All children should be safe from harm . . . Someone didn't get the message. ___________________________________________________ Life has not calmed down for Delaney McPhearson now that she has become the ring bearer. For the last few months, she, Henry Chandler, and Jake Rogan have been finding the camps of the teenage potentials left behind by Amar.
In their search, they've come across something they didn't expect: More children are missing but these children are younger - much younger.
One of the largest lines of investigation leads them to early American history and the legends of an ancient race of giants. But are they getting closer to the missing children or heading down a path that will only lead them farther away?
Together, Laney, Jake, and Henry have faced incredible odds together and won. But this time the cost feels that much steeper.
Because this time it's not just their lives at risk - this time it's children who may pay the ultimate price.
About The Belial Children is a pulse-pounding thriller that asks what do you really know about ancient America? Weaving history, archaeology, and imagination, R.D. will make you question all you thought you knew about when this country truly began.
Note The Belial Children is the fifth book in the popular Belial series. All of the books are available on Amazon. And check R.D.'s website for information on upcoming works. (desperateforagoodbook.com)
R.D. Brady is the bestselling author of over 60 science-based thrillers, cryptid adventure novels, and mythological conspiracy series that blend real-world science with nonstop action.
With a Ph.D. in Criminology and a professional background in counterterrorism and behavioral science, R.D. brings expert insight to her fast-paced fiction. Her stories are known for featuring fierce female leads, ancient secrets, and cutting-edge research that challenges what we think we know about science, history, and the unknown.
She is best known for the long-running Belial Series, a fan-favorite that explores archaeological mysteries and supernatural revelations—and continues with the high-stakes Belial Rebirth Arc.
R.D. is also the author of The Ancestral Code Series, starting with Hominid, a cryptid-meets-science thriller that reimagines the Bigfoot legend. Her other popular works include the A.L.I.V.E. Series, The Unwelcome Trilogy, and the latest addition, the Shadow Directive series, including Predator Dominion.
Whether it's a global genetic conspiracy, an ancient civilization buried beneath modern myths, or a killer storm trapping a wrongly accused man, R.D.'s books deliver the adrenaline, mystery, and emotional depth that fans of Michael Crichton, Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child, and James Rollins crave.
When not writing, R.D. teaches martial arts, runs with her dogs, and tends to her garden. Under the pen name Sadie Hobbes, she also writes sharp, fast-paced urban fantasy thrillers.
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I just have to say, since I haven't been reviewing each book in the series, that this is one fine writer and the complicated story is well worth your time and effort.
I'm just starting book six of fourteen and you wouldn't believe the intricacies and plotting involving a whole bunch of people.
I barely finish a book and I'm moving on to the next one. Beware! Highly addictive and entertaining reading ahead!
The action is good, but some of the conversations sound very contrived. They were meant to explain the confusing links that were fabricated to make the story work, but just seemed confused and thin themselves. However, ignoring the strange conversations about the giants, it's a fairly decent story and ends sounding like we finally will learn about the mysterious Victoria, which means I have to read the next book now.
Score another win for R.D. Brady. The series continues with more mysteries, history, science, and pure adventure. I must say, however, that the only character I just can't get into is Kati. She just never stops being terrified and the endless waterworks don't do it for me. Hopefully she'll evolve as the series progresses. That said, I love these books, the (rest) of these remarkable people. I cheer and gasp and am torn between inhaling each page and trying to slow down to make each book last longer. This series is a must read!!
I am certainly hooked! I love everyone of these books! Not only that I really am caught up in all the characters and their interesting stories. I recommend the whole series you want be disappointed.
I started reading this series at the begining of the year and just a few weeks ago I downloaded books 4 and 5 and I am totally hooked! They are interesting, fun and will keep you turning to next page! A good read!!!
A good read. A bit unrealistic, but to me, that's what makes it a good read! Love the new young teen characters, adds a bit of fun to the whole story. And, I love the cat; just don't kill her off, or I'll be sad!
As in all series, there's a book that just doesn't work. I believe in the Belial this one is it. Way too many new characters introduces, one needs pen and paper to make notes . Story not bad, but why so many people?
I love all the interesting things that keep happening making me wanting to read more. Also it is nice to see references about places and things at the end of every book.
As some questions are answered, even more questions arise. Even more suspense is added to the story. I am very intrigued as to where the story is headed.
These books keep getting better and better with each story. I love the characters and their storyline. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
The Belial Series story continues in this, the 5th, book in the series. As the other books it is a enjoyable book well worth reading. I do still miss the explorer atmosphere of the earlier books though. This book is a search-and-destroy-the-bad-guys thriller with a fantasy theme, plain and simple.
Our friends are back and embarks on a quest trying to find the missing children and the plot is pretty much a straightforward one where our friends slowly works themselves towards their goal and the final confrontation. The author throws in some father-teenage-son issues to complicate matters a wee bit. Did not really care too much for that. There is also some of the usual stupid, emotional based, screw-ups by some of the involved characters which I also felt was a bit silly. I think that the author could have invented some better way of driving the later parts of the books story.
Those are relatively minor complaints. On the whole the book is well written and you never really feel like doing a fast-forward. The book does end in what I would qualify as an annoying cliffhanger though. Yes, the story segment that the book covers do have a conclusion (kind of) and that would normally be enough for me to call it a teaser and not a cliffhanger but there are quite a few loose ends left at the end of the book and the last minute revelations and twists are really teasers of atomic proportions. Hello R. D. Brady, the book is good enough that I would have bought the next one even without that ending!
Not one of my favorite books in the series. I thought it was a little boring at times, had to flip through several pages of casual conversations between the characters. Action scenes were predictable based off the timing of previous battles between the fallen and Laney's triangle of protectors. Laney was more static throughout this book, doesn't use her powers. Pretty much all of the supporting characters were kinda bland. Danny took on a dynamic and active role by being curiously defiant. This book definitely sets the stage for the next by introducing characters that didn't develop as well as not fully explaining the reason the children were taken by Nathaniel other than being sacrificial pieces according to what the Shepard has stored. I look forward to learning more about Max's abilities as well as finding out Victoria's mysterious secret of who she really is with these special" powers. I am hoping in the 6th book we find out what happened to all these young kids they rescued considering they haven't come into their powers yet and whether they will go back with their parents or stay at Henry's school for the "gifted."
This is actually the 4th book in R. D. Brady's BELIAL series, and it continues the non-stop action from the first three books. The heroine, Delaney McPhearson and her teammates continue to battle "fallen angels" who aspire to take over the world. This book deals with a search and rescue effort for a dozen or so children who have disappeared for no apparent reason. The "who" and "why" will become evident as you read THE BELIAL CHILDREN. The development of the characters continues with the addition of a couple of teenagers, Lou and Rolly, who were introduced in THE RECRUIT, a Brady novella which bridges the gap between THE BELIAL RING (book #3)and THE BELIAL CHILDREN (book #4). Danny also plays a pivotal role on the team as he tries to evolve from an introverted teen-age computer genius to a more "socially oriented" teen-age computer genius. All in all, this is a five star book, and the last page indicates more to come.
Some peaks and troughs in this the fifth (really forth as you can't count the previous novella as a 'real' book) would have given this a four-and-a-half rating if there was such a thing.
A few too many times the various heroes stand around chatting and mostly disappearing about the terrible things they have done, are doing, or are about to do, which spoils the flow a bit.
Other than that, it's pretty much business as usual albeit with different characters more in the lead now, especially the so-called super genius Danny. However the addition of some other teens does give parts of this book a touch of the "Young Adult" feel whilst not being quite as gritty as novels aimed at that age group actually are.
Naturally, everything is well written, nicely thought out with a mixture of fact and fiction - the differences explained by the author at the end are a nice touch - without the easy get outs that could have been used, especially when dealing with religion, and religious groups.
It seems this is Number Five in the series, which I didn't realize until I'd finished it. I don't like to read out of order, but it seemed this one was next so it is a good read and I hope it doesn't hurt to read four next. It's a theory of Atlantis with fallen angels and the Book of Enoch. If you like this kind of paranormal read, you should give it a try. I've loved Atlantis for as long as I can remember so any stories revolving around it are fodder for my mill.
To be honest, this one took me a little longer to get through. I couldn't put the previous books down but it didn't disappoint. It was obviously needed to set up the next book. I won't really get into it. Just know that it will all make sense and leave you wanting to jump right into the next one. My only disappointment is that we'll have to wait until May 2015!
Uniquely enthralling storytelling permeated beautifully with intriguing factual history combined with the perfect amount of magic. Making the story realistically embody the reader.
More action, more children to save. It felt a little like Professor Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters and Laney and Henry start a boarding school to house the children that they've collected from the bad guys.
More action, more history stories. Still good stuff.
But the religious overtones are starting to come more often. But the language of the characters is getting better. More real life, because people actually do curse when things are going to shut....lol
Can't wait until the next book comes out in May. Great mix of ancient history, religion and fantasy in a modern day adventure with characters you can't help but love like family.
WOW It keeps getting better and better. What a thriller of a series. Please read what others have to say and GET THIS SERIES. It is worth it. Starting on the last book and will really hate for the series to end. But I'm jumping ahead of myself. One more review coming soon.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book in the series. Brady has done it again in writing an exhaustive believable read that had me wanting more from each page. I cannot wait to read the next one.
The Belial series is the first series in a few years that I wasn't able to put down! R. D. Brady has a fantastic style of writing that just grabbed me from the get-go! Excellent!
The books in this entire series are such a fun romp! They also have just enough historical mystery thrown in to make everything the art of the possible! I love this series!