors are able to portray the Antichrist. I wouldn't be able to come up with someone so evil as Nicolae Carpathia. They clearly put a lot of thought behind his character.
What I think could be improved is the fluff surrounding the main events of the story. Each book tends to be about 400 pages, and this one is no exception. Many of the details are really unnecessary to the plot, character development, or theology.
In sum, enjoying this series, and will continue to read it.
What I like about the Left Behind series is that it makes the book of Revelation easier to understand. I tried reading it, but much of it went in one side of my brain and out the other, mostly because I couldn't make an logical connection between the symbolism and the impact on the earth. Left Behind, even if it isn't the best interpretation of Scripture (and I know it's not), makes it easier to understand. I also somewhat admire the way the authors are able to portray the Antichrist. I wouldn't be able to come up with someone so evil as Nicolae Carpathia. They clearly put a lot of thought behind his character.
What I think could be improved is the fluff surrounding the main events of the story. Each book tends to be about 400 pages, and this one is no exception. Many of the details are really unnecessary to the plot, character development, or theology.
In sum, enjoying this series, and will continue to read it.
February 12, 2019
These books do not slow down. Since word one in the first book right on down the line, they have been nonstop action and adventure. I can’t stress enough how exciting this series has proven to be. It’s definitely a new look at the dystopian genre.
The Mark of Loyalty is officially put into effect. Worldwide, believers are losing their lives. They would rather give their lives in the name of their God than take the mark of the beast and spend an eternity in Hell. The Antichrist is on a mission to eradicate the Jews and Judah-ites alike. He no longer tries to hide his evil ways. Now that he has dubbed himself God, he can do as he pleases, and his word is all that matters.
The believers are being flushed out of hiding and being held in concentration camps before being beheaded. The story has definitely taken a much darker tone as the end of days approaches. And I have to say- I’m loving it. When times are darkest, your faith is tested and that’s what we see here. We see our Tribulation Force facing trial after trial and still, their faith remains as strong as ever.
The Antichrist plans to take up a new Kingdom, reclaiming Jerusalem as his new home. He has big plans for his arrival to be as disrespectful and obscene as possible. He plans to ride a giant pig down the walkway and have its throat slit on the holy temple. But the one true God strikes back with the next Bowl Judgement, inflicting painful boils all over the bodies of those who take the mark of the beast willingly.
We see a lot of true miracles happen. And they are really neat interpretations of the biblical prophesies. I love how the authors have put this story together around those prophesies. It’s amazing to me that they can have the mind to create such a vivid and believable story. Even “knowing” how things are going to play out(because it’s all been foretold), you still don’t really know anything. You don’t know who will make it through until the end, who will play what role in any of it, or how some of your favorite characters will survive the next 10 pages!!
These books just continue to keep a fast pace that makes it nearly impossible to put them down. You find yourself so immersed in this world, you forget these people aren’t real and the events are not actually happening. There is no greater feeling than that when reading!
The Mark of Loyalty is officially put into effect. Worldwide, believers are losing their lives. They would rather give their lives in the name of their God than take the mark of the beast and spend an eternity in Hell. The Antichrist is on a mission to eradicate the Jews and Judah-ites alike. He no longer tries to hide his evil ways. Now that he has dubbed himself God, he can do as he pleases, and his word is all that matters.
The believers are being flushed out of hiding and being held in concentration camps before being beheaded. The story has definitely taken a much darker tone as the end of days approaches. And I have to say- I’m loving it. When times are darkest, your faith is tested and that’s what we see here. We see our Tribulation Force facing trial after trial and still, their faith remains as strong as ever.
The Antichrist plans to take up a new Kingdom, reclaiming Jerusalem as his new home. He has big plans for his arrival to be as disrespectful and obscene as possible. He plans to ride a giant pig down the walkway and have its throat slit on the holy temple. But the one true God strikes back with the next Bowl Judgement, inflicting painful boils all over the bodies of those who take the mark of the beast willingly.
We see a lot of true miracles happen. And they are really neat interpretations of the biblical prophesies. I love how the authors have put this story together around those prophesies. It’s amazing to me that they can have the mind to create such a vivid and believable story. Even “knowing” how things are going to play out(because it’s all been foretold), you still don’t really know anything. You don’t know who will make it through until the end, who will play what role in any of it, or how some of your favorite characters will survive the next 10 pages!!
These books just continue to keep a fast pace that makes it nearly impossible to put them down. You find yourself so immersed in this world, you forget these people aren’t real and the events are not actually happening. There is no greater feeling than that when reading!
February 23, 2023
I am speechless🥹🥹🥹🔥🔥🔥
May 4, 2023
Left Behind: The one where the Anti-Christ rides a pig
Welp Hattie's character arch ends with her yelling at the Anti-Christ and getting burnt to ashes by the false prophet's super powered fire.
This book really does just drone on. It feels less like Christian post-apocalyptic fiction and more like a weird mashup of biblical literalism with the graphic kills from final destination. Tim and Jerry are never content to just kill one of the tribulation force, they have to kill them and have them "butchered and thrown down a mountain"
Almost every character in this book expresses overt suicidality during this book. People expressing a desire to end their own life is one thing, but the posture of the expression is always framed as selfish, but understandable. This is one of the more subtle and disturbing aspects of this book and evangelicalism as a whole. Christian Suicidality is pervasive throughout this book and is the ugly hate-child of Capitalism and Evangelical Christianity. When your only purpose in life is to do "kingdom work" the inability to produce means that your life inherently has no value. The authors frame wanting to die in this way as a "longing for heaven" and yet in all reality it gives Christians an excuse to wait for death instead of live.
Also a bunch of the white people do black-face to rescue their friend. Which like... why Tim? Why Jerry? This is just weird for all of us. Why are you the way you are?
Welp Hattie's character arch ends with her yelling at the Anti-Christ and getting burnt to ashes by the false prophet's super powered fire.
This book really does just drone on. It feels less like Christian post-apocalyptic fiction and more like a weird mashup of biblical literalism with the graphic kills from final destination. Tim and Jerry are never content to just kill one of the tribulation force, they have to kill them and have them "butchered and thrown down a mountain"
Almost every character in this book expresses overt suicidality during this book. People expressing a desire to end their own life is one thing, but the posture of the expression is always framed as selfish, but understandable. This is one of the more subtle and disturbing aspects of this book and evangelicalism as a whole. Christian Suicidality is pervasive throughout this book and is the ugly hate-child of Capitalism and Evangelical Christianity. When your only purpose in life is to do "kingdom work" the inability to produce means that your life inherently has no value. The authors frame wanting to die in this way as a "longing for heaven" and yet in all reality it gives Christians an excuse to wait for death instead of live.
Also a bunch of the white people do black-face to rescue their friend. Which like... why Tim? Why Jerry? This is just weird for all of us. Why are you the way you are?
November 21, 2010
Honestly, this book is almost where the series jumped the shark. My main issues: poor character development, poorly written "broken" English dialogue for one of the main characters, unintelligent antagonists... Add to that an extremely unnecessary arsenal for the good guys (.50 cal's AND direct energy weapons!?!), and a story arc in which the main characters seem to continuously disregard their own beliefs (wow... A lot of people are choosing to give their souls to Satan... I should keep quiet. Can't risk my own life after all)... The series still deserves to be finished, but this could have been better thought out.
May 17, 2023
Ahhhhh!!! I'm on edge!!! 😳😳😳
May 4, 2017
Possibly the best one so far.
The pace continues to build in this one. You can feel things headed to the climax of Christ's return.
There are some heartbreaking character deaths - not made easier by knowing they're in Heaven.
Some characters step up & start to take charge in a cool way (although Chloe's still quite annoying)
The Antichrist gets more outrageous & desperate in his attempts to fight God - & God just looks down & smiles. He's in control in these series - as He is in our own lives!
The pace continues to build in this one. You can feel things headed to the climax of Christ's return.
There are some heartbreaking character deaths - not made easier by knowing they're in Heaven.
Some characters step up & start to take charge in a cool way (although Chloe's still quite annoying)
The Antichrist gets more outrageous & desperate in his attempts to fight God - & God just looks down & smiles. He's in control in these series - as He is in our own lives!
February 16, 2009
The series is getting pretty interesting now as the AntiChrist is now indwelled with Satan himself and running rampant but God is also flexing his muscles a little bit in an effort to remind Nicolae who's boss. Great to see the Christians still remaining faithful and their numbers growing. The whole scene in and around the temple was pretty interesting.
April 26, 2021
It took a few weeks to find these last 5 books in this series of 13 books circulating in the used bookstores. I guess most people peter out by this time. Conversations continue to be short and choppy and unnatural feeling. I’m still not connected to any of the characters. That’s too bad because I still have four more books to read in this never-ending series.
We are now 42 months into the Tribulation and 25 days into the Great Tribulation.
Revelations 16:1-2: Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth." So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathesome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
This book was basically all about the reformed Israeli statesman, Dr. Chaim Rosenzweig, who actually killed the Anti-christ, leading the newly reformed Jewish Christians out of Jerusalem and into hiding in Petra after Carpathia desecrates the Holy Temple by sacrificing a pig and committing murder inside the temple.
Here, God tells the first angel to pour out his bowl upon the earth. All those receiving the mark of the beast begin to itch, then painful, infected boils begin breaking out all over their bodies. Carpathia’s army becomes incapacitated.
God provides Chaim with anointed powers to get the job done. Carpathia has no choice but to comply if he wants to see the end of the plague upon his followers. The believers of Christ see and experience great miracles as God provides His protection while the saved Israeli's run and are exported to their designated place of refuge in Petra. Only the one million saved converted Jews from Israeli would have the full protection of God for the rest of the Great Tribulation. Others only have spiritual protection at this point and will most likely have to prove their loyalty to God or to the Antichrist.
The Archangel Michael appears often to encourage the people not to fear upcoming events because the Lord has them. He appeared the very day, standing in front of those million saved Israelis, as Carpathia’s army of 500,000 headed toward them in a cloud of dust that could be seen miles away, then 1/4 mile away, then 500 yards away, and finally 10 yards away, when suddenly the earth opened up and swallowed the entire army, including over 200 of Carpathia's commanding officers. The ground recovered instantly and, as the dust settled, the entire army was completely gone. The GC planes and choppers, who came after the dust had settled, could find no trace of their army from up above. Carpathia then calls top leaders together in New Babylon. Their plan? To flatten Petra filled to the brim with the saved Jews and wage a world-wide war against all Christians and Jews.
The 2nd angel pours out the second bowl upon the earth. All sea water has turned to pure blood. All sea creatures are dead and rotting, as well as thousands of humans stranded on ships out at sea and others living along the coastlines who depend on that sea life, are dying. Inland, rivers and streams are yet to be affected, but will be, and water will soon become more valuable than gold.
The end of this book actually leaves you hanging a little. As Dr. Tsion Ben-Judah, the spokesperson for Christ who has millions of followers across the world, returns to Israeli and enters Petra to give encouraging words to these million Jews gathered so far, Carpathia’s army flew over and dropped two atomic bombs directly over the people….
...onto to Book #10: The Remnant: On the Brink of Armageddon. I'm expecting another big miracle.
We are now 42 months into the Tribulation and 25 days into the Great Tribulation.
Revelations 16:1-2: Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth." So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathesome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
This book was basically all about the reformed Israeli statesman, Dr. Chaim Rosenzweig, who actually killed the Anti-christ, leading the newly reformed Jewish Christians out of Jerusalem and into hiding in Petra after Carpathia desecrates the Holy Temple by sacrificing a pig and committing murder inside the temple.
Here, God tells the first angel to pour out his bowl upon the earth. All those receiving the mark of the beast begin to itch, then painful, infected boils begin breaking out all over their bodies. Carpathia’s army becomes incapacitated.
God provides Chaim with anointed powers to get the job done. Carpathia has no choice but to comply if he wants to see the end of the plague upon his followers. The believers of Christ see and experience great miracles as God provides His protection while the saved Israeli's run and are exported to their designated place of refuge in Petra. Only the one million saved converted Jews from Israeli would have the full protection of God for the rest of the Great Tribulation. Others only have spiritual protection at this point and will most likely have to prove their loyalty to God or to the Antichrist.
The Archangel Michael appears often to encourage the people not to fear upcoming events because the Lord has them. He appeared the very day, standing in front of those million saved Israelis, as Carpathia’s army of 500,000 headed toward them in a cloud of dust that could be seen miles away, then 1/4 mile away, then 500 yards away, and finally 10 yards away, when suddenly the earth opened up and swallowed the entire army, including over 200 of Carpathia's commanding officers. The ground recovered instantly and, as the dust settled, the entire army was completely gone. The GC planes and choppers, who came after the dust had settled, could find no trace of their army from up above. Carpathia then calls top leaders together in New Babylon. Their plan? To flatten Petra filled to the brim with the saved Jews and wage a world-wide war against all Christians and Jews.
The 2nd angel pours out the second bowl upon the earth. All sea water has turned to pure blood. All sea creatures are dead and rotting, as well as thousands of humans stranded on ships out at sea and others living along the coastlines who depend on that sea life, are dying. Inland, rivers and streams are yet to be affected, but will be, and water will soon become more valuable than gold.
The end of this book actually leaves you hanging a little. As Dr. Tsion Ben-Judah, the spokesperson for Christ who has millions of followers across the world, returns to Israeli and enters Petra to give encouraging words to these million Jews gathered so far, Carpathia’s army flew over and dropped two atomic bombs directly over the people….
...onto to Book #10: The Remnant: On the Brink of Armageddon. I'm expecting another big miracle.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2016
The 9th book in the Left Behind Series. Very intense and hard to let go at times. A very easy read and will put a end to any reading slumps you might be having.
Pros
Intense
Clift hangers
Suspense
Character/plot interactions
Easy to read
Cons
Slow at times
Pros
Intense
Clift hangers
Suspense
Character/plot interactions
Easy to read
Cons
Slow at times
April 30, 2018
I am pretty sure it was this novel and the next one that made me stop reading this series the first time around, so I never "finished it" [even though I "already knew" how it was going to end - the Antichrist defeated and the Tribulation Saints reunited with their loved ones in Heaven after Jesus returned]. I think I liked it better this time around, but it still felt like it was lacking something. It had some 'plot twists' I did not expect, so I was surprised at some deaths in the book. The character development keeps swinging up-and-down with the characters. Some new characters are introduced as well; we shall see how much character development they receive before they die [not saying they are; just a gut feeling]. It just felt like the book was lacking some kind of emotional oomph, that it was lacking . . . something.
I know it is written for a Christian audience, so perhaps that is it. Being written for Christians and the possibility that non-Christians might read it, it is very "clean" in terms of what goes on. There is no graphic violence, no graphic deaths, and definitely no graphic sex. The Antichrist seems more of a buffoon as opposed to a human body possessed by Lucifer himself. I mean, according to the Bible and biblical tradition, Lucifer was one of the 'BIG THREE' in terms of angelic beings and "brother" to both Gabriel and Michael. Other than rebelling against God, he is no dummy (when compared to human beings, that is). Perhaps it is because he is inhabiting a fallen earth-body, but Lucifer really comes across as incompetent, moronic, and incapable of ruling the world. The authors attempt to present him as twisted and evil incarnate, but the presentation still seems to fall short of how evil and depraved this now-demonic being must be. I mean, Hollywood does a better job of presenting evil onscreen even in previews for movies. The Antichrist never reached the same "level" of evil and depravity that Hollywood spews out in its movies or you can read about in "true-crime" books. Please do not get me wrong; I do not want to read about that kind of nastiness in a Christian novel [or any other novel, for that matter], but the Antichrist seemed more comical than evil, more "Keystone Kops" than demon-possessed. I mean, I 'get it' - the Bible says to be excellent at what is good and to stay innocent of evil, but I think presenting the Antichrist in such a way as to inspire contempt and disrespect does Christians a disservice; he kills people with reckless abandon in the novels but comes across as being mentally unstable when he does so. I am going to stop trying to explain it; I just do not think the Antichrist would act or behave how he is presented in the book [well, not every time he is presented in the book]. Perhaps this is how Tim Lahaye really viewed the Antichrist? I do not know, but enough for now.
Another thing that "bugged" me had to do with Michael the Archangel.
While the book's title refers to the moment when the Antichrist desecrates the temple, the actual moment itself is a very small moment in the book. It was almost anticlimactic, to be honest, and it happens in the front-middle of the book.
The book did have a couple of "good" moments in it, where the intensity was pretty high.
I thought the authors did a good job describing somethings
Let's not forget the "cliff-hanger" for this one! Like the reader doesn't know what's going to happen! hahahah
I thought I would give it three stars (2.4 - 2.6, generously rounded up), but I think I am going to leave it at two stars. It was okay; it was entertaining (for the most part); and it "made" me go back and look some stuff up in the Bible. It just felt like something was missing, is all, and that "something" really took away from the book. I did enjoy it, but not enough to give it three stars. So, that means it was the next book that killed the series for me, so it will be interesting to work my way through it this time. I do not know; it was alright.
I know it is written for a Christian audience, so perhaps that is it. Being written for Christians and the possibility that non-Christians might read it, it is very "clean" in terms of what goes on. There is no graphic violence, no graphic deaths, and definitely no graphic sex. The Antichrist seems more of a buffoon as opposed to a human body possessed by Lucifer himself. I mean, according to the Bible and biblical tradition, Lucifer was one of the 'BIG THREE' in terms of angelic beings and "brother" to both Gabriel and Michael. Other than rebelling against God, he is no dummy (when compared to human beings, that is). Perhaps it is because he is inhabiting a fallen earth-body, but Lucifer really comes across as incompetent, moronic, and incapable of ruling the world. The authors attempt to present him as twisted and evil incarnate, but the presentation still seems to fall short of how evil and depraved this now-demonic being must be. I mean, Hollywood does a better job of presenting evil onscreen even in previews for movies. The Antichrist never reached the same "level" of evil and depravity that Hollywood spews out in its movies or you can read about in "true-crime" books. Please do not get me wrong; I do not want to read about that kind of nastiness in a Christian novel [or any other novel, for that matter], but the Antichrist seemed more comical than evil, more "Keystone Kops" than demon-possessed. I mean, I 'get it' - the Bible says to be excellent at what is good and to stay innocent of evil, but I think presenting the Antichrist in such a way as to inspire contempt and disrespect does Christians a disservice; he kills people with reckless abandon in the novels but comes across as being mentally unstable when he does so. I am going to stop trying to explain it; I just do not think the Antichrist would act or behave how he is presented in the book [well, not every time he is presented in the book]. Perhaps this is how Tim Lahaye really viewed the Antichrist? I do not know, but enough for now.
Another thing that "bugged" me had to do with Michael the Archangel.
While the book's title refers to the moment when the Antichrist desecrates the temple, the actual moment itself is a very small moment in the book. It was almost anticlimactic, to be honest, and it happens in the front-middle of the book.
The book did have a couple of "good" moments in it, where the intensity was pretty high.
I thought the authors did a good job describing somethings
Let's not forget the "cliff-hanger" for this one! Like the reader doesn't know what's going to happen! hahahah
I thought I would give it three stars (2.4 - 2.6, generously rounded up), but I think I am going to leave it at two stars. It was okay; it was entertaining (for the most part); and it "made" me go back and look some stuff up in the Bible. It just felt like something was missing, is all, and that "something" really took away from the book. I did enjoy it, but not enough to give it three stars. So, that means it was the next book that killed the series for me, so it will be interesting to work my way through it this time. I do not know; it was alright.
December 21, 2021
That was a fun ride! What a cliff hanger!
July 18, 2017
Starting this review is well, easy to say the least. I started reading the first book in this wonderful series just as soon as I heard about them. Being from a christian home life growing up and as well as my husband and family this was a no brainier.
I am going to do one review including the whole series.
From the first page of the first book to the last page in the last book, I was not able to put these books down. I grew hunger so to speak for each page. I have always had a great belief in the Bible and in my Faith. This series, although some would call fictional, I believe are very close to what will:
To read more of my review: https://breathoflifebookreviews.blogs...
I am going to do one review including the whole series.
From the first page of the first book to the last page in the last book, I was not able to put these books down. I grew hunger so to speak for each page. I have always had a great belief in the Bible and in my Faith. This series, although some would call fictional, I believe are very close to what will:
To read more of my review: https://breathoflifebookreviews.blogs...
April 24, 2022
#9 in the series:
This includes the Desecration of the newly rebuilt temple, as foretold in Daniel.
Re-reading for the third time. Evil Desecration of the future (3rd) Temple by Antichrist.
References to the sights of Masada and Petra. ;-)
This includes the Desecration of the newly rebuilt temple, as foretold in Daniel.
Re-reading for the third time. Evil Desecration of the future (3rd) Temple by Antichrist.
References to the sights of Masada and Petra. ;-)
July 7, 2018
Definitely think this is one of the most action filled book in the series.
October 3, 2020
Really loved Buck and Tsion in this book. They really did some awesome stuff for the Tribulation Force and believers. Carpathia is simply insane. I can't deal with him. He plays his role so well. I can't stand him lol!
Excited for book ten!
Excited for book ten!
July 25, 2018
Shocked that it took 9 books before people actually started fighting back against this man.
May 8, 2020
Continuing the series. On to book 10😁
January 30, 2021
These books just keep getting better!
July 19, 2022
Could not enjoy this book I've loved the series so far but this one felt like characters ran in circles. I felt zero movement or progression. Tempted to just read the cliff notes for the next book.
February 11, 2024
Has a lull in the storyline but very much worth a read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2021
Good read
This one was a lot better because it wasn't so drug out. However the personal healings and visions and all that stuff is getting ridiculous.
This one was a lot better because it wasn't so drug out. However the personal healings and visions and all that stuff is getting ridiculous.
May 6, 2019
In this ninth book of the Left Behind Series, the sides have been chosen and Nicolae Carpathia has declared martial law. Those who have not accepted Carpathian’s loyalty mark are being put to death by guillotine. The waters of the sea have turned to blood and a plague of boils has afflicted all the non-believers.
There is a great deal of action in this book, and it will hold your interest.
There is a great deal of action in this book, and it will hold your interest.
July 17, 2012
From the title of this book, along with early installments in the series, I assumed that the entire book would concentrate on the actual desecration of the Jewish temple as foretold in the book of Revelation.
However, imagine my non-surprise at the way Jenkins handled that. He had one small scene in the entire book devoted to Antichrist riding a pig into the temple, splashing a little pig blood on the temple and then becoming bored with his own shenanigans and moving on to something else.
??
Any good author knows the way to keep a reader reading is by constantly increasing the conflict; keeping the reader wanting more, wanting to know if his hero will beat the odds and make it to his finish line. There was no build-up to this scene anywhere in the book, no reasons, other than his own mirth for why Antichrist would want to do this, and it simply fell completely flat.
By the end of this book, I felt sorry for Tim LaHaye. It was sad that he didn't hook up with a better author who would've known how to do this original series idea the justice it deserved. When I found out Jenkins had previously been on the New York Times Bestseller list before coming to this series, I mourned the intelligence and the taste of the reading public; that anyone would put this author there is a sad commentary on the complete lack of taste and intelligence of most readers of Christian literature out there today.
However, imagine my non-surprise at the way Jenkins handled that. He had one small scene in the entire book devoted to Antichrist riding a pig into the temple, splashing a little pig blood on the temple and then becoming bored with his own shenanigans and moving on to something else.
??
Any good author knows the way to keep a reader reading is by constantly increasing the conflict; keeping the reader wanting more, wanting to know if his hero will beat the odds and make it to his finish line. There was no build-up to this scene anywhere in the book, no reasons, other than his own mirth for why Antichrist would want to do this, and it simply fell completely flat.
By the end of this book, I felt sorry for Tim LaHaye. It was sad that he didn't hook up with a better author who would've known how to do this original series idea the justice it deserved. When I found out Jenkins had previously been on the New York Times Bestseller list before coming to this series, I mourned the intelligence and the taste of the reading public; that anyone would put this author there is a sad commentary on the complete lack of taste and intelligence of most readers of Christian literature out there today.
January 9, 2012
Book nine of the Left Behind series was a good one. I enjoyed the suspense and action in this book. I recommend this book, but after you have read the rest of the series. This is not the best of the series, and this is why I gave it four stars. I did enjoy the book with its twists and turns throughout, and significant events that will effect the rest of the series.
One of the aspects I liked about this book is that Chaim is granted a larger role in the series. Chaim was always a somewhat important character, but now we know that he will have more to do with the plot.
I also like that Chang is starting to become more strong in his faith, and his parents are starting to realize Chang has something they need. This made for a few emotional moments in the book, and Chang needed to know who God was.
Their was only one thing I did not like about the book. This is that right before David died him and Hannah basically told each other they were having a romance, even though David was still getting over Annie.
I knew that Annie and David always had something going on, but for them to actually admit it was a little awkward. It also made it more sad when she finds him dead.
I liked this book, but it had its dry parts. This hopefully means that the next few books in the series will be good ones. I think This book has its good parts and bad, but I recommend it.
One of the aspects I liked about this book is that Chaim is granted a larger role in the series. Chaim was always a somewhat important character, but now we know that he will have more to do with the plot.
I also like that Chang is starting to become more strong in his faith, and his parents are starting to realize Chang has something they need. This made for a few emotional moments in the book, and Chang needed to know who God was.
Their was only one thing I did not like about the book. This is that right before David died him and Hannah basically told each other they were having a romance, even though David was still getting over Annie.
I knew that Annie and David always had something going on, but for them to actually admit it was a little awkward. It also made it more sad when she finds him dead.
I liked this book, but it had its dry parts. This hopefully means that the next few books in the series will be good ones. I think This book has its good parts and bad, but I recommend it.
December 7, 2011
Chang Wong is becoming a valuable asset to the work of the Tribulation Force. Rayford and his team assembles believers to take a stand at the Temple Mount where Carpathia followers are set to worship Carpathia's image and take the mark of the beast. Yet more Tribulation members perish as new members are introduced. Chaim and Buck go to battle for the Lord as unbelievers are plagued by festering wounds in an attempt to bring more away from Satan's hold over them. Chloe ventures out and becomes more involved bringing more members to the effort. A search and rescue is underway but will the efforts prove futile? Will it cause more danger to Tribulation Force members?
Another explosive addition to the series! As the ones before it this one also challenges my faith and I was highly entertained. Scene and dialogue work book flows well and the overall message is inspiring. I would highly recommend this series to others especially for the times in which we live.
Another explosive addition to the series! As the ones before it this one also challenges my faith and I was highly entertained. Scene and dialogue work book flows well and the overall message is inspiring. I would highly recommend this series to others especially for the times in which we live.
May 29, 2012
I didn't care for this book. The bad writing of the series is starting to get annoying. All of the "bad guy" characters in Nicolie's inner circle sound the same. They also all sound like children, or are being written by children. It makes the conversations less believable. I also fail to understand Buck's value and why he always has to be in the center of things. He has no special skill set that aids the Tribulation Force, but he is always sent on these special missions, apparently just so the writer can have someone at the scene to report on it. The writer is also about as subtle as a brick and telegraphs everything that is coming. I'll finish the series but I think I'm done actually enjoying it.
January 23, 2011
These books are great, except for the fact that Carpathia is portrayed as an immature sociopath. While I admire the dedication with which this author incorporates actual scripture, I do not believe that an entity as ancient and malevolently genius as "the Devil" could possibly act so childishly or contradictorily to his own doctrine within a public setting. The best, and only, argument that I can see for such behavior from such an ancient Satanic character would be his impatience being finally released.
July 17, 2007
I can't believe I lasted as long as I did reading this wretched series. Looking back on it, I was completely suckered in by the apocalypse effect (as I often am). The writing is horrible, the evangelism is blatant and disgusting, the women were forced to make babies and clean up after the determined, patriarchal bastards known as men. Ugh, what a waste of time. Please don't be brainwashed by this crap like I was for nine books.
January 26, 2015
I began this book in audio form and finished it in print. If you are going to read this one (or possibly any of the series), I suggest you read it yourself, rather than listening. I did NOT like the narration at all. The voices are all wrong, as far as I'm concerned, and I would have just given up if I couldn't switch to the print version. I've read (in print or ebook) the earlier books in the series and have a good feel for the characters, I believe. These voices are NOT theirs.
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