Fire

by Alan Rodgers

THE END OF THE WORLD HAS COME. BUT THE HORROR HAS ONLY BEGUN. THE PRESIDENT A madman with his finger on the button — he’s determined to bring the rapture and Armageddon to an evil world. . . . THE SCIENTIST He accidentally discovered the cure for death — but for the newly risen it’s not a blessing, only eternal damnation. . . . THE PREACHER He’s taken over the media to spread his apocalyptic message to an army of rabid listeners hell-bent on a second inquisition. . . . THE BEAST Hideously deformed, it stalks the ravaged land bringing promise and panic with its eerie, clairvoyant powers. . . . Now a small band of men and women — both dead and alive — are being summoned to heartland America and the ultimate showdown between good and evil . . . to a clash of forces undreamt in their darkest nightmares . . . to an orgy of violence where not even death can end the torments of the flesh. . . . PREPARE FOR THE WORST GET READY TO BE CONSUMED BY FIRE

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Post Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Apocalyptic

408 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1990

About the author

Alan Rodgers (1959 - 2014) was a science fiction and horror writer, editor, and poet.

Reviews

[David Dubrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first read Alan Rodgers’ novel Fire in 1991. I remembered liking it at the time, so when the new edition came out this year, edited by the late author’s brother Scott, I was pleased to give it another read. It’s got Biblical apocalypse, nuclear bombs, and a weird, somehow benign Beast of Revelation with magical abilities.

Decades later, the book still holds up, but barely. A large part of the problem is the novel’s age. Lacking references to current technology and culture, including the internet, many of the events of the novel evoke nostalgia, but not fear. This is especially true in light of today’s much different geopolitical landscape both domestically and abroad. Fears of one crazy President with his finger on the nuclear button seem quaint today, a relic of Cold War concerns. Russia is also a different enemy now than it was then.

In characterization there were also some weaknesses: Luke the brilliant scientist and Ron the ex-con janitor had similar ways of speaking and thinking, making them a little hard to tell apart. Both romantic interests literally sprang up out of nowhere to be instantly fallen in love with. The child character of Andy seemed superfluous to the story and was simply used as many children in books are: a figure to be put in danger and hence rescued for easy conflict.

Nevertheless, there are some amazing things going on in Fire, particularly the description of the resurrection virus and its effects. It’s creepy, disturbing, and very detailed, especially when you consider what happens to your dinner if your steak should try to reconstitute itself into a cow during dessert. The connection between the main and side characters was interesting, as was the depiction of angels.

While not a particularly short book, it’s a fast read and worth your time for the horror elements, if not the characters. Those of us who were adults during the early-mid 90’s will definitely get a nostalgic kick.

(Review originally posted at Ginger Nuts of Horror: http://gingernutsofhorror.com/4/post/...)

[Patrick Quinn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a huge dumpster fire of a book. Why write believable characters if your just going to kill them, over and over. It seems like this guy was just trying to cash in on a trend and failed, miserably. How the hell do you catch a intercontanial flight when the world is launching nukes? Now I know why my library doesn't carry a copy of this.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books was interesting. I don’t think the story was masterful but the concept was interesting and you never knew what was coming next. When I started the book I had no idea it would end up where it did. I don’t think many could have predicted it. But the over arching concepts were so unique I have to say it kept me reading and mostly enjoying. The ending, I thought a bit lame, but I still found the book as an overall win. An interesting humble bundle find.

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bad. Terrible.
It took me forever to finish it, yeah that bad this reading was.
It started, interesting I should say.

But with effort and willingness, I finished although I should have stopped and gave up.
Terrible writing.
Confusing af, I totally missed Christine brio Herman's mother. The portal. Ugh.
I thought about giving two stars but the last hundred pages wore me down completely.
Avoid this one like the plague.
Seriously. It is not a book anyone should read.

[Rob Worth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very fun story, but seemed like the author was going for a certain amount of pages or words, and added a bunch of stuff that really wasn't needed to enjoy the story. The final battle at the end of the story also, was very fun, but kinda went from a Revelations biblical plot to an 80's Japanese hero show, like Ultra Man or something. Fun, but went in a much different direction than expected.

[Cheyne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty good concept which makes the end result even more disappointing. Truly one of the worst pieces of genre fiction I have ever read.. and I have a high tolerance for trash. I powered through it because I hate not finishing a story, but I actually regret having wasted the time and effort. I will be sure to never read Alan Rodgers again. Avoid this book at all costs.

[William · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't say this was a bad book. I can say it was poorly thought through. I like my books to have at least a little accuracy on the plausibility factor. I realize in fantasy/horror that plausibility may be stretched a little. :-) I am talking about technical details. In this book they have some serious world events going on yet travel, banking and currency seem not to be affected. Buses and subways are running on schedule, bank accts. are open and freely accessible, credit cards work, etc. I would think that these systems would crash in an apocalyptic situation. Also, the dead rise up out of the graves. OK, the physical part of that may be possible if everyone was buried in old rotten wood coffins, but they are not. A lot, if not most, are buried in sealed, steel caskets inside a sealed concrete vault. I really don't think people are going to be pushing their way up out of these kind of containers. These kind of details bug me.

As far as the quasi-religious aspects, I really can't comment on them. I am not religious. The storyline itself was ok but The comparison to "The Stand" and "Swansong" are unjustified.

[Sarena · Rating 3 out of 5]

To think about the fact that this novel was written during the first Bush presidential term is a bit unnerving, Alan Rodgers spins a tale of the modern book of Revelation, and in the hands of powerful men, the belief in something so literal, can become reality by the actions on these individuals. The reader is asked to have faith in the complex situations, which causes the world as we know it, down a path of no return. Unfortunately as other books in the same post-apocalypse, there is no real way to end the book.

[Gevera Piedmont · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting view of Biblical Armageddon that totally turns it on its head. Which side is the evil side? Which thing is really the Beast? The book is old (1990) but not dated.