Assassins: Assignment: Jerusalem, Target: Antichrist by: Tim LeHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

Assassins: Assignment: Jerusalem, Target: Antichrist
Left Behind Book 6
Tim LeHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
Tyndale House
ISBN 084232920X

This is the last of the books in this never-ending series of books, games, spin off series and more, that I actually made it through. The writing quality dropped with every volume. In less than two decades they wrote 16 novels - over 7200 pages in the main series alone. They have eclipsed Piers Anthony's Xanth which took many decades to write.

In this series I never really agreed with the author's theological view of the end times, even though the series started off as good fiction, with entertaining books that made a reader think about the end times. Yet as the series dragged on, the writing became weaker and weaker, and for myself and many I know the authors lost the audience. I never made it through the whole series and I doubt I will ever go back and finish it. It really is a pity as there was so much potential in this series.

Everybody is out to be the one to kill the Antichrist (Nicolae) - Mac, Abdula, Chiem, Rayford. But we are left hanging about what really happens. The Trib Force team again loses members, Doc dies and Leih joins the team. Cameron travels to Israel again and sees the two witnesses resurrected and called up to heaven.

However even with all the action this was the end for me. I did not make it through any more books of the 16 in the series. The books in publication sequence are:

Left Behind
Tribulation Force
Nicolae: The Rise of the Antichrist
Soul Harvest:
Apollyon:
Assasins:
The Indwelling
The Mark
Desecration
The Remnant
Armageddon
Glorious Appearing
The Rising: The Antichrist is Born
The Regime: Evil Advances
The Rapture: In the Twinkling of an Eye
Kingdom Come

In the end it just seemed link a money-making ploy, with graphic novels, cds, teen versions, a video game and more. It is a pity this series dropped in quality so much. Jenkins went on to write an excellent trilogy - Soon, Silenced and Shadowed, that were set in a different interpretation of a future with a one world government.

(First written as Journal Reading Notes in 1999.)

Apollyon: The Destroyer is Unleashed by: Tim LeHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

Apollyon: The Destroyer is Unleashed
Left Behind Book 5
Tim LeHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
Tyndale House
ISBN 0842329161

In this series I never agreed with the author's theology. But the series started off as good fiction, entertaining, and were books that made a reader think about the end times. However as the series dragged on, the writing became weaker and weaker, and for myself and many I know the authors lost the audience. I never made it through the whole series and I doubt I will ever go back and finish it. It really is a pity - there was so much potential in this series.

This book was an interesting interpretation of the third woe from the Book of Revelation. The plague of the locust attacking the word is done in vivid graphic narrative. The Trib Force team has both losses and gains. The most important is Hattie leaving and joining the dark side. Buck and Chloe have their child.

Yet even with all the action this was the turning point for me. I only made it through one more book of the 16 in the series. The books in publication sequence are:

Left Behind
Tribulation Force
Nicolae: The Rise of the Antichrist
Soul Harvest:
Apollyon:
Assasins:
The Indwelling
The Mark
Desecration
The Remnant
Armageddon
Glorious Appearing
The Rising: The Antichrist is Born
The Regime: Evil Advances
The Rapture: In the Twinkling of an Eye
Kingdom Come

In the end it just seemed like a money-making ploy, with graphic novels, cds, teen versions, a video game and more.

(First written as Journal Reading Notes in 1999.)

Merry Christmas to All

Merry Christmas From Book Reviews and More.

Through the Looking Glass by: Lewis Carroll

Through the Looking Glass
Lewis Carroll
Various Editions

Though this book is not much better than Alice's Adventures, the chess motif and theme does make the book much more interesting. With the bossy, dominant Red Queen and the quiet, kind, messy white queen, the book is a study in contrasts.

The interweaving of the Nursery Rhyme Characters and the frequent fish poetry references does provide more continuity and a sense of sequential events than Alice's first adventure. I also appreciated the linking of the cat at the beginning and end of the story.

It does still feel like Carroll did way too many opium pipes in his time.

(First written as Journal Reading Notes in 1999.)

The Subway Mouse by: Barbara Reid

The Subway Mouse
Barbara Reid
Scholastic
ISBN 9780439952231

Famed Canadian author and illustrator Barbara Reid has created another wonderful book for children. Reid has won just about every Canadian award for children's authors or illustrators, and her unique plasticine illustrations are known and recognized the world over. In this story she not only uses her trademark images but incorporated found objects to enhance the images and tell the story.

This story is of a mouse named Nib. He is fascinated with items he finds around the subway station he lives in. In his home of Sweetfall, there are legends of Tunnel's End. Nib is fascinated and captivated by these mouse myths. One day he is compelled to search for Tunnel's End and his and our adventure is just beginning. His quest leads him through other mouse towns in different stations, and he meets Lola who joins him on his journey. Pick up the book and follow Nib on his journey; it will be a fun and wild journey.

(Images courtesy Barbara Reid.)

Book written and illustrated by Barbara Reid:
Zoe's Year (2012)
Picture A Tree (2011)
The Party (2010)
Perfect Snow (2009)
Sing a Song of Mother Goose (2007)
Fox Walked Alone (2009)
Read Me A Book (2004)
The Subway Mouse (2003)
Zoe's Rainy Day (1992)
Zoe's Sunny Day (1992)
Zoe's Windy Day (1992)
Zoe's Snowy Day (1992)
The Golden Goose (2000)
Fun With Modelling Clay (1998)
The Party (1997)
First Look Board Books: Acorn to Oak Tree (1999)
First Look Board Books: Seed To Flower (1999)
First Look Board Books: Caterpillar to Butterfly (1999)
First Look Board Books: Tadpole to Frog (1999)
Two By Two (1992)
Sing A Song of Mother Goose (1987)

Book illustrated by Barbara Reid:

Peg & The Yeti (2004)
Gifts (1995)
Effie (1990)
Have You Seen Birds? (1986)
The New Baby Calf (1984)
Jenny Greenteeth (1983)
Mustard (1983)

Books contributed to:
Read Me A Story (2010)
Dream; a Tale of Wonder, Wisdom & Wishes (2004)
Mother Goose: A Canadian Sampler (1994)

Author Profile and Interview with Barbara Reid

Alice's Adventure in Wonderland by: Lewis Carroll

Alice's Adventure in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll
Various Editions

My first impressions of this book were that it was like reading C.S. Lewis on cheap drugs. The events are complete non sequiturs and the changes in plot are worse.

It appears to be a spoiled child wandering in a world she does not understand, nor is willing to learn about - unlike Lucy in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe who seeks to understand the local customs and circumstances.

The book is very easy to read but it leaves distaste in my literary mouth. I know it is considered a classic but I just do not see it, and if I did not have to read it for school I would not have bothered to finish it.

(First written as Journal Reading Notes in 1999.)

The Party by: Barbara Reid

The Party
Barbara Reid
Scholastic
ISBN 9780590124287

Barbara Reid is a world renowned Canadian author and illustrator. Reid has won just about every Canadian award for children's authors or illustrators, and her unique plasticine illustrations are known and recognized the world over. She won the Governor General's Literary Award for Children's Illustration with this book.

This is the story of a family reunion/party. It is the story of two sisters who are nervous and hesitant at the beginning of the day, and a little shy about being at the party. Yet as the day wears on the children have their own fun and adventures as the adults catch up and enjoy the party also. With incredible illustrations and a great story, it is a book that will be fun for the whole family.

(Images courtesy Barbara Reid.)

Book written and illustrated by Barbara Reid:
Zoe's Year (2012)
Picture A Tree (2011)
The Party (2010)
Perfect Snow (2009)
Sing a Song of Mother Goose (2007)
Fox Walked Alone (2009)
Read Me A Book (2004)
The Subway Mouse (2003)
Zoe's Rainy Day (1992)
Zoe's Sunny Day (1992)
Zoe's Windy Day (1992)
Zoe's Snowy Day (1992)
The Golden Goose (2000)
Fun With Modelling Clay (1998)
The Party (1997)
First Look Board Books: Acorn to Oak Tree (1999)
First Look Board Books: Seed To Flower (1999)
First Look Board Books: Caterpillar to Butterfly (1999)
First Look Board Books: Tadpole to Frog (1999)
Two By Two (1992)
Sing A Song of Mother Goose (1987)

Book illustrated by Barbara Reid:

Peg & The Yeti (2004)
Gifts (1995)
Effie (1990)
Have You Seen Birds? (1986)
The New Baby Calf (1984)
Jenny Greenteeth (1983)
Mustard (1983)

Books contributed to:
Read Me A Story (2010)
Dream; a Tale of Wonder, Wisdom & Wishes (2004)
Mother Goose: A Canadian Sampler (1994)

Author Profile and Interview with Barbara Reid