Review of "The Tehran Initiative" by Joel Rosenberg

The Tehran Initiative
Written by Joel C. Rosenberg

Rating: 3 stars
Category: Christian political thriller
Publisher: Tyndale House
Pub Date: October 18, 2011

Kindle Format: 5521 lines
Hardcover Format: 480 pages

Kindle edition: $9.45
Hardcover List Price: $26.99

Product Description from the Publisher: The world is on the brink of disaster and the clock is ticking. Iran has just conducted its first atomic weapons test. Millions of Muslims around the world are convinced their messiah—known as “the Twelfth Imam”—has just arrived on earth. Israeli leaders fear Tehran, under the Twelfth Imam’s spell, will soon launch a nuclear attack that could bring about a second holocaust and the annihilation of Israel. The White House fears Jerusalem will strike first, launching a preemptive attack against Iran’s nuclear facilities that could cause the entire Middle East to go up in flames, oil prices to skyrocket, and the global economy to collapse. With the stakes high and few viable options left, the president of the United States orders CIA operative David Shirazi and his team to track down and sabotage Iran’s nuclear warheads before Iran or Israel can launch a devastating first strike.

Review: The Tehran Initiative by Joel Rosenberg is a fast-paced, political thriller. I received a complimentary advance copy from the publisher and read the book in five days. Written with a predominantly evangelical Christian audience in mind, Rosenberg weaves current political events, historical Middle East tensions and Islamic and Christian eschatology to craft a tale that is plausible, riveting and provocative.

I struggled a bit with some of Rosenberg’s characterizations, not because I necessarily disagree with his premises, but because I believe it fuels fear, creates barriers and hampers efforts of Christians attempting reasonable discussion on matters of faith with Muslims in America and around the world. As with most evangelical Christian fiction, the storyline, while plausible, seems agenda-driven, targeting and exploiting American fears against the enemy du jour – in this case, Islamic terrorists. Likewise, the dialogue and interactions among some of the characters, particularly on matters of salvation and faith, are forced, naïve and unrealistic.

That having been said, The Tehran Initiative encourages me to do more research on the concept of the twelfth imam in Islamic teaching and to study the differences between Christianity and Islam on matters concerning the end times. In my opinion, any book that causes us to delve into matters of faith and examine our philosophies against the truth of God’s Word is well worth the read.

Review of "The Fire King"

The Invisible Order, Book Two: The Fire King

Written by Paul Crilley

Rating: 4 stars

Category: Juvenile Fiction – Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic; Juvenile Fiction – Action & Adventure

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Pub Date: September 27, 2011

Kindle Format: 3396 lines

Hardcover Format: 416 pages

Kindle edition: $9.99

Hardcover: $10.73

Product Description from Amazon.com: With humans threatened by otherworldly creatures, orphans Emily and William Snow, and their friends—the pickpocket Spring-Heeled Jack and the wisecracking Corrigan—find themselves two hundred years in the past, trapped in the London of 1666. Desperately in need of help, they go in search of Sir Christopher Wren, who was head of the Invisible Order, an organization dedicated to fighting this threat. But Wren’s never even heard of the Order and has no interest in their story. 

Stranded, the four cannot agree on their next step. But they’ll have to decide quickly, because their enemies are on the move and the Fire King is ready to attack and burn London to the ground.

Set against the Great Fire of London, The Invisible Order, Book Two: The Fire King picks up right where Rise of the Darklings left off, weaving adventure, history, and legend into a thrilling, heart-stopping story.

Review: The Fire King is book two of the Invisible Order series by Paul Crilley. I received an advance review copy from the publisher through Netgalley.com. Although I have not yet read Book One of the Invisible Order, I found myself thoroughly immersed in the adventure and magic of The Fire King’s storyline. I particularly enjoyed the way in which Crilley tied the storyline to the historical Great Fire of London and the subtle parallels to the four horsemen mentioned in the book of Revelation. While not quite as in-depth as the fantasy adventures of Lewis and Tolkien, the magic, adventure and symbolism of The Fire King reminded me of these great children’s writers.

The Fire King is a great read for tweens (both boys and girls) who enjoy action, adventure, magic and fantasy. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Book Review: The Invisible Order Book Two: The Fire King

The Invisible Order, Book Two: The Fire King

Written by Paul Crilley

Rating: 4 stars

Category: Juvenile Fiction – Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic; Juvenile Fiction – Action & Adventure

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Publication Date: September 27, 2011

Amazon Kindle Format: 3396 lines

Hardcover Format: 416 pages

Amazon Kindle edition: $9.99

Hardcover from Amazon.com: $10.73

Product description from the publisher:With humans threatened by otherworldly creatures, orphans Emily and William Snow, and their friends—the pickpocket Spring-Heeled Jack and the wisecracking Corrigan—find themselves two hundred years in the past, trapped in the London of 1666. Desperately in need of help, they go in search of Sir Christopher Wren, who was head of the Invisible Order, an organization dedicated to fighting this threat. But Wren’s never even heard of the Order and has no interest in their story. 

Stranded, the four cannot agree on their next step. But they’ll have to decide quickly, because their enemies are on the move and the Fire King is ready to attack and burn London to the ground.

Set against the Great Fire of London, The Invisible Order, Book Two: The Fire King picks up right where Rise of the Darklings left off, weaving adventure, history, and legend into a thrilling, heart-stopping story.

Review: The Fire King is book two of the Invisible Order series by Paul Crilley. I received an advance review copy from the publisher through Netgalley.com. Although I have not yet read Book One of the Invisible Order, I found myself thoroughly immersed in the adventure and magic of The Fire King’s storyline. I particularly enjoyed the way in which Crilley tied the storyline to the historical Great Fire of London and the subtle parallels to the four horsemen mentioned in the book of Revelation. While not quite as in-depth as the fantasy adventures of Lewis and Tolkien, the magic, adventure and symbolism of The Fire King reminded me of these great children’s writers.

The Fire King is a great read for tweens (both boys and girls) who enjoy action, adventure, magic and fantasy. I look forward to reading more from this author.