The Forsaken: "The Christ Project" Book 1

By: Donald Allen Kirch

Narrated by: Kathryn LaPlante

Length: 13 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

In the distant future, religion is against the law, and the Earth is a war-torn world ruled by an insane United Nations. All military forces are put on high alert when an ex-bishop of the outlawed "Catholic Church" decides to steal an artifact called "The Shroud of Turin" to help save the Earth from herself. He claims to have the power to use the cloth to help bring about "The Second Coming" - but what's even more terrifying: he might just do it!

©2017 Donald Allen Kirch (P)2019 Donald Allen Kirch

Where Can Cloning Go?

A global war against religion has left all religions outlawed – praying, crossing oneself, saying “God”, or even using common phases that refer to God can result in a painful death or imprisonment. The day comes when an ex-bishop of the Catholic Church and who is also a former scientist returns to the Vatican and proceeds to move forward with The Christ Project – a project that will bring God back. He steals the “Shroud of Turin” and proceeds to Jerusalem. He has the military forces and others who want to see him fail, hot on his trail. The question is, can Marcelis do it? Can he bring God back?

Donald Allen Kirch, the author, is methodical in his world-building where God has been outlawed. As with all Kirch’s stories, character development is pivotal and well-done. The dialog and forward movement of the story is deliberate with rich details. The listener can see each character from Leonardo to Noah to the King to Susan.

This is a unique book as it contains a combination of different genres within the storyline. A masterful storyteller, Kirch takes listeners on a thrill-a-minute tale. Slow-moving at first, Kirch builds momentum until the listener finds themselves on the edge of their chair. This is one of those books that come back to you and haunts you with “what if.”

Kathryn LaPlante, the narrator, gives a solid performance providing a unique voice for each character. LaPlante speaks clearly and with a smooth cadence punctuated with the right amount of emotion. Her voice is pleasant to hear.
I am looking forward to Book 2, I want to hear where this author’s mind takes me next!

There were no issues with the production or quality of this audiobook.

Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.

Superb

The Forsaken.
This is a superb novel, it has everything robotic warriors, clones, sentinels and characters that are so likable. Lets not forget a story line that is great.
The author pulls all of this together to create a superbly entertaining book.
And the narrator is 1st class.
I received a free copy of this audio book at my own request and voluntarily leave this review.

Great idea. But only enjoyed one of the two plot lines.

This book was given to me for free at my request, and I provided this voluntary review.

After the Great War, the Babylon Act made practicing religion a crime against the state. Marcellus is a former Catholic Bishop who is arrested and thrown in prison for 20 years. When he is finally released, he has a plan to use science to solve their religion problem.

Marcellus' plot line was engaging, and I found myself always wondering what he was thinking, what he would do next, and what his next challenge would be. Learning about the presence and politics regarding various types of robots was also interesting.

The plot line following the hypersexual android and the whiny reporter Susan was disturbing and detracted from the story. The android didn't seem necessary to the plot. While I appreciate the purpose of Susan's naïveté, the character, frankly, was annoying.

Overall, I would have loved to see a story far more focused on Marcellus and far less focused on Susan and the android.