Apocalypse Dawn (The Left Behind Apocalypse Series #1) Reviews

• Superb addition to the Left Behind series

  
  By AFVQZQ8PW0L on 2003-07-28
  The latest hot spot in the world is the border between Turkey and Syria and the United Nations has asked United States President Fitzhugh to send troops there to keep hostilities from turning deadly. American soldiers are at the front lines in Turkey hoping their presence is enough to deter Syria from attacking but those hopes ends with a Syrian attack. Sergeant Samuel Adams "Goose" Gander is at the battle's front lines when many of the soldiers in his command vanish.

  At Fort Benning, Georgia, Goose's wife Megan tries to talk a suicidal teen out of jumping. She grabs hold of him but is not strong enough to stop his fall, but the only thing that is on the sidewalk is his personal effects. Other people disappeared on the base at the same time.

  While Goose and Megan fight different wars on different fronts, they remain strong for the people who depend on them. People all across the world choose sides in the coming Tribulation.

  Fans of the Left Behind series will definitely want to read APOCALYPSE DAWN a look at the actions of the military during the Tribulation times. Much of the action centers around Goose as he wrestles with the questions of faith despite what he has seen and others have witnessed on the battlefield. Mel Odom's military thriller is fast paced, full of action yet doesn't shortchange readers on character development. Reader will take Megan and Goose into their hearts and eagerly await the next book in this series to see what happens next to these special characters.

  Harriet Klausner
  
  

• A Noble Concept that Falls on Its Face

  
  By A1DUT82FWQHUPX on 2003-08-04
  I was really looking forward to this book. Im a big fan of the "Left Behind" series. I have really enjoyed seeing Messrs Lahaye and Jenkins write a story using the End Times as a backdrop. The only problem I had with that series was the authors' technical inaccuracies in the realm of weapons, avionics, logisitcs, etc. I thought this new "military thriller" would right some of those wrongs. That is not the case.

  Mr. Odom does seem to understand some of the basics of military hardware. He knows B52s are bombers and that M4s are a type of rifle. Beyond that, there are MAJOR flaws.

  First off, the structure of Army units and their deployment is just wrong. Any general who would put a lightly armed Ranger Battalion on the front line opposing a Syrian mechanized army would be fired. As would a company commander (Cal Remington here) who would send his senior non commissioned officer into harms way to do jobs meant for soldiers with 15-20 years less experience. There is more to a Ranger Headquarters than a Captain and a handful of computer technicians and Im positive they dont go into the field with hyper powerful (and sensitive) Cray computers! And the errors go on. Marine Sergeants do not co-pilot helicopters. First Sergeants dont give orders to officers. Servicemebers dont communicate with each other over radios using Police/CB Radio jargon. Soldiers dont get assigned directly out of basic training to the Ranger Battalions no matter how impressive their computer skills are. You cant take on tanks with sniper rifles and M203 Grenade Launchers and expect to succeed (let alone live).

  There's an interesting sub-plot with Megan Gander, First Sergeant Gander's wife who is a counselor trying to save an abused child while tending to her family. But even there the errors are rampant. There is no such thing as Ranger Military Police. Army bases are not called bases. They're called posts. And Army commanders deal very harshly with their subordinates who abuse family members. Its likely the father of the abused child in this book would be in jail or drummed out of the service long before the events in this book could happen.

  The only character I had no fault with was the Navy Chaplain who regains his faith just after the Rapture. Mr. Odom uses him effectively to put the religious matters in context. Also, his confrontation with a demon in the Pentagon is interesting.

  All in all, I consider this novel a failure......but I have hope for follow on books. The concept has lots of potential. I believe the series could be salvaged in two ways. First, the author could research the basics before writing the next novel. Simple things like knowing the lingo and rank structure would go a long way for folks like me who know better. The other option is to speed things up to the point in the original series where the US Armed forces would cease to exist. Im sure the good guys are going to take to the hills eventually. Why not cut to the chase?

  Well, thats enough for one night. I think I can sum this up in four wors. Better luck next time!
  
  

• A Complicated Followup to a Brilliant Series

  
  By A24QB5BF3B5A9S on 2003-12-10
  It's hard to write in the immense shadow of Jerry Jenkins' Left Behind Series, but author Mel Odom does a decent enough job with his first attempt in this brand-new spin-off.

  Where Apocalypse Dawn is strong is its portrayal of military life. It echoes much of the style of Dee Hendersen's Uncommon Heroes Series. It is interesting to step into a world so foreign to many people.

  Mel also knows how to write a fairly believable plot line. And his character development is rich and vibrant. Apocalypse Dawn is like a microscopic close-up of one angle of the end times, unlike Left-Behind, which is a blow-by-blow chronilogical account.

  Where this book fails considerably are on two fronts. First, it is quite long and protracted and the average reader will quickly tire of the endless military jargon. It's great for war geeks, who love to rap about RPGS and M-7's and a billion other acronyms and abreviations. The cliques and phrases that are a part of military culture come off as preachy to the average person.

  The biggest beef, however, will be with Mel's strange theology. The way to salvation is mixed and jumbled. Good Christians are left behind because they got mad at God for taking away relatives prematurely. Since when did standard soul-searching become the Unpardonable Sin? By this criteria, Mel would throw Job and David and Paul out of Heaven. And then in another point, it seems as though Baptism is the way to Heaven. I was really troubled by Mel's strange Gospel message. It seems as though he needs to put down the military manuals and brush up on basic Scriptural theology.

  All in all, Apocalypse Dawn is a thrilling read, full of interesting military information and richly layered characters, but don't base your faith on it. Because it leaves you wondering who what it takes to get left behind.
  
  

• Left Behind Wannabe

  
  By A13YWSB0VK753E on 2003-08-31
  I'm not sure what I expected from this book, but I was disappointed. Carrying the logo, "Based on the Left Behind Series," I guess I expected a book more in the style of those books. While it was interesting to pick out the names of the characters from the other series, I think I would have preferred the more straightforward style of Lahaye and Jenkins. This book was loaded with Acronyms for all of the different weapons, troops, etc. This in itself is difficult to keep straight. In addition, the book is virtually half over before the rapture even occurs. Hopefully, future books will move at a faster pace. It might have even been okay if the first half of the book had been necessary to establish the characters, but it seemed to be totally battle scenes. I found myself looking forward to the seemingly mundane scenes just as long as they weren't battle scenes. So, while this book is definately worth a read, don't get your expectations up and compare to or expect the caliber of the Left Behind Series.
  
  

• Great Read for the Military Minded Christian

  
  By on 2003-10-24
  It was a little hard to get into in the beginning. I expected the book to read like the left behind books, and I was mistaken. It took the first two chapters to really get into the book, then it was just so hard to put down. Those who are in the military or a veteran will not be thrown by the military lingo, it was kind of a welcome surprise. It will make you really evaluate your claim of Christianity, like the characters in the book. There were just too many who prayed, referenced God in their daily conversations, but really had no relationship, therefore they were left behind. Great entertainment! Relevant bible quotes! Excellent Read!
  
  
• Could this be Tom Clancy?
  By on 2003-11-03
  I was expecting the same fast paced action as is in the original Lef Behind series...wrong.

  This book really takes you inside the military as the rapture happens.

  If you are expecting the book to be at the same place as Left Behind was at the end of that first book don't.

  This book is really detailed.

  Some of the reactions by the military people makes you just shake your head, but the confirntation on the USS Wasp near the end between the chaplin and a marine is priceless and is worth getting the book for.
  
  

• Lame Born-again Clancy Wannabe
  By A3AWNHFKAH5TBF on 2003-12-21
  This is the kind of book Tom Clancy would write if he were a born again Christian, or, alternately, the kind of book Jerry Jenkins would write if he were a military hardware buff. But Odom isn't up to either of those gentlemen's ability (not that I consider either of them great writers!). The main problem with so-called Christian novels is that they are too preachy & the characters & plot development take 2d place to getting out the message. This book illustrates those fault lines. The characters are one-dimensional stereotypes. Endless descriptions of military hardware & use of military jargon are no substitute for a strong plot and interesting characters. I gave up without finishing the book because the characters weren't interesting & I didn't care what happened to them. This book is a loser. Affirmative!
  
  
• Left Behind fans: Get ready to experience fresh, new events!
  By A1SPQ83VIXO37L on 2003-10-11
  The first spin off from the Left Behind series, Apocalypse Dawn peaks as it paints vivid pictures of breath-taking military battle scenes ... and at the most unexpected time, in the midst of warfare, the Rapture of the Church occurs! Many people are left astonished as they see their comrades disappear before their very eyes; their clothes suddenly left in piles on
  military fighter choppers, army fatigues left on the battle field, and so much more! In the midst of an intense war, bullets and missiles fly as soldiers fight for their lives as they deal with what just happened! Was it the results of an enemy weapon, or was it more than that? As they come to
  find out that this has occurred all over the world, questions and confusion really start to mount up! And let us not forget to mention that Nicolae Carpathia is on the scene. Left Behind fans: Get ready to experience fresh, new events during the earth's last days, with new characters, as well as
  with some familiar ones!

  Reviewed by N. Lord The GOOD GIRL Book Club
  
  

• The Start of another GREAT Series
  By A2B445XPZSASZZ on 2003-12-16
  This book is written with a whole new set of circumstances and characters with some of the old ones from the Left Behind Series. The research is well done and the set of circumstances are up to date for the world today. It is hard to put down and makes you eager for the next one. I look forward to reading the next work to follow this one. Being in the military myself and reading this book while in Iraq, it was very real to me. I strongly recommend this book to any Left Behind fans out there!
  
  
• In the Military
  By AO1ZD2JDD6CL5 on 2004-02-06
  I'm in the military and thoght the book was great. I know the lingo is hard to understand, but it help add to the book. If it was just broke down to normal wording it would lose some of its appel. I have read the whole Left Behind series so far, the one thing i see every body doing is comparing. If thats all your going to do you will always be in for a disappointment. This is a different auther with a different style, so of course it will be different. Yes it takes place around the same time as the first book but there is much more that goes on with the military so it will go slower. When i read this book i was stationed in Iraq not even a 100 miles from both borders metioned in this book. So this book hit very close to home for me, and I would recomend it to anybody.
  
  
• Not Left-Behind
  By on 2003-11-08
  Interesting reviews of this book so far. I must say that I was very excited about a new "Left Behind" book. By the time I was half way through this book however, I was hoping the Rapture would occur so I would not have to finish the book.

  While the book is very heavy on the military descriptions of war (I expected that) I did not expect every literary cliche in the world to be in this book. I made it through 2/3 of the book and finally left it on a plane during my ride home from a business trip. I just couldn't bear to read another page.

  Maybe I am just accustomed to LaHaye and Jenkins. I will not be purchasing Mel's book 2.
  
  

• Absolutely Wonderful!
  By A1CDK5ODPS039E on 2003-08-02
  What a wonderful addition to the Left Behind universe. Mel Odom has done an excellent job looking at the end time events from the military perspective. Once I started reading the book, I could not put it down. I have a friend reading it right now who is currently in the Naval Reserve and he is thoroughly enjoying the book as well. Only one question for Mr. Odom, when is the next book due out?
  
  
• A fun summer read but...
  By A3O7K4879KTZ86 on 2003-09-10
  I thought this was a fun book. One of those books that you take on the beach and read. But I too have issue with the technical faults in the book. The one that stood out to me most was the Migs taking out an Abrhams. I agree that they would cause a lot of trouble but 20mm cannons hitting and fliping over a Abrhams!! Our own A-10 designed to be "tank killers" has a heck of a time destroying the M1 tank. The other aspects of the book are good. I thik Mr. Odom has a good start on his hands. Just brush up a little on curent US aresonals and we may have the Christian version of Tom Clancy
  
  
• Great "military culture" angle on Rapture
  By A3EJVZ5LCBP61X on 2004-02-10
  Left Behind and others in the apocalyptic fiction genre give us interesting speculations on how biblical end times events might play out in the lives of civilians. Mel Odom's Apocalypse Dawn does the same for the military. How will a doubting chaplain grapple with true believers disappearing? How about young enlisted types? A veteran first sergeant (the story's protaganist)? High ranking generals? Then, of course, the families left back at the base? All these angles are explored. Odom throws in the normal crises that plague some military (and civilian) families: child abuse, alcoholism, sibling rivalry. Odom packs so much observation into his novel, all while staying true to the military culture.

  The aspect that seems to lower the ratings on Odom's approach is the heavy use of technical description. I am not fond of lengthy descriptions of any type. However, once I became accustomed to it, it did add flavor and depth to the story.

  Character development was subtle and effective. Being the adult child of an alcoholic father might be common enough, but Odom helped us understand what was going through Jenny's head as she battled life. Joey's seemingly silly competition with a brother 12 years his junior looks foolish and selfish at first, but we do come to understand his dilemma. I could continue, but suffice to say that each character develops well. Perhaps some readers are looking for unusual tweaks...but Odom is communicating what ordinary people will experience during the end times.

  Bottom-line: Odom details with frightening realism how ordinary military people could struggle through something as horrific as the Rapture and Tribulation, and perceive events as life being crazy as usual...only more so. Odom's done an outstanding job of presenting a plausible end times scenario from an accurate military angle. Bravo!
  
  

• Great book
  By A3JA2BNMM1ZSHM on 2004-02-15
  I havent read the regular Left Behind books but I read this new book in the hit military series and loved it. I recommend it to everyone.
  
  
• needs more research into comand structure
  By A9MAW4XTYMPLR on 2004-06-07
  While I like the concept of the Military view of the Tribulation. I would like a little more accuracy in the command structure. ie
  1st SGT Gander should be CSM Gander as it apears the he is a ranking battalion sargent. plus 1stSGT's are not referred to as "sarge" it is "!st SGT" or "TOP"
  CPT Remmington should be a LTC or MAJ at Minimum as he appears to be a Battalion commander.
  here is the basic command structure
  troop: individual soldier Enlisted pvt - spc
  team: 5 to 20 troops size may very lead by CPL or SGT
  squad: generally 2 teams could be more depending on unit lead SGT-SSGT
  Platoon: 7 to 8 squads size varies depending on unit type and mission lead by platoon sgt SSGT - SFC and Platoon leader 1st or 2nd leutenet
  Company: 3 to 4 platoons lead by 1st SGT and Company commander CPT
  Batallion: 3 to 4 companies lead by CSM and Batallion commander LTC, Majors generally hold the position of batallion XO
  Brigade:3 to 4 Battallions commanded by a COL and a CSM

  Division: 3 to 4 Brigades generally commanded by a Major (2 star) General and a CSM.
  Corp: three or more Divisions and supporting commands. Lt(3 star)General.
  Just venting for those of us former Army guys. other wise a good story
  
  

• great read
  By A1C39GFV5O2UK on 2004-07-03
  Apocalypse Dawn makes a great edition to the Left Behind series. There are a lot of similarities in the struggle to grasp what has happened. Left Behind covers a vast period of time and briefly goes over the major events whereas Apocalypse Dawn covers roughly 48 hours and only a few events. The shorter time period and less events creates a deeper and darker focus on the rapture. Also with the short time period, there is less turning to God. You do get a better feel of the questions those left behind are asking themselves and how they are dealing with the shock.
  
  
• Was skeptical, but I wound up really enjoying it.
  By AM8U4Z12559XI on 2005-02-03
  After reading every Left Behind book and the numerous books that have spun off of this series, I was very skeptical that this book would have much to offer. I was also a bit hesitant about it since it looked like it could have been another war book, a genre from which I've had my fill.
  
  I was pleasantly surprised to find the book very readable. It does center on military life and operations during the setting of the Left Behind series, but I thought Odom did a great job of keeping his book from going overboard with jargon and insider information. I've never served in the military and I followed this book very well.
  
  Quite a few editing oversights and the proverbial misuse of the word "enormity" on many occasions, but nothing that detracts from the book. I just never ceased to be amazed at the seeming lack of attention to detail by editors today. Anyway, that's beside the point. The point is the book is a good, solid read.
  
  There are some points where the story line seemed to drag, but those were few. And my perception may have stemmed from me simply wanting to know what happened next in the story.
  
  By the time I finished the book, my conclusion was that Odom did a masterful job of tying together several storylines spread out over a huge geographical area and keeping a single theme alive throughout the book. If I had penned the book, I would be proud to claim it. Odom did a good job with this book.
  
  I must have enjoyed it because I'm plowing through the second one now. I find myself wanting to get to bed a little earlier to read these days, anxious to see how the story unfolds.
  
  If you enjoyed the Left Behind series, I'm pretty confident you would enjoy this book.
  
  
• Well written, decent in audio form
  By A2IQYGB0H03MVU on 2007-01-16
  This is one of the first audio books I have listened to. I simply read most things. I picked these up for a long drive I took for a week-long TDY. After reading the whole Left Behind series, I looked forward to this military series.
  
  The plot, characters and realism were well above par. I enjoyed this writing, and look forward to the 2nd and 3rd volumes of this series. Some is unrealistic, but this is only to work in characters from the Left Behind Series, namely the working in a discussions between the main character "Goose" and Nicolae Carpathia in the field.
  
  For audio-specific issues, the reader is not familiar with military jargon and abbreviations. Odom reads some military terms such as AAA, as 'A.A.A. 'rather than Triple-A. Other common military terms are awkwardly bobbled while he reads, as well. All the voices are done by him, including the female voices, which seemed very strange and distracting. He also uses an unconvincing southern accent for many of the troops from Georgia, as the southern accent has strong diction, rather than a rounding of words.
  
  Other than these minor critiques of the reading, this is an entertaining and edifying book for enjoyment. The critiques are only minor annoyances for the audio version. The plot and character development are superb. The book bounces back and forth between settings, but this is not done to the point where one gets lost while listening (or reading, as they did this in the Left Behind Series.)
  
  
• Another unread author
  By A2GSENNE2LI981 on 2003-08-02
  A wonderful book that follows the La Haye belief that we will escape the tribulation by being raptured first. Problem is, like La Haye, the author cannot support his belief scripturally, like La Haye.

  Don't be misled by these authors, and remember that's all they are. Be prepared to witness much of the tribulation and the wrath of satan. Study your bible..
  
  

• Good Book. Not Left Behind,
  By A1VH22YZPTRIWC on 2003-12-17
  I got this book a few days ago, and frankly, I was expecting more of it. Overall it's great read (I couldn't put it down), but there are a few things I have to point out.
  The storyline is very good, and it's fairly close to the original Left Behind series, although I was expecting it to be MUCH closer. The LB chararacters and scenarios are mentioned sparingly, and should have been used much more, seeing that this is claiming to be a parallel book.
  Another thing I have a problem with is the unending battle scenes, and hard military lingo. I think the author should have made it easier to understand, taking into consideration that there's a lot of people who know nothing about the military, and can't recognize or describe weapons or aircraft. Also, don't expect this book to be as fast-paced as Left Behind. It is much slower (the rapture occurs about halfway through the book).
  And to finish it off, so far it has very little scriptural content.
  Overall its a good book, entertaining, and captivating.
  However it can't compete with Left Behind at all. I will keep reading this series, and most likely the political series as well, but nothing will ever top Left Behind, at least for me.
  
  
• Keeps you on your toes!!!!
  By A1S0KV6CGX0O31 on 2004-01-08
  Another series of books that I think will be up there with the Left Behind series.
  
  
• Good storyline, but a couple of things hard to swallow
  By on 2004-02-29
  As a Navy person I loved the idea of this book and I did really enjoy the storyline. A couple of things were a bit hard to swallow (all the kids in the world disappear and they're charging one woman with kidnapping a single child?) While I agree that a lot of professing Christians are just following tradition and have never really accepted Christ as Saviour, I had problems with the way a couple of the characters were represented. If you accept that those who accept Christ have eternal life (security if the believer) then you may find yourself wondering if the writer agrees with this important point of faith. One such character is the former pastor that loses his family and joins the service. He is left behind and then refinds his faith after the rapture. Was he never really saved or did he lose his salvation? If that doesn't bother you, or you are mature in your Christian walk, then this is a good read. I wouldn't recommend it to younger Christians that might be confused, however.
  
  
• W.E.B. Griffin at the Rapture?
  By AEXSD8QUEEEGQ on 2004-04-02
  This is a very good military-style thriller tied to the LEFT-BEHIND series. Odom writes very convincingly about the U. S. military, and his heroic protagonist, Ranger First Sergeant Sam Adams "Goose" Gander, is an outstanding character.

  There are several other characters introduced, along with separate sub-plots, and these show lots of potential for the series. The one about the doubt-filled Navy Chaplain plagued by demons as he tried to spread the word about the Rapture is especially intense. The one about Goose's wife, a Fort Benning social worker, has potential, but is not well-realized -- every child in the world is raptured away, and they're pressing kidnapping charges about one kid? Come on.

  To me, one of the weaknesses of the LEFT BEHIND series is that not enough attention was paid to the Rapture. And they we see most of it through the eyes of an airline pilot and a newspaper reporter.

  The best thing about APOCALYPSE DAWN is that is shows the responses from many different types of ordinary people to this extraordinary event.
  
  

• Great Read for Soldiers, and their Families.
  By A1Z75I0OP7KXXR on 2004-06-15
  I found this book a wonderful read for Soldiers, or any military person, whom is also a Believer. Its thrilling chapters, involving 3 seperate, but connected characters, seemed as if you were almost reading different stories, intertwined within 1 book. I found a truly awesome array of emotions when reading that books rarely give me. Today's Soldiers and yesterday's veterans will be able to smell the gunpowder and hear the voices of the hurt and dying. You will be able to remember a 1st Sergeant just like "Goose" who led you during your tour of duty. Military wives will be able to find themselves in the shoes of Goose's wife Maggie as she struggles with the deployment of her husband and the daily challenges of raising 2 boys, of very different ages. I HIGHLY recommend this book as the Gospel message is clear and concise and will both touch and break your heart. Makes you want to stand up and cheer, and fall to your knees and rejoice the Saviour.
  
  
• Great from a military stand point
  By A1SOAJI5UB898R on 2004-08-01
  I thought that is was a great story. I have been an avid reader of the original "Left Behind" series since it's birth. I have been in the military for 20 years and I like the twists that Mr. Odom put in his book. I know that I have had the same conflicts in combat that Sgt Gander encountered, and I know that my faith has been tested more than once. I know that some people don't like a story if there is the slightest bit of in-accuracy, but no one is perfect (even an author). Mr. Odom if you need some clarification about military structure, I am at your disposal. Thank you for a good story and I look forward to the rest of the series.
  
  
• A Surprising Read!!!!
  By AOU1CY0LXZ0KX on 2005-03-04
  I loved the LEFT BEHIND Main Series, but that being said, I did find some detractions. This new series by Mel Odom REALLY kpet me on my toes and kept me wondering about the Theology of this author....however, those questions were answered as I kept reading, much to my enjoyment! That beign said, this book is a good read with a great set of characters, and the story-line couldn't be more intriguing: the brink of a regional war which could possibly expand between Syria and Turkey, with a detatchment United States Army Rangers caught in the middle....all the while, trouble on the home front, especially after the disappearances happen!!!
  
  As with the End Of State Series, this new spin-off by Mel Odom is quite a refreshing look and a good and interesting perspective of the Rapture and its ramifacations on a military level. The Ranger Sergeant caught on the front lines of a war that may turn badly four "our" side; the Sergeant's wife, a counselor accused of kidnapping following the rapture; the Chaplain left behind due to his lack of faith in Jesus Christ yet finding renewed faith and renewed difficulties in an ever-changing world; the teens shocked to their senses with the disappearances, realizing that the world is much larger than what they see as reality.
  
  In all, Mel Odom does a wonderful job of putting all of these into a good, and hard-to-put-down novel that will keep anyone on the edge of their seats! Can't wait to read the following two books!!!!
  
  
• Left Behind from a military perspective...
  By A3R19YKNL641X3 on 2006-04-09
  I have enjoyed the Left Behind series to a large degree, and I learned that there are some variations in that series that focus on end times in a different situational context. In Apocalypse Dawn by Mel Odom, you follow the end time tribulation events through the experiences of a military family...
  
  First Sergeant "Goose" Gander is a Ranger on the front lines of Turkey when a Syrian invasion is launched. At the same time, the Rapture occurs and a significant number of soldiers suddenly disappear from the conflict. While he's trying to struggle with this unknown situation that's happened on a worldwide scale, he's also worried about his family back in the States. His wife, a youth counselor, is being charged with kidnapping. She was trying to rescue an abused child from a rooftop when he fell. The Rapture occurred in mid-fall, and the only thing that hit the ground were a set of clothes. The family of the child is convinced that she's hiding him somewhere, regardless of similar happenings. Goose's younger child is also missing as part of the Rapture, and the family is struggling to make sense of it all. The Gander family isn't ignorant of God, but they just never really made the commitment as Christians...
  
  This is the first of three (that I know of) books in the series, so don't expect any resolutions at the end. In fact, if you aren't planning on reading the other two right away, don't bother with this one. If you stop here, the feeling would be very unsatisfactory as there's no "ending". I'm hoping as I continue with the other two, that the story doesn't drag out unnecessarily. I enjoyed the battle scenes and the struggle of faith in the midst of war, but the story could have been a bit tighter. Regardless, it's an enjoyable read if you liked Left Behind...
  
  
• Great read, Big disappointment
  By A3QDTYCY651Z2S on 2006-09-18
  While this is a great addition to the Left Behind series, Mel Odom will not be completing it any time in the near future. I have contacted him directly wondering what happened to book 4. In his reply, he stated that this is not his choice, that it is out of his hands. Perhaps he will be allowed to finish it some day. His first 3 books are very captivating but there is no closure to his story, for now. I was very frustrated. On a side note, he has started another series based on the military and personal faith called, NCIS: PAID IN BLOOD. I am looking foreward to it.
  
  
• Entertaining series, likeable characters, some stylistic elements annoying
  By ANEDXRFDZDL18 on 2007-01-11
  I listened to the unabridged edition of Apocalypse Dawn. This is a spinoff novel based on the award-winning left behind series. It follows the lives of various enlisted men and their families as they deal with the end times events. What I like most about the Left Behind series is how the characters deal with the cataclysmic events of the apocalypse. To be honest, I am less interested in the proselytizing and witnessing that goes on in the books than I am in the adventures and the book's action elements. This book is, however, a fast-paced novel, with many likeable characters.
  
  I did get tired of some writing elements. The multiple POV storyline was hard to follow and at times exasperating. One chapter we are in Syria with Goose, next chapter with Goose's stepson Joey, the following chapter on some ship with a chaplin, etc. This got a irritating. Especially since some characters such as the Navy Chaplin were just not that exciting. Also, the 'cliff-hangers' got to be a bit much. When you listen to a book in audio format cliff-hangers are annoying because it takes FOREVER to get to the next bit. In the unabridged audio edition, I found the singing during the 'baptism' seen extremely distracting and corny. In fact, I found the whole baptism scene a bit over-the-top. Putting such emphasis on a ceremony just seemed a bit silly. Especially in the middle of a war zone. I can understand why Cal had an issue with that.
  
  I also thought the author took a bit long to get the populace raptured. More than half the book was over before they rapture the kiddies and 'good Christians.' Which brings me to the final issue. Raptured Christians are idealized to the point of sappiness and all conform to the same mold. Regular Sunday school attendees, believe in God, the endtimes, love kiddies. I firmly believe that if God decided to rapture Christians we might be surprised with who goes. Not everyone is alike, and not everyone who would be raptured would be the same 'mold.'
  
  Overall, an entertaining audiobook, but I found some of the stylistic and Christian elements a bit awkward.
  
  

• Apocalypse Crucible (The Left Behind Apocalypse Series #2)
• Apocalypse Burning: Apocalypse series (Left Behind Military)
• End of State: Necessary Evils: End of State Series (Left Behind Political)
• End of State: End of State Series (Left Behind Political)
• End of State: Impeachable Offense: End of State Series (Left Behind Political)