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The Age of Apollyon Trilogy #2
Black Sun
A NEW LEADER WILL EMERGE...
A NEW TERROR WILL RISE...
A NEW AGE OF DARKNESS WILL BEGIN.
The Church of Satan is leaderless, and the Christian church seizes this opportunity to rise up and reclaim that which was taken from them. From the ashes of despair, a bright star rises to lead them into glory. But even the darkness can wear a mask made of light...
After the nightmare at the Temple of the Dragon, Patric Bourdon finds himself a prisoner of the very people he despises. His courage and his faith are battered as he discovers that no one can be trusted. His heart is also torn between the anguish of betrayal and the possibility of a fresh start, although a horrific secret threatens any happiness he hopes to find. In his struggle against the world and against himself, he must learn that every choice has its price, and that every sin must be punished...
The forces of Heaven and Hell prepare meet on a sacred battlefield, and an unquenchable darkness spreads throughout mankind. The world will know that righteousness can be infected with corruption and ruin, and that even the strongest hearts can fail. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess: He who wields the power of the sun is Lord.
A NEW TERROR WILL RISE...
A NEW AGE OF DARKNESS WILL BEGIN.
The Church of Satan is leaderless, and the Christian church seizes this opportunity to rise up and reclaim that which was taken from them. From the ashes of despair, a bright star rises to lead them into glory. But even the darkness can wear a mask made of light...
After the nightmare at the Temple of the Dragon, Patric Bourdon finds himself a prisoner of the very people he despises. His courage and his faith are battered as he discovers that no one can be trusted. His heart is also torn between the anguish of betrayal and the possibility of a fresh start, although a horrific secret threatens any happiness he hopes to find. In his struggle against the world and against himself, he must learn that every choice has its price, and that every sin must be punished...
The forces of Heaven and Hell prepare meet on a sacred battlefield, and an unquenchable darkness spreads throughout mankind. The world will know that righteousness can be infected with corruption and ruin, and that even the strongest hearts can fail. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess: He who wields the power of the sun is Lord.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
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126 people want to read
About the author
Mark Carver
27 books74 followersMARK CARVER writes edgy, intense Christian fiction that illuminates the truth of the Gospel while not shying away from dark and challenging topics. He also writers lighter, more inspirational stories under a pen name to avoid confusing his readers. Mark lives with his family in north Georgia, where he enjoys art, literature, nature, and gardening.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 9, 2013
A little more like 3.5 stars. It continues the interesting, end-times turned upside down world of the first book, but it almost gets too frenetic at times, especially at the end. The series is still great for people who like the end times, but can't really enjoy Left Behind.
Europe is suffering through the aftermath of the assassination of the Voice of Satan by Touric, who had become the pawn of a demonic woman in white. His brother Patric has become the captive of unknown people, and Father Demarco has barely survived being attacked. It looks like phase two of Satan's plan is beginning to commence. Open warfare between Christians crying for vengeance from all the persecution, and overcome by hate, and the Satanists, who are trying to transition to a plan in the hopes of corrupting the very church they have tried to destroy for so long. Patric, try as he might just to live a life free of cross or crucifix, keeps getting drawn in...
What's good about the sequel is that it doesn't suddenly cop-out, and turn to all honey, light, and conversion. The ideas and reactions are timely and realistic, because after years of overt persecution, it wouldn't really take much to nudge many nominal Christians into violence against their persecutors. Sadly, we see this in many African nations today, and it's not something you see covered a lot in Christian fiction.
Patric's journey to find Natasha and just make sense of things continues, and it's good as well. He really just wants peace and freedom from torment, and while you know redemption is coming, it's sure not going to be easy. Father Demarco as well is the conscience of the book, but a human one, and his despair at watching fellow believers fall prey to temptation feels real.
The only problem is that it gets a bit too much at times. It seems like far too many Christians are easily manipulated or bloodthirsty, and a few characters swing wildly back and forth from "I want Patric dead," and "I will forgive him, or try to." More characters like the French President, who occupy a middle ground, would be nice. In the first book, it was apparent that Touric was representative of a militant, but smaller faction of believers. In here it seems suddenly reversed, and demonic deception can only explain this so much.
The ending too is a little much. Not so much the plot, which is very good, but what they do to Patric is really theatrical. It's going to be a very interesting third book, for sure. This book is pretty edgy, so warnings for language and content. People who watch movies like the Omen or The Exorcism of Emily Rose won't mind.
So to sum it up, I liked the book. The plot goes in interesting directions, and it's still a good take on end times novels. It's a little more frenetic than the first book, with less ambiguity, but sets up what will be an interesting dilemma-can the persecuted refrain from being the new persecutors?
Europe is suffering through the aftermath of the assassination of the Voice of Satan by Touric, who had become the pawn of a demonic woman in white. His brother Patric has become the captive of unknown people, and Father Demarco has barely survived being attacked. It looks like phase two of Satan's plan is beginning to commence. Open warfare between Christians crying for vengeance from all the persecution, and overcome by hate, and the Satanists, who are trying to transition to a plan in the hopes of corrupting the very church they have tried to destroy for so long. Patric, try as he might just to live a life free of cross or crucifix, keeps getting drawn in...
What's good about the sequel is that it doesn't suddenly cop-out, and turn to all honey, light, and conversion. The ideas and reactions are timely and realistic, because after years of overt persecution, it wouldn't really take much to nudge many nominal Christians into violence against their persecutors. Sadly, we see this in many African nations today, and it's not something you see covered a lot in Christian fiction.
Patric's journey to find Natasha and just make sense of things continues, and it's good as well. He really just wants peace and freedom from torment, and while you know redemption is coming, it's sure not going to be easy. Father Demarco as well is the conscience of the book, but a human one, and his despair at watching fellow believers fall prey to temptation feels real.
The only problem is that it gets a bit too much at times. It seems like far too many Christians are easily manipulated or bloodthirsty, and a few characters swing wildly back and forth from "I want Patric dead," and "I will forgive him, or try to." More characters like the French President, who occupy a middle ground, would be nice. In the first book, it was apparent that Touric was representative of a militant, but smaller faction of believers. In here it seems suddenly reversed, and demonic deception can only explain this so much.
The ending too is a little much. Not so much the plot, which is very good, but what they do to Patric is really theatrical. It's going to be a very interesting third book, for sure. This book is pretty edgy, so warnings for language and content. People who watch movies like the Omen or The Exorcism of Emily Rose won't mind.
So to sum it up, I liked the book. The plot goes in interesting directions, and it's still a good take on end times novels. It's a little more frenetic than the first book, with less ambiguity, but sets up what will be an interesting dilemma-can the persecuted refrain from being the new persecutors?
March 30, 2013
‘Black Sun’ is the second book in ‘The Age of Apollyon’ trilogy by Mark Carver, and I have to say that in terms of quality I feel it not only equals, but probably surpasses that of the excellent first book.
I won’t risk giving away any spoilers by commenting on the events in the story. All the elements I enjoyed from book one are carried through to the sequel, with a very high standard of writing, intelligent storyline and well thought out world. This is quite a short novel but there’s no filler here. It is fast paced and a definite page turner. It seems more of a thriller than the first book and also has a bit more of a darker tone to it. The story has a more thoughtful side too though and I felt that older characters were given more depth as the story progresses, as well as some interesting new characters introduced. Patric in particular becomes a more sympathetic character and someone I felt I could identify with. I really enjoyed the finale and the ending manages to complete a main part of the story whilst setting things up brilliantly for the final part of the trilogy.
If you enjoyed the ‘The Age of Apollyon’, you will not be disappointed by the sequel. I hope to see a lot more by Mark Carver in the future.
I won’t risk giving away any spoilers by commenting on the events in the story. All the elements I enjoyed from book one are carried through to the sequel, with a very high standard of writing, intelligent storyline and well thought out world. This is quite a short novel but there’s no filler here. It is fast paced and a definite page turner. It seems more of a thriller than the first book and also has a bit more of a darker tone to it. The story has a more thoughtful side too though and I felt that older characters were given more depth as the story progresses, as well as some interesting new characters introduced. Patric in particular becomes a more sympathetic character and someone I felt I could identify with. I really enjoyed the finale and the ending manages to complete a main part of the story whilst setting things up brilliantly for the final part of the trilogy.
If you enjoyed the ‘The Age of Apollyon’, you will not be disappointed by the sequel. I hope to see a lot more by Mark Carver in the future.
February 28, 2013
Timely novel with the Pope's retirement.This was like riding a roller coaster,hands in the air at all times, waiting to free fall, total rush!.This a hard to put down novel.
April 13, 2015
This second book in the series ripped my guts out. After the eyebrow raising, edge of my seat, tour-de-force of the first book, the sequel did the best it could to rip my guts out. We follow the character and there are so many times my heart just crashed and burned. The people of God were deceived by the Satan himself acting as an angel of light. And Mark's portrayal of this element of Satan's ability to deceive is profound.
For that matter I'm grateful he used this element and drove it home time and time again. Father Demarco stood alone for much of the book but his perseverance was truly an inspiration. He held fast to God even when it didn't make sense. When everything around is insane as it was in this book. His agony for the Christian who were turning into terrorists and killing people in the name of the Lord, was gut-wrenching.
Patric's character really starts to develop a lot as he is torn between the cross and the pentagram, Satan and God. And what happens to him towards the end just tore me up. Patric went through a lot and most of the time you're thinking, 'How can one man handle this much pain!"
A wonderful story.
For that matter I'm grateful he used this element and drove it home time and time again. Father Demarco stood alone for much of the book but his perseverance was truly an inspiration. He held fast to God even when it didn't make sense. When everything around is insane as it was in this book. His agony for the Christian who were turning into terrorists and killing people in the name of the Lord, was gut-wrenching.
Patric's character really starts to develop a lot as he is torn between the cross and the pentagram, Satan and God. And what happens to him towards the end just tore me up. Patric went through a lot and most of the time you're thinking, 'How can one man handle this much pain!"
A wonderful story.
April 22, 2013
I loved The Age of Apollyon and was hoping for a great sequel. Mr. Carver did not disappoint! Black Sun picks up where Age left off. Right in the middle of the hell on earth where Satan rules and anarchy prevails. Black Sun continues with the edge of your seat reading style from the first book. If you haven't read the first book in the series you'll want to get both of them so you don't need to pause. Incredibly written and breath taking visualization a that will keep you reading and begging for the next book to be released. I was disappointed when it ended only because I know it will be some time before the next book arrives. Fantastic 5 star novel, once again Mark Carver hits it out of the park. Love love love this book.
Disclaimer: This book was received as an early review copy.
Disclaimer: This book was received as an early review copy.
July 16, 2015
As groundbreaking as The age of Apollyon was, the sequel takes everything from it and expands a touch and improves on the very few things wrong with the first. By the time I was in part 3, I was so hooked in what would happen next, I had to find out how it would end. I can see why Mr. Carver's hands were shaking when he finished writing it.
Warning! This is not your LB-loving End Times series- it's better!
Warning! This is not your LB-loving End Times series- it's better!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews