Brink of Chaos

In fine Ironman-meets-the-Rapture style, LaHaye (Left Behind series) and Parshall add a third volume to The End series of political apocalyptic thrillers. Weapons specialist Joshua Jordan is narrowing down who he thinks may be the anti-Christ when the Rapture, the belief that faithful followers of Christ are snatched away to heaven before the end of the world, arrives, and he must prepare a protégé, Ethan March, his assistant and a former pilot, for the time of tribulation to come. Joshua’s wife, Abigail, defends him against false charges that led to his exile from the U.S. Joshua and other followers of Christ wage battle with divine intervention against the powers of darkness and convince people to join Christ’s side. Characters teach predictive prophecy as they hurtle through the fast-paced worldwide quest to save as many people as possible from doom. Quick pacing and a heart-pounding resolution lead to a dynamic scene of the afterlife and a cliffhanger for the next book. Fans of Left Behind ought to enjoy this new blending of a familiar (to some) premillennial doctrine with new characters and complex story line. (Oct.)