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Conquest Of Paradise: An End-times Nano-Thriller

Conquest Of Paradise: An End-times Nano-Thriller

List Price: $17.95
Your Price: $17.95
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: As a researcher in the scientific field, I was totally floored by the plausibility of this book. In spite of a few technical inaccuracies in regard to some medical sightings and the abilities of nanomachines, it is a truly great book. As a believer in Christianity, I found the plot and its themes irresistible. The plot is detailed and follows the end time prophecies of the Bible with astounding clarity. Fans of the suspense/mystery genre will enjoy the pages of heightened tension, although it fails to measure up to Stephen King or John Grisham. I look forward to reading the author's next novel and hope the originality of this one can be topped. I read a lot of books each week, and this is one of the best!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: As an alternative to the Left Behind Series, and a great fictional book about the burgeoning field of nanotechnology, you'll be hard pressed to find something better. The book takes a few pages to get going, but then it flies! Each chapter begins with a Biblical quote tying the plot's events to the Book of Revelation prophecies, adding a dramatic element to the worldview the author puts forward. The idea that a single individual or a small group could exercise such absolute power over the entire earth is mind-boggling, yet within the near future, it will be possible (and quite probable)! If you like unusual and original fiction, try this book out.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A fascinating end-of-the-world epic
Review: Based on biblical end times prophecies, "Conquest of Paradise" weaves an end-of-the-world scenario that places it among some of the best novels in its category. The story contains several notable characters, but focuses mainly on the life of a single man, Raphael Vicente. A young revolutionary, Vicente harbors grand ambitions of a world at peace and believes he alone can destroy injustice and evil in the modern world.

As the war on terror plunges the world deeper into an abyss of horror and death, a top secret project yields a weapon of enormous power, a device that controls atoms brought about by "the assembler breakthrough" - an event apparently akin to splitting the atom. As the first president of a powerful United Europe, Vicente finds himself in the unique position of dictating the policies of a new world order shaped by this technological breakthrough.

However, early mistakes in implementing this worldwide governmental framework lead to an enormous oversight - a loophole for terrorists to threaten world security. The idea that a terrorist may already have the technology possessed by Vicente drives him to institute ever more stringent security and safety measures, leading to an assault on First Amendment freedoms and driving the world closer to totalitarianism.

A bit slow at first, the novel takes time to develop (a good 100+ pages), but the author uses that time to build suspense, develop characters, and set up the reader for the book's heart-throbbing conclusion. By the time the assembler breakthrough occurrs, the reader is totally wrapped up in the story and its plot twists that offer original ideas I've never before read in any book. "Conquest of Paradise" is a story that refuses to leave the reader's head after he puts the book down, and those who enjoy Michael Crichton, Tom Clancy, or LaHaye and Jenkins' Left Behind Series will certainly love it. Highly recommended.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A unique Blend
Review: Britt Gillette's Conquest Of Paradise is a work not for everyone, but then, what book is? I always allow an author 50 pages to get me into the story. Mr. Gillette had me in twelve. This is a unique blend of "1984", "Brave New World", and "Atlas Shrugged" except the evil here is the 21st century problems we may face with the advent of nanotechnolgy. Whether Mr. Gillette's work will achieve the classic status of these other books remains to be seen. In the meanwhile, it will be as good a read for people who believe progress is essential for continued human evolution as for those who believe man and society are progressing too far and too fast. Both will have much to ponder after finishing the last page.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A real "page-turn" of a read
Review: Conquest Of Paradise: An End-Times Nano-Thriller is an exciting techno-thriller novel by Britt Gillette. A war on terror that begins in response to the September 11 attacks and grows to involve the whole world. The charismatic European Union leader Raphael Vicente amasses power and popularity, yet in his relentless pursuit of his dream of social justice, Raphael loses track of consequences until the world itself lies on the brink of annihilation. A real "page-turn" of a read, Conquest Of Paradise is recommended as a shocking, gripping saga of a novel from beginning to end.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the best
Review: Gillette scores points for appending an original technological notion (molecular-nano-assemblers) to the ancient Christian apocalypse. He mixes Scriptures, vibrant description, and an almost poetic tone to offer up a truly unique science fiction tale. The characters develop via a series of vignettes, rather than through the typical combination of story, narration, and "thinking out loud" that most tales employ. All of this comes together to offer a very different and interesting read. At the same time, there was a disjointedness to the work, that distracted from the tension and suspense that the basic premise demanded.

Conquest of Paradise rises or falls for the reader, based upon the plausibility of scientists being able to build or generate a molecular-sized machine that could replicate itself into pre-programmed material. The notion is fascinating. It does seem very probable that the world would reach the brink of either paradise, tyranny, or total destruction if such a project became reality. The great weakness is this scenario is that fatalism seems to be the only conclusion. Is there really any way to keep this genie in the bottle? Perhaps the author intended to raise questions rather than answer them, but I'm not sure what we're suppose to do with his conclusions.

Bottom-line: This work seems important, and offers a unique approach to apocalyptic science fiction. However, the novel appears to be a rough draft that needs fleshing out.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: 3 1/2 Stars...Too Much, Not Enough
Review: Have you ever read a self-published book and wondered why any publisher in their right mind would turn it down? Nope, me neither. Although most of these books are odes to dedication and good intentions, they are not always well done.

"Conquest of Paradise" comes close to bucking the trend.

Britt Gillette proves that he can complete a story and with writing flare that improves as the book progress. Occasionally clumsy, and not without grammatical errors, the narrative still moves along nicely.

The basic plot: nanotechnology is on the verge of a breakthrough, thus making all other weapon-systems obsolete. Raphael Vicente, leader of a successful revolution and surprise nominee for the guidance of United Europe, finds himself at the helm of the planet. With good intentions, he sets out to disarm terrorism and bring global peace. Of course, things never work out that easily; a lone terrorist is on the loose ready to pull the nano-trigger himself. To further complicate issues, Britt Gillette sets out to follow loosely the end-time prophecies of the Bible.

The first 100 pages are the biggest problem here. In a word: boooring! I almost gave up, but other reviews here encouraged me to persevere. I'm glad I did so because Gillette does pull off some nice prophetic twists, and he opens our eyes to some frightening realities on the technological horizon. While never breaking down nanotechnology with the ease of Michael Crichton's "Prey," Gillette does communicate effectively the inherent dangers. He forms this idea into a workable "end-times nano-thriller," as the front cover boldly proclaims.

I'm impressed by Gillette's concept and realization. However, in "Conquest of Paradise" he tries to do too much back-story up front, then leaves us without much characterization as his nano-plot takes over. If he continues to write, I'll give another book a shot. I believe that with back-story and character woven throughout the plot instead of before it, he could have himself a winner. And a publishing deal, as well!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great, thought-provoking read!
Review: I asked for this book for my birthday after reading the reviews on Amazon. I had just finished most of the books in the Left Behind series and wanted something with more "meat". This book was it.

Initially, I was a little disappointed. The first couple of chapters didn't flow very well, in my opinion. But I kept reading and was glad I did.

The scientific/technology element to this story was facinating. The world we live in is so techno hungry and I see some plausability in this plot. The book is very well written and will pull you in. This is one I couldn't put down and only found myself wishing it had been longer!

If you are looking for a end-of-times book with more bite then the Left Behind series, this one will NOT disappoint you!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: misleading
Review: I bought this book believing it would be a good read. The opposite occurred. It started off slow, characters were not developed, the last chapters were rushed in style and the book in whole was a total flop. Left Behind is an easy read but at least you are not forcing yourself to read and it connects the noted scriptures with the material you are reading.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Mostly a muddled mess
Review: I like the concept and the technical bits and philosophical questions are worth a read. The plot however is a muddled mess. There are really only two characters you want to care about but they are not given the room to develop into believable, three dimensional characters. The novel is suppose to be tied in with end-times as in the book of Revalation, but I don't see it.


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