Come Armageddon

Anne Perry has written the most important work (including her previous masterpiece, Tathea) since Sigrid Undset (the first woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature) did so in 1928 for Kristin Lavransdatter. With the brilliance of our history's greatest poets, philosophers, mystics, metaphysicians, and not to exclude experts in theology, spirituality, as well as law (both man and God's), this author goes where no author has ever gone before. The book cannot be catagorized as any cookie cutter genre other than a masterpiece in art from a Master whether that be in painting, or sculpture. How would we categorize Da Vinci's Pieta as a genre? Moreover, I not only related to all of her magnificently brave characters (Tathea, most of all) but I wept through much of the book for its depth of wisdom, and profound beauty in story, scope, and frankly, prophecy for this world right now. My prayer is that everyone would have the courage Ms. Perry did in laying it on the line by showing us just how fragile humankind is as a race; and that whatever one's belief-or-not, if faced with the darkest evil (and we will all face it one time or another), God is the only one who can save this world gone so terribley awry. I will never, ever, be without this book in my possession if only to give me hope in times when I truly feel that I cannot go on.

Five hundred years have passed since Empress Tathea was driven into exile, there to discover a book of mystical teachings which was to change her life and charge her with a newfound mission to battle against the evil the Book foretold. The immortal Tathea has spent centuries awaiting the events the Book has predicted: the time has come, but she seems destined to stand alone without the warriors and true love predicted as her allies. Anne Perry has created an emotionally-charged, fast-paced story in Come Armageddon which proves hard to put down.

Five hundred years since being granted immortality and being exiled, Tathea finds herself involved in the final struggle between good and evil. She had hoped for peace and oblivion in the time she spent in the Lost Lands, but instead is given a mission, spread the teachings of the Great Book as armor for the people who would have to stand against the enemy, Asmodeous.Tathea had counted on having an army help her make her stand, but instead finds that the final battle is one that comes down to just her as the herald of good against the ultimate evil. Can one woman keep darkness from engulfing the universe?***** As Tolkien, Lewis, and others have before, Anne Perry skillfully creates an allegorical epic of the major themes of the Bible. Without being too obvious, her message is made clear. Her final chapter, when Tathea's quest ends, is poetry worthy of the Wisdom books. *****

On many worlds, the battle between good and evil is being fought. On one such orb, Asmodeus is thought to be a myth and the word of God has only been alive for five centuries. Tathea, who brought the Book into the word and spread its teaching, is over five hundred years old but worries because she knows the time of Armageddon is getting closer. On the Island at the Edge of the world she waits for the warriors who will take up the spiritual battle of the evil one.Tathea and her friend realize, almost too late, that all Asmodeus has to do is wait for them to die out to win the battle. To prevent this from happening, Sadokhor, whom Tathea regards as a son, enters the portal that leads to Hell and encourages the spirits of those who turned away from the light, to walk the Earth. This starts the time of Armageddon and Asmodeus is forced to use his minions to spread sin across the land, leading to man's fall. Stripped of everything, with only her faith to guide her, Tathea must endure a final confrontation with Asmodeus for the souls of mankind.Anne Perry is a master storyteller who has written an epic tale rich in characterizations and strong in plot. Readers will find such depth in the story line that they will want to peruse the novel many times to get the full impact to COME ARMAGEDDON'S multiple meanings. Though hard as it is to imagine, this sequel to the terrific TATHEA is even more compelling and powerful.Harriet Klausner