Grim Reaper: End of Days

Grim Reaper: End of Days

3.42 of 5 stars 3.42  ·  rating details  ·  271 ratings  ·  52 reviews

Patrick “Shep” Shepherd was a promising major league rookie pitcher on September 11th, 2001. Shaken by the attacks, Shep was driven to enlist in the armed forces even if that meant leaving behind his soul mate and their newborn daughter. Eleven years and four deployments later, Shep finds himself in Manhattan’s VA hospital. His left arm is gone, his wife and daughter are g

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Hardcover, 512 pages
Published October 10th 2010 by Variance Publishing LLC (first published 2010)
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Matt Schiariti
I've been a fan of Steve Alten's ever since I tore through Meg in a single sitting...So it pains me to say that he's just starting to lose my interest...While the Meg series still remains fun and interesting to read with pretty exciting story lines and the natural progression of the characters, it's when he shies away from that shark infested universe that he just goes off the rails. Take Domain...a gripping read that had me on the edge of my seat..it was followed up by Resurrection which was so...more
Brian MacPherson
I picked up this book randomly on a recommendation from an acquaintance, if only just because I had made so many recommendations to her and she had followed up on most of them... I suppose though that she didn't actually recommend it, but I figured I should maybe try to read something that she had read first. :P

It was for the most part an intriguing read, if the concept of Dante's Inferno rewritten into a modern context sounds interesting to you. On the downside, there were far too many characte...more
Jordan Anderson
At first glance, “Grim Reaper: End of Days” has all the potential attributes to make it a very thrilling horror/thriller novel. Obviously it’s written by Steve Alten, so it’s predicted it should be highly researched and well written. Secondly, the plot sounds like the makings of a summer blockbuster: A deadly plague released amongst the crowded confines of Manhattan island. And finally, just look at the cover. The grinning visage of the Grim Reaper glaring over the skyline of New York shows the...more
D.g. Gass
What do you get when you take present day events, add just the right amount of conspiracy theories, mix in a dash of plague history and top it off with an end-of-the-world prophecy? You end up with a well-written novel by Steve Alten.

In Alten’s novel, “Grim Reaper: End of Days“, death walks the Earth, or at least Manhattan, when a manufactured strain of the bubonic plague is taken from a government laboratory and unleashed on the city in the form of a modern day Typhoid Mary. As the death toll b...more
Lauren
There were aspects of this book that I really enjoyed. The author was obviously trying to make some statements but I felt that he tried to say too much. I figured when I read the authors note that it was going to be a bit preachy, I am not a fan of religious books (fiction or otherwise) but I was interested to see the parallels between this book and "inferno".

I won't comment on the religious preachiness of this book. It's there. It's heavy handed. I expected that. What I struggled with was the...more
Novareylin
Buckle your seat belts kids, we're going for a ride!

Grim Reaper End of Days by Steve Alten is at the very least a roller coaster ride through hell. The main character's wife, Patricia loves Dante's Inferno and as the main character, Shep (Patrick Shepherd) goes through his trials throughout the book he goes back again and again to the passages in Dante's Inferno.

Most of this book is about spirituality, although you wouldn't know it while you learn about bio terrorism, conspiracy theories and war...more
Mieczyslaw Kasprzyk
There has been a crime committed here. This could have been a good thriller but it has been badly mauled by both its author and the editors. What could have been an exciting tale of conspiracy, of the unleashing of a deadly plague, manufactured in the secret laboratories of the CIA, of the death of thousands, of the attempts to control the spread of the contamination and the struggle of one individual to save mankind... but no. This travesty is a pathetic merger of a good thriller with pseudo-re...more
John
I first started reading Steve Alten in high school when I ran out of Peter Benchley novels and needed a quick sea monster fix. Now, however, it seems Alten is no longer content writing simple thrillers about prehistoric monsters. It's apparent from his last several books that he wants to write something that BLOWS YOUR MIND, and he's willing to throw in as much Dan Brown/Michael Moore nonsense as possible in order to do it.
You might be surprised to learn that a novel called GRIM REAPER: END OF D...more
Moe
Steve Alten is a best selling author and my favourite. Initially I was excited to hear about the publication of this book, inspired by the first part of Dante Alighien´s 14th century epic poem Divine Comedy, of which there are three parts – Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso. Inferno – Italin for Hell. The poem describes Dante’s journey through Hell, depicted as nine circles of suffering

Steve Alten takes us on the classic journey of good versus evil, transformation and redemption.

The story is set...more
Tiffany
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Wenj
Review provided by Black Lagoon Reviews:

I am at a loss of words on how to even begin this review other then by saying that this novel was scary as Hell! Grim Reaper: End of Days by Steve Alten is the debut novel in a new series that perfectly mixes fact and fiction until all the lines are blurred making it was impossible to tell the truth. This novel is a chillingly plausible tale about the end of days that will leave you hiding under your bed.

The facts Alten selected to use within this novel we...more
D. Eric
This end-of-days books is similar to but not nearly as good as Stephen King's "The Stand." Like TS, Grim Reaper is about a virus that has been loosed upon an unsuspecting population, though on a smaller scale for the moment.

It is an okay read that gets a bit religious at times. It's references to Dante's "Inferno" keep the reader wondering how the book will continue to hold true to the poem, but that is not a worry as it is not trying to be a revision of the original.

The military and governmen...more
Amruta
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Allan
This is a very difficult book to review. It did keep me riveted to the end. The problem with the book is that it enforces that 911 was done by our Government. It also leans heavily on Dantey's inferno. I was also suprised about how much was pushed towards religion. Although I was suprised how much I learned, and it was interesting. The book premise is awesome. If you can look over or if you accept the author's political and religious beliefs, this is a great read.

It's basically a man made plague...more
Cynthia
This was a very anti-war kind of book. While some parts of it were quite good, the whole anti-war aspect of it left a sour taste in my mouth. Lots of political conspriacy and anti-war on Terror nonsense. If I want that kind of sentiments I'll watch the news or pick up a newspaper. When I'm reading a book I want an escape from this kind of rhetoric... Somewhat disappointed .. I really have enjoyed the other books by this author... *sigh
Rochelle
The premise of this book sounded downright awesome, but when I read the author's note my heart sank. I've yet to read a book by someone very religious that was a good story and not just a surrogate pulpit. I gave it a go, but couldn't continue - if I want to be indoctrinated into a faith system, I would go find it. Finding shameless religious propaganda in a book is like finding a roach in an ice cream cone - unwanted, unexpected and disgusting.
Caleb Luplow
I enjoyed this book. It's very gripping and full of horrors. The one thing I didn't like was the author seemed to get off track with his own ideologies of conspiracies and religious beliefs. However, the book is still exciting and will stop you from putting the book down. Apparently this book is part of a series but I still have yet to hear anything about the next book's release.
Dana *
A modern retelling of Dante's Inferno. Filled with conspiracies and miracles and faith, i think it best if you enter with an open mind. To complete the series there will be two more books, to cover Purgatory and Paradise.

I am not one for too much religious overtones in my stories, but this one was just about right. I believe it was more preachy than The Stand, but then you have to remember that this is the Inferno. I happen to be reading another series about dystopian future of NYC, and it fits...more
Craig
The storyline is okay, it's sort of like a modern day Dante's Inferno set in the midst of a biological attack. Parts of it came off as a little "pushy" as far as the message was concerned, because i didn't realize how religious Steve Alten was before i read the book. All in all though, not a bad book, but it could have been better.
Sterling
I loved this book. There was a lot of religious/spiritual symbolism that felt a bit preachy at times (the author seems to have gotten into kabbalah and has "new convert syndrome") but the over all story with some predictable twists and some not blew me away.

I started it on May 4th and finished it that night.
Kelly
I have always been a huge fan of grand-scale, apocalyptic thrillers in the vein of Stephen King's THE STAND and Robert McCammon's SWAN SONG. Although I felt Alten's GRIM REAPER: END OF DAYS didn't quite reach the lofty heights of those two novels, I felt that this was an enjoyable novel and I look forward to the next two books in the series.
Steve
Just finished reading it. I am sure it will keep me thinking for quite awhile. I think it is a must read for everyone. Some is difficult to wrap your arms around but in the end we all have to make up our own minds. This is the first book I have read by the author and I will read more of his works in the future.
Blake Bowen
Summary: Former veteran and baseball player,Patrick Ryan Shepard must trek through a Black plague infected Manhattan to find his daughter and wife,along with the help of his psychiatrist,Vergil.

My opinion: Well.....I have to say this is the best book I've ever read. This story makes you think,cry,and laugh. There are plenty of relations between Dante's Inferno and this book,because each part of Manhattan that Shep is going through,represents a circle out of Dante's personal hell.

Every character...more
Travis Castleman
I'm only giving it one star because I have to. this is a perfect case of a good storyline taken and mutilated by bad author. poorly built character foundations and putting across your agenda without fully understanding what your agenda is not a good idea in this case that's what he tried to do.
Jenny Delandro
not a light read but compelling

there is a storyline of an american vet in hospital - desperate to reunite with his wife

there is lots of mysticism and Kabbalah doctrine and a defination of spirituality...that has nothing to do with religion.... related to positive and negative feelings and being capable of changing darkness to light

there is a chemical weapon unleashed and miracles really do happen
Karen Chong
I liked the biological weapon aspect of this, but the Christian aspect was a bit heavy handed. I think it's entirely possible for someone to have a biological weapon and use it against a nation.
Mickey DeCicco
Dark, twisted, nightmarish apocalyptic tale of the resurgence of the Black Plague, religious zealoutry, and a political landscape to rival even a Sith's plan for global domination ...
Tanya
Confusing, and very hard plot to get into. The beginning was very well written but it just got worse from then. I stopped reading it about 3/4 the way through, maybe I will finish it some day.
Annie
This was not what I expected, and thought I would be disappointed, but of course I couldn't put it down. It was very interesting, filled with science and religion and ideas. Not a light read by any means, but a good one!
Richard Radgoski
This book was a bit too political in its undertones. The visions that the main character has were confusing as well. Otherwise, solid fare
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Steve Alten (born August 21, 1959, Philadelphia) is an American science fiction author. He is best known for his Meg series, a set of novels around the fictitious survival of the Megalodon, a giant prehistoric shark. Alten holds a bachelor's degree from Pennsylvania State University, a master's in sports medicine from the University of Delaware and a doctorate in sports administration from Temple...more
More about Steve Alten...
Meg (MEG, #1) The Trench (MEG #2) The Loch Primal Waters (MEG #3) Hell's Aquarium (MEG #4)

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