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Hell Rises: A Thriller
MURDER IN THE DESERT
For the last two decades the Society for Human Enlightenment has been using particle colliders like those at CERN and the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory to wear away at the boundary between Earth and Hell. Every time one set of particles moving near the speed of light crash into another set of particles moving near the speed of light, the collision creates a mini-black hole that sucks up a portion of the quark-gluon plasma barrier encapsulating our dimension.
Thinning and then ripping that barrier will allow demonic beings in Hell direct access to our world. That’s how the Society plans to usher in the Anti-Christ.
The barrier is at a tipping point, so the Society launches “Breakthrough,” their long planned take over of every major collider in the world. After seizing control, the Society runs each collider along with its own collider called “Wormwood" at maximum capacity. As the barrier further thins, odd, destructive energy spikes erupt around the world. A faction of the Fellowship of the Essentials launches a cyber attack on the Society’s collider takeover, while a desperate Fellowship team attacks Wormwood in the midst of a pitched battle between the Nevada National Guard and the rouge Utah National Guard that’s protecting the facility.
Unless both Fellowship teams somehow manage to succeed . . . Hell Rises.
For the last two decades the Society for Human Enlightenment has been using particle colliders like those at CERN and the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory to wear away at the boundary between Earth and Hell. Every time one set of particles moving near the speed of light crash into another set of particles moving near the speed of light, the collision creates a mini-black hole that sucks up a portion of the quark-gluon plasma barrier encapsulating our dimension.
Thinning and then ripping that barrier will allow demonic beings in Hell direct access to our world. That’s how the Society plans to usher in the Anti-Christ.
The barrier is at a tipping point, so the Society launches “Breakthrough,” their long planned take over of every major collider in the world. After seizing control, the Society runs each collider along with its own collider called “Wormwood" at maximum capacity. As the barrier further thins, odd, destructive energy spikes erupt around the world. A faction of the Fellowship of the Essentials launches a cyber attack on the Society’s collider takeover, while a desperate Fellowship team attacks Wormwood in the midst of a pitched battle between the Nevada National Guard and the rouge Utah National Guard that’s protecting the facility.
Unless both Fellowship teams somehow manage to succeed . . . Hell Rises.
397 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2019
3 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Max Lewis
15 books116 followersJoseph Max Lewis served as a member of an Operational Detachment in the U.S. Army's Seventh Special Forces Group, the storied Green Berets. During his service Lewis received antiterrorist training and his detachment was tasked to "Special Projects." Afterward, he served as an instructor at the Special Forces Qualification Course. Lewis attended the Pennsylvania State University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, the University of Tel Aviv in Israel, and the University of Pittsburgh, receiving degrees in International Politics and Law while being certified in Middle East Studies.
After living and studying abroad, first in the Middle East and then Southeast Asia, Lewis returned home to practice law. He’s a columnist in the New Bethlehem Leader-Vindicator and currently lives, writes, and practices law in and around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
After living and studying abroad, first in the Middle East and then Southeast Asia, Lewis returned home to practice law. He’s a columnist in the New Bethlehem Leader-Vindicator and currently lives, writes, and practices law in and around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 24, 2018
Wow! That was even better than I had hoped for!
I really enjoyed the Diaries of Pontius Pilate and have been hoping for a new installment. Hell Rises delivered.
The author brings great characters to life and gives them very, natural realistic interactions. The dialogue is engaging and adds to the fast paced flow.
The flow is amazing. It pulls the reader along with the perfect blend of ups and downs. The science is smart and presented in a believable way that doesn’t force the reader to make huge leaps. Mixed in is a very important message for humanity.
I really enjoyed this and can’t wait for more. Clearly Joseph Max Lewis is an author at the top of his game.
I really enjoyed the Diaries of Pontius Pilate and have been hoping for a new installment. Hell Rises delivered.
The author brings great characters to life and gives them very, natural realistic interactions. The dialogue is engaging and adds to the fast paced flow.
The flow is amazing. It pulls the reader along with the perfect blend of ups and downs. The science is smart and presented in a believable way that doesn’t force the reader to make huge leaps. Mixed in is a very important message for humanity.
I really enjoyed this and can’t wait for more. Clearly Joseph Max Lewis is an author at the top of his game.
August 20, 2018
“Hell Rises” is an imaginative thrill-ride that begins with a clash between the Society for Human Enlightenment who are working to usher in Satan and his demonic forces and the Fellowship of the Essentials, the Christian opposition struggling to defeat the secret conspiracy of evil that is using particle colliders from wearing away the dimensional wall between Earth and Hell.
The plot heats up with the kidnapping of physicist Valerie (Val) Langal who agrees to work with the radical 33 group, an offshoot of the Fellowship to thicken the membrane between earth and hell only to have the Society launch their project “Breakthrough” to align all the major colliders globally to the output of Wormwood their super collider on the Nevada border. With the world in danger Val works with other physicists to launch a cyber attack and regain control of the colliders while the 33 group under David Miller after reuniting with the Fellowship works with the Nevada National Guard
to initiate an assault on Wormwood and the Utah National Guard protecting it.
Interwoven into the intriguing and hair-raising main theme are subplots that include CIA agent Hank Jenkins’ joint investigation with the FBI to solve the mystery of Val’s kidnapping; an explosion at a conference at Ludwig Castle; a hate crime; and the demolition of a Fellowship Sanctuary. Fast-paced, the action never slows with energy spikes from Hell as the barrier begins to fail. Yet amid all the violence as intensity and suspense flare there is a strong sense of faith, repentance and forgiveness.
Skillfully Joseph Max Lewis creates characters that breathe depth, power and realism into this story, like Valerie (Val) Langal the brilliant, resourceful physicist whose computations could heal the thinning of the dimensional wall. Handsome, charismatic, kind, but angry Eric Logan a tough, skilled group 33 warrior who cares for Val and wants her to search for her faith before it’s too late only to have to face his own failings when fighting for his life. Hank Jenkins is the dogged, capable and perceptive CIA Agent, and family man who’s working on a terrorist case that’s filled with the deception and danger of a partner tied to the Society.
“Hell Rises” is a must-read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to see what the author has in-store for his fans next.
The plot heats up with the kidnapping of physicist Valerie (Val) Langal who agrees to work with the radical 33 group, an offshoot of the Fellowship to thicken the membrane between earth and hell only to have the Society launch their project “Breakthrough” to align all the major colliders globally to the output of Wormwood their super collider on the Nevada border. With the world in danger Val works with other physicists to launch a cyber attack and regain control of the colliders while the 33 group under David Miller after reuniting with the Fellowship works with the Nevada National Guard
to initiate an assault on Wormwood and the Utah National Guard protecting it.
Interwoven into the intriguing and hair-raising main theme are subplots that include CIA agent Hank Jenkins’ joint investigation with the FBI to solve the mystery of Val’s kidnapping; an explosion at a conference at Ludwig Castle; a hate crime; and the demolition of a Fellowship Sanctuary. Fast-paced, the action never slows with energy spikes from Hell as the barrier begins to fail. Yet amid all the violence as intensity and suspense flare there is a strong sense of faith, repentance and forgiveness.
Skillfully Joseph Max Lewis creates characters that breathe depth, power and realism into this story, like Valerie (Val) Langal the brilliant, resourceful physicist whose computations could heal the thinning of the dimensional wall. Handsome, charismatic, kind, but angry Eric Logan a tough, skilled group 33 warrior who cares for Val and wants her to search for her faith before it’s too late only to have to face his own failings when fighting for his life. Hank Jenkins is the dogged, capable and perceptive CIA Agent, and family man who’s working on a terrorist case that’s filled with the deception and danger of a partner tied to the Society.
“Hell Rises” is a must-read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to see what the author has in-store for his fans next.
September 2, 2018
Outstanding story
A thrilling story with characters I like and care about. Detailed descriptions regarding tactics, field and trade craft, and the motivations that drive warriors to stand regardless of the personal cost. I enjoyed the author's previous stories and Hell Rises is a more complex undertaking. This story succeeds on all fronts. As a Christian reader, I appreciated the struggles in faith depicted by many of the characters. Now I need to reread the books leading to this capstone work. Thank you for a great story and I can't wait for your next book.
A thrilling story with characters I like and care about. Detailed descriptions regarding tactics, field and trade craft, and the motivations that drive warriors to stand regardless of the personal cost. I enjoyed the author's previous stories and Hell Rises is a more complex undertaking. This story succeeds on all fronts. As a Christian reader, I appreciated the struggles in faith depicted by many of the characters. Now I need to reread the books leading to this capstone work. Thank you for a great story and I can't wait for your next book.
September 11, 2019
Another great thriller by Joseph Max Lewis. There are new characters as well as characters from previous novels. All are well-developed and realistic. The plot is fast-paced and exciting. I look forward to reading more about what happens to these characters.
August 25, 2018
Man, this guy knows his stuff! The military aspect of this book is so well written that you can't help but be right there with these nicely fleshed out characters. This novel kept me on the edge of my seat and hating to put it down. What a wonderful plot with an unafraidly Christian perspective!
May 1, 2020
A very good sequel in this series. Although I disagree on some of the theological aspects of the Rapture, the idea and intent is clearly portrayed. There is going to be mass confusion and deception from Satin and all the forces of evil. People have no idea what they're in for. Joseph Lewis does a good job of writing the characters in a compelling way to induce empathy and emotions for what they're feeling. I would have liked to have seen a bit more regret or grief from Hank and Ralph over the exit of their families. Even though they knew where they were it would still be emotionally difficult. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
September 21, 2018
I have enjoyed each book I have read by this author and have never been disappointed. Out of all of his books, this one in particular, created a craving to go to the Book of Revelations to expand my knowledge of the end times and Jesus’ second coming. Although I am believer in Jesus Christ and have accepted Him as my Savior, It is a must read for anyone. I would encourage any non-believer to pick up this book and give it a go. I’m looking forward to the next book to see how this story continues.
January 2, 2021
I loved this book. I've never been disappointed in this authors books. He writes well and has original story ideas. A lot of action and the characters are great. A very good read. The religious aspect was great.
October 20, 2018
Super Colliders! Science! Espionage! Romance! What doesn't this latest book by Joseph Max Lewis have? Love his writing and subject matter. Couldn't put it down, but................ I don't like the cliff hanger.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews