What do you think?
Rate this book
The Last Disciple: An Apocalyptic Thriller
"An apocalyptic thriller that will make you lose sleep." -Orlando Sentinel The Time is Near. The last thing Special Forces operator John Sunday expected to find taped to the body of a dead terrorist was a woman's portrait. The last thing Kat Devier expected to find beneath the paint was a lost gospel claiming the body of Jesus Christ is in a cave in Jordan. The clues lead to a cold, clay jar sealed in mud and kept hidden in the darkness for thousands of years. But what’s inside? And why does a man who cannot die walk the earth in search of it? The Last Disciple is a terrifying hunt across the sands of time for the hidden plans of gods and devils. Once revealed, John Sunday’s demons, and yours, will become real. And the great day of wrath shall come. For us all. Sometimes darkness is better than the light.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 25, 2019
93 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 8, 2019
I was lucky enough to get my hands on an ARC of The Last Disciple. Dan Brown fans, prepare yourselves. This book has it all.
The Last Disciple takes you on a ride that will excite you, terrify you and pull on your heartstrings. It's a real, deep dive into the realities of war, PTSD and the lengths we'll go to for love. James Holmes shows you what happens when science and religion come together in a terrifyingly brutal way. And the ending is something you would never expect. I couldn't put this book down and I can't wait to get my hands on number 2.
The Last Disciple takes you on a ride that will excite you, terrify you and pull on your heartstrings. It's a real, deep dive into the realities of war, PTSD and the lengths we'll go to for love. James Holmes shows you what happens when science and religion come together in a terrifyingly brutal way. And the ending is something you would never expect. I couldn't put this book down and I can't wait to get my hands on number 2.
May 5, 2020
Not my cup of tea. I'm not a fan of stories with a lot of religious zealotry in it. I should have moved it to my DNF pile early on, but was curious where it would end up. Mid-story, of course. But I'm not interested enough to continue to another book. I have too many others available.
November 19, 2019
I intended to just get started, to read a few pages and come back to this when I had time. I ended up starting, continuing and finishing it in one day. And then I wanted more. If you appreciate excellent writing and compelling storytelling, you won't be able to put this one down either. The first sentence, the introduction to John Sunday hooked me and I was all in.
As readers, author James Holmes takes us on a wild, scary, heart pounding adventure, with an exciting mix of history and religion. But nothing is as it seems and nothing is predictable. Just when you think you have the characters and their motives figured out, Holmes adds something to shock you, stop you and make you think.
I found myself totally invested in John and Kat, cheering them on, disappointed in some of their actions and crushed by some of their outcomes.
Get ready for a riveting read and a stunning end that will leave you desperate to find out what comes next.
As readers, author James Holmes takes us on a wild, scary, heart pounding adventure, with an exciting mix of history and religion. But nothing is as it seems and nothing is predictable. Just when you think you have the characters and their motives figured out, Holmes adds something to shock you, stop you and make you think.
I found myself totally invested in John and Kat, cheering them on, disappointed in some of their actions and crushed by some of their outcomes.
Get ready for a riveting read and a stunning end that will leave you desperate to find out what comes next.
Read
March 20, 2020Wow! They don’t call this a thriller for nothing. The action was nonstop and the plot grabbed me by the throat and wouldn’t let go. Religion, warfare and greed combine in this fast-paced novel that had me turning pages as fast as I could to see what was next.
I highly recommend this book and eagerly await the next installment.
I highly recommend this book and eagerly await the next installment.
November 11, 2019
Clear your schedule because once you pick up this book you won't want to put it down. This book is Jason Bourne meets The Da Vinci Code — and then some! It is a thoughtful thriller that will have your heart pounding as you read.
Author James Holmes is clearly invested. This book is incredibly well researched. It is written in time-piece sections that aren't too long, which gives The Last Disciple a quick pace. You become immersed in the journey.
After reading this, all I can say is that I hope there are more — and soon!
Author James Holmes is clearly invested. This book is incredibly well researched. It is written in time-piece sections that aren't too long, which gives The Last Disciple a quick pace. You become immersed in the journey.
After reading this, all I can say is that I hope there are more — and soon!
January 7, 2020
Really good! I am so glad that I got an advanced reader copy of this book.
There are a lot of moving parts, but they kept me intrigued. The author is extremely descriptive, the words could make my stomach drop and give me goosebumps. I had constant anticipation while reading this novel.
There are a lot of moving parts, but they kept me intrigued. The author is extremely descriptive, the words could make my stomach drop and give me goosebumps. I had constant anticipation while reading this novel.
January 15, 2020
This is an incredible feat for a first book! James Rollins meets Dan Brown (and this is the best compliment from me as Rollins is my favorite author). I was skeptical at first that the sparse nature of the writing and short chapters would mean lack of content, but I was VERY wrong. This is a griping, edge of your seat, can't put it down kind of book!
Spring can't come soon enough!
Spring can't come soon enough!
August 3, 2020
This book was wild. I was a bit skeptical until about halfway when it got really good. It’s a mix of jack reacher, the da Vinci code, and the Bible, which lead to some great scenes. It was a little more science fiction than I expected, and was extremely graphic, so reader beware. However it leaves you craving the second book out later this year. Overall, highly recommended.
February 22, 2020
A disturbing page turner that I couldn’t put down. The imagery is haunting. Can’t wait for the sequel.
November 14, 2019
The best description for this book is “poetically gritty”.
The storyline, characters, and the writing are realistic and beautiful. Many times throughout the book, Holmes describes a horrific and gory scene but yet has the ability to see the beauty in despair and tragedy when hope is all we have as humans in the end of days. Often times I found my breath was taken away during chapters in the book.
The author has an attention to detail and description, which easily take the reader to places they have never been before and that includes the darkest places in our minds where our demons and fears lie.
The most enjoyable part of this fictional book was how Holmes intertwined the storyline with true and historical references from the time of Jesus Christ and his disciples to modern day science.
This book is sure to catch the attention of those from all walks of life including those with deep rooted religious beliefs and veterans of war.
The storyline, characters, and the writing are realistic and beautiful. Many times throughout the book, Holmes describes a horrific and gory scene but yet has the ability to see the beauty in despair and tragedy when hope is all we have as humans in the end of days. Often times I found my breath was taken away during chapters in the book.
The author has an attention to detail and description, which easily take the reader to places they have never been before and that includes the darkest places in our minds where our demons and fears lie.
The most enjoyable part of this fictional book was how Holmes intertwined the storyline with true and historical references from the time of Jesus Christ and his disciples to modern day science.
This book is sure to catch the attention of those from all walks of life including those with deep rooted religious beliefs and veterans of war.
November 15, 2019
The Last Disciple isn't just a great read.
It's an experience.
And it stays with you long after you've turned the last page.
Author James Holmes takes you on adventure in two different ways.
The first is through history, with intriguing characters to faraway, fascinating places.
The second journey is into your soul and the deepest corners of your own mind.
It makes you feel, think and reflect.
In a time full of chaos, uncertainty and negativity, The Last Disciple will take you back and forces you to look forward and explore... where is all this going? Where are we going?
It's the right book at the right time for our world.
Take a break from all the noise.
Read it.
Reflect on it.
Tell others to read it and then discuss and reflect together.
It's one of those books.
And hopefully the first of more to come.
It's an experience.
And it stays with you long after you've turned the last page.
Author James Holmes takes you on adventure in two different ways.
The first is through history, with intriguing characters to faraway, fascinating places.
The second journey is into your soul and the deepest corners of your own mind.
It makes you feel, think and reflect.
In a time full of chaos, uncertainty and negativity, The Last Disciple will take you back and forces you to look forward and explore... where is all this going? Where are we going?
It's the right book at the right time for our world.
Take a break from all the noise.
Read it.
Reflect on it.
Tell others to read it and then discuss and reflect together.
It's one of those books.
And hopefully the first of more to come.
July 14, 2022
Well, I guess I'm the oddball here. I did not like this book... at all. I couldn't push myself to trudge along any further than the first 100 pages. Didn't care too much for the characters. The protagonist, a heroin addict, a killer, wordless, and rather shallow. All of the female characters were objectified. The story jumped too much between different timeframes within the far past, the past, and the present. Story was too fragmented. Didn't enjoy it. Moving on.
March 21, 2020
Difficult read
Although the storyline was interesting and exciting you had to really concentrate as it kept going back and forth between present day to the days after Christ and also between different characters
Although the storyline was interesting and exciting you had to really concentrate as it kept going back and forth between present day to the days after Christ and also between different characters
January 17, 2020
Riveting
I haven’t read a book from cover to cover in 2 days in a while. This book hooked me on the first page.
I haven’t read a book from cover to cover in 2 days in a while. This book hooked me on the first page.
January 10, 2020
Outstanding!
I don't usually read this type of book , but I'm so glad I did! It's deep....really deep...but in the end, I think I actually "got it"!
Exciting, intense, religious, in an odd way! Truly fascinating! Can't wait for #2!
I don't usually read this type of book , but I'm so glad I did! It's deep....really deep...but in the end, I think I actually "got it"!
Exciting, intense, religious, in an odd way! Truly fascinating! Can't wait for #2!
January 8, 2020
The last disciple
Wow I really enjoyed this book. What a spin on Longinius terriffic! This was the best read so far cannot wait for the sequel.
Wow I really enjoyed this book. What a spin on Longinius terriffic! This was the best read so far cannot wait for the sequel.
July 24, 2020
Exciting novel
The Last Disciple is a mix of Indiana Jones, Handmaid’s Tale and the DiVinci Code. It is well written and has a nice cliffhanger ending. I do wish there was more depth to some of the themes touched on in the story, but overall it was very entertaining.
The Last Disciple is a mix of Indiana Jones, Handmaid’s Tale and the DiVinci Code. It is well written and has a nice cliffhanger ending. I do wish there was more depth to some of the themes touched on in the story, but overall it was very entertaining.
June 8, 2020
Loved it!
An exciting Biblically based thriller! A great mystery interwoven into real Biblical events, with a scary other-worldly premise!! I don't want to spoil anything, so all I can say is this is an incredibly exciting read, and I highly recommend this book!
An exciting Biblically based thriller! A great mystery interwoven into real Biblical events, with a scary other-worldly premise!! I don't want to spoil anything, so all I can say is this is an incredibly exciting read, and I highly recommend this book!
March 26, 2020
This book by James Holmes was perfect to read during this time of Covid-19 quarantine as it was very long, but worth every page as the past catches up to the present. I first hesitated to finish reading the book as it is filled with religious aspects and thoughts from many different beliefs, but beyond that it is an attention holding read of suspense, and an absolute belief in love and romance. One of the other things I liked about the book was that even though there was a lot of pain and suffering and death, it was mentioned as if in passing, without going into all the gory details. This is a voluntary review of an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Hidden Gems Books.
May 4, 2020
Outstanding! The Last Disciple is book one of a planned trilogy by author James Holmes. The action and adventure elements are non-stop and intriguing. The protagonists are believable, human, and flawed. The storyline is fast-paced, engaging, and although you know who the two main characters are, the plot twists reveal unexpected enemies. I highly recommend The Last Disciple and James Holmes to readers of Dan Brown, Steve Berry, James Rollins, Daniel Silva, and David Baldacci.
February 26, 2020
A page turner that you will not want to put down. There is some graphic violence in the book, but it lends to the gritty reality. A well researched and well written thriller that delves into a "DaVinci Code" type realm and is a thrilling ride into the End Times. I am ready for the sequel to see where the tale goes next.
March 16, 2020
Holy hell! Seriously.
Goodness that was compelling and sometimes tough to read because of the violence and gruesomeness. Unlike anything I have ever read but kind of Clancy/Brown/leCarre amalgamation. Is it a paean of Christianity or an indictment of religion as weapon of war. Just read it and decide for yourself.
Goodness that was compelling and sometimes tough to read because of the violence and gruesomeness. Unlike anything I have ever read but kind of Clancy/Brown/leCarre amalgamation. Is it a paean of Christianity or an indictment of religion as weapon of war. Just read it and decide for yourself.
September 8, 2021
Sadly, moved it early on to my DNF pile, which I do rarely, normally I push through. It was obvious to me early on it was not my cup of tea. Unfortunately I bought the trilogy, guess my loss will be someone’s gain.
January 5, 2022
This is an imaginative, fast-paced, and absorbing novel about the end-of-days. I will warn that it is quite graphic, nothing too extreme, but just not for the faint of heart. The characterization is good - you really get a feel for each of the characters’ personalities, but there is a little left to be answered in subsequent books in the series as to why they make the decisions they do and what makes them tick. I think this is a good thing because you want to learn more and read the next books. I liked that it seemed there was a puzzle I was trying to piece together throughout the book. What is this Longinus guy up to and why? There are a few typos and a bit of a plot hole when the specials ops guy decides not to bring a gun to a stake-out (who would do that?!) but meh, I can forgive those tiny things. Overall a great book that kept me hanging on and caused my husband to get mad at me when I wouldn’t put it down. 😂 I very rarely give out 5 stars (only to maybe 1/20th of the books I read or less), so 4 stars is a great rating for me. If you’re a fan of fast-paced apocalyptic type novels, you’ll love it!
January 29, 2020
This is one of the best books that I’ve read in a long time. I normally try to write a review as soon as I finish a book, while it’s still fresh in my mind. For this one, it took me a few days to process what I had read. It truly wasn’t what I was expecting, when I first started reading.
The Last Disciple is an excellent piece of writing. The story moves at a rapid pace, the excitement and action never let up. It’s dark, gritty, shows the good and the evil that exist among us, but still offers hope for the future.
If I had a con it but be that it was violent, sometimes to the extreme. It made me queasy in a few places. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart.
While there wasn’t a cliff-hanger, the way the book ends suggests there may be a book 2. I really hope there is. I highly recommend this one! 5-stars
The Last Disciple is an excellent piece of writing. The story moves at a rapid pace, the excitement and action never let up. It’s dark, gritty, shows the good and the evil that exist among us, but still offers hope for the future.
If I had a con it but be that it was violent, sometimes to the extreme. It made me queasy in a few places. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart.
While there wasn’t a cliff-hanger, the way the book ends suggests there may be a book 2. I really hope there is. I highly recommend this one! 5-stars
August 29, 2024
Interesting story, well told. End of the world with a Christian twist. The one weakness is the main character, he's a bit one note with some pretty thick plot armor. You get what you expect with this book so it delivers if you are into the religious aspects.
January 30, 2025
Our local library has this Holy Land thriller under local Florida author. We just visited Jordan and Egypt so I felt connected. Interesting story about Longinus Castus, speared Jesus on the cross. I need to complete the trinity.
July 18, 2021
Very exciting an awesome story and a great book well written I found myself so engage that I finished the book in 3 nights Probably staying up a little later than usual!
July 20, 2021
I didn’t expect to read this book in two days! I had to force myself to put it down. I was pleasantly surprised to have gotten my hands on such a fast paced thriller! It’s a must read!
February 2, 2025
Not a great story but ok. Then it just stopped, no real ending or resolution.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews