Conquest of Paradise: An End-Times Nano-Thriller

As a book that puts molecular nanotechnology at the center of its plot, Conquest of Paradise is not without its flaws. Questions can be raised concerning the speed with which the self-replicating assemblers operate as well as other subtle points. But as overall science fiction, the novel is second to none in those that deal with the assembler breakthrough. As religious fiction dealing with the prophetic events of the book of revelation, few books can surpass its detailed adherence to scripture. Although Left Behind sticks closely to scripture, it takes each prophecy literally, resulting in a plot that oftentimes is outlandish and unbelievable. The entertainment value of this novel is evident in its ability to blur the distinction between reality and fiction, creating a true edge-of-your seat thriller. Those who are willing to patiently wait for the story to develop and overlook some of the technical inconsistencies in the descriptions of nanotechnology will be pleasantly surprised. Conquest of Paradise is a gem of a story.

Based on biblical end times prophecies, "Conquest of Paradise" weaves an end-of-the-world scenario that places it among some of the best novels in its category. The story contains several notable characters, but focuses mainly on the life of a single man, Raphael Vicente. A young revolutionary, Vicente harbors grand ambitions of a world at peace and believes he alone can destroy injustice and evil in the modern world. As the war on terror plunges the world deeper into an abyss of horror and death, a top secret project yields a weapon of enormous power, a device that controls atoms brought about by "the assembler breakthrough" - an event apparently akin to splitting the atom. As the first president of a powerful United Europe, Vicente finds himself in the unique position of dictating the policies of a new world order shaped by this technological breakthrough.However, early mistakes in implementing this worldwide governmental framework lead to an enormous oversight - a loophole for terrorists to threaten world security. The idea that a terrorist may already have the technology possessed by Vicente drives him to institute ever more stringent security and safety measures, leading to an assault on First Amendment freedoms and driving the world closer to totalitarianism.A bit slow at first, the novel takes time to develop (a good 100+ pages), but the author uses that time to build suspense, develop characters, and set up the reader for the book's heart-throbbing conclusion. By the time the assembler breakthrough occurrs, the reader is totally wrapped up in the story and its plot twists that offer original ideas I've never before read in any book. "Conquest of Paradise" is a story that refuses to leave the reader's head after he puts the book down, and those who enjoy Michael Crichton, Tom Clancy, or LaHaye and Jenkins' Left Behind Series will certainly love it. Highly recommended.

"Conquest of Paradise" is a thriller that transcends the apocalyptic fiction genre by creating a world all too real for its reader. Following September 11th, the world unites to fight international terrorism, and Europe, concerned with American unilateralism and the security of its borders, integrates into a global superpower. Universally trusted, Raphael Vicente is appointed to be United Europe's first president. On his first day in office, he learns of the existence of a modern day Manhattan Project and an international race to create a weapon of unimaginable power - a self-replicating assembler. Able to construct any object to atomic precision, assemblers - and the nanomachines they construct - provide the only sure defense against weapons of mass destruction.When a massive and well-coordinated terrorist strike decimates America and threatens to end modern civilization, Vicente uses its awesome power to create an overwhelming military force (literally overnight!) and closes in on the realization of his grand utopian vision - a world devoid of war, disease, poverty, and suffering.One of the most enthralling books I've ever read, this novel is impossible to put down. Throughout the book, select verses from end times prophecies in the Bible are interspersed with alarming relevance. From the first horseman of the apocalypse "riding out on a white horse to conquer many nations" to the Book of Revelation's assertion that one man will have "power over people of every nation and language and tribe", "Conquest of Paradise" creates a doomsday scenario that will concern even the most skeptical critics.At the book's conclusion, the author points out that "just as December 7th catapulted the world into the Nuclear Age, September 11th will plunge it into the Nanotechnic Age". Let's just hope "the assembler breakthrough" is the only event from "Conquest of Paradise" to move off the pages of fiction and into reality. For if its vision proves correct, the world is in for a rude awakening. Five stars, and a book no one can afford to miss.

Not only is Britt Gillette's "Conquest of Paradise" the most intellectually engaging of the apocalypse novels I've read, but it also stands out as the most thrilling and believable. The novel takes a biblical view of the "great tribulation", but unlike LaHaye and Jenkins' "Left Behind", it covers the prophetic events of the Bible in a style that opens up the story to a more secular audience. You won't find the pretentious preaching that drips through the pages of the Left Behind Series. The reader is left to develop his own opinions. In addition, the book sticks closely to the scriptures, something you won't find in many great apocalyptic fiction novels like Stephen King's "The Stand". The only complaint I could register against this novel is that it takes a while to zoom. The suspense is present from the first page, but the seminal event - the assembler breakthrough - doesn't take place until halfway through the book. But I guess "Jaws" doesn't show the great white shark in the first scene either. No doubt, "Conquest of Paradise" has one of the most original plots of thrillers in its genre. This isn't a cookie cutter spy/political thriller, and it blows away the Left Behind books. If you enjoy reading about Armageddon, then you can't afford to miss this book.

This book is classifed as "fiction" but as it continued, I realized its fundamental truths were far from imaginary. The hypocrisy of humans, the desire to always have more power, more control...both points were subtle and provacative discussion topics. "Conquest of Paradise" was an enticing look at a very scary near-future that lurks much closer than we think. I am not a great reader of what others are calling "Christian" novels, but no matter, I think this novel is applicable in many environments, both religious and secular. Also, I traditionally, as a rule, skip the quotes at the beginning of book chapters, but Britt Gillette's Biblical references were so astoundingly well-selected and appropriate that I could not resist reading them. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thought-provoking novels that are well-researched. A great idea for book clubs.