Title: The Coming
Author: A. Ben Bacon
Publisher: Author Reputation Press, LLC
ISBN: 979-8-89389-111-9
Pages: 202
Genre: Fiction
Reviewed by: Arthur Thares
Hollywood Book Reviews
You can search the aisles of your local bookstore all you want but you won’t find another book like this. The story starts with strong religious tones – as it should – but those start to slip away throughout the book. Religion is incredibly important to this story, so it doesn’t disappear completely, but the story feels more like a Lifetime Channel in the beginning and more like a Sci-Fi Channel toward the end. If that hasn’t sold you yet, know that this book gets delightfully strange without crossing the line.
The story begins when Joe Everlasting makes the impulsive decision to pick up a woman on the side of the road. Little does he know that it will spark a chain of events that will result in him becoming the protector of the world’s saviors. Joe doesn’t know why, but God has chosen him, and he gets a family out of the deal. The road isn’t easy, as The Prince of Darkness is trying to murder Joe and his wife every way he can. From shady bartenders to wild animal attacks to an imposter at home, Joe must always be vigilant to protect his family. Luckily, his military training and a little help from God helps him in his quest.
Books like this remind you that someone doesn’t have to be a trained author to write the story in their heart. The Coming is a fantastic novel but a little rough around the edges. One common theme that takes up too much space in the book is constant references to alcohol, which seems to be a go-to transitionary trope for the author. The cadence of the book is also a little different; it feels as though the action stops and starts instead of a slow build to crescendo over three acts. Readers will notice how the book starts with heavy religious overtones, but as the book progresses, that starts to fade a bit, and towards the end, there are detailed love scenes and graphic descriptions of violence. None of this is meant to discourage the reader; it only serves as a gentle warning that the book’s content seems to shift as it progresses.
The Coming is a story that transcends the word unique in its storytelling and message. That doesn’t mean that there are a few missteps along the way, but nobody is perfect. This book very much feels like the first of a series, so if you enjoy the story, it is safe to guess there will be more in the Everlasting collection. This story perfectly manipulates genres to give those who love reading lighter stories just a taste of darkness and those who enjoy reading darker stories a bit of hope in their dystopia. The Coming is a marvelous story that should excite everyone about what is to come for the Everlasting family and A. Ben Bacon.