Because I really liked this novel's cover and the basic idea behind the story, I stuck with it for more than 100 pages.

But to find a story interesting, I need to have a good sense of the plot and why it matters for the characters, or I at least have to really care about a character or two. That didn't happen for me here.

I found the reading disjointed, cutting from one short scene to the next in a way that didn't pull me in. I think the choppy progression also hinders the character development. Much of the narrative's wording is stilted, almost like the story had been translated from a different language in places, and the style lacks subtlety and is sometimes repetitive. Because it was difficult for me to stay focused while still not knowing exactly what was going on, I decided not to finish the novel.

Even so, I've really enjoyed a different historical novel by Brouwer before (Thief of Glory), so it's likely I'll try another one of his in the future.

There are three books in this series, The Last Disciple is the first. This book was not dissimilar to The Advocate by Randy Singer that I have just read.

It took me a while to understand what was going on in this book. There were numerous characters and the author jumps around a lot amongst the different scenes. It was difficult to keep track of the plot and storylines. I found myself re-reading whole sections to keep on track. I also found that I wasn't gripped by the main story and became indifferent to what was going to happen by the end.

The book is set in the first century and Nero is in control. The authors present a view that is supposed to contrast the Left Behind series of eschatological events. Basically, the majority of biblical prophecies have already been fulfilled, the Great Tribulation has already happened and the anti-christ has been revealed. There is an explanation of this at the end of the book alongside the biblical reasoning for this interpretation. This is not a view that is held by most Christians who expect the rapture, tribulation, anti-christ etc at some point in the future.

Whilst personally I don't hold the views of the authors, as it is fiction, this would not have influenced my rating had the story been more comprehensive. Some characters seemed to become lost as the book progressed and we never learned what happened to them. Maybe this will be addressed in future books but I probably won't be reading them...

I appreciate that the authors made the point that end time views are not something for Christians to divide over and that it is good to keep the dialogue open. I agree and am interested in the various views on the subject.

This book could've been interesting but it was also full of graphic violence, torture and some sexual content although the latter wasn't graphic. There was no bad language. I am rating this as okay but wouldn't recommend it as it just didn't hold my interest. ( )

A basket full of interwoven plots centred on the supposed fear that the Roman Emporer Nero will have for a text in the newer written book of Revelation by the apostle John. It pre-supposes that the things written by John are prophesies of the current time - i.e. focused on the threat that Rome is for the newly emergent church - the persecution, the fall of Jerusalem. Others dispute this line - but that is for other forums to discuss.
The authors also indicate in a prolog that they are taking a line against the "Left Behind" series, which I am not familiar with. Apparently this concerns the power of Satan, something these authors say is diminished.

However, I enjoyed it as a book to read in the train on the way to and from work. The authors contrive quite a few circumstances, and the explanation are at time hard to follow. And in the end it ties up only one loose end - the rest are left hanging. ( )

I’m unaware of another book out there that presents the preterist view in a fictional story, and that alone earns The Last Disciple recognition. If you need a reminder, preterism is a branch of Christianity that believes most of the prophecies and covenantal promises of the Bible have been fulfilled. Armageddon is over. Much, if not all, of Revelation has occurred.

The setting for the book is the years of Nero Caesar’s reign, just prior to the war of 70 AD, when the Romans overran Jerusalem. Nero, of course, is the Beast of Revelation, and a beastly fellow he is! The story is told primarily from the viewpoint of Vilas, a trusted advisor, who recognizes Nero is in the throes of madness. He meets up with John the Apostle, the author of Revelation, and together they flee the tentacles of the Beast. This is the first of a series, though I haven’t yet seen evidence of future books.

Fiction is not Hanegraff’s bread and butter. I guess that’s where Brouwer comes in. For the record, I’ll say the fiction is moderately well-written and the plot engaging enough to hold my attention, but that hardly seems to matter to readers. Reviews are all over the map. If appears that you’re a preterist, you’ll love this book. If you’re a futurist, you’ll hate it. If you’re undecided, you should probably save the fiction until you can enjoy it, and study the Biblical foundations of preterism first. ( )

The readers are taken back to the time of Nero. Vitas the hero, tries to defend the Christians who are persecuted by the Romans Empire. The book of Revelations is being decoded tying historical events to biblical prophecy. Not as thrilling as the Left Behind Series.

Source: Novelist ( )