Soul harvest (by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins)

(Amazon UK link)

So, Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins found a good idea for a series, which started with 'Left Behind'. 'Soul harvest' is the fourth book in what ended up as a 12-volume epic... which is considerably longer than the series actually needs to be.

The overall plot is that the rapture has happened, and the world is in the midst of tribulations. A small number of people have become Christians since the rapture. But they are having to be careful about what they do and who they talk to. They call themselves the Tribulation Force.

In this book, more disasters happen. They include a world-wide earthquake that kills millions of people and which ends all hope of a return to normal life. The Tribulation Force continue to support each other, and believers have a new way of recognising each other instantly.

I didn't think this was as good as the earlier books. The story is beginning to feel dragged out, and predictable. The pace is fast, but the writing isn't that great - it's full of slang and stilted conversation. Despite being the fourth book in a series, there's still no characterisation to speak of.

I kept reading because I was somewhat interested to know how the authors would move the story forward. But it was hard going, because I didn't care in the slightest about any of the people.

Worth reading, perhaps, if you have liked the earlier books in the series and wonder what is going to happen. But don't expect any depth of characterisation. And note that this series is based on just one of many possible interpretations of the book of Revelation.