The Indwelling: The Beast Takes Possession (Left Behind #7)

Rating:
Summary: Momentary Lag in the Series
Review: I've completed the series Left Behind. Although The Indwelling is a necessary bridge into the next volume, the action in this volume seriously "put the brakes" on the momentum of the rest of the series. It's a must read for those wanting to keep up with the series but be prepared that it is not the page turner that you are expecting. Fear not, the momentum picks up again with the next book.


Rating:
Summary: NICHOLAE RISES FROM THE DEAD
Review: Nicholae is dead, the victim of an assassination attempt that occurred in ASSASSINS, BL#6. The only question is who killed him? Rayford Steele or someone else? The authors tried so hard to persuade us it was Rayford, we were left to conclude it couldn't have been him. Here we learn we were right, it wasn't Rayford. Surprisingly, it was Chiam Rosenzweig. Yeah, the guy in the wheelchair. Apparently he was pretending, just to get himself in a position to kill Nicholae.

But guess again, Nicholae isn't really dead! Some real suspense was built throughout this installment to lay the foundation for Nicholae's miraculous resurrection. Three days later, Nicholae rises during his own funeral and demands to be worshiped as a god. In actuality he has been indwelt by Satan himself, though that was not clearly spelled out.

I will move onto THE MARK. This was some interesting reading and a good way to burn up a weekend.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Plot and Character Growth Continues
Review: The series really starts to turn upwards with this particular book. Building on the excellent change of pace from Book 6, the plot takes some awesome twists and turns as it matures from the lame beating it took in books 4 and 5. The characters really begin to show some major growth along the way, making this an excellent novel. These are still not what I would consider "great" books - but they do make for some fun, fast-paced reading.


Rating:
Summary: BOOK SEVEN: THE INDWELLING
Review: The leader of the world is dead, and the relentless search for the killer is on. But just who did kill Nicolae Carpathia, and where to they go from here? This is perhaps the slowest-moving entry in the blockbuster series so far, with relatively little action and most of the narrative tied up in funeral preparations for the slain Carpathia. Rayford Steele and Chaim Rosenzweig must both struggle with their inner demons, and Leon Fortunato prepares to assume the reigns of the world. But the mourners who witness Carpathia's funeral are in for quite a shock...though an enticing, easy read, THE INDWELLING is a bit slow at times and does rely on some of the same escape scenarios the series has so prominently featured from the get-go but which are slowly becoming rather repetitive. Nonetheless, the authors continue to piece together a thoughtful, spiritual narrative that usually entertains despite some minor weaknesses. If nothing else, THE INDWELLING is an irresistible lead-in to the next entry, THE MARK. Not perfect, but still easily recommended.

Rating:
Summary: The Antichrist lives again.
Review: .
It is the midpoint of the End Times when the Antichrist must die. Who kills him? It is an excellent question with wonderful foreshadowing as tension builds. John the Revelator's Prophecy states that the Antichrist will be killed by a sword, so LeHaye and Jenkins added a gun named the Sword. Will it be the bullet or blade?

In death, Nicolae Carpathia is displayed in a crystal coffin for the predicted three days. Over four million people make the journey to New Babylon to cry over their beloved leader and millions more watch the non-stop television presentation. Beside this man is a twenty-four foot bronze statue that belches black smoke and demands submission and commitment from everyone. Replicas will be in all major cities, and if one does not bow to the graven image, it means death.

When Carpathia comes back to life on the third day, he breaks out of the crystal coffin, there is but one thought -- he is god. This is the Indwelling when Satan takes full control of the man. Whereas Nicolae kept his satanic prayers in private and did not blatantly destroy those who opposed him, now the beast is ready to acquire as many souls as possible in the time left. The stature given by his faithful is enhanced when he calls forth his own dead prophet.

Each member of the Tribulation Force faces personal dilemmas and seeks to find others whose faith is not in Carpathia. Safe houses are blown, new places and new characters are added and do add to the depth of the force as well as add foreshadowing. It is pure action and seems to have a solid background in Biblical knowledge, especially in the accounts of God's judgments.

You cannot start reading this series by starting in the middle. Each book builds upon the previous one, and if you have read this far into the series, you will not stop. I made sure I had the next one when I read so that I felt the continued pressure and involvement.

There are many who will not like any of the reviews of this or the other eleven books because they do not like the series or the ideas presented. It is their right. There are many interpretations about the Book of Revelations, and I happen to enjoy this series very much. Still, nothing is perfect, but the pleasure and heart racing action are worth five stars to me.

Victoria Tarrani


Rating:
Summary: Indwelling Dwells on Me
Review: Every time I read the latest book in the series, I find that the plot literally dwells in my mind. This, in turn, raises questions I feel I need to address in my own life. This particular book, The Indwelling, raised some interesting questions I had not yet answered in my own life:

1. Am I taking responsibility for my fellow man, those closest to me and praying for them, helping them even though I don't like what they are doing? The characters of Hattie and Chaim and the Tribulation Force's continued efforts to help them really brought the lack of that spirit within me to light.

2. Being human, I get angry, and could see myself plotting to kill some scumbag like Carpathia even though I know he's just going to be raised from the dead. I identify with Rayford and his guilt feelings when he finally owns up to the fact that he was trying to control events instead of letting God guide him. Hmmmm. I needed that reminder.

3. Having to live during the tribulation would probably set a lot of people crazy. Me included. (I'm supremely grateful that I am saved and know that I can rely on God's grace to get me through such a time). My curiosity is tweaked, however, when I try to imagine people I know in the same situations. The characters being a tad bit out of character in this book seemed to go right along with the situation. Chloe has maternal instincts which are vibrating on "protect" mode in this book as she faces the possibility of Carpathia's forces finding her and her child in the safe house. Would she surrender the child or resort to murder to protect the baby from worse? What would you do? And here is the biggest message of all: Quit worrying about it, that's God's job!

4. I also find myself consistently wondering and dwelling upon the most important question: Will the things I do and say today have enough of a good influence on those around me that I might help them not be left behind? Unfortunately, I also find myself consistently coming up short on this answer. But that is the beauty of these books. They tweak your brain cells and get your soul involved. The end result has be to be better than the beginning.

I found this book to have the best written dialog compared to the previous books in the series. The first book suffered horribly from the stiffness of the dialog at time. However, I have noticed that I, too, become a little stiff when I try to talk about God. In this society, today, it is very difficult to talk to unbelievers, and when I look at that, I find the dialog a little easier to take. It is definitely coming along though and I didn't find the dialog grating on my nerves in "The Indwelling".

The conversion of one of the main characters left me in tears. This scene was movingly written and stayed with me for quite some time after reading it. I hope the same happens to all those I love and all those I don't love.

I can't wait for the next book!


Rating:
Summary: The 7th Book....More Focused and Rivetting At Once!!
Review: Yes, this book contained less action than some of the others, but it was also focused over a period of just a few days (3 actually), rather than over a span of several months like the previous books.

Did Rayford kill Carpathia? Will Buck and Chaim escape New Babylon? Is the safe-house no longer safe? Read to find out!

I especially liked Leon Fortunado making a complete a** of himself in this book. True, he looked prestigious to those around him and he has an aura of confidence around him, but I had to read his part in this story with a smug smile on my face. I can't wait to see what happens to him. And Carpathia? What a copy-cat. Come up with some lines of your own, my friend, and stop quoting the God that you not only deny, but claim yourself to be.

One last thing....These reviewers still downing and obliterating this series. What gives? This is the 7th book in a 14 book series, half way through. If this story is so putrid, why are you still reading it? Put down the book, and go find something else that will fill your time. Don't read on, continuing to demote and put down the series. If you don't like it, stop reading it. And get over it.

Rating:
Summary: Better than people give it credit for
Review: A lot of the reviews I have read of these books tend to put it down by comparing it to other end of the world books. And while I will admit that these are not as smart or engaging as some of the the better books that cover the same topic like Fire of Heaven or We All Fall Down, I still really enjoyed them. A friend introduced me to the first book and I cut through all 12 books over the past two months. In a way, it's not really fair to compare them to some of the other books because they are trying to do different things. Left Behind seems to me to try to simply tell a great story about the end of the world. It's light, but what's wrong with that? I really felt like I NEEDED to know what was going to happen next when I finished a book and the very next day would order the next one. I call that a success. A book like We All Fall Down is obviously much more intense and thoughtful, the characters seem much more like real people, and it gives you more to think about, but why does that make Left Behind bad? Can't The Ten Commandments and The Passion both be good movies?