Book Review: Sanctuary by Pauline Creeden

This is an engaging, imaginative and thought provoking world end view.
Sanctuary 
by Pauline Creeden

• File Size: 2899 KB
• Print Length: 268 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1491072067
• Publisher: AltWit Press; 2 edition (September 13, 2013)
• ASIN: B00FI2W6CK

Genre: Christian Fiction, Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: September 27, 2013
In a heart-racing thriller described as Falling Skies meets The Walking Dead,
Jennie struggles to find a safe place for what’s left of her family. But it seems as though there is no place sacred, no place secure. First the aliens attacked the sun, making it dimmer, weaker, and half what it used to be. Then they attacked the water supply, killing one-third of Earth’s population with a bitter contaminate. And when they unleash a new terror on humankind, the victims will wish for death, but will not find it…

When the world shatters to pieces around her, will Jennie find the strength she needs to keep going?

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Review:
Jennie is a nineteen year old who was enjoying her first year at college and away from home. Now her parents want her to stay home since no one knows what is happening with the aliens who have attacked. They have already killed one-third of the Earth’s population by poisoning the water supply. Now the spaceships hover as the people wait for another attack.

The second attack comes in the form of dog sized, lion-like beasts who bite and infect anyone they come across - man, woman or child. Jennie’s mother is one of the early people bitten. Jennie takes her young brother to the hospital to be with their parents only to discover that, within an hour or so, the infected humans turn into zombies and attack more humans. Now the population is running from the aliens and infected friends and family.

Hugh is a 27 year-old high school science teacher who was called Mr. Hottie by Jennie’s school friends. He is getting over the loss of his rich girlfriend who was stolen by his younger, woman chasing and leach of a brother, Brad. Hugh spends the first few days of the zombie attacks barricaded in his apartment building trying to learn from news reports what is going on.

Brad is a self absorbed young man looking for the easy life by dating rich women. If he can spite his brother in the process so much the better. Brad and Hugh’s ex are in a coffee shop when the beasts run through town attacking a man right outside the door. Brad thinks he is being a hero when he drags the man inside the shop.

Jennie and her brother have to make it across town to seek refuge and help at their church. There they find Hugh and Brad waiting for the Pastor and his wife to take a busload of survivors to the military base. Hugh has a theory of a cure that he shares with the military scientists.

The Shisas, as the lion beasts are being called, manage to get on base to attack the group. Can Jennie and others have enough real faith to take the steps needed to survive?

I would see this closer to Left Behind than The Hunger Games and that is okay with its faith based focus.  It is an engaging story and I enjoyed how the author tells the tale through the three characters. It moves along well with a good combination of action and emotional input. I also liked the spiritual message told through this unusual, imaginative view. The ending sets up a sequel and I am interested to read on.

I received this for review as part of BookBlast Tour. Check the feature, excerpt and Giveaway on the previous post.