Birth of an Age (Book Two of The Christ Clone Trilogy)

Rating:
Summary: The Best of the Rest
Review: All I can say is this beats everything out there to dust. Left Behind is nothing compared to Christ Clone Trilogy!

Rating:
Summary: Only gets better !!!!
Review: Book two of "The Christ Clone" trilogy is better than the first. The beginning of the end has started and no one knows who to turn to for salvation. Who will stop the tribulations. Who will lead humanity through the horrors sent to them? Is Christopher Goodman the person to do it...or not?

This book contans some of the best written scenes of destruction ever put to paper. As the final plagues hit the Earth James Beauseignuer paints a realistic picture of the gruesome events man faces. These sequences are so vivid they rival anything in the best written horror novels (there is a scence invovling an asteroid that has some of the most gripping writing I've ever read!) The suffering the people go through is palpable. A great setup for the conclusion.

Rating:
Summary: A LOOK AT THE NOVELS OF REVELATION
Review: I am a very big fan of novels that deal with the Biblical Apocalypse and, with so many different types, thought it would be worthwhile to give an overview of the ones I have read.

Left Behind, by Tim Lehay- The series that started it all. These novels are, in truth, somewhat boring, but it covers the bases with a depth that none of the others do, probably owing to the fact that there are so many of them. They lack character development and deep theology, but are a fun, if shallow read

The Christ clone Trilogy by James Beauseigneur- Well written novels that focus on the scientific and political. Tom Clancy meets Left behind is not too far off the mark. I greatly enjoyed these books although I felt a little let down by the ending. Overall, a good political take on the End.

We All Fall Down by Brian Caldwell- Certainly the most controversial of these novels. The focus here is the individual and why someone would ever in their right mind reject salvation. Very brutal, although probably more realistic, in its depiction of the End. This is certainly not a book for the timid, but for the rest, I found it the most intelligent, well written, and, oddly enough, spiritual of the bunch. It's hard to walk away from this book with feeling to need to take a fresh look at one's own relationship to Christ.

Blood of Heaven, by Bill Myers- These are intelligent, character focused novels. I found the theology again to be a little weak, but really enjoyed following the distictive characters.

The Last Gentile Trilogy by Cary Bybee- Better written than Left Behind, but lacking the scope of that work. Like conquest of Paradise or Christ clone, it it based in science, but perhaps too much. Not enough religion for my taste.


Rating:
Summary: Really not even worth rating
Review: I didn't finish this book - I stopped my misery! I really only read the first few pages and bits and peaces as I skimed through the pages. It's just as poorly written as the first (In His Image - see my review there) and just as BORING. The only reason I even started this book was that I spent my $6.99 on it - thank goodness I didn't buy the third book in the triology. Mr. Beauseigneur has a LOT to learn with regard to writing - perhaps he should take a couple of courses on creative writing! He could do with some instruction on how to develop his characters. Well, no matter - I know the story (the REAL one) and know how it ends!

Rating:
Summary: non-religious conservatives stop at book two!
Review: I found the first two books enjoyable, quick reads. This third book seemed like a springing trap descending on me while I was lulled by the interests of the first two books. Its plot brought back all the lovely feelings of my youth with pushy religious zealots trying to convert through fear, confusion and morally superior judgementalism.

At first, I was intrigued that the author chose a mix of religious conservency and socially extreme liberal messages. I actually found myself highly impressed that the author would casually drop in such controversial concepts like euthenasia in a book so obviously targeting an audience that would find it ethically difficult. I was deeply dissapointed to find that this and other issues had been a long set up for a very poor joke on the reader.

I should have realized the author possessed little professional bravery much earlier though. At every turn when the author presented a topic that would be objectionable to a fundementalist, he added a footnote stating that they needed to read his forward. The forward was the biggest cop out that I have seen in a while. It reminds the reader to wait until the end (pretty clear that there will be a twist that undoes this eh?). It also makes clear that the author is unwilling to own up to his own work by showing where his own feelings and beliefs lie. The need to reiterate constantly that no character represents his views is just weak. I'm sure it will help him fend off some criticism, but is should open him up to a new class of criticism.

I feel like I've been fooled.




Rating:
Summary: Loved it
Review: In His Image (the first book of the trilogy) was a great read but had me confused at times. This one (Birth of an Age) is down right fabulous. I loved it and recommend it to all.

Rating:
Summary: The Series Continues
Review: The Birth of An Age, book two in the Christ Clone Trilogy, actually improves upon the first one in the Series. In this one we see the rise of the Anti-Christ as well as the fullfilment of more end time prophecies.

I like the way the Author deals with the prophecies about the three asteriods which will rain death and destruction on the earth. He doesn't brush over their impacts on our planet, but uses scientific data to estimate how many people would die and just how much destruction would occur based on speed and mass of the object. However, I should say that BeaquSeigneur doesn't let the story get bogged down by this; he gives just enough facts to make it interesting but doesn't drown you in minutiae.

Finally, we see the reappearance of some characters we haven't seen much of lately. I also found the authors ability to write believable characters to be undiminished. Unlike some other novels about the End Times (whose names shall remain unspoken) these characters do not suddenly change. When they do, they do it slowly over time, just as we all do. The best thing is that, for the most part, none of the characters are written as Arch Types.

As the Book comes to a close the reader will certainly find himself/herself desperately awaiting the arrival of book 3. This is always a sign of a well written book. Rating 4.5 Stars.

Rating:
Summary: reader beware.....
Review: The first two volumes are very good, the third crashes and burns...

I've been reading Christian oriented fiction for years now and thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in the series.

For the Christian who needs affirmation of their faith (I'm not one of them) perhaps the third volume "redeems" the first two, which propose an enjoyable "alternate" theory to existing religious dogma. However, for someone who was seeking an entertaining perspective on the "end of the world" the series took a notable turn for the worse The series is, pretty much, destroyed, with this third volume.

The first two volumes build on a certain premise (no spoilers here) and we, the "suspending disbelief audience" are called on to go along with whatever the author is purporting to communicate, taking any pre-conceived ideas and putting them in a closet (Without suspending our disbelief and with a bit of knowledge regarding the scriptures, we are a frustrated audience screaming at the book "But what about this, and this, and this?!!") With this third volume, we are given the author's true motives and have that suspension broken into pieces.

As readers, we are manipulated, and unfairly so. We are treated as unintelligent whelps at the whims of the author who feels justified by including a preface that excuses what he is writing and advises the reader to withhold judgment to the end of the series. Having done that, I am ashamed at the bold facedness of this manipulation. Shame on you, Mr. BeauSeigneur!


Rating:
Summary: Worthy Follow-up to "IN HIS IMAGE"
Review: The second part of "The Christ Clone Trilogy" frightened me in its opening chapters. My fear had little to do with its harrowing plot (eerie as it is), and everything to do with my thought process which went; "Oh no 300+ pages of disaster novel peachy". Beauseigneur made me forget my initial impression soon into his second entry into the series allaying my anxiety that it would be nothing but another long apocolyptic narrative that had been done time and again in fiction.

While continuing to chronicle Christopher's career, and detail Decker Hawthorne's life after the disaster the author neatly parralels the story of Revelation in his novel, and even footnotes specific passages significant to the story line. This is not just one long disaster novel though his prose is too fluid so that another fictionalization of Revelation is lifted up into a suspenseful, gripping novel.

Parts of the plot are a little predictable as is inevitable for any reader with a passing knowledge of the bible, but Beauseigneur manages to keep the reader guessing with unexpected plot twists.

The author has included an explanatory note to both volumes, explaining that this is FICTION and happenings in the author's imagination, which should be kept in mind while reading this book. I wouldn't call it blashemous or heritical because it is a novel after all and if there are serious Christians reading this please remember the note at start of books. His explanation of the origins of humanity and speculation of who Christ the Messiah and Yahweh are seem a little far fetched at first but as I continued reading I found them plausible and entertaining as I am sure they were meant to be and this ending building up to the third and climatic volume is what clinched this books worthiness as a second entry in series.
This "Christ Clone Trilogy" I have to recommend to all, you may not find it to your tastes but I highly regret anyone who enjoys reading would regret taking the time to read this trilogy.

Rating:
Summary: In A Word: Brilliant
Review: This second installment of The Christ Clone Trilogy, "Birth of an Age," by James BeauSeigneur, begins with an already changing world on the brink of a New Age. And to put it succinctly, this book-- the story as well as the presentation-- is, in a word, brilliant. BeauSeigneur takes you down his path with such precision that it makes the incredible seem altogether credible and believable, and considering the subject matter, it is quite a feat, indeed.

In the prologue (which is actually the final chapter of the first book of the trilogy, "In His Image"), BeauSeigneur brings you up to speed on the story, as the significant elements of that first book are touched upon here. He also acquaints you with the protagonists, former journalist Decker Hawthorne, now a press secretary for the U.N., Robert Milner, a former Ambassador to the U.N.; and Ambassador Christopher Goodman, the man cloned some thirty years earlier from the dermal cells of Jesus, taken from the Shroud of Turin by scientists during an expedition in 1978.

What makes this such an engrossing read (and it is-- thoroughly), is the detail, precision and logic with which BeauSeigneur presents his story. Approximately the first one-third of the book is a detailed account of the cataclysms which befall the Earth and it's inhabitants, and the devastating effects thereof. It begins with the discovery of three asteroids whose trajectory may bring them into contact with the Earth, which threatens the very existence of the planet; but there are also plagues and widespread madness called down upon the people of the Earth, many believe, by two religious fanatics-- one of whom claims to be the Apostle, John.

It soon becomes clear that if life on Earth is to survive, if there is ever to be a New Age at all, it must be through the intervention of someone or something which can prevail against the forces of the devastation currently ravaging the planet. And it just may be that Christopher Goodman, the clone of Jesus Christ, could be the one; it could, perhaps, be the reason for which he was born.

And once BeauSeigneur has laid the groundwork, which he does with exceptional acuity, the novel picks up steam until finally, after about two-thirds of the way through, it becomes impossible to put the book down. The last thirty pages or so are absolutely spellbinding; it is inspired writing through which the images presented spring vividly to life and veritably awaken the senses. And you experience the sights and sounds, colors and scents as if you were actually there, right up to the somewhat shocking, breathtaking finale.

Realizing the full impact of all that happens, of course, is contingent upon having read the first book of the series. "Birth of an Age," however, stands well enough on it's own, especially in light of the astounding ending. But be prepared; once you have finished this one, you won't be able to get to the final installment, "Acts of God," quickly enough. Have it on hand and ready to read, because-- believe me-- you're going to have to know what happens next. And you are not going to want to wait.