End of the Beginning

by Jon Snyder

Before they became the immortal angels of legend, before Lucifer fell, their civilization was the crowning jewel of creation... Gabrius, a humble stargazer and astronomer must decipher messages written into the very fabric of the cosmos in order to unravel the growing corruption of The Lightbringer before he becomes the greatest villain of all time and powerful enough to open a portal into heaven itself. The war that ensues transcends this earth and the seven Seraphim must hone their unique powers to lead the fight for all they hold true as they rise to meet their destiny as heroes of legend and before the cataclysmic end of their race's reign on earth. This is the original epic saga between good and evil as it has never been told.

Genres: Science Fiction

322 pages, Paperback

First published March 13, 2013

About the author

As an author, I don't think I fall into any of the typical stereotypes. I don't own a tweed jacket or smoke a pipe. I'm not the "booky type": I'm hardly introverted and you'll seldom find my nose buried in a book (though you might if I had a few more hours in the day). I'd rather be on a jiu jitsu mat than in a library...

I could go on, but one thing is certain: I was born to write.

You'd think that I would have figured that out sooner than my mid thirties. All the signs were there... started reading at age 3; love writing and won about every writing or poetry contest I entered from a young age through college; scored a perfect on the English SAT's (just don't ask about my math score); always found that writing was an outlet for my emotions or creative thoughts; and consequently amassed copious random Word documents on every topic of interest that I could ponder. When I finally compiled some of them and published my first book, I still don't know that I really realized, "Ooh... I'm an author." I guess sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees... but eventually it all clicked into place.

My books are about as eclectic and a-stereotypical as I am. I write fiction because I love to fantasize. I write non-fiction because I love the things that God teaches me and need to share them with the world. I'm launching the "End of the Beginning" series, starting with "Fall of the LightBringer", which is a "prequel" to every angel book ever written and chronicles their world and race before they became immortal angelic beings. "The Mighty Man Manual" and "Diamond in the Rough" reflect more of the scholastic side of my personality with a very transparent lens. Some lessons I've had to learn the hard way... but the lesson has been learned. In that, if it saves someone from having to learn the hard way, that is all the reward for which I could ask.

As for my life... I am happily married for more than ten years with three magical and beautiful children who thrill my soul. God still manages to thrill my soul too. May your true loves also always be growing. There's so much more to say about me... and nothing more.

Best and blessings to you all. Thanks for reading.

Jon

Reviews

[Jon Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

For an author review, I'm admittedly biased. However, this book is truly original: I don't think anyone has ever written a "prequel", if you will, to the origins of angels. So in that, this book stands alone, while staying true to the historical/mythological origins of the characters in both their personality and powers to create a world that is original, imaginative, magical, mystical and compelling.

As a sci-fi, fantasy novel, this book has it all: action, adventure, romance, mysticism, wisdom, and more. But I would caution any reader who has an aversion to spirituality (the lore that shaped this novel is based largely in Christian mystical writings about angels). So if Christian themes and symbolism offend, this is not the book for you. For everyone else, I believe this novel will resonate on some really deep levels for you.

Here's the synopsis:
Earth's ancient heroes and man's oldest and most dreaded foe collide in the greatest epic saga ever known to man. BEFORE their race became the mystical beings we now call angels, they ruled the earth as mortals in an age of mystery.

Gabrius, a humble stargazer and astronomer must decipher cryptic messages as ancient as the universe itself to unravel the growing corruption of the Lightbringer before he is overtaken by the greatest villain of all time. The world as we know it hangs in the balance as one man learns to follow his heart against impossible odds and discover his true power and a destiny that has since become legend. As the Lightbringer's power grows, the seven high Seraphim must hone their unique mystical abilities to lead the fight for all they hold true and rise to meet their destiny as heroes of legend to prevent the cataclysmic end of their race's reign on earth.

In a rich, epic adventure that gives new wings to the original war between good and evil, we unlock answers to some of the greatest mysteries of the ages and catch a unique glimpse into the secrets of the unseen realms.

Thanks for reading everyone. My heartfelt thanks. Please write a review and vote for EOTB on lists.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book needs to become a movie! Not to give away too much with spoilers - but the scene near the end when everyone is fighting together and everyone has their powers was awesome.

A little critique - as a Christian reader, I heard it was a Christian fantasy book and at first i was wondering where the Christian influence was. But it is definitely in there as you read on - but not in a way that you wouldn't like it if you aren't a Christian. I think the writer did a good job taking this topic, which is Classically Christian and making it accessible for everyone. Christians really attacked Tolkien for having magic and things in the Lord of the Rings - but that is what made it accessible for all audiences. This book is kind of like that. It started with more mysticism and stuff like that but got more and more inspirational as you read. Again, slight spoiler but when Gabrius goes forward in time and meets "the teacher"... i cried.

the whole book kind of builds like that. The inspiration builds. The action builds. The romance angle builds (but not over the top). Definitely worth a read.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read the four chapter sample, but I still wanted to say what I thought about it.

So this is supposedly a book about angels, but already from the start we are told that it's not the same as other stories.
We meet both good and evil, we get to see pictures of the flower of life, the tree of life and maps of stars and the history of this universe, which I appreciated a lot.
Suddenly our good hero Helel is transported to the chaos of the modern world (has the dark lord anything to do with this?), and danger calls.

So yeah, this seems like a good book, with some religion and mythology mixed into it, in its own unique way.

[Jean Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This innovative novel does an intriguing job creating a world before we know it with characters that had a lot of personality and depth. I've read other angel books that had really wooden, static characters and I was surprised how much I liked the characters, the story and the concept. Well done & a great read. I couldn't put it down.

[Muez]

like writing for me

[Gaute · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book.

[Afia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi

[Rosewood · Rating 5 out of 5]

'End of the Beginning' is a rarely discussed subject. A dream or illusion, this fiction unfolds during an era before angels came into existence in the universe. The author imagines a mighty civilization of mortals whose heritage eventually evolves into the legendary angelic beings. Their society is revered as “the pinnacle of creation,” yet it stands precariously close to ruin.
(Although souls and angels are distinct, angels being servants of God and do not possess the ability to commit evil. However, they may be punished if they err.
The core of the tale is Gabrius, a humble astronomer and stargazer. He embarks on a cosmic mission to decode cryptic messages embedded within the very fabric of the universe, aiming to expose a malignant corruption threatening his world.
The story portrays the transformation of a mythic angelic society, which stands as the crowning jewel of creation. (In fact, angels were created millions of years after the universe came into existence and will continue to evolve until the last day.)
The Lightbringer, whose power is rapidly intensifying, is a sinister entity destined to become the supreme villain nearing the point where he can wield powers capable of opening a gateway to heaven.
The 7 Seraphim, protectors gifted with mystical abilities, unite to confront the growing evil of the Lightbringer. They strive to prevent a catastrophe that could annihilate their species on Earth, The Earth a tiny dot in the vast universe.
I recommend this book to young readers as well as to those interested in both scientific perspectives and spirituality. the tale is rich with mysticism, creative fusion, spiritual themes, tradition, fiction, adventure, and thrill.

[Kabita Sahu]

Read now

[Americanenglishexper · Rating 5 out of 5]

great. I also suggest The Last Pharaoh: Mubarak and the Uncertain Future of Egypt in the Obama Age
http://www.amazon.com/Last-Pharaoh-Mu...