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MPire #2
Death Cometh
A Necessary Evil... Mallory Towneson Haulm, financial wizard and consummate ladies man, brings the four horsemen to completion as he reluctantly embraces his destined charge as Death. While struggling to maintain his lavish façade, Mallory witnesses bits of his glamorous world slipping through his hands. How can he balance his earthly paradise with his diabolical calling of the earth's fate? And then there was one... Death Cometh divulges life shattering secrets that move Heaven and Earth as Mallory's true destined charge transforms him, requiring him to take his rightful place. However, his father, Malcolm is not quite ready to relinquish control. The battle lines have been drawn and the most consecrated ritual will allow only one to be Death. Who will survive? An Epic Tale of Biblical Proportions... Join Mallory, once again, as he journeys through the twists and deceit of this family saga.
300 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2009
57 people want to read
About the author
T.L. James
11 books87 followersTL James, born and raised in Houston, Texas, studied English at the University of Houston and Texas Southern University and graduated with an MBA from LeTourneau University.
There is where she cultivated an interest in biblical studies which is woven throughout the trilogy. She spent most of her educational career traveling and working in varies cities where she has met many characters and personalities for her fiction.
She often found her inspiration in the sound of her son's small steady breaths while he slept. As she developed the storyline for this labor of love, she worked tirelessly with her son constantly tucked around her waist. After eight months of sleepless nights, The MPire trilogy was completed.
As an avid reader of literature, her favorite authors are F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ray Bradbury. Lately, her guilty indulgence is E. Lynn Harris, her favorite contemporary author.
There is where she cultivated an interest in biblical studies which is woven throughout the trilogy. She spent most of her educational career traveling and working in varies cities where she has met many characters and personalities for her fiction.
She often found her inspiration in the sound of her son's small steady breaths while he slept. As she developed the storyline for this labor of love, she worked tirelessly with her son constantly tucked around her waist. After eight months of sleepless nights, The MPire trilogy was completed.
As an avid reader of literature, her favorite authors are F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ray Bradbury. Lately, her guilty indulgence is E. Lynn Harris, her favorite contemporary author.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 28, 2008
I jumped on a roller coaster when I got this book. You see this is the second book in the Mpire Trilogy. I decided to start there.
To me one of the first factors in determining if a series is good or not, is being able to jump in at any point and still understand the gist of the story.
The answer here is yes, the author takes a complex and deep subject and weaves it into a page-turning story about one family's destiny, without preaching or bogging me down with the usual religiosity that comes with the usual fictional takes on the subjects.
The book has an amazingly simple, but deep plot - the man who has everything, also has something that none of us wants - a place in the four horseman of the apocalypse.
I love sci-fi and fantasy books and the paranormal. I like to get lost in them, and that was easy in this book. James writes clearly and deliberately. Her style has a certain kick to it, that I can relate to.
You can envision the scenes, which really helps the books flow. After reading "Death cometh," I will definietly go back and read "In Search of the Lost,' the first part of the trilogy.
This is a roller coaster I want to ride again.
To me one of the first factors in determining if a series is good or not, is being able to jump in at any point and still understand the gist of the story.
The answer here is yes, the author takes a complex and deep subject and weaves it into a page-turning story about one family's destiny, without preaching or bogging me down with the usual religiosity that comes with the usual fictional takes on the subjects.
The book has an amazingly simple, but deep plot - the man who has everything, also has something that none of us wants - a place in the four horseman of the apocalypse.
I love sci-fi and fantasy books and the paranormal. I like to get lost in them, and that was easy in this book. James writes clearly and deliberately. Her style has a certain kick to it, that I can relate to.
You can envision the scenes, which really helps the books flow. After reading "Death cometh," I will definietly go back and read "In Search of the Lost,' the first part of the trilogy.
This is a roller coaster I want to ride again.
January 11, 2009
Mallory Towneson Haulm is back: bigger and badder than ever.
Okay, I sound like a commercial, but I’m Just Sayin though.
In Book One, Mallory faced two dilemmas: Join his family or remain on his own and
What to do about Matthew.
The family part was easy since Mallory signed some document which said if he didn’t become a part of Haulm Industries Company he would forfeit his own beloved Towneson Financial.
The Matthew part??? Oh man…where do I start? Completely unnatural to begin with, their relationship is complicated by so many outside factors. There’s Brielle, a female version of Matthew who’s convinced Mallory was fated to be her mate. There’s Stacy, the 19 year old virgin Mallory was forced to marry. Why? That’s another of those mysteries everyone seems to know except Mallory. And why can’t Mallory remember?
The most difficult obstacle to overcome however is Matthew himself. Matthew has always known Mallory’s true identity, yet Mallory doesn’t find out who Matthew really is until the end of book one, where Matthew’s fate is left up in the air.
Most of Book Two concentrates on Mallory’s relationship with his father and his family. It’s finally revealed why Malcolm hates Mallory so much, but even that is deeper than it appears to be. Is Mallory Malcolm’s son or isn’t he? And how much does Malcolm know about Mallory’s parentage?
There’s also an ugliness at the bottom of Malcolm’s abusive behavior. It culminates in an absolutely shocking revelation, and an even more hideous event, but the mystery of Mallory’s mental blocks is finally solved. In the meantime, Malcolm has refused to step down as Death, and the only way Mallory can take his rightful spot may be to kill his father. Despite the terror Mallory feels in Malcolm’s presence, there’s a part of Mallory that longs for a real father-and-son relationship with Malcolm. He’s determined not only to break Malcolm down and force him to step aside as the current Death, but also to force the man to love and accept him as one of his own. For the most part Malcolm is confused as to how Mallory could still love him at all after all the terrible things he’s done to Mallory. Mallory is also determined to break through the wall of disrespect and hurtful comments that stands between him and his oldest brother Marc. Meanwhile, Marc is on a quest to find and slay the Final. Since he wants Mallory (whom he views as weak and ineffective) dead anyway, will knowing Mallory is the Final make it easier for him?
Marc isn’t the only one sworn to kill the Final, though. Everyone thinks Matthew is dead, killed in a rage by Malcolm, but Matthew and Mallory know better. When Mallory’s wife Stacy turns up pregnant, Matthew and Mallory are the only two who know Mallory couldn’t possibly be the father. Appearing to have sired a child might temporarily hide Mallory’s identity as the Final from his family, but when Matthew demands his son back can Mallory sacrifice a child that means the world to him? And how can Mallory and Matthew fulfill their true destinies and meet in the ultimate battle if they can’t stop loving each other, even for a little while? Will Mallory be able to break it off or will he risk everything: his family, his fortune, the sanctity of HIC, even his life, for a forbidden few moments of pleasure?
Hat’s off again to author TL James and her incredible writing talent. A new publisher brings a much better edited manuscript to the fore, something the story that James has crafted truly deserves. In a more perfect world neither she nor I would have to use a nine- size font in order to make our work commercially viable. True readers would welcome the scope of our stories without Hators declaring, “That’s a Big A$$ Book.”
After all: if kids around the globe will read a 700+ page Harry Potter book and Sistah Souljah can put out a 500+ page sophomore novel ten years after her debut, then why won’t readers accept a well written, witty book which delves into deep subject matter simply because it tops the 300 page mark?
In the words of that esteemed Negro philosopher Princess “Baby Girl” Davis:
You figure.
Trinia, I’m eagerly anticipating Book Three.
Let A Sista Know…
Okay, I sound like a commercial, but I’m Just Sayin though.
In Book One, Mallory faced two dilemmas: Join his family or remain on his own and
What to do about Matthew.
The family part was easy since Mallory signed some document which said if he didn’t become a part of Haulm Industries Company he would forfeit his own beloved Towneson Financial.
The Matthew part??? Oh man…where do I start? Completely unnatural to begin with, their relationship is complicated by so many outside factors. There’s Brielle, a female version of Matthew who’s convinced Mallory was fated to be her mate. There’s Stacy, the 19 year old virgin Mallory was forced to marry. Why? That’s another of those mysteries everyone seems to know except Mallory. And why can’t Mallory remember?
The most difficult obstacle to overcome however is Matthew himself. Matthew has always known Mallory’s true identity, yet Mallory doesn’t find out who Matthew really is until the end of book one, where Matthew’s fate is left up in the air.
Most of Book Two concentrates on Mallory’s relationship with his father and his family. It’s finally revealed why Malcolm hates Mallory so much, but even that is deeper than it appears to be. Is Mallory Malcolm’s son or isn’t he? And how much does Malcolm know about Mallory’s parentage?
There’s also an ugliness at the bottom of Malcolm’s abusive behavior. It culminates in an absolutely shocking revelation, and an even more hideous event, but the mystery of Mallory’s mental blocks is finally solved. In the meantime, Malcolm has refused to step down as Death, and the only way Mallory can take his rightful spot may be to kill his father. Despite the terror Mallory feels in Malcolm’s presence, there’s a part of Mallory that longs for a real father-and-son relationship with Malcolm. He’s determined not only to break Malcolm down and force him to step aside as the current Death, but also to force the man to love and accept him as one of his own. For the most part Malcolm is confused as to how Mallory could still love him at all after all the terrible things he’s done to Mallory. Mallory is also determined to break through the wall of disrespect and hurtful comments that stands between him and his oldest brother Marc. Meanwhile, Marc is on a quest to find and slay the Final. Since he wants Mallory (whom he views as weak and ineffective) dead anyway, will knowing Mallory is the Final make it easier for him?
Marc isn’t the only one sworn to kill the Final, though. Everyone thinks Matthew is dead, killed in a rage by Malcolm, but Matthew and Mallory know better. When Mallory’s wife Stacy turns up pregnant, Matthew and Mallory are the only two who know Mallory couldn’t possibly be the father. Appearing to have sired a child might temporarily hide Mallory’s identity as the Final from his family, but when Matthew demands his son back can Mallory sacrifice a child that means the world to him? And how can Mallory and Matthew fulfill their true destinies and meet in the ultimate battle if they can’t stop loving each other, even for a little while? Will Mallory be able to break it off or will he risk everything: his family, his fortune, the sanctity of HIC, even his life, for a forbidden few moments of pleasure?
Hat’s off again to author TL James and her incredible writing talent. A new publisher brings a much better edited manuscript to the fore, something the story that James has crafted truly deserves. In a more perfect world neither she nor I would have to use a nine- size font in order to make our work commercially viable. True readers would welcome the scope of our stories without Hators declaring, “That’s a Big A$$ Book.”
After all: if kids around the globe will read a 700+ page Harry Potter book and Sistah Souljah can put out a 500+ page sophomore novel ten years after her debut, then why won’t readers accept a well written, witty book which delves into deep subject matter simply because it tops the 300 page mark?
In the words of that esteemed Negro philosopher Princess “Baby Girl” Davis:
You figure.
Trinia, I’m eagerly anticipating Book Three.
Let A Sista Know…
June 21, 2009
OK, after reading "The Mpire: In Search of the Lost", I thought I might need therapy for being taken so far out of my comfort zone, but that didn't stop me from picking up Death Cometh because I had to see where TL James' mind would take me next. My favorite authors are the ones who can drop you into their world with such clarity & realism. And although it kept me riveted, I found it less jarring (well, sometimes, but there's always a surprise or two).
I love her main characters, especially Marek, so much that I was sorry when "Death Cometh" ended. If you're looking for a read unlike anything you've ever experienced before, I HIGHLY recommend "The Mpire: Death Cometh."
Jean Holloway
Author of "Ace of Hearts" & "Black Jack"
I love her main characters, especially Marek, so much that I was sorry when "Death Cometh" ended. If you're looking for a read unlike anything you've ever experienced before, I HIGHLY recommend "The Mpire: Death Cometh."
Jean Holloway
Author of "Ace of Hearts" & "Black Jack"
June 21, 2011
When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. Revelations 6:7-8 NIV
It seems that I never thought I could read 2 books in a week. But when the stories are as intriguing and drama filled like the ones I read, it is very easy to do. MPire: In Search of the Lost and MPire: Death Cometh had my neighborhood burning and household items hitting the floor all by themselves, literally. Now although I don’t believe in the supernatural so to speak, I do believe there are things out of our control that we can’t explain.
And this is where these books and its main character come in. After falling in love with Mallory Haulm and his soul searching 4th horseman status known as Death. I’ve determined I need to get my life in order. Or at least put it in alignment with something. Many of the reviews of this series so far have talked about the story but I’ve found the characters are far more entertaining than the storyline.
Those brave enough to have read the book of revelations, have an idea about the story of Armageddon, but TL James has brought a humanistic side to the key players of that story. She has given them trials and tribulations and even the occasional question of doubt.
Mallory Haulm is searching for his soul and is the taker of other souls. He doesn’t take his charge lightly but he doesn’t understand why he can't walk away from it. He is bombarded with childhood disasters, whorish tendencies and his occasional sexual preference indecisiveness. But all in all, his external persona is magnificent and is a very realistic character as we all know those that LOOK well put together on the outside and are a wreck waiting to happen internally.
His brother Marek another character driven by guilt is quite mixed on the emotional front. He is the horseman of War, but when it comes to his baby brother he is all love.
Marc is Pestilence and is one evil bastard, while Marlon is Famine and is the only underdeveloped character of the book. And Malcolm, the father of one but the hater of all, he is the precious 4th horseman that will not relinquish himself to his son because he knows he will be a dead man if he does.
This book is full of quick wit and comedic dialogue. However if you are not comfortable with twisting religious ideology, homosexuality, murder, incest, and profanity, then you may want to select another book, like crochet.
But I highly recommend this series because it's fresh and fast paced. Armageddon is approaching and everyone needs to be prepared for battle. Knowing your role is no longer enough, you have to be able to defend it. Do you know what side you will sit on?
"It's amazing how you can walk through life and not know anything." From MPire Death Cometh-Mallory Haulm
It seems that I never thought I could read 2 books in a week. But when the stories are as intriguing and drama filled like the ones I read, it is very easy to do. MPire: In Search of the Lost and MPire: Death Cometh had my neighborhood burning and household items hitting the floor all by themselves, literally. Now although I don’t believe in the supernatural so to speak, I do believe there are things out of our control that we can’t explain.
And this is where these books and its main character come in. After falling in love with Mallory Haulm and his soul searching 4th horseman status known as Death. I’ve determined I need to get my life in order. Or at least put it in alignment with something. Many of the reviews of this series so far have talked about the story but I’ve found the characters are far more entertaining than the storyline.
Those brave enough to have read the book of revelations, have an idea about the story of Armageddon, but TL James has brought a humanistic side to the key players of that story. She has given them trials and tribulations and even the occasional question of doubt.
Mallory Haulm is searching for his soul and is the taker of other souls. He doesn’t take his charge lightly but he doesn’t understand why he can't walk away from it. He is bombarded with childhood disasters, whorish tendencies and his occasional sexual preference indecisiveness. But all in all, his external persona is magnificent and is a very realistic character as we all know those that LOOK well put together on the outside and are a wreck waiting to happen internally.
His brother Marek another character driven by guilt is quite mixed on the emotional front. He is the horseman of War, but when it comes to his baby brother he is all love.
Marc is Pestilence and is one evil bastard, while Marlon is Famine and is the only underdeveloped character of the book. And Malcolm, the father of one but the hater of all, he is the precious 4th horseman that will not relinquish himself to his son because he knows he will be a dead man if he does.
This book is full of quick wit and comedic dialogue. However if you are not comfortable with twisting religious ideology, homosexuality, murder, incest, and profanity, then you may want to select another book, like crochet.
But I highly recommend this series because it's fresh and fast paced. Armageddon is approaching and everyone needs to be prepared for battle. Knowing your role is no longer enough, you have to be able to defend it. Do you know what side you will sit on?
"It's amazing how you can walk through life and not know anything." From MPire Death Cometh-Mallory Haulm
April 23, 2009
I won this book from the Goodreads Firstreads program. I adore this program. I've read a couple books I never would have picked up otherwise.
That being said I was really looking forward to this book arriving. The description seemed right up my alley. A man recently discovers he is Death, the fourth horseman of the apocalypse, and must learn his responsibilities, taking his rightful place amongst the other riders. His father, the present Death isn't so keen on giving up the reins so to speak.
The idea, in my opinion, was brilliant, the presentation not so much. This is the first book I received through the GoodReads First Reads program that utterly disappointed me. I am aware this is the second book in a trilogy. I believe books included in a series should be able to stand alone. They should succeed separate of their kin based upon their individual merits. This book unfortunately failed the stand alone test.
Perhaps most distracting was a lack of character development. Characters were not properly introduced as the author assumes we have already met them in the first installment. I was left to piece together the character's background and motivating factors. It was a painstaking process which quickly became more frustrating than it was worth.
Since I had received no background on the characters and most of the text was straight forward dialogue it was difficult to make a connection with the characters. The only character I can remember is Marek and only because Marek is the Polish form of the name Mark. I remember little more than the name.
My second major complaint is the writing style. Most of the text is limited to dialogue between characters. Page after page of Character A said "____" and then Character B replies "____" and Character A responds "____" etc etc. There seemed to be great discord in the family as the dialogue normally descents into cursing and name-calling. Now I can certainly hold my own when it comes to cursing. I'm definitely not shy about it but the excessive use I found distracting.
Ultimately with little to no affinity for any of the characters I failed to really develop any true interest in the story. About half way through the novel I was so discouraged I began skimming pages just to get to the end.
That being said I was really looking forward to this book arriving. The description seemed right up my alley. A man recently discovers he is Death, the fourth horseman of the apocalypse, and must learn his responsibilities, taking his rightful place amongst the other riders. His father, the present Death isn't so keen on giving up the reins so to speak.
The idea, in my opinion, was brilliant, the presentation not so much. This is the first book I received through the GoodReads First Reads program that utterly disappointed me. I am aware this is the second book in a trilogy. I believe books included in a series should be able to stand alone. They should succeed separate of their kin based upon their individual merits. This book unfortunately failed the stand alone test.
Perhaps most distracting was a lack of character development. Characters were not properly introduced as the author assumes we have already met them in the first installment. I was left to piece together the character's background and motivating factors. It was a painstaking process which quickly became more frustrating than it was worth.
Since I had received no background on the characters and most of the text was straight forward dialogue it was difficult to make a connection with the characters. The only character I can remember is Marek and only because Marek is the Polish form of the name Mark. I remember little more than the name.
My second major complaint is the writing style. Most of the text is limited to dialogue between characters. Page after page of Character A said "____" and then Character B replies "____" and Character A responds "____" etc etc. There seemed to be great discord in the family as the dialogue normally descents into cursing and name-calling. Now I can certainly hold my own when it comes to cursing. I'm definitely not shy about it but the excessive use I found distracting.
Ultimately with little to no affinity for any of the characters I failed to really develop any true interest in the story. About half way through the novel I was so discouraged I began skimming pages just to get to the end.
July 12, 2009
Soul Collector
Mallory Towneson Haulm is back and he has decided to put his company on the back burner and devote all his time and energy to the "family business." In order to do this he must learn as much as he can about his new position. Mallory brings the four horsemen to completion as he reluctantly embraces the fact that his destined charge is Death. His job as Death is to collect souls, deciding who will go to heaven and who will go to hell.
Memories that Mallory has blocked out from his childhood soon come to fruition after reviewing the Chroniclization of his life. Secrets will come to surface. Destroying any hope of a relationship he hoped to have with his father, because...he will finally learn the reason why he was sent away all those years ago.
Mallory's loyalty will be tested...who will his loyalty lie with...his lover or his brothers?
Unfortunately, Mallory has a secret of his own and it is a secret so big...well to find out... you will have to read the book.
THE MPIRE: DEATH COMETH by T.L. James is the second book in the "MPIRE" series. It picks right up where the first book left off. A truly remarkable read. I eagerly anticipate book three of this series to find out what is going to happen next. This is unlike any novel you will ever read; it is an original story, with love, sex, betrayal, death, deceit, and things of the unknown.
Reviewed by: LeonaR
Mallory Towneson Haulm is back and he has decided to put his company on the back burner and devote all his time and energy to the "family business." In order to do this he must learn as much as he can about his new position. Mallory brings the four horsemen to completion as he reluctantly embraces the fact that his destined charge is Death. His job as Death is to collect souls, deciding who will go to heaven and who will go to hell.
Memories that Mallory has blocked out from his childhood soon come to fruition after reviewing the Chroniclization of his life. Secrets will come to surface. Destroying any hope of a relationship he hoped to have with his father, because...he will finally learn the reason why he was sent away all those years ago.
Mallory's loyalty will be tested...who will his loyalty lie with...his lover or his brothers?
Unfortunately, Mallory has a secret of his own and it is a secret so big...well to find out... you will have to read the book.
THE MPIRE: DEATH COMETH by T.L. James is the second book in the "MPIRE" series. It picks right up where the first book left off. A truly remarkable read. I eagerly anticipate book three of this series to find out what is going to happen next. This is unlike any novel you will ever read; it is an original story, with love, sex, betrayal, death, deceit, and things of the unknown.
Reviewed by: LeonaR
June 13, 2011
I couldn't wait to read the second installment in The MPire series! Mallory has a very important position in his family. He found out in book one that he is one of the four horsemen -- death. His job is to collect souls and decide where to send them -- heaven or hell. The weird things is that he never believed in God, but that has definitely changed. The problem is though that in order to do his job fully, he has to replace the current person in the position of Death which is his father. His father is supposed to step down, but he doesn't want to.
I found out some very surprising things about Mallory's past. At a very young age he had to deal with something very terrible. This comes out in this second book, and I was very surprised to find out who was actually behind all of it.
T.L. James has a way of writing that really grips you from beginning to end! The characters are unforgettable. Her writing is unique!
I thoroughly enjoyed this second installment in the MPire triology and highly recommend it! I am very excited about read the next book to see what happens next!
I found out some very surprising things about Mallory's past. At a very young age he had to deal with something very terrible. This comes out in this second book, and I was very surprised to find out who was actually behind all of it.
T.L. James has a way of writing that really grips you from beginning to end! The characters are unforgettable. Her writing is unique!
I thoroughly enjoyed this second installment in the MPire triology and highly recommend it! I am very excited about read the next book to see what happens next!
April 27, 2009
This book was so much better than the first book! It took you through turns and twist and brought understanding to the first. It is an over the edge thriller that leaves you waiting on the third part of the trilogy. Big UPS!!!! to the author. It took me barely two days to finish.
October 28, 2011
Mallory is back, more confused than ever! He’s got a love interest that he truly can’t explain to anyone. In the follow up to “In Search of the Lost,” TL brought another outside of the box page turner. Mallory is still stuck between his family and the life he wants to live. TL answers a lot of questions in this book that readers maybe have wondered about in “The Search of the Lost.” Throughout the book, it takes us back to Mallory’s younger days and brings us right up to speed on where he is now and why he has developed into this person.
Definitely a four-star, must read for those who love a book that takes you outside of the box!
Definitely a four-star, must read for those who love a book that takes you outside of the box!
July 8, 2010
I am saddened that I am to the end of this book..What can I say except simply AMAZING TL James... I want more and its been a long time since I have felt that way after reading someone's book! I am addicted to the Haulm Brothers and the MPire!!
October 18, 2009
Awesome! If you are not captivated after the 1st chapter something is seriously wrong with you! This book is a must read!
June 26, 2011
I love this book was a great second installment I have the kindleversion so ill be getting the print for my keeper shelf
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews