The Last Day

Rating:
Summary: Outrageous!
Review: Is this book fun! From the first page to the last, this novel is non stop excitement and thrills. You have no idea what's going to happen next, as each turn of the story takes you deeper into one of the greatest mysteries to confront man in 2000 years. Masterfully written with hidden meanings and countless symbols and double entendres, this is easily one of the smartest books I've read in years. You have to be on your toes with this one, and if you haven't a good sense of humor, you're also going to get upset at times. This story is not afraid to be irreverent and gore a few sacred cows. But that's the fun of it. It has a great sense of mischievousness. There are some powerful passages and insights as well. The story ends on a surprising note, and when you finally put it all together, it gives you a compelling message to mull over. A top ten pick.

Rating:
Summary: Nice job
Review: It's hard to believe this man is a first time author. THE LAST DAY reads like the work of a seasoned pro. A very sophisticated story, cleverly written, believable characterization, altogether enjoyable and stimulating. My congratulations to the author and hopes for more such fine efforts in the very near future.

Rating:
Summary: Ok Thriller stuff
Review: Too farout and not much fun to read, this is an ok thriller if you have time to kill. I'm sorry I wasted time on it but the premise is fascinating even though the book is not.

Rating:
Summary: Intricate Plot, Message of Substance
Review: Thought I'd give this book a try after reading the reviews both glowing and nasty. Frankly, I thought I'd land in the middle of the road and find this book neither fabulous nor flop. Boy, was I wrong. This author writes eloquently and with great pacing. He's a master of plot interweaving layer upon layer, tying the threads in a compelling, surprise ending. The characters and message are haunting me still. Seems to me that this is a book for our time.

Rating:
Summary: Not your everyday novel. . .
Review: Looking for a new novel to keep you up late at night? This is it! Everything you want a thriller to be and lots more. Very unique story with non-stop action, jaw-dropping plot and interesting characters (particularly the fire-brand messiah, who can hold her own against some shrewd and ruthless villains). Reads smooth as silk with some fanciful proverbs, prophecies and parables that sound like they're straight out of the new Testament. Delivers a hard-hitting message that will keep your mind churning, your heart racing, and your eyes on the sky as the calendar inches toward the turn of the millennium. A first rate read.

Rating:
Summary: Overlong & Overwrought
Review: The basic story idea is interesting but the author's talent is just not equal to the challenge. What begins as a poorly penned thriller quickly becomes a very lengthy and overheated indictment of the Church. While the anti-Catholic message may appeal to those readers with such prejudiced inclinations, others are likely to become bored with the tedious ravings of the messiah, Jeza. The potential of this character is lost as she reveals her self simply a contrived stooge who endlessly preaches the author's simple-minded bias against Roman Catholics.

Rating:
Summary: Mind opening
Review: Some authors spend an entire book mincing words and hemming and hawing toward their conclusions. Not this author. Although you can never be sure what he's up to until the very end, or how he's possibly going to pull this involved story together, he has plenty of eye-popping things to say along the way. You find yourself laughing out loud one minute, gasping in shock the next. This is an intelligent, very carefully plotted story that does what all truly great novels do: it confronts controversial material head on, with courage, imagination, and with fresh insights that convey a very important message. While this story may offend some, unquestionably, it's going to fascinate and delight a good many more.

Rating:
Summary: Devlishly Entertaining
Review: If you like books that challenge both mind and soul, you will love "The Last Day." As engrossing and clever as they come, it offers unrelenting suspense and excitement as a couple of jaded TV reporters become caught up in the greatest story and mystery in two millennia. The novel wastes no time, bursting from the starting gate with a bizarre phenomenon that sets the world on edge. As the year 2000 rapidly approaches, much of society has already been primed for something "supernatural" by opportunistic religious groups and an exploitative media. They are not disappointed. Into this volatile situation falls a strange and beautiful young woman who presents the final catalyst for the explosive events that follow. But more than simply a heart-pounding thriller, The Last Day brings incredible issues to the table seldom broached by contemporary fiction (and certainly never approached with the intelligence, skill, perception and audacity exhibited here). The plot is quick paced, but complex, yet it all pulls together in delightfully (and shockingly!) surprising ways, leading up to an intriguing, totally unexpected, and very satisfying ending. You don't need any scriptural knowledge to enjoy this story, but if you have a bit of familiarity with the Bible, you will pick up on scores of hidden metaphors, parallels, subtle clues and witty, satirical juxtapositions that are like little gems sprinkled throughout the text. And one last comment, I found the clever little parables and proverbs the "messiah" delivers in the story to be themselves worth the price of the book. They are amazing. In particular, "The Parable of the Illicit Child," and the "The Parable of the Overseers" are nothing short of brilliant. A most rewarding and enjoyable read.

Rating:
Summary: Got to admit they got me!
Review: Saw this book in the bookstore and checked the reviews here. After reading it, I'd like to know why anyone but disaffected Catholics or bigots would appreciate this sort of trash? Not only badly writen, hateful, ugly, and unpleasant as well.

Rating:
Summary: My prayers have been answered!
Review: I've been waiting my whole life for someone to have the guts and the ability to write a book like this. This novel is a modern day classic and should be mandatory reading in every college classroom. I'd like to buy a copy of THE LAST DAY and send it to every faith healer, every bible-thumping bigot, every holier-than-thou preacher, every Jerry Falwell/Jimmy Swaggert/Oral Roberts televangelist, and every money-centric minister/priest/bishop in America and say "Here, this is precisely what I've always thought, but never had the talent to express!" God bless Glenn Klieir, and God bless THE LAST DAY for making these extremely important points and for making them so well.