Rating  - Give it a chance...
Although I was a bit burned out on the series, I just couldn't read the first eight books and not continue on with this one. I imagine most other Left Behind readers feel similarly. While I do wish the authors would cover more ground per book (and some parts get a little boring), for the most part I found myself as engrossed in Desecration as in any of the other series' books.
The authors never claim their work to be anything other than their inpretation of Revelation in a fiction format. Whether or not the reader agrees with every detail's Biblical parallel, the book succeeds in getting us to think and study and hopefully discover God's Word for ourselves.
Rating  - A Christian Version of Hogan�s Heroes
This review covers books 1-10 in the Left Behind series . . .
Since this is a fiction series I am leaving the argument over Scriptural consistency, interpretation, and/or literalism out of this, and focusing on actual content instead.
The Global Community is generally characterized as a worldwide aggregate of bumbling fools (a la the Germans in Hogan's Heroes) who are always outwitted by the Tribulation Force (Hogan and the gang). I can't even count how many times a Trib Force member talked his/her way past a checkpoint, acquired this or that vehicle, landed or took off from a GC-controlled airstrip, escaped traps, or rescued a prisoner. Maybe the authors attribute this to the providential hand of God, but after a few times there was no suspense left as each new difficult situation came up and was overcome. Well, with the theme of "We win," it would be difficult for anyone to write much suspense into the plot.
The truly interesting reading came with each new trumpet or plague sent upon the earth. But in-between each new catastrophe, time dragged.
Few of the male characters, in my opinion, were interesting, with notable exceptions being David Hassid, Chaim, Chang, and Zeke. Rayford just never seems to get a personality after the first book. Tsion is predictable, pious, and boring. The figure of the antichrist is mostly that of a scheming CEO with occasional outbursts of a murdering villain.
Most of the female characters seemed photocopied from the same template, and after a few books it was hard to distinguish the personalities of Chloe, Hannah, and Leah. Their characters seemed pushed to the back to the story line due to lack of interest. Too bad David's fiancée couldn't have been developed more.
The continued use of the word "said" to describe individuals talking to one another was maddening, especially noting the impressive number of books that each co-author has published. He said, she said, they said, said, said, said, said! One `said' for each of the 144,000 probably. We learned in English or Writing class that any substitution is usually more descriptive. How about a few more replied, remarked, grumbled, laughed, mumbled, cried, agreed, etc., etc., etc.? This alone would have added one notch to the rating.
On a positive note, I thought the authors absolutely shined with Tsion's messages; the character showed genuine warmth and concern for this billion-member internet flock. It was also extremely gratifying to see the characters constantly pray for God's will and guidance in both good and bad times.
Regardless of whether you believe the series is Biblically accurate or not, the Left Behind series is a mediocre read. I am a Christian and really wanted this series to be spectacular, but I must rate it honestly. If you want some light reading to temporarily escape into the opinions of two individuals on how the End Times might play out, then by all means consider these books. But if you are looking for brilliant writing, I suggest looking elsewhere.
And if you are interested in more End-Times literature, the Bible itself wouldn't be a bad place to start.
Rating - could'nt get past the narration!
It seemed like an intruiging enough book, and I'm sure I would enjoy reading it myself, but the narrator on this audio version is awful! It says he is some award winning narrator, but I can't imagine! He dramtically 'whispers' the last word of almost EVERY sentence! He sounds like William Shatner or something. Waay too much 'drama' in his voice to allow the listener to be pulled into the story. I couldn't get past his silly voice! I gave up after the first chapter. (no offense to the guy, sorry)
Rating  - getting tired
I have read all 9 books thus far and I have enjoyed the ongoing story to a point. The biggest issue (other than some inaccuracies about the Catholic Church)is that this saga could be told in three or four books, not the nine published so far. The authors spend a lot of time going over the same things in each book. The stories tend to drag on. There is a lot of useless dialog that really doesn't lead the reader anywhere. I will read the next book, but it will be my last if the story doesn't advance more quickly.
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