Rating: 
Summary: Content vs. Theory vs. Writing
Review: I am going to put the same review on each of the "Left Behind" series books because my reaction to each of them is basically the same. (For actual content, read Amazon's description above. For my bent on the series, read on.)There are basically three main theories concerning Christ's return, based off scripture, and though I won't get into them here, this one is off the pre-tribulation theory. (Which is actually the same one I believe in.) The problem is, I know why I believe in this particular theory, whereas other Christian may simply read this book and say, "Oh, so that's what's going to happen!" Well, before you do that, check your Bible and other sources, and don't just base it off these books. OK, time to step off my soapbox... As far as writing talent, I have been VERY disappointed with all the books in this series. At first, I gave them the benefit of the doubt, thinking the writing was so simplistic so younger kids could read them too, until I discovered they have a young kids version out for this series, at which point I was just saddened. So don't expect a well-written novel, as I feel each book's writing has become more and more simple with each release. And by this, I don't mean the story doesn't flow, because it does. It's just written in such simply words that even a grade-schooler could read it without any problems. As far as content, you'll find stuff in here you like, I don't doubt that, but if you're like me, you'll be skimming many areas because you don't care about every single step that every single person takes to get from point A to point B. It's a tedious read at parts, but if you like the study of the end times, as do I, or like reading Christian novels, as do I, then these books will suffice. But don't base your belief system off them until you know more than just what's presented here, and certainly DON'T read them if literary content is your main goal as you won't find well-WRITTEN novels here. If it weren't for that fact alone, I'd be devouring these books as they came out, but as it is, I've read them after friends buy them and are done with them since I am interested in the story, but not the work it takes for me to constantly forgive the writing.
Rating:
Summary: The Best of the Series?
Review: Potentially the best book of the series, though it doesn't have a whole lot of competition - especially from the last 4 books. The characters are still flat, the dialog is still stilted, and the action is still largely predictable. However, Jerry Jenkins has thankfully stopped repeating himself so much. Books 3-6 were so full of repetition (filling readers in on the backstory, either because readers hadn't read previous books or they're too empty-headed to remember past plot elements) that they became almost unreadable. Expanding the series from the original 7 books to now 12 books was a horrible blunder, as books 3-6 really could have/should have been one book and very little would have been lost - and much clarity would have been gained. The plot has picked up with this book, and it was a good read. Still unquestioningly pulp with very little literary value, it was an enjoyable quick read that required little thinking. Good beach book, good lazy afternoon book. Do yourself a favor, though, and get this one from the library - you probably won't want to read it more than once, and you can pound through this in just a few days (my wife did it in one day, I did it in 3). A 3 star rating, though I was tempted to give it 4 stars just because my expectations coming in (after that past 4 books) were so low. This did exceed my expectations - though that's more a reflection of my expectations than of the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Satisfying and wanting for more
Review: Carpathia is even more evil than you think he can get, Rayford keeps me on my toes wondering where he's going next, Ben Judah's dreams are beginning, and I can't wait to see what happens when the Trib Force moves in to their new digs. Will David Hassid be a hero for finding it? Will the antichrist be thrown down to the pits of Hell there to stay forever more? I can't wait to find out. And what about Hattie? My whole Sunday School class is into reading the whole series and we talk about it all the time. When will be read the next one?
Rating: 
Summary: Skip this one!
Review: This is the worst of the series. I enjoyed the previous books; however, this one was very limited. It's a shame, you can sum up the whole book in one sentence. Nicolae Carpathia dies and comes back alive. No surprises, little action. Skip this book in the series and wait for the next one.
Rating:
Summary: Another Disappointment
Review: I started reading this series because the premise was intriguing. I overlooked the authors' obvious slant toward preachiness, realizing early on that they were intending this series to scare people toward Christianity (an approach, as a Christian myself, that I feel is counterproductive). Starting with the first book, I was amazed, as many other reviewers have expressed, at the large print and wide margins - a transparent attempt to make the books appear to have more substance than they actually do. Although the idea for the storyline was good, even laudable considering what I think the authors' initial intentions were when they started this series, the execution has been lacking. Many of the reviewers here have mentioned the poor writing, the absurd technologies, the unlikely actions of the characters, and the plot that goes nowhere. These problems have existed in every book in the series so far, but in The Indwelling, they reach epic proportions. Anyone who could not have figured out who the assassin really is (even before Nicolae's demise) wasn't paying attention. As adversaries, the "GC Forces" are totally inept. And Rayford Steele, a character I originally was fond of, has become simply an irritant. As many have mentioned here, almost nothing happens in this book until the last 40 or 50 pages. I found myself skipping entire sections of this book out of total boredom. I'm shocked to read in these reviews that the authors now plan to extend the series to 12 books. Well, I'm going to invoke an old axiom at this point...."Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." Sad to say, this is the last book in this series that I plan to spend my money on.
Rating:
Summary: CAN'T BELIEVE I ATE THE WHOLE THING!
Review: Have you ever opened a sack of junk food...potato chips, candy, etc...intending to just sample it, then come to your senses after eating the WHOLE THING and feeling pretty nauseated? Well, that pretty well sums up how I feel after finishing THE INDWELLING-LEFT BEHIND #7. Let's face it people, this series is really baaaad: bad writing, unrealistic characters, goofy coincidences, stupid dialogue, unconvincing plots, etc, etc, etc. And I'm finally leaving it behind (along with more dollars than I care to think about). I've got no one but myself to blame for my contribution to it, but (as many others have noted) it seems like this series has just turned into a real "cash cow" for the two authors, and they seem to be milking it for all its worth. Not very exemplary behavior for writers who consider their motivation to be spiritual.
Rating: 
Summary: I loved it!
Review: This book was really good in the series, but I definately will suggest that one reads the other 6 books before this one! Also, as I have read this series I have also read the entire book of Revelation which has helped me tremendously to understand the Tribulation period, too! I love it, and would recommend this book to anyone! :)
Rating:
Summary: Very good, but not excellent all the way through
Review: The Indwelling was a good continuation of the series and the last 100 or so pages were some of the best of the series. I knew that slow points would hit the series, and the last two books seem to fulfill that prediction. Still very good though and I would recommend it highly.
Rating: 
Summary: I hope #8 is better ...
Review: I have read all seven books in the series. The Indwelling was nowhere near the quality of the others. In this book, the plot comes to a near standstill. I loved the other six, but The Indwelling just is not that great.
Rating:
Summary: Why can't you see?
Review: Hello! Why can't you people see this is an awesome series. With this writing combination, how can it not be. Especially with such an exciting and worthwhile topic as the end of the world. The story line is great with an evil villain and the "underdog" good guys. To me, this is screaming "READ ME" in an insomniac-like voice. It is a must read as well as the rest of the series. You have to read this book; how could you not?
|
