In the Beginning by John J. Higgins (The Archangel Jarahmael and the War to Conquer Heaven)

I was approached by Booktasters in connecting me with the author for an honest review.

Personally, I'm a big Bible nerd. That being said, from this stand point, it doesn't deviate my opinions when I'm reading fictionalised Biblical events. To be honest, I would never have thought that the events of the creation can be fictionally written at this scale.

Truthfully, Higgins knows the chronological events in Genesis extremely well. That being said, there are definite loop holes which allow him to play around with by filling in with his work of art to much delight. This is a definite supernatural fantasy genre that is really up my alley.

Things I like:

World Building
I enjoyed how the Creation took place progressively. And this is what I like about how the world building was written, he did not take for granted that his readers knows about the events of the creation and allow his readers to experience how the Almighty beautifully does it majestically. Guiding us through like a cinematic montage. Very well done, I might say.

Character Development
The Almighty itself might sound a little too human but then again, admittedly we will never know how He's going to sound like. Still a good representation of how the Almighty plays the subtle role yet the writing for His omnipresence is just the right amount. Not too much and not too over powerful.

What dominates the entire book here are the types of angels introduced to us. Specifically the archangels. Very well planned in developing their characteristics with different sets of voices whereby readers are able to clearly differentiate it. Jarahmael's character resonates with me a lot more as the book progresses.

There was one character that I am very still very much curious about is, Lilith. She is still a mystery to me until now. Which made me want to know more about what's the outcome of her role in this series.

Plot
The plot was predictable which leads up the fall of mankind. The deception plan was one I would have never thought out to be as such but then again, it was very well thought out. There were stuff like the pyramids built within Eden and outside of it. I wonder what's the purpose of having these pyramids for.

Overall, I would recommend this book and to advise Christians to read it with an open mind. It's really interesting how Higgins shaped the all well-known creation events with such an interesting turn. Radical Christians might call it a blasphemy, but this to me it's an interesting take altogether!

I really don't mind reading the entire series to get to know what happened next.

Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads Review Link