Customer Reviews

Millennium Rising

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The story, which reads like a cross between Chris Carters Millennium and The X-files, deals with the end of the world, but not as we know it. No comets or volcano's which can conveniently be stopped by a single action from a good-looking hero, but tales about famine and plagues and war. Let one thing be clear from the start, Millennium Rising is not a nice book and I would certainly not recommend it to the faint of heart.

The book starts with a vision, shown to twenty-four prophets of different religions. They are told that this time the end is really here. God has judged us and his judgment is fierce. Seven signs will not only make way for the apocalypse, but will also wipe out most of mankind. Only two people are wondering if there is real truth behind the prophecies of the twenty-four. They are Simon Hill, a New York Times reporter and Father Michelle Deauchez, a professional debunker in service of the Vatican. The question they have to ask themselves: is it really God who is behind the plague, the sores and the earthquakes, or is it mankind itself?

In the middle of the book I was wondering if Jensen wasn't overplaying her hand. The scope of the story is so broad, the things happening to the people and to the Earth so devastating, that it would be hard to end the story on a believable note. An Armageddon-like solution, with the two investigators stopping the end of the world with one push of a button, was simply not possible. It's just not that kind of book.

I must say that I should not have worried. If anything is clear about Millennium Rising, it is that Jensen is in complete control of the story. Like in a well-written computer game, plot points and clues are shattered around the book, some obvious, but most hidden in plain sight, like ancient prophesies. And the end, in all its tragic beauty, the narrative is utterly believable.

I made the game reverence on purpose, because Jane Jensen is mainly know as the writer/designer of the three great adventure games that make up the Gabriel Knight series. These CD-ROMs are detailed mysteries, set against a historical (and often supernatural) background. Not unlike Millennium Rising that is.

Jensen has written two novels before, based on her two first Gabriel Knight adventures. As much as I like them for the story, they read more as transcripts of the games then real novels and as such I can only recommend them to die-hard fans of the games, or people who don't want to be bothered with actually playing them. (Which is their loss by the way). Millennium Rising on the other hand is a real novel, with great writing and a cast of wonderful characters.

If there is anything wrong with the book, it must be that the two main characters are not as interesting as I would have liked them to be. Unlike the rest of the players, who are really flashed out, even though some of them are only present on some of the pages, Hill and Deauchez are a little flat. It is not until the end that the reporter and especially the priest become actual players in the drama, instead of devices to move the story along.

It is a minor scribble though. Millennium Rising is a great book, almost as good as Stephen Kings The Stand and a lot scarier.

Marcel van Driel

At the outset, I should state that I am not a fan of horror fiction (aside from most of Dean Koontz's works). While I can tolerate blood and gore quite well, religious horror seems to strike a primal fear in me. Ten seconds of the head turning scene from "The Exorcist" was too much for me to stomach. Although I love Ah-nold movies, I passed on "End of Days."

So you can understand why I approached "Millennium Rising" with some trepidation. I bought it because it had been described as "The X-Files" crossed with "Millennium."

I'm happy to report that Jane Jensen did a fabulous job of bringing me to brink of that primal fear without crossing the line. That's not to say that the book is not terrifying at times, because it is, and there are sequences that really do evoke the feeling of the end of the world.

As other reviewers have noted, there is a key revelation (so to speak) about halfway through the novel, but that hardly means you understand everything. Rather, the puzzlement shifts to a different level.

The only negative I have to say is that the ending seemed a little forced. Not unbelievable; it works within the framework of the book. But it felt truncated. Another short chapter would have been good. (I think this is because when you have been writing about the Apocalypse, you need more than a few pages to end your story.)

Millennum Rising is more than just a novel. It is the battle between good and evil, told in a way that will not let you put it down. The blend of religion, New Age beliefs, the echo of aliens from outer space, and memories of Woodstock are all there.

This is a blend of political intrigue and corrup-tion. The title of the book fits the story perfectly. Jensen creates a fresh look at the Millennium, just when we need it.

This is the author's first big novel, but I am sure it will not be her last.

Do you like plots regarding world conspiracies? Do you like stories about end-time prophecies? Do you enjoy the idea that institutions such as the Vatican, the United States government, etc. are the holders of unbelievable secrets that could possibly restructure the world as we know it? Well, then you might really be able to get into this book. Personally, I really enjoyed it. The plot was well-paced and it kept you wanting to read more. I will say that the end of the book was just a little too contrived for me and even too simplistic for the complex plot that had been driven to up to that point. That was a bit of an anti-climax for me. In fact, that is the only reason I could not give the book a full five stars.

Even with that, however, I heartily recommend the book. For the most part it is a non-stop roller coaster as you try to figure out, along with the protagonists, just what the heck (or is that Hell?) is going on. For those who might fear that this is just a lot of religious battling between the forces of light and darkness (a la "The Stand") with highly moralistic overtones, you will be in for a pleasant surprise as to the twists and turns of the story. On the other hand, for those hoping that this is a titanic battle between some (insert your God here) and (insert your God's nemesis here), a la "This Present Darkness," you may not find this one to your liking.

I'm a fan of many different kinds of fiction but I have to admit I like this kind the best. A great mixture of sci-fi, mystery, prophecy, and religion (enough to make the reader feel like maybe the world really ISN'T coming to an end.) As a college student the last thing I have time for is fiction but I gladly sacrificed my spare time to read Millenium Rising! I eagerly look forward to Jane's next book.

Jane Jensen does a great job with this fantasy novel. The basic plot: People are called, in dreams, to a central american village where 24 are given visionary messages to take to the world, announcing that the apocalypse is here. In support of the message, the traditional "signs" appear (sores, die off of living creatures in the ocean, famine, etc.). Everything seems pretty awful and pretty straightforward...or does it? Catholic priest Michele Deauchez and New York Times reporter Simon Hill suspect there may be something else going on -- a conspiracy of incredible magnitude. But, as a gentle tibetan lama says, "just because it isn't from God, doesn't mean it isn't the end of the world." That is all I can say without giving too much away. This is fun reading, well plotted, and well paced. I highly recommend it if you like this genre.

I am an Ayn Rand fan and this book matched anything she has written. It had all the ingredients of a thriller - bad guys, good guys, satanic plots, international intrigue, fanatics trying to control the world. Like the author, I grew up with a fundamentalist background and was surprised at the accuracy of the religious references. Makes me want to go back and look at the book of Revelations - well maybe not, its too scary! It is hard to believe this is Jane Jensen's first novel. I look forward to seeing more of her work and following what I am sure will be a successful literary career. ONE IS NOT ENOUGH.

Millennium Rising is the absolute BEST story of the always talked about Apocalypse. Jane does an excellent job of building characters which you can identify with, and then takes you on a real roller coaster ride of suspense and intrigue. The story is captivating from page one, and is very difficult to put down.

Her research is impeccable, and she has created the most believable apocalypse yet, with an ending that leaves you happy, sad, and definitely thinking. It's a great book to talk about with someone who's read it!

You can probably tell that I enjoyed Millenium Rising, you will too!

Ms Jensen's first novel written for Del Rey books has a refreshing way of taking the reader into the prophecies concerning the end of times.

Researched thoroughly, this tale of suspense and mass destruction is chilling due to its' more than convincing, feasable plot.

The forces behind the plot leave the reader guessing right up to the end.....and beyond.

I strongly recommend it, but don't expect to put it down easily. You may also find yourself thinking, "I hope I can sleep tonight". 'A Page turner' is a cliche that fits Millenium Rising.

This is the beginning of an author soon to be recognized in the class of a Crichton or King.

I'll be looking forward to her next novel.

Ms. Jensen's story-telling talents are also well displayed in her Gabriel Knight series of computer games and books. She has a soon-to-be-released third Gabriel Knight game based on the Rennes-Le-Chateau mystery. I look forward to and recommend that as well.

The last two years of the last century saw a veritable explosion in apocalyptic fiction. Although there is much to recommend this subgenre (Douglas E. Winter's anthology Revelations, and the best selling Left Behind series, by Jim Lahaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, for example), Sturgeon's Law (to paraphrase, "90% of everything is crap") evidently applies to millennial fiction. This promotes an unfortunate tendency to ignore most of what is published, insuring that the treasure will be lost amongst the dross. This is a shame, because there is still good work being done in this area, Millennium Rising being one good example.

As the novel begins, the faithful of many religions travel to Santa Pelegia, Mexico, certain that they will receive a message from God. They are not disappointed: during an extraordinary event witnessed by thousands, God speaks to these pilgrims, causing a religious frenzy. Although God spoke to everyone, he apparently torched twenty-four of their number in a special way. Appearing to them in visions tailored to their individual beliefs (one has a vision of the Virgin Mary, another is touched by an angel of Islam, yet another sees the Hindu goddess Kali) He tells them the apocalypse foretold in prophecy is at hand.

At first dismissing these messages as the ravings of madmen, the world takes notice when the prophecies are fulfilled, first in a plague of boils, then through the destruction of a significant portion of the world's already depleted food supply. Investigating these phenomena for the Vatican is Father Michele Deauchez, a psychologist who believes that Santa Pelegia and subsequent events can be explained rationally. Teaming with New York Times reporter Simon Hill, Father Deauchez uncovers a massive worldwide conspiracy called the Red Scepter that seems to be the mover behind recent events.

The conspiracy explains much, but not all the strange goings on: boils and red tide can be manufactured, but how could anyone cause the earth's tectonic plates to shift, seemingly of their own accord? Deauchez investigations eventually uncover the shocking answer, one which proves that faith can literally move mountains.

What sets Millennium Rising apart from other works with millennial themes is its focus on the apocalyptic myths found in many religions, not only the Christian vision detailed in the Book of Revelation. Jensen exploits the seemingly universal presence of apocalyptic prophecy in those faiths, using them as a springboard for a story that literally spans the globe; by positing a scientific conspiracy that manipulates these beliefs, Jensen adds credibility to her narrative. Although she briefly flirts with disaster (the book starts turning into a James Bond thriller about two thirds of the way through), Jensen rights herself by introducing yet another clever theory, which neatly ties up loose ends.

In the end, Jensen's main point is that there are no atheists in foxholes: as the world's anxieties increase, many seek answers in their various faiths, increasing their susceptibility to clever hoaxes. A tale of religion and technology coming together to cause disaster, Millennium Rising is chillingly plausible, perfect reading for any millennium.