Birth of an Age: Book Two of the Christ Clone Trilogy    by James BeauSeigneur Order:  USA  Can Warner, 2004 (2003) Hardcover, Paperback, Audio, e-Book Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by J. A. Kaszuba Locke James BeauSeigneur continues his Christ Clone Trilogy with Book II, Birth of an Age. Within a few pages, he captures the reader's attention with dynamic scenes, and an intensity that leaves no question as to the severity of the events which occur. His vivid imagery empowers the reader's imagination, as in 'plunged to the earth, sizzling like butter in a pan on the scorched landscape where they fell.' Though the war between China, Pakistan, and India lasted only a day, casualties were in the millions. More die in the aftermath, from radiation, disease, and starvation. In Israel, two men wander the streets prophesying under a gray-filled sky, a shroud of volcanic ash and smoke. One, who claims to be the 2,000-year-old Apostle John, leads the cult Koum Damah Patar (KDP). They prophesy phantom riders - 'unheard by physical ears, a trumpet sounded and thunder rolled and chains were loosed and fell to the ground.' Atrocities are pervasive all over the world. But this time, not one person in Israel is touched. At the United Nations in New York, Decker Hawthorne and Robert Milner support Christopher Goodman in his nomination by the Security Council as UN Secretary-General. The three friends watch a televised film of events in Jerusalem, and Christopher is still unable to interfere with impending tragedy. The UN Assembly evaluates occurrences around the world as each country's primary vies for votes to support the Consolidated Aid Package, a program developed to assist areas hardest hit by the Disaster. The politics of bargaining, secret meetings, and trade-offs ignite suspicions. In Gdansk, Poland, and cities in the United States, vast amounts of water are poisoned. A dairy farmer in Pennsylvania awakens to find his herd of cows have died. A grandfather in Argentina eagerly walks with his grandson toward the river for a first fishing adventure, only to find dead, bloated fish. At the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, graduate student Mary Ludford monitors celestial images. Unexpectedly, she notices three dots of light moving toward earth - asteroids, bent on destruction. Will the scientists' idea of launching warheads to destroy the asteroids work? Christopher and Milner discuss and give definition to the coming of the New Age. In describing the transition from the past, Milner explains to Decker that it must be done as a species together, not singly. Milner states: 'When we truly see those around us ... learn to understand what has made each of us what we are, we will quickly lose our desire to hate.' Then an unexpected action and a shocking disclosure send Decker into sorrow and mourning. James BeauSeigneur has created an impressive sequel with formidable scenes, eloquent speeches and staunch characters. He leads the reader into the 'New Age' and the religion of 'Humankind'. Birth of an Age brings a tremendous, controversial twist to the story. Evolutionary paths are revealed with spiritual destiny questioned: 'For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect' (Matthew 24:24). 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