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pianoman5000's review
dark
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
beckimoody29's review
Understand that this is for the super conservative extreme far right evangelical Christian reader. This novel is full of conspiracy theories and end-time warnings (as well as some hard-core prepper advice). I am NOT the target market and found most of the theories amusing. (For one thing, i dont think most of our government officials are smart enough to maintain such a complicated plot!) however, i did finish the entire book, so that tells you something. This is basically a more conservative version of the Left Behind series.
bibliomaniac33's review
3.0
Conspiracy- The Days of Noah book 1, was a quick read. I'm going to begin with my criticisms, but please read the full review (even maybe the spoilers!) before you use this to help decide whether or not to buy/read the book.
I think my chief complaint is that Mr. Goodwin tried to cover too much in one book, which made the storylines jumpy and stilted. There wasn't a lot of build up and tension, rather it was just a lot of BAM, BAM, BAM, before you even could begin to invest in any character with a whole host of different things happening; so much so that then things were rather glossed over when any one event could have been fleshed out more to develop more sympathy for the characters, more tension for the situations, etc.
This may be a poor point of mine, considering how many things IRL our Enlightened Public Servants have managed to cram in for us just since 2021........but it is a lot for one novel that clocks in around 300 pages. It's just too much to cover in too few pages if you want a reader to truly invest in the characters and the storylines.
Things were also not helped by the cheesy, unrealistic dialogue, the irritating "thinking aloud" by several characters, the general unbelievability of the secrets spilled left and right (that would have resulted in the imprisonment of said characters), and the lengthy explanations and lectures poorly masquerading as casual conversations.
I also feel that the faith of the characters could have stood strongly without wedging a quasi-Evangelical apologetics course in. For those of us who are not Evangelical, google is handy and could fill in gaps that were rather forced instead in the storyline.
All of these criticisms may make it sound as if I did not enjoy the book, but I actually did. I just think it could have been done in a better, more compelling way. However, it's the rare book that is perfect and I think what Mr. Goodwin is discussing is extremely worth talking about/exploring, yet is often avoided as it can seem very conspiratorial. However, as we have all learned since 2020, the difference between a conspiracy and the truth is about six months. In Mr. Goodwin's case it was a bit longer, but not much. Not to mention, fictional conspiracy books are fun, and Dan Brown can certainly attest that a large number of people enjoy them!
The positives of the story- It is a more than a little unsettling how much we see in the news currently in 2022 that was touched on in this book published in 2014. Clearly, Mr. Goodwin was paying attention long before things became blatant to even the most unheeding and oblivious of us. There are many things touched upon (perhaps too many) with remarkable prescience. Though the circumstances slightly differ here in 2022, I fear we are in, or will shortly end up, in the same place.
For example (spoilers):
You may not have Family Services take your child for your mentioning Creationism, but you just might for not affirming your child's invented pronouns that the public school covertly introduced and fostered in your child unbeknownst to you. In either case, the cause is the same- your children only belong to you go along with the current political party line.
Whistleblowers risking their lives and those of their families to reveal the grievous overreaches by the Federal Government, and sadly appearing to do so for naught was one of the more compelling storylines in the book, and it got a bit short shrift. But this is a matter highly worthy of discussion, and I hope it covered in the subsequent novels.
Inflation, shortages, as well as lock downs are something we've all gotten to experience since 2020, and now we have baby formula shortages as well as fuel crisis thanks to the US Government. We're also seeing riots in many countries due to collapsing governmental abilities to provide even basics like food and water, which are likely to worsen as there are wide spread food shortages due to the conflict in Ukraine.
We have a massive increase in homeschooling since 2020, that one can assume will not let remain unchecked by the powers that be. Mass exits of families from public school are sure to bring more attempts at regulation, that is certain.
We also have the WEF meeting currently, with their cartoon like super villain masterminds complete with thick German accents, speaking on many of the things covered in the book. It would be comical if it were not so terrifying.
Add to that the certain brewing explosion over 2A we now see after two mass shootings, and I think Mr. Goodwin's bingo card, even if fictional, has been widely accurate.
I think the only thing he missed were the race riots of 2020, but as you can see, that's quite a lot crammed into one novel, and that is hardly an all inclusive list.
To sum, if you're looking around at the state of things and feeling like you are crazy for thinking something larger may be in play, this book may just make you realize you aren't alone.
I will definitely continue to the next book in this series.
I think my chief complaint is that Mr. Goodwin tried to cover too much in one book, which made the storylines jumpy and stilted. There wasn't a lot of build up and tension, rather it was just a lot of BAM, BAM, BAM, before you even could begin to invest in any character with a whole host of different things happening; so much so that then things were rather glossed over when any one event could have been fleshed out more to develop more sympathy for the characters, more tension for the situations, etc.
This may be a poor point of mine, considering how many things IRL our Enlightened Public Servants have managed to cram in for us just since 2021........but it is a lot for one novel that clocks in around 300 pages. It's just too much to cover in too few pages if you want a reader to truly invest in the characters and the storylines.
Things were also not helped by the cheesy, unrealistic dialogue, the irritating "thinking aloud" by several characters, the general unbelievability of the secrets spilled left and right (that would have resulted in the imprisonment of said characters), and the lengthy explanations and lectures poorly masquerading as casual conversations.
I also feel that the faith of the characters could have stood strongly without wedging a quasi-Evangelical apologetics course in. For those of us who are not Evangelical, google is handy and could fill in gaps that were rather forced instead in the storyline.
All of these criticisms may make it sound as if I did not enjoy the book, but I actually did. I just think it could have been done in a better, more compelling way. However, it's the rare book that is perfect and I think what Mr. Goodwin is discussing is extremely worth talking about/exploring, yet is often avoided as it can seem very conspiratorial. However, as we have all learned since 2020, the difference between a conspiracy and the truth is about six months. In Mr. Goodwin's case it was a bit longer, but not much. Not to mention, fictional conspiracy books are fun, and Dan Brown can certainly attest that a large number of people enjoy them!
The positives of the story- It is a more than a little unsettling how much we see in the news currently in 2022 that was touched on in this book published in 2014. Clearly, Mr. Goodwin was paying attention long before things became blatant to even the most unheeding and oblivious of us. There are many things touched upon (perhaps too many) with remarkable prescience. Though the circumstances slightly differ here in 2022, I fear we are in, or will shortly end up, in the same place.
For example (spoilers):
Spoiler
While public school teachers aren't being arrested yet, we are seeing university professors cancelled out of positions, and more and more often outright fired for not toeing the correct political lines. It would not be surprising to soon see criminal charges added in some of these cases. It won't even be over something like evolution, but like rather male and female chromosomes or some other current hot topic that only a few years ago seemed like settled science or protocol.You may not have Family Services take your child for your mentioning Creationism, but you just might for not affirming your child's invented pronouns that the public school covertly introduced and fostered in your child unbeknownst to you. In either case, the cause is the same- your children only belong to you go along with the current political party line.
Whistleblowers risking their lives and those of their families to reveal the grievous overreaches by the Federal Government, and sadly appearing to do so for naught was one of the more compelling storylines in the book, and it got a bit short shrift. But this is a matter highly worthy of discussion, and I hope it covered in the subsequent novels.
Inflation, shortages, as well as lock downs are something we've all gotten to experience since 2020, and now we have baby formula shortages as well as fuel crisis thanks to the US Government. We're also seeing riots in many countries due to collapsing governmental abilities to provide even basics like food and water, which are likely to worsen as there are wide spread food shortages due to the conflict in Ukraine.
We have a massive increase in homeschooling since 2020, that one can assume will not let remain unchecked by the powers that be. Mass exits of families from public school are sure to bring more attempts at regulation, that is certain.
We also have the WEF meeting currently, with their cartoon like super villain masterminds complete with thick German accents, speaking on many of the things covered in the book. It would be comical if it were not so terrifying.
Add to that the certain brewing explosion over 2A we now see after two mass shootings, and I think Mr. Goodwin's bingo card, even if fictional, has been widely accurate.
I think the only thing he missed were the race riots of 2020, but as you can see, that's quite a lot crammed into one novel, and that is hardly an all inclusive list.
To sum, if you're looking around at the state of things and feeling like you are crazy for thinking something larger may be in play, this book may just make you realize you aren't alone.
I will definitely continue to the next book in this series.
readerxxx's review
4.0
Really surprised by this book. While I am a Christian myself, I don't often seek out books with religious themes. This was an interesting mix of religious dogma and conspiracy theory. I enjoyed it and will look for a second book in the series.
max538's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
orinks's review
4.0
Highly recommended in general, but especially to fans of The Left Behind series and similar books
I really enjoyed this book. I’d recommend this book even if you know nothing about the Bible and just want an entertaining read. For those that did enjoy books like Left Behind and know what the scriptures say about the End Times, you might enjoy and learn something about it, imparted to you by a character who’s a bit clicheish in my opinion, but serves his purpose well, Isaiah. Yes, that was intentional I think, but is the only real gripe I have regarding characters. I’m interested to see where this series goes in the future, especially the CIA/NSA front, for all you political thriller fans yes, there is that.
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 4/5
Onto the next book, “Persecution”!
I really enjoyed this book. I’d recommend this book even if you know nothing about the Bible and just want an entertaining read. For those that did enjoy books like Left Behind and know what the scriptures say about the End Times, you might enjoy and learn something about it, imparted to you by a character who’s a bit clicheish in my opinion, but serves his purpose well, Isaiah. Yes, that was intentional I think, but is the only real gripe I have regarding characters. I’m interested to see where this series goes in the future, especially the CIA/NSA front, for all you political thriller fans yes, there is that.
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 4/5
Onto the next book, “Persecution”!
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