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The Great and Terrible #1-6
Great and Terrible: The Complete Series
This thrilling series by national bestselling author Chris Stewart takes us from the beginning of time to the final hours of the last days. Filled with rumors of wars and political intrigues, deadly epidemics and economic disasters, uplifting twists and inspiring miracles, the volumes in The Great and Terrible series reveal the greatest secret of The children of God can defeat the adversary, for we have fought him before.
1457 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 21, 2012
151 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Chris Stewart
146 books278 followersChris Stewart is a bestselling author and world-record-setting Air Force pilot whose previous military techno-thrillers have been selected by the Book of the Month Club and published in six different countries. He is the author of the highly acclaimed series The Great and Terrible, as well as A Christmas Bell for Anya, which was performed with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir during their 2005 Christmas concert. He has also been a guest editorialist for the Detroit News, commenting on matters of military readiness and national security. He is president of The Shipley Group, a nationally recognized consulting and training company and founder of the Utah Renaissance and Leadership Center.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 1, 2016
Chris Stewart is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and this five-part series The Great and Terrible features a family from the beginning of time to the final hours of the last days of Earth. Filled with wars and political intrigues, epidemics and economic disasters, Stewart writes like Tom Clancy, with the same military knowledge. I also am a church member and enjoyed the scriptural references in the fight between good and evil. I think any Christian would enjoy the series.
January 4, 2015
This series of books gave a lot to ponder--suspenseful, mostly realistic and believable (He did have to push a little to fit Gospel points in.), and a range of emotions stirred up.
His style of writing was flat. He did use the words "literally" and "babe" much too much.
Most of his characters were believable. He did have to push for all the plots and people to come together.
I did like the book because it did give a lot of food for thought. Thoughts about where we are headed.
From Prologue from Where Angels Fall book #2:
"When people become physically comfortable, the truth is ignored. And when they become wealthy, the truth is despised.
So it was that, as the world grew rich, the Deceiver spread his evilness. Like spoiled children in a nursery always crying for more, screaming and pouting because they didn't get their share, the people became so self-centered and selfish they were incapable of good. In this ground of rot, the hate of God began to take hold. Shrill voices began screeching against that which was good. Women cast off their children as if they were scars. Men abandoned their families, while children reviled their parents and lost themselves in new pleasures so acute they bordered on pain. Gender was lost and the concept of marriage was destroyed. Some people worshipped their bodies. Some worshipped their minds. Most worshipped nothing.
And the heavens wept for the children who wee born into a world without hope.
And still the hate grew. Public figures rose up, brainless and empty, spewing vile rhetoric against their own nations and the freed that had once made them great, Great leaders preached the loathing of anything decent or good. Hypocritical of the failings of virtue, endlessly forgiving of the failures of vice, the world grew ripe, like an apple stored in a damp cellar too long. Though the outward appearance didn't show it, the earth had rotted inside. The peel remained red and supple, if perhaps a bit wrinkled, but on the inside the world was a worm-filled and putrid mass of brown pulp. What appeared to be well and healthy was, underneath the peeling, sick to core."
I had to read twice because the series has so much to take in.
His style of writing was flat. He did use the words "literally" and "babe" much too much.
Most of his characters were believable. He did have to push for all the plots and people to come together.
I did like the book because it did give a lot of food for thought. Thoughts about where we are headed.
From Prologue from Where Angels Fall book #2:
"When people become physically comfortable, the truth is ignored. And when they become wealthy, the truth is despised.
So it was that, as the world grew rich, the Deceiver spread his evilness. Like spoiled children in a nursery always crying for more, screaming and pouting because they didn't get their share, the people became so self-centered and selfish they were incapable of good. In this ground of rot, the hate of God began to take hold. Shrill voices began screeching against that which was good. Women cast off their children as if they were scars. Men abandoned their families, while children reviled their parents and lost themselves in new pleasures so acute they bordered on pain. Gender was lost and the concept of marriage was destroyed. Some people worshipped their bodies. Some worshipped their minds. Most worshipped nothing.
And the heavens wept for the children who wee born into a world without hope.
And still the hate grew. Public figures rose up, brainless and empty, spewing vile rhetoric against their own nations and the freed that had once made them great, Great leaders preached the loathing of anything decent or good. Hypocritical of the failings of virtue, endlessly forgiving of the failures of vice, the world grew ripe, like an apple stored in a damp cellar too long. Though the outward appearance didn't show it, the earth had rotted inside. The peel remained red and supple, if perhaps a bit wrinkled, but on the inside the world was a worm-filled and putrid mass of brown pulp. What appeared to be well and healthy was, underneath the peeling, sick to core."
I had to read twice because the series has so much to take in.
September 24, 2020
Could not put the series down!
Remarkable in the writing! I became part of the Brighton family and felt all their emotions! Drew me in and I had to know how light would triumph!
Remarkable in the writing! I became part of the Brighton family and felt all their emotions! Drew me in and I had to know how light would triumph!
March 24, 2018
This has been the most riveting series I have read in my life! I'm so glad I'm a Mormon & so thankful my husband & I
O were married in the beautiful Logan Temple. He has been "gone" now for nearly 41years, with our 13 year old son. They were killed in a farm accident together but we have had the most beautiful experiences. I know we will live "together" again because we have been told by "them". I am a 76 year old widow and handicapped so I have a lot of time to read and I love LDS authors. Keep producing your wonderful books because I'm going to read many more of them! Thank you so much!
Karen P. Stoddard
O were married in the beautiful Logan Temple. He has been "gone" now for nearly 41years, with our 13 year old son. They were killed in a farm accident together but we have had the most beautiful experiences. I know we will live "together" again because we have been told by "them". I am a 76 year old widow and handicapped so I have a lot of time to read and I love LDS authors. Keep producing your wonderful books because I'm going to read many more of them! Thank you so much!
Karen P. Stoddard
February 18, 2017
The first part of the series was a little hokey but as I got more and more into the story, it became more interesting. Great plot and I enjoyed the author's writing style. He does a little too much description of the surroundings, weather, etc. so I skim read those parts which didn't enhance the plot but I still found the book to be very enjoyable. I will definitely recommend it to my Christian friends!
May 26, 2017
Wonderful series! The LDS reader can really get to feel the thinness of the veil. This well written series will tug at your heartstrings and you will feel you are in right in the thick of the battle between good and evil. I very much enjoyed this series of books.
February 7, 2016
I would describe this series as the LDS version of the "Left Behind Series". It held me in suspense and completely immersed in the series. I loved this story as my rating describes.
January 17, 2020
I loved all of the books in this series. Chris Stewart has a way of making the books come to life and feel real with the characters. They start out with the premortal life being taught by our Father in Heaven and our Savior. All of Gods children being prepared to come to earth. He tells of the great Council in Heaven and Satan or Lucifer leading lots of Gods spirit children away. The books tell of some of Gods children coming to earth and the families they are born into. All the books are very good. The author tells of what it might be like in the last days the wars and some of the terrible things that may happen. I quite like his take of the spirit helping Gods children to follow the light.
June 6, 2022
A must read for every righteous patriot
If you wonder if miracles are still among us, this book will give you hope. Though it is fiction, like a all good fiction, it is fact based on the knowledge and understanding that despite the raging of evil all around us, evil will fail and God will come to bring His children home. Until that day, we do not stand alone. Those who loved us before love us still and work to give us hope help, and peace in the battle.
A great faith building series I am so grateful was written.
If you wonder if miracles are still among us, this book will give you hope. Though it is fiction, like a all good fiction, it is fact based on the knowledge and understanding that despite the raging of evil all around us, evil will fail and God will come to bring His children home. Until that day, we do not stand alone. Those who loved us before love us still and work to give us hope help, and peace in the battle.
A great faith building series I am so grateful was written.
April 16, 2025
Hanging By A Thread...!
This book series keeps me looking for more and teaches what the United States of America might be like if we are hit by an E.M.P.
The books teach about world governments and evil men that seek to destroy us. They teach how evil works and how God counters that evil. This land of America 🇺🇸 is a choice land for believers in God and Jesus Christ.
It was fascinating from the beginning and hard to put down, especially towards the end. May we all commit to loving our freedom more and be willing to defend her no matter the cost!
Steven J. Orme
This book series keeps me looking for more and teaches what the United States of America might be like if we are hit by an E.M.P.
The books teach about world governments and evil men that seek to destroy us. They teach how evil works and how God counters that evil. This land of America 🇺🇸 is a choice land for believers in God and Jesus Christ.
It was fascinating from the beginning and hard to put down, especially towards the end. May we all commit to loving our freedom more and be willing to defend her no matter the cost!
Steven J. Orme
September 16, 2021
I know this sounds strange but I was inspired by these books. Inspired to be better and do better. It reawakened my faith in personal revelation and modern day miracles. This series isn't scripture by any means. But it not only keeps you on the edge while trying to figure out the events that are happening but it also inspires the reader to reevaluate their own faith.
June 4, 2025
An uplifting and tense ride!
You will like this one. Fast paced and well written it pulls together story lines for a rich conclusion. A good over evil story with fun twists and turns.
You will like this one. Fast paced and well written it pulls together story lines for a rich conclusion. A good over evil story with fun twists and turns.
January 11, 2026
I’ve read this series many times. I keep on returning to it and it keeps on inspiring me. I think about the story and the characters all the time. Absolutely love this series, I can’t wait to read it with my kids when they grow up.
May 20, 2017
Really good series. Really suspenseful.
March 15, 2018
This was the best series I've read yet in this genre. There were some slow parts in the last book, but overall it was amazing.
March 20, 2019
2/2019: reread series for fifth or sixth time
April 17, 2019
A 👍 read
Could not put down until all where read (lost a lot of sleep).
At this time in history, I am frightened by what is happening.
Could not put down until all where read (lost a lot of sleep).
At this time in history, I am frightened by what is happening.
April 19, 2019
Would give it 5 but the end wasn’t wrapped up enough. The love story especially.
February 7, 2020
Absolutely loved. Such good stories all intertwined without confusion! Hooray! Well written. Loved the overall message.
April 16, 2020
I started reading these books in May 2006. Awesome books of fiction of heaven and earth -very good!
January 19, 2023
Read this!!
Love this series!! Engrossing adventures!
You won't regret buying this series!
It's meant for teenagers, but this old fart loved it
Love this series!! Engrossing adventures!
You won't regret buying this series!
It's meant for teenagers, but this old fart loved it
February 5, 2026
My favorite series by an LDS author.
February 13, 2026
fantastic
This is the second time I’ve read this series and it’s fantastic! Definitely worth the read! You’ll enjoy every second.
This is the second time I’ve read this series and it’s fantastic! Definitely worth the read! You’ll enjoy every second.
July 27, 2019
Book
I have to do this review so I can move on with my life so here it is. Would not read again.
I have to do this review so I can move on with my life so here it is. Would not read again.
February 15, 2017
It had its moments, but I didn't feel like it was incredibly well written.
February 25, 2015
Not quite a 4 for me. The idea is enchanting, and allows me to think about the things I know versus the things that I speculate regarding pre-mortal, mortal, and post-mortal life. I honestly have not finished the series due to the fact that I was tired of reading about destruction. I needed something more uplifting and a little less predictable. However, the predictableness in the story made me really ponder predictability of my life. While as the character in my own story, I am unable to make predictions about my life, I am sure if my life were a book series, and I could see the end and understand the knowledge of the spiritual order, my life would be predictable. Thank goodness for the Gospel of Jesus Christ that lets me have piece in such an unpredictable way.
July 21, 2016
This series was interesting. I like certain books in the series more than others. The last few get pretty intense and I now want to move to New Zealand even more (just kidding...kind of) I found the ideas of premortal life interesting (although not always how I imagine it) but I was especially intrigued by the authors idea of how Satan and his followers tempt us in this life often through individuals thoughts. It's easy to get down on yourself and it is hard to combat negative feelings and discouragement if it's yourself but I don't allow anyone to dictate how I am feeling/acting so the possibility that those negative thoughts are from an evil spirit helps me to resist them more fully and stay more positive and focused on being and doing good.
July 5, 2015
Awesome but scary.
This series was well worth my time. It made me think about what could have happened before we came to earth and what could happen toward then end when the savior would return again.
This series was well worth my time. It made me think about what could have happened before we came to earth and what could happen toward then end when the savior would return again.
March 31, 2014
Fascinating look at political and social what ifs.
April 22, 2015
Love this author!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews