Rating: 
Summary: A mockery
Review: This is what happens when non-Christians try to cash in on a successful series (Left Behind) by teaming Lahaye, whom everyone knows never wrote a word of fiction (it was all Jerry Jenkins) with a writer who's never writen for the intended market -- namely Christians. They missed the sensibilites of the market by a mile. Not suprising -- it's like trying to write a novel in German without first learning how to speak German. Lahaye can't write and Dinallo can't write Christian.The story is about as unbelievable as they get. The charaters are paper thin and the plot doesn't challange us. There's nothing here for a Christian to sink thier teeth into, other than a sermon in a classroom by the hero. In fact, the plot undermines prophecy by reducing it to a series of pop, bang, smack, 'take-that' punches you'd expect in a comic book. Believe it or not, Christians what authenticity in thier fiction, not something that is reminiscent of the Scorpian King. Please. Two Stars for hoping they can salvage something out of this mess.
Rating: 
Summary: Babylon Stumbling (out of the gate)?
Review: An OK read overall, but not up to par with Mr. LaHaye's other works. This series has potential, but it needs to fine tune some aspects of the writing. For example: 1) Michael Murphy, our hero, is a real Renaissance man. He's really, really, really smart; he relates well to the kids (in his Biblical archeology class); he's a wonderful husband; buff and tough enough to whup up on a big, nasty, slobbering lion; a dead-eye shot with a compound bow; and blessed with the talent of solving multiple inpenetrable mysteries buried in desert sands for 2,500 years in a single minute. Yes, this Action Hero does everything but sing like his musical namesake (we think). Any weaknesses? Oh yeah, he's got a thing for risking his life, career and pride at the whim of the mysterious "Methuselah" to gather archeological treasures which could prove events in the Bible really happened. Fortunately, our hero's biggest challenge in the first half of the book is withstanding his Just As Smart And Independent wife's withering anti-machismo comments and first-aid treatment after besting Methuselah's challenges. Oh yes, he doesn't shave for a few days after his wife's tragic death, and is a little ticked at God. But a quick confessional to his congregation, and he gets over it.
I like to engage my suspension of belief when I read fiction, but this was too much. Come on, the woman he intended to invest the next 50-60 years (and maybe planned a family with) is gone. It's not something you just get over -- you learn to live with it. The elements are there -- just don't make him a superhero. Rayford Steele of the Left Behind books is a great example of a more balanced (and human) protagonist. 2) Methuselah. Mysterious dude (always in the shadows) gets his jollies by getting Murphy to fall into one of his elaborate traps. Soooo, what will he do for fun if Murphy bites the big one? Get a relative of Louis Leakey? Well, Methuselah's Lion King bit (ha ha!) does establish Murphy as a Man Of Action, unlike that wimpy college dean. But please don't bring this character back. 3) Dean Fallworth, Unbelieving Head Weenie. I kept visualizing the college dean of the Nutty Professor movies when I read the book. Do college deans drop dimes on their professors like that on national TV? 4) Stacy, the Up And Coming News Reporter. Sells her soul (literally) to get her Big Break. Never read that cliche before... 5) Steve Barrington, the Soulless TV Mogul. Hey, just go ahead and name this guy Ted Turner already! OK, guess you can't since Jane Fonda isn't in the novel. Oh, wait, there is Stacy... 6) The lesson that teaches that Archeological Digs Really Don't Require Mountains Of Paperwork And Red Tape -- just call that pal from grad school, and you'll dig up that artifact and be on to the next pyramid in time for corn flakes! And don't forget the unlikely -- but stunning -- bookworm who speaks long-dead languages. Never know when you'll need her to rescue you from sinister zombie sacrificers. OK, there are some very promising aspects to this book (and series). Talon is a very scary adversary, unlike the straw man Global Community people in the Left Behind books. The falcons are an interesting touch (ouch!). A little more character development in the next book. "Christian Terrorists" theme -- One reviewer didn't think it's plausible that the media would portray Christians in that manner. I don't believe all media would do that, but many would. I've lost count of people who claim religion -- and Christianity -- is the reason we have so much strife in the world. I could go on about how our media demonstrate how tolerant we should be of other religions but will interview anyone who tries to debunk Biblical "myths", such as the divinity of Jesus, the Flood, etc. Archeological/historical aspects -- Very interesting and innovative premise. I remember reading about the Brazen Serpent and the Golden Head, but never thought of a possible connection between the two. Great lesson. Other positive aspects included the pacing (a LaHaye and Dinallo trademark -- I also read Dinallo's "Final Answers"), unexpected twists and loose ends. I look forward to the second book, but please give the central characters more dimension.
Rating: 
Summary: Riveting, couldn't put it down!
Review: As a fan of Biblical prophecy and of Indiana Jones, I found the plot to be intense and the characters engaging. I generally read Clancy or LaHaye/Jenkins for my fiction. This is a must-read. It's not about futuristic events, but about things that could actually happen today. What is truly amazing about this book (and other LaHaye fiction) is that LaHaye and DiNallo base their fiction on the fact that many of prophecies of the Old Testament have come to fruition, so then will the rest of them regarding the Last Days. I recommend it to anyone who is looking for some great action-packed fiction. It's a great tale of adventure and suspense!
Rating: 
Summary: Half way through and regretting that I ever cracked the book
Review: Run away now, while you still have the chance. At very least, check this one out at the library, don't buy it. While the premise is intriguing, the plot, dialog and character development are very poor. Definitely far below the quality of the 'Left Behind' series.
Rating:
Summary: Not up to your usual
Review: I have only one suggestion---Get Jerry Jenkins Back!!!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Could be the start of a pretty good series...
Review: I finished the book Babylon Rising by Tim LaHaye and Greg Dinallo last night. This is the beginning of a new series for LaHaye, author of the Left Behind series. In this novel, a biblical archeologist is sent on a hunt for for an ancient artifact known as the Brazen Serpent. The bronze snake is thought to be the staff used by Moses to heal the Israelites. But as he's searching for the three parts based on cunniform clues, he's also being pursued by a group who wants to own the relic for their own dark purposes. A pretty good read if you like LaHaye's writings, and it could shape up to be a decent series.
Rating:
Summary: Babylon falling!!
Review: I have not read any of the Left Behind books, but had heard so many good reviews, I couldn't wait to check out this new series. What a disappointment!! I was so completely bored, I could barely make it through. I felt like I was back in elementary school reading a book for homework. It was all I could do to not laugh at the ridiculous plot and characters....very generic and boring. I will not put myself through the next book in the series, but will try to see if Left Behind was what people claimed it was....
Rating:
Summary: A Major Disappointment for Tim LaHaye Fans
Review: I am a longtime fan of Tim LaHaye's writing and the biggest Left-Behind geek there is. That is why I eagerly anticipated reading this book. And I couldn't have been more disappointed. In fact, I'm scratching my head wondering 1) How a major publisher allowed this to press without significant edits. 2) How Tim LaHaye can put his prestige and now worldwide name recognition on a book so terribly flawed. The idea behind Babylon Rising is brilliant, but the writing is so below grade, I can't believe it will get a single positive review. The characters are so unbelievable, the plot line is convaluted and bizzare, and the dialoge is terribly amateur. I can guarantee that if this were produced by an unknown writer and submitted to any publishing house, it would be flatly rejected. I am terribly disapointed, because I really like the idea of a series based on Daniel's prophecies. The anticipation and the hype was such that I was running out to get this book. And by the lofty standards created by Left-Behind, I could have sworn that this book would be awesome. It is clear that Tim LaHaye, without master craftsmen Jerry Jenkins, fails as a fiction writer. Its too bad.
Rating:
Summary: mediocre with horrible dialogue
Review: Tim LaHaye is the creator of the best selling Left Behind series. This is another book (the first in a series) that is based on biblical prophecy. The Left Behind books were based on the prophecies of Revelation. Babylon Rising is based on the prophecies found in the book of Daniel. The other main difference is that Babylon Rising takes place before the Rapture (the starting even of Left Behind). In the introduction to this book, Tim LaHaye writes that he is more excited about this book (and the coming series) than he has been about any other project that he has worked on. He is teaming with Greg Dinallo to write a fast paced, biblical based, adventure/thriller. LaHaye feels that the hero of this story, Michael Murphy is a fantastic protagonist, one who we should be excited to read about. Michael Murphy is a biblical archaeologist. That means that he finds ancient artifacts and uses them to authenticate the Bible. For some time now, he has been given tips by a man who calls himself "Methuselah". Methuselah gives Murphy a tip on how to find an artifact, but at the same time he sets traps around this artifact that could easily kill Murphy. Michael accepts this and goes along with it because every biblical artifact has turned out to be genuine. Michael Murphy seems to be cut out of the Indiana Jones mold, only with a strong Christian morality. When Murphy finds the latest artifact that Methuselah lays before him, it sets him on a path to confront a great Evil (with a capital E). We are also introduced to the other side, an organization known as the Seven, and their murderous henchman named Talon. As Murphy searches for a biblical artifact known as the Brazen Serpent, an endtime prophecy of Daniel begins to unfold. As LaHaye wrote in the introduction, this is a fast paced adventure book. It is based on biblical prophecy, but unlike Left Behind, this one didn't hook me. I was able to read the book quite quickly, but I wasn't too interested in what happened to any of the characters (except for one minor character). Rather than be the great Christian hero that LaHaye had hoped for, Michael Murphy is a caricature. He is so idealized that he isn't believable as a character or as a person. That might be part of the problem with the entire book. While it is written with the best of intentions, the dialogue is horrible, the writing a step below that of Left Behind, and riddled with cliché. There is no sense that the dialogue between characters could possibly be a real conversation. It felt phony and forced. With all that said, if you loved the Left Behind books, you may enjoy Babylon Rising. It is similar to that series, and has the same basis in Biblical Prophecy. I didn't find Babylon Rising to be very engaging at all. It is a fast reading book, so you won't waste too much time reading it, but I feel that your time would be better spent elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: What happened?
Review: I have for a long time enjoyed Tim Lahaye's writing, and am a big fan of most of the Left Behind books. What happened to character development?
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