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The Paradise Prophecy

by Robert Gregory Browne (Goodreads Author)

3.74 of 5 stars 3.74 · rating details · 246 ratings · 83 reviews

A spectacular thriller inspired by John Milton's Paradise Lost in which the final chapter of the War in Heaven is about to play out on Earth, with the fate of humanity hanging in the balance. The Myth

When God cast the archangel Satan into Hell, ending the War in Heaven, peace prevailed on Earth. Until the fallen angels took revenge in the Garden of Eden. Ever since, mank...more

Hardcover, 399 pages

Published July 21st 2011 by Dutton Adult

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Apr 03, 2012 Trudi rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads, angels-and-demons, apocalyptic-types, hugely-disappointing

I had such high hopes for this one. After reading a fair number of angel-icious YA novels of late, I really wanted to sink my teeth into an adult version of such things and along comes The Paradise Prophecy promising Fallen Angels, Lucifer, the War in Heaven, an abdicated God, an Apocalypse, all soaked in a heady marinade of Milton's Paradise Lost. This should have reeked of epic win.

What I was salivating for was something akin to the film The Prophecy crossed with the best angel/demon mytholog...more

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Jul 25, 2011 Elly Carney rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone and everyone

A God who has turned his back on mankind.
Five fallen angels. A betrayer amongst them.
Warriors willing to die for that which they protect.
Turmoil such as the world has never before seen.
A battle of right and wrong. Good and evil. Freedom and enslavement.
Who shall prevail? And what is the “key” which guarantees success?

A prophecy penned by a monk centuries ago and inserted in a most unlikely tome. The pages containing these prophetic words were long ago taken from their original text and secreted...more

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Jul 22, 2011 Chibineko rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: awesomeness, butt-kicking-heroines, cool, demons, male-lead-character, netgalley, thriller, supernatural, angels

The Da Vinci Code is going to both help & hinder Browne when it comes to this book. As both books deal with religious mysteries, the two of them are going to inevitably be compared to one another. The authors having nearly identical last names will only help further this along. It'll help since people will see this book, remember the good times they had reading TDVC, & pick The Paradise Prophecy up. It'll hinder because people won't find a TDVC-esque read behind these covers. Which I vie...more The Da Vinci Code is going to both help & hinder Browne when it comes to this book. As both books deal with religious mysteries, the two of them are going to inevitably be compared to one another. The authors having nearly identical last names will only help further this along. It'll help since people will see this book, remember the good times they had reading TDVC, & pick The Paradise Prophecy up. It'll hinder because people won't find a TDVC-esque read behind these covers. Which I view as a very good thing. (Hey, there are enough clones out there.)

Agent Bernadette Callahan is a talented investigator at a shadowy government organization known only as Section, on the trail of a serial killer with nearly supernatural abilities. Sebastian "Batty" LaLaurie is a religious historian who knows far too much about the other side-and that hard-earned knowledge is exactly what Callahan needs. This unlikely duo pairs up for a race across the globe, decoding clues left in ancient texts from the Bible to Paradise Lost and beyond. In the process they stumble upon a vast conspiracy-one beyond the scope of mankind's darkest imagination.

This book was fantastic. I'm always looking for something, anything that will give me that heady rush that getting wrapped up in a good book always gives me. I absolutely loved that Browne didn't go the traditional route with this sort of book, which is to give us either a Dan Brown or a James Rollins clone. I also love that he gave us heroes that are so flawed, so initially corruptible. Batty & Callahan play well off of each other, him being the Mulder to Callahan's Scully. I also appreciated how the idea of angels & evil played into the book without going too over my head. This was an easily addictive read & I'm glad to have read it.

I can't help but feel that there will be a few people who will be inevitably disappointed that this book goes more to the supernatural than the whole "historical/mythological treasure hunt" angle that is predominant in the genre. I can understand that to a point, but if they allow that to completely taint their reading they'll be missing out on a really fun read.

The book wraps itself up nicely, but hopefully Browne will write a sequel or two. This is far too good to just be one book & I'm really digging his writing style. It's very addicting.

4/5

(ARC provided by Netgalley)(less)

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Jun 18, 2011 Patricia Rosemoor rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: supernatural-thriller

Thrilling take on fallen angels and those determined to keep them from destroying the world. Read fast and get to the big finish--it won't disappoint. A fresh take on the supernatural thriller.

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Sep 07, 2012 Gloria Piper rated it 5 of 5 stars

The date is set. Lucifer will be released, to take over the world, providing the key to his cage is found. In righteous hands, however, the key, in the form of a girl, can bring Paradise on Earth. A tug of war among the righteous and dark angels ensues.

Meanwhile as the world hurtles into chaos, Agent Bernadette Callahan investigates bizarre murders. Their cause makes no sense, and she scorns the "nutcase" drunkard who has been pushed to join her. But Sebastian Lalaurie is a psychic, and once he...more

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Aug 29, 2012 LaTina rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Paradise Prophecy was a pretty good book. Although, I wasn't to fond of the idea that God doesn't care and have just given up on his own creation. I understand it is fiction and the notion wouldn't bother non-religious people. But it was a bit much for me personally. I am a reader who grasp that fiction is just that. Even the Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons are controversial, but not to me. But the representation of God in this book is a bit disturbing.

Other than that I liked reading th...more

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Nov 01, 2011 Jessica at Book Sake rated it 3 of 5 stars

If you are a fan of thrillers that involve secret societies, the bible and Milton's Paradise Lost, then this novel is perfect for you. While I have enjoyed similar fiction by Dan Brown, The Paradise Prophecy takes it one step beyond planting the question for the reader to ponder and crosses into a more sci-fi or religious fantasy realm. I wasn't familiar with the fallen Angels that this story centers around, but the two main characters were entertaining enough to keep me reading until the end. I...more

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Jul 10, 2011 J.D. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A tough and savvy female intelligence operative teams up with a brilliant but burned-out academic to investigate the unexplained fiery death of an international pop star. They discover a plot by a crew of fallen angels who are scheming to open the gates of Hell itself and bring on the end of the world. The key to mankind’s survival lies in the seven missing pages of a book known as the Devil’s Bible--and in a mysterious entity known as the Telum.
In lesser hands, this could have been a really s...more

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Jun 29, 2011 Mary Chrapliwy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley-books, favorites

This book rendered me completely speechless as I turned the last page. Browne manages to weave a spell that brings you out of your own world and into his well crafted pre-apocalyptic world.

Sebastian "Batty" LaLaurie is scholar who is an expert on antiquities, religion, and Milton's Paradise Lost. He is also a wounded soul who has been enduring the death of his wife by drowning his sorrows in alcohol. He has nothing left to live for. Meanwhile, there is a death in Brazil of a famous Christian sin...more

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Jul 28, 2011 Autumn rated it 4 of 5 stars

If you're a fan of Dan Brown, James Rollins, or even Clive Cussler, I think you'd like this book. It's a action/adventure/thriller with historical and religious elements. Normally, I fly through books, but this one I couldn't. I found that it was somewhat "heavy reading". I had to go back and reread some sections to figure out what was going on. That was a little frustrating for me, but it was worth it because it was a really excellent story.

I really liked all this historical references througho...more

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Jul 28, 2011 Paul Pessolano rated it 3 of 5 stars

“The Paradise Prophecy” by Robert Browne, published by Dutton.

Category – Fiction/Literature

A very, very unusual book, in fact, a book that I would not have picked up off the shelf to read. Yet, a highly entertaining book that will have great interest to those who are students of John Milton’s, “Paradise Lost”, and those who enjoy books about angels, demons, and the coming Apocalypse.

Bernadette Callahan is an agent of a highly secret agency of the government called, “The Section”. Although raise...more

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Jul 15, 2011 Tracy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: thriller-suspense, supernatural-suspense, arc

~* 4.5 Stars *~
A Gripping and Grimly Decadent Supernatural Thriller

Hey, you. You...out there. Have you noticed? Have torn your eyes away from your smartphones and iPads, your Facebook and Twitter accounts, your social networking in any and all forms, and taken a good, hard look around lately? Wars, terrorism, failing world economies, disaster, corruption, pollution, disease, fear, intolerance, hatred. A barrage of seeping, soiled souls spreading like rot over a once fertile landscape. Hard core,...more

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Jul 18, 2011 Mandy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

First, I would like to mention I got my copy of this book (advanced Reading Copy) via the Goodreads First Read Giveaway - Thank you!

I really got hooked from the first chapter, it reminded me of a documentary I had seen on History Channel about the Devil's Bible,so I was already aware of the key element of the story. However, you wouldn't need to know anything about the Devil's Bible to appreciate the book. The author get stuck right into the story from the get go.

The author introduces the charac...more

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Oct 13, 2011 Donna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: best-bitten

I'm gonna be honest. I probably wouldn't be as interested in a title like this if it weren't for Supernatural. Do you blame me? C'mon . . . have you SEEN Castiel? And maybe a little bite of Crowley, if for nothing more than his snarkitude?

But I liked what this book was promising. It's got religion without too much Jesus going on (actually there was hardly any at all); there isn't much god about it either, believe it or not. The focus is really on the angels, and the demon angels (in this world t...more I'm gonna be honest. I probably wouldn't be as interested in a title like this if it weren't for Supernatural. Do you blame me? C'mon . . . have you SEEN Castiel? And maybe a little bite of Crowley, if for nothing more than his snarkitude?

But I liked what this book was promising. It's got religion without too much Jesus going on (actually there was hardly any at all); there isn't much god about it either, believe it or not. The focus is really on the angels, and the demon angels (in this world there aren't any demons a la Supernatural, the "demons" are fallen angels on Lucifer's side), and the fight to open up Hell's door and release Lucy from his cage. I liked that. There was a heavy theological element without it being preachy or, in Callahan's words, all woo-woo with the divine. It had a purpose and it stuck to it.

I liked this book to the point that I want to go out and read more of Browne's works. This guy writes up my alley, and not all of his stuff is like THE PARADISE PROPHECY either. But he does write thrillers and, judging just by this book, he writes them well.

It's been a long time since I've read a non-YA book that had me rocketing through it and Browne's PARADISE did just that. He writes in such a way that even when there isn't any action going on in the chapter, it feels like it. There's always some kind of threat lingering, even if it's off the page, and he makes sure that his characters feel it.

And his characters! They are haunted, damaged beings and he torments them with it. And I love it, the sadist that I am. Both Callahan and LaLaurie have some very large chips that they have to carry around on their shoulders but it doesn't sour them as characters. They don't sit around and pity themselves. They're not a drain on the plot. They have their issues but they turn them around into strengths. Even the most gruesome of pasts turns out to be helpful to the overall cause.

The only part that I was less than thrilled with was the ending. I felt it was a bit anticlimactic and ended a bit too abruptly for my liking. Like a button was pushed and poof! Over! It could have been set up for a sequel but I'm not sure if PARADISE is anything more than a stand alone. Other than that, even the fallen angels he uses are multidimensional. They, too, have weaknesses. Even angels aren't perfect and I like that.

Everything I was reading just felt so real. It felt like Browne had a firm grasp on the Christian mythos and what he created eased seamlessly into it, making it read as if it were something that really did/could happen. PARADISE never felt kitchy or over the top. I never felt like it was reaching for something that wasn't there. It was a level-headed, action-packed jet through the apocalypse. I'm willing to take another ride.

I think THE PARADISE PROPHECY would appeal even to readers of YA that have a thing for the angels and demons mythos. Even thought the characters aren't young, their ages aren't factors in the story so while reading it, they could have been much younger (although with Callahan's experience, that would have made the story reaching). But it's not about the age. The story is just great. If you're looking for an angels and demons story that DOESN'T revolves around some thinly-veiled abusive relationship between angels and humans, you'll find it with PARADISE. In fact, there really isn't much love interest at all in this. It keeps to the point and it's a point you'll want to ride all the way to the end. And then it'll leave you craving for more.(less)

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Apr 24, 2011 Laura Madsen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: thriller, paranormal, 2011

Angels and demons walk among humans, and the battle in Heaven continues.

We’ve seen a lot of Revelation-type badness recently—wars, earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, nuclear accidents. Maybe the Apocalypse really is coming. Robert Browne draws from the Old Testament, Milton’s PARADISE LOST, and angel lore to tell a tale of angels and demons in their eternal war over humanity.

The main characters in THE PARADISE PROPHECY are Sebastian LaLaurie, a religious studies professor at a southern Baptist uni...more

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Aug 30, 2011 Giovanni Gelati rated it 5 of 5 stars

Just to make sure I touch the bases with this and do this incredible novel justice, I just want to make sure that you know I did have a Q&A with this author on my blog last week. Feel free to hit the archives from last week and enjoy the read, he gave some really good answers to my questions; basically he did the best he could with what I threw at him. He hit all the questions out of the park for home runs; I wanted to post that before my take on his work. I was hoping to gain more insight i...more Just to make sure I touch the bases with this and do this incredible novel justice, I just want to make sure that you know I did have a Q&A with this author on my blog last week. Feel free to hit the archives from last week and enjoy the read, he gave some really good answers to my questions; basically he did the best he could with what I threw at him. He hit all the questions out of the park for home runs; I wanted to post that before my take on his work. I was hoping to gain more insight into his thought process and writing style before I hammered this out. Great stuff so enjoy it.
“The Paradise Prophecy” is a really good read. It did screw with my head quite a bit as I am a Catholic and I think most of us, whether we are believers in God or the afterlife, heaven and hell, angels and demons are handed a bundle to consider as this novel blazes a trail through the mind and soul. It is hard not to question things and to look at them in a different way as one reads through this. Browne puts forth a believable hypothesis and seemingly backs it up with many things to bring his narrative home, to make his points, to make this an engaging, explosive read that has stayed with me since I finished it. The read is entertaining, insightful, action packed, fast paced, and thought provoking. I am glad that he will be following this up with the same characters because I really came to enjoy them as they are excellent foils and I can see myself becoming very attached to them. I have been fortunate of late to have found a bounty of awesome reads, and this one is surely a keeper. Grab it, expect to spend some time with it, and expect it to expand your mind and your beliefs a bit.
Here is the synopsis:
“A spectacular thriller inspired by John Milton's Paradise Lost in which the final chapter of the War in Heaven is about to play out on Earth, with the fate of humanity hanging in the balance.
The Myth
When God cast the archangel Satan into Hell, ending the War in Heaven, peace prevailed on Earth. Until the fallen angels took revenge in the Garden of Eden. Ever since, mankind has been in a struggle between good and evil, paradise and apocalypse: the fall of Rome, The Crusades, World Wars, nuclear proliferation, the Middle East Crisis... The War in Heaven never really ended-it just changed venues. For millennia, God's angels have been fighting Satan's demons on Earth, all in hopes of bringing about Satan's greatest ambition, the Apocalypse.
The Reality
Satan has never been closer to his goal than right now.
Agent Bernadette Callahan is a talented investigator at a shadowy government organization known only as Section, on the trail of a serial killer with nearly supernatural abilities. Sebastian "Batty" LaLaurie is a religious historian who knows far too much about the other side- and that hard-earned knowledge is exactly what Callahan needs. This unlikely duo pair up for a race across the globe, decoding clues left in ancient texts from the Bible to Paradise Lost and beyond. In the process they stumble upon a vast conspiracy-one beyond the scope of mankind's darkest imagination.”
(less)

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Sep 08, 2011 Jessica rated it 5 of 5 stars

Imagine if you will, a world that is on the brink. God has turned his back on the people he created, leaving them to fend for themselves. Every soul on Earth is at the mercy of a Heavenly War. One side is set on creating the Apocalypse, the other side on preventing it. Callahan and LaLaurie have just stumbled into one of the biggest and longest standing battles in the history of the world, and as a reader you're along for the ride. Sound intriguing? I guarantee you, it is.

Meet our fearless team....more Imagine if you will, a world that is on the brink. God has turned his back on the people he created, leaving them to fend for themselves. Every soul on Earth is at the mercy of a Heavenly War. One side is set on creating the Apocalypse, the other side on preventing it. Callahan and LaLaurie have just stumbled into one of the biggest and longest standing battles in the history of the world, and as a reader you're along for the ride. Sound intriguing? I guarantee you, it is.

Meet our fearless team. Sebastian "Batty" LaLaurie is a bibliophile, theologian, and John Milton fanatic who also happens to have a drinking problem. His past is dark, and littered with secrets. Then there's Bernadette Callahan. Section agent, massive cynic and all around bad-ass woman. She might be nearing a collapse, but she'll be damned if she's going down without a fight. These two characters drive the story forward as they take off, across the globe, gathering clues. Murders, sacred relics, and musty archives are just some of what you'll find as you join their journey! It's tough not to be immersed.

What I loved most about The Paradise Prophecy is that it isn't a light read. Yes, I'm serious. The psychological aspect of this book is beautifully done, and really makes the reader think as they are reading. I devoured page after page as I hunted for clues and tried to tie things together. Browne crafts the plot carefully, allowing the reader to keep an eye on the big picture while still paying attention to little details. I never felt like I was drowning in too much information at one time, or being given a watered down version of Milton's epic. Quite the opposite actually. To me, it felt like a balanced read. Giving me just enough to keep me reading on, but not so much that I felt like I was being spoon fed the plot.

Perfectly done Robert Browne, perfectly done.

It's not often that a book has the ability to render me speechless. However as I turned the last page of The Paradise Prophecy that's exactly what occurred. I was utterly blow away by the complex plot that Browne had crafted. He weaves a tale that pulls you in deep, and doesn't let you go until the last moment. Pages just flew by. That doesn't generally happen in a 400 page book, but before I knew it I was finished and gasping for air. I read this entirely through in one sitting.

If you're looking at the cover of Robert Browne's book and thinking of similar titles, let me set you straight right now. Despite his name being similar to another writer, and despite this being a book along the same vein, this is infinitely better! At least such is the opinion of this humble reader. The Paradise Prophecy is a gripping, thrilling, and gorgeously written novel! It's everything I love about the thriller genre.

Highly recommended!(less)

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Apr 04, 2013 Kyle Maas rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed-books

A good book that could have been a great one; if Dan Brown and Frank Peretti wrote a book together, this would probably be it.

This book started out so promising. An interesting concept in the whole Angels and Demons are real kind of thing, a clandestine society created to protect a secret that could mean the end of the world, characters forced to confront their past to deal with the future; all pointed toward a promising book. And for awhile, this held up. The first half to 2/3's of the book tha...more

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Mar 03, 2011 Jackie Butler Marquis rated it 3 of 5 stars

I think that this will be a wonderful new edition for the fans of Brown's "Da Vinci Code", or even fans of "The Dante Club." Suspenseful, good character development. I'm looking forward to reading more by Robert Browne. Is this the beginning of a series?

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Apr 21, 2013 Betelgeuse rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: thriller, alphabet-challenge

La trama presenta svariati colpi di scena, in cui le vicende dei due protagonisti e dei loro antagonisti si mischiano fino a scontrarsi nel finale.
Non è difficile però seguire le varie storie e riuscire a indovinare quale sarà la prossima mossa: in ogni capitolo sono presenti parecchi indizi che riducono così la suspense per scoprire cosa accadrà.

Personalmente ho apprezzato come personaggio Sebastian, che nonostante le avversità e il dolore nel suo passato, si rivela il personaggio chiave nella...more

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Jun 13, 2011 Misty Rayburn rated it 5 of 5 stars

If there is one book that should be at the top of your TBR list this summer, it’s The Paradise Prophecy. Robert Browne has written an epic! There is no gradually easing you into the action here. You are dropped right into the middle of it and it builds and builds and builds until the end where your heart starts racing as everything comes together and you wonder if anything will be able to stop the conspiracy from not only unfolding but winning! When it was over, it left me in that place between...more

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Nov 02, 2012 Samuel76 rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: lem_6, in_casa

Bello! Scrittura scorrevole e coinvolgente, libro divorato in poco tempo. Anche se � la "classica" lotta tra bene o male, fino alla fine non si ha chiaro da che parte punti l'ago della bilancia. Conclusione un po troppo veloce, qualche pagina in pi� non avrebbe guastato. Apprezato molto le spiegazioni del professore, ecco, ne avrei messa qualcuna di pi�... qualche rifermento storico/culturale un po pi� approfondito. Ne consiglio la lettura, anche se all'inizio potrebbe risultare un po d'impatto...more

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May 17, 2011 Phyllis rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: won

Bernadette Callahan is an agent for the shadowy government organization known as Section. When she is sent to Brazil to investigate the ‘suicide’ of a popular Christian singer, she finds links to a serial killer with supernatural abilities. Puzzled and curious, she is sent to confer with Sebastian ‘Batty’ LaLaurie, a religious historian who has firsthand knowledge of the other side.
Bernadette and Batty find themselves racing around the globe dodging evil, trying to prevent murders (their own inc...more

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Aug 11, 2012 Donna Galanti rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: supernatural-thriller

This epic supernatural thriller, with a spiritual spin on the demon and angel hierarchy, will have you reading blurry-eyed into the night. Browne racks up the twists and the "that did not just happen!" moments that you have to go back and indulgently re-read as you didn't see it coming - and have no idea what raging river he's taking you down next. And you'll want to take a trip down this fantastical mystery with a terrifying evil awaiting you.

But be warned. Callahan and Batty will tug at you as...more

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Oct 12, 2011 Beth rated it 4 of 5 stars

I downloaded this in audible form so that I could listen to it on a driving trip. It is a riveting story. The view of the supernatural world, particularly the evil supernatural is thought provoking. However, I can't recommend it wholeheartedly for two reasons. First, the world view presupposes that God has abandoned the world and implies the Jesus is not God. Also, the profanity is abundant and the sexual content is graphic. Both seem appropriate in context because they develop the character of...more

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Jan 22, 2012 Lisa rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery-thrillers, nook-at-night-group, 2012-reading-journal

Angels and demons (who are really fallen angels) are in a race against time for dominance. As their battle plays out on earth, a secret government agent and a disgraced college professor are trying to unravel the clues to the violence and destruction occurring around the world. When they finally realize there is something supernatural going on and it is tied to Milton's Paradise Lost, the demons are on the verge of defeating the Archangel Michael. This is a fast paced thriller. I like the ties w...more

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Jan 18, 2012 Rick F. rated it 5 of 5 stars

A very original and facinating read. Love that humor sprinkled in throughout- Part thriller, part supernatural tale- 400 pages of superb writing- very much look forward to next book- Love the two lead characters as they play off each other so very well!
One a cynic- a very tough one at that- the other a sensitive- seeking redemption- a very rewarding reading experience indeed.
The reproductions of the etchings by Dour (might have misspelled that name) are a great addition- and facinating info on J...more

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Jan 22, 2012 Frances rated it 2 of 5 stars

Definitely just an "okay" book, but only because I have read The Davinci Code so the beginning was just way too similar for my taste.
Questionable murders: check
strange symbols: check
beautiful female trying to make sense of it all: check
male scholar knowledgeable in symbols: check
travel all over the world following the clues: check

The latter part of the book is very different and the potential was there but I just could not get lost in it because of the character similarities were just too grea...more

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Apr 18, 2012 Tim Busbey rated it 4 of 5 stars

The war in Heaven makes its way to Earth in the latest thriller from author Robert Browne. This novel was my first exposure to the best-selling author but I now am eagerly awaiting his next work.

You are excused if at first glance you think this book is similar to Dan Brown’s “The DaVinci Code” or “Angels and Demons.” For one thing, the authors have nearly identical last names. And secondly, the stunning cover certainly makes you think of angels or demons. Both stories do deal with religious myst...more The war in Heaven makes its way to Earth in the latest thriller from author Robert Browne. This novel was my first exposure to the best-selling author but I now am eagerly awaiting his next work.

You are excused if at first glance you think this book is similar to Dan Brown’s “The DaVinci Code” or “Angels and Demons.” For one thing, the authors have nearly identical last names. And secondly, the stunning cover certainly makes you think of angels or demons. Both stories do deal with religious mysteries, but that’s pretty much where the comparisons end. Inspired by John Milton's classic "Paradise Lost," Browne has crafted a stunning supernatural thriller that goes far beyond your typical globe-trotting adventure yarn.

What if all the evil you see in the world … all the death and war and famine and violence … what if all of it, or most of it, was the result of four fallen angels, vying to win enough human souls to bring about the end of the world? Cast out of Heaven alongside Lucifer centuries ago and clothed in human flesh, these four “demons” are wreaking havoc on the Earth, looking to fulfill an ancient prophecy they believe will help them unleash unimaginable evil on the world.

Standing in their way is an unlikely duo. Agent Bernadette Callahan is an investigator with a shadowy government agency known as Section on the trail of a supernatural killer. Sebastian "Batty" LaLaurie is a lecherous college professor with a talent for drinking large amounts of alcohol and a vast amount of knowledge regarding “Paradise Lost.”

Together, the duo travels across the globe, decoding clues from Milton’s epic and the Bible. But no matter what they do, they always seem to be one step behind the deadly dark angels. Enter the fallen archangel Michael, who is battling the quartet of evil angels and helps the pair discover the truth. It all builds to a dramatic climax in a stunning setting. Will the world survive the battle?

I loved "The Paradise Prophecy." Browne painted such vivid pictures, the story played out in my brain like a full-color motion picture. I wouldn’t be surprised to see it on the big screen someday. The characters felt so human and real. They were not flawless, perfect heroes who always do the right thing to save the day. They were just like you and me, full of faults and foibles, susceptible to temptation. Callahan and Batty are two extremely different characters who work together and grow as characters throughout the story.

The plot was gripping and engaging and kept me turning the pages, ready to discover what was really happening. Browne goes far beyond the typical historical/mythological treasure hunt thriller by seamlessly blending the mystery and thriller elements with the supernatural elements.

I am definitely ready for a sequel. Although Browne hasn’t started on a sequel yet, I am hopeful he will be able to write one eventually. I am sure there is more to this story and I can’t wait to read it.

On a scale of 1 to 5, I give “The Paradise Prophecy” a 4.

You can read more of my reviews at http://timbusbey.wordpress.com (less)

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Sep 16, 2011 Sally rated it 4 of 5 stars

While reading this, I described it to friends as Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons meets John Milton’s Paradise Lost, by way of James Rollins. That comparison seemed to make almost as many turn their nose up as turn the page, but I still think it fits . . . for the most part.

Where it differs (and does so significantly) is in its zealous desire to celebrate the supernatural aspects of religious mythology, rather than challenge them. Being the unrepentant heretic that I am, that insistence on embracin...more While reading this, I described it to friends as Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons meets John Milton’s Paradise Lost, by way of James Rollins. That comparison seemed to make almost as many turn their nose up as turn the page, but I still think it fits . . . for the most part.

Where it differs (and does so significantly) is in its zealous desire to celebrate the supernatural aspects of religious mythology, rather than challenge them. Being the unrepentant heretic that I am, that insistence on embracing religion was a bit of a stumbling block early on, but I came to appreciate the ways in which the mythology of the book diverges between the bible and Paradise Lost. Yes, it was a little preachy and heavy-handed at times, but the quality of the writing was such that I was willing (eager, even) to carry on.

The pairing of oh-so-secular Agent Bernadette Callahan and eccentrically-religious Sebastian LaLaurie is a bit clichéd (think Scully and Mulder), but their dynamic works well. These aren’t just two characters who exist to be at odds with one another, or to butt heads over questions of mythology, but reluctant partners who help one another to break out of their rigidly-defined roles. Both develop quite nicely throughout the story, and not necessarily in ways you expect. I really liked Callahan, and as much as we have our personal issues, I came to respect "Batty" LaLaurie.

As for the angels and demons, I liked them right from the start. They’re actual characters in the story, not just forces of nature. Their intentions may be flawed, and their actions may be unacceptable, but they’re honest. These aren’t perfectly good or perfectly evil beings, but supernatural denizens of Heaven and Hell who are just as imperfect as all mankind. Instead of simply dismissing them as biblical fictions (which would have made for a tough read), I was able to accept them with the same wiling suspension of disbelief that allows me to enjoy vampires, witches, and aliens.

Well-paced, with more than enough action to excuse (justify?) the biblical philosophy, this a story that I enjoyed as much as I had hoped, and far more than I expected. It’s clear there are more adventures in store, and I would be delighted to continue following the story to its apocalyptic conclusion.(less)

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About Robert Gregory Browne

An ITW Thriller Award nominated novelist, Robert Gregory Browne (who also writes under the name Robert Browne) believes his mission as a writer is to grab hold of you and keep you captive on the page until he's ready to let you go.

In addition to writing several thrillers, including the bestseller TRIAL JUNKIES, KISS HER GOODBYE, THE PARADISE PROPHECY and his new release with Brett Battles, POE, Ro...more

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