Soon: The Beginning of the End (Underground Zealot, #1) by Jerry B. Jenkins

Soon: The Beginning of the End (Underground Zealot, #1) Reviews

• 
  Daenel

  This is a modern retelling of Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9: 1~21) that’s set in a post~Apocalyptic United States that has been reduced to seven regions which mirror the last seven churches in the book of Revelation. And much like the Christians in the early church, Christians in post~World War III America have to live and worship underground or face prosecution.
  
  I wanted to like this book because I’m such a big fan of the Left Behind series but I couldn’t suspend my belief long enough to let it happen. I don’t doubt for a minute that there will come a time when Christians will be persecuted (to an extent, Christianity and many of its core beliefs have already come under fire) but what I have a hard time believing is that the U.S. will reflect the last seven churches as portrayed in the book.
  
  The characters are a little dull and the action is brutal/intense to say the least (there are a couple of murder scenes that are kind of gory). I just think there could have been more to this story than there was… Maybe if it had followed the Bible a little more closely and not been as contrived it could have been better. I didn’t mind it being set in the U.S., I just have a hard time with the obvious connection between the United Seven States and the seven churches of the last days (it just seems like that would be more of a Middle Eastern focus).
  
  On the positive side, this was a quick and easy read that leaves just enough cliffhangers to flow into a series. It’d be interesting to see if the characters are more fleshed out and if the story aligns more closely to biblical prophecy than it does right now.
• 
  Stacy Wilson

  Super fast paced, faith based, and that ending, WOW! I literally wanted to stand up and cheer!
• 
  Leo

  While browsing around in my local second hand store, my eyes fell on two books in this series and I was immediately intrigued. Though they where hardbacks and not I usually look for there but I'm so glad I bought them. Such an interesting and intriguing plot all way through. Never a dull moment and I was always curious on what was going to happen next. Never heard of this series before. You can find such gems and great finds on second hand for the cheap!
• 
  Jerry

  Soon, in many ways, feels like a prologue. Though the book is light on action, I got the feeling that the story will really heat up in the next two novels. Frankly, Jerry Jenkins isn't my favorite writer, but he does better than usual here. I don't agree with the whole Rapture thing, but, as with the Left Behind and Babylon Rising series, it's simply an interpretation of Scriptures that us humans can never fully understand. In short, fans of Jerry Jenkins, Tim LaHaye, or Frank Peretti will probably like Soon.
  
  P.S.: The title makes me think of the classic Home Improvement scene:
  "When, Tim, when?"
  "Soon, Jill, soon!"
• 
  CCSemick

  Loved it. The storyline was solid and believable and held my attention till the last word and I'm looking forward to reading the next one in the series. The best part is I was alerted to the fact that the protagonist's world could very easily become mine very soon. I, too, could face such persecution for my faith. The question that rolled through my mind on every page was, Would I hold fast to my faith in Christ no matter what it cost? Lord help me!
• 
  E.G. Bella

  As usual, Jenkins did a great job writing an intriguing novel with an interesting setting and a compelling interpretation of possible end time events. I always have a bit of hard time relating to Jenkins' characters, so my attention wandered quite a bit during this story, and I did skim parts in order to get to the end, where the pace picked up a lot. His writing style is just not my cup of tea, but I do admire his work. He tells excellently-crafted Christian stories.
• 
  Kristy

  Such a good novel. I was really struck with the idea of how things in the end will be a mirror of the way they were for the early church. And I literally got goosebumps at the ending...can't say what happens because of course that would give everything away, but wowwww was it ever awesome!! :P
• 
  Yibbie

  While the Gospel is given, the response of the believers to persecution bothered me. Christians being killed, as the Bible said they would be, does not mean God will intervene to save them. Demanding God judge the world now is not Biblical. Matthew 5:44-48, Luke 6:27-38, Romans 12:14 Yes God cares for His people, but he also cares for the Lost enough to die for them.
• 
  Shari

  As gripping as the Left Behind Series. Very well written. I couldn't put it down once I started it.
• 
  Heidi Williams

  Full of suspense action a real thriller .
• 
  Janelle

  I read this some time ago, not sure when, and while I liked it, it wasn't memorable enough for me to remember how much I liked it. So I'm giving it three stars.
• 
  Heitham Hammad

  Jenkins does it again. Moving on to the second book SILENCED.
• 
  Barry Martin Vass

  I found the writing in this to be surprisingly dry in relation to the subject matter. Here's the basic plot: after 9/11 in 2001 and the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, the Israeli/Palestinian conflict escalates, prompting brutal terrorist attacks in the countries that tried to stop it. At the same time there were escalating religious stand-offs, causing skirmishes around the world, resulting in World War Three in 2008 (apparently the financial crisis in 2008 never happened). All-out nuclear war follows, with widespread devastation around the world. As a result of this, all religions are outlawed. Mr. Jenkins is the author of the Left Behind series, so you can guess where this is going. Soon's protagonist is Dr. Paul Stepola, a special agent with the National Peace Organization, in what is left of the USSA, the United Seven States of America. Dr. Stepola's job is to hunt down and "eliminate" anyone that harbors religious beliefs, especially Christians. After a particularly brutal attack on a religious zealot in Texas, Dr. Stepola is blinded by an oil-well explosion. Months pass, and then suddenly, while flying to Chicago, lightning flashes and he can suddenly see again. Convinced this is a miracle from God, he renounces his former way of life and immediately begins helping Christians. I was able to finish this book, but just barely.
• 
  Terry Conrad

  I loved this book. A few reviews I read were comparing it to left behind and were apparently disappointed. Lots of authors write different takes on end times and I don't compare one authors work to another. Each book is rated on its own. I loved how Paul in the book was similar to Paul in the Bible. Most authors that write about end times assume Christians will not be persecuted like this till Jesus returns and we are in the tribulation. We really don' know but I enjoyed this take on it. It was an easy read but not at all boring. The book really made me think. It is possible for this to happen. Am ready to get started on book 2.
• 
  Diamond

  I want to give this book 10 stars! I'm very excited to start the next in this series and would love to see this turned into a movie adaptation. The biblical correlations to the United Seven States of America were great and to see the power of God at work in the last days was amazing. Seeing the life of the biblical Paul mirrored in the life of this series Paul was pulled together very nicely and uniquely. I wish I could give a better review of this book, but I'm still high off the excitement from just finishing it and so eager to start the next one that I can't sit still! On to the next one!
• 
  Heidi

  Defiantly looking forward to the sequel...While the reviews stated that the book was preachy I didn't find it to be at all. Also it was a free nook book! Score!
• 
  K Shirey

  Having recently started reading the Bible I’ve found this author’s writings interesting. You don’t have to be Christian to enjoy his books because he really does a good job with crime & suspense. This book provides a very clear picture of what our world could be like if the One World Government wins the day. That would be followed by, or possibly preceded by, the One World Church. Anyone with eyes to see can’t miss the big push by the Catholic Church to bring all religions back to her. Most notably the Protestants. (Look for stories about “one God with many faces”) Historically Christians who didn’t follow the Catholic Church were persecuted and eventually many eventually broke away from the Catholic grip and formed almost all the religions we now see. Some of these religions actually teach from the Bible, but in my search I’ve found few that aren’t supplementing with doctrines of man. It’s very discouraging. So, read the Bible for truth, and read this book series for a peek at what the world might come to when religion is outlawed.
• 
  Joy Birky

  Edge of your seat read!
  
  Author Jenkins has introduced his main character Paul and developed an exciting and biblically-supported novel that found this reader hard put to quit reading.
  
  I loved how the storyline developed, and the way characters entered the plot at the perfect times, the emphasis on the way emphasis was placed on salvation rather than past failure, and also the references to the “old ways,” which were actually our ways now! I got a thrill as I watched God and his angels work with the believers as they prayed.
  
  My favorite part was when a young believer named Rhoda opened the door and saw a fellow believer standing there whom she thought was dead, just like the story of Paul in the New Testament!
• 
  Tom Robinson

  Initially, this one seemed to take off - fast-paced action, before lead character experienced a traumatic, life-altering injury. But, such also begins the 2nd part of the story, and what a story Jenkins weaves. There is kinship - in approach, thinking - to his earlier Left Behind series, which culminated with the ultimate victory of the Church, aka Revelation. This was a fast read - as all of my time in late night (instead of getting a good night's sleep!). I'm thinking there should be a sequel I've yet to find, as there were quite a few unanswered twists left open.
• 
  dejah_thoris

  I like the idea of a prequel to the Left Behind series, but this book isn't nearly as compelling as I thought it would be. I like the idea of a double agent working within the government to prosecute false Christians to save the real ones too. The protagonist's relationship with his wife seemed strange though even after the conversion. I'll finish the series, but it's not as memorable as Left Behind.
• 
  Ken Cartisano

  It's a good read for the ultra-religious. I can't say as I was thrilled with the plot, an anti-christian, anti-religious dystopian police state. However, I give this book four stars because it is well written, well conceived, fairly engrossing, the dialogue is quite good, and I think there was only one mistake in the entire book. I don't regret reading it at all.
• 
  OceansDream

  This book took awhile to really pick up once you got past the initial scene. The final third of the book is pretty exciting though, and it does leave me wanting to read the second book in the series. Was it as stellar as Left Behind, as by Jerry Jenkins? Not quite up to par there, but still a good read.
• 
  Natasha

  Great Christian Author
  
  Jerry Jenkins does not apologise for being a christian in his book. He artistically curves the gospel in a neatly woven story that will leave any believer thoroughly entertined and inspired. This is also a great book for neutrals. It will entertain but also hopefully reveal the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
• 
  Marlene Banks

  What a good start to the series! I am hooked and anxious to start book #2. An intriguing fictional story very loosely based on Apostle Paul and different things in Scripture. It was written sort of futuristic but in the early turn of the 21st century so it's not chronologically futuristic anymore. Nevertheless it is a very good read. High end Christian fiction. Well done, Mr. Jenkins!
• 
  Melanie

  I enjoyed this story of a new United States, recovering from war and committed to the elimination of all religions. This dystopian novel started with a very interesting premise and we see it everything take place through the eyes of Paul, who is determined to eradicate the subversive religious fanatics. But how can he explain the strange things happening?