Customer Reviews

The Seraphim Rising

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

 

 

A brilliant idea that was well written and better constructed than most first novels. Although I agree with a couple of other reviews that the main character's lack of decision/action did get annoying at times, I think it worked well as a way to introduce the reader to multiple facets of the storyline. I think this actually could have been fleshed out more--there were long stretches of time referred to that didn't really get the amount of work I would have liked. That's really my only complaint with the novel; I would have like a bit more explanation for the different characters' natures and motivations. I found myself inferring a lot of their personality traits without much evidence for my conclusions. Nevertheless, the worst part about this book is that there is NO sequel! Or any other books by a talented author!

Definitely worth the read!

The author fails to deliver on a brilliant and intriguing premise: Actual angels, who speak on behalf of an actual god, show up on earth to herald the new age.

The question: how would society react? Assuming it is not all over, right now, how would institutions respond? What would happen to the world?

Unfortunately, Seraphim Rising does not provide very satisfying answers...Although beautiful, winged, angels with the power of flight and limited telepathy are a good start, I just wasn't persuaded that it was enough to so devestate the world's institutions.

And then there is the annoying main character, a Thomas Covenant wish-I-could-believe character. His annoying lack of decision and his own self-pitying ambivalence throughout the novel sapped the energy of the narrative and contributed to my own lack of belief.

Finally, the ending was a big let down.

Obviously, some liked this book, maybe you will too, so I won't spoil the conclusion, but it was the combo of too much packaged too predictably for the actual ending and sufficient untied threads to warrant a sequel that ultimately put me off.

A slow beginning forced me to lay this book aside several times. An action novel with links to spies and governments throughout should be fast paced and moving. The author seemed to have an indecision whether the story should move towards a discovery of faith or be a pure spy thriller. In the end hitting stronger on the latter and making up for some early deficits. Still worth reading overall.

Not being a sci-fi reader, I was suprised to find myself drawn to, and then engrossed by this debut novel. DeVos weaves a tightly spun thread, a story of society finally mostly unified by religion. It is at first the fear of the large eggs found floating in the ocean that brings the world together, but the birth of six seemingly angels from these eggs firmly cements fundamentalism as big business, and world power. People are herded like sheep in their overwhelming desire for something to believe in, in salvation, in hope. Carson McCullough, the story's unlikely hero, is no different. But the arrival of God shatters Carson's fragile illusions, and this is where the story begins. The Seraphim Rising raises questions of faith, in a society disturbingly close to our own, but in addition takes the reader on an immensely wild ride, filled with lush imagery, vivid characters, and an ending never to be forgotten. Fasten your seatbelts, folks! This one is not to be missed

i read this book 4 or 5 years ago, and it hasn't left my mind. I really liked this book, and it is a good example of how easily people can be lead astray.

Dull prose, dull action, boring intrigue, dull descriptions, plot that could have been better, and annoying hero. To sum it up: dull book.

The first page of THE SERAPHIM RISING hooked me and never let go. I read the book straight through, unable to put it down. Ms. DeVos skillfully combines science fiction with elements of fantasy, socio-political issues and religion in a totally believable scenario. I have no doubt that should winged creatures/angels such as described, arrive on earth, the subsequent events as visioned by DeVos would be quite likely. I found myself immersed in the personalities of the characters and sympathetic to their to efforts to rationalize these events which challenged their very core beliefs. The book left me eagerly awaiting Ms. DeVos' next novel.

THE SERAPHIM RISING grabbed me on the first page and didn't let me go until I hit the last. I found it to be a very thought-provoking story that kept me entertained the whole way through. It has a full cast of relatable, diverse, and often quite quirky characters The gripping plot took me through the whole range of emotions more than once. I'd find myself laughing on one page and then scared on the next. Even if you don't normally read SF, you'll like this book. Don't miss it!

Save yourself the money and agony, do not EVER read this book. It is hands down the most boring, uninteresting, pointless, plotless piece of garbage I've ever had the displeasure of reading. I want to be refunded the amount of time I wasted trying to seek some form of entertainment from this monstrosity.