Okay, this series deserves a review. Hmmm. Where to start?Writing Style and Story: two stars. It is painful in parts. Especially in the first book, "Prologue: The Brothers." The series is many parts boring, and several parts cheesy. I skimmed a lot of this series. It seemed that over half of the entire series was devoted to everything and everyone but our main characters. Everyone that was in the story seemed to have a chance to tell the story from the good to the bad to the insignificant. Therefore, you always knew what was going to happen next. And because we spent so much time hearing about everyone in the world and out of the world our main characters are not really developed and by the end when you are still holding out to know more about them it's time for the story to end and so you don't get to hear anything more. Everyone just kinda gets dropped. I wanted to know what happened to them. They lived. That was all I got.We also had a lot of build up and then we turn to the next page and the situation is over and you were given a few words from someone good or bad like, "Wow, can't believe we survived that. That was hard. But now we are safe and it over." To know what happened we were given one or two lines. "Sam made it out in time." "The earth was created." Anti-climatic. Disconnected.Theology: One and a half stars. In many ways this is a LDS "Left Behind" apocalyptic story. In the first book we see the Pre-Mortal Life. I know many people might get nervous over this. It was all pretty watered down though so deep breaths please. Nothing to get nervous about. Sure there were some assumptions, but they were pretty probable or so ridiculous that you could roll with it. But I don't think the author's point is to get us fixated on what it was like physically, but to get us to think what it was like on a spiritual level. He didn't a better job with this. When they are on earth the characters seem almost apologetic to everyone for their religion. They are embarrassed trying to explain a mission. They forget until people are almost dead that they can give blessings. Prayer is an after thought. Sometimes if it's mentioned at all. One main character mom lectures a non-Mormon character about why she shouldn't tell anyone about her daughters healing. There are too few references to what LDS people believe in this book. That frustrated me.Also we have one character who starts out unsure of his faith. Little is told of his struggle to know and what he does. Contrast maybe a G. Lund book and we have books on Joshua's Steed's searching and pleading. Our character mentions he wants to know more. Than hundred's of pages later (maybe in another book- not sure- I read three books in one day), our character falls from the sky (literally in a parachute) and says, "Don't worry mom, I am an elder now. I can give our dying brother a blessing." I'm serious. Basically this series is very weak on most levels theologically speaking. I'm not sure why....Overall Take Home Message: Five stars. Now I'm sure by now you think I hate this series. Quite the contrary. Yes, much of it I've blocked out because it was rough. But, I have not been able to stop thinking about some of the ideas in this book. There's a lot of Screwtape and Wormwood (CS Lewis' masterpiece) discussion going on. What are those voices telling me right now? There is a lot of dialogue about what's happening on the other side of the veil both good and bad. What promises did you make before you came? Who you might have known there that you know here? What's your purpose here on earth? Do we realize how many are fighting for us? against us? We have a lot of power. We have a lot of light and truth. I've spent a lot of time thinking about some of these ideas. Some I've dismissed and others have redirected me and my own earth life experience. So if I had to wade through over 1800 pages to get at least 5 life changing ideas, (which I did), it was worth it. Will I read this again? Yes. Probably a couple of times. (It helps that it has a happy ending-albeit very choppy and slightly confusing-but happy is good. I like happy endings). I really liked the character development. I found myself attached to the families. They were real. Also, I am a believer in miracles, but I understand why we are encouraged to keep them personal. They are sacred and when you discuss them others may not see them as powerfully. I believe the miracles in these books could definitely happen and I know miracles do happen now and will continue to. But, I felt like they lost their meaning as they were discussed frequently and often. But, I also felt it was an essential and powerful part of the book.
What do You think about From The End Of Heaven (2008)?
Book 5If you love appocolyptic stories (especially if you are LDS), this is a great series.
—Caroline
Cannot get through this series fast enough. I have to find out what happens.
—saba
It just got better and wanted more I couldn't wait for the last one.
—carissadh
I absolutely adore this series!!! I am HOOKED!!!!
—Suki27
