Book Review: A.D. 999

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

A.D. 999     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Jardien Bell
Class/Genre:   Fantasy   Apocalyptic Fiction   Religious Fiction   Alternate History
Ace, Nov 1999, $5.99, 320 pp.

When God created a being in his image, an insurrection occurred in Heaven with the reactionaries led by the supreme being's beloved Lucifer. However, the revolt fails and God casts Lucifer and his followers from Heaven. They are doomed to reside in Hell away from God's glow. Satan reigns in Hell and is stepping closer to dominating the earth. His final plan outlined in the Book of Revelations begins when the Anti-Christ walks the planet.

Once before, Satan came close to victory. In 999 A.D., people believe the world is coming to an end. Satan, disguised as the Roman Angelo, murders King Edward so that his selected puppet Ethelred becomes England's monarch. For the next two decade, chaos rules the land. The signs of the Apocalypse are visited upon the people and God appears to have forsaken humanity. Instead of abandoning mankind, God selects two special individuals to act as his Witnesses. On first look, a crippled monk with a useless hand and a Scottish midwife seem as poor a choice as anyone could make. However, the divine creator has bestowed special powers that combined with courage and purity might defeat the seemingly invincible Satan.

Anyone who enjoys apocalyptic fiction will gain much pleasure from reading 999 A.D., a frightening story that seems very real. The exciting story line combines historical tidbits including millenia hysteria with religious beliefs that make for a genuine feeling tale. Angelo comes across as a Middle Ages crazed serial killer (as expected of Satan in any guise) that adds to the overall terror. Jardien Bell has written a fascinating novel perfectly timed for Millennium buffs.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner