The Exodus Gate [Paperback]

Stephen Zimmer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 5, 2009

The Exodus Gate, by Stephen Zimmer, is a modern fantasy novel that is the first release in the Rising Dawn Saga. The story unfolds around Benedict Darwin, host of a popular late night radio show that deals with the paranormal. Benedict comes into possession of a virtual reality simulator that turns out to be something far greater and more powerful than he ever expected. Meanwhile, supernatural powers from the depths of the Abyss and their human allies are working tirelessly to bring about a One World Government. They are also laboring to bridge the boundaries between time and space to bring back the Nephilim, the monstrous offspring of Fallen Avatars and humans that were destroyed in a Great Flood that occurred long ages ago. An epic tale of courage, hope, and adventure, with fantastical realms and exotic creatures, The Exodus Gate is sure to appeal to a wide range of fantasy readers. The first edition also feature 15 full page illustrations by the artist Matthew Perry.

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Seventh Star Press, LLC; First Edition edition (February 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615267475
• ISBN-13: 978-0615267470
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 1.1 x 6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,430,666 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Denver, Colorado, Stephen Zimmer is an award-winning fantasy author and filmmaker based out of Lexington, Kentucky. Stephen has two series being published through Seventh Star Press.

One is the epic fantasy Fires in Eden Series (which includes Crown of Vengeance, the winner of a 2010 Pluto Award for Best Novel). The series stands at two titles with the third being released in late spring 2012.

The other is an epic-scale urban fantasy series, The Rising Dawn Saga. This series stands at three titles, with the fourth scheduled for release in winter of 2012/2013.

Both series are now affiliated with two growing collections of eBook short stories. The Chronicles of Ave short stories are set in the world revealed in the Fires in Eden Series, while the Annals of the Rising Dawn short stories are set in the world of the Rising Dawn Saga.

His other published short fiction includes the short stories "In the Mountain Skies" and "An Island Sojourn" in the Dreams of Steam I and II steampunk anthologies (edited by Kimberly Richardson), from Kerlak Publishing.

As a filmmaker, Stephen has credits in fantasy and horror, including the supernatural thriller Shadows Light (feature), The Sirens (horror short film), and Swordbearer (fantasy short film featuring a special appearance by former WWE wrestler Al Snow, and based upon the H. David Blalock novel Ascendant.)

Updates and information about Stephen can always be obtained at the following:
Website: www.stephenzimmer.com
Blog: stephenzimmer.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sgzimmer
Twitter: www.twitter.com/sgzimmer
and also on Google+

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars solid urban fantasy March 21, 2012

By Daniel Cann

Format:Paperback

3 1/2 STARS

This urban fantasy novel is the first entry in the Rising Dawn Saga and sees the host of a popular late night radio show Benedict Darwin coming into possession of a virtual reality simulator that turns out to be something far greater than he ever expected.

`Supernatural powers from the depths of the Abyss and their human allies are working tirelessly to bring about a One World Government. They are also labouring to bridge the boundaries between time and space to bring back the Nephilim, the monstrous offspring of Fallen Avatars and humans that were destroyed in a Great Flood that occurred long ages ago.'

This interesting and compelling novel charts the opening skirmishes in a long running struggle that will literally see hell unleashed on earth (well an alternate parallel one anyway). Very dense and at times challenging I am glad I persevered with this 566 page `End of Days' novel as it rewarded me with fantastical realms and creatures as well as convincing central characters like Benedict, Arianna and Seth. These are likeable, ordinary people thrust into extraordinary events.

Here the USA is the UCAS, China is Mandaria and Russia is Muscovy. Not very subtle but at least it's easy to follow! This alternate world is much more Orwellian than our own with its constant surveillance of its citizens, the Guardian Act (instead of the Patriot Act?), ID cards and the shadowy Citizen Safety Department.

Like our world this one is suffering from recession and with the exodus gate now open it will soon be joined with the An-ki a werewolf like people who are being hunted to near extinction by the demon Erkorenen (The Night Hunters).

One of the bad guys is the attractive but stone-cold and ruthless Dagian Underwood, she is the CEO of Babylon Technologies, a company with its fingers in many pies. So the focus is not just on corrupt governments and monsters but also that other favourite of the early twenty first century: the corporations.

There is a lot to digest, but remember this is not a stand-alone novel, rather this entry is setting things up for a proposed epic series. Zimmer has a fantastic imagination and this is complimented in the striking artwork from Matthew Perry. It may not be to everyone's tastes but for my money this is a bold and more importantly original slice (or should that be wedge?) of urban fantasy literature.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Epic for Our Time September 4, 2010

By Scott M. Sandridge

Format:Paperback

Nephilim, a One World Government, events of apocalyptic proportions. Just another "Christian End Times" fiction, you say? Well, not exactly.

In The Exodus Gate, Stephen Zimmer begins a seven-book epic (and secular) saga that combines the myths of Judeao-Christian, Babylonian/Sumerian, and Assyrian apocalyptic texts with an added dash of his own epic dark fantasy twist (and possibly an esoteric sprinkle or two of gnosticism), and weaves a tale that rivals The Lord of the Rings in its scope and The Stand in its characterization depth.

Being the first in the Rising Dawn Saga, this book's primary purpose is to set up the overall world and introduce the large cast of characters (with the main character being Benedict Darwin), each with their own agendas and sometimes even secrets (I, personally, am already rooting for Erishkegal, but that's just me). But there is still plenty of well-paced action and plot to keep you reading. The main downside I had was the sheer size of the book. It's only half the size of The Stand, and I wanted More! Dammit! More!

Some readers might be put off by the size of the book, and if you don't know it's basically a large chapter in a grand sweeping saga then you also might feel lost near the end. But the characters will grow on you, especially the An-Ki-Zimmer's unique take on the werewolf myth-loyal and honorable servants of Adonai.

Overall, it's a fine start to what promises to be an awesome saga that will keep you reading for days (in between a nap or two, of course).

And besides, Erishkegal is awesome!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Slow at first & really draws you in August 10, 2012

By mcclain072

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Almost stopped reading it but decided to keep going...really glad I did. One of the better books I've read in a long time. Good mix of real world events almost like the left behind series but better. The following books are good too but I think the author spends too much time repeating events in the previous books so I didn't like them as much as the first.