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Left Behind #6
Assassins
After selling nearly two million copies since its release in August 1999, "Assassins" in now availabe in trade paper! The seven-year Tribulation reaches its halfway mark in the sixth book of the blockbuster Left Behind series, "Assassins." Nicolae Carpathia is assassinated, setting the stage for the Great Tribulation.
448 pages, Paperback
First published July 29, 1999
About the author
Tim LaHaye
754 books2,051 followersTimothy "Tim" F. LaHaye was an American evangelical Christian minister, author, and speaker, best known for the Left Behind series of apocalyptic fiction, which he co-wrote with Jerry B. Jenkins.
He has written over 50 books, both fiction and non-fiction.
He has written over 50 books, both fiction and non-fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 547 reviews
April 25, 2012
Due to my personal belief in the Bible, I have found this entire series to be extremely entertaining and sometimes a little scary. I strongly recommend reading the series in chronological order, or there will be a lot of details that won't make sense. I realize atheists, agnostics, other religions, and even some Christian sects will scoff at the whole concept of the series, and that is their prerogative. I still think they might find the books entertaining, regardless of their theistic leaning. I definitely recommend reading these books.
August 8, 2018
Book 6 shows us a much different side of Rayford. Rayford is consumed by rage. Where is this anger coming from? From all the loss. He lost his first wife and son to the rapture, his best friend and confidant, his second wife and a few other members of his Tribulation Force. It seems to never end, and he has had enough. He knows who is responsible. It’s the Antichrist, Nicolae Carpathia. And Rayford, filled with the grief and rage he feels, knows what he must do. Being the leader of this group means he must burden himself with the murder of Antichrist.
Rayford is short with his friends and family. He is rude and ruthless. His temper is near the breaking point. All the strain and stress of the last couple of years are weighing him down. But who can he turn to? Tsion is leading an online following in the millions. Buck and Chloe are new parents dealing with their own problems. He is mistrustful of their newest member. There is no one whom he can unload this burden on. This is his problem and his alone.
We have two relatively new believers who are acting as spies in the Global Community. One a pilot and the other a computer whizz. Between the two of them, the Tribulation Force is able to know what is going on, what is being plotted and what has actually transpired. The world is now filled with fake news, propaganda if you will. The Global Community is spinning stories out to explain away things that they do not want to believe happened.
While on a mission together, Rayford and new member Leah, encounter the sixth Trumpet Judgement. The Horsemen of the Apocalypse. These horsemen carry death with them in the manner of fire, smoke, sulphur and deadly snake strikes. Only the believers can see these deadly horsemen though, leaving the Global Community pointing fingers at the Tribulation Force and their followers.
The Global Community wants to celebrate its success over the last couple of years by hosting a Gala in Jerusalem. A wild party filled with sinful behavior. Imagine a nudist hippie festival turned orgy if you will. Drugs and sex and all sorts of dancing. Our Tribulation Saints are obviously appalled by this going-on. Things at this Gala get a little crazy. There are 4 murders that transpire as is prophesied in the book of revelations. I won’t go into the details too deeply here, but I will say that there is a truly remarkable moment. Some members of the Tribulation Force get to witness first hand the resurrection of two of the murder victims. This one will leave you with the mother of all cliffhangers.
Have I told you how fucking exciting these books are yet? I mean, come on already! No, they’re not perfect. But aside from Harry Potter, what book or series is? Just kick your feet up and stick your nose firmly between the pages.
Rayford is short with his friends and family. He is rude and ruthless. His temper is near the breaking point. All the strain and stress of the last couple of years are weighing him down. But who can he turn to? Tsion is leading an online following in the millions. Buck and Chloe are new parents dealing with their own problems. He is mistrustful of their newest member. There is no one whom he can unload this burden on. This is his problem and his alone.
We have two relatively new believers who are acting as spies in the Global Community. One a pilot and the other a computer whizz. Between the two of them, the Tribulation Force is able to know what is going on, what is being plotted and what has actually transpired. The world is now filled with fake news, propaganda if you will. The Global Community is spinning stories out to explain away things that they do not want to believe happened.
While on a mission together, Rayford and new member Leah, encounter the sixth Trumpet Judgement. The Horsemen of the Apocalypse. These horsemen carry death with them in the manner of fire, smoke, sulphur and deadly snake strikes. Only the believers can see these deadly horsemen though, leaving the Global Community pointing fingers at the Tribulation Force and their followers.
The Global Community wants to celebrate its success over the last couple of years by hosting a Gala in Jerusalem. A wild party filled with sinful behavior. Imagine a nudist hippie festival turned orgy if you will. Drugs and sex and all sorts of dancing. Our Tribulation Saints are obviously appalled by this going-on. Things at this Gala get a little crazy. There are 4 murders that transpire as is prophesied in the book of revelations. I won’t go into the details too deeply here, but I will say that there is a truly remarkable moment. Some members of the Tribulation Force get to witness first hand the resurrection of two of the murder victims. This one will leave you with the mother of all cliffhangers.
Have I told you how fucking exciting these books are yet? I mean, come on already! No, they’re not perfect. But aside from Harry Potter, what book or series is? Just kick your feet up and stick your nose firmly between the pages.
April 20, 2023
Yallllllll we are in the thick of it!!! 😭😳
July 23, 2011
Apparently I am not quite in line with many of the other reviewers, but in my opinion this was not as good as the other books in the series. While I found the other books to be mostly fast-paced and suspenseful, "Assassins" seemed to drag in several places. It seemed like the authors were just trying too hard to make some things come to life. For example, to pull off some of the events that occur in the story, the characters need to use some extremely sophisticated technology that hasn't been invented yet. Whenever that happens (and it happens fairly often), the authors go into a lonnnnng tangent to explain the "whats," "hows," and "whys" for whatever technology they are using. It's almost as if they are trying to say, "See? We're not making this up. It COULD work!" Also, some of the characters go into some kind of "funk" and it is never truly explained what is happening with them. When you follow a set of characters through six books and something is glaringly wrong, you want to know why. Anyway, I still liked it okay, and I'm glad I read it so I can move on to the next book.
April 17, 2023
The leftists behindest
Buck says he was talking to his doctor friend who is black. The doctor doesn’t seem healthy so Buck asks if he is okay and apparently the doctor responded, “honkies always think brothers look strange.” I have to sit back and just imagine in my minds eye Jerry Jenkins writing that down and thinking, “yes, this needs to make the final draft.”
I have mentioned this when talking about other books in this series, but the authors have a very odd preoccupation with vivid and explicit violence. This is starkly contrasted with their seeming inability to right coherent dialogue, especially when it comes to their characters displaying any type of emotion. They are talking about a gun Rayford Steele purchased in order to kill the anti-Christ and they say that, "If you shoot someone within 200 feet in a kill zone you will kill them. If you hit them in a neutral zone from that distance it will sever skin, tissue, muscle, fat, tendon, and bone and leave two holes in your target." Like WHAT? That is so needlessly specific and violent. Yet any time they write dialogue for women it sounds like what an incel thinks a woman would talk like.
OMG the Anti-Christ is planning to kill the Pope of the one world religion by having 10 mini anti-christs breaking off pieces of an ice sculpture of the Pope to stab the Pope and then have the pieces of ice melting. I cannot make this up. This is too good.
After having read 6 of these books I feel like I have gone through the great tribulation. Every character has started to sound the same. They all talk in the same cadence, have the same short temper, and make the same painfully unfunny jokes. I cannot emphasize enough that Jerry and Tim are BAD BAD writers. How did they sell 70 million copies of these silly little books.
Buck says he was talking to his doctor friend who is black. The doctor doesn’t seem healthy so Buck asks if he is okay and apparently the doctor responded, “honkies always think brothers look strange.” I have to sit back and just imagine in my minds eye Jerry Jenkins writing that down and thinking, “yes, this needs to make the final draft.”
I have mentioned this when talking about other books in this series, but the authors have a very odd preoccupation with vivid and explicit violence. This is starkly contrasted with their seeming inability to right coherent dialogue, especially when it comes to their characters displaying any type of emotion. They are talking about a gun Rayford Steele purchased in order to kill the anti-Christ and they say that, "If you shoot someone within 200 feet in a kill zone you will kill them. If you hit them in a neutral zone from that distance it will sever skin, tissue, muscle, fat, tendon, and bone and leave two holes in your target." Like WHAT? That is so needlessly specific and violent. Yet any time they write dialogue for women it sounds like what an incel thinks a woman would talk like.
OMG the Anti-Christ is planning to kill the Pope of the one world religion by having 10 mini anti-christs breaking off pieces of an ice sculpture of the Pope to stab the Pope and then have the pieces of ice melting. I cannot make this up. This is too good.
After having read 6 of these books I feel like I have gone through the great tribulation. Every character has started to sound the same. They all talk in the same cadence, have the same short temper, and make the same painfully unfunny jokes. I cannot emphasize enough that Jerry and Tim are BAD BAD writers. How did they sell 70 million copies of these silly little books.
July 8, 2011
Assassins
, the sixth book in the Left Behind Series, presents an interesting moral dilemma. The Tribulation Saints know from their study of Scripture that someone will assassinate the Antichrist. Which is convenient since several characters become so enraged at Carpathia that they’re willing to be the ones to do it. However, Rayford Steele is now a believer. His growing anger at and hatred of Carpathia represent sin in his life that needs to be dealt with. Since Rayford isn’t willing to repent, he subjects his loved ones to periodic outbursts of anger. He attempts to justify his murderous rage by claiming he is only acting out what Scripture says must be done. He will not resolve his inner conflict until book seven.
The plot of this book grows a bit complicated as old and new characters fight to survive, work to foil the Antichrist’s plot, and struggle to protect their loved ones. Among the goings on, I noticed an interesting aspect of the story concerning the visibility of spiritual forces. More judgments pour out on earth during this section--a plague of death by fire, smoke, sulfur, and deadly snake strikes carried out by 200 million demonic horsemen. However, only the believers can see the horsemen. All who have closed their hearts to God see only nature’s forces.
This reminded me of a story from II Kings about the Old Testament prophet Elisha. The King of Syria discovered that Elisha had revealed his secret war plans. So he sent his great army against one man, Elisha. Elisha’s servant saw the army and cried out, “Alas, master, what shall we do?”
Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then he prayed for God to open his servant’s eyes. Immediately, the servant was able to see the spiritual realm—which usually passes unseen in our word—and the horses and chariots of fire God had sent to protect His prophet.
Based on such stories, the authors imagined a great gift for the Tribulation saints: the ability to discern what’s really going on in the world around them—no matter how many others remain blind. Whenever I see God’s Name maligned and yearn for a little vindication, I remember their special ability. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have that gift today?
I reviewed this book for the Tyndale Summer Reading Program.
The plot of this book grows a bit complicated as old and new characters fight to survive, work to foil the Antichrist’s plot, and struggle to protect their loved ones. Among the goings on, I noticed an interesting aspect of the story concerning the visibility of spiritual forces. More judgments pour out on earth during this section--a plague of death by fire, smoke, sulfur, and deadly snake strikes carried out by 200 million demonic horsemen. However, only the believers can see the horsemen. All who have closed their hearts to God see only nature’s forces.
This reminded me of a story from II Kings about the Old Testament prophet Elisha. The King of Syria discovered that Elisha had revealed his secret war plans. So he sent his great army against one man, Elisha. Elisha’s servant saw the army and cried out, “Alas, master, what shall we do?”
Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then he prayed for God to open his servant’s eyes. Immediately, the servant was able to see the spiritual realm—which usually passes unseen in our word—and the horses and chariots of fire God had sent to protect His prophet.
Based on such stories, the authors imagined a great gift for the Tribulation saints: the ability to discern what’s really going on in the world around them—no matter how many others remain blind. Whenever I see God’s Name maligned and yearn for a little vindication, I remember their special ability. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have that gift today?
I reviewed this book for the Tyndale Summer Reading Program.
October 21, 2008
Somehow this book wasn't nearly as bad as the others. It's still rife with problems, though; the kid referenced in my last review is now 14 months old, even though by the end of the book it's 3 years, six months into the Apocalypse. Now, this might not seem like a big deal BUT: the parents don't meet until after the Rapture, and they didn't marry (and certainly weren't having premarital sex) until at least a year and half after said Rapture, probably slightly longer. Okay. we have two years. Add nine months assuming she's pregnant on the wedding night. Two years and nine months. Subtract three years and six months from two years and nine months and we get... 9 months! BUT as we figured out in the last review Chloe was pregant for 13 months so the baby can only be 5 months old, certainly not old enough to be walking around and saying "granddaddy" and that kind of stuff. LEARN MATH! JUST BASIC MATH! MY GODS DOES YOUR GOD PROHIBIT BASIC MATHS? AND IF SO HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN ^&^@*#%@& ISSAC T^@*%^@(^@^&@ NEWTON!?!?!?!
February 15, 2023
The best ending so far!!! 🤩🤩🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
July 9, 2014
I am beginning to be disturbed by LaHaye's Christian fantasy world. Most of the characters spend the whole book being angry and threatening violence again the leader of the Global Community, who is guilty of lying and manipulating people. In other words, he's exactly like any other politician. Most of the book he doesn't even appear, just delegates the work of government. When he does appear, LaHaye glosses over huge sections with "a lot of people gave speeches"... "and then an earthquake happened," while devoting entirely too many words to how much the Christians want to kill the anti-Christ. It's not even good writing, and it probably encourages Left Behind fans to think their bad behavior is excused because they know they are the good guys. The first book was good, but this is the worst one I've read so far.
May 22, 2019
I’ve been trying to figure out how to review this book and all I want to say is “who ends a book like that?!”
It certainly works as a cliff hanger to make me want to read the next book in the series ... but really?! That’s just rude.
That being said I think this is one of my favorites of the series so far and yet there are things that really disturbed me.
1. Let’s just say that I think Dwayne/Dart is hilarious and then they killed him just when I was getting attached. Kind of BS but he had my favorite line of the entire book: “I’m this loud guy ... Even my pastor says sometimes he wonders if I don’t turn people off rather than wooin’ ‘em to Jesus. People got to know, brother, that this is no sales pitch. This is your everlasting soul. Well, I get wound up.”
2. What is Rayford’s deal with Leah? Is he just not willing to get close to another woman that might die again? Because he has some serious anger issues in general and a LOT of animosity directed toward Leah.
3. Am I the only person that got a better visual with the horses than any other prophesy so far? And I got chills when Tsion saw them for the first time.
4. Let’s all agree that it’s nice to have Kenny as an element of joy for these people even tho we can also agree it is not the best time or place to be raising a one year old.
5. Chaim. What I’m the heck?! He might have fallen off the deep end. And yet .... I’m suspicious he is up to something with this fancy sharp object he was making and his hand coming up to Carpathia as he died?! Yep I’m not saying he did it because I have a lot of suspects but something is going on there.
6. Hattie is crazy. And I have lost all hope for her.
7. Rayford might be losing it too.
8. Loving David and Annie.
9. And why did Leah have so much freaking money in that safe?!
I honestly just have so many things going through my head right now. I need a few more books before I can pick up the next one in the series because my brain is on overload right now. Loving this series. Best recommendation for a series I’ve gotten in a long time.
It certainly works as a cliff hanger to make me want to read the next book in the series ... but really?! That’s just rude.
That being said I think this is one of my favorites of the series so far and yet there are things that really disturbed me.
1. Let’s just say that I think Dwayne/Dart is hilarious and then they killed him just when I was getting attached. Kind of BS but he had my favorite line of the entire book: “I’m this loud guy ... Even my pastor says sometimes he wonders if I don’t turn people off rather than wooin’ ‘em to Jesus. People got to know, brother, that this is no sales pitch. This is your everlasting soul. Well, I get wound up.”
2. What is Rayford’s deal with Leah? Is he just not willing to get close to another woman that might die again? Because he has some serious anger issues in general and a LOT of animosity directed toward Leah.
3. Am I the only person that got a better visual with the horses than any other prophesy so far? And I got chills when Tsion saw them for the first time.
4. Let’s all agree that it’s nice to have Kenny as an element of joy for these people even tho we can also agree it is not the best time or place to be raising a one year old.
5. Chaim. What I’m the heck?! He might have fallen off the deep end. And yet .... I’m suspicious he is up to something with this fancy sharp object he was making and his hand coming up to Carpathia as he died?! Yep I’m not saying he did it because I have a lot of suspects but something is going on there.
6. Hattie is crazy. And I have lost all hope for her.
7. Rayford might be losing it too.
8. Loving David and Annie.
9. And why did Leah have so much freaking money in that safe?!
I honestly just have so many things going through my head right now. I need a few more books before I can pick up the next one in the series because my brain is on overload right now. Loving this series. Best recommendation for a series I’ve gotten in a long time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2017
This book was too slow in parts. I think the next one might have more action(I hope).
August 28, 2021
Good read
Radford is being an idiot, Hattie is completely horrible. Chloe wants to take off and go on adventures but complains when others do it lol.
Radford is being an idiot, Hattie is completely horrible. Chloe wants to take off and go on adventures but complains when others do it lol.
May 26, 2018
The book was really slow, but the ending...😱 OH MY WORD!!!
March 18, 2017
The action in these novels continue to accelerate. Biblical prophecies come to pas. People die. People are saved. There's a cliffhanger that makes me very glad I already have the next book. You can feel this one is a game changer.
Some of the writing is still pretty slow. (There's a painful scene where a character explains a joke. Writers, trust your readers. They're cleverer than you think)
Test books like these against the Bible, always They're fiction, the Bible is the truth. It's good to think on these subjects because no-one knows how soon the end of the world might be.
Finally, this book is a reminder we can't hide our sin behind God & His word. People have done this through history (Crusades, persecution) God will have His way, not you. The ends don't justify the means. Vegence is His!
A powerful series.
Some of the writing is still pretty slow. (There's a painful scene where a character explains a joke. Writers, trust your readers. They're cleverer than you think)
Test books like these against the Bible, always They're fiction, the Bible is the truth. It's good to think on these subjects because no-one knows how soon the end of the world might be.
Finally, this book is a reminder we can't hide our sin behind God & His word. People have done this through history (Crusades, persecution) God will have His way, not you. The ends don't justify the means. Vegence is His!
A powerful series.
June 18, 2018
While this book continued the tradition in the series so far (this is book 6) of being engaging and interesting, I would say this book was not as good as the last three books in the series, which have been absolute gems. Hence, only 4 stars. Nevertheless, the book was still great and was crafted into quite a good story. The characters did not see a lot of growth in this book and some even regressed a little. Some parts seemed a bit clunky, but the story remains well-researched and fascinating. The cliffhanger at the end definitely got me. I can't wait to read the next one and find out what will happen as the Tribulation takes a new and forboding turn!! I love how this book really gets me thinking about the book of Revelation and the truth that many of us forget to face within God's word about the upcoming end times.
January 3, 2022
Lately, I enjoy listening to the audiobook while following the book or return to the book to check what I heard. I have a copy of my own, and listening to audio version via Sac Pub Library using Libby App on devices. I can drive and hear a story told.
The story continues...see how this version plays out. There are 13 books total.
This novel is 38 months (3 years, 2 months) of the tribulation. Are we living in the signs of times? We are definitely living in a time to consider it. We are seeing climate change, chaotic events, horrific things occurring....I strongly feel this is the best one in the series.
The story continues...see how this version plays out. There are 13 books total.
This novel is 38 months (3 years, 2 months) of the tribulation. Are we living in the signs of times? We are definitely living in a time to consider it. We are seeing climate change, chaotic events, horrific things occurring....I strongly feel this is the best one in the series.
Read
March 1, 2021I read what I did of this series because it was one of the few books my then-husband would read, and I wanted to be able to discuss books with him. I won't be reading more of these books, or re-reading any of the ones I already read, and reading them didn't help give me and my ex-husband anything interesting to talk about anyway since he didn't want to hear the ways in which my opinion on the series varied from his.
November 13, 2013
See my review of the first half of the series:
http://rwlreviews.blogspot.com/2013/1...
http://rwlreviews.blogspot.com/2013/1...
April 11, 2020
"On the edge series. Just finished Assassins, and now starting The Indwelling👍
April 20, 2018
This was an okay book. I would rate it 2.5 - 2.7 stars rounded up to 3 stars. Its pacing is not quite as "even" as the earlier books. It has some really bad "time jumps" in it; it was really obvious in this book that the authors really needed to do a better job if indicating the passage of time in these books. The character development was weird for a couple of characters [more like a regression, of sorts]. It was an okay book; it was clearly building up to the "ending" [and its subsequent "cliffhanger ending" that the authors went for].
About the "time jumps" and passage of time: it was almost horrible in this book.
I did not necessarily like the character development (or lack thereof) or character regression that went on in the book.
This book did have quite a bit going on in it, to be honest. There was "international intrigue," open rebellions, attempted assassinations and successful assassinations throughout the book, and more prophecy being fulfilled.
One thing that I do like is the book's cover. I love the book's cover! It is beautiful! I think, so far, I have enjoyed all but one of the covers (I was not a big fan of Apollyon's cover, to be honest). This book's cover, with the "sniper scope" view of Israel, was pretty cool.
Overall, I think I did enjoy reading the book a second time around. I know I was not fond of all of the character development (or regression) that occurs, but it is fitting in terms of the plot and the growing intensity of the situations faced by the Tribulation Force members. It was an okay book; it had the occasional "good" moment with plenty of "weak" moments. On to the next book in the series.
About the "time jumps" and passage of time: it was almost horrible in this book.
I did not necessarily like the character development (or lack thereof) or character regression that went on in the book.
This book did have quite a bit going on in it, to be honest. There was "international intrigue," open rebellions, attempted assassinations and successful assassinations throughout the book, and more prophecy being fulfilled.
One thing that I do like is the book's cover. I love the book's cover! It is beautiful! I think, so far, I have enjoyed all but one of the covers (I was not a big fan of Apollyon's cover, to be honest). This book's cover, with the "sniper scope" view of Israel, was pretty cool.
Overall, I think I did enjoy reading the book a second time around. I know I was not fond of all of the character development (or regression) that occurs, but it is fitting in terms of the plot and the growing intensity of the situations faced by the Tribulation Force members. It was an okay book; it had the occasional "good" moment with plenty of "weak" moments. On to the next book in the series.
January 15, 2023
Left Behind VI is done and out of the way.
For a book titled "Assassins", there was really a minimal amount of assassination anything... I suppose Assassins is plural and we did have 1 attempt, 1 success, and a bunch of murder fantasy. Anyways.
We start, as always, with the cast of characters presented with a little bio. Sort of works to catch you up to speed, though the plot moves at a snail's pace, so these don't change much. Of note, Nicolae is described as being in his "mid-thirties" - so forget your villain arc, post-30 is your Antichrist arc.
The book begins with "Thirty-eight months into the tribulation", which I found to be obnoxious. Perhaps I'm just hating too much, but I think you could have gone with "3.1666 years into the tribulation" and it would have been easier to gauge - also you get to use 666 right as shit is about to get real. Could have also started with "Woaaahhhhh, we're nearly halfway there!"
Rayford opens this book with more murderous lust. Literally pleading with god to "appoint him [to kill Nicolae]". That, and his obsession with Hattie, will drive him through the entire book. Ray literally jeopardizes everything, nearly exposing the 'Tribulation Force', all because of his desire to kill Nicolae and track Hattie down. He's almost more obsessed with Hattie than he is with Nicolae. Honestly, Ray should have fucked Hattie early on. It's clear he still thinks with his penis about her. Instead, Ray will blame her for their almost fling (every book so far), get married again (I think that was Book 2, I can't remember), and will still obsess over her every movement (every damn book). I can't believe I have more of a problem with Ray than I do with Buck. Ray, laughably, hates Nicolae so much but is unwilling to take his issues any higher up the chain of command. "Rayford knew Carpathia was merely a pawn of Satan, really part of God's plan for the ages." (p. 5). Sounds like you got a problem with the big boss, as well you should.
In regard to Rayford, LaHaye/Jenkins *almost* do a really smart setup. Credit where it is due. Ray gets a Saber pistol at one point. Down the road, Tsion is going over prophecies and notes that the Antichrist will die from a sword wound to the head. They also separately set up Chaim working on a blade so sharp it appears invisible. All these pieces should be put together by the reader - but no. We get Ray monologue right after the prophecy wherein he lays out 'sword wound? My gun is a Saber... God, please use me.' Just all the potential foreshadowing and misdirection that could have been! Also spoiler for the next book, Ray did not kill Nicolae.
I've not really touched on the False Prophet much because, really, he doesn't do much so far. However, as an over-the-top bad guy as Nicolae has become, Leon (False Prophet dude) is so much worse. No less than 3 times the guy lays out evil plans to a mole. Not because he suspects a mole, or to lay any traps, he just shares everything.
There's the usual bullshit where 'feminism' is used as a joke by believers pretending to be secular. A man is gentlemanly to a woman and she calls it "neanderthal chauvinism". The dude was standing until she sat - it's not a big deal, but you know how them atheists be. Leah, a doctor who joins the "Trib Force", later scolds Rayford that they're all too politically correct and no one has suggested she do anything domestic. She then says she can cook and clean. I'm just appalled that no one offered Leah a wash rag and a vacuum as God intended.
Other religions (and lack of religion), of course, are horribly represented. "We didn't care enough to be atheists, but that's what we practiced. Would have called ourselves agnostics. Sounded more tolerant, less dogmatic."
Nicolae is revealed to be... dun dun dunnnnn... a Satanist. Laughably and regrettably this is what many Christians think Satanism is. Secretly praying to Lucifer for riches and world domination. Purposefully doing all the evil and sin you can in the name of becoming your own god or sticking it to a God you're consciously rebelling against. It's just mind-boggling. I laugh and cry.
And other Christians aren't off the hook either! You know those modern churches? "The people were nice, but it might as well have been a country cub. Lots of social activities, but we didn't feel any closer to God." Later we get bible passes from the KJV and it will surprise no one (I'm sure) to learn that LaHaye was Baptist.
Other fun tidbits:
There's a quote where someone is weeping and "moaning" to God. Excellent use of moaning.
There is a passage where praying for a specific person, who is indeed in trouble, is laid on someone's heart. It strikes me as weird now that an all-powerful, all-knowing being would approach someone and essentially say "I know something you don't. Now ask me to fix it."
Just a wow moment where a Christian tells a non-Christian: "Personally, I'd leave you to die, but God's gonna get you in the end anyway. Read the book. We win."
In the same encounter, this same man says "Much as I'd like to kill a couple of your staff, I promise I won't." All the while the authors desperately try to make the bad guys look bad after the 'good guys' say shit like this (or act like Ray).
Numerous examples of sins being listed out, which seem kind of funny when you're doing down a list of murder, theft (both of which the 'good guys' have proudly done), gambling, porn, using psychics... Some of these aren't like the others.
Another almost cool moment. Nicolae asks the False Prophet, "Who do you say that I am?", mirroring what Jesus asks his disciples. Awesome bit of dialogue... if it were in Book 1 when they were pretending Nicolae wasn't the Antichrist.
There's another... Ok, this book has a few almost cool moments that are spoiled. Leon is talking up how much he worships Nicolae to a man named David.
David responds with how he understands the feeling.
Leon asks who that person is.
David responds that it's his father.
Leon: Oh he must be an extraordinary man. What does he do?
David: He is. He works with his hands.
Leon: Taught you a lot about character. I'd love to meet him one day.
Ok, obvious to the reader that David is talking about Jesus/God. Interesting exchange, there's depth to it... until David goes just too extra with "Oh, you will. I'm certain you'll meet him one day, face-to-face." Come on. Really?
Anyways, Assassins ends with Nicolae being assassinated. He's surprised because the devil lied to him. Everyone is preparing for the 2nd half of the tribulation, where things are going to get a shit-ton crazier.
Just like all the others, it was bad. Not as boring as a few, but less thought out as others.
For a book titled "Assassins", there was really a minimal amount of assassination anything... I suppose Assassins is plural and we did have 1 attempt, 1 success, and a bunch of murder fantasy. Anyways.
We start, as always, with the cast of characters presented with a little bio. Sort of works to catch you up to speed, though the plot moves at a snail's pace, so these don't change much. Of note, Nicolae is described as being in his "mid-thirties" - so forget your villain arc, post-30 is your Antichrist arc.
The book begins with "Thirty-eight months into the tribulation", which I found to be obnoxious. Perhaps I'm just hating too much, but I think you could have gone with "3.1666 years into the tribulation" and it would have been easier to gauge - also you get to use 666 right as shit is about to get real. Could have also started with "Woaaahhhhh, we're nearly halfway there!"
Rayford opens this book with more murderous lust. Literally pleading with god to "appoint him [to kill Nicolae]". That, and his obsession with Hattie, will drive him through the entire book. Ray literally jeopardizes everything, nearly exposing the 'Tribulation Force', all because of his desire to kill Nicolae and track Hattie down. He's almost more obsessed with Hattie than he is with Nicolae. Honestly, Ray should have fucked Hattie early on. It's clear he still thinks with his penis about her. Instead, Ray will blame her for their almost fling (every book so far), get married again (I think that was Book 2, I can't remember), and will still obsess over her every movement (every damn book). I can't believe I have more of a problem with Ray than I do with Buck. Ray, laughably, hates Nicolae so much but is unwilling to take his issues any higher up the chain of command. "Rayford knew Carpathia was merely a pawn of Satan, really part of God's plan for the ages." (p. 5). Sounds like you got a problem with the big boss, as well you should.
In regard to Rayford, LaHaye/Jenkins *almost* do a really smart setup. Credit where it is due. Ray gets a Saber pistol at one point. Down the road, Tsion is going over prophecies and notes that the Antichrist will die from a sword wound to the head. They also separately set up Chaim working on a blade so sharp it appears invisible. All these pieces should be put together by the reader - but no. We get Ray monologue right after the prophecy wherein he lays out 'sword wound? My gun is a Saber... God, please use me.' Just all the potential foreshadowing and misdirection that could have been! Also spoiler for the next book, Ray did not kill Nicolae.
I've not really touched on the False Prophet much because, really, he doesn't do much so far. However, as an over-the-top bad guy as Nicolae has become, Leon (False Prophet dude) is so much worse. No less than 3 times the guy lays out evil plans to a mole. Not because he suspects a mole, or to lay any traps, he just shares everything.
There's the usual bullshit where 'feminism' is used as a joke by believers pretending to be secular. A man is gentlemanly to a woman and she calls it "neanderthal chauvinism". The dude was standing until she sat - it's not a big deal, but you know how them atheists be. Leah, a doctor who joins the "Trib Force", later scolds Rayford that they're all too politically correct and no one has suggested she do anything domestic. She then says she can cook and clean. I'm just appalled that no one offered Leah a wash rag and a vacuum as God intended.
Other religions (and lack of religion), of course, are horribly represented. "We didn't care enough to be atheists, but that's what we practiced. Would have called ourselves agnostics. Sounded more tolerant, less dogmatic."
Nicolae is revealed to be... dun dun dunnnnn... a Satanist. Laughably and regrettably this is what many Christians think Satanism is. Secretly praying to Lucifer for riches and world domination. Purposefully doing all the evil and sin you can in the name of becoming your own god or sticking it to a God you're consciously rebelling against. It's just mind-boggling. I laugh and cry.
And other Christians aren't off the hook either! You know those modern churches? "The people were nice, but it might as well have been a country cub. Lots of social activities, but we didn't feel any closer to God." Later we get bible passes from the KJV and it will surprise no one (I'm sure) to learn that LaHaye was Baptist.
Other fun tidbits:
There's a quote where someone is weeping and "moaning" to God. Excellent use of moaning.
There is a passage where praying for a specific person, who is indeed in trouble, is laid on someone's heart. It strikes me as weird now that an all-powerful, all-knowing being would approach someone and essentially say "I know something you don't. Now ask me to fix it."
Just a wow moment where a Christian tells a non-Christian: "Personally, I'd leave you to die, but God's gonna get you in the end anyway. Read the book. We win."
In the same encounter, this same man says "Much as I'd like to kill a couple of your staff, I promise I won't." All the while the authors desperately try to make the bad guys look bad after the 'good guys' say shit like this (or act like Ray).
Numerous examples of sins being listed out, which seem kind of funny when you're doing down a list of murder, theft (both of which the 'good guys' have proudly done), gambling, porn, using psychics... Some of these aren't like the others.
Another almost cool moment. Nicolae asks the False Prophet, "Who do you say that I am?", mirroring what Jesus asks his disciples. Awesome bit of dialogue... if it were in Book 1 when they were pretending Nicolae wasn't the Antichrist.
There's another... Ok, this book has a few almost cool moments that are spoiled. Leon is talking up how much he worships Nicolae to a man named David.
David responds with how he understands the feeling.
Leon asks who that person is.
David responds that it's his father.
Leon: Oh he must be an extraordinary man. What does he do?
David: He is. He works with his hands.
Leon: Taught you a lot about character. I'd love to meet him one day.
Ok, obvious to the reader that David is talking about Jesus/God. Interesting exchange, there's depth to it... until David goes just too extra with "Oh, you will. I'm certain you'll meet him one day, face-to-face." Come on. Really?
Anyways, Assassins ends with Nicolae being assassinated. He's surprised because the devil lied to him. Everyone is preparing for the 2nd half of the tribulation, where things are going to get a shit-ton crazier.
Just like all the others, it was bad. Not as boring as a few, but less thought out as others.
July 14, 2024
I really like the overall story that is being told and love the characters of Buck and Rayford.
However the same old formula of (pretty good) build up, characters in dire straits, big event at the end told in the last few chapters, before ending on a cliffhanger, is getting a bit tiresome.
I won't be going straight into the next book as feel I need a break. I think as a solo entry book 5, maybe, could be a 4 star read, but as part of the series, I can only give it a 3 ,due to the repetitive nature of the structure used.
However the same old formula of (pretty good) build up, characters in dire straits, big event at the end told in the last few chapters, before ending on a cliffhanger, is getting a bit tiresome.
I won't be going straight into the next book as feel I need a break. I think as a solo entry book 5, maybe, could be a 4 star read, but as part of the series, I can only give it a 3 ,due to the repetitive nature of the structure used.
January 30, 2023
The first time I read this, I thought the "assassins" referred to Nicolae's bad guys. On the second reading, it is the other way around. Decent, if somewhat laborious, take on Rayford's descent into revenge (but also possible restoration).
July 18, 2024
This was another riveting but scary story in the Left Behind series.
It is best to read this series in the right order to be up to date with all the characters and what is going on.
This was not a favourite in the series, but still appreciate how the authors keep the story in line with Revelations.
I listened to the audiobook.
It is best to read this series in the right order to be up to date with all the characters and what is going on.
This was not a favourite in the series, but still appreciate how the authors keep the story in line with Revelations.
I listened to the audiobook.
July 26, 2024
There are more things happening here, and exciting ones!
July 10, 2011
Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins in their book “Assassins” Book Six in the Left Behind series published by Tyndale House Publishers gives us the most thrilling tale yet: Assignment: Jerusalem, Target: Antichrist.
In the Bible book of Revelation it is clearly prophesied that the antichrist will suffer a head wound and die. Captain Rayford Steele wants to be the one who kills Nicolae and fulfills this prophecy. However, he is not the only one who wants Nicolae dead. In the meantime, Nicolae is working to restore order from all the damage that was done from "The Rapture"; he is rebuilding roads and airports and a cellular/solar satellite phone system--all designed to help him become supreme ruler of the world.
The members of the Tribulation Force are fugitives hiding at the safe house where they fear they may have been compromised while at the same time the world is facing more judgement that wipes out a third of the remaining population.
Dr. LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins provide a fictional background for the real events that the final book of The Bible, Revelation, speak about: the end times. The Biblical accuracy in“Assassins” is flawless and the story is a page turning thriller. There are wonderful themes: salvation, faith in what you cannot see and who is in charge despite appearances to the contrary. I do not recommend starting this book late at night because it will cost you sleep as you will not want to put it down. Mr. Jenkins is an excellent writer and knows how to twist your nerve endings as he tightens the suspense. I am looking forward to book seven in this series.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I own this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
In the Bible book of Revelation it is clearly prophesied that the antichrist will suffer a head wound and die. Captain Rayford Steele wants to be the one who kills Nicolae and fulfills this prophecy. However, he is not the only one who wants Nicolae dead. In the meantime, Nicolae is working to restore order from all the damage that was done from "The Rapture"; he is rebuilding roads and airports and a cellular/solar satellite phone system--all designed to help him become supreme ruler of the world.
The members of the Tribulation Force are fugitives hiding at the safe house where they fear they may have been compromised while at the same time the world is facing more judgement that wipes out a third of the remaining population.
Dr. LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins provide a fictional background for the real events that the final book of The Bible, Revelation, speak about: the end times. The Biblical accuracy in“Assassins” is flawless and the story is a page turning thriller. There are wonderful themes: salvation, faith in what you cannot see and who is in charge despite appearances to the contrary. I do not recommend starting this book late at night because it will cost you sleep as you will not want to put it down. Mr. Jenkins is an excellent writer and knows how to twist your nerve endings as he tightens the suspense. I am looking forward to book seven in this series.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I own this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
April 10, 2009
Of all of the "Left Behind" books, this has been the one that disappointed me the most - and also the one which had me grasping for the next book the most, thus earning a 3/5 rather than a 2/5 which I had been planning on giving it up until the last 50 pages or so.
Where it failed: Some of the newer characters were so flat that they were hard to tell apart. I started losing memory for who was what and it seemed as though the same person answered to many different names and genders even. By the end of the book, though, each person's role was a bit more clear to me and thus, their characters (hopefully) will become more developed by the end.
Also, I thought that Chloe was acting out of character a lot. All the rest of the main characters thus far were very vivid, though and that's what kept me reading (besides the whole mystery attached with this book).
And that's where it "got" me, making its rating go up to 3 stars rather than 2. The whole book was a massive build up, padded tightly with so much flat filler and such that it was almost hard to get through, yet by the end of the book? You STILL don't know who did it! Wow. I think that was an amazing risk - and one that worked in this case. Mediocre at best as a work of "literary acclaim", but near-perfect as a device to keep the reader reaching for the next book in the series.
I am anxious to start and finish the next one for sure. This book also beautifully depicted the author's ideas of one way that the prophecies in Revelations would come to fruition. This series is a very entertaining read and it's nice to have "light reading" that also remembers to me my Christianity.
Where it failed: Some of the newer characters were so flat that they were hard to tell apart. I started losing memory for who was what and it seemed as though the same person answered to many different names and genders even. By the end of the book, though, each person's role was a bit more clear to me and thus, their characters (hopefully) will become more developed by the end.
Also, I thought that Chloe was acting out of character a lot. All the rest of the main characters thus far were very vivid, though and that's what kept me reading (besides the whole mystery attached with this book).
And that's where it "got" me, making its rating go up to 3 stars rather than 2. The whole book was a massive build up, padded tightly with so much flat filler and such that it was almost hard to get through, yet by the end of the book? You STILL don't know who did it! Wow. I think that was an amazing risk - and one that worked in this case. Mediocre at best as a work of "literary acclaim", but near-perfect as a device to keep the reader reaching for the next book in the series.
I am anxious to start and finish the next one for sure. This book also beautifully depicted the author's ideas of one way that the prophecies in Revelations would come to fruition. This series is a very entertaining read and it's nice to have "light reading" that also remembers to me my Christianity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2020
I learned something myself from this book. I like the series so far but this book had me thinking at first “first of all, God would never support his followers committing murder so what are they thinking here? Also, if the Tribulation Force are such believers they must know that the antichrist will reign for so many years so any attempt to kill him is futile anyway!” So I continued to read it, because I will be reading the whole series, but those plot holes had me wondering, and then I came up with a solution. Maybe Rayford finally gets the opportunity to slay Carpathia but God stays his hand? That could be plausible, I guess. Rayford is still only human so maybe he is just misinterpreting what God is trying to tell him to do? So I posed my questions to my brother, who is a Baptist School Teacher in Marana, AZ. of many years and he stated that in the Bible the antichrist does indeed get slain by a wound and comes back to life, and this is how he convinces his followers he is Jesus. Personally, I think they all must be dumb as rocks because even a blind man can see that Carpathia is nothing more than a sleazy snake in the grass! But anyway, my bible knowledge is incomplete right now as I have never read it cover to cover but I am actually on year 2 chapter 2 of my bible in 3 years plan on the you bible app so I’ll be interested next year in finally being able to actually compare the book of revelations with this series. I can’t wait!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2020
Did not enjoy this book at all, probably because there isn’t decent rising action to the climax. There should have been a combo of internal and external conflict clearly stated for each main character and development of those ideas to the climax and resulting resolution or conclusion. I felt like the book just chugged along and me too while reading it.
The book tries to address too many things within the characters, but the ideas do not develop well or the character development is split between two or three books in a somewhat confusing way. There is no character development per book as a reader would expect. Everything is too sudden and I found myself falling out of love for the characters with the exception of Tsion and Jacov and possibly Chaim. I also do not see the point in many of the women’s characters with the possible exception of Hattie.
I also did not appreciate the racists and prejudice comments toward Black people and women and men. At one point a woman puts down a man for standing in respect when she enters a room. A man showing special respect for a woman should not be considered wrong. In fact the Bible teaches men to have respect for women because they are equal heirs in the gift of Christ.
The one thing I liked about this book was its continued presentation of the gospel.
The book tries to address too many things within the characters, but the ideas do not develop well or the character development is split between two or three books in a somewhat confusing way. There is no character development per book as a reader would expect. Everything is too sudden and I found myself falling out of love for the characters with the exception of Tsion and Jacov and possibly Chaim. I also do not see the point in many of the women’s characters with the possible exception of Hattie.
I also did not appreciate the racists and prejudice comments toward Black people and women and men. At one point a woman puts down a man for standing in respect when she enters a room. A man showing special respect for a woman should not be considered wrong. In fact the Bible teaches men to have respect for women because they are equal heirs in the gift of Christ.
The one thing I liked about this book was its continued presentation of the gospel.
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