"Armageddon" 't pass this book by! @badwordplay,

When I saw this book on the digital shelves of my not-local-at-all Amazon store, I looked at the cover, and thought "Oh, this is a book along the lines of a DeGrasse-Tyson, or a Sagan, that explains about the universe. After I clicked it, I realized something: You should not judge a book, based on it's cover. That's a really good quote I just came up with, I should copyright it....

Anyway, while there are a lot of scientific and spiritual ideas in this "Armageddon", this book is actually a fiction book. It deals with such minuscule and totally into important things such as time travel, religion and spirituality, and the potential and danger of an all out nuclear world war. And one man trying to stop the possible end of the world. So you know, a lighthearted read...

I only make jokes about it, because I really enjoyed this book. It was refreshing to read an apocalyptic-type story that wasn't about zombies for once. Do I sound like a psychopath for saying that? What I mean to say is, whether or not you believe that a zombie outbreak could happen (and I will debate anyone on that subject), that kind of apocalyptic story seems a couple of steps removed from reality. Like, if it happened, I think people could organize enough to get the outbreak contained. But a story like this is grounded so much into reality, that it makes it a lot more engaging, and a lot more unnerving to consider the real life possibilities. Not that I'm one of those tin foil hat wearing conspiracy theorists (it's actually made out of ALUMINUM, thank you!), but it does make you consider things you probably never have before.

I think this is a very fascinating read, and a very well done fiction novel. I blew through this book, and I am curious to see where Mr. Mardak goes next! ( )

A thrilling ride from the first page…

Armageddon and the 4th Timeline by Don Mardak is a thrilling ride from the first page. This science fiction novel combines time travel, spiritual themes, a fascinating mix of characters and modern intrigue to create an unputtable down novel.

We meet the CIA Director, Scott Cunningham, a former Navy SEAL, and his Assistant Lori Colbert, addressing a meeting after a terrible terrorists attacks. We also meet husband and wife Kathy and Eric who are in Lhasa, Tibet, on a spiritual quest. Through Eric's time travel, both worlds intersect. Mardak's premise throughout the novel is that there "is a spiritual universe, and mankind has the ability to rise into a higher level of consciousness where all conflicts can be resolved peacefully without resorting to wars, or threatening a nuclear holocaust.”

Mardak's Armageddon and the 4th Timeline is a science fiction novel, containing elements of time travel. It is set in 'the Present' with a clear aim of trying to reconcile what is happening. There is a definite sense of good and bad in the novel. Mardak’s fascinating use of the scriptural characters of Paul and Silas to both examine Christianity, and to change the future, is an amazing read. How Mardak structures the novel is particularly well done, so that the ending is both satisfying, works in a science fiction way, and races to the finish, all at once.

The novel examines the various tenets of a number of the main religions (Christianity, Tibetan Buddhism, and Judaism) using them as plot devices: e.g. Paul's Missionary Journey. This exploration of religion is quite a wild ride, but worth it.

The first third of the novel introduces us to the characters: to the CIA, the issues related to Eric and Kathy, and to the Himalayan mystic Shimahn. This first third also introduces broader geopolitical issues, as well as setting up the 'four dimensional world of space time'. In the second section of the novel the actual time travel begins. We see its effects from Eric's point of view. He is an interested participant. In this section Mardak makes good use of structure to make his point, but also to move the plot along. The last third of the novel brings everything together: the time changes and the new ideas and perspectives. There is an ending which is in some ways surreal, and which is beautifully realised.

One of the main themes of this book is religion. It's a fascinating book because I believe many people see Religions as having "Truths" and this novel certainly plays with some of those. Anyone who believes that the Bible is the written word of God will have a difficult time with this novel. That said, it is far from Mr. Mardak's aim to make anyone annoyed about this. I feel, quite the contrary.

The novel discuses time travel and how it can save the world. What difference would it make to war? Mardak also asks what kind of world are we creating? How do we cause and prevent nuclear holocaust? Armageddon and the 4th Timeline is also about an attitude of helping and working together to create change.

The relationships that are explored in the novel illustrate personal growth and caring. Kathy and Eric, Colbert and Cunningham, Paul and Silas are all studies in how we see, how we relate, and how we can change. The focus in Armageddon and the 4th Timeline is how this happens.

A minor quibble about the characters is the character of Kathy. I didn't feel that she had very much to say for herself, and was a little too passive for my liking. Eric, however, is well written and his relationship with Kathy is nicely drawn. The CIA group are depicted as a good bunch. They sounded quite different to Eric and Kathy: they were exciting and gung-ho. They were well drawn.

The scenes in the desert were particularly evocative and the relationships depicted there, though brief, remind the reader that some of the central ideas of the novel are relationship and awareness. The different families in the desert remind the reader that families have many different shapes. In terms of diversity and families there are a range of families: Lori Colbert is a divorced mother, Kathy and Eric have been married seven years and there are the families in the Sinai desert. There is also the relationships between Shimahn and Eric and Kathy, and between Paul and Silas. Mardak also emphasises diversity by depicting various religions and mixing those religions in unique ways.

This novel runs along at a fast, fast pace. At times it fairly gallops. It has fantastic ideas about time and space and makes the reader think.

Armageddon and the 4th Timeline has a thoughtful purpose, but is highly readable and action packed. Mardak's plot is well structured and he makes good use of characters. From the first' gloomy Thursday in Langley…' I wanted to read on, to find out what was happening, what was going on. The science fiction genre makes a twist with a spectacularly good ending. I am happy to rate this novel as 4.5 out of five stars. ( )

Incredibly Thought Provoking & Engaging

What I liked about this novel was that it was as thought provoking and insightful as it was incredibly entertaining. Author Don Mardak hooks you within a few pages, drawing you into a complicated and bloody dance of war and violence as the world hovers on the brink of destruction... leaving you grasping for a center as the story progresses. This is a novel that bounces from thoughtful prose to action-packed entertainment, never once failing in providing a thoroughly enjoyable ride that makes you thinks and makes you gasp in delight in equal turn.

The novel is well crafted with strong detail that allows the reader to feel as if they have truly gone to another world, another dimension where all things are possible and where humanity has a chance to reinvent itself if it only takes that chance. The story is smart, insightful and vibrantly engaging. It mish-mash of mystical fantasy, fast paced action, human drama and complicated emotion.

Overall, this was a thoroughly entertaining read that kept me sucked into the story from the first page to the last and Don Mardak has certainly made an impression. It was well worth the read. ( )

Is time travel real? Do we live in alternate or parallel realities? Is it possible or probable that we can change the future? This story shows us human potential by taking a deeper look into two worlds; the unseen spiritual realm and the tangible physical reality. We get to decide if one is more important or less than the other. Is it possible to only live in one without the other? This story guides us into a truth beyond words.
At the age of twelve, Eric meets an enlightened teacher, when he gets separated temporarily from his parents. They are on a vacation in Jerusalem. He spends only a short time with the master, while he learns insights and meditation. He has to leave, but the chance meeting changes him indefinitely.
Years later, Eric and his wife get a letter from the Tibetan master, Shimahn, requesting they visit his ashram in Tibet. He has a plan that if implemented could affect the future of mankind. They must let go of what they know and attempt to change the past, to save the future.
In the meantime, there is a mysterious ship spotted between Bermuda and Newport, Rhode Island. It is believed to be a Pirate ship, but truth is much more threatening.
It was unpredictable and clever. The author makes accurate references to stories from biblical history, and although it is fiction, world history is woven into the tale in a beautifully believable way. There are several stories happening simultaneously and are told seamlessly. This is a book I will read over and over. ( )

This book was wonderful and I truly appreciated how every aspect of the story was addressed with some sort if closure or new beginning! This book was utterly amazing, just wonderful. Don Mardak works wonders with his words. The pages were moving so fast in anticipation of the next chapter, I could barely keep up. Thank you Don Mardak for a great journey.

This book kept me alive!!!I had to read to figure out everything. I personally thought the symbolism of good versus evil was great and adding in human help was a good idea. This book kept me on edge and wanting more every second. Thrilling like a roller coaster with many twist and turns. This book is a great choice for people of all ages. I loved this book. I would recommend this book to just about anyone. ( )