Rating: 
Summary: From the prologue I was hooked.
Review: I enjoyed Cloning Christ a great deal. Few books I have read stayed with me after I finished the last sentence, and this book has. In the mist of a violent global chase for who Senese and Geis label 'The Cross-Bearer' conducted by a fallen cardinal, their writing moves the reader ( at least they moved me) into pondering questions of my own existence and how my actions relate to man's benefit in the relationship I have with my God. I have read some of the reviews on Amazon prior to posting my own review. I would like to add one comment I beleive will help anyone else who decides to review some of the comments posted prior to reading this book: Make sure you carefully understand the true identities of the characters in this book. There is much significance to the persona the authors create and fit into each person. If you follow and understand all that challanges each character and how they interact with the themes of the novel I think you will agree the authors have created a very special book.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting, Inspirational, and Educational.
Review: With so much talk about The Da Vinci Code going on, one of the sales assistants at my local Borders (Chicago) store suggested since I enjoyed Dan Brown's story so much, that I might enjoy reading Peter Senese's Cloning Christ. There are some striking similarities between the two books in that both stories rely on the reader's perspective of faith to guide you to the inevitable 'what if?' endings. Also, the stories use female side-kicks to guide the story's main protagonist. Historically and educationally, it is very clear the authors' did more than their fair share of research. Most of all, both books excel the reader into frenetic concentration . . . so intriguing are the two stories. So what differentiates the two stories? A great deal. The characters in Cloning Christ stand out as a large, diverse, and eclectic cast. Broadly, but with razor-edge purpose Senese's ensemble of characters represent the spectrum of human emotion, human circumstance, man's faith in self, man's faith in one-another, righteousness vs. the self-righteous, good vs. evil, and those who support science vs. those who support theological procreation. The blend is perfect; the characters move in and out of the story, each leaving an impact on the scene they were in. From the onset, the readers become very attached, as if one, with Cloning Christ's protagonist, Train, as well as Sara. In The Da Vinci Code, the readers have little attachment to the protagonist, Langdon, but eventually come very close to Sophie. Historically, there were many questions I asked my self, and many facts that were pointed out to me . . . in both books. Landscapes and settings were terrific. In Cloning Christ the author's description of the city geography and its historical significance stand out. In The Da Vinci Code, the author's description of the historical significance of various paintings and artifacts stand out. Though not in the class of The Da Vinci Code in terms of the history lesson, Cloning Christ is a close second. Most of all the one difference between the two books is also the common thread that draws them together. In The Da Vinci Code, the author Brown addresses the 'sanguine' or possible bloodline of Christ, which in itself speaks volumes about who exactly Jesus was. In Cloning Christ, the author Senese addresses the human body form of Jesus, questioning through a blood, what exactly Jesus did on the Cross? In both stories, the thread of commonality is based upon the identity of Jesus Christ and is tied to your own faith. Here's the big difference between these two wonderful books: during my read of Cloning Christ I actually felt I was carrying the True Cross of Christ, and wondered what in the world I should do with it?
Rating: 
Summary: Okay.
Review: THREE/HALF STARS As a thriller, this is a very good story. The story races across some very fascinating places in Europe, and some of the characters are identifialbe and enjoyable to get to know. Spiritually, I am not too sure the book does it for me. I had a hard time accepting the cross of Jesus could actually be found. For fiction to be enjoyable, there needs to be credability in the plot line or premise. One of the more positive aspects of the story is how I was able to identify with the struggles Train faces. We are all tested, and Senese does an exceptional job in writing into the id of the soul.
Rating:
Summary: A Book I Needed To Read.
Review: I am a reader who either loves or hates a book. Yes, I know, there is a middle ground in reviewing literature - I'm just not willing to go there. With my views in tow, I share with you 'Cloning Christ' is a book I NEEDED to read in one day. I have been of the openion that good fiction takes very real possabilities, historical fact, and creates a tale around possible reality. Senese (I will now purchase 'War On Wall Street') and Geis (author of Personal Existance After Death ) share a story so totally absorbing that it lugs and pulls at you to read faster - but calls you to think through some very fascinating possabilities. The challange in 'Cloning Christ' is that you do not want to put the electrical, tense thriller down, yet you want to attempt to reflect upon some of the questions of the soul the authors have you ask yourself.
Rating:
Summary: If I found the Cross of Christ . . .
Review: I am not sure what I would do if I were Dr. Max Train, the rejected non-beleiver of Christ who discovers what appears to be the True Cross of Our Holy Father. I can't imagine how I would feel or act other than to immediatly sense I would be awe-struck. Is this a possability? It is not a far-out concept . . . which makes Senese's conceptual launching point for his novel 'Cloning Christ' positioned as a true Historical Fiction Thriller worthy of distinct praise - and it is just that. Regardless of your position of Faith, I think most people will be able to identify with the story's Dr. Max Train - the 'Cross-Bearer'.
Rating: 
Summary: Powerful story!
Review: Here is the good news: CLONING CHRIST is one of the most compelling stories I have read. I agree with what others have said that the authors' ability to tell a fascinating, powerful story is most unique. Filled with deep meaning, twisted plots, historically fascinating, and well developed characters, this story kept me reading - two days. The bad news: there are several grammatical errors in the book that should have been caught. Still, CLONING CHRIST is a dynamic tale of man and the challanges we face in holding onto our faith in God and one another. Readers will enjoy this tantalizing thriller!
Rating:
Summary: Clever.
Review: There are two books this year I have read that stand out as exceptional fiction literature. The first is Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code - which has, in my opinion received proper fanfare. The second is Peter Senese with Robert Geis' novel Cloning Christ. I would like to simply point out what I beleive to be the main difference from a reader's perspective between these two wonderful books: In The Da Vinci Code you rush to see what the protagonist Langdon will discover next regarding the Holy Grail and Mary Magdaline's interactions with Christ. In Cloning Christ you rush to experience how you the reader would react if you discovered what may in all likelyhood be the True Cross of Christ the protagonist Train discovers in Jerusalem. Cloning Christ is a cleverly written story that grasps the reader into engaging themselves with a very personal experience about faith and the ascension of Jesus Christ.
Rating:
Summary: Tightly constructed plot.
Review: Peter Senese's new novel, "Cloning Christ", is a deftly written fast moving thriller. The tightly constructed plot and subplots carefully interwoven with dark historical secrets of power, greed and deception offer a vividly descriptive and stunningly good read. The novel concerns the discovery of the potential True Cross of Jesus which may in fact have blood and hair folicles on it. With the axis of Christianity based on Christ's ascension, the discovery that his remnants of his body may still be here on EARTH holds a secret capable of changing history and rocking the course of Western religion. Senese has well researched his theses and raise some disturbing questions which the reader will want to ponder. All in all, this book is a page-turner. The greatest strength of the book is the author's character development: here is a suggestion; pay careful attention to each character you meet -- they are created with great meaning and purpose. In essence Senese creates a chess board of characters we can identify with. The other strenght, and this is incredible: Senese makes you actually think about your own life and values by connecting the reader so deeply in Dr. Max Train, the story's protagonist, that you continue to pause and reflect upon a host of your own spiritual issues. I am not the only person I know who felt this way during and after reading the book. The negative: there was not enough information presented on the actual issues of cloning - only the ethics of the subject matter. Somehow I wanted more here.
Rating:
Summary: A book with many reactions.
Review: Peter Senese's new offering, Cloning Christ, is an intellectually stimulating and pulse-quickening triumph. The combination of completley unanticipated plot twists, fascinating historical facts, the ability for the reader and the protagonist to become one, and the stunning manner in which Mr. Senese interweaves and interprets them is a tour de force. It is truly a rare offering that is both accessible, educational, and addictive. Mr. Senese depth of research into art, science, religion, historical politcal affiliations, and urban landscapre will make you want to have your web browser nearby. As he carries you deeper into an area where political agendas and religion mix with Church philosophy, Mr. Senese manages to explain clearly complex histories while racing you onward. While you will not want to stop reading this book (for ANY reasons, like eating or sleeping), every now and then you may wish to pause to let your mind catch up with your racing heart. This is a book that should appeal to anyone looking for a rare item: a thrilling page-turner that is both accessible to anyone but that does not insult anyone's intelligence. It will pump you full of adrenaline and knowledge. In comparison to other well-talked about novels, including IN HIS IMAGE by James Beauseignuer or THE DA VINCI CODE BY Dan Brown, I have to say there is a dramatic difference between CLONING CHRIST and these two other books: Senese's style of writing touches your heart and makes you ACTUALLY think through some important current issues of both the spirit and the reality of today's needs.
Rating:
Summary: A book that inspires a reader . . .
Review: This is the book that stimulates learning in many forms. It forces a reader to contemplate beliefs and understandings on religion, politics, history, geography, mathmatics, art, technology, truth, lies, secrets and wisdom to name a few. The book is impossible to put down. The authors Peter Senese and Robert Geis have written a book so ingenious it blows away such other well-praised books like The DiVinci Code or any of the Left Behind books -- they're not even close. I recommend that everyone read this book. This is an expertly written book that will be discussed for a long time. It inspires a reader with a quest for learning that continues after you finish the book. See if you can finish the book without researching any of the significant observations the authors carefully construct. It will be one of many things you will want to learn more about.
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