Customer Reviews

Flashpoint: Book One of The Underground (Bk. 1)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Flashpoint delivers an action-packed, shocking look into a possible future while bringing to life spiritual truths in a battle between good and evil that is guaranteed to keep your head spinning. Jam-packed with spiritual truths and Mr. Creed's unique style of writing, combined with his geeky knowledge of techno-babble, and incredible kung-fu style fight scenes, this story will certainly keep your head spinning. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in end-times speculative fiction.

I'm a self-admitted book snob, and really get into serious historical fiction... you know, the kind where the book has to be at least 900 pages long :)

So when I began reading Flashpoint, which is so far out of the norm for me I was prepared to not like it. I was so wrong! I was completely hooked after the first page; the characters were so relatable and the story so engrossing that I whipped through the book in no time. The writing is excellent--I guess you could say I'm a Frank Creed fanatic now!

Have you tried looking around for a Christian book written in the Science Fiction genre? To say they are few and far between would be an understatement. There is plenty of Christian Fiction out there, but not much of it falls in the science fiction category. It was my search for something that would fit that category that led me to this book. I was not disappointed in the least! As you can see from the five stars, I thought the book was excellent. It was fast-paced, captivating, and it had me trying to slow down my reading of it just so it would last longer. I particularly enjoyed the author's use of the word "re-formed". Perhaps a tip of the hat to the reformation? Maybe just a great way to say re-born, but I thought it was clever. I recommend this book to any believers looking for a great work of fiction with a very thorough portrayal of Scriptural truth. Great book.

"Flashpoint"
(Book One of "The Underground")
by Frank Creed
$9.95, 190 pages and preview of Book Two
Lost Genre Guild, publisher
ISBN: 978-1-934284-01-8

An adrenaline infused, roller-coaster ride into a future where a belief can cost you a brain-washing and even your life, this science-fiction novel reminds me most of the best of the "Indiana Jones" movies in its pacing and level of excitement.

The belief that can cost you a `cleaned' mind is the Word of God, which has been outlawed. The Global Government has determined that `fundamentalism' has caused wars and misery. Therefore, it has decided to use war and misery to stop fundamentalism.

Elementary, eh!

In "Flashpoint", a Christian family and their like-minded friends living in an underground network are captured and herded off to a concentration camp of sorts. The son and daughter, however, are not caught, and are determined to rescue their parents with the help of an even more secretive and powerful league of Christian warriors.

If you should turn up your nose at the infusion of Christians in science-fiction because you aren't a believer, I encourage you to change your mind. Solid science-fiction is solid science-fiction whether it's about Christians or Klingons, and you'll only be denying yourself a bunch of rollicking fun.

If you should turn up your nose at the infusion of science-fiction because you are a believer, I encourage you to change your mind as well. Frank Creek's theology is sound, and riding on roller-coasters is allowed!

In particular, I like that Creed hasn't written one dimensional Christians, but has created an interesting ensemble of fully developed people who are as imperfect as the people who are trying to suppress them. He's also said exactly what he wished to without preaching; this is a real novel, not a sermon disguised as one.

In short, Creed has written a fast paced adventure novel that can and should be enjoyed by everyone. I can't wait for the second installation!

I recommend this book. Not often does an author integrate Scripture into fiction in a way that does not belittle the Word of God or damage the fictive dream presented in the story. Frank Creed has created a world in which the reader can believe that the power of the Word is used by these fascinating and believable characters. The demonstration of faith is natural not contrived. Young believers, reading this futuristic tale, will witness Christians in action against foes that represent real opposition present in our world today.

Matrix, move over! Frank Creed delivers non-stop action and pulse-pounding suspense in the best book I've read this year! Frank's dry wit laces the story with humor, breathing life into unforgettable characters, in a future you won't wish to see.

The year is 2036, the place is Chicago, Illinois, and the world has joined together under one government called One State. Their primary objective: to outlaw Christianity. With persecution dogging their heels, the Church goes underground, digging in to protect the Body from annihilation.

When Jen and Dave Williams find themselves dumped out of their father's car, he speeds away to distract the "Peacekeepers" while the children hide under a bridge. But as Peacekeepers surround them, a man of remarkable talents comes to their rescue, dazzling the children and disarming their enemies. His name is Legacy.

Legacy leads Dave and Jen into the incredible world of the underground believers. They quickly discover their own talents and gifts, and learn to use them to rescue the Church from the brain-washing techniques of the Peacekeepers. Jen becomes e-girl, a whiz-kid with the ability to interface with computers, relay information, and burrow herself into a cyber-reality. Dave becomes a field agent like Legacy, adopting the name of Calamity Kid, who plans and executes rescue operations, endeavoring to keep the precious Saints safe from the One State.

Travel the streets of Chicago with e-girl and Calamity Kid, as they struggle to find their places in the Body of Christ, delving into spiritual warfare like you've never seen it before. Frank Creed's style is pure genius, and you'll delight in the unique language he brings to this novel. Flashpoint, this first book in Mr. Creed's series, is sure to leave you clamoring for more!


Review by Deborah Cullins Smith

Flashpoint may just be one of the freshest pieces of Christian Fiction to come along in years. I've personally never read a christian novel quite like it. Frank Creed pushes the reader into a cyber-punk future where some Christians are become hyper enhanced warriors called Sandmen (anyone remember Logan's Run?) and Frank has included plenty of ultra-cool technology to help out in the fight against the One World Government which has seized control of the world. One of the coolest aspects of the many awesome fight scenes between sandmen and their foes is the way Mr. Creed takes the reader right into the action in "Bullet-Time" to catch every cool move as it happens. And if you're looking for family friendly, all of the "Kill'n" is done with tranquilizers by the Christians. "Thou shalt not Kill" is still in effect here for these high tech, mindware enhanced believers, but they still mean business. This short novel is full of "ultra-fresh" sci-fi ideas and its protags are two teens who are bent on rescuing their parents and their church. If you loved the Matrix, Terminator, or the like then you'll find "Flashpoint" to be fresh and fun reading from cover to cover and it leaves you wanting the next installment!--James Somers: Author "The Chronicles of Soone."

Imagine a book that combines the super-cool action of The Matrix with a portion of Left Behind, and then mix in a few tablespoons of Frank Peretti's This Present Darkness, a pinch of Robocop, and the powers of your favorite superheroes. This only begins to give you an idea of what to expect in Frank Creed's Christian Speculative Fiction, Flashpoint: Book One of the Underground.

This tale of Good (the Body of Christ and God) versus Evil (the Devil and his crowd) takes place in Chicago in 2036, a time when Fundamental Christians are considered dangerous terrorists. The true believers meet secretly in house churches, which are always in danger of being discovered and raided by "Peacekeepers." Such a raid has happened with the home church of Dave and Jen Williams, who must try to avoid being caught themselves. They are rescued by Legacy, a "Sandman" who makes a last-minute appearance just as the Peacekeepers are ready to grab them. With super-strength, super-speed and some high-tech toys, Legacy knocks out the bad guys. From this point on, the action REALLY gets hot and heavy!

What is most remarkable about this book is how Frank Creed laces the book with scripture, important Christian values, and humor without ever slowing down the pace. The mindware that has been developed works in conjunction with the Holy Spirit, and Dave (who chooses Calamity Kid as his street name) must learn to surrender his own will and let God's will be done.

The first person point of view, told in Calamity Kid's voice, is quite effective. Wise-cracking humor is everywhere, with a slang that is just enough different to be plausible for the near future. In Book One the younger e-girl (Jen's new name) has a smaller part, but she is crucial with her talent for surfing the web, being able to hack into all kinds of One State secrets. NOT being a techie, I glazed over a lot of this part and the weapons, but I still enjoyed it.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys action-adventure, science fiction, or end-times speculation. It is particularly geared for younger adults, especially guys, but we older folks will enjoy it as well! There isn't a dull moment, yet it gives you some truths to chew on at the same time.

As both an author and reader of fiction, I was impressed with Flashpoint. Maybe it is because I have always enjoyed a book that could hold my attention and make me think at the same time. In a nutshell, the characters are believable and yet a little out of the ordinary and the story line interesting. Give this book a try.
Tommy Taylor
Author - The Second Virgin Birth

Flashpoint is set in the Chicago area in 2036. Due to a number of events chronicled in a timeline in the front of the book, fundamental Christians are labeled as terrorists by the One State government. As a result, these believers--referred to by the One State as "Fundis"--have established an underground known as the Body of Christ. The believers are helped in their struggle for survival by the process of re-formation, which is described as "God's giving us back a little of what it was like to be human before the fall." The main characters are Calamity Kid and e-girl, who enter the Body of Christ after their parents are arrested for holding church meetings in their home.
After joining the Body, they spend the majority of the book devising a plan to rescue their parents from a One State "rehab" center, which amounts to a brainwashing facility. Calamity Kid takes on the role of a Sandman, combating the One State's force with tranquilizer darts, while his sister e-girl becomes a Hack, providing technical support for her brother's missions. As they search for their parents, they also adjust to their re-formation and to their newfound status as wanted criminals.
Overall, the book is excellent. Creed does a great job of writing for his intended audience of biblical/science fiction/cyberpunk fans, and he displays a good understanding of his hybrid genre. In his dialogue, he has created a sort of futuristic slang that, while intentionally different from its modern counterparts, is easily understood (words like "ace" and "spiff" are high praise). Most importantly, Creed manages to balance techno-punk sci-fi and Christianity to near perfection. The characters are growing in their faith while dealing with situations of almost unimaginable pressure, yet they are portrayed so well that the reader can easily relate to them. This not only applies to Calamity Kid and e-girl but also to minor characters; the character of Legacy is particularly well drawn. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes biblical fiction or science fiction.