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Summary: Jane Jansen first real novel is one scary hell of a ride
Review: The story, which reads like a cross between Chris Carters Millennium and The X-files, deals with the end of the world, but not as we know it. No comets or volcano's which can conveniently be stopped by a single action from a good-looking hero, but tales about famine and plagues and war. Let one thing be clear from the start, Millennium Rising is not a nice book and I would certainly not recommend it to the faint of heart.The book starts with a vision, shown to twenty-four prophets of different religions. They are told that this time the end is really here. God has judged us and his judgment is fierce. Seven signs will not only make way for the apocalypse, but will also wipe out most of mankind. Only two people are wondering if there is real truth behind the prophecies of the twenty-four. They are Simon Hill, a New York Times reporter and Father Michelle Deauchez, a professional debunker in service of the Vatican. The question they have to ask themselves: is it really God who is behind the plague, the sores and the earthquakes, or is it mankind itself? In the middle of the book I was wondering if Jensen wasn't overplaying her hand. The scope of the story is so broad, the things happening to the people and to the Earth so devastating, that it would be hard to end the story on a believable note. An Armageddon-like solution, with the two investigators stopping the end of the world with one push of a button, was simply not possible. It's just not that kind of book. I must say that I should not have worried. If anything is clear about Millennium Rising, it is that Jensen is in complete control of the story. Like in a well-written computer game, plot points and clues are shattered around the book, some obvious, but most hidden in plain sight, like ancient prophesies. And the end, in all its tragic beauty, the narrative is utterly believable. I made the game reverence on purpose, because Jane Jensen is mainly know as the writer/designer of the three great adventure games that make up the Gabriel Knight series. These CD-ROMs are detailed mysteries, set against a historical (and often supernatural) background. Not unlike Millennium Rising that is. Jensen has written two novels before, based on her two first Gabriel Knight adventures. As much as I like them for the story, they read more as transcripts of the games then real novels and as such I can only recommend them to die-hard fans of the games, or people who don't want to be bothered with actually playing them. (Which is their loss by the way). Millennium Rising on the other hand is a real novel, with great writing and a cast of wonderful characters. If there is anything wrong with the book, it must be that the two main characters are not as interesting as I would have liked them to be. Unlike the rest of the players, who are really flashed out, even though some of them are only present on some of the pages, Hill and Deauchez are a little flat. It is not until the end that the reporter and especially the priest become actual players in the drama, instead of devices to move the story along. It is a minor scribble though. Millennium Rising is a great book, almost as good as Stephen Kings The Stand and a lot scarier. Marcel van Driel
Rating: 
Summary: Want more like it.
Review: I could not put this book down. It had science fiction, religion, who done it,... Great book. Hope Jane Jensen does another one.
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Summary: A real page turner
Review: What a suspenseful and timely book! The author weaves an intelligent and complex plot into a tight mystery that is a real page turner. I enjoyed every page of intrigue. She brings alive a colorful cast of characters, all with their own agendas- from a charismatic leader of a religious right fringe group to a conservative scientific septic from the Vatican- and all personalities in between. The story is timely in terms of articulating many of the popular prophetic issues surrounding the ushering in of the new Millenium. Jensen's book not only entertains, but also causes the reader to pause and reflect on his or her personal beliefs, thereby preparing themselves spiritually for the new age. I hope to read a lot more in the future from this talented young author.
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Summary: A thinking book...
Review: For the most part, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There was a good bit of action and/or suspense throughout most of the book. When the action/suspense started -- which was early in the book, it kept going. There were a number of different characters -- each with their own issues, but to the author's credit, they were easy to keep track of. In addition, I appreciated the fact that the characters were not one dimensional nor all of the same race. That tended to add a little spice to the book because you're looking at things from their perspectives. The "detective" work carried out by some of the characters was interesting both in what they discovered and the sense of danger they were in as they carried out their activities. The descriptions of events were good enough to allow you "see" what was happening and wonder what in the heck you'd do under the same circumstances. The religious aspects of the book will have you taking a look at where you stand in life. The book didn't rank 5 stars simply because the end of the book tended to drag a little and sound a tad preachy. But in sum, this was a pretty good read.
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Summary: Millennium Rising High
Review: I am an Ayn Rand fan and this book matched anything she has written. It had all the ingredients of a thriller - bad guys, good guys, satanic plots, international intrigue, fanatics trying to control the world. Like the author, I grew up with a fundamentalist background and was surprised at the accuracy of the religious references. Makes me want to go back and look at the book of Revelations - well maybe not, its too scary! It is hard to believe this is Jane Jensen's first novel. I look forward to seeing more of her work and following what I am sure will be a successful literary career. ONE IS NOT ENOUGH.
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Summary: Certainly my type of book
Review: I'm a fan of many different kinds of fiction but I have to admit I like this kind the best. A great mixture of sci-fi, mystery, prophecy, and religion (enough to make the reader feel like maybe the world really ISN'T coming to an end.) As a college student the last thing I have time for is fiction but I gladly sacrificed my spare time to read Millenium Rising! I eagerly look forward to Jane's next book.
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Summary: An Exciting and Believable Story
Review: Millennium Rising is the absolute BEST story of the always talked about Apocalypse. Jane does an excellent job of building characters which you can identify with, and then takes you on a real roller coaster ride of suspense and intrigue. The story is captivating from page one, and is very difficult to put down. Her research is impeccable, and she has created the most believable apocalypse yet, with an ending that leaves you happy, sad, and definitely thinking. It's a great book to talk about with someone who's read it!
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Summary: Exciting thriller
Review: In 2005, residents of Santa Pelagia, Mexico claim they are seeing visions of saints and gods. Father Michele Deauchez comes to the poverty-stricken town to authenticate or debunk the so-called findings. Other visitors begin to arrive including New York Times reporter Simon Hill. Simon and Michele think a major conspiracy is behind the Santa Pelagia incidents and plan to prove it. As evidence mounts to defend an otherworldly visitation, the Apocalypse as obscurely defined in Revelations seems to be coming true. The Pope wants Michele to continue his investigation until the truth is revealed. However, someone kills the Pope and Michele's inquires are abruptly ended by the Vatican before he can decide if the heavenly doomsday clock has started ticking or is some major group arranging a giant hoax for some personal agenda? MILLENIUM RISING is an exciting thriller that leaves the audience wondering if the end of the world has begun or is it a mix of big business, big government, and big religion pulling the strings. The story line blends headline news into an apocalyptic future. The characters never develop and even the good guys fail to attain empathy even when they are under attack, but the non-stop action and the clever plot easily overcomes that. Jane Jensen provides sub-genre fans with an enjoyable doomsday tale.
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Summary: Exciting Reading!
Review: I love books that catch your interest beginning with the first paragraph, and Millennium Rising does just that. And once Ms Jensen gets your interest, she doesn't let it go! The premise is timely and Ms Jensen has put together an incredible story based on the predictions of the Apocolypse. A must read!
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Summary: Slightly biased, but I loved this book.
Review: I am slightly biased in the matter as I have been a fan of Jensen for some time. I was very impressed with this book. It was a good thriller. It was good Sci-fi. It was also a Jensen story which meant that was just the beginning. Jane knows how to tell a story. It had been a long time since I had gotten so involved in a story that I was really scared. Most of the time I could not put this book down. There were however several instances where I dropped it and had to pace around the room to calm myself down before I could continue reading it. I could not not finish the book though. Read this book, you won't regret it. Please keep writing, Jane. I look forward to your work.
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