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The Christ Clone Trilogy #3
Acts of God
Christopher Goodman, cloned from cells of Jesus Christ, ushers in a state of utopia on earth--but at what cost? After nearly six millennia of stagnation, humanity stands at the brink of its last evolutionary step. But it is a step that has come at a tremendous cost.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
29 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
About the author
James BeauSeigneur
14 books40 followersJames BeauSeigneur (shown here with his wife Geri) is the author of the Christ Clone trilogy: In His Image (SelectiveHouse, 1997), Birth of an Age (SelectiveHouse, 1997), and Acts of God (SelectiveHouse, 1998.) He is a former intelligence analyst for the National Security Agency and former newspaper publisher. He taught political science at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and in 1980 was the Republican nominee for U.S. Congress running against Al Gore, who was the Vice President of the U.S. at the time of this interview. His published works include manuals on strategic defense and military avionics; newspaper articles; speeches for U.S. Congressional and Senatorial candidates; and lyrics for several published songs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
September 17, 2021
This series is how a portrayal of the "end times" should be done. While I'm not sure exactly how Jesus' return will take place--I'll just let God handle the details--this is vastly superior to the shoddily written cash grab known as Left Behind. With everything going on in the world these days, the events described in this trilogy hit rather close to home.
February 10, 2013
Unabridged audio.
This is the third book in the series and I recommend them highly. While (as I've said before) you shouldn't get your theology from these (or for that matter any novel) these are well done interesting books that remain respectful of Christians (and Christ) and still tell a good story.
I think it's possible for non-Christians to read these and treat them as a simple fiction read. It will depend on each reader. Still these are good novels simply "as novels"
There is a major spoiler below the line so, if you haven't read the first two books in the trilogy you might want to stop here. I'd hate to ruin the books for anyone.
But, 4 stars and highly recommended.
Spoiler below.......Spoiler Below......Spoiler Below..........
Recommended.
This is the third book in the series and I recommend them highly. While (as I've said before) you shouldn't get your theology from these (or for that matter any novel) these are well done interesting books that remain respectful of Christians (and Christ) and still tell a good story.
I think it's possible for non-Christians to read these and treat them as a simple fiction read. It will depend on each reader. Still these are good novels simply "as novels"
There is a major spoiler below the line so, if you haven't read the first two books in the trilogy you might want to stop here. I'd hate to ruin the books for anyone.
But, 4 stars and highly recommended.
Spoiler below.......Spoiler Below......Spoiler Below..........
Recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2008
Such a great trilogy and so much better than the Left Behind series!
March 14, 2009
Absolutely the best written ficton of end times. A must read!
May 11, 2012
The best end times fiction I have ever read. This is what Left Behind should have been.
Read these books.
Read these books.
December 11, 2022
Smashing end to the trilog! Finally got round to read this third book.
August 9, 2018
Desde el libro dos empecé a sospechar lo que nos confirman en este, si de algo me iba a quejar era del proceso tan largo que le llevo a Decker el darse cuenta, pero después del epílogo comprendí el porque. A pesar del inicio lento me encantó el final. Mucho mejor que dejados atrás, definitivamente 😁❤️📚
July 11, 2024
Astonishing depiction of how the End could come
Throughout the entire trilogy, I have been astounded by the author's ability to weave a plausible narrative of how the End Times might unfold. The Kindle experience is especially rich because the books are extensively and meticulously footnotes, so the reader can instantly access the part of the Bible used for each speculated detail. For anyone interested in End Times, this is a must-read.
Throughout the entire trilogy, I have been astounded by the author's ability to weave a plausible narrative of how the End Times might unfold. The Kindle experience is especially rich because the books are extensively and meticulously footnotes, so the reader can instantly access the part of the Bible used for each speculated detail. For anyone interested in End Times, this is a must-read.
Read
August 31, 2021The Christ Clone Trilogy will really make you appreciate Christianity with
a totally new perspective (this is the effect that it had for me). This amazing piece of writing is truly breathtaking, with a contemporary and believable sequence of events. It advances a COMPELLING argument in favor of following Christ and a grim forecast of the consequences of failing to do so.
a totally new perspective (this is the effect that it had for me). This amazing piece of writing is truly breathtaking, with a contemporary and believable sequence of events. It advances a COMPELLING argument in favor of following Christ and a grim forecast of the consequences of failing to do so.
July 6, 2017
It almost feel like the author lost control of the story and basically wrote an easy way out with this book. I don't know what a good ending would have been but this was definitely not it.
September 16, 2017
This is perhaps the most important book I've ever read.
July 10, 2019
What a great series
October 23, 2017
Acts of God wraps up the story of Decker Hawthorne, who with his friend, Christopher Goodman (the titular Christ Clone, made from cells found on the Shroud of Turin) has begun creating a new world for humanity, an era full of wonder and possibility, an era free from the tyrannical deity, Yahweh. This new age is not without its dissidents, however, and a lengthy encounter with some of them leaves Decker wondering if Yahweh truly is evil...and just how far Christopher can actually be trusted.
This final installment of the trilogy has a lot of strengths. For one, the bleak, almost-Lovecraftian tone from Birth Of An Age continues for much of the story; certain passages will haunt you. Also, it wraps up the plot in the most epic-scale, exciting way possible. It even manages to, unlike the other books, throw in a bit of comedy without making it seem out of place with the more serious or terrifying parts.
However, it's just not strong enough to get five stars. The Left Behind series often gets criticized for being too long. I've never read those books, but whether or not that's a fair complaint, I would say that Christ Clone has the opposite problem; it's too short. It could have done with at least one more book.
Why do I say that? The answer can be summed up in one word: pacing.
The author simply tries to do too much in one volume, and even though it's the longest of the trilogy, Acts of God still feels badly rushed. Characters change alliances, but their reasons are never given other than that they changed their minds. What made them change their minds? The book doesn't tell you. Likewise, a major character from the previous two books disappears halfway through and, while we can guess their fate based on how things end, is never even mentioned again. These and other problems probably wouldn't be there if this final part of the story had been expanded into two books instead of being squeezed into one.
Having said that, it's still a good book (or "good read," as this site would put it). In terms of narrative, it definitely doesn't reach the bar set by Birth of an Age, but it manages to wrap up the trilogy in a mostly satisfying way. If you want to see how dark Christian fiction can get, give this book and series a try.
This final installment of the trilogy has a lot of strengths. For one, the bleak, almost-Lovecraftian tone from Birth Of An Age continues for much of the story; certain passages will haunt you. Also, it wraps up the plot in the most epic-scale, exciting way possible. It even manages to, unlike the other books, throw in a bit of comedy without making it seem out of place with the more serious or terrifying parts.
However, it's just not strong enough to get five stars. The Left Behind series often gets criticized for being too long. I've never read those books, but whether or not that's a fair complaint, I would say that Christ Clone has the opposite problem; it's too short. It could have done with at least one more book.
Why do I say that? The answer can be summed up in one word: pacing.
The author simply tries to do too much in one volume, and even though it's the longest of the trilogy, Acts of God still feels badly rushed. Characters change alliances, but their reasons are never given other than that they changed their minds. What made them change their minds? The book doesn't tell you. Likewise, a major character from the previous two books disappears halfway through and, while we can guess their fate based on how things end, is never even mentioned again. These and other problems probably wouldn't be there if this final part of the story had been expanded into two books instead of being squeezed into one.
Having said that, it's still a good book (or "good read," as this site would put it). In terms of narrative, it definitely doesn't reach the bar set by Birth of an Age, but it manages to wrap up the trilogy in a mostly satisfying way. If you want to see how dark Christian fiction can get, give this book and series a try.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2023
A fitting end to the trilogy: a Technicolor, all-singing, all-dancing thrill ride with a cast of millions, conjured from the Book of Revelation and BeauSeigneur's boiling imagination.
The surprise ending is blindingly obvious from the first chapter, but otherwise it has everything: exotic Mideast locations; oceans of blood (literally); a villain who delivers a long, sneering "here's how I did it" speech; heavenly signs and wonders; mentions of Noah's flood and the Tower of Babel with footnotes explaining where those stories can be found; swipes at Scientology, the Jehovah's Witnesses and the World Council of Churches; and a plot that might have been designed to draw bulk orders from Jews for Jesus.
It has a refined sensibility (" 'You're damn right it was!' Being a very literate man who never lacked for adequate vocabulary, Decker seldom swore, but right now it seemed a good way to drive home his point."). An event is shown in real time on worldwide TV that heralds the Apocalypse; three days later, a potentially shocking followup in the streets of Jerusalem has broadcasters fretting that if they go live again, they risk "looking foolish" and "angering their regular program viewers." The author makes it clear that he believes the world is 8,000 years old. Oh, and there's a lovingly detailed account of Armageddon.
The great thing is how fast it moves. Better than the first two volumes, for which "turgid" is an understatement, and definitely zippier than anything John of Patmos ever wrote.
The surprise ending is blindingly obvious from the first chapter, but otherwise it has everything: exotic Mideast locations; oceans of blood (literally); a villain who delivers a long, sneering "here's how I did it" speech; heavenly signs and wonders; mentions of Noah's flood and the Tower of Babel with footnotes explaining where those stories can be found; swipes at Scientology, the Jehovah's Witnesses and the World Council of Churches; and a plot that might have been designed to draw bulk orders from Jews for Jesus.
It has a refined sensibility (" 'You're damn right it was!' Being a very literate man who never lacked for adequate vocabulary, Decker seldom swore, but right now it seemed a good way to drive home his point."). An event is shown in real time on worldwide TV that heralds the Apocalypse; three days later, a potentially shocking followup in the streets of Jerusalem has broadcasters fretting that if they go live again, they risk "looking foolish" and "angering their regular program viewers." The author makes it clear that he believes the world is 8,000 years old. Oh, and there's a lovingly detailed account of Armageddon.
The great thing is how fast it moves. Better than the first two volumes, for which "turgid" is an understatement, and definitely zippier than anything John of Patmos ever wrote.
April 17, 2007
So this kicks the pants off the money institution that is the "Left Behind" series. Although this book is in the same vein, it actually uses things into today's culture to show how prophecies in the book of Revelations can occur without all the obvious fire and brimstone everyone else is banking on. Today most Christians lack a sense of reality and really just long for the end to come to prove their faith the "best ever." They miss the true teachings they were asked to learn. (I'm a Christian as well, so I'm not saying anything other than the truth about a group of people I choose to be a part of.)
This book does a hell of a job showing the character that is to become the antichrist truly being a pawn. This character shows how easily we "humans" can stray from the truth, even if it is with the best of intentions. This book (trilogy) is so well written on so many levels that it should be read in church groups with the intention of it being broken down and discussed. Without questioning who we are and what we believe, we are nothing greater than sheep being lead by the wolves.
As a book alone, I'd never suggest this one. It is like you were on a balloon that took you to the stars and then BLAMMO... well the fall hurt a bit. But as a conclusion to a series... it suffices is the best I can say. I guess I was expecting a different kind of pop, one that excites you to tell EVERYONE to read it. The first two did that for me, this one... well read it anyway, you have to finish the damned thing or it makes no sense to have started it. Hopefully you'll feel different, or in time I will feel different about it. It is like the dude just gave up or something. Maybe it is Satan trying to hinder the beauty that is a book with passion and vision. One that can really bring about a new thought process within a starving religion. UGH! Too much to say and I don't want to ramble.
This book does a hell of a job showing the character that is to become the antichrist truly being a pawn. This character shows how easily we "humans" can stray from the truth, even if it is with the best of intentions. This book (trilogy) is so well written on so many levels that it should be read in church groups with the intention of it being broken down and discussed. Without questioning who we are and what we believe, we are nothing greater than sheep being lead by the wolves.
As a book alone, I'd never suggest this one. It is like you were on a balloon that took you to the stars and then BLAMMO... well the fall hurt a bit. But as a conclusion to a series... it suffices is the best I can say. I guess I was expecting a different kind of pop, one that excites you to tell EVERYONE to read it. The first two did that for me, this one... well read it anyway, you have to finish the damned thing or it makes no sense to have started it. Hopefully you'll feel different, or in time I will feel different about it. It is like the dude just gave up or something. Maybe it is Satan trying to hinder the beauty that is a book with passion and vision. One that can really bring about a new thought process within a starving religion. UGH! Too much to say and I don't want to ramble.
April 7, 2013
Specifically for the Kindle edition: This book, thankfully, lacks all the problems that the second book contained concerning the end-notes and the text. So if the second installment made you a little bit crazy having to switch back and forth manually, you will be relieved to download this one and have it function correctly.
As I said about the first two installments in the series... This is definitely a book that makes you think, "What the f___ did I just read?" Some of the events that occur in the story are a bit bizarre and leave you trying to figure out what exactly is going on. However, I felt like this book was more detailed and the author did a better job of describing the events and the reasons behind them. Readers also finally get to see the REAL Christopher and what he is secretly doing behind locked doors.
I also absolutely *loved* the epilogue. At the end of the Left Behind series, I felt like everything was so contrived and unrealistic. The last installment -- of 12 books -- is my least favorite and felt like a total let-down after sticking with the characters through the entire series. In Acts of God, however, the characters ask questions, feel real emotions other than "yay it's a happy ending," and have real conversations. I thoroughly appreciate the effort the author took to make it relate-able to a "regular" person.
Additionally, I appreciate the over 300 end-notes in the back of the book in which the author explains why he chose certain events to take place, different interpretations of Biblical text, and the like. I recommend this trilogy to anyone who enjoys a good, freaky end-of-times story.
As I said about the first two installments in the series... This is definitely a book that makes you think, "What the f___ did I just read?" Some of the events that occur in the story are a bit bizarre and leave you trying to figure out what exactly is going on. However, I felt like this book was more detailed and the author did a better job of describing the events and the reasons behind them. Readers also finally get to see the REAL Christopher and what he is secretly doing behind locked doors.
I also absolutely *loved* the epilogue. At the end of the Left Behind series, I felt like everything was so contrived and unrealistic. The last installment -- of 12 books -- is my least favorite and felt like a total let-down after sticking with the characters through the entire series. In Acts of God, however, the characters ask questions, feel real emotions other than "yay it's a happy ending," and have real conversations. I thoroughly appreciate the effort the author took to make it relate-able to a "regular" person.
Additionally, I appreciate the over 300 end-notes in the back of the book in which the author explains why he chose certain events to take place, different interpretations of Biblical text, and the like. I recommend this trilogy to anyone who enjoys a good, freaky end-of-times story.
August 29, 2015
Well, nuts! I really did want to give this book 4 stars. It was as well written as the first book of the trilogy (which I gave 4 stars) and a step up from the second book (which got 3 stars). No doubt the author is a much better writer and researcher than the bulk of so-called Christian writers. But the book was way too shallow on a theological level to rate higher. As I stated in my review of Birth Of An Age, I was hoping BeauSeigneur would rescue the god of premillennialism from the charge of being a superdemon, but it didn't really happen. Instead, he just made his Antichrist character more villainous, making the whole novel read more like a battle between a really bad superdemon and a less bad superdemon than a battle between Satan and God. Still, I might have found a way to go three stars on this if I had not been subjected to several pages of chat room level apologetics, including the startling fact that Jesus was crucified in 27 CE, at least a year before the Gospel of Luke says John the Baptist began baptizing. And despite the fact that I knew that premillennialists commonly believe that the presence of their religion is the only thing that keeps the world from sinking into utter depravity, it was a little shocking to find that BeauSeigneur apparently finds is credible that after the rapture people will commonly go around naked, having group sex with each other in public and raping animals.
April 19, 2022
Vote: 3,25
Class: L-B1 (FP) (*)
(Third and last book of the Christ Clone Trilogy)
While the first book is a good novel, well written, full of action, plot twists and with believable characters and setting, the second book and finally this one are not so good:
- the world (3,25) is well described but it has less depth than in the first book;
- the characters (3,50) are less convincing and coherent, not always their actions or changes are well explained;
- the story (4,00) becomes the christian history of salvation during the end of the world: it's almost an apologetic book about the Christian Faith (not a bad thing in itself, but a not so good novel!); too many and too long biblical explanations;
- the writing style (4,00) is not so good as the first, when action was the real protagonist. Now it comes to characters development and it's often boring (long speeches, inner thoughts, etc.).
All in all it's an interesting book, but not a very great fiction novel.
(*) This is clearly a Christian book (and an apocalyptic one at that) and while I don't agree with some of its theology it's not really objectionable.
Class: L-B1 (FP) (*)
(Third and last book of the Christ Clone Trilogy)
While the first book is a good novel, well written, full of action, plot twists and with believable characters and setting, the second book and finally this one are not so good:
- the world (3,25) is well described but it has less depth than in the first book;
- the characters (3,50) are less convincing and coherent, not always their actions or changes are well explained;
- the story (4,00) becomes the christian history of salvation during the end of the world: it's almost an apologetic book about the Christian Faith (not a bad thing in itself, but a not so good novel!); too many and too long biblical explanations;
- the writing style (4,00) is not so good as the first, when action was the real protagonist. Now it comes to characters development and it's often boring (long speeches, inner thoughts, etc.).
All in all it's an interesting book, but not a very great fiction novel.
(*) This is clearly a Christian book (and an apocalyptic one at that) and while I don't agree with some of its theology it's not really objectionable.
October 17, 2017
An interesting enough conclusion to an equally good series, although the book loses steam at about the same time as BeauSeigneur seems to get the idea that he hasn't hammered home his point well enough, and proceeds to beat us over the head with it.
The fact that everyone but the Jewish Believers, some Christians, and the protagonist readily swallows the Christopher Kool-Aid also irked me a bit. Related to that, my pedanticism, driven by my Bahá'í background (though I'm no longer a member of the Faith), wouldn't let this one particular plot-hole go: If you're going to go to the effort to reference the Bahá'í Faith via the Most Great Peace, you've probably done enough reading to know that, for Bahá'ís, there will be a Little Peace first - and more importantly, the next Manifestation won't appear until after 2800, meaning that anyone claiming to be a prophet/Prophet before then (such as Christopher, unless I grossly misunderstood the trilogy's timeline) can be safely disregarded until then (though with lowercase-p prophets who don't conflict with Bahá'u'lláh, `Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi and the UHJ, the choice is up to the individual, IIRC).
The fact that everyone but the Jewish Believers, some Christians, and the protagonist readily swallows the Christopher Kool-Aid also irked me a bit. Related to that, my pedanticism, driven by my Bahá'í background (though I'm no longer a member of the Faith), wouldn't let this one particular plot-hole go: If you're going to go to the effort to reference the Bahá'í Faith via the Most Great Peace, you've probably done enough reading to know that, for Bahá'ís, there will be a Little Peace first - and more importantly, the next Manifestation won't appear until after 2800, meaning that anyone claiming to be a prophet/Prophet before then (such as Christopher, unless I grossly misunderstood the trilogy's timeline) can be safely disregarded until then (though with lowercase-p prophets who don't conflict with Bahá'u'lláh, `Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi and the UHJ, the choice is up to the individual, IIRC).
March 7, 2009
If you've read the first two books of this series, you are probably getting anxious to see where this trilogy is going. Well get ready!!! You will not be disappointed!!!! I will warn you, there are some pretty graphic sections of this book, and Mr. BeauSeigneur pulls no punches. But this book, number three of the series, is the absolute best one, and will have you totally enthralled and at the edge of your seat till the very last word. The best end times fiction that I have read!!!! Any fan of the Left Behind books owes it to themselves to read this trilogy.
May 31, 2013
This is a series that should be read rather than listened to in audiobook format. The footnotes are some of the most interesting parts. Written by someone who is use to writing official government papers, he knows the importance of giving frequent references to real world events. Even though the premise is stretching quite a bit, this series is one of the closest reasons of the end time scriptures that I've come across to my own. It projects everything in events that can be explained away by non-Christ followers.
August 13, 2015
Acts of God is the final book in the Christ Clone Trilogy. Christopher (the "Christ Clone") slowly but steadily leads the world towards the final act of the End Times -- with most of the population having no clue at all where they're actually heading. Is he the resurrected Christ? Or the Anti-Christ?
Even though the book was a bit long, and QUITE graphic in its plague descriptions, I figure it's still worth 4 stars. The series was quite good, overall.
Even though the book was a bit long, and QUITE graphic in its plague descriptions, I figure it's still worth 4 stars. The series was quite good, overall.
December 19, 2015
An interesting series but by the latter part of the third book, I was getting a bit bored. I liked the unusual point of view of what could happen according to the bible, as I never really could relate to it directly. But I don't really believe the bible is the word of God or anything like that, so I got tired of it by the end and just wanted to finish an move on.
October 31, 2008
This is an incredible series. The first couple books you have to push yourself through them but it's really worth it the last book is amazing. I read this a few years ago and I still gets blipps of it once an awhile.
February 16, 2009
Really, really liked this trilogy and the last book was a very satisfying conclusion. Especially good chapter of apologetics. I would love to read all the references this guy used to write this (in addition to the Bible, of course).
Read
November 30, 2017An entertaining premise.
Unlike the Left Behind series this trilogy takes the end time scenario a tad bit differently. The time line is stretched out. The rapture event is different. The concept of cloning blood from the Shroud of Turin is rather thought provoking.
Unlike the Left Behind series this trilogy takes the end time scenario a tad bit differently. The time line is stretched out. The rapture event is different. The concept of cloning blood from the Shroud of Turin is rather thought provoking.
January 25, 2008
My favorite of the series
July 15, 2008
good book
February 8, 2011
A good climax to The Christ Clone Trilogy. Makes one truly reflect on ones true faith in the Lord.
September 8, 2012
Just as great as the other 2 with the best endung ever!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews