Rating: 
Summary: Left Behind Wannabe
Review: I'm not sure what I expected from this book, but I was disappointed. Carrying the logo, "Based on the Left Behind Series," I guess I expected a book more in the style of those books. While it was interesting to pick out the names of the characters from the other series, I think I would have preferred the more straightforward style of Lahaye and Jenkins. This book was loaded with Acronyms for all of the different weapons, troops, etc. This in itself is difficult to keep straight. In addition, the book is virtually half over before the rapture even occurs. Hopefully, future books will move at a faster pace. It might have even been okay if the first half of the book had been necessary to establish the characters, but it seemed to be totally battle scenes. I found myself looking forward to the seemingly mundane scenes just as long as they weren't battle scenes. So, while this book is definately worth a read, don't get your expectations up and compare to or expect the caliber of the Left Behind Series.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Left-Behind
Review: Interesting reviews of this book so far. I must say that I was very excited about a new "Left Behind" book. By the time I was half way through this book however, I was hoping the Rapture would occur so I would not have to finish the book. While the book is very heavy on the military descriptions of war (I expected that) I did not expect every literary cliche in the world to be in this book. I made it through 2/3 of the book and finally left it on a plane during my ride home from a business trip. I just couldn't bear to read another page. Maybe I am just accustomed to LaHaye and Jenkins. I will not be purchasing Mel's book 2.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Read for the Military Minded Christian
Review: It was a little hard to get into in the beginning. I expected the book to read like the left behind books, and I was mistaken. It took the first two chapters to really get into the book, then it was just so hard to put down. Those who are in the military or a veteran will not be thrown by the military lingo, it was kind of a welcome surprise. It will make you really evaluate your claim of Christianity, like the characters in the book. There were just too many who prayed, referenced God in their daily conversations, but really had no relationship, therefore they were left behind. Great entertainment! Relevant bible quotes! Excellent Read!
Rating:
Summary: A Complicated Followup to a Brilliant Series
Review: It's hard to write in the immense shadow of Jerry Jenkins' Left Behind Series, but author Mel Odom does a decent enough job with his first attempt in this brand-new spin-off. Where Apocalypse Dawn is strong is its portrayal of military life. It echoes much of the style of Dee Hendersen's Uncommon Heroes Series. It is interesting to step into a world so foreign to many people. Mel also knows how to write a fairly believable plot line. And his character development is rich and vibrant. Apocalypse Dawn is like a microscopic close-up of one angle of the end times, unlike Left-Behind, which is a blow-by-blow chronilogical account. Where this book fails considerably are on two fronts. First, it is quite long and protracted and the average reader will quickly tire of the endless military jargon. It's great for war geeks, who love to rap about RPGS and M-7's and a billion other acronyms and abreviations. The cliques and phrases that are a part of military culture come off as preachy to the average person. The biggest beef, however, will be with Mel's strange theology. The way to salvation is mixed and jumbled. Good Christians are left behind because they got mad at God for taking away relatives prematurely. Since when did standard soul-searching become the Unpardonable Sin? By this criteria, Mel would throw Job and David and Paul out of Heaven. And then in another point, it seems as though Baptism is the way to Heaven. I was really troubled by Mel's strange Gospel message. It seems as though he needs to put down the military manuals and brush up on basic Scriptural theology. All in all, Apocalypse Dawn is a thrilling read, full of interesting military information and richly layered characters, but don't base your faith on it. Because it leaves you wondering who what it takes to get left behind.
Rating:
Summary: Great "military culture" angle on Rapture
Review: Left Behind and others in the apocalyptic fiction genre give us interesting speculations on how biblical end times events might play out in the lives of civilians. Mel Odom's Apocalypse Dawn does the same for the military. How will a doubting chaplain grapple with true believers disappearing? How about young enlisted types? A veteran first sergeant (the story's protaganist)? High ranking generals? Then, of course, the families left back at the base? All these angles are explored. Odom throws in the normal crises that plague some military (and civilian) families: child abuse, alcoholism, sibling rivalry. Odom packs so much observation into his novel, all while staying true to the military culture. The aspect that seems to lower the ratings on Odom's approach is the heavy use of technical description. I am not fond of lengthy descriptions of any type. However, once I became accustomed to it, it did add flavor and depth to the story. Character development was subtle and effective. Being the adult child of an alcoholic father might be common enough, but Odom helped us understand what was going through Jenny's head as she battled life. Joey's seemingly silly competition with a brother 12 years his junior looks foolish and selfish at first, but we do come to understand his dilemma. I could continue, but suffice to say that each character develops well. Perhaps some readers are looking for unusual tweaks...but Odom is communicating what ordinary people will experience during the end times. Bottom-line: Odom details with frightening realism how ordinary military people could struggle through something as horrific as the Rapture and Tribulation, and perceive events as life being crazy as usual...only more so. Odom's done an outstanding job of presenting a plausible end times scenario from an accurate military angle. Bravo!
Rating: 
Summary: A Thriller!
Review: Point blank: A great book. If Tom CLancy were to write Christian Fiction, this would definately be it. I couldn' put it down. Not many authors can keep you in such suspense throughout the whole book like Mel Odom does.
Rating:
Summary: Left Behind fans: Get ready to experience fresh, new events!
Review: The first spin off from the Left Behind series, Apocalypse Dawn peaks as it paints vivid pictures of breath-taking military battle scenes ... and at the most unexpected time, in the midst of warfare, the Rapture of the Church occurs! Many people are left astonished as they see their comrades disappear before their very eyes; their clothes suddenly left in piles on
military fighter choppers, army fatigues left on the battle field, and so much more! In the midst of an intense war, bullets and missiles fly as soldiers fight for their lives as they deal with what just happened! Was it the results of an enemy weapon, or was it more than that? As they come to
find out that this has occurred all over the world, questions and confusion really start to mount up! And let us not forget to mention that Nicolae Carpathia is on the scene. Left Behind fans: Get ready to experience fresh, new events during the earth's last days, with new characters, as well as
with some familiar ones! Reviewed by N. Lord The GOOD GIRL Book Club
Rating:
Summary: Superb addition to the Left Behind series
Review: The latest hot spot in the world is the border between Turkey and Syria and the United Nations has asked United States President Fitzhugh to send troops there to keep hostilities from turning deadly. American soldiers are at the front lines in Turkey hoping their presence is enough to deter Syria from attacking but those hopes ends with a Syrian attack. Sergeant Samuel Adams "Goose" Gander is at the battle's front lines when many of the soldiers in his command vanish. At Fort Benning, Georgia, Goose's wife Megan tries to talk a suicidal teen out of jumping. She grabs hold of him but is not strong enough to stop his fall, but the only thing that is on the sidewalk is his personal effects. Other people disappeared on the base at the same time. While Goose and Megan fight different wars on different fronts, they remain strong for the people who depend on them. People all across the world choose sides in the coming Tribulation. Fans of the Left Behind series will definitely want to read APOCALYPSE DAWN a look at the actions of the military during the Tribulation times. Much of the action centers around Goose as he wrestles with the questions of faith despite what he has seen and others have witnessed on the battlefield. Mel Odom's military thriller is fast paced, full of action yet doesn't shortchange readers on character development. Reader will take Megan and Goose into their hearts and eagerly await the next book in this series to see what happens next to these special characters. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Worthwhile read
Review: This book is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in the the end of times. It is a whole new set of characters based on a couple of the main characters from the Left Behind series. I don't think this book read as smoothly as any of the LB books but it is pretty good and gives a different perspective. The main thing I don't like about this book is that it has so much military jargon in it. Endless descriptions of weapons, ammunition, etc. I found it distracting and boring. I have read other reviews where other readers have found it inaccurate. I am a 33 y.o. mother of two and have no military background so I didn't see the obvious flaws mentioned in other reviews-- I was just bored with the descriptions. Something not answered in the book and I suppose will be addressed in the later books is why some of the people who seem to be believers were left behind. I look forward to the next book.
Rating:
Summary: The Start of another GREAT Series
Review: This book is written with a whole new set of circumstances and characters with some of the old ones from the Left Behind Series. The research is well done and the set of circumstances are up to date for the world today. It is hard to put down and makes you eager for the next one. I look forward to reading the next work to follow this one. Being in the military myself and reading this book while in Iraq, it was very real to me. I strongly recommend this book to any Left Behind fans out there!
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