Armageddon

I really enjoyed “Armageddon.” It was in my opinion the most exciting book of The Left Behind series yet. As the battle began I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was about to unfold! Without giving anything away I can’t believe all that happened at the end of “Armageddon” (though it was the end of the book, it was far from the end of the battle). I was left speechless more than once!

Although I have spent many hours reading this entire series, and I am ready to move on to whatever I pick next, I have to admit I will miss Chloe, Buck, Rayford, and the rest of the Tribulation Force. I am about to start the 15th book after all! (I started with the three prequels first, which I thought was pretty cool! It gave me the opportunity to really get to know most of the important characters from the day they were born right up to the day of the rapture; including the conception, birth, and adolescence of Nicolae himself.)

There may be better rapture series out there (at least that’s what I have read from the comments of others), and I will will probably check them out too, but The Left Behind series was still worth my time. I would suggest it to just about anybody…religious or not.

I read this series when it first came out. I don’t remember being so enamored with it. Each book is more intense than the last. And yet, comforting, as Scripture is woven in to it to remind us of GOD’S constant presence throughout such a frightening time.

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If you have not read this book, please do not spoil your enjoyment by reading my review. My opinions may reveal details and events that await your own journey through this book.

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The slow start of this novel picked up about mid-way through. From there it was a page-turner filled with surprises that equal those of powerhouse writers: Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, Clive Cussler, Stephen King, et al.

One of the aspects that I enjoyed was the build up for the war at Armageddon. I often wondered how so many people would gather on the planes for this battle, and who they would be. These novels provided insight for me that made a lot of sense.

As prophesied in the Book of Revelations, many will die during the End Times, and the ones they love will mourn them. However, in a novel, particularly a series, it is imprudent to destroy all of the protagonists before the series ends. Imagine Lord of the Rings without Frodo Baggins, or Star Wars (4-6) without Luke Skywalker and Han Solo? Where would the entire series be without Darth Vader? Removing the main characters, in my opinion, is very poor writing that can bring about the loss of readers.

Even though these are Christian novels about the end of the world, they character driven. Through eleven books, I have grown to know and care about these characters as people not simply protagonists, etc., on pages in books, what is the hook to keep me reading now?

Although from Book One (Left Behind) forward, we knew that the death of the Tribulation Forces could happen, I did not think the main characters would cease to exist before the series concluded. These deaths ended the chronicles for me. I thought I would wait in avid anticipation for book twelve, but that is not the case. This book should have been it.

Another problem is viewing the deaths of the four through a narrator’s eyes. A basic principle of good writing is to show not tell. I would rather experience at least one of the main characters making it through to the Glorious Appearing and be able to show his emotions at each death, and the mighty coming of God’s Armies. This would make me want to read the next book.

Many characters dominated the latter books of this series, but the strength of their continuity required their connections to the main characters. However, there were too many individuals to whom to build any emotional connections. Right now, I can tell you who died, but not who lived to see the end. I do not care.

Book Twelve must drift more into the author’s own speculations than scriptures. John the Revelator and other Biblical prophets told us that the Armies of God descend from the clouds in heaven and save Jerusalem. Satan will be bound for 1000 years, and then given freedom for a short time among men. This is, I assume, the ultimate plot of book twelve.

Since I am a believer, this series does not stretch credibility for me. Many coincidences fill the books, but many philosophers do not believe in coincidence, and I agree with them, thus I can easily accept the connections between all of these individuals and events. Therefore, even though I found this book to be of a lesser quality than the previous books, it is still worth three stars to me.

Victoria Tarrani

Awesome read.. I truly love Tim LaHayes series

This entire series – Left Behind (12 books), Before Left Behind (3 books), and Kingdom Come really make you think and consider your faith. They are fiction but Bible passages are woven throughout. I couldn’t put them down.

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