To manhandle a famous movie quote, this book “had me at” the first word! It grabbed me in a serious mental hold and didn’t let go! I found myself reading in between work during the day, on breaks that I normally don’t take, and late into the night. It is simply a must read 🙂 be prepared for a unique story that will keep you enchanted until the end and thirsty for more.

Call me crazy; but I put a lot of stock in the first few words of a book. For me, the first few words set the tone for the rest of the story and are an almost infallible indication of how much I’m going to enjoy the world that I’m about to enter. Apocalypse Rising’s first words were unexpected, original and actually produced a snort of appreciative laughter; therefore it was with a definite sense of delighted anticipation I entered the world created by author, Eric Swett.

The novel utilizes many of the familiar religious, spiritual, myths, legends and iconicity that are a part of most people’s base of reference; then unexpectedly turns those concepts inside out and upside down. What we have come to accept as “truths” is illuminated in a different light and the question then forms…well, what if things went a little differently or what did happen after the stage lights went out. I appreciated the authors masterful use of taking an idea and then twisting it a bit here, bending it a bit over there and shaping the whole story into something unexpected.

Apocalypse Rising is written primarily in the first person and the main character is a well imagined man; who’s journey of re-discovery is well played out. There are sections in the book that give us a glimpse into the process of other characters and how they shape the events that move the character along in his development. The initial beginning to the novel is a bit bumpy but very quickly finds its footing and before long the story has worked its way under your skin. I found myself thinking about the twists, turns and development of the main character while going about my daily tasks and looking forward to continuing the story. This climax of the novel is excellent (if a bit “messy”) and is satisfyingly illuminating as well as entertaining. The end of the book did leave me with the hope that there will be another as there were certain characters and concepts I would like to see again and to find out more about.

The dialog and writing is medium to quick paced and held my interest without going too fast to confuse me. The particular genre of this book is not one that is extremely familiar to me but the author has made it very easy to understand and where more information is required it is provided without fanfare. While some of the “swearing” seemed a little off key and out of place; it did serve as another sign of the main characters evolution. There were several instances when I laughed out loud at the wit and humor found in both dialog and text. I felt the more “graphic” bits were tempered with excellent use of descriptive language and were not simply violent for violence sake.

In summary, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a new look at a timeless concept. I found it to be entertaining, illuminating and I look forward to the next installment. Now excuse me, I need to go read it again!

This was an amazing start to the series! It is action packed from the very beginning and kept me in suspense the whole way through. Eric Swett has written a marvellous novel which has a fantastic plot and great character development.

Apocalypse Rising has an interesting twist, as the end of the world may be near, we follow the days of one Fallen Angel, Justin, who has forgotten his life prior to falling. He is now on the run and we watch him rediscover himself again. There are plenty of people who don’t want him to regain his memories because he may have a huge affect on the world and the future!

Justin is a very strong willed character and very serious. He has always wanted to save people, even before he fell. He has a kind heart and always puts others before himself. I really liked reading about Justin as he doesn’t jump head first into anything, he takes his time, looks at all options before making his decisions. He will have a huge impact on whether we all survive or not!!

We meet lots of interesting characters from Elves to Warlocks, Demons and other Fallen Angels from the Host and we discover their roles in the prophecy which may be coming true. It has a bit of a biblical feel, as God has left his throne and Heavens Gates are closed, so Justine has a massive role to play in saving the world. The story takes plenty of unexpected twists and turns and will keep you enthralled to the very end!!

To give you some sort of literary perspective, Apocalypse Rising is what you get when The Prophecy movies meet Terry Brook’s Word & Void series and stays firmly grounded in current times. Eric adds just enough of a slant on the traditional aspects of the elements he manipulates to keep the whole story from tumbling into a void of clichés.

There is this switching of perspective that Eric tries that is rather distracting at first and because of this it took me a little bit longer to settle into the novel. Chapters involving the main character are in first-person narrative while the rest are omniscient. It’s much more jolting to read in novel form than it was when Eric ran the story as a serial on his blog. The effect wore away after about 60 pages and the characters and plot began to take hold, you don’t notice it much after that and the pieces all start to blend as parts of the narrative whole.

It’s a short novel that’s well worth a read. I want to say more about it but fear any lengthy analysis may throw out spoilers that will ruin it for you. I’ll save the analysis for my notebook and close by telling you if you liked The Prophecy movies and read the likes of Terry Brooks then there is no doubt in my mind you will enjoy this story.

When one of my authors suggested that I read Eric’s book (and talked about it as much as her own manuscript while he was working on it) I was looking forward to adding it to the reading pile and reading it cover to cover. I ended up purchasing it on Barnes & Noble so I could have it on my Nook. I was expecting a twist on Angels that I enjoyed as much as M.C.A. Hogarth’s A Rosary of Stones and Thorns, but I was not expecting quite the roller coaster as what he wrote. Bravo Eric. It kept me up til 3 AM reading, because otherwise I would have just laid there wondering what happens next.

There are some mythological/folklore beings in this book too. I was very happy to see both sides of the elven coin represented. These elves aren’t the “modern” version, but much much more true to the original ones before they were glamorized. These elves you can fear, respect, and call friend. These elves were also once stewards of the earth, so there is a lot of room for pondering.

The story takes us to meet Justin, who is a fallen angel, but he’s got a secret, even from himself. That alone I found interesting. Then we get to find out WHY and who he REALLY IS. Fans of unique takes on Death will like this one. In this, Lucifer’s already been dealt with. This doesn’t mean that all’s going to be smooth though. God’s missing, and there’s someone that wants to set up angels as gods–and it’s sure not Justin.

Can Justin bring on the Apocalypse and save the world (something that most would see as rather counterproductive)? I hope Eric finished up the sequel, and quickly, in what is to be a trilogy (going by what I hear).

Apocalypse Rising was an enjoyable urban fantasy story I easily burned through in just a few days of part-time reading. Very well written, excellent descriptions of the setting/scene, very realistic dialogue, and easy to follow plot. Swett has created deep and well drawn bad guys; the protagonist is done very well also, especially with the added challenge of being inside his head. Secondary characters as well – they’re not cardboard cutouts.

It did cross genres in a way I didn’t expect (urban fantasy into fantasy a bit), and I’m certainly not used to the present tense writing style Swett uses for the protagonist scenes, but it didn’t detract from what was a very good story line. Solid four stars, recommended.

Eric Swett has burst out of the gates with an outstanding novel about the coming apocalypse. It is a completely fresh and original persepective for contemporary society. The book was hard to put down because it flowed so well you were completely caught up in the journey. Only downside is having to wait for the next installment. Eric please hurry so we know what happens to Justin and Lilly.

Terrific urban fantasy that explores the seedy underworld of good and evil beneath the thin veneer of business, addiction and urban life. Once you get past some of the clunky writing (the book could use a 50% reduction in commas!), the story is fast-paced and quite engaging, with deeply fleshed-out characters, a “realistic” magic system and an underlying mythological/theological base supporting it all. It’s a surprisingly short book, but a good, quick read.

This book was a thrill ride! Every chapter seems to build well on the previous one, there are some good twists and turns and obstacles to overcome. Some great surprises too. All in all I would say it was a fun-filled read and left me really wanting to continue with the story. I can’t wait until the next installment comes out!

Having just finished an author provided ebook copy I have decided to buy my own physical copy of Apocalypse Rising. Here is why:
In Apocalypse Rising the story begins as Justin, already on the run, is trying to protect a young woman’s life. They had fallen in with quite the wrong crowd who now want them dead. However, Justin is on the side of the angels, or he would be if the angels didn’t have some troublesome agenda of their own.

Apocalypse Rising is just the beginning. The beginning of The End perhaps, but Swett does something not seen in many “apocalypse” stories. He takes the original meaning of the word seriously.
While today the word “apocalypse” has come to mean the end of the world, its original meaning was “revelation.” and that is at the heart of Apocalypse Rising.
Through various viewpoints were are shown the world, bit by bit, being exposed for what what truly lies beneath its surfaces.
That theses revelation are set against the a backdrop of cosmic forces moving to bring about The Apocalypse only brings a poignant urgency to the events.
Swett weaves together various strands to reveal a world were magic is subtle but pervasive. Elves and Angels move among humanity hidden from view while a media tycoon commands the airwaves and demonic servants.

More than that Swett also reveals the very human side of his characters. We feel for Justin as he struggles with not just doing the right thing but sometimes needing to figure out what that means at all.
We feel for those around him as they struggle to understand the changes being wrought upon their world.
Mostly we feel that the next installment of the series can’t get here fast enough.