The Evilution: Rise of the Antichrist

Dark Tomes, Book 1

De: David Reuben Aslin

Narrado por: S.W. Salzman

Masquerading as the powerful Vatican Bishop, Cardinal David Xzytun, ultimate "Evil" has incarnated with intent to control, as puppet master, a Caesar for his new Roman Empire.

Standing tenuously on the side of hope amidst the encroaching apocalyptic doom is Dr. Paul Bradfield, a man conflicted between rational science and matters of faith regarding unexplained supernatural occurrences, and the horrifying deaths of several of his closest friends.

Only Jennifer Dowling, Bradfield’s true love, and Matt Larsen, his slovenly yet brilliant friend, recognize the unholy phenomenon which has fixated on, or perhaps emanates from, Father Joseph, Bradfield’s dearest friend of all.

What will come of humanity when the clock counts down? Can one man make the difference and stave off mankind's ultimate doom, at least for the time being?

All roads appear to lead to one inexorable horrific beginning of the end...that is...The Evilution.

©2014 David Reuben Aslin (P)2018 David Reuben Aslin

great book, can't wait for more

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This was a pretty great, if slow building, horror novel. It felt pretty fast-paced, but the overall story actually builds slow. I believe that is intentional, as this is book 1 of a series. It does have an open ending, so if that bothers you, I'd recommend waiting until the next book(s) are released. If, like me, you love stories about an anti-christ and the end of the world, don't miss this one. It is worth the credit.

Great Narrator, interesting story

As some people already mentioned: the whole first book is more or less an introduction to the characters. Nevertheless, I thought it quite interesting, even though there weren't any exciting passages yet. I still can't wait for the next book to see how the story continues. S.W. Salzman is doing a great job bringing the characters to life and keep you hooked on the story.

Evilution: Hurry up and do the next book

This book has a lot going on and is hopefully the start to a fantastic series. Where to begin? First, this is part of a series and this book doesn't have an ending so you will need to be on-board for listening to the rest of the series. Second, the first three quarters of the book lays out the characters and develops them individually so while it is interesting it is a bit slow. Third, there are some sexist and racist comments in the book, nothing too bothersome but I can imagine that in today's world people might be offended. Forth, this delves into some religious ideas which are necessary for the story but could upset some devout listeners. I wouldn't call this book religious by any means but when writing about the Antichrist you need to discuss religion a bit. Having said all that this book is laying the groundwork for a huge story. This one just gives you a taste of where it is going and it has a lot of destinations on the horizon and I look forward to everyone of them. Hope the rest of the series comes out quick.
I really liked the narrator's voice. Nice and calm and soothing. He had a slight change of inflection when switching characters which I found really made everything smooth. First time I didn't change the speed too so he read at a good pace. He made it very easy to just sit back and listen.
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Interesting, fast paced book

This book takes the prophecy of the end times and provides a fast-paced, fictional account. Although there are a number of characters, the author does a great job letting us get to know them. Although it uses Biblical references, I don't see this as a religious book. It isn't going to teach you all about each sign and piece of the end times prophecy, nor does it base the story on them all. This is a book for those who enjoy a well though out plot with adventure and suspense, as well as some supernatural thrown in. Interesting read.

S.W. Salzman does a great job narrating the story, increasing the suspenseful nature and providing a range of voices and accents. His performance enhances the book. Great narrator!

The end is coming, which side will you be on?

Would you listen to The Evilution: Rise of the Antichrist again? Why?

It was a very interesting book, so yes. It will also be less confusing on a second go round.

Who was the most memorable character of The Evilution: Rise of the Antichrist and why?

While Bradfield seem to be more of the main character, David Joseph was the most memorable character, in that he is the son of the devil, but he isn't evil. He has a choice to be good or to follow his father's plans. It seems if he were to go against them he could derail them.

Any additional comments?

The beginning of the book was somewhat confusing as it changed perspective a lot until it stabilized, also the old tongue preaching from the devil dragged. Also the relationship between Bradfield and Jennifer seemed a little forced, just perfect from the start. Apart from that, it was very good and I can't wait to read the sequel.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Not bad

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. It was a good story. Turned out it was not really for me, but ended up being a good story. The narration was really good.

C L U M S Y writing, but the seed of a great story

I had such high hopes for this book!

I tend to be a sucker for anything related to the Antichrist or the end of the world. But this book just comes off as super clumsy.

Now, the audio narration was done by S.W. Salzman and he was quite good. He has a good array of voices, even the female voices being varied and distinct. His vocal inflections are mostly good and his tempo shifts are subtle but effective.

From the very beginning, the writing is just clumsy, awkward, and FILLED with pointless back story.

There are SO many chapters that either start or are comprised almost (if not) entirely of back story that, as far as I can tell, has no bearing on the story.

Of this 8-hour audiobook, I would guess that less than 3 hours of it are happening in the present. The rest is back story that feels completely unnecessary.

For example, the entire first chapter from Father Joseph David's perspective is him writing the first part of his autobiography. None of which is in any way relevant to the plot and does almost nothing to deepen his character.

Now, there are some interesting things being done in this story.
I actually really like the way that technological advances are being used as simile for events depicted in the Book of Revelation. Much of this was cleverly done.

Unfortunately, much of the dialogue is also clumsy and very on the nose.

This book really could have benefited from the attention of a developmental editor or a story coach. I feel like there is a seed of a great story here, it's just so bogged down in clumsy writing and back story that it's hard to see it.

Similarly, the ending isn't really an ending. I had concerns over the last hour or two of the book and they proved accurate. There's a minor climax that feels like it should be the mid-point of a novel, then we go to an epilogue that jumps over months of time with no inkling of what has happened to almost all of the characters in the meantime.

If there is ever a re-release of this with the issues corrected, I will be more than happy to read it (and any successive books), but as it is I have no desire to continue this story.

Great narration, sub par story.

Having loved this authors Ian McDermott series, I was eager to read something else by him and started this when I got it! I mean, I'd read it on the cover alone because it's awesome!!! So this was..... weird. I found it confusing and quite long winded to be honest! When they went into the old style talking, it just felt so, so long and unnecessary!! My mind started wandering while listening and I always know that's the time to give up. I did manage to finish the whole book, but it was a massive chore. I'm not sure if I'll continue with the series.

S.W. Salzman did a great job with this. He was the only reason I kept going!! He is clear and concise and had plenty of tones and voices for the different characters.

I was given this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts

Awesome start!!

This, the first in the series is very well writen and easy to follow. The ending of the story leaves this wide open for any number of future stories, and I can't wait!
One reveiwer said she didn't think the story was dark, but rather shadowed. My take on this... It's the shadow of the darkness to come. The first book sets up the lives and the beginning. I'm expecting the rest to devour!

The narrator uses his voice to guide you through the story and he does an excellent job when the story becomes a roller-coaster ride to the evil side. I really hope he narrates the rest of the series!

I received this audible free of charge at my request and am thrilled to provide my honest, unbiased reveiw.

Interesting take on the genre...

The Evilution: Rise of the Antichrist (Dark Tomes 1) was an interesting book. I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by SW Salzman, and I have to say his narration was far and away the best part of the book. The story follows several people, but mostly it follows Paul Peter Bradley, his girlfriend Jenny, his old pal Matt, and an uber-genius Catholic Priest Fr. Joseph David.

First of all, I have to say this: I'm a devout, practicing Catholic, and some of the theology espoused in the book from Jenny (a Catholic herself) is just blatantly wrong by 1000%. I understand this is fiction, but I had to constantly keep repeating that mantra as she made claims about end times prophecy and Church teaching which are patently false. But that's really not a big deal, it IS fiction.

The story WAS pretty interesting though. I enjoyed how it took quite a few items from Scripture and end-times speculation and weaved it into the storyline. This was done well, was well placed, and executed nicely. The dialogue was lacking, with characters going on and on in a way meant to convey real-world, imperfect speech, but it was hard for me to get absorbed by it. All the characters are supposed to be literally the smartest people on the planet, but the way they spoke sometimes it was hard to believe that. Nonetheless, the story was strong, interesting, and fairly well-paced.

It read much like one of the Christian end-times books which came out in the 90s and early 2000s, but with an R-rating, which I appreciated. It didn't pull any punches on the violence and gore, but still maintained a Christian perspective with an air of respect. I would recommend this book to people interested in this genre, but it is certainly a niche genre. However, if that is what you're looking for, check it out.