Rating: 
Summary: Not what I was thinking--
Review: If you're looking for a book to flip through while you're trying to relax, this is a good one. Not too heavy or hard to understand(will probably be critisized because of its lack of complexity). Compelling plot(Especially if you're into the end of the world type stuff). It is exceedingly religious though, which will probably turn a lot of readers off. Just keep in mind, it is fiction. In works of fiction, we should seek to understand the world that the author portrays to us. I was mostly interested in the book for the sense of "Christianity" it strove so hard to get across. I am not particularly religious, but I'm always curious about philosophy. I believe that this book gave me an honest view into what being a Chrisitian is all about.
Rating: 
Summary: Stirring
Review: Though fiction it parallels enough with biblical history that it had me opening my bible up more and asking more quesitons than I have for a long time. Quite an awakening for my soul. Helped me identify where I am with my religious belief.
Rating: 
Summary: not going to finish this book
Review: I tried to read this but I quit. This book is awful. The writing is poor, the story is simple and silly. I hope there is more to a religious life than is portrayed in this book. Fearing god and living only to get wisked away to heaven leaving loved ones behind is a poor existence. As far as this book is concerned I am really left out.
Rating:
Summary: Best in the series!
Review: I have read the 1st three books in this series and the 1st, Left Behind, was the best. It's a book that can stand alone as a good read, but you'll surely want to continue reading the series like me. Others have said the characters are a little too perfect which I will agree with, they're "left behind" in the Rapture and suddenly turn into picture perfect Christians whose faith cannot be swayed. The book is more interesting for it's description of Bible prophecies than for the characters though.
Rating: 
Summary: For the Choir...
Review: To be up front about this I have to say that I consider myself an agnostic. I'm definitely turning a critical eye to this book. I'm not automatically adverse to Christianity or Christian fiction. I very much enjoy books, movies, and television that deal with faith, but not just Christian faith. I know two people, both fairly devout Christians, who have read, and recommended I read, this book. I respect their opinions and because of that I've read the first two books. I also found the idea very intriguing.
I thought this book, the first one, was passable at best. I'm not well versed enough with the New Testament to render an opinion on this book's accuracy with prophecy; I can only rate it as a matter of fiction. On that level it's poor. The characters are poorly drawn. The dialogue is atrocious and even accepting the general theme of the book, it's hard to tolerate the inane events. I'm not talking about the Rapture or the rise of the ant-Christ, I'm talking about the simple day-to-day events. These are shockingly stupid characters. I wouldn't tolerate their behavior in any form of literature and it seems as though I'm being asked to lower my standards because this is "Christian Literature." One of the many genres I read is science fiction. If I read this book with the same level of criticism I would read one of those books, I wouldn't be able to recommend it. I certainly wouldn't read the next in the series and I might be inclined to not even finish the first one. I did finish it and I did read the second one. The first book did get better towards the end when finally something started to happen. It was too little, too late for me. I'd hoped that the second one would continue the pace set at the end of the first. I had hoped that the first one was only boring because it was spending a great deal of time trying to establish this world after the Rapture. I enjoyed the events, but why did the character have to be so bland. Don't get me wrong, It's not boring because they spend so much time "discussing" (there's hardly anything approaching a real discussion in the book) Christianity and being born again, it's the way they talk about it. And, when they're not discussing that, they're not discussing much. These are amazingly one dimensional characters.
This is also a very condescending book. Anyone with the slightest doubt as to Jesus being the Messiah, are referred to as "stupid" or "fools." The writers also say that you aren't truly born again unless to spend your every waking moment either reading and studying the Bible or attempting to convert those around you. Those not yet "of Christ" should be treated like they came in on the short bus.
There is a pattern I've found with the first two books. Each starts with a promising beginning, becomes mired with silly dialogue and even sillier, pointless, events for about 80% of the book in an attempt to stretch the book out to "novel" length, and then spends the last 10% with actual events worth reading. The dialogue is usually laughable but more often it frustrating. Your average episode of Dawson's Creek has more intelligent character interaction. Basically, if you're not in the choir, this isn't for you. I would really give this a 2.5 stars.
As a side note; the movie was awful.
Rating: 
Summary: Makes "Celestine Prophecy" look like War & Peace
Review: I bought this book based on its potentially exciting plotline and put it down 50 pages in. I've since picked it up and finished it so that it wouldn't be a total waste of money. The characters are poorly developed, the choices they make are obvious and simple. The plot is so transparent that you can see through it. The book is amateurish and excessively preachy. I won't be spending any money on the other books in this series.
Rating:
Summary: Thin plot, bad theology, not worth the bother
Review: I read this book several months ago and I have finally decided that enough is enough. I don't care if people like to read bad fiction, but when this book's authors attempt to pass this off a source for interpretting Revelation I must speak up. This books is the printed equivalent of a bad soap opera. It describes events that are not based in fact or upon good scholarship and attempts to draw in people who do not know better. The characters of Rayford, Cloe, Buck, and Heddi are all flat stock charaters one would find on any network daytime drama. They never stray from type, are true to form and so predictable that one need not read the book to know exactly what they will do. I presume to know enough about the Darbyist theology badly fleshed out here that I can tell you exactly how the series will end without the final book having even been written. Here it is, the Antichrist is vanquished, Rayford or Buck or someone has been instrumental in making sure that happens, the kingdom of God descends from the clouds, Rayford, Cloe, and Buck are the first people to whom Jesus reappears and, if true to genre, their names get changed to something Jesus wants to call them. They all live wonderful lives from then on in the "New Jerusalem" THE END. If you like fiction, read something else. If you want to know more about eschatology (the end of world) read the Bible, and not just Revelation because it is NOT about the end of the world even though Mr. LaHaye and Mr. Jenkins are making a lot of money by convincing you it is. If you enjoy Darbyist/Millerist fiction, there are much better books based on that theology that actually have something to do with the text upon which they purport to base their plotline. I don't recommend this book and suggest you save your money.
Rating:
Summary: Eye opening story of the Rapture
Review: After reading "Left Behind" I was left in awe. It is a wonderful portrayal of the days after the Rapture of Jesus. I find that it was very realistic in that I think most people wouldn't realize that it was the Rapture. It is very inspirational in that it shows four people succeeding in Christ after losing out on the Rapture. It tells that people who were left behind do get a second chance at heaven.This book could easily open the eyes of anyone. It shows the consequences of not believing in Christ. I think this is a wonderful book for anyone who is unclear on their spiritual beliefs.
Rating:
Summary: John Grisham meets CS Lewis
Review: I read the first in this series, Left Behind, and I was skeptical about how good the book would be. Anything labeled Christian is going to be held to a higher standard. I would recommend that all the "one star" reviewers, and their are very few of them, should check their elitism at the door. This is a very good book, that is exciting to read, and encouraged me to open the Bible and look a little closer at God's word. Keep in mind that there are many "end times" interpretations of scripture, but this book will make you think about your future. I am looking forward to the next in this series.
Rating:
Summary: Made-for-Television Apocalypse
Review: I tend to side with those reviewers who found the book rather light. With the exception of Rayford Steele, most of the characterizations lack depth and consistency. The authors occasionally drop off into mini-sermons that clash otherwise with the flow of the story. And as the events of Revelation unfold, the good and bad become too transparent, too black and white, and too obvious. As suggested by another reader, I read the first of the Christ Clone Trilogy and was much more impressed. In the end, Left Behind comes across as the basis for a television miniseries than a fully fleshed novel. I'm not as harsh as some critics, so I give it three stars for being readable, not too preachy, and interesting in its way.
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