John Dalmas, The Second Coming

The Second Coming

John Dalmas

Baen, Apr 2004, $24.00

ISBN: 0743488164

Two thousand years ago, while the Roman Empire flourished, corruption also blossomed. In that moral void, the Infinite Soul arrived to pass the word.

The United States has made terrific progress on the race and gender fronts almost eliminating the negative isms from the dictionary as showcased by a black female president. However, the country is suffering from a drastic depression and as the original Rap said "violence seems as American as apple pie". Corruption and amoral behavior grows.

A cult forms around the teachings and miraculous abilities of Ngunda Aran, who insists he is not THE SECOND COMING, but just a guru preaching that love is the basic force of the universe and that fear is the corollary. Aran insists the Infinite Soul is coming back to coincide with an asteroid heading towards Earth, but not as a carpenter. This time he will return in the body of a married black Canadian software guru, who rejects the notion that he has Christ's soul inside his heart. Will this anointed one be nailed in the crosshairs of an Uzi from those who want him and his benefactor dead?

THE SECOND COMING is an exciting telling of the return of the Infinite Soul, but with a Hindu twist to the tale. As John Dalmas points out the philosophy and writings of Aran can be traced to Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's Michael novels making this book a treat for her fans. Though at times pontification slows down the plot, post-apocalyptic fans will take immense pleasure with this engaging story because Aran, the president, the Infinite Soul and his enemies seem genuine in a world heading either directly to heaven or hell with no in between rapture weigh station.

Harriet Klausner