Through the Flames (Left Behind: The Kids #3)

Rating:
Summary: A low point in the series
Review: "Through the Flames," by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye, is #3 in the "Left Behind: The Kids" series of young adult novels. These books, which turn apocalyptic Christian Fundamentalist theology into fiction, follow the adventures of a quartet of teens following the mysterious disappearance of all Evangelical Christians from the earth. The books' heroes convert to Christianity and begin preparing for the "end times" scenario taught in Evangelical churches.

So far, these books have been marked by cardboard characters and melodramatic plots. Book 3 opens with some clumsy evangelistic material that reads like a tract. A major theme in this book is the characters' attempts to be on the lookout for the Antichrist, the evil figure whom they believe will become a world dictator.

Much of the book, however, revolves around a boring plot involving an African-American character who has become entangled in a criminal plot. Not only did this part of the book read like a parody of a bad TV crime movie, but I also found it offensive; it seemed to me like the authors were indulging in racist stereotypes of Black criminality. Overall, this book left a bad taste in my mouth.

Rating:
Summary: Im glad Im going to be left behind
Review: Amazing, simply amazing. Its amazing to see how two authors can capture such a disturbing event from a kids point of view. This book is my favorite book out of the Left Behind -The Kids- series for many reasons. For one, I can relate to it in some ways because it deals with kids my age who go through terrible times and at the same time it is encouraging to know that kids my age could brave losing their family and friends. Its also astonishing that kids my age can help out to keep violence off the street when people say that the youth have so much violence. In the -sting- the kids help catch some criminals but you have to read the book to find out what really happened. The book has to do with four kids and their lives, and what happens to them, like Ryan getting chased by Leroy or Loinel trying to save his uncle who is his only family left or Vicky and Jed in the sting. Overall, this book is one of the best books I have read because it gives me a greater out look on what will happen afer the rapture and to the people who will be left behind.

Rating:
Summary: One book you got to read
Review: I am a parent, a homeschooler, a conservative, and a committed Christian. I say all this up front so that my criticism of this series will be understood.

I believe in presenting the truth to my children to the best of my ability.

This means the truth of the Bible -- not the opinion of an extreme minority.

This means the truth of Church History -- warts and all.

This means the truth of Secular History.

This means the truth of what comprises good literature vs. poor literature -- and this series does not represent the quality of material I want my children to handle.

Truth is frequently painful and sometimes scary.

HOWEVER, I do NOT believe in deliberately frightening children into accepting or rejecting a particular opinion or viewpoint. It appears to this parent that such religious "scare tactics" are precisely what is being engaged in with these books.

My children know about heaven and hell. They know what it requires to end up in either of those destinations. They understand that hell is a pretty scary place. But I choose to teach them in a positive, rather than in a negative vein. Being "scared straight" is imperfect contrition. Granted, it beats no contrition at all -- but it results in fear rather than love.

This is what this series appears to accomplish: salvation through fear, rather than salvation through acceptance of the love of the God of Love.

Parents, pay attention to what your children read. Teach them about the love of God, not only through your words but through the example of your life. But don't try to frighten them into the Kingdom.

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

Rating:
Summary: Series for adults now rewritten for teens
Review: I have always enjoyed the adult series of Left Behind books. The kids books are just as good. The kids interact with the characters from the adult series, experience the same events, etc. However, since the main characters are teens, these books can appeal to younger readers. So far, the stories haven't had the ups and downs that the adult series has had. The adult series has books that are a lot more boring than others. The kids series seems to be good in every book. These are not for really young kids, but would be appropriate for young teens. I enjoy them and I am an adult.

Rating:
Summary: read please!
Review: Its a great book! read it! have fun and let ur imagination take u somewhere!
READ< this book!

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Summary: A Through the Flames Review
Review: Jerry B.Jenkins' "Through the Flames" is a book for young adults. This is the story of 4 children who believe in Christianity after the Great Tribulation that is described in the Bible. After having their families stripped from them they
attempt to live on their own in a corrupt and chaotic world.

All four of the children had been living in Chicago with their parents. The oldest of them, Judd Thompson, had invited the other three to live at his house since the rest of his family was gone. Vicky Byrne was a year younger than Judd and had had all her family taken away, too. Lionel Washington, 13, and Ryan Daly, 12, also lived in Judd's home.

Lionel's uncle had some enemies that were living in Lionel's house. One day Ryan set out for Lionel's house to prove to the others that he could be brave enough to confront the trespassers. When he got to the house, he overheard a phone conversation that let him know where Lionel's uncle was. Lionel, who wanted to see his uncle, set out to find him and finally did in a shabby apartment building. Lionel was not able to talk to his uncle for long, and as he left the building, his uncle's apartment suddenly exploded. Judd and Lionel rushed in to try and save Lionel's uncle, but they were too late. His uncle died and the murderer got away for the time being.

This book was a very exciting thriller and kept me on the edge of my seat. The suspense and drama the writer displays makes the book well worth the time to read. I would suggest this book to any reader who enjoys intrigue and a twisted ending.

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Summary: Christian Propaganda
Review: This series of novels is inspired by "The Revelation to John", the last book in the New Testament, the third section of the Bible, the Christian holy book. "The Revelation to John" (which is often misnamed "The Book of Revelations") tells the Christian myth of what will happen at the end of the world. Basically, the authors took this story, which is barely 20 pages long, and turned it into a series of 12 novels plus a spin-off series that deals with kids. The Christian view is that only the people that believe that Jesus lived 2,000 years ago and died for their sins will be saved and receive an eternal reward in Heaven. What makes this worse is that individual merit based on good or evil deeds is not taken into consideration, because Christians believe that human beings cannot be put right with God except through Jesus. Christians believe that they are saved through faith alone; no amount of good works can win God's approval. So, all of the people that don't believe in Jesus will receive an eternal punishment in Hell, regardless of how many good deeds they do and how caring they are to other people. Meanwhile, the Christians will be saved no matter how evil they behave, because they've got Jesus on their side. "The Revelation to John" tells of an event known as the Rapture: all of the Christians are taken up to Heaven, and everyone else is left behind on Earth. After an event known as the Tribulation and world rule by someone known as the Anti-Christ, Jesus finally returns to Earth and defeats his enemies. Then the old Heaven and the old Earth go away, and a new Heaven and a new Earth are established - with God as King, of course. This took 20 pages in the Bible. Imagine reading the same story stretched over thousands of pages. As a non-Christian, I'm alarmed at what I consider to be an evil religion perpetuated by zealous idiots. Christians base their beliefs on documents that are close to 2,000 years old but don't quite date back to the time period that the events within allegedly occured. There is no physical evidence of the existence of Jesus. There are no non-Christian records of Jesus (not even in Roman execution records). There are no records by astrologists of the time period that describe such an event as that which supposedly occured during Jesus' crucifixion. I belief that the reason that Christianity has endured and grown as much as it has is because it's the only religion in the world that threatens the non-believer with an eternal punishment. Christianity is, at its core, a religion that rewards the "yes" people and punishes the nonconformists. The Bible itself orders Christians to spread the religion throughout the world. Christians feels that it's their duty to convert all non-Christians to Christianity. They pity non-Christians and "pray for their souls". They place themselves into a group of the elite - the saved. They start missions to convert the "heathen" non-Christians and "bring them over to Jesus". The Roman Catholic Church even has a division, called Propaganda, that specifically tries to establish churches in non-Christian nations. An example of a Christian mission is this book series. The authors are trying to bring readers to Jesus through these novels, which have, sadly, become best-sellers. I think that Christians should abort their missions and just leave people of other religions in peace. I'm so glad that there are billions of non-Christians in the world. It would be horrible if the Christians converted everyone. The world needs a balance of beliefs. Otherwise, it would lose its diversity. If you want to read a good book of a battle between good and evil, then read "The Stand: The Complete & Uncut Edition" by Stephen King. It tells a similar story, only better and in only 1,000 pages. The premise is that a superflu kills millions of people (we don't see what's going on in the whole world, just the United States), and those that are left band into two opposing camps of good and evil. The thing that makes King's book a lot better than this series is that no explanation is ever given for why these people are immune to the superflu. All types of people are left behind, both Christians and non-Christians. The authors of the "Left Behind" series make it seem like the world would fall into chaos if all of the Christians disappear, which is ludicrous. King wisely avoids this in his book. Buy it and enjoy it. Skip the "Left Behind" series. If you want to know what happens, take an hour to read "The Revelation to John".

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Summary: Through the Flames - Book 3 of the Left Behind Kids Series
Review: Through the Flames logs in as book 3 in the series about four teenagers who struggle to survive the seven most chaotic and perilous years the planet has ever seen. Judd, Vicki, Lionel, and Ryan are post-Rapture Christians who have all been left orphans when a global catastrophe strikes (book 1) which is only the beginning of the end of the world.

In this third installment, the four kids find themselves in grave danger when Ryan sneaks around associates of Lionel's Uncle Andre and learns dangerous information. After narrowly escaping a mass murderer, Ryan returns to his friends and tells them what he heard. The four of them boldly set out to find more answers concerning Andre and in the process risk their very lives. Judd and Lionel narrowly escaping with their lives in a nerve-frazzling rescue attempt in a burning building, while at the same time, Vicki and Ryan are chased through the streets of Chicago by the same murderer who set the apartment fire.

Through the Flames is one of the most exciting installments in the Left Behind Kids series. It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through, and the cliffhanger ending will make you want to read the next installment, Facing the Future.

Rating:
Summary: A truly unique series!
Review: We last left off with Judd, Vicki, Lionel, and Ryan trying to cope with the loss of their families in the Rapture of the church.
Lionel's Uncle Andre has taken over his house with a gang of his as well. To prove his bravery, Ryan goes off in search of information for Lionel, and still undecided. What will Ryan's choice be?
Andre gets into some trouble, and Lionel must again face another loss. The four go out in search of Leroy, a member of Andre's gang/murderer. With the help of Sergant Thomas Fogarty, Judd sets up with a sting, and waits for Leroy to "get his."
This book was great, and the series is wonderful! I encourage people to go out and buy this series!

Rating:
Summary: A truly unique series!
Review: We last left off with Judd, Vicki, Lionel, and Ryan trying to cope with the loss of their families in the Rapture of the church.
Lionel's Uncle Andre has taken over his house with a gang of his as well. To prove his bravery, Ryan goes off in search of information for Lionel, and still undecided. What will Ryan's choice be?
Andre gets into some trouble, and Lionel must again face another loss. The four go out in search of Leroy, a member of Andre's gang/murderer. With the help of Sergant Thomas Fogarty, Judd sets up with a sting, and waits for Leroy to "get his."
This book was great, and the series is wonderful! I encourage people to go out and buy this series!