The Ascension (The Lazarus Chronicles #2)

Reviewed by:

G. Connor Salter, Professional Writing alumnus from Taylor University, Upland, IN.

Title:

The Ascension (The Lazarus Chronicles #2)

Author:

Richard Spillman

Publisher:

Mountain Press Ink

Publication Date:

August 14, 2019

Format:

Paperback

Length:

360 pages

OVERVIEW

Five months ago, Ricki Spenser discovered a document that claimed Lazarus didn’t just come alive when Jesus rose him from the dead… he’s still alive today. Since then, she’s met Lazarus and his organization SOAR, a team of immortals raised from death by Christ to combat demonic forces. Working with Ricki, they successfully defeated demon-controlled beings who tried to detonate a bomb in Dubai, but now the enemy is using agents in North Korea and ISIS for something new. If SOAR fails to find out what’s going on, millions may die and the stage may be set for an even bigger battle. The last battle.

Having set up his main characters and their motivations in previous book The Awakened, Spillman feels free to tell a more plot-driven story. International spy work, chase scenes and adventures ranging from Prague to Pyongyang make the story highly entertaining. By making North Korea a key location in the story, Spillman deviates from the usual End Times thriller plot. Israel and Islamic extremism play a big role, but with the primary plot happening in North Korea, Ascension becomes more than just another “dangerous events in the Middle East mean the End Times are coming” story. Spillman also owns the fact he’s borrowing certain elements from vampires and zombie stories, explaining them better than in Awakened and even having heroes joke about them. An entertaining sequel in a fun supernatural thriller series.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5 stars)

4 stars

Intended Audience

Readers who like Christian supernatural thrillers or spiritual warfare novels, readers who like international espionage thrillers.

Christian Impact

Different characters discuss the nature of evil, where God is in difficult situations, and how God may be present even in the darkest places.