This is the fifth book in this series. In my reviews of the first four, I've laid out a number of reasons why this series is really, truly awful. Oh, sure, I could point out some stuff here, too. Like some of the stereotyping (saving LaHaye/Jenkins from the hard work of creating characters)...

On Abdullah: "Buck wondered what he did before becoming a believer. Maybe he'd been a terrorist" (364).

Rayford on his daughter, Chloe: "She's also very pregnant, Buck. That floods the body with a hormone wash and turns a woman into a mother hen" (367).

Or, how about the complete lack of actual story events or drama?

Ken Ritz on urgency: "We've already won....It's just a matter of going through the motions. The Bible's already told the story..." (160).

I could, if I chose, talk about the perverted morality presented here, and the unexamined hypocrisy in the heroes (and thus, one infers, in the authors)...

Tsion Ben-Judah on God's love, p. 156: "God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. That is the reason for this entire season of trial and travail."

God is not willing that any should perish? Really?

Tsion Ben-Judah on God's love, pp. 160-161 (aka 4 pages later): "The great wrath of the Lamb earthquake devastated the globe...the first three Trumpet Judgments alone scorched a third of the earth's trees and grass, destroyed a third of the oceans' fish, sank a third of the world's ships, and poisoned a third of the earth's water..."

Oh, uh, I see...

But, to be honest, this is all ground that I've covered before and am likely bound to do again, before I'm done with this wretched series. So, instead, here I'd like to just point up something that I find really funny about this whole ordeal -- there is a Left Behind series for children (Left Behind: The Kids).

Forgetting for a moment the absurdity of LaHaye/Jenkins doing everything within their power to milk this series (that'll be the meat of Book 13's discussion, if I ever get there), I really wonder how this series can be made *more* for children than it already is.

* The language, syntax, grammar in this series is as easy as can be. All dialogue, no description. I'd guess 3rd grade reading level, tops. (I swear, at one point Rayford even defines the word 'therapeutic.' In the story, it's for the benefit of another character, but I think it's actually there for the intended audience!)

* The subject matters put vanilla to shame and makes it wish it were a blander flavor. Even before all of the main characters converted -- back in their free-wheeling days without the Power of Christ in their lives -- none of the troupe did anything really worthy of censure. Rayford *thought* about fooling around on his wife. Buck Williams, 30 years old, living a jet-setting life in NYC, was a virgin for cripes-sake! There is no sex. No swearing. Violence less than you'd find on any given Saturday morning cartoon. Most of the "plot-events" are characters evangelizing to one another. Have you *been* to a fundamentalist party? I have, and it's kind of like one of those.

* There's no gray morality. No difficult choices for anyone to make. The good guys always agree with one another (and, in fact, sound roughly the same) and the bad guys always twirl their moustaches. Disney routinely shows more depth in its characters, both heroes and villains. I mean, in the Sorcerer's Apprentice even Mickey crossed the line more than these people ever do!

The only reason why I wouldn't recommend this to children is because I like kids, and want to see them enjoy the books they read. They'd put this stuff down early, because it's *too* easy, tedious, and flat-out dull. Adults can read it because we've learned how to persevere through poor writing, and several of us are masochistic in that we finish the books/series we start no matter the pain of it. Also, I'm sure that many Christians out there convince themselves that these books are "good" because of their basic philosophical sympathies with the authors.

But these books aren't good. They aren't even decent. Though I'm not Christian, I still believe that a person can be one *and* still be able to discriminate between good and bad fiction. This series, which makes the idea of a kid-level version redundant, will reveal itself to any discriminating reader as bearing the Mark of Beastly Bad Lit.

This is the fifth book in this series. In my reviews of the first four, I've laid out a number of reasons why this series is really, truly awful. Oh, sure, I could point out some stuff here, too. Like some of the stereotyping (saving LaHaye/Jenkins from the hard work of creating characters)...

On (the sinisterly named) Abdullah: "Buck wondered what he did before becoming a believer. Maybe he'd been a terrorist" (364).

Rayford on his daughter, Chloe: "She's also very pregnant, Buck. That floods the body with a hormone wash and turns a woman into a mother hen" (367).

Or, how about the complete lack of actual story events or drama?

Ken Ritz on urgency: "We've already won....It's just a matter of going through the motions. The Bible's already told the story..." (160).

I could, if I chose, talk about the perverted morality presented here, and the unexamined hypocrisy in the heroes (and thus, one infers, in the authors)...

Tsion Ben-Judah on God's love, p. 156: "God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. That is the reason for this entire season of trial and travail."

God is not willing that any should perish? Really?

Tsion Ben-Judah on God's love, pp. 160-161 (aka 4 pages later): "The great wrath of the Lamb earthquake devastated the globe...the first three Trumpet Judgments alone scorched a third of the earth's trees and grass, destroyed a third of the oceans' fish, sank a third of the world's ships, and poisoned a third of the earth's water..."

Oh, uh, I see...

But, to be honest, this is all ground that I've covered before and am likely bound to do again, before I'm done with this wretched series. So, instead, here I'd like to just point up something that I find really funny about this whole ordeal -- there is a Left Behind series for children (Left Behind: The Kids).

Forgetting for a moment the absurdity of LaHaye/Jenkins doing everything within their power to milk this series (that'll be the meat of Book 13's discussion, if I ever get there), I really wonder how this series can be made *more* for children than it already is.

* The language, syntax, grammar in this series is as easy as can be. All dialogue, no description. I'd guess 3rd grade reading level, tops. (I swear, at one point Rayford even defines the word 'therapeutic.' In the story, it's for the benefit of another character, but I think it's actually there for the intended audience!)

* The subject matters put vanilla to shame and makes it wish it were a blander flavor. Even before all of the main characters converted -- back in their free-wheeling days without the Power of Christ in their lives -- none of the troupe did anything really worthy of censure. Rayford *thought* about fooling around on his wife. Buck Williams, 30 years old, living a jet-setting life in NYC, was a virgin for cripes-sake! There is no sex. No swearing. Violence less than you'd find on any given Saturday morning cartoon. Most of the "plot-events" are characters evangelizing to one another. Have you *been* to a fundamentalist party? I have, and it's kind of like one of those.

* There's no gray morality. No difficult choices for anyone to make. The good guys always agree with one another (and, in fact, sound roughly the same) and the bad guys always twirl their moustaches. Disney routinely shows more depth in its characters, both heroes and villains. I mean, in the Sorcerer's Apprentice even Mickey crossed the line more than these people ever do!

The only reason why I wouldn't recommend this to children is because I like kids, and want to see them enjoy the books they read. They'd put this stuff down early, because it's *too* easy, tedious, and flat-out dull. Adults can read it because we've learned how to persevere through poor writing, and several of us are masochistic in that we finish the books/series we start no matter the pain of it. Also, I'm sure that many Christians out there convince themselves that these books are "good" because of their basic philosophical sympathies with the authors.

But these books aren't good. They aren't even decent. Though I'm not Christian, I still believe that a person can be one *and* still be able to discriminate between good and bad fiction. This series, which makes the idea of a kid-level version redundant, will reveal itself to any discriminating reader as bearing the Mark of Beastly Bad Lit.

I really enjoy this series.
Although it has some minor flaws... such as the somewhat dry writing style, scarce characterization, and the fact that the series seems without end, I couldnt help myself but to be sucked into the plot. I admit, it could be better, but I couldnt put it down and devoured the book in as little as 4 days.

Ok, This book is ok,it's a bit silly at times, unbelievable at others. I am starting to agree with everyone else that this could have been a whole lot better if they hadn't have stretched it out. Because all they are doing is rewording the passages from the previous book into the next one and so on. I have almost given up, but since I already bought the majority of the books, I want to try to finish it. I am glad that I purchased them from a library book sale, so they didn't actually make money off of me. The books that I am missing...I will probably just skip.

From the very first letter of the alphabet that my eyes looked upon inside this series of books, until the very last period of the very last sentence, I was hooked. Each one of these books absorbed my attention like no other book has ever done in my life. Biblically sound, theatrically entertaining, and brilliantly written, the Left Behind books will inspire you to dig into God's word and take the pieces of news from your T.V. screen and match them right smack-dab up with the prophecies of the Bible. Your hair will stand up, your heart will race, and you will find yourself helplessly caught in the suspense. Once you finish one of these books, you will desperately race to your computer screen or your local library to pick up the next one!

Carrie Lynn Jones
Author of It All Began... When Jesus Gave Me Sneakers

Toward the top of this very page, the authors declare: "For some reason, I'm finding that a large percentage of people who greet us at signings, etc., and tell us they have read "all the books" actually haven't. They are largely unaware that between books 12 (Glorious Appearing) and 13 (Kingdom Come) we produced three prequels (The Rising, The Regime, and The Rapture). These need not be read before Kingdom Come (the final sequel), but if you're a Left Behind fan, you won't want to miss them.
Dr. LaHaye and I also have a new series -- fiction based on the gospels -- that began last November with John's Story: The Last Eyewitness. Late this year the second of the four titles, Mark's Story: The Gospel According to Peter will release. And, of course, we'll finish with Luke's Story and Matthew's Story. As always, I'd love to hear from you."

Indeed, they'd love to hear from you, to hear the sound of your money clinking in the cashbox of sanctimony. NOW hear the gospel (the good news): you don't need to read this escapist fantasy in order to find your place among the ELECT! Do you suppose St. John of Patmos would have delighted in such melodrama? Do you suppose Jesus of Nazareth would have smirked along with Tim and Jerry in their sagas of self-righteousness?

Shame! Shame! Make better use of your time, while the Bridegroom tarries!

The "Left Behind" series is a perfect example on how to take an interesting concept and turn it into a bad series. "Apollyon" is the fifth book in the series and like the previous books, it is only a couple of chapters worth of material stretched into novel length. The first 200 pages should have been no more than 50 pages. Not until after the 200 page mark do the locusts appear and things start to get interesting, but this only lasts for one chapter. After that, it's back to the usual slow soap opera.

I'm not going to say anything about the theology or morality behind the book; I'm trying to read these books as entertainment, but in that area, it fails. It is slow, full of lengthy monogolues and badly written dialogue.

Apollyon came is great condition and had visible damage. I thought that the books cover was a little worn, that comes with age. I feel that buying used books on amazon is a good buy, if you don't mind saving money.

This series of books started out interesting but then it just dragged on forever as though they just wanted to make money by getting you to buy the next book. The whole series could have been done in 1 or 2 books. Only one significant thing happens in each book which should be a chapter in a book not the entire book. It also starts to go in to the ridiculous and never ends. I quit and don't care about what happens. Enough is enough all ready. The series is way out there.

This series of books started out interesting but then it just dragged on forever as though they just wanted to make money by getting you to buy the next book. The whole series could have been done in 1 or 2 books. Only one significant thing happens in each book which should be a chapter in a book not the entire book. It also starts to go in to the ridiculous and never ends. I quit and don't care about what happens. Enough is enough all ready. The series is way out there.

This book is so flawed in every which way, it is hard to know where to begin. First of all, we are living in the end times, and when Jesus comes, that's all she wrote, folks. There's no seven years, no Christians being zapped up, etc. This is our Second Chance on Earth. No tribulation. This book takes figurative visions and tries to apply it literally, and does it poorly. Reading this book made me think that if this was true, then what's the point of trying to be a Christian. Why not just live your life the way you want to, and then when people zap out of thin air, change your life. It's ridiculous and sends the wrong message. Plus, the writing is for second graders with no redeeming characteristics to it. But I really don't think the author's care at this point (seeing how many millions they've made printing lies). My recommendation is to read the bible instead of this series; then you'll get truth and the bible is probably shorter (and much better writing). Man, not even Kirk Cameron could save this train wreck.

I like Lahaye's book but I found Apollyon to be a plodding, slow rehash of earlier works... At least the first 3/4's were. Lessee Ben Judah preaches, Rayford acts holier-than-thou, various non-essential characters are killed, Chloe speed-dials buck, and Buck does his Indiana Jones routine. The Trib force stops and tries to convert every Tom, Dick, and Hattie they meet and have instant gratification by seeing the 'sign' appear on their newly converted forheads. Bingo! You've just won a believer!

There were some seriously annoying plot points in this book. Chloe/Buck decide to have a baby? What reasoning thinking couple would have a baby in the endtimes? I vote them off the island. Second, they go off to Israel to listen to Ben Judah and abandon Hattie poisoned and dying....? Huh? They can hear Ben Judah speak anytime. This seemed cold and callous to me. Rayford lectures doctor Lloyd on 'not having a relationship with Hattie.' Um, excuse me Ray...But do you remember book 1? Ray is such a hypocrite. In fact, the entire Trib's forceful attempts to convert Hattie at the end of the last book and the beginning of this one made me ill. Let the woman make her own decision, shall we? Let her worry about her own soul. Badgering and pestering her is not only annoying, but likely to produce the opposite result.

I was disappointed in the ending. I thought the Trib force behaved callously and even a little gleeful towards those suffering under the sting of the locusts. At one point Ray is even afraid to care for Hattie because of her illness. Come on. This is a grown man? Grow a spine.

2 Stars. I found the behavior of the trib force, particularly Rayford annoying. Also, the appearence of the christian "mark" makes this series even more 'black and white' than it was before. Thankfully Assassins doens't seem to be in the same vein as this one.

What a mixed bag this book was. it was typical Left Behind fare: 400 pages of theorizing, agonizing, and evil antichrist mischief in the face of God's chosen people; but still, things are slow in the LB universe at this point, so while it is entertaining, nothing really of note happens in this book. Nothing concrete, anyway. This is the book, though, where a LOT of things get rolling, though.

Thumbs up for Apollyon.

I like Lahaye's book but I found Apollyon to be a plodding, slow rehash of earlier works... At least the first 3/4's were. Lessee Ben Judah preaches, Rayford acts holier-than-thou, various non-essential characters are killed, Chloe speed-dials buck, and Buck does his Indiana Jones routine. The Trib force stops and tries to convert every Tom, Dick, and Hattie they meet and have instant gratification by seeing the 'sign' appear on their newly converted forheads. Bingo! You've just won a believer!

There were some seriously annoying plot points in this book. Chloe/Buck decide to have a baby? What reasoning thinking couple would have a baby in the endtimes? I vote them off the island. Second, they go off to Israel to listen to Ben Judah and abandon Hattie poisoned and dying....? Huh? They can hear Ben Judah speak anytime. This seemed cold and callous to me. Rayford lectures doctor Lloyd on 'not having a relationship with Hattie.' Um, excuse me Ray...But do you remember book 1? Ray is such a hypocrite. In fact, the entire Trib's forceful attempts to convert Hattie at the end of the last book and the beginning of this one made me ill. Let the woman make her own decision, shall we? Let her worry about her own soul. Badgering and pestering her is not only annoying, but likely to produce the opposite result.

I was disappointed in the ending. I thought the Trib force behaved callously and even a little gleeful towards those suffering under the sting of the locusts. At one point Ray is even afraid to care for Hattie because of her illness. Come on. This is a grown man? Grow a spine.

2 Stars. I found the behavior of the trib force, particularly Rayford annoying. Also, the appearence of the christian "mark" makes this series even more 'black and white' than it was before. Thankfully Assassins doens't seem to be in the same vein as this one.

This book is conceived by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye who have wrote the prior books to the Left Behind series. This series is mainly about what could happen in the rapture of Jesus Christ. The main characters are Cameron "Buck" Williams, Chloe Steele Williams, Rayford Steele, and Tsion Ben-Judah aided by other new members of the Tribulation force: Mac McCullum, Ken Ritz, David Hassid, and Floyed Charles. These "Tribulation Saints" must figure out a way to survive and at the same time fight the evil forces of the AntiChrist himself, Nicolae Carpathia. I think this is an amazing insight to what could happen in the worlds last days. I also think that these two writers have done an excellent job referencing scriptures from the Bible along with suspence and a futuralistic perspective on technology. As a Christian I really enjoy these books and it's hard to stop reading because it is a very interesting book in my opinion. I think this is an excellent series overall for anyone to enjoy.

This book is conceived by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye who have wrote the prior books to the Left Behind series. This series is mainly about what could happen in the rapture of Jesus Christ. The main characters are Cameron "Buck" Williams, Chloe Steele Williams, Rayford Steele, and Tsion Ben-Judah aided by other new members of the Tribulation force: Mac McCullum, Ken Ritz, David Hassid, and Floyed Charles. These "Tribulation Saints" must figure out a way to survive and at the same time fight the evil forces of the AntiChrist himself, Nicolae Carpathia. I think this is an amazing insight to what could happen in the worlds last days. I also think that these two writers have done an excellent job referencing scriptures from the Bible along with suspence and a futuralistic perspective on technology. As a Christian I really enjoy these books and it's hard to stop reading because it is a very interesting book in my opinion. I think this is an excellent series overall for anyone to enjoy.

The fifth book brings more action, suspense and exitement out of the first five books. I don't understand why people say these books have bad dialogue and settings. Tim Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins are probably one of the two best writers in the world and they do a beyond good job. The main thing that happens in this book is just when Apollyon sends his locusts to attack unbelievers. It was sweet when the people that got stung by the locusts tried to kill themselves by jumping off buildings and in other ways, but could not die. They just ended up with messed up bodies. A good book overall.

I have mixed feelings about this book. The positive is that despite the relatively thin character development I really care about the main characters at this point, I guess five books and nearly 2000 pages will do that. Another major positive is that this book keeps up the drama that got started in Soul Harvest. It is really feeling like the tribulation at this point. Finally, these books continue to be easy fun reads. The action is good and the pages turn quickly. It is a fun read. But, while that is a positive I think in some ways it is a negative. These are the worst times in world history and while Soul Harvest and Apollyon start to get that feel it still isn't quite enough for me. It bothers me that I can say it is a fun read and fully mean it. Add to that that there remains an air of implausibility about some of these books and you have te walls that keep me from fully endorsing the books. They are fun easy reads and I will finish reading the series but they are not terribly deep and not fully plausible.

I have mixed feelings about this book. The positive is that despite the relatively thin character development I really care about the main characters at this point, I guess five books and nearly 2000 pages will do that. Another major positive is that this book keeps up the drama that got started in Soul Harvest. It is really feeling like the tribulation at this point. Finally, these books continue to be easy fun reads. The action is good and the pages turn quickly. It is a fun read. But, while that is a positive I think in some ways it is a negative. These are the worst times in world history and while Soul Harvest and Apollyon start to get that feel it still isn't quite enough for me. It bothers me that I can say it is a fun read and fully mean it. Add to that that there remains an air of implausibility about some of these books and you have te walls that keep me from fully endorsing the books. They are fun easy reads and I will finish reading the series but they are not terribly deep and not fully plausible.

This is the fifth book in the Left behind series. Some of the action, as usual, is not plausible. But we do have action in this book. And the authors still manage to make it a page-turner. So if you read the others...go ahead and read it.

Rayford learns the truth about his wife. We have both Chaim Rosenzweig and Hattie come to believe the truth about what is required to be saved, but neither takes that necessary step. Chaim because of pride and Hattie because of hate. I found it hard to believe that a man of Chaim's intellect would allow pride to over ride everything he himself has seen and deduced from hard evidence. And Hattie, well they did a good job with her. She is so annoying I kept hoping she would be written out of the story.

The meeting of the 144,000 takes place in Israel and the Anti-Christ attends, as does the prophets of God. The story line in Jerusalem is well written and you could not only visualize what was transpiring. And the authors did a great job of brining the two prophets to life. And their is very good narrative on the Trumpet Seals as they are unleashed on the earth.

The only thing I would highly recommend is that you make sure to read this book in its proper sequence. It cannot stand on its own.

This book picks up where book 4 left off, with preparation for the meeting of the witnesses in Jerusalem. Nicolae tries to prevent the meeting then tries to take it over when stopping it isn't possible. God's judgments grow fiercer when after the meeting, the first of the Angel Trumpet Woes hits, with all non-believers being attacked by hideous creatures led by the demon Apollyon. Hattie is more an more torn over the pending birth of hers and Nicolae's babies.

There is more action in this installment, with all the action surrounding the Meeting. the description of the meeting is vivid and very realistic for an event of such magnitude. The demon locusts unleashed are suitably hideous and the suffering of victims is intense in its occurrence.

Mark Moore has it wrong. This book may be Christian, but it is not propaganda. It tells about something that I (and many others) believe will happen.
Mark says that it is "ludicrous" to believe that the world would go into chaos if all of the Christians disappeared. Give me a break! Let's see millions of people around the world disappear at the same time and without warning and not have chaos.
I think that Mark's accusations are what's ludicrous. "An evil religion perpetuated with zealous idiots"?!? Yeah right! Christians are as normal as anyone else!
In the Bible, the book of Revelation only takes about "20 pages" because it tells you what is going to happen, yet does not go into specific details. The Left Behind books are much longer because they put the events into real life happenings.
Mark also says that there are no non-Christian records of Jesus which is wrong. There was a non-Christian historian named Josephus who lived at about the same time as Jesus and who mentioned Him in his writings.
As for the other reviewers? Well some of them are wrong to:
1. These books closely follow the Bible's account in Revelation.
2. The authors are not trying to lead people away from the truth and they are definitely not being used by Satan.
3. The purpose of these books are not just to be theological documents and explain the teachings in Revelation.
Finally, these books have to present a feeling of anger between God and unbelievers because God WILL be angry! He will have provided the way to salvation for so long that there will be no reason to hold out any longer.

All right, now on to the quality of the book. I thought that this book was good, but that it could have been quite a bit better. The quality of the books seem to decline the further into the series you go, and this book is already showing that some. Even so, I would still recommend this book as well as the rest in this series. They are all "page-turners" that you do not want to put down. Read and enjoy.

Two reviews in one... what a bargain.

First the book. This one sort of dragged. There were a number of exciting scenes, but a whole lot and I mean a WHOLE lot of phone calls and baby talk. I had to fast forward at times to get through it.

Now the CD quality. I listen to a lot of books on CD because I'm not a very strong reader (big words confuse me). Typically they select someone with a good voice who can do a moderate number of characters/dialects. This one sounded like a children's puppet show. The voices were some extreme that they were either comical or hard to understand and words and names were pronounced differently on this CD than on the first few. Just read me the book... make my life easy, I don't like to try very hard.

Book five continues the twist and turn towards something that feels more like a Bible tract that needs to be handed out door-to-door. Moving away from the fantastic plot and character development of the first three books, LaHaye and Jenkins really begin a downward trend of not following upon previous successes for the series. There are several new characters that get added to the mix - some believers, some not. No background is explored on these new characters - so it is as if they are just dropped into the story as convenient stage props for the story. Honestly, this is the worst of the series thus far, simply because of the poor plot and character mechanics that these two have chosen to ignore in favor of treating the story as a well-bound Bible tract.

These Left Behind books are becoming a guilty pleasure. I can't stop reading them. This and SOUL HARVEST have been the best. The series hits its stride here. The pacing is terrific and it keeps you craving more.

Rayford Steele learns his wife Amanda was NOT a spy as insinuated in the previous installment. Hattie just made it appear that she was.

Nichoale can do nothing to stop the two witnesses as he and Tsion Ben-Judah have a showdown in Jeruselem. The Witnesses cannot be killed in spite of Nicholae's declaration of open season on them. Hattie's baby is stillborn and deformed. She has developed some serious hate for Nicholae and vows to kill him herself. What a nut.

After the sun darkens a full one third even Chaim Rosenzweig admits there is no explanation but the Lord. But best of all, locusts decend upon the earth to sting the non-believers and making them wish they were dead. Those stung cannot even kill themselves for relief. Next will be 200 million horsemen who will kill off one third of the world's remaining population.

And Chloe had her baby.

This is the fundamental question of books 1-11 of the taut, gripping (some might say svelte) "Left Behind" series. However, the answer is "He's in book twelve." So the faithful reader will have to wait another seven books before the messiah cannonballs into this pool. All we get for now is a buncha-buncha-cruncha devil bugs sent by G-d to eat the crops and fly up the noses of the unbelievers. Which I didn't really understand myself, because if they're demon locusts, why are they working for the big G? But that's a whole 'nother can of demon worms better left to the professional theologomizers and not to us unschooled readers.

All in all, Lehane's best work. "Mystic River" is a close second, maybe tied with "Left Behind #9" [I forget the title] and after that are all the other "Left Behinds" in no particular order.

If not quite as graphic or spectacular as advertised in the cover copy, APOLLYON is still an excellent continuation to the captivating Left Behind series. More space is devoted to doctrine and character development and interaction than in most of the previous books, with the result that APOLLYON doesn't move quite as quickly. Despite the generally slower pace, author Jerry Jenkins knows how to keep his target audience interested and the big payoff at the end--a horrifying plague of demonic insects--is quite scary. Another high point is the gathering of believers in Israel to hear Tsion Ben-Judah preach the gospel...even as Nicolae Carpathia plans to crash the party. Whose voice will the assembled believe? Meanwhile Buck and Chloe Williams anticipate the birth of their child and Hattie Durham struggles to come to grips with the life she has made for herself. Another quality reading experience from Jenkins/Lahaye with an eternally pertinent message.

Add another 1/2 star to the three I've given it.

It is difficult to visualize the various plagues in the Book of Revelations, however Lahaye and Jenkins have done an excellent job. Why these demon locusts did not attack everyone was very clear. Also I've wondered about the two prophets who will be left in the streets of Jerusalem for three days as John describes, but again the authors brought these two men to life for me.

Amanda Steele may have been a traitor to her husband and The Tribulation Force. Since I had no emotional connection to Amanda, who was introduced merely to play a small role, I was unconcerned that she disappeared. However, her death along with others on the jet that crashed did show Nicolae Carpathia's truer motive.

In my opinion, this is one of the better books in the Left Behind series, but after reading four straight through I was committed to the series. If someone were to start reading just one book out of order, then I think the interwoven connections would be difficult to follow.

The scenes in Jerusalem were strong and well written. Never having been to the city, I was able to picture it somewhat -- especially considering the photojournalists and newscasters we have today. New characters are introduced as each book moves forward, which keeps the pressure building with their interpersonal relationships and questions of fealty.

True dramatic tension is missing, but the humor at the expense of the The AntiChrist and his divergent crew is refreshing, though difficult to imagine. However, if you have read the previous four books, this will be an excellent adventure in the continuing saga.

Victoria Tarrani

I don't know how anyone couldn't love these books. The depth of the characters, and the story is incredible. I'll admit, with the first book I was not yet hooked. Wasn't completely sure if I'd even read the next one in the series. But I am sooo glad I did. Half way through, I knew I was hooked. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A CHRISTIAN FICTION LOVER TO LOVE THESE BOOKS! Even for those non-believers, that are looking for a great on the edge of your seat adventure/thriller to read, this is a GREAT read!!! And who knows, by the time you get half way through the series you may see things differently about life.
And for those who are believers, this series will make/help you understand revelations so, so much better and easier. To anyone who loves to read and really get into the books they're reading, this series is a MUST READ!
As highly as I recommend the Left Behind Series to Readers, I have an even HIGHER recomendation regarding this series. THE UNABRIDGED AUDIO BOOKS read by RICHARD FERRONE. Even if you have read the entire series, go back and listen to these done on audio by Richard. He is amazing! As incredible as LaHaye and Jenkins are at creating the characters, Richard is absolutely amazing at bringing them to life, and drawing you into the story. Richard Ferrone is the best audio book reader I have ever heard by FAR! Listening to the story being read to you and acted out by ferrone puts an entirely different spin on enjoying this series. (don't confuse the unabridged version with the abridged however. Frank Muller does the abridged version, and I kid you not, he's terrible.)
I listen to these tapes when I go out for my daily walks, and not wanting to turn it off, I just walk and walk and walk. Great excercise for the body and the brain at the same time!
Whether you are reading the books or listening to the unabridged tapes, you will not want to put the book down or turn the tapes off, and each book will leave you dying to start the next. I'm just starting book 10 and I am on the edge of my seat to know whats going to happen next. The Left Behind Series is so worth getting into on so many levels. ~~~~~
~~~~ Have you checked out the Dramatic Sound and Drama Series yet? Gotta check it out!

This book shows how God still works miracles in the lives of his people. It shows the truths about believers and non-believers in a battle for eternity. I have enjoyed reading books 1-5 in this series and I plan to continue to #6 shortly.

This book gives detail to every individual aspect of the story. Each character is brought to life as you read. You now what is happening just after it has happened you are always hungry for more. Gradually you get attached to each individual character as go through the story knowing the sorrow they feel. The world seems so hectic yet thereader relizes this would be an understatement of the position the wotld would be in.

In 'Apollyon', book #5 in the 'Left Behind series' fulfills the prophecy of Revelation 9:6, "And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them." The plague of demon locusts are released to torture the unsaved. Their description are hideous as written in Revelation 9:7-12. The appearance of the two witnesses for the first 1,260 days of the Tribulation [Revelation 11:3-4] with their power and impact will save many new believers from the AntiChrist. With the growing threats of the AntiChrist, Nicolae, the Tribulation Force gather in Israel for the Conference of Witnesses as written in Joel 2:28-32.

This fifth volume of the six volumes in the "Left Behind" series covers the preaching of the two witnesses and the first woe: "the release of the locusts." I found "Apollyon" interesting, but it contained too many side plots describing the lives of minor characters. In this volume "Apollyon," the authors do not write much about Nicolae Carpathia, Leon Fortunato, Peter the Second, or the ten rulers. These are the main villains, the ruling clique of the "Global Community." Not much is written about Dr. Tsion Ben-Judah and the two witnesses "Eli" and "Moishe." None of these characters are fully rounded out. I found myself skimming to pick up the main events. Some scenes are good, especially the speeches by Carpathia, because they gave me a glimpse of his inner malice, but the book doesn't go into much depth to develop any of the main characters. The two witnesses aren't characterized at all. They speak the old-fashioned English of the Bible. This doesn't help to characterize them into real people. I read this book out of curiosity, since it is a widely acclaimed best seller.

I'm familiar with the teaching of the rapture and tribulation but I find believing it very difficult. I believe many predictions in Revelation (especially the four winds and the three woes) were meant for the Judeans of Christ's time. They seem to me to be warnings of what will happen to those people if they fail to recognize the Messiah and try to defeat him. I also believe these predictions are presented in symbolic terms rather than meant to be taken literally. I researched this subject in considerable detail preparing for "Revelation and the Fall of Judea." Reading "Apollyon's" description of the two witnesses breathing fire that instantly vaporizes the flesh from their attackers then melts their weapons and crumbles their bones just leaves me wondering. Is this literally true? "Apollyon" describes the locusts as having six-inch metallic-like, indestructible bodies. They look like horses, but have two-part abdomens with an almost invisible stinger in their tails. They have horselike legs and wings. Their heads have a human-like countenance, lion-like teeth, and long hair like a woman. They constantly call the name "Abaddon" in Hebrew. They seem just too fantastic to be taken literally the way LeHaye and Jenkins describe them.

It's possible that the Gentile nations will be called to task for rejecting God's chosen one, when he is ready to make his second appearance, just like Judea was called to task when he made his first appearance. I believe this confrontation is coming, but not in such a literal way. Many of us may experience the whole thing without realizing what happened, just like many in Judea experienced the crucifixion, the resurrection, the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70, and the annihilation of the Judean nation in A.D. 135, with many of their descendants scattered all over the world not realizing why these things happened.

In spite of its shortcomings, I think "Apollyon" serves a good purpose because it gets people at least thinking about what God might really expect from them.

Out of the first five books in the Left Behind series, APOLLYON is the second worst of those five (LEFT BEHIND, TRIBULATION FORCE, NICOLAE, and SOUL HARVEST). After having got back on track with NICOLAE and SOUL HARVEST, LaHaye and Jenkins have gone back to the terrible writing and bad storytelling that was dominant in TRIBULATION FORCE. APOLLYON should have been a great book, after all it takes its title from one of the Four Riders of the Apocalypse who in the book happens to also be in charge of an army of demon locusts. However, the book doesn't focus on that and its really nothing more than an afterword. The book does focus on the gathering of the witnesses, but even that crucial event in the series isn't as detailed and involved as it should have been. Besides that, the novel spends a bunch of time jumping back and forth between characters and killing off one of the most exciting and interesting members of the Tribulation Force (am I the only one out there who thinks the series would have been a lot better if Raymond died?). So basically, other than the meeting of the witnesses, the demon locusts, and a little excitement inbetween the meeting and the locust, nothing happens. It's rather disappointing and a bit of a let down. After all, there's only so much Christian pulp fiction that one can read before it starts to fall apart.

There were a lot fewer edge-of-your-seat moments in this book, which are some of the best parts of the other books. Of course, there's always tension, always doubt and uncertainty as to what will happen next, which makes you want to keep reading. The main focus of this book is the gathering of the witnesses in Israel, as well as more world disasters. Kind of exciting reading, but not as much as before.

I always thought that the last book in the Bible, Revelation, was boring. That was before I read the Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. The books in this series are my favorite of all time! For one thing, they are action packed! I love the part where the satanic anti-Christ, Nicholae, calls everyone who's anyone to a meeting and kills the only two above him! Oh, it gets better! He then manipulates everyone in the room into believing that they killed themselves! Among those in the room was Cameron "Buck" Williams. He was a newly saved Christian, and God protected him from brainwashing. Also, at the beginning of the series, millions disappear all in one instant! For those of you who don't know, this was predicted just over 2 thousand years ago! All the Christians disappear off the face of the earth, leaving the confusion and wreckage on Earth. Rayford Steele was piloting a Pan-Com 747 at the time. After the emergency landing, he drove home, already knowing what he'd find. His wife had told him about this, and he hadn't believed. He knew he and his daughter had been left behind. They eventually went to Hope Village Church and got saved. They ended up joining the "Tribulation Force", or the inner core of the church, along with Bruce Barnes, a pastor who got left behind because he thought he could get to heaven by doing good deeds, Buck, and Amanda. They survived everything together. This is where romance comes in. That's the next reason I love these books. Buck and Chloe have a cute little love story involving a cookie. Ray and Amanda fall in love, too. They have a double wedding. Amanda was killed just before Ray heard she could have been a spy for Nicholae. He was crushed. He just wouldn't accept she had lied to him. Another reason I love these books is they make me think. I mean, what if I was left behind? I mean I know I won't be but still. You see, when you read these books, the prophecies of Revelation aren't boring at all.

If you are a fan of the Left Behind series then this is a must read. Find out what happens to Rayford, Buck, Hattie and the rest of the gang as Nicolae's true nature is revealed.

Apollyon," fifth selection in the LEFT BEHIND series continues with the end time Judgments prophesied in the book of Revelations. More and more people are turning to God and the acceptance that Jesus is the way to salvation. The antichrist continues to deceive. The fifth trumpet Judgement plagues the unbelievers and while they pray for death to release them from their misery they are not allowed to die. Mind-boggling detail and realistic action will keep you engrossed with this entire series, leaving you eager to pick up the next novel. Talented writing and prophetic narrative will rivet you to each edition.
Beverly J Scott author of Righteous Revenge

This book continues in the same style of writing from Tim and Jerry. Switching between plots throughout the book puts the reader in such a state of suspense that you want to continue reading to see how it all pans out. I especially liked the part of the story where Buck and some of the Tribulation Force is trying to escape from the clutches of the Global Community Forces after the big meeting in Israel. I thought I was right smack in the thick of the action and felt myself egging them on to escape.

Great read!

This book is a good book. It is about the end of time. I really liked this book. There are a series of these books of which all I haven�t read yet. This book has a great meaning. This book can be sad, but it also expresses joy. It will keep you turning page after page is you read it. It has good dialogue and good content.
It has a variety of characters. The good characters are all in a group called the Tribulation Force and the bad characters are all on the Antichrist�s side. The characters are the main source. The authors are good authors and have written many numbers of excellent books.

This book begins with Rayford getting a final answer on Amanda, everyone noticing the mark of Christ, and the coming of the first Woe.

The interpretation of the Book of Revelation is good. This does make the last book of the Bible more accessible to readers. It is not a substitute though.

I think Jenkins does a good job building the tension with his pacing, which helps the reader get caught up in the action. Unfortunately, he doesn�t always follow through on the resolution. For the past couple of books, the news of Amanda has been built up, and then here it is very quickly resolved, but not completely. If everyone was worried, then why wasn�t everyone told of the resolution?

I would recommend this book.

Even though I am a Christian and do believe in what these books are about, I cannot get over how much these are just pulp fiction books written about the end of times. The characters are not deep enough, we rarely ever get into their heads. The plot while pushed by information in the Bible seems to be lagging as if they are trying to stretch it out for more money. Maybe its just me, but it seems to be that they could have wrapped this series up before now.

This books, while I am sure not intentional, seriously undermines christianity. (...)

Where can I even start with pointing out the out-of-control interpretations in this series? To point our just a few:

- LaHaye's presentation of Antichrist as one individual or one person is simply NOT biblical. There are many antichrists, and they were already around when the New Testament was written: 1 John 2:18; 1 John 4:3; 2 John 7

- LaHaye's literal presentation of large locusts with human heads flying in the skies is also out of control. Very often, prophets in the Bible use the comparison of soldiers with locusts: Nahum 3:17; Judges 7:12; Judges 6:5

- why are the locusts literal, and why is the beast symbolic? Maybe a literal beast with literal 7 heads would have been too much for the reader to handle? LaHaye is everything but consistent when interpreting prophecy. If Revelation 20 talks about a literal thousand years, then why isn't everything else literal as well, like the lake of fire, the serpent, the chain? Of course, if that is the case, it would be quite an adventure to throw Satan, which is not a physical being, or death and Hades, which are not material things, into a physical lake of fire.

The author is so inconsistent with his understanding of Revelation, that he is caught in his own maze of interpretations in order to justify his beliefs about the "end of the world". (...)

This book is a really good book. There is constant action and excitement around every corner. The main characters are constantly almost dead,but they somehow always make it out alive. I recommend this book to anyone who likes action.

This book had action, intrigue, and substance. The others build up to it, however I found this the most hard to put down since the first book.

This is book 5 in the 12 part Left Behind series.

It is the most exciting book yet.

It begins with the meeting of the witnesses in Jerusalem and goes on to where the Tribulation force members become international fugitives. Later, the next plague begins when demonic locust-like creatures torture the non-believers and their pain is so great that they try to kill themselves but are not allowed to die. Their pain lasts for six months.

It is well written and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

Next in the series is Assassins.
I will write a review for Assassins when I finish reading it.

The left behind series is a worthwhile and as a whole a well written fiction series. (It should not of course be used as a substitute for the actual study of Bible Prophacy) Of the entire series (8 books so far) this one is the best read. It mixes action and characters better than any other. It keeps the reader glued and wanting more. You find yourself caring for these characters more and more in this particular book and Rayford interaction with the newest member of the tribulation force is very well done.

In a long series it's not easy to maintain the quality of events and characters, the series as a whole does and this book in particular does it best. If you don't intend to read the series but just want the best taste, then start here.

After taking a two year break from this seemingly endless series of end of the world novels I finally picked it back up where I had left it behind, with Nicolae Carpathia (aka The AnitChrist) deciding to show up at the Meeting of the Witnesses after all.
Apollyon, like the others before it, is a quick and frothy read that emphasizes cliffhanger action above any real dramatic tension. Think of it as Irwin Allen's Production of The Book of Revelations. What lifted this entry above a three star rating was the somewhat refreshing humor I found in it. Some of the slapstick moments (at the AntiChrist's or his Supreme Commander's expense) were quite refreshing, although Supreme Evil Incarnate treated as a buffoon does not inspire fear in me. I also have a soft spot in my heart for monster mayhem and the swarm of locust like demons at the novel's conclusion satisfied that B-movie craving quite nicely. After the disappointing Soul Harvest this was a breath of fresh air and it left me hungry for the next book in the series, which is just what Jenkins wants to inspire in his devoted readership. I enjoyed it but, seeing that it suffers from the same problems (no real dramatic tension, endless repetition of cliffhangers, Hero Death Exemption) and only moves the story forward by inches, I cannot really recommend it, but, from a personal entertainment standpoint, I give it four stars for the guilty pleasure of it all.

Actually, I give this book, and the series, no stars. The best that can be said is that if you enjoy science fiction, you could read it in the same sense that you would read Buck Rodgers.

If you are looking for a Biblical view of Christian eschatology, this series is helpful in that it informs you of everything that the Bible doesn't say on the topic. If you are looking for something sensational to read without it being accurate, then here is your "Christian" Buck Rodgers.

Apollyon has to be the most exciting book yet in the Left Behind series. Telling about the Trumpet Jugments, this book tells about the Bible and what is to come in the future. It has a lot of excitement and drama in it, and this book is not like all Christian books, because it is more of a novel than a Christian story about the Bible. I think that Apollyon is amazing and exciting, a book that you can't stop reading until the end!