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gbdill's review against another edition
3.0
3-stars just to be fair. Because it might not necessarily be a poorly written book. I myself could not get into the story. There are a handful of stories going on at the same time, instead of just one or two. Although, I could already begin to see them coming together. Nevertheless, I simply lost interest in this story. I did however enjoy the preterist view of the "last days" told about in this book as I believe that to be an accurate view of the times in which Jesus described in the first half of the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24).
If you like historical fiction from a Christian perspective then you will enjoy this book.
If you like historical fiction from a Christian perspective then you will enjoy this book.
thejumpingsheep's review against another edition
1.0
The Last Disciple by Hank Hengraaff and Sigmund Brouwer is a historical fiction book written just after the disciples time. The description of this book had me super excited to read it. Unfortunately it left me wanting. It is very wordy and slow, very, very slow. I kept reading hoping it would pick up but it doesn't. If you want a lot of facts that aren't completely pertinent to the story then this might be the book for you. This is not one I recommend though.
josiahdegraaf's review against another edition
5.0
This book is kind of like what the Left Behind Series would be if it had good eschatology and good writing.
Pros:
The series is based on the premise that, as Christ promised the events He foretold would happen within the generation, the prophecies of Christ, and much of Revelation were fulfilled in the Destruction of Jerusalem. Thus, while being historical fiction, it also uses a lot of apocryphal imagery to accompany these times under Nero's persecution. The result is a fascinating story of the persecutions leading up to 70 A.D. with a partial-preterist view of Revelation.
A lot of Christian novels fail to present complex and realistic characters. This book happily does not fall into this trap. Hanegraaff and Brouwer allow protagonists to mess up at times and make foolish and sinful decisions--and then show them suffering the consequences for it. In addition, all significant areas of character development in the story feel realistic and not forced because "this character has to convert by the story's end."
Very engaging story that is difficult to put down. While the potential negatives of this approach is described below, the utilization of multiple plot-lines going on at once create a very rapid and quick-paced narrative that always leads you to keep turning the pages.
Cons:
Whether or not this is a real con, there are a lot of characters set up in this book and a lot going on. It can be confusing and somewhat difficult to keep up with all of them. While for me, this created a complex and enjoyable read, it also makes this book one that's best read in a short period of time, and not read slowly over a long period of time given how much you have to take track of.
At some points, the novel can get a bit preachy when evidence is being given for the partial-preterist view of the end times. While I agreed with all the arguments, some of the exposition on this point seemed a bit forced. Nevertheless, this was a small detraction in the midst of the whole book.
Overall:
This book is an excellent example of Christian fiction done well. While I came to the book already agreeing with the eschatological view it presented, there's nothing like being able to see such a view visually presented in a novel in such a masterful way. I found myself continually enthralled both by the apocalyptic world it presented, as well as the fascinating characters which populate the story. Must-read.
5 stars.
Pros:
The series is based on the premise that, as Christ promised the events He foretold would happen within the generation, the prophecies of Christ, and much of Revelation were fulfilled in the Destruction of Jerusalem. Thus, while being historical fiction, it also uses a lot of apocryphal imagery to accompany these times under Nero's persecution. The result is a fascinating story of the persecutions leading up to 70 A.D. with a partial-preterist view of Revelation.
A lot of Christian novels fail to present complex and realistic characters. This book happily does not fall into this trap. Hanegraaff and Brouwer allow protagonists to mess up at times and make foolish and sinful decisions--and then show them suffering the consequences for it. In addition, all significant areas of character development in the story feel realistic and not forced because "this character has to convert by the story's end."
Very engaging story that is difficult to put down. While the potential negatives of this approach is described below, the utilization of multiple plot-lines going on at once create a very rapid and quick-paced narrative that always leads you to keep turning the pages.
Cons:
Whether or not this is a real con, there are a lot of characters set up in this book and a lot going on. It can be confusing and somewhat difficult to keep up with all of them. While for me, this created a complex and enjoyable read, it also makes this book one that's best read in a short period of time, and not read slowly over a long period of time given how much you have to take track of.
At some points, the novel can get a bit preachy when evidence is being given for the partial-preterist view of the end times. While I agreed with all the arguments, some of the exposition on this point seemed a bit forced. Nevertheless, this was a small detraction in the midst of the whole book.
Overall:
This book is an excellent example of Christian fiction done well. While I came to the book already agreeing with the eschatological view it presented, there's nothing like being able to see such a view visually presented in a novel in such a masterful way. I found myself continually enthralled both by the apocalyptic world it presented, as well as the fascinating characters which populate the story. Must-read.
5 stars.
beansbooksandbiology's review against another edition
Too many triggering topics. Also very slow paced.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Genocide, Slavery, Xenophobia, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Misogyny, Torture, and Violence
pjmurphy3's review
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this story especially because it gave you a great insight into the political and spiritual atmosphere that was Rome in the first century and how politics affected not only Rome and the foundation of Christianity. I also felt that it moved at a great pace. There is good characterization and action in the story to keep you wanting to read. Givin that most of the names in The book were Latin or Hebrew based kinda made it hard to follow who the characters were but I'm glad that I have a previous his knowledge Romen history therefore I could understand the names a little bit better. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like religious fiction especially early Christian religious fiction and to anyone who is interested in historical facts.
ireadthebooks's review against another edition
3.0
The authors did a decent job of depicting Rome in the early years after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, but it wasn't as thorough as Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion trilogy. The terminology and customs aren't as all-encompassing, which helps you focus more on the story but doesn't give you a sense of immersion in the culture. What The Last Disciple did very well was depict the tension between traditional Jews and Christians in that time period, and the Roman Emperors and "the growing problem of Jesus' followers." They did a remarkable job with the characterization and horror of Nero, the Roman Emperor who used Christians as human torches in the Arena. His calm insanity was even more frightening than a raving lunatic, because there was no question in his mind about his own actions. At one point, he's stalking through the gardens in a lion costume being led on a chain by his second-in-command, all to scare some prisoners so that they think he's a real lion, not a crazy man in a lion costume. It was absurd enough to remind the reader that this dude is cracked, seriously seriously cracked.
A couple of things that bugged me about The Last Disciple:
The authors switched POVs every 2-3 pages, often a couple of times per chapter. This meant there were a lot of characters, not all of them essential, and you didn't really get a sense of continuity within the story because you shifted from one plot to another constantly. It really broke up the narrative quite badly.
The other thing is the title. The apostle John doesn't show up or play a part in the novel until the very end. The novel wasn't really about him at all. It was still good, but I dislike when titles don't make sense. That's more a personal pet peeve of mine though and probably wouldn't deter most people.
A couple of things that bugged me about The Last Disciple:
The authors switched POVs every 2-3 pages, often a couple of times per chapter. This meant there were a lot of characters, not all of them essential, and you didn't really get a sense of continuity within the story because you shifted from one plot to another constantly. It really broke up the narrative quite badly.
The other thing is the title. The apostle John doesn't show up or play a part in the novel until the very end. The novel wasn't really about him at all. It was still good, but I dislike when titles don't make sense. That's more a personal pet peeve of mine though and probably wouldn't deter most people.
laceystephens's review
4.0
This was an interesting book. It's a look at the idea that the Tribulation may have already started during Nero's time. But whether that idea is actually true or not, it's a great look at life in Rome and Jerusalem a few years after the resurrection of Jesus. A time filled with political corruption and Christian persecution. Where the movie "The Passion of the Christ" gave a detailed visual of the crucifixion of Jesus, this book allows your imagine to "see" what life in Rome and Jerusalem would have been like during the time of Christian persecution; the arenas, the secret meetings of the Christians, the corrupt and sick mind of Nero, Slavery, etc.
There are also some great arguments as to the validity that Jesus' resurrection actually happened (which my Pastor just discussed in a bible study recently): It can't be a "fake" story because the author of the story wouldn't have made women as the first people to see Jesus after the resurrection; How the disciples where willing to scatter and hide while Jesus was being crucified, but after the resurrection, were willing to take a bold stand and die for the witness of the resurrection; The "collective" approach where each book of the Gospels tell a different side of the same story, etc.
I found the book hard to follow at first; it switched times, locations, characters often. But once I understood the "flow" of the story, it was easier to follow along.
There are also some great arguments as to the validity that Jesus' resurrection actually happened (which my Pastor just discussed in a bible study recently): It can't be a "fake" story because the author of the story wouldn't have made women as the first people to see Jesus after the resurrection; How the disciples where willing to scatter and hide while Jesus was being crucified, but after the resurrection, were willing to take a bold stand and die for the witness of the resurrection; The "collective" approach where each book of the Gospels tell a different side of the same story, etc.
I found the book hard to follow at first; it switched times, locations, characters often. But once I understood the "flow" of the story, it was easier to follow along.
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