Cloning Christ: A Challenge of Science and Faith

Rating:
Summary: Books needs an editor--worse writing I have ever seen
Review: Concept interesting. Evil is plausible to some degree. Descriptions of tourist attractions, etc. out of context in some instances. So poorly written that the author and publisher should be embarassed for not employing a decent editor. I think they are laughing all the way to the bank. Unfortunately, I added money to their bank account.

Rating:
Summary: What does the title have to do with the Plot
Review: tho i'll tune into the 2nd Coming of the Cloning and I'm sure there were details that would've enhanced my enjoyment that I missed with the abidged CD version - this played more like a Steve McQueen "Bullet" like chase than anything the title intimated. I've read better crafted thrillers and tho the subject was intiguing the final product was disapointing & very predictable.

Rating:
Summary: A meaningful story
Review: This is one provocative book. From the opening pages of Cloning Christ, the reader is brought onto the emotional rollercoaster that engulfs the story's main character with sheer brilliance. With a vice-like grip that only increases as the story unfolds, the authors style and handling of substance presented in what is accurately, yet fancifully labeled as a theological thriller challenging science and faith makes Cloning Christ a page-turner worthy of highest acclaim.

In Cloning Christ, Senese and Geis actually take on a great deal of topical subject matter relevant to today's current events as they pertain to genetic science, procreation, and faith in the Almighty. And boldly, they are not afraid of pointing fingers on past or present wrongdoings (if it is their perspective) by any institution - the Roman Catholic Church included. Yet, like most of the subject matter presented in this fast-paced novel that moves from one high gear to another, the authors present a rational balance of the subject or character that is purposeful and well thought out. A perfect case in point would be the example of the story's antagonist, the villainous yet tragically heroic Anselm Cardinal Mugant. In Mugant we are introduced to a man who is willing to follow his convictions to the fullest, even if it means degrading the same very institution he is attempting to protect - Mother Church. A Church that disavows him yet seeks his counsel. Mugant, in his character as the protector of the Church clearly is shown to represent that the actions of one man does not represent the actions of an entire organization. This, in today's tumultuous climate for the Catholic Church, is a fair assessment, at least in the opinion of this reviewer. In addition to being bold in subject matter presented, the authors execute with flair both sides of many current issues the story attempts to reflect on. My personal favorite is found in the personal confrontations of Adrianna Cordoza de Sa, a member of Mugant's powerful industrialist who call themselves the Fifth Crusade. Cardoza de Sa has a barren womb, unable to bear child, a child she desperately wants. Yet she chooses to participate in finding and attempting to kill a genetic scientist, the story's `everyman', Dr. Max Train, who, incidentally, may be the one person who may help her reach motherhood.

But Cloning Christ is so much more than a story of immediate currency. I would not go as far as to say this is a timelessly written piece of fiction, but it is close. The main thrust of the book is how mankind deals with holding onto beliefs in God and one another regardless of the difficulties we all face in life. In Dr. Max Train, we find an easily identifiable character most readers can relate to.

Train, a non-believer, discovers what appears to be the True Cross of Christ. Unknown to him, Mugant and his henchman believe he has intent to clone remnants left on this cross. Even the sheer existence of bodily remains can perhaps throw Mother Church into turmoil - so Mugant believes.

Cloning Christ dashes the reader from one historical setting to another, all while the reader feels that the cross Dr. Train discovers is one in their own possession. With heart pounding, readers will race through this engaging, meaningful story, and perhaps reflect upon the issue of universal kindness the authors so brilliantly write about.


Rating:
Summary: An Ambitious, Action-Packed Suspense Novel
Review: The authors of 'Cloning Christ' more than likely set out to write a theological thriller that would cause their readers to think about the provocative religious subject matter they present in this well-scribed thriller while forcing the reader to stay with the novel's storyline due to the tightly-crafted movement of the main character's actions. Without question, Senese and Geis deliever the goods, as the reader is taken onto a fascinating historical and spiritual journey into the modern world of Christianity. I doubt very much, regardless of your religious beliefs, that a reader will mind the Christian-oriented subject matter. This book has a universal theme . . . definitly one of the better action-packed suspense novels I have ever read.

Rating:
Summary: A great story
Review: At the moment I can't recall another book that played with my emotions the way Senese and Geis' novel CLONING CHRIST has. The authors offer several extraordinary plot lines, including the existance of God in the form of mankinds' faith in the Lord. Additionally, the complex (socially, morally, ethically, and scientifically) issues of genomics and genetic science are brought to the forefront of the reader through a style that I though was clever: the authors choose to leave the complexity of genetic science's formations out of the story, but provide great insight of the complex issues via the strong plot line among the story's main character, Max Train, and the seperate interactions amongst the historically accurate Fifth Crusade. What I would like to say most is that seldom has there been a time when I went back to a novel to re-read it due to a fascination with the subject matter, the gripping style of the chase, and the historical accuracy for which a writer uses fact and wraps a compelling story around it. In CLONING CHRIST, I did that. And as much as this story is an educational piece, make no mistake, it is a first rate thriller that will not allow you to put the pages down.