Acts of God: Book Three of the Christ Clone Trilogy    by James BeauSeigneur Order:  USA  Can Warner, 2004 (2001) Hardcover, Paperback, e-Book Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by J. A. Kaszuba Locke Though the momentum of the story decreases in Book III of the Christ Clone Trilogy, the suspense of the end-times increases. James BeauSeigneur holds the reader's imagination captive in Acts of God, as he brings the series - but not mankind - to a close. From the pinnacle of the Temple in Jerusalem, Christopher Goodman addresses a gathering of thousands. The destruction of the Ark of the Covenant is purposeful before Christopher plunges towards earth, remaining suspended in air, surrounded by hundreds of blinking light-beings. Assisted by Robert Milner and Dexter Hawthorne, Christopher reaches new heights in the United Nations (now housed in Babylon). He is viewed as the Messiah and his blood cloned as 'communion'. It is the dawn of Humankind in the New Age (designated 1 N.A.), with the promise of extended life, healing, psychic powers, and recollections of past lives. In London, Tommy Edwards experiences mind empowerment at a magician's show and levitates the assistant's body over the audience. In Maryland, Betty searches a bed and breakfast basement for a locket she wore in a previous lifetime. But renewal comes at a tremendous cost in human lives. Tribulations continue with devastating plagues of painful lesions on the bodies of Humankind followers (Christopher adjures them to accept their lesions 'as badges of honor and defiance'). Three-days of evil darkness descend worldwide. While a California fisherman, Amos Hill, pulls in his lines, the sea suddenly turns to a deep red and carries the 'smell of death'. This affects all the world's oceans, destroying sea life and forming a crust on the surface. Elevated atmosphere temperatures cause an ice meltdown in Antarctica; New Zealand experiences flash floods; and death tolls generally rise. After each tribulation, Christopher delivers an eloquent speech about stronger bonds, rebuilding and healing. During one of them, a glowing male apparition appears by his side to announce 'Fear god and give him glory'. And Decker Hawthorne begins to have justifiable doubts. When Christopher Goodman paraphrases John Milton's Paradise Lost, 'Better to reign in hell, than serve in Heav'n', that speaks volumes! Despite his eloquence, there remain those who resist. This leads to continued suffering, the ultimate battle between good and evil (Armageddon), and a time for true confessions - we finally learn what is true, what is false. Overall, James BeauSeigneur has given us a remarkable journey though his Christ Clone Trilogy. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more SF books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews