Rating: Summary: A must-read for this millennium and beyond! Review: By far the best millennium-themed book I have read. The story is enthralling, the characters draw you in, and I could not put it down. I found the main characters, Vatican investigator Father Deauchez and NY Times reporter Simon Hill to be very engaging, yet humanly flawed and believable. The entire cast of characters is incredibly interesting, and the plot never flags.The problem with many thrillers and other genre books is the struggle against feeling "that would NEVER happen," or "she would NEVER do that!" Millennium Rising is blissfully free of those kind of moments. There are no mis-steps. It is believable and terrifying at the same time (this from a true skeptic). You do not have to be a world destruction/conspiracy fan to enjoy this book. This intelligent and thoughtful thrill ride will be appreciated by readers of all types of fiction (and non-fiction). Beware, from the first page to the satisfying ending, you won't be able to do much else BUT read this book!
Rating: Summary: Very satisfying read Review: Do you like plots regarding world conspiracies? Do you like stories about end-time prophecies? Do you enjoy the idea that institutions such as the Vatican, the United States government, etc. are the holders of unbelievable secrets that could possibly restructure the world as we know it? Well, then you might really be able to get into this book. Personally, I really enjoyed it. The plot was well-paced and it kept you wanting to read more. I will say that the end of the book was just a little too contrived for me and even too simplistic for the complex plot that had been driven to up to that point. That was a bit of an anti-climax for me. In fact, that is the only reason I could not give the book a full five stars. Even with that, however, I heartily recommend the book. For the most part it is a non-stop roller coaster as you try to figure out, along with the protagonists, just what the heck (or is that Hell?) is going on. For those who might fear that this is just a lot of religious battling between the forces of light and darkness (a la "The Stand") with highly moralistic overtones, you will be in for a pleasant surprise as to the twists and turns of the story. On the other hand, for those hoping that this is a titanic battle between some (insert your God here) and (insert your God's nemesis here), a la "This Present Darkness," you may not find this one to your liking.
Rating: Summary: Now I know why Bush attacked Iraq Review: Ever wondered why Bush got rid of Sadaam? Well if you read this book it says that next anti-Christ predicted by Nostradumus was to be located in Baghdad, Iraq. Don't know if this factually correct, but that's what the book said on a certain page. But one thing to be factually correct is Bush has now pledged $130 billion to the rebuilding of Iraq as of today. Now I can sympathise with Bush on attacking Iraq. Well done! Otherwise a fantastic book, very X Files.
Rating: Summary: Unbelievable Plot, But You Better Believe the Action Review: In the Book of Revelations, there is plague, famine, and death. Lots of death. And so, in direct correlation to these three signs of the apocalypse, the prophetic novel, "Millennium Rising", by Jane Jensen, shows us what the apocalypse could be if we believed and what it dares to be if we don't. From the opening of chapter one, we are plunged deep into action and intrigue, as a mysterious religious sighting occurs in a small Mexican village, with witnesses coming out of it claiming a message has been sent to them bearing news of the coming apocalypse. For the first hundred pages or so, the book dwells on the religious background of what this message could mean, with numerous references to the Bible and from the Vatican. For those who desire a less pious read, fear not, as after the initial introduction and setting are established, things go from a theological to a conspiratorial backbone, as science (or psuedoscience as the case may be) and government cover-ups take place among the vertebra. In the blundest of brutish terms, one could say that things get. . . interesting. As the plot gallops forward, and it does indeed run like the wind as each scene proceeds like a snowball down a hill as suspense and action dissolve into one huge landslide, conspiracies breed upon conspiracies and just as you begin to notice that these plots are quite rabbit-like, you realize one thing - how completely and wholly unbelievable this novel really is. And as you find yourself even chuckling over the outrageousness of this fictional proposal you realize another thing - that you just can't put the book down. Part of this dual relationship Jensen presents is due to the characters. The protagonists you care about. The antagonists, well, you hate with such passion that you may find yourself gritting your teeth everytime their name is mentioned; or not, depending on your nature. Either way, each person is sculpted to stick out in your mind, but this comes at a price, as all featured chcaracters are stereotypical, ranging from a French priest who says 'oui' just often enough so that we don't forget he's French, to an almost comic portrayal of a British pop star with an outrageously contrived name to match. These paper-thin personas are most likely products from the author's career as a computer game designer. Also, a poignant fact remains that this book is without any atrong female characters, which is somewhat surprising considering the sex of the author. However, before we belittle every Adamite in the novel, we must bear in mind what this book is really about - plot. While this work can be critically acclaimed for strong originality and for presenting an exceptional attempt at a tricky and comlicated subject, there are valleys and rifts which obstruct an otherwise smooth literary landscape. For example, there are almost too many contrived coincedences throughout the story and too many easy outs can and do make readers feel cheated. Also, due to some highly complicated events, certain explanations are witheld, leaving us to wonder whether Jensen has taken on more than she can chew. And if you really want to nit-pick, despite the global catastrophies and international chicanery going on, there is little if any mention of an entire continent: Australia. But, to put all surgical instruments away to keep us from disecting the work completely, one cannot deny the fact that the reader is kept interested until the very end and the characterization and plotline are as intriguing and complete as they can possibly be, given the genre. Fans of conspiracy theory/horror/sci-fi books will be pleased and for the rest of you, if you put all common sense and rational thinking out with the dog, you'll have a good read too, as the bottom line for 'Millennium Rising' is as follows: entertaining? Yes. Believeable? No. But then again, isn't that what escape fiction is all about?
Rating: Summary: Unbelievable Plot, But You Better Believe the Action Review: In the Book of Revelations, there is plague, famine, and death. Lots of death. And so, in direct correlation to these three signs of the apocalypse, the prophetic novel, "Millennium Rising", by Jane Jensen, shows us what the apocalypse could be if we believed and what it dares to be if we don't. From the opening of chapter one, we are plunged deep into action and intrigue, as a mysterious religious sighting occurs in a small Mexican village, with witnesses coming out of it claiming a message has been sent to them bearing news of the coming apocalypse. For the first hundred pages or so, the book dwells on the religious background of what this message could mean, with numerous references to the Bible and from the Vatican. For those who desire a less pious read, fear not, as after the initial introduction and setting are established, things go from a theological to a conspiratorial backbone, as science (or psuedoscience as the case may be) and government cover-ups take place among the vertebra. In the blundest of brutish terms, one could say that things get. . . interesting. As the plot gallops forward, and it does indeed run like the wind as each scene proceeds like a snowball down a hill as suspense and action dissolve into one huge landslide, conspiracies breed upon conspiracies and just as you begin to notice that these plots are quite rabbit-like, you realize one thing - how completely and wholly unbelievable this novel really is. And as you find yourself even chuckling over the outrageousness of this fictional proposal you realize another thing - that you just can't put the book down. Part of this dual relationship Jensen presents is due to the characters. The protagonists you care about. The antagonists, well, you hate with such passion that you may find yourself gritting your teeth everytime their name is mentioned; or not, depending on your nature. Either way, each person is sculpted to stick out in your mind, but this comes at a price, as all featured chcaracters are stereotypical, ranging from a French priest who says 'oui' just often enough so that we don't forget he's French, to an almost comic portrayal of a British pop star with an outrageously contrived name to match. These paper-thin personas are most likely products from the author's career as a computer game designer. Also, a poignant fact remains that this book is without any atrong female characters, which is somewhat surprising considering the sex of the author. However, before we belittle every Adamite in the novel, we must bear in mind what this book is really about - plot. While this work can be critically acclaimed for strong originality and for presenting an exceptional attempt at a tricky and comlicated subject, there are valleys and rifts which obstruct an otherwise smooth literary landscape. For example, there are almost too many contrived coincedences throughout the story and too many easy outs can and do make readers feel cheated. Also, due to some highly complicated events, certain explanations are witheld, leaving us to wonder whether Jensen has taken on more than she can chew. And if you really want to nit-pick, despite the global catastrophies and international chicanery going on, there is little if any mention of an entire continent: Australia. But, to put all surgical instruments away to keep us from disecting the work completely, one cannot deny the fact that the reader is kept interested until the very end and the characterization and plotline are as intriguing and complete as they can possibly be, given the genre. Fans of conspiracy theory/horror/sci-fi books will be pleased and for the rest of you, if you put all common sense and rational thinking out with the dog, you'll have a good read too, as the bottom line for 'Millennium Rising' is as follows: entertaining? Yes. Believeable? No. But then again, isn't that what escape fiction is all about?
Rating: Summary: This is a spine-tingling race with world disctuction. Review: Jane Jensen has managed to debunk every major religion in every nation of the globe. Even the oceans are tearing apart! Could it be the displeasure of God, who (as predicted in Revelation as well as other oracle-type sources) can no longer tolerate human sinfulness? The reader is lead through bizarre catastrophic events with a Catholic priest whose job it is to investigate possible miracles for the Vatican. If the special effects could be managed, this book would make an epic terror film! Jensen's style is the "creep up behind you but make you wait" sort. You think you know what will happen, but you are wrong! Her characters are all-too-human, and often drawn with wry humor. She takes the reader all over the globe, with the sense that we will be too late to save the world. The whole plot, when finally revealed, will surprise the reader and make him/her question opinions held throughout the work. The ending was fantastic! This book has everything- religion, skepticism, love, revenge, sabotoge, followers, leaders, prophesy, death, disease, cures, bravery, cowardice,humor, and despair. Read it and you'll be on the edge of your seat.Move over, Stephen King!
Rating: Summary: Millennium Rising by Jane Jensen Author of Gabriel Knight Review: Jane Jensen out did herself again this time. I have played both of her Gabriel Knight Mystery Games (Sins of the Father and The Beast Within) am now currently working on the third one (Blood of the Sacred Blood of the Damded). Millennium Rising's plot is nothing like her Gabriel Knight Novels, it is more ambitious. It's a conspiracy to conquer the world!!! The issues involved ranges from Religious to Political, fantastic!!! This book is very engrossing and addictive, you have been warned. My only one dislike is that it's too tragic, the Pope dies tragically, not exactly ideal for the Catholic readers.
Rating: Summary: I was disapointed Review: Let me preface this by saying that I loved Ms Jensen's Gabriel Knight games because of their plot, and have read, and enjoyed her GK books. The begining of Millenium Rising (or Judegement Day, as it is called now) is riveting, engaging, and suspensful. There are times when the believabilty of the plot is questionable, but nowhere as bad as the ending is. I could not swallow the ending. It felt rushed, and it didn't fit well with the rest of the story. I wanted to like it, and I look forward to Ms Jensen's future work (Dante's Passage, I believe is her next work). But I can't see me recomending this book to others, nor wanting to read it again.
Rating: Summary: This book is one of the best I have read this year 5+ Stars Review: This book was a fine example of an author at her best. I have read Mrs. Jensen's other books Sins of the Father & The Beast Within and was overpowered by her characters and wit of style. She does it again in Millennium Rising. This book was so overwhelming in the fact that I could actually see this happening to us in the present time. You get immersed in the story of the coming end of the world. Intriged with the main character a priest from Rome out to discover the truth behind the coming events. A must read for any fan of Jane Jensen, and for new fans a recommended read. If you want a thought provoking book that leaves you thinking for hours afterward, buy this book.
Rating: Summary: Engrossing, but flawed Review: This book was previously titled "Millennium Rising". I wonder why they changed it. Maybe because it's a novel about the end of the world and they didn't want to freak out all the hysteric Y2K people. But I love Jane Jensen. It's not my usual type of fare, but this author wowed me with her Gabriel Knight seres of computer games and the associated novels, so I decided to give her first freestanding book a shot. It's very interesting, and has a similar feel to the Gabriel Knight series, sans everyone's favorite characters. She had me loving it for awhile. The belief was suspended, and I was enthralled. Jensen has a way of making characters come alive, and a sharp eye (pen?) for the details that pull you into the story. And then... I ran headlong into the end of the novel, like a brick wall where one should not have been. It felt like there should have been at -least- another chapter if not two or three. It seems like someone told her, "you're over your page limit, you have to finish the story." Very jarring. An otherwise good book, though.
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