Primordium (Prophecy of the Heir, Book 1, Chronicles of Time Saga) by J.C. Lamont

Primordium 

Plotting the overthrow of a power-hoarding King, Commander Haylel trains the Malakim in the art of war…until an omen forewarns that his fate rests in the loyalty of his favored lieutenant, Michael. Wielding a sword that can slay an immortal, Haylel must decide whether to remain subordinate to an oppressive tyrant or kill Michael and usurp the throne. 

Biblical fiction reads like fantasy in this high-stakes drama where a Prince gives up his immortality to be killed by the one he loves, a King must slay his son in order to ransom his daughter, and a warrior is forced to decide between protecting mortals or upholding his allegiance to the crown.

The Guru's Review: 

The author asked for readers to provide feedback so I jumped at this opportunity. I have been following her updates for this saga for years on Facebook. 

From her background as a literary apologist, I knew that the novel would be epic. She has definitely achieved this. With the plot based on the Genesis account of Lucifer's rebellion against God, this epic status works well. I know the author has researched this novel extensively. Lamont has then applied it in such a way that it forms part of a strong foundation for the plot to unfold. The appendices at the end of the novel show the sources and extent of her research. Her explanatory notes of these are invaluable and enable the reader to understand and appreciate this novel better. The included definitions and terminology are worth referencing either during the read or once finished reading. As much as I love poetic licence, having research content that forms the basis for worldbuilding makes for a better constructed and credible plot and overall enjoyable reading experience. 

There are some novels in this genre that seem to be superficial, lacking detail and appear to be solely an array of chronological events outlining the Biblical account. Rather dry and unappealing. Not so with the world building that Lamont has created. I can only compare this to one other author who has done this well and that this Donovan Neal's The Third Heaven: The Rise of Fallen Stars. Yet, this comparison is only from that novel as I have not read the other two novels in Neal's series. Both of these authors have done this genre/theme justice. Both of them show their passion for this theme in their writing. Both have remained faithful to the Biblical account of this rebellion depicting it in an entertaining way. Any poetic licence from both does not detract from the Biblical account but actually supports it in this fictionalised platform. Being faithful to the Biblical account would, therefore, demand this.

Lamont's worldbuilding is extensive. It forms another part of this strong foundation. It is all engrossing. It keeps you coming back for more and to keep reading. This is also not due to the action and suspense of the plot, which is another pillar of this novel. I found this novel much more than just engaging fiction. Lamont's motivation for this novel seems to shine here, to quote her, 

"......Years later, after accidentally discovering the God of love in the pages of the Old Testament, I bought a Bible and read it in 6 months. Reading it that fast made me realize it was ONE story, and a love story at that. Wanting others ot discover this same truth, I've spent the last 15 years researching and writing The Chronicles of Time, a fantasy inspired version of the Bible that reflects how I now see it — a suspenseful, action-packed, battle-ridden love story."

and from Appendix A,

“The intent of this novel… is to show that coincidences between the biblical account and the archaeological, historical, and scientific evidence are far too numerous to be discounted as myth by people of sound reasoning.”

The development of Lucifer's empire once banished to Earth was impressive. It was almost comical his efforts to interact with the corporeal world, this made me chuckle somewhat! But Lamont shows him to have mastered and manipulated physics, genetics and crossed other boundaries to create an evil empire to deliberately thwart, mock and imitate all the things of God that he has been deprived of wrongly (in his view). If he cannot rule in Heaven, then he would rule on Earth and subjugate everything under him. 

Infused and underpinning this empire is his arrogance, pride and deceptiveness. It is his motivating force. It overtakes him and defines him. Repentance is not found in him. He believes he has nothing to repent of as he believes his attitude and behaviour are correct and God is an incompetent and finite Being. His pride blinds in seeing God for who He is. His hatred for God's humanity is another motivating force. He sees them as the outcome of God's betrayal of him and his fellow angelic creation. 

I pray that any reader, Christian or not, will see how this arrogance, pride and deceptiveness is also infused in the attitudes and behaviour of man. The Christian would know and identify this as a component of our fallen/sinful nature while the non-Christian may not understand until they identify it as truth and accept the solution outlined in the message of this novel, what this Prophecy of the Heir means; the Heir (Jesus), the Prince in this novel, would die on the Cross as the propitiation of the sin of mankind. Propitiation being, 

the shed blood of Jesus on the cross. It turned away the wrath of God so that He could pass "over the sins previously committed," (Rom. 3:25). It was the Father who sent the Son to be the propitiation (1 John 4:10) for all (1 John 2:2). (CARM/protitiation)

Lamont thoroughly entertains through all the events that outline the training of the angels to warfare, the different methods they use, Michael learning to become the Commander of the warrior angels after Lucifer is banished, how some of the angels become better warriors than others, the angel/scribe Gavriel recording all events and reporting to God.  Also described well are the various creatures that habitat Heaven, the Glass Sea, and the Tree of Immortality.

In other novels whose plot is similar to the war in Heaven and Lucifer's rebellion against God, the authors have depicted the angels getting on very well with each other. In this novel, however, Lamont has added a different dynamic to their relationships. Michael is not trusted by his fellow angels and are wary of him. There is tension between Gavriel and Michael. Michael takes his new position of Commander seriously. However, it seems the final confrontation between the angels and Lucifer turns the tide in the relationship between all of them and Michael (excluding Lucifer, but that is a foregone conclusion!). While I found this a bit much sometimes, it does give the angels a more credible and relational persona. It did not detract at all from the plot or seem out of place. I guess I was just used to the depiction from previous authors where everything was peaches and cream between the angels. 

This novel has had an interesting evolvement. It was originally published as a single volume as Prophecy of the Heir about 6 years ago. The reviews of that first edition are currently on Amazon. Since then Lamont decided to expand the series and revisit this novel as well. Hence this re-release of the novel. This new edition is now called Primordium, Book 1 of Prophecy of the Heir. From her website, Bogging History, she has outlined how the series will be. It is now called Chronicles of Time and will have 5 volumes:

Vol. I: Prophecy of the Heir (4000 BC to 2 BC)
Vol. II: Covenant of Blood (2 BC to 33 AD))
Vol. III: Sacrament of Fire (33 AD to 135 AD)
Vol IV: Hallowing of the Realm (135 AD to 610 AD)
Vol. V: War of the Strongholds (610 AD thru Apocalypse)

Primordium is Book 1 in Volume I: Prophecy of the Heir. The other 3 books will be released over the next 6 months:

Book 2: Unbreakable Vow, January 2019
Book 3: Anathema, March 2019
Book 4: Reckoning May 2019

Volumes II to V will also have other books that make up these volumes. This is shaping up to be one epic series that will be completed over many years to come. 

I always investigate the author's website(s) when I review their novel. I visited Lamont's website, Blogging Hisstory [(yes, spelt correctly, this spelling is a play on the words Blogging History, the extra S making it read as Blogging His Story (God/Jesus' Story)]. This site was a pleasant surprise. Lamont outlines what the Chronicles of Time Saga will be based on and supported by, this being Hermeneutics, the methodology of interpretation (of the Bible). It has two interpretations, Exegesis (the interpreter makes the Scripture says what God has to say) and Eisegesis (the interpreter makes the Scripture says what he believes it says). I became fascinated by this and realise its importance and relevance to both Christian and non-Christian alike. I invited the author to be a guest blogger to discuss this practice. It can be found here.

Having read Primordium, I can now see how Hermeneutics has formed a large part of the foundation for this novel and Saga. It also adds credibility and strength to this foundation as well. This can only enrich this epic tale and it does.

I firmly believe that Lamont has created something compelling, uplifting, educational and very entertaining. 

Highly recommended. 5 Stars.

To buy this novel or investigate it further, click on the image below: 

Angel War by Philip Dodd

 

Angel War by Philip Dodd

From an early age, Azel, the Prince of the White Castle of the Angels of Light, plans what he calls his great rebellion against the Father. After his self transformation into a four legged, scaled beast, he names himself the Dragon. At the head of his rebel angel army and his dragon flocks, he brings war to the angel lands. His intention is to dethrone the Father and rule in his place. Khem, the Child of the White Mountain, vows upon his Silver Sword to be his slayer. The lonely, perilous path of the dragonslayer, he takes. At its end, he stands alone, to challenge the Father's foe to combat.

The Guru's Review:

I have read a few novels that describe the war in heaven concerning the fall of Lucifer (satan) and a third of the angels, but none like this one. Angel War is very unique from its plot, to its description of the angels, their order, their role and even the inclusion of spaceships and other technology.

I understand this is Dodd's first novel and it took him 26 years to write, having started it in 1986 when he was 34 and finished it in 2012 at age 60. Go here for more on Phillip's journey to published author. I can see where his degree in English Literature has benefitted his writing and story development. He writes well, even as he describes it in the aforementioned interview with Donovan M Neal:

I write simple, straightforward prose. I try to make it flow with no snag in its path and to sound close to poetry when I can.

I would totally agree with this. His narrative reads well and flows well. An evenly consistent pace. This is one of the strengths of this novel. Another strength is his fascination with Revelation Chapter 6 which forms the basis of this novel,

My book, Angel War, was inspired by Chapter Six of the Book of Revelation, which speaks of the war in heaven, fought between Michael and his angels and the dragon and his angels. The Bible only says that the war happened, but not why, so I decided to write my own version of the events of the war and its aftermath. My story is essentially the biography of Azel, the Prince of the White Castle of the Angels of Light, the one who begins the war in heaven and who later becomes known on Earth as Lucifer, the Devil, Satan. 

When I first read Chapter Six of the Book of Revelation, when I was a fifteen year old schoolboy,  I was astounded by the idea of there being a war in heaven, which led me to an interest in angels in The Bible, literature, painting and sculpture, and finally to begin to write, in 1986, when I was thirty four, what became Angel War.  My book could be called a work of fantasy fiction, rooted in The Bible. I think it would appeal to Bible readers and those who like to read fantasy fiction.

Dodd has used poetic licence and his imagination extensively in this novel, creating a wondrous world of the angels and of the Father and their lands (Heaven). Very descriptive and hierarchical than any I have read before.

From this point on, I must state that I do not want this review to be one where I tear Dodd's novel apart and I loathe being critical in any review, but if I am going to write a review it is of no benefit if I am not honest.  I state in this review blog that I expect from Christian fiction that,

• it has not deviated from known biblical doctrine, and it will not, I believe, lead a non believer astray or promote false doctrine, 
• it honours God, 

It is from here on in, that I feel Dodd's use of poetic licence in some his plot and character developments has deviated from biblical doctrine, promotes false doctrine and does not honour God. For me, using poetic licence is best used in Christian fiction where the bible is silent or leaves gaps and this fills in these gaps without compromising biblical doctrine, honors God and keeps the Christian reader within this biblical boundary. 

I have an issue with the Angels being married and producing offspring! Even more so having the Father and his Son, Elu (Jesus) married! As far as my reading and understanding of the Bible, there is no mention or implication of marriage and marital relations with or by angels in Heaven or by God Himself or Jesus.  I refer to the following bible verse, 

Matthew 22:30For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels in heaven. (HCSB)

Having the angels marry and bearing offspring to me is deviating from biblical doctrine and promoting false doctrine. 

Another aspect that I struggled with is the inclusion of spaceships for the angels to travel the vast distances of Heaven and to other planets including Earth. Yes, Dodd's angels have wings and can fly, but this seems to be only for shorter distances. Even the Father has His own spaceship called the Wheel! These spaceships are also used in the war that Azel (satan) starts. To me, the inclusion of this technology, while adding a science fiction element to this fantasy setting, does not fit. It is very out of place and lessens the credibility of the world of Heaven Dodd has created. 

From my perspective and understanding, God made us humans as finite beings, and as far as travel is concerned, we are limited in our ways of getting around. We can walk and run. We created artificial means such as cars, trains, boats, aircraft to cover longer distances, including space travel. I believe that angels in the supernatural world can travel vast distances, even to other planets, by the power given to them from God to be translated to whatever place He has sent them. This is within His power and sovereignty. Having Him need to use a spaceship to travel is restricting Him to boundaries and limitations similar to the finite being He made us, and one we know He does not have. To me, Dodd's depiction of this aspect of the Father does not make Him Omnipotent or Sovereign. I find this disappointing and does not honour God.

I struggled also with the Father giving the angels the ability to create other living beings, such as Azel's mother, Queen Merim, creating different cats, and Azel creating different types of dragons. As Christians, we grow up in Christianity (from whatever age we accept Christ) with the notion and seeing it in the Bible that God is the Creator and the angels, and all other living entities are the Created, and excluding the angels, the latter can only reproduce after own kind. I firmly believe that God is the Creator only and not His created. Having his Created create, takes away from His Sovereignty. 

The character of Azel, as he was created by The Father (God) and also after his self transformation into a four legged, scaled beast, is very well thought out and developed. This is one character that is self assured, self centred, self absorbed, and boastful in his thoughts and theology (which is very different from that of the Father's) and has no issue believing and acting that he is superior to all of the Father's creation and even of the Father Himself. The latter he has no respect for and regards Him as the Old Fool!

From this angle, he has portrayed the arrogance and pride of Azel just as strong as it seems satan (the serpent as he is called up and until 1 Chronicles 21:1, where the Bible states his name as satan) had and this needed to be done well to add credibility to Azel's motive and actions in this novel. Dodd has achieved this very successfully.

I have a few other issues where I was disappointed in Dodd's theology in this novel and how he has portrayed the Father. At the end of the war, the Father says,

Death and war now exist because of him, my son, Prince Azel, to my sorrow. He could have been one of my favourite sons. I gave him his gift, his seat, his castle, his angel house. I do not know why my son was born the way he was or why he rebelled against me.

This passage paints the Father as not Omniscient. I believe God knew that satan was going to rebel against him and his reasons why. Just like Jesus knew Judas would betray Him. This passage does not honour God or portray Him as He is as the God of the Bible. In the bible, it says that God knew us before we were born. I am sure he would have known his angels before He created them too. Again, this passage and the previous one places God on a lesser level that the God of the Bible being Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent.

Dodd also shows the Father as not being forgiving when He learns that the Dragon and his minions are not dead after the war,

Never forgive. Never forgive. Not until all of them who served my betrayer has been found and punished. Never forgive, he said, in a deep hard tone.

Upturn every stone, search down every hole, until you are certain that the last of them have perished, by my wrath, in my fire. Never forgive. Never forgive.

I find this passage very disturbing. This is something a human would say in response to being hurt and betrayed. We know of unforgiveness as part of our fallen, sinful nature and not part of our original nature before the sin of Adam and Eve, but I don't believe God is capable of this flaw. He is perfect, unforgiveness would not be found in His character. To suggest otherwise, as in this passage, again, does not honour Him and to me, undermines who He is. Even Jesus forgave us for our sins and encouraged us to forgive others.

The Third Heaven: The Rise of Fallen Stars by Donovan Neal

The Third Heaven: The Rise of Fallen Stars

The prequel to the Bible is here!

Explore the fascinating tale of the fall of Lucifer!

The Third Heaven: The Rise of Fallen Stars is book one of a three part series that explores the fascinating story of the Fall of Lucifer.

Lucifer, God’s perfect creation. Yet rose up to betray the Lord and bring Heaven itself to civil war.

Many tales have referenced this great angelic war but few have sought to explore the dynamic relationships between God and the angelic hosts. Why did a third of heaven seek to overthrow their creator?

See Lucifer, and his actions in a light never before seen. Journey back to the beginning, and see the drama unfold before your eyes: as allegiances are broken; choices made, and why all of creation waits for the manifestation of the sons of God!

Review:

This is the first work of writing of Neal's that I have read. But then again, this is the only novel he has written so far!! He does plan on future books. I look forward to them. I had bought this book in November 2013, and it stayed on my To Be Read list until the author contacted me (from finding my blog on a Google search) via email asking if I would review his book. That was not a hard decision to make seeing I had already bought his book and would have left a review anyway as I do for all the books I read. 

From reading The Third Heaven, I am pleased I am reading this now and not in the future. This is one very hard to put down piece of writing. You are transported to another world. Many times I had to remind myself that this was fiction and not an expanded account of the real events  that the Bible has not included! If anyone ever wondered about what Heaven is like before the creation of man, then look no further. As the book description says, The Prequel to the Bible is here! 

Neal writes well, and his descriptions of Heaven, the angels, newly created Earth and the galaxy and universe are well done.  He has outlined, however briefly, a hierarchy of angels according to their role and various functions. I found this fascinating. It is also Biblical as well, but the Bible is less descriptive about this than Neal who has used some poetic license in this matter. This has definitely added some very interesting plot lines and depth.

I can see that some Christians might have some issues with his depiction and portrayal of Heaven, the angels and even reference to controversial theology. I did come across a resource from Neal's website that does clarify these things. It can be found here: Thinking Behind The Third Heaven. I would recommend anyone considering reading this novel to check out the above resource. It will add to their understanding, and why the author has constructed it like he has and even some of the challenges he faced writing this novel. I am not surprised in a novel of this genre and plot. Many Christians can be very defensive in their opinions and understanding of topics such as the fall of Lucifer, angels in general, the war in Heaven, the creation of the earth and even Genesis in general. Neal has planned well for this by providing this resource. This adds to his credibility as an author and his commitment to not just entertain in this novel but to exhort and uplift the Bible, God and the Gospel message in this medium of fiction.

I found it very interesting the plot line about Apollyon. I know so very little of this angel other than what I have read in Revelation and in eschatological fiction that I had not considered anything about him before the fall of Lucifer. Yes, this is the author's poetic license showing but it did get me thinking and it adds a great storyline and precursor to the fall of Lucifer. Neal also provides a plot twist towards the end that I would never have seen coming relating to both these high ranking angels. Very clever! 

I really enjoyed a dialogue sequence where El (God) is talking to Lucifer, and it is very much old style English (same as in the KJV of the bible) and it is very beautiful. Adds a poetic, romantic edge to God despite the content of the dialogue being very serious and God being very serious in the circumstance. 

Any Christian  or anyone who has read the bible will know that Lucifer's pride was what led to his sin/downfall and the judgement of God upon him. Neal describes his pride and arrogance, even hatred of newly created man and man's reason for existence in such an intense way that the reader is tempted to take time out from reading this, in order to cope with this intensity. From this point on Neal weaves Lucifer's increasing pride and arrogance into the rest of the plot on all levels and layers and it is here that the pace becomes relentless and the action frenetic. The outcome is that war breaks out in Heaven while El is resting from his creative work. The angels are exposed for the first time to violence, hatred, deception, betrayal. All emotions that are very foreign to them and at first they do not know how to deal with them. They have never been left without any direction from El and to fend for themselves. This plays directly into Lucifer's deception.  Neal shines here with him weaving his own poetic license and recorded biblical events in a masterful way. His poetic license is very clever to wind all this up with a possible explanation of the gap between Genesis 1: 1 and 2. Very much riveting reading. 

Neal describes the creation of Hell very well, and it is another piece of riveting reading. Very descriptive and sobering and forms a great pillar in the plot structure. Very different to other fictional descriptions of Hell from other Christian authors but nonetheless appropriate and in line with what is recorded in the Bible. 

There is so much in this novel that to describe it here would make this review one very long and involved one. Neal is quite the story teller and this novel showcases his talent very appropriately.

This could translate to one great movie! 

Highly Recommended.