The glorious appearing (by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins)

(Amazon UK link)

'The glorious appearing' is the twelfth and last book in the 'Left Behind' series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins.  The series has been enormously popular in the USA (and elsewhere) in the past decade. The series takes as its premise a literal interpretation of the biblical book of Revelation, and some other passages of Christian Scripture referring to the end times.

The initial idea in the first book was to get people thinking about their eternal destiny.  In a fictional setting it considered what would happen if all Christians are suddenly 'raptured' into heaven prior to seven years of tribulation on Earth, pending Jesus' second coming.

We bought the first few books (heavily discounted) some years ago and thought the first one, 'Left behind', was pretty good. It was exciting, believable, and definitely thought-provoking. Characterisation was a bit thin, and some of the conversation was stilted, but the plot carried it and made us eager to continue.

Unfortunately the books didn't improve as the series progressed. By the fourth or fifth we were all beginning to feel a bit bored. There is very little character development, and far too much action, peppered with clichés, and heavily interspersed with lengthy preaching. Moreover the series, which at first was supposed to be six or eight books, dragged on into twelve. I stopped reading at about number nine, and by then was borrowing them from friends rather than buying them anyway.

Still, I always said I would like to read the final book when it came out. It was eventually published earlier this year, and some friends bought a copy which they lent to our family a few weeks ago.

Had I missed out by not reading the last few in the series? No. That was clear immediately. The book opens with a brief 'who's who'; I recognised the names of some characters, learned that others had died, and also discovered that there were several new ones. Throughout the book I had to keep referring back to this initial section since none of the characters made any impact on me - other than the one or two whom I recognised as having been included in the entire series.

There is also a brief synopsis of the previous book, which apparently wasn't too different from whichever one I last read. The tribulation period is intended to be a time of - well, tribulation. Violence, battles, executions, betrayal... you name it. There are many possible interpretations of the book of Revelation, and the authors of this series have taken a fairly unpleasantly literal one. However as they didn't succeed in creating any characters that I cared about, even the worst of the violent descriptions rather rolled off me.

With 'The glorious appearing' being the last of the books, I knew it was going to include the final day of the tribulation when Jesus appears in the clouds to claim his people - the 'remnant' who were not Christians at the rapture, but who became believers and struggled to overcome all odds to stay alive until the last day.

The book does indeed open on the final day of the tribulation, as calculated by one or two biblical scholars amongst the remnant. Wars are still going on, and the still-living Jewish people - whether or not they have become Christians - are safely in a divinely protected camp. Various other Christians are either in safe houses or out in action; some of them are seriously wounded or even recently dead. The enemy forces, headed by the evil Nicolae Carpathia, are determined to get rid of all who do not accept Nicolae as a god.

There is potential for a very exciting story, but unfortunately it isn't reached. The authors seem determined to cram in as much preaching as possible, with lengthy explanations of biblical prophecies, and gospel messages. These are all poorly disguised by TV broadcasts or Internet sites organised by those who had become Christians during the tribulation, and who had - unbelievably - not been rounded up and executed.

I'm a Christian myself, but I found myself skimming (even skipping) these passages which said nothing new - either to me, or to anyone who had read any of the previous books. It seems to me that if somebody wasn't convinced by the dramatic events and messages of the first book, they certainly wouldn't be by the twelfth in the series.

So do I recommend it? Sadly, no. If you've read any others in the series, then you might want to get hold of this to see how it all ends - but borrow it if you can. Don't bother with it if you haven't read at least the first book as it's unlikely to make much sense. There are too many characters, far too much action, and rapid conversation which does little to advance the plot and nothing to help us understand the people.

Three out of four of us in my family read it. My husband, usually quite a slow reader, finished it in two days having also skimmed large amounts of preaching. He said it was a bit dull. My 15-year-old son (a very fast reader) read it in about two hours, and said it was far too preachy and had some strange theology in places.

I read it in about four hours, and was left unmoved. Actually that's not entirely true: I was actually rather embarrassed at the thought that anyone would read their way through some of the scenes which were clearly supposed to be highly moving, and yet - because the characters were flat - simply came across as excessive words on a page.

I do hate to be so negative about it, because I think the original idea of this series was excellent. While I don't necessarily agree with the exact interpretation of Revelation that the authors made, I can see it's one possibility. Potentially the whole series is very thought-provoking; if only it weren't so long and drawn-out, and so full of non-plot sermons. 

It does lead to some interesting discussion amongst Christians, although this particular book hasn't sparked as much conversation as the first one did. It's not the worst book I've ever read. I did get to the end, and I did realise it was a satisfactory ending to the series, albeit a bit bloodthirsty and self-righteous in places.

I don't plan on acquiring our own copy of this book, nor do I expect to read it a second time.

The remnant (by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins)

(Amazon UK link)

The writers Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins are fairly well-known in the United States. They collaborated on the 'Left behind' series, a fictional look at one theory of the biblically prophesied 'end times'.

The first book in the series - 'Left behind' - is written as a thriller. It's exciting, it's fast-paced, and it works. It shows the rapture - when all Christians are taken to heaven - and the problems facing those who are left behind on earth, with seven years of tribulation ahead of them.

Slowly I read my way through subsequent books in the series. Alas, they didn't improve. Rather the reverse. By the time I had reached the ninth book, 'Descecration', I was getting a bit bored. The main characters are a small band who become Christians after the rapture. They have to fight to keep their integrity, and, indeed, their lives.

There's a lot of potential for character-building in this series but unfortunately it doesn't happen. The books are entirely plot-driven, and even by this one, the tenth in the series, I really couldn't find myself caring in the slightest what happened to anyone.

Still, when we had the chance to borrow 'The remnant', I decided to read it out of mild curiosity.

The book does move further forward in time than the previous few, covering around two years of the tribulation. Christians are now divinely protected much of the time, underground gatherings of believers are discovered, and the world becomes more and more divided.

It's another fast-moving novel. But too many characters are involved, and none of them have much personality. The only emotion I felt at all was mild suspense, as I wondered what would happen next.

While it was interesting to read this possible interpretation of end times events as described in images in the book of Revelation, I want to care about the people when I read a book. If I don't, I'm not going to enjoy the book unless the plot is extremely clever. This one is simply event-driven, with a great deal of the authors' theology thrown in.

Not particularly recommended unless you like this kind of book and have read at least a few of the earlier ones.

The Mark (by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins)

(Amazon UK link)

I did like the early books in Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins' ever-increasing 'Left Behind' series about the tribulation. But each subsequent book seems to have covered less and less, with no character development whatsoever.

'The Mark' (which we borrowed rather than buying) covers the next few days in the lives of the Tribulation Force - the small band of Christians who were converted after the rapture. They are settling into a new 'safe house' after the resurrection of Nicolae, the anti-christ.

New rules in the global society state that everyone must receive a mark on his forehead, indicating allegiance to the government, or be executed. So the believers who are still working for Nicolae, keeping their faith secret, must plot an escape, in a way that ensures they will not be traced.

The plot is exciting, and I was interested to know what happened, but I still couldn't really bring myself to care about any of the characters, as they are all so remarkably flat. I felt more emotion at the execution of total strangers than in any of hte interactions of the main cast.

There's a lot of theology and 'preaching' in the book, with experts explaining how it all ties in with a literal interpretations of the Biblical book of Revelation. All rather long-winded and, in my opinion, not very interesting.

The indwelling (by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins)

(Amazon UK link)

We were in two minds about the ever-increasing series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, which is a fictional version of one view of the Biblical idea of the 'tribulation'. The first book in the series, 'Left behind' was, we thought, very good. Subsequent ones were also good, although the longer they went on, the more it felt as if the characters were very flat, and the plots rather contrived and too full of preaching.

Still, we thought we'd try one more, as it was on special offer at Amazon UK, particularly as the sixth book, 'Assassins', ended with something of a cliffhanger...

'The indwelling' is the seventh book in the series, subtitled 'The beast takes possession'. I thought it as exciting as ever, although the plot moves forward remarkably slowly. Nicolae Carpathia, now identified as the antichrist, lies in state while the leaders try to pin the blame for his death on other people.

Meanwhile, the small band of Christians need to find a new safe house... and I wished I could feel some empathy for them. But their characters remain remarkably two-dimensional.

When the murderer is revealed, it is no surprise at all... and when Nicolae rises from the dead, that too is pretty predictable.

This is best read after at least one or two of the others, as the action is fast (even though nothing much happens) and there are a vast cast of people, most of whom are hard enough to recall even having read the others.

Assassins (by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins)

(Amazon UK link)

Yes, yet another in the epic 'Left behind' series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. This book is the sixth in the series. The title 'Assassins' should have been enough to put me off - I would never, normally, read a book with that name. But I'd read five of the books, and wondered if they might start to get better...

But no. The story is still feeling very drawn out and long-winded. This book works towards the mid-way mark of the seven-year period of tribulation after the rapture. The 'witnesses' die, and Nicolae, recognised as the antichrist, is assassinated... but by whom? We're supposed to be left guessing, but it was so obvious that I thought I must be wrong.

It's fast-paced, with a lot of preaching thrown in. Still not much happens in real terms, however. I suppose the cliff-hanger (who killed Nicolae?) is left at the end to try and persuade people to buy the seventh book.

Not really recommended.

Apollyon (by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins)

(Amazon UK link)

Yes, I did get a bit stuck in a rut. We bought several of these 'Left Behind' books very cheaply from the MV Doulos when it visited our town. Since we had them, I thought I might as well read them.

The first book, 'Left Behind' was powerful and exciting. Since then, they started to go downhill as the authors stretched the series into twelve books. Six would have been plenty.

'Apollyon' is the fifth in the series, subtitled: 'The Destroyer is Unleashed'. In this book Ray, one of the Tribulation Force (a small number of Christians) tries to find out what happened to his wife in events described in one of the previous books.

The Tribulation Force also decide to go to Jerusalem for a great meeting. Plagues of beasts led by Apollyon torment the people who remain.

I thought it rather gruesome in places. There is lots of fast action, but no characterisation to speak of. And, frankly, this book is not terribly well written.

Really not recommended. But these books are very popular in some circles, so if you liked the earlier ones, you might also like this one.

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. 

Nicolae (by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins)

(Amazon UK link)

'Nicolae' is a novel by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. It's the third in the 'Left Behind' series, about the people left behind after the Rapture.

In this book, the Tribulation Force (people who became Christians after the rapture) are beginning to work together. Meanwhile, the world gets going on unpleasant events in the final seven years before the Apocalypse.

A romantic thread is included, as the young man Buck tires to woo his friend Chloë. They ask some important questions about whether a romantic relationship is a good idea in such fraught times.

Prophecy and fiction are well-mixed in another exciting episode.  Unfortunately, at times it's rather too fast-moving for my tastes, and I wish the characters were more well-rounded.

Recommended, in a low-key way. But it's best to have read the first and second books ('Left Behind' and 'Tribulation Force') beforehand. The style of this series is basically that of dystopian thrillers, with some interpretation of Christian doctrine thrown in.

Tribulation Force (by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B Jenkins)

(Amazon UK link)

'Tribulation Force' is a Christian dystopian thriller by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, second in the 'Left Behind' series.

This book really needs to be read as a sequel to 'Left Behind', the first in the series, in which the 'Rapture' happened, taking all Christians straight to heaven.

However, there are now some new believers who came to faith after the Rapture. In this book, they gradually learn to trust each other. But they also begin to realise just what they are up against in the final seven years before the apocalypse. The antichrist is clearly revealed, too, as a charming, plausible, yet cold-blooded world leader.

This book is exciting and almost believable, as a possible interpretation of some of the Biblical prophecies. However, I found the characters to be a little flat. That was disappointing, as I had hoped to find more depth to the ones introduced in the first book.

Still, it's not a bad book. If you enjoyed the first one, then in my opinion this is worth reading too.

Left behind (by Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins)

(Amazon UK link)

'Left behind' is a Christian dystopian thriller by the American writers Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins.

This is the first novel in the 'Left Behind' series. It's a fictional account of people left behind on earth after the Rapture, and follows one strand of belief, based on the rather limited things stated in the Bible on this topic.

This novel is fast-moving and rather scary believable. It introduces an interesting mixture of people although none of them are particularly well-developed as characters.

Bereaved people make commitments to God in this book. Then they prepare to undertake the most difficult and traumatic years of their lives. Theology and preaching are cleverly interwoven with the plot, although they could be skimmed by those who prefer to see this as a straightforward fictional thriller.

Recommended, on the whole. I look forward to reading more of this series, although I doubt if I'll re-read this any time soon.