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12:19
12:19…The time has been set…
Violet and Johnny Dotson pull up stakes and relocate to the beautiful countryside near Asheville, North Carolina in an attempt at starting their lives over after series of miscarriages. Unbeknownst to them they have actually been summoned there by a higher power.
Locked away in a mountaintop mental institution, J.C., a mysterious man who was the only survivor found at the scene of a brutal murder/suicide, will only utter five words… “I am the son of God.”
Strange events centered around the unknown patient spur Detective Tom Drayton to connect several bizarre deaths to the time of 12:19.
Armed with an old priest’s advice and a touch of new found faith, Tom follows a path that could very well lead him to the destruction of all mankind. But is he doing God’s bidding, or could he in fact be the dreaded serpent himself?
12:19…The clock is ticking….
Violet and Johnny Dotson pull up stakes and relocate to the beautiful countryside near Asheville, North Carolina in an attempt at starting their lives over after series of miscarriages. Unbeknownst to them they have actually been summoned there by a higher power.
Locked away in a mountaintop mental institution, J.C., a mysterious man who was the only survivor found at the scene of a brutal murder/suicide, will only utter five words… “I am the son of God.”
Strange events centered around the unknown patient spur Detective Tom Drayton to connect several bizarre deaths to the time of 12:19.
Armed with an old priest’s advice and a touch of new found faith, Tom follows a path that could very well lead him to the destruction of all mankind. But is he doing God’s bidding, or could he in fact be the dreaded serpent himself?
12:19…The clock is ticking….
- GenresHorror
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2013
2 people are currently reading
462 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 7, 2013
12:19 was labeled 'horror' and it lives up to the promise. Infinito writes a different point of view for the battle between good and evil, not explaining too much, so the reader isn't really sure where the bad guys are hiding until Michael is ready. By that time, you're going to just be peaking for one more page to see where the story really goes.
12:19 is particularly scary on various levels. There was a time when I was ready to say "Too much." and quit reading, but that seemed like a cop-out for the characters who had to stay and either live with their fate or change it. I don't usually choose horror but am lightly acquainted with the author, so when he brought up the possibility of a review, I figured it would be good just to see if this guy had something going.
The book intends, IMO, to test the reader's spiritual depth and maturity. Infinito makes no effort to make evil even moderately sympathetic; good has a real battle on the various levels of heaven to win out. So, where are you? 12:19 is not for the faint of heart. A scary, spiritual book that isn't written by or to be read by goody-two-shoes. The profanity and prurient parts would warm the cockles of a gangsta's heart. But the story is there and it flows through the crevasses of terror in proper order.
So, thank you, Michael, for asking me to review your book. If you hadn't brought it up, I wouldn't have come to the party.
12:19 is particularly scary on various levels. There was a time when I was ready to say "Too much." and quit reading, but that seemed like a cop-out for the characters who had to stay and either live with their fate or change it. I don't usually choose horror but am lightly acquainted with the author, so when he brought up the possibility of a review, I figured it would be good just to see if this guy had something going.
The book intends, IMO, to test the reader's spiritual depth and maturity. Infinito makes no effort to make evil even moderately sympathetic; good has a real battle on the various levels of heaven to win out. So, where are you? 12:19 is not for the faint of heart. A scary, spiritual book that isn't written by or to be read by goody-two-shoes. The profanity and prurient parts would warm the cockles of a gangsta's heart. But the story is there and it flows through the crevasses of terror in proper order.
So, thank you, Michael, for asking me to review your book. If you hadn't brought it up, I wouldn't have come to the party.
June 13, 2013
In his second novel, Michael Infinito does not disappoint. 12:19 is a page-turning, suspenseful read with a very intriguing premise. This was a book that I simply could not put down. Infinito keeps the pace pretty breakneck. This book is filled with shocking twists and turns that you'll never see coming. Several times I found myself gasping audibly and having to pick my jaw up off the floor! Just when you think you've got it all figured out, the book turns everything you know on its head. These are my favorite kinds of reads. You won't be able to sleep after you've read this--and I think that's a sign of a great writer. Atmospheric, creepy, and pulse-pounding! Don't miss this one!
June 12, 2013
Years ago I read a little book called The Exorcist and thought I would never read another book in the same league. This novel will rock your world. Very clever and raw. Stephen King look out, Infinito might take your horror king title!
September 2, 2022
Absolutely brilliant! This is how a horror novel should be written, from the very first page one is glued to it, and you are pulled into the narrative. This is one creepy book. I would recommend this to any horror fan. This is not your normal good versus evil novel. This will definitely not disappoint.
December 18, 2016
This is a very creepy book. I have to admit I jumped a few times while reading it when I heard strange noises. That hasn't happened for a while.
12:19 refers to the biblical passage that says, "Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord". The numbers also happen to keep showing up in strange places, primarily crime scenes and room numbers.
In the opening chapters, police find a man named, "J.C." hiding in a bathtub. When asked who he is (or when asked anything), he only says that he is the Son of God. So begins the story. No one believes he is the Son of God, although he looks just like typical depictions of him throughout history, so he is sent to a mental institution, which, of course, leads to the question: What would happen if the Son of God actually did return to earth? Would we believe him, would we send him to a mental institution, or would we kill him all over again? I sure don't know the answer.
Strange things keep happening and those numbers keep showing up. Soon, a nurse at the mental institution starts to believe he is the Son of God. She is reeling from having several miscarriages and she had her tubes tied so she doesn't have to go through that nightmare again. She is vulnerable because she can't have a baby and this "man" know that and uses her desperation to impregnate her--and not via normal means.
Soon, the question becomes: Is J.C. the Son of God or the Devil and people find themselves caught up in the battle between good and evil. One former police officer finds himself at the center of the battle. He wants to do the right thing, but he also wants to protect his family, but if he makes the wrong choice, does that mean the end of the world? Is the nurse pregnant with the Anti-Christ or the Son of Christ?
There are some very violent scenes and some sexually explicit scenes, but they fit right in with the story. The two issues I had with the book were: 1. I thought the dialogue between the characters was very simplistic; and 2. The author pretty much tells us who J.C. is instead of letting us figure it out for ourselves.
As I originally said, I was creeped out by the book and it did scare me a couple of times, so it accomplished its goal. It is at times hopeful and, at other times, hopeless. It makes you very aware that evil exists in the world, but so does good and we need to learn how to distinguish between the two.
I definitely recommend the book, but probably read it during the day or you might not sleep much that night.
I somehow have the Kindle version of the book even though Amazon says it isn't available. Should I be worried about that?
12:19 refers to the biblical passage that says, "Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord". The numbers also happen to keep showing up in strange places, primarily crime scenes and room numbers.
In the opening chapters, police find a man named, "J.C." hiding in a bathtub. When asked who he is (or when asked anything), he only says that he is the Son of God. So begins the story. No one believes he is the Son of God, although he looks just like typical depictions of him throughout history, so he is sent to a mental institution, which, of course, leads to the question: What would happen if the Son of God actually did return to earth? Would we believe him, would we send him to a mental institution, or would we kill him all over again? I sure don't know the answer.
Strange things keep happening and those numbers keep showing up. Soon, a nurse at the mental institution starts to believe he is the Son of God. She is reeling from having several miscarriages and she had her tubes tied so she doesn't have to go through that nightmare again. She is vulnerable because she can't have a baby and this "man" know that and uses her desperation to impregnate her--and not via normal means.
Soon, the question becomes: Is J.C. the Son of God or the Devil and people find themselves caught up in the battle between good and evil. One former police officer finds himself at the center of the battle. He wants to do the right thing, but he also wants to protect his family, but if he makes the wrong choice, does that mean the end of the world? Is the nurse pregnant with the Anti-Christ or the Son of Christ?
There are some very violent scenes and some sexually explicit scenes, but they fit right in with the story. The two issues I had with the book were: 1. I thought the dialogue between the characters was very simplistic; and 2. The author pretty much tells us who J.C. is instead of letting us figure it out for ourselves.
As I originally said, I was creeped out by the book and it did scare me a couple of times, so it accomplished its goal. It is at times hopeful and, at other times, hopeless. It makes you very aware that evil exists in the world, but so does good and we need to learn how to distinguish between the two.
I definitely recommend the book, but probably read it during the day or you might not sleep much that night.
I somehow have the Kindle version of the book even though Amazon says it isn't available. Should I be worried about that?
August 4, 2014
I had very high hopes for 12:19. Unrealistically high. Though wary of books only made available as cheap Kindle downloads, I always feel a burst of curiosity anytime someone other than Ted Dekker releases a new Christian horror novel. Show me an author who writes good Christian horror, and I'll be a life-long fan.
12:19, unfortunately, neither packs a punch nor says anything particularly meaningful regarding God or the Christian experience. This is a novel in which Satan shoots lightning bolts from his fingertips and the hero is protected by an ancient prophecy whose origins are never explained.
I will give Mr. Infinito some credit, though. The set-up is actually pretty good. My biggest complaint about the first half of the novel is that I felt it should have been longer, more fleshed out. I was engaged and wanted more.
Then I passed the halfway point. I was expecting Infinito to provide some kind of twist on the stereotypical birth-of-the-antichrist plot line, but, no, the end result was derivative and entirely predictable--not to mention unbearably corny. You'd be better off watching the made-for-television OMEN IV: THE AWAKENING.
Then there's the Christian element, which often feels very confused. For example, what's up with all the ghosts, especially those of the murdered children? Infinito infuses his novel with certain story elements that make for scary, interesting scenes and images but seemingly don't make much sense in retrospect. Plus, as much as I long for edgy Christian fiction (if 12:19 is indeed intended as Christian fiction), parts of the book strike me as unnecessarily graphic--almost offensively so. Infinito's choice in expletives sometimes feels over-the-top, and I'm not sure why one of the female characters acts pleased to have been anal-raped, even if it was by her husband.
The bottom line is that, despite all the glowing five-star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, you should think long and hard before investing your time in this book. People that compare Michael Infinito to Stephen King, and 12:19 to IT and THE EXORCIST must live in a different universe than I do. Keep an eye on future releases from Infinito, because the man's got potential. He's just not living up to it yet.
12:19, unfortunately, neither packs a punch nor says anything particularly meaningful regarding God or the Christian experience. This is a novel in which Satan shoots lightning bolts from his fingertips and the hero is protected by an ancient prophecy whose origins are never explained.
I will give Mr. Infinito some credit, though. The set-up is actually pretty good. My biggest complaint about the first half of the novel is that I felt it should have been longer, more fleshed out. I was engaged and wanted more.
Then I passed the halfway point. I was expecting Infinito to provide some kind of twist on the stereotypical birth-of-the-antichrist plot line, but, no, the end result was derivative and entirely predictable--not to mention unbearably corny. You'd be better off watching the made-for-television OMEN IV: THE AWAKENING.
Then there's the Christian element, which often feels very confused. For example, what's up with all the ghosts, especially those of the murdered children? Infinito infuses his novel with certain story elements that make for scary, interesting scenes and images but seemingly don't make much sense in retrospect. Plus, as much as I long for edgy Christian fiction (if 12:19 is indeed intended as Christian fiction), parts of the book strike me as unnecessarily graphic--almost offensively so. Infinito's choice in expletives sometimes feels over-the-top, and I'm not sure why one of the female characters acts pleased to have been anal-raped, even if it was by her husband.
The bottom line is that, despite all the glowing five-star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, you should think long and hard before investing your time in this book. People that compare Michael Infinito to Stephen King, and 12:19 to IT and THE EXORCIST must live in a different universe than I do. Keep an eye on future releases from Infinito, because the man's got potential. He's just not living up to it yet.
March 13, 2014
This book and I had issues. I love horror, but it was hard for me to stay in this book. Not for the blood and gore (which, while I normally hate, didn't mind in here), but for the constant jumps in time. I had a hard time keeping up with the timeline because we were always jumping ahead. Action 1 ends and the next paragraph or chapter opens up days to weeks in the future and moves far too fast. Because of this, I felt like I was less reading a novel and more like moving on a roller coaster to the next scene. Normally, I have a problem thinking a book can be stretched out or stuff taken out to make it flow better, this one needed to be made into more than one book. I felt like there was too much plot crammed into a single book. By the time it ended, I was left going, "Um, what happened and when?" What felt like only hours or days in the book were actually weeks or months down the plot road.
I might read his other book, it's been on my list, but I'll be a bit wary now.
I might read his other book, it's been on my list, but I'll be a bit wary now.
July 3, 2014
Okay book.
The book starts off well and engages the reader to continue reading, however at times felt childish and almost too fiction. The sex scenes were awkward and abrupt and the authors choice of words in certain aspects just seemed plain odd. Overall if your into religion (which I am not) you will more than likely enjoy this book. The battle between good and evil is evident throughout the entire book.
The book starts off well and engages the reader to continue reading, however at times felt childish and almost too fiction. The sex scenes were awkward and abrupt and the authors choice of words in certain aspects just seemed plain odd. Overall if your into religion (which I am not) you will more than likely enjoy this book. The battle between good and evil is evident throughout the entire book.
September 29, 2013
Michael has written an awesome fiction book of faith. He takes a different path and writes a suspenseful, entertaining, riveting page turner.
I have read two of Michael's books and I look forward to reading many more.
You will find 1219 worth reading at anytime, but be ready to not put it down.
Bravo Michael!!!!
I have read two of Michael's books and I look forward to reading many more.
You will find 1219 worth reading at anytime, but be ready to not put it down.
Bravo Michael!!!!
August 25, 2015
1219 By Michael Infinito
This is by far one of the best books I have read. I couldn't put it down! It grabbed me from the very first and kept me till the last word. It is very well written and keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. I can definitely see this as a movie. Can not wait to read more of Michael Infinito's books.
This is by far one of the best books I have read. I couldn't put it down! It grabbed me from the very first and kept me till the last word. It is very well written and keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. I can definitely see this as a movie. Can not wait to read more of Michael Infinito's books.
August 19, 2013
If you are a fan of Stephen King, then this book is for you. There is a lot of horror, blood, and terrifying images, yet I couldn't tear myself away from the book. Will good win over evil? Sometimes it is doubtful! This is well written with solid characters. Infiniti is an author on the rise!
December 25, 2013
This book was so good, I couldn't put it down! It was a good vs evil, thriller, mystery, Rosemary's Baby type of scary story. Just when you think it's all going to work out, something else unexpected happens. As another reviewer said, I was hooked from page one!
July 3, 2013
Fantastic from the first paragraph on. This is the best horror/thriller since IT by Stephen King. His novel In Blog We Trust was just as good. I want more!!
February 16, 2014
Fast paced and action packed. This isn't for the faint of heart.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews