Customer Reviews

Wired (Tribulation Survival Series, Book 1)

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One might argue that a strong plot is more important than how this plot is conveyed (namely, the writing), but if the writing makes you cringe, it's going to steadily detract from and even undermine the plot. That's one of the recurring problems I've noticed with Wise's Wired.

Though I admit to not having finished reading the book yet, the half that I have completed shows a worrying recurrence of bizarre diction choices for his character's speech and indeed for the prose itself. Writers have their own styles, yes, and the "odd" prose diction aspect can perhaps be ignored. Each to their own. You just get the idea that a consistent layer of polish could be added to the writing, as some parts shine with verbal skill and others make me cringe at his (to-me) unnatural word choices.

"Unnatural" is the best way to describe the way his characters speak and react - they eschew contractions and the typical teenage character of the book, Mary, speaks like more of a disco girl than a semi-futuristic person. My take on this is that it's an overt tie-in with the theme of moving backwards the book presents, and would work well in this respect. Perhaps it's simply my new-millenium mind at work here, but whether Wise intended such diction for effect or merely didn't do enough research on how typical people actually speak, it still makes me frown.

The characters' reactions are also sometimes odd and overdone, but again, this is merely my opinion.

Plot-wise, the book (so far) is an interesting read. Portraying a society where religion has been so thoroughly shunned is interesting, and I'm pleased that the book isn't just a forum for a barrage of Gospel quotes.

In 2022, the world abruptly changed for the worse when millions suddenly vanished. Shock, fear, and anger became the norm as violence gripped the survivors, if that is even an appropriate word for those who still lived on planet earth. Using advance technology, a police state that makes Orwell's 1984 look as simple as Ashcroft's 2004 take control of everyday life. Additionally, ruthless war lords lead lawless anarchists taking whatever they want as long as they stay away from the even more merciless ruling elite.

In this world gone mad some good people still try to raise their family with positive values towards others. Graham and Jackie Peck are such a couple until the violence hits home when someone aimlessly killed his mother. As their son asks questions about his Grammy, the Pecks seek answers too. Why would God do this to a caring kindhearted innocent person like his mother and why was this family left behind? For answers they turn to the New Seekers, but that membership leads the Pecks to ponder more questions of what to do believe.

This is an exciting end times thriller that makes a case that today's international governments ,including a belief in the empire seeking of the United States sets the stage for the Anti-Christ to move into control. Aimed as a warning tale to Christians, WIRED is a solid thriller that fans of apocalypse now tales will appreciate though the leaps in political integration seems stretched. Still the audience will receive a wonderful tale due mostly to the stunned Pecks wondering what they did wrong to be left behind.

Harriet Klausner

WIRED(2004) is somewhat of a "family-oriented" Near-future Science Fiction "Survival" novel. It was published by a non-mainstream "alternative" publisher: WARNER FAITH.

Let's just say, this book is not going to win a Hugo Award.

The problem is... well, where do I start... how about the FIRST PAGE? On Page 1 we have a "driver"(?!) of a boat... and then on Page 5 we have NEWSPAPERS still being delivered ("porched", no less!) in November 2022 !?! It just gets worse from there.

The fact is, this is an uninspiring, non-technical, plodding story, with cardboard characters... the "bad guys" are simple cliche, and the good guys are just plain boring. The book is set in a surreal "Davey & Goliath" type of atmosphere (indeed, the writing level seems to be directed towards Jr. High School and under kids - the same market that D & G was directed at)...

A friend at work lent me the book (knowing that I'm a big Near-Future SciFi buff), after he picked it up out of a pile of "bargain books" for $3.

Anyway, speaking of "Davey & Goliath"... have you seen the "Gravey & Jobriath" spoof on yo*t*be? Check it out - it is a RIOT!

The Tribulation Survivor Series. Graham and Jackie Peck, Chicago residents in 2022, find themselves surrounded with terrorist attacks, murders, and lawlessness. When their family comes under attack from brutal outside forces, they draw together to find solace in one another. Questions about death prompted by their eight year old son, lead them to look for answers, yet none can be found. Religion and belief in God is a thing of the past and has no relevancy in their lives. Graham has political clout and is drawn into the inner circles of government only to discover links to sinister terrorist groups exist. The Peck's college son meets a group of New Seekers who study the Bible. Matt's new beliefs either hold the answers or can doom the family to extinction by the government.

Wise paints a vivid picture of society gone mad in the end times. The Rapture has taken place and no one can explain the disappearance of so many. The rampant evil in the world overwhelms any and all. New technological advances render mankind helpless.. Reaching back to learn of the love of God taught in earlier times will prove to be the only salvation for a doomed society. Will Graham be able to save his family by finding the truth?

This tale of technology, good, and evil will grip you till the end. As morality issues draw headlines today, one wonders if there's a grain of prophecy within these pages.

The world is a scary and dangerous place. It always has been, really, but since the mass disappearance of millions of people several years ago, it's gotten worse. The weather has gone wild, violence is rampant, and there is little meaning to life. Graham and Jackie Peck are good people, trying to make a life for themselves and their children in this chaotic state, when the violence around them touches home. Graham's mother is killed in an apparently random attack, such as is too common lately. When their oldest son wonders what will happen to Grammy now that she's gone and can not accept that she would just not be anywhere anymore, they begin a search for answers and meaning.

There could be no better nor more dangerous time to do this. The world's political system is set for the anti -Christ to take over, making all who are trying to reclaim the faith that left the world targets. That includes the Peck family.

*** Wired drives home the fact that faith is what gives substance to life. With frightening reality, Mr Wise will make you hope the pre millenialists are right, if you are Christian. If you are not, he will make you want to be one. ***
Amanda Killgore