Ordained pastor Jim Horn’s novel is a literary smorgasbord of genre elements, including apocalyptic fiction, Christian myth, first-contact science fiction, romance, and thinly veiled social commentary.
Initially set in the last decade of the 21st century, the story largely revolves around Jake Kerns, the CEO and founder of Gravitech Industries. His advances in quantum technologies are changing the world. But when a distress call from an alien spacecraft alerts humankind to a red super giant star (Betelgeuse) going supernova, it’s apparent the explosion is an “extinction event” for planet Earth unless something miraculous is done.
With the help of love interest Lydia Vancouver, the former NASA director, Jake desperately tries to save the world while adversaries aim to illegally obtain the quantum technology. As the planet speeds towards annihilation, the population realizes the Book of Revelation wasn’t just a warning but a blueprint for everlasting life.
While spiritual elements power the latter chapters, some glaring plot holes and highly questionable sequences detract from the narrative’s punch. For example, in an End of Days-inspired plot thread, “the One True God, Creator of all, the Great I AM” eliminates all those who do evil and turn many of them into pillars of salt. “Before the sun rises on Earth, those who rejected ME and chose evil will be no more,” notes the entity. But as the story continues, evil is still rampant: fascists, nonbelievers, and even Satan are still alive.
Also, the author features gratuitous sex scenes between unmarried characters, which come across as performative, almost masturbatory: “Lydia feels sensual, aware that her breasts are full and uplifted. She had never felt so sexy. Lydia unbuttons her flight suit to take deep breaths and show her cleavage.”
Clunky sex scenes aside, the subject of quantum spirituality is fascinating—a topic that those searching for answers might find ripe with possibilities. In that sense, Horn’s novel, while flawed, provides some food for thought.
Also available as an ebook.