Review: First-rate
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 19, 2014
Starting things off in the Vietnam Conflict, you get to see how a single, 7-man Army outfit full of misfit personalities go against a group of Vietnamese soldiers (or "Mr. Charlie" by slang). Before we even get there, the introduction to each and every soldier in the outfit is unique, at times comical, as a British journalist gets to know them. Considering this is the first war in American history where amorality starts to show with the extreme, brutal violence shown uncensored on TV, I had no pretenses that it was going to be squeaky clean, even for a Christian book. In fact, though the swearing was minor throughout the story, the violence was vividly detailed.So, note of caution: if you're squeamish on the disturbingly detailed violence of war, avoid this story.As for the rest of this book, at times it is harrowing in the drama, but for the frequent humor, it is nothing short of guffaw-worthy.After every single true Christian hears a disembodied warning, the only two soldiers from the VC outfit who are still best friends feel a calling to look for the rest of their disenfranchised outfit, present the Gospel to each of them in an effort to win more souls to Heaven, and get back to their families before the Rapture occurs.One primary problem, though. There's a circle of satanists that are out to destroy the very church the two friends go to.With all the drama, all the insane humor and one-liners, all the different angles on the Rapture's occurence, this was truly a fascinating read.There was even a surprising angle on a false Christian with a distorted view of the Bible (who I imagine would be disappointed with his turnout). His arrogance against true Christians spoke for itself the few times he had page time (I'm glad he wasn't given much, personally). And with the actual main villain of the story, Sangre, I always hope for an over-the-top, flourished ending of the villain in any story. Sangre was no different. His end was a surprising style, yet enjoyable (no, not in a sadistic kind of way). The very end of the book was written in such a way (not just well-written, that was the entire story anyway) that it gave me hope and a reason to keep looking forward to that last call.