Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
New America
Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Michael A. Smith
Class/Genre: Mystery Futuristic Techno Thriller
Tom Doherty, Apr 1999, $24.95, 352 pp.
After barely surviving his previous attempt to wrest control, Jeremiah has returned from the underground in the Dakotas accompanied by millions of his followers. His military advisors have taken control of the vast military assets in South Dakota. Jeremiah demands the Feds recognize the independence of his New America. To insure their compliance, his crew has taken control of a nuclear plant in Maryland.
Meanwhile, Jeremiah kidnaps reporter Laura Delany, who he insists is preordained as the mother of the Prophet's heir. Laura's spouse FBI agent Steve Wallace tries to free her. He ultimately succeeds with insider's help, but not before Jeremiah plants his seed inside Laura's womb. Jeremiah controls a trained and efficient militia of over 100,000 troops armed with modern weaponry. With that type of fire power at his disposal, the world wonders whether the second American Civil War will have a different ending than the previous one. Than again, Jeremiah also has a personal vendetta to kill Steve and recapture his "wife" and recently born child.
The second novel starring the evil prophet Jeremiah requires a grand canyon of a stretch by even the most die hard fans of nonsensical religious terrorism. However, once that is accomplished, the novet becomes a one sitting read. Jeremiah remains an intriguing character, and the support cast are caricatures that enable the auience to feel Jerimiah's evil. Michael A.Smith shows with his brilliant prose that he is a very talented writer. However, he never decides whether the story line is a religious thriller or a military thriller, leaving the military segment a more developed piece, but neither side fully detailed. Still, the endind is set up so Jeremiah can have book III.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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