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Righteous #7
Hell’s Fortress
Environmental disaster, war, and government dissolution have plunged the outside world into chaos, leaving the embattled polygamist community of Blister Creek facing a host of dire challenges as their lifesaving resources grow treacherously low. When one of their beloved members gets lost in the desert, Dr. Jacob Christianson agrees to send out an expedition that includes his sister, Eliza. But danger follows the search group, literally: nefarious armed drones hover overhead, ready to strike the rescuers at a moment�s notice.
Greater troubles soon arise for Jacob and his followers. Refugees from a now-defunct government camp in Utah are making their way to the compound, demanding food and supplies from the community of dedicated believers. This is the end-of-the-world scenario that Jacob and the rest of Blister Creek�s denizens prepared for�and feared more than anything. Now, Jacob�s faith will be tested as he decides between doing what is right�and what is necessary to survive.
Greater troubles soon arise for Jacob and his followers. Refugees from a now-defunct government camp in Utah are making their way to the compound, demanding food and supplies from the community of dedicated believers. This is the end-of-the-world scenario that Jacob and the rest of Blister Creek�s denizens prepared for�and feared more than anything. Now, Jacob�s faith will be tested as he decides between doing what is right�and what is necessary to survive.
- GenresThrillerScience Fiction
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2014
31 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
About the author
Michael Wallace
73 books320 followersWould you like an alert when the next Michael Wallace book is published? Sign up for Michael's email list and receive a free Kindle copy of The Righteous novella "Trial by Fury." This list is used to announce new releases and occasional offers of free advance copies, not for any other purpose.
Michael also welcomes email from readers at m.wallace23(at)yahoo(dot)com.
Michael also welcomes email from readers at m.wallace23(at)yahoo(dot)com.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 31, 2014
At the end of Gates of Babylon, The, I was pretty well convinced that author Michael Wallace had come to hate his characters. After all, he had put Jacob Christianson and the rest of the Blister Creek residents into a world where a supervolcano eruption on the other side of the planet had quite literally created World War III due to crop failure, etc.
Midway through Hell's Fortress, I realized that wasn't it at all. He was presenting a clear picture of how the polygamist cult in which he was brought up would be viewed by the world in the event of catastrophe ... and it's not always pretty. Starving refugees start showing up at Blister Creek because they have been told that there is two years' worth of food there -- and there is.
Jacob, the extremely reluctant "prophet" of the group tries to reason with the refugees, even giving them some food in exchange for taking his sister, Eliza, and two others out of the valley. Eliza is trying to fid her FBI agent fiancé, Steve, who had gone to Los Angeles the previous year and disappeared. Instead, the refugees abduct four members of Blister Creek, steal their supplies to add to those given, and dump them in the middle of the desert.
The mistake they make here is that Sister Miriam was once FBI agent Haley Kite ... and she's pretty good at what she does. Including killing people.
So, we have the simultaneous plot lines of Eliza, Miriam, et al., trying to get to Los Angeles while Jacob tries to balance being the "prophet" (he is not a believer) with being a physician who wants to help people.
I think Wallace may have his head back in the game on this one.
Midway through Hell's Fortress, I realized that wasn't it at all. He was presenting a clear picture of how the polygamist cult in which he was brought up would be viewed by the world in the event of catastrophe ... and it's not always pretty. Starving refugees start showing up at Blister Creek because they have been told that there is two years' worth of food there -- and there is.
Jacob, the extremely reluctant "prophet" of the group tries to reason with the refugees, even giving them some food in exchange for taking his sister, Eliza, and two others out of the valley. Eliza is trying to fid her FBI agent fiancé, Steve, who had gone to Los Angeles the previous year and disappeared. Instead, the refugees abduct four members of Blister Creek, steal their supplies to add to those given, and dump them in the middle of the desert.
The mistake they make here is that Sister Miriam was once FBI agent Haley Kite ... and she's pretty good at what she does. Including killing people.
So, we have the simultaneous plot lines of Eliza, Miriam, et al., trying to get to Los Angeles while Jacob tries to balance being the "prophet" (he is not a believer) with being a physician who wants to help people.
I think Wallace may have his head back in the game on this one.
October 12, 2014
Post apocalypse thriller, but not your normal one, this is by the grace of God. In a world ripped apart by a mega volcanic eruption a religious cult in southern Utah, USA tries to defend their town and survive. You would expect a religious group would be welcoming and helpful, not this one. The story quickly splits in two with Eliza and companions seeking to rescue her fiancée Steve in LA, with her father Jacob Blister Creek's leader organising the defence. The author clearly illustrates how far people will go to survive regardless of religion or creed. It is an entertaining read however a little irritating with continual referencing to their religious beliefs and lifestyle which I find totally alien.
May 20, 2018
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
Environmental disaster, war, and government dissolution have plunged the outside world into chaos, leaving the embattled polygamist community of Blister Creek facing a host of dire challenges as their lifesaving resources grow treacherously low. When one of their beloved members gets lost in the desert, Dr. Jacob Christianson agrees to send out an expedition that includes his sister, Eliza. But danger follows the search group, literally: nefarious armed drones hover overhead, ready to strike the rescuers at a moment’s notice.
Greater troubles soon arise for Jacob and his followers. Refugees from a now-defunct government camp in Utah are making their way to the compound, demanding food and supplies from the community of dedicated believers. This is the end-of-the-world scenario that Jacob and the rest of Blister Creek’s denizens prepared for—and feared more than anything. Now, Jacob’s faith will be tested as he decides between doing what is right…and what is necessary to survive.
*2.5 stars*
This is a tricky one for me. I will keep this review short as I don't know if I have a lot of words for it!
The positive: the writing style. The relentless, urgent action all the way through the book. Some great characters, Jacob in particular. The scenarios as they play out are well-considered.
The negatives: just too much religious referencing. Too much preaching. Not that I find Christian fiction bad. This was just TOO much.
Overall, I think reading the whole series would benefit the reader for taking in the whole storyline and character developments. But if it means being subjected to more religious barrages hiding under the curtain of "plot", then maybe now...
Paul
ARH
Environmental disaster, war, and government dissolution have plunged the outside world into chaos, leaving the embattled polygamist community of Blister Creek facing a host of dire challenges as their lifesaving resources grow treacherously low. When one of their beloved members gets lost in the desert, Dr. Jacob Christianson agrees to send out an expedition that includes his sister, Eliza. But danger follows the search group, literally: nefarious armed drones hover overhead, ready to strike the rescuers at a moment’s notice.
Greater troubles soon arise for Jacob and his followers. Refugees from a now-defunct government camp in Utah are making their way to the compound, demanding food and supplies from the community of dedicated believers. This is the end-of-the-world scenario that Jacob and the rest of Blister Creek’s denizens prepared for—and feared more than anything. Now, Jacob’s faith will be tested as he decides between doing what is right…and what is necessary to survive.
*2.5 stars*
This is a tricky one for me. I will keep this review short as I don't know if I have a lot of words for it!
The positive: the writing style. The relentless, urgent action all the way through the book. Some great characters, Jacob in particular. The scenarios as they play out are well-considered.
The negatives: just too much religious referencing. Too much preaching. Not that I find Christian fiction bad. This was just TOO much.
Overall, I think reading the whole series would benefit the reader for taking in the whole storyline and character developments. But if it means being subjected to more religious barrages hiding under the curtain of "plot", then maybe now...
Paul
ARH
August 20, 2017
Fast-paced, action-filled, intrigue, and suspense
What more could you want in a book? Michael Wallace writes so compellingly to keep your interest in finding out what will happen next. Everything does not always goes as planned, so adjustments are made. I am sure you will enjoy this book as much as I did.
What more could you want in a book? Michael Wallace writes so compellingly to keep your interest in finding out what will happen next. Everything does not always goes as planned, so adjustments are made. I am sure you will enjoy this book as much as I did.
June 4, 2017
Enjoyed this book pretty well. Nothing spectacular, but that's what I needed right now as well - something simple to digest and follow. Apparently the world really is coming to an end. Cliffhanger ending here as well, so more to come.
December 2, 2014
Via Goodreads First Reads:
The biggest challenge I had reading this book was looking past my built-in aversion to organized religion and doomsday cults. Because, once I worked through those obstacles, I found Wallace's offering to be rather tight, fast-moving, and entertaining.
The biggest endorsement I can give the author's writing skills is the fact that, by the end of the book, he had me rooting for the success of characters who possessed traits and views I would normally find reprehensible. Sure, part of that success was my ingrained fandom for humans in the face of post-apocalyptic madness, but the rest, in fact the majority, was Wallace's ability to make me see the characters as flawed people who, despite views I might consider childish and immature, are doing the best they can in a very bad situation.
As the 7th book in a series, and having not read any of the prequels, I grant that I've missed a lot of the development of plot and people, but it still works as a stand-alone. The main characters inspire sympathy, the antagonists occasionally do the same, and despite an ending lifted right from a Harlequin romance, the interactions are capably realistic.
As far as complaints, one is the consistently anticlimactic way in which deaths are presented. Simply, if I'm going to become jaded by characters dying, I'd prefer it to be because my mind has gone that route, not because the author's has. Also, as in the ending, the book is at times formulaic, which means I know what is going to happen before it does, from which people will die, to how it's going to happen. Example? When a good guy (woman) slurps from a muddy puddle, and pages later you come upon dozens of people dead of cholera, you know who's next in line.
But in the end, it's entertaining, and with so many books that don't even meet that standard, that's a plus. However, I don't feel inspired to fill in the blanks, past or future. So this is a one-off for me. That said, thanks for the experience.
The biggest challenge I had reading this book was looking past my built-in aversion to organized religion and doomsday cults. Because, once I worked through those obstacles, I found Wallace's offering to be rather tight, fast-moving, and entertaining.
The biggest endorsement I can give the author's writing skills is the fact that, by the end of the book, he had me rooting for the success of characters who possessed traits and views I would normally find reprehensible. Sure, part of that success was my ingrained fandom for humans in the face of post-apocalyptic madness, but the rest, in fact the majority, was Wallace's ability to make me see the characters as flawed people who, despite views I might consider childish and immature, are doing the best they can in a very bad situation.
As the 7th book in a series, and having not read any of the prequels, I grant that I've missed a lot of the development of plot and people, but it still works as a stand-alone. The main characters inspire sympathy, the antagonists occasionally do the same, and despite an ending lifted right from a Harlequin romance, the interactions are capably realistic.
As far as complaints, one is the consistently anticlimactic way in which deaths are presented. Simply, if I'm going to become jaded by characters dying, I'd prefer it to be because my mind has gone that route, not because the author's has. Also, as in the ending, the book is at times formulaic, which means I know what is going to happen before it does, from which people will die, to how it's going to happen. Example? When a good guy (woman) slurps from a muddy puddle, and pages later you come upon dozens of people dead of cholera, you know who's next in line.
But in the end, it's entertaining, and with so many books that don't even meet that standard, that's a plus. However, I don't feel inspired to fill in the blanks, past or future. So this is a one-off for me. That said, thanks for the experience.
October 7, 2014
REVIEW: HELL'S FORTRESS by Michael Wallace
The newest thrilling installment in author Michael Wallace's RIGHTEOUS Series finds the isolated, currently self-sustaining polygamist community of Blister Creek, Utah facing some of its greatest fears and foes. In a community isolated by environment and politics, one which is theocratic and depends on reliance on their deity, someone has to be the spokesperson--and in Blister Creek, that is Dr. Jacob Christiansen, who leads wisely if not always well. The combination of an approaching band of rag-tag refugees, coinciding with an organized assault by military drones, catalyzes divegency of opinion about his leadership and about whom most clearly understands the directives of the Lord in regards to the future of Blister Creek.
I reviewed this as an ARC via NetGalley; but as soon as I finished, I started from scratch and am reading the series from Book 1.
The newest thrilling installment in author Michael Wallace's RIGHTEOUS Series finds the isolated, currently self-sustaining polygamist community of Blister Creek, Utah facing some of its greatest fears and foes. In a community isolated by environment and politics, one which is theocratic and depends on reliance on their deity, someone has to be the spokesperson--and in Blister Creek, that is Dr. Jacob Christiansen, who leads wisely if not always well. The combination of an approaching band of rag-tag refugees, coinciding with an organized assault by military drones, catalyzes divegency of opinion about his leadership and about whom most clearly understands the directives of the Lord in regards to the future of Blister Creek.
I reviewed this as an ARC via NetGalley; but as soon as I finished, I started from scratch and am reading the series from Book 1.
November 3, 2014
This was a Goodreads giveaway winner.
I did rather like this, despite the somewhat predicable plot line and conclusion. It was a story all to its own. There is some setup for future stories. This appears to me to be setting up for a series. Now I know what all of those doomsday preppers are storing up. I goes to show you that a strong family/community/religion can persevere. I did think that the bad guy could have been just a little tougher and relentless, but it can be a fine line between realistic and over the top. I can't say I am anxious for more, but I did enjoy this story.
This was a Goodreads.
I did rather like this, despite the somewhat predicable plot line and conclusion. It was a story all to its own. There is some setup for future stories. This appears to me to be setting up for a series. Now I know what all of those doomsday preppers are storing up. I goes to show you that a strong family/community/religion can persevere. I did think that the bad guy could have been just a little tougher and relentless, but it can be a fine line between realistic and over the top. I can't say I am anxious for more, but I did enjoy this story.
This was a Goodreads.
March 14, 2015
You can find more reviews Mademoisellesnow Blog
Only after reading this book I realised that this was 7th book in a series. This actually made a lot of sense to me now that I know. As while I was reading it there were references that I didn’t quite understand. Other than that I did really enjoy reading the book. I loved the characters, the plot was quite intense and there were a lot of strong family/community/religion beliefs. I felt that the bad guy could have been better. I quite enjoyed the darkness in this book and would be interested in reading the rest to get the full story.
Only after reading this book I realised that this was 7th book in a series. This actually made a lot of sense to me now that I know. As while I was reading it there were references that I didn’t quite understand. Other than that I did really enjoy reading the book. I loved the characters, the plot was quite intense and there were a lot of strong family/community/religion beliefs. I felt that the bad guy could have been better. I quite enjoyed the darkness in this book and would be interested in reading the rest to get the full story.
October 12, 2014
In a world that's falling apart with nuclear war, famine and a nation tearing itself apart, the Blister Creek community still tries to protect their way of life. Eliza ventures out with Miriam, the ex FBI agent, to find her partner and along the way they have to avoid the post-apocalyptic hell of Las Vegas - is it really the End Times and for how long will the One Mighty and Strong be tested? Another great read in a series that has definitely taken a darker turn.
April 1, 2015
The 7th novel in the Righteous Series does not provide what I expected from it.
I was hoping for a Mad Max sort of post-apocalyptic landscape and instead fell into a world of religious sects, polygamy and prophecy. Far less action and thrills and way too much moral/quasi-religious posturing.
Just not my type of book. Sort of reminded me of the dreadful Ted Dekker novels that pose as 'horror' but are merely Christian fiction. If I want to be preached to I'll watch a televangelist.
I was hoping for a Mad Max sort of post-apocalyptic landscape and instead fell into a world of religious sects, polygamy and prophecy. Far less action and thrills and way too much moral/quasi-religious posturing.
Just not my type of book. Sort of reminded me of the dreadful Ted Dekker novels that pose as 'horror' but are merely Christian fiction. If I want to be preached to I'll watch a televangelist.
November 21, 2014
I really liked this series. This is book #7 and there will be one more which I have already preordered. I do feel that the series is about used up and hope he gets back to some of his other projects, like his Devil's series. I will read the next book book because it is his last. but if there were any more I think I would probably stop here.
April 27, 2015
Hell's Fortress (Righteous Series #7)
Again, this book did not disappoint. It was full of disappointment, hard times, and a whole lot of love from the Christianson family, that I have become so close to, it's just like being there with them. The author has done it again.
Thanks Michael Wallace. Great read! Now on to the next one in the series "Blood of the Faithful".
Again, this book did not disappoint. It was full of disappointment, hard times, and a whole lot of love from the Christianson family, that I have become so close to, it's just like being there with them. The author has done it again.
Thanks Michael Wallace. Great read! Now on to the next one in the series "Blood of the Faithful".
May 20, 2015
I won this book in a Goodreads give-away.
November 4, 2014
Action, Adventure & A Great Ending!
January 15, 2015
Loved it
Good story line and lots of nail biting action. Couldn't put my reader down. Intend to read the entire series.
Good story line and lots of nail biting action. Couldn't put my reader down. Intend to read the entire series.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews