Reviewed by Stephen: 6.5 out of 10.

If writing ability alone determined the rating I gave this book, then it would, without a doubt, get a straight 10 out of 10. The creative descriptions, ingenious similes, down-to-earth dialogue, cliff-hanger chapter conclusions and cunning storyline were all highlights while reading Comes A Horseman. Robert Liparulo is, as one person so fittingly put it, a writer of immense talent.

In the opening chapter we are catapulted straight into a fast-paced, action-packed assassination scene. Having a soft spot for books that propel you directly into an action sequence, I had high hopes that Horseman would climb its way into being one of my all-time favourite books. This high-octane quickly ebbed, however, as can be expected in a novel to make room for character development in a situation not under pressure. But along with the waning energy came the lengthy, and yes, sometimes tedious descriptions.

By the end of Horseman, I had developed a bit of a love-hate relationship with Liparulo’s in-depth descriptions within the story he was telling. On the one hand, I appreciated, and was even sometimes astounded, at the creativity he injected into whatever and whoever he described. You could more firmly grab a hold of the intricacies of the scene and become better adjusted to what was happening. On the other hand, these same descriptions quite often tripped up the story and caused what I would call ‘reader slogging’, where you as a reader must wade through the hard yards of the first half of the book to get to the stage where you can’t put it down.

My biggest criticism with this book was the stage of ‘not being able to put it down’ not making itself apparent until the final 5 chapters. This ‘reader slogging’ would also, unlike other thrillers, keep popping its head up, even so much as during a fight scene. Halfway through an intense hand-to-hand combat with a ‘walking bicep’ you would be thrust into some childhood memory, flashback or training technique learned in the past. To illustrate my point further, the character wouldn’t just take his shoes off; he would untie his shoelaces, take his shoes off and carry them with the ring and middle fingers of his left hand. Sometimes detail is excellent; but sometimes you just want to cut the talk, skip to the good parts.

This story, I would have to say, is not one for the queasy or faint of heart; it is quite a gruesome book, and Liparulo makes no apologies for not shying away from gory details. However, he does have a strong underlying sense of morality and a clever portrayal of Christianity that is so real and so compelling that it can’t possibly turn away an unbelieving reader. These things, along with Liparulo’s fresh take on the events surrounding the end-times as described in the book of Revelation, were what reconciled the reading of this book to me as being worthwhile.

My final thoughts would be that, although I didn’t enjoy the story as much as I would have liked to, Horseman is still worth the read — even if only for the astounding writing and thoughts that come from the hand and mind of Liparulo. It gave me a fresh glimpse of just how horrifying evil can be, and the tremendous hope that we, as Christians, have in Christ.

Liparulo certainly has a strikingly unique story with Horseman, which, in a world of copy-cats and lookalikes, can always be appreciated. But, by all means, please enlighten me if you understand how the story and back cover description ties in with the title of the book. Maybe I just missed something.

Click here to visit Liparulo’s site.

Reviewed by Les: 8 out of 10.

Deadfall is the 3rd Robert Liparulo novel I have read and I believe it’s the third adult novel he has written.

Reviewed by Symon: 8 out of 10.

Everything is going well for four men on a hunting trip – until someone starts hunting them. An experimental laser weapon has been commandeered and is terrorizing both the hunters and the residents of the remote town. The men must decide whether to run for their lives – or rescue the innocent in the town.

I’ve just finished Robert Liparulo’s latest offering Deadfall, and I must say that it was an awesome read! Although it has no strong Christian message in it, it is full of Christian morals, and it tackles a very relevant issue which is sadly going under the radar of most people today… the effects of violent first-person shooters (video games) on our youth culture.

The story is action-packed, has great characters, and has a plausible plot that is not too far fetched. This is the second Liparulo book I have read (Germ is the other one) and I must say that His story climaxes are exciting, intelligent, surprising and read like an action movie ending.

Three things (in my opinion) that stopped Deadfall earning a higher rating…

• Parts of the plot were just a little unrealistic for me.
• I would have enjoyed a little more character development.
• A little slow moving at the beginning.

Deadlock, Lipaulo’s sequel to Deadfall, is coming out in March. Yet another read I am eagerly looking forward to! If you enjoy an action-packed thrillers with no profanity and great morals, you will love Deadfall.

Click here to visit Robert Liparulo’s website.
Click here to read the first chapter of Deadfall.

Reviewed by Les: 7 out of 10.

Reviewed by Symon: 8 out of 10.

Imagine an airborne strain of the Ebola virus that targets only the people who has the DNA strands encoded within it. No one is safe, and if you breathe, it will find you. To prove it, the germ’s creator targets ten thousand victims: politicians, housewives, children. Only three people can possibly stop it: a pastor, a doctor and a federal agent… if they survive long enough.

Germ is the first Robert Liparulo novel I’ve read. I must say that until now, my favourite Christian action author has been James Byron Huggins. My preference may be changing… The plot is fast moving and immersing, and the action scenes are realistic and remind me of ‘Bourne on paper.’

Germ is not an overtly Christian novel but successfully combines a terrifyingly realistic plot, suspense, mayhem, brutal action and Christian morality to make it a very compelling read.

Reviewer Kevin Lucia (suspensezone.com) remarks…

Robert Liparulo has taken a very realistic threat and crafted a story that ranks right up there with any of Robert Ludlum’s novels. The dialogue is real, the characters painstakingly crafted, and it’s not hard to see this projected onto the big screen in a Hollywood adaptation… Most importantly, Germ embodies what “faith fiction” should be: an excellently written and crafted work of fiction that adheres to a sense of moral value and worth, realistic and accessible to all…

Click here to visit Liparulo’s website.