Rating: 
Summary: Last Champion
Review: A thought provoking sci-fi social commentary, with an undertone of religion. While the theme of the book is one of salvation through Christianity, the author subtlely weaves this into the narrative without turning off those of us more interested in the commentary on society. Mr Templeman has done an excellent job of creating a world-gone-mad in the not so distant future. In creating this hedonist paradise, Mr. Templeman skewers the contemporary values of our culture. Rampant drug use, meaningless sex, the vanity of cosmetic surgery, and the modern-day marketing machines of corporate America are all subject of his disdain. Many of the key characters are shown to be despicable. Their duplicity keeps the reader engaged through a voyeuristic sampling of their many vices. However, this portrayal appears to serve a greater purpose - to make the subsequent transformations all the more meaningful. Above all else, the author leads the reader to the conclusion that religion is the savior, without being preachy and condescending. My only criticism is that the only salvation in "The Last Champion" comes from the bible. While clearly this was the intent, one wishes Mr. Templeman would have taken the opportunity to unify the common core-values of many religions to create sort of a "grand unified theory" of religion. This would give the book appeal to a broader base, without diluting the underlying message. Unfortunately, the "Last Champion" will be stereotyped, and thus will prevent many that would enjoy it as much as I did from ever picking it up.
Rating:
Summary: Hooray! No drivel!
Review: I applaud Mr. Templeman for providing this jaded reader with an intellectual sci-fi thriller that won't be carted off to the local used book store anytime soon. Deep,detailed characters with whom one can identify. Political and religious undertones that provoke further personal pondering. All in all a wonderful reading experience. I will definitely look for more titles by Mr. Templeman (and I won't be able to wait until the paperback versions are released....)
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: I bought this book after it was recommended by a good friend. Although it didn't look like a book I would normally choose to read, I found THE LAST CHAMPION to be an extremely stimulating and thought-provoking story. The author has successfully blended both sci-fi and religion into a surreal (often scary) look at a futuristic society on Earth (and other nearby planets) which is totally devoid of morals and religion. It is apparent that the author went to great lengths to fully develop the characters in this book and their relationships with each other. Mr. Templeman was able to portray each character in such a way that kept me reading late into the night to see exactly what they would do next! The religious passages/references which pepper this book are in just the right spots (loved the "sand" theme!!!) I must confess that I did read the Amazon reviews before I bought this book. The language and violence seemed to bother a few readers, and it does get a bit extreme at times. It is my opinion, however, that this book would not have provided such a powerful punch without these things. The "showdown" near the end of this book had me on the edge of my seat, and the last few pages took me a little by surprise (although they shouldn't have...) If a sequel is in the works, I am hoping to get one of the first copies. Thanks to Mr. Templeman for a welcome and fascinating break from my normal "murder/mystery" reads.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: I bought this book after it was recommended by a good friend. Although it didn't look like a book I would normally choose to read, I found THE LAST CHAMPION to be an extremely stimulating and thought-provoking story. The author has successfully blended both sci-fi and religion into a surreal (often scary) look at a futuristic society on Earth (and other nearby planets) which is totally devoid of morals and religion. It is apparent that the author went to great lengths to fully develop the characters in this book and their relationships with each other. Mr. Templeman was able to portray each character in such a way that kept me reading late into the night to see exactly what they would do next! The religious passages/references which pepper this book are in just the right spots (loved the "sand" theme!!!) I must confess that I did read the Amazon reviews before I bought this book. The language and violence seemed to bother a few readers, and it does get a bit extreme at times. It is my opinion, however, that this book would not have provided such a powerful punch without these things. The "showdown" near the end of this book had me on the edge of my seat, and the last few pages took me a little by surprise (although they shouldn't have...) If a sequel is in the works, I am hoping to get one of the first copies. Thanks to Mr. Templeman for a welcome and fascinating break from my normal "murder/mystery" reads.
Rating:
Summary: A Phenomenal Read
Review: I found this book hard to put down. Vivid descriptions, a gripping plot and well developed characters made this book come to life for me. I felt like I knew the characters personally. I can relate to the plot because everyone deals with religion at some point in their life. As a college kid I do not have much time for recreational reading, but this is one book I would definitely recommend to my friends.
Rating:
Summary: A Phenomenal Read
Review: I found this book hard to put down. Vivid descriptions, a gripping plot and well developed characters made this book come to life for me. I felt like I knew the characters personally. I can relate to the plot because everyone deals with religion at some point in their life. As a college kid I do not have much time for recreational reading, but this is one book I would definitely recommend to my friends.
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME! BUT WILL THERE BE A SEQUEL? CAN THERE BE? I HOPE!
Review: I have to admit the first 30 pages had me a little worried. A Russian civil rights leader gets assassinated. A mother and her two children are murdered by government agents. An underground Christian parish gets locked in a basement and burned alive by rioting looters. An innocent young girl who reminded me of Anne Frank gets raped and brutalized by an evil "Arnold Schwarzenegger" type. And through it all, the leader of the free world is snuggling up with his teenage boy lover and a big glass of French vino! Yikes! Fortunately, there was a method or even genius to Donald Templeman's madness. The early going was basically an introduction to "Planet ACLU" in the 22nd century. No morals. No God. Just more unbridled hedonism than our maker ever intended. As Earth's existence becomes threatened by the powerful alien (or aliens, I think), the lightbulb finally clicks on for a select few. We begin to see how important a genuine, trusting, loving, faithful relationship with God really is, especially when you're facing the end. This book made me think, laugh a little, and think some more. It was the kind of raw, uncensored fiction you wish more mainstream Christian authors would try to write. A bareknuckle brawl for the redemption of souls in mankind's dirty little world. Bravo!
Rating:
Summary: Science Fiction Redux
Review: I haven't read science fiction in years but Templeman's book has brought me back to the genre. A not "too far out" future shows the post apocolyptic world rationalizing a departure from values established at the beginning of the modern world. The characters are easy to identify with in their internal struggles.In the end, I had questions and wanted more. When's the sequel?
Rating: 
Summary: Very Impressed
Review: I must admit, I started this book with a bit of skepticism. Another atempt to warn us about how terrible our world will be sometime into the future. If we don't repent, "Heaven help us". However, what I discovered is not what I had expected. Yes, it does take place in the future, and things appear to be different than today. But as you read, the author brings you to realize that these events are not in the future. They are in our present day. The thoughts and thinking of the characters, along with the value system they employ, can be easily understood and recognized. I highly recommend this novel for all mature adults. The author has an excellent writing style, which you will find to be both entertaining as well as thought provoking. Hopefully this is not the only work we will see from this author. I personally would enjoy a sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Very Impressed
Review: I must admit, I started this book with a bit of skepticism. Another atempt to warn us about how terrible our world will be sometime into the future. If we don't repent, "Heaven help us". However, what I discovered is not what I had expected. Yes, it does take place in the future, and things appear to be different than today. But as you read, the author brings you to realize that these events are not in the future. They are in our present day. The thoughts and thinking of the characters, along with the value system they employ, can be easily understood and recognized. I highly recommend this novel for all mature adults. The author has an excellent writing style, which you will find to be both entertaining as well as thought provoking. Hopefully this is not the only work we will see from this author. I personally would enjoy a sequel.
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