From the Bookshelf of Apocalypse Whenever…

Rapture (Rapture Trilogy, #1)

Phillip W. Simpson

Start date: July 15, 2012

Finish date: August 1, 2012

Discussion: AW BOOK CLUB (spoilers)

Discussion leader: Gertie

Why we're reading this: Chosen as the book to discuss in August.

The Rapture has occurred, just as the Bible predicted. Earth burn…more
[close] Chosen as the book to discuss in August.

The Rapture has occurred, just as the Bible predicted. Earth burns, plants and animals are dying, food is scarce. The remnants of humanity fight for survival. By night, demons stalk the Earth, capturing the remaining humans and killing them - if they're lucky. The less fortunate are converted to worship of the Devil, and ushered into endless hell.

Eighteen year old Sam is a half demon, raised by his mother's old friend Hikari, a Japanese sword master and demon expert. Hikari and his daughter, Aimi, have been all the family Sam has known.

Now they're gone, and Sam must set out on the mission Hikari charged him with long ago: to help all the humans left behind. Cursed by his demonic heritage, he must now embark on a quest that will take him across the US to the City of Angels.

There he will confront his destiny. There he must fight to save a friend ... and the souls of the living.

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AW BOOK CLUB (spoilers)

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What Members Thought

Jul 28, 2013 Cheer Papworth rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ya, post-apocalyptic, religious-theme

Rapture is the story of a half-demon/half-human teen named Sam who is raised and trained in fighting, particularly with swords, by his foster father Hikari, in preparation for his role to kill the anti-Christ after the rapture. The author, Phillip Simpson, thoughtfully mixes Sam's current lonely state after the rapture with poignant flashbacks of his life with his foster father Hikari and Hikari's daughter Aimi. In Sam's post-rapture world, he was shunned by society and only found acceptance and Rapture is the story of a half-demon/half-human teen named Sam who is raised and trained in fighting, particularly with swords, by his foster father Hikari, in preparation for his role to kill the anti-Christ after the rapture. The author, Phillip Simpson, thoughtfully mixes Sam's current lonely state after the rapture with poignant flashbacks of his life with his foster father Hikari and Hikari's daughter Aimi. In Sam's post-rapture world, he was shunned by society and only found acceptance and love from Aimi and Hikari. Having lost them due to the rapture, Sam is once again thrust into a world of solidarity and horror as demon attacks are a nightly occurrence.

Sam leaves on an odyssey of sort to reach Los Angeles and kill the anti-Christ. Although the fight scenes are spectacular, I would have liked a few more adventures along the journey. Yes, Sam does gather some comrades and travel buddies along the way, but besides the Vegas scene (which I think could have been extended for more encounters) and the visit to Hell, I would have liked a few more quests and a little less redundant demons fights.

I felt Simpson excelled at developing a complex character is Sam that pulls at the reader's heart strings. His struggle of hopelessness for himself was spot on...how would you feel if everyone you loved was taken during the rapture to Heaven, a place where you could never dwell due to your half-demon status? He is willing to take up the fight for humanity, despite the way he has been treated, and he feels a connection to Jesus Christ and is a believer. I must admit, as a Christian, the scenes with the smiling Jesus statue almost put me over the edge. His weakness for acceptance almost catches him a time or two, being tempted by Succumbi and being enticed by Satan.

I did feel a connection to Hikari and Aimi as well, but I felt very little for Grace or Joshua (I guessed his role long before the ending I'm afraid). Due to Sam's loneliness, I really wanted him to develop real emotions for his friends and take on a role other than that of protector. When I take all of this into consideration, I'm pleased to say I really liked this book and normally I would stay clear of a book with demons, angels or any sort of religious fiction for that matter. It will be interesting to read what the future holds for Sam in Tribulation.

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Dec 17, 2011 Fiona rated it it was amazing

Well this was great - cannot wait for the next one - hope that it is coming out soon...

I loved Sam and the world building...

Very Clever and quick read...

Highly recommeded

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