Title: The Coming
Author: A. Ben Bacon
Publisher: Explora Books
ISBN: 9781998394845
Pages: 142
Genre: Spiritual
Reviewer: Rae Capri
Hollywood Book Reviews
Everyone has a life purpose, as many are in tune and understand the objectives of their mission, while others are still soul-searching to find answers. Not one soul is actively living a life without meaning, yet somehow, plenty prefer to do whatever their heart desires instead. People make sacrifices daily, but the ultimate sacrifice has already been made. The greater task is spreading the good word and sharing the faith that our Savior will make a return for His children. We know there is a constant tug and pull between good and evil, and it is within each of us to choose which side we are on.
In The Coming, author A. Ben Bacon starts the reader headfirst into the lives of Joseph “Joe” Peter Everlasting and his new housemate, Red. Joe is a talented carpenter and farmer, while Red enjoys being a green thumb and cooking delicious meals from her garden. Their living situation is one of the best parts to start the storyline because you get to witness two single individuals cohabit in the friendliest yet loving way, full of respect. It didn’t take but the next chapter to kick things into high gear. The unexpected happened, and now sitting at the edge of your seat. Reuniting with Mareilene “Mary” Johnson, a girl Joe went to high school with, occurred under the strangest circumstances. A car accident on the side of the road led Joe and Red to be responsible for the well-being of Mary and her unborn twins. Unfortunately, the threat to the unborn lives is linked to the Prince of Darkness or the Devil. Faking her death to discourage the “scent” of being discovered, as these twins are not just ordinary, but rather extraordinary beings. The world’s future depends on the survival of both of them, in a spiritual sense as well.
Everything from character development to reading descriptive words that paint imagery in your mind and give you a consistent feeling of watching a movie. The writing style of this author is phenomenal in using a talented method of grasping and maintaining a reader’s attention. The reading experience makes you eager to read what happens next. Bringing back the original Christmas story with a modern twist was a bold move to reel in readership. What can be appreciated by most is not unfolding everything that happened so quickly. By prolonging the storyline, it has created depth, and it made sense to allow readers to intake digestible bites of information without feeling overwhelmed. One of many things you can enjoy is these two love birds, Joe and Mary, embracing their present life. Although they were told by God about their future tribulations, they made the best of it each day. To have a “protective circle” of friends they can trust means everything to maintain their safety around the clock. This bunch of truly blessed people who are huge on expressing love and care towards their fellow men and women is inspiring to witness. The action occurs throughout because the story is full of instances where the protection of Mary and the babies is of the highest regard, and all those involved are serving a greater purpose. The war between good and evil will always be until the final days, as Joe had special abilities gifted to him by God, which made him the perfect person to protect Mary and those babies. To learn that Joe is more than just a humble carpenter, though amazing with his hands, he was ready and honored to sacrifice for whatever was next to come.
I had a wonderful reading experience, from the first page until the last. The only disappointing thing was being left on a cliffhanger. The next book is a must for me to read because I have grown fond of Joe, Mary, and Red. This fearless trio, along with their friends, demonstrated that there is strength in numbers. I appreciate the author ensuring a thorough read by being descriptive with the scenes and filling in all potential gaps. The many talents bestowed upon Joe proved necessary for the sake of those children. It was a combination of a spiritual journey and a cinematic experience, which made this a well-written book. My imagination didn’t have to run wild because the scenes were vivid, as if I were there during everything, a true page-turner. The Devil is no match for God, as to why he carried himself as if he had no care in the world, just attempting to keep the good from wiping him out. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author because he captivated my interest, and now I want to read the next one. The emotional bond you develop with the characters makes this book worth reading. I highly recommend it.