Title: Apocalyptic Kingdom
Author: M.J. Kelley II
Publisher: eBookit.com
ISBN: 9781456640644
Pages: 180
Genre: Christian
Reviewed by: Liz Konkel

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Zonera is a young Pakistani woman pregnant who is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her first child, and quietly hoping for a boy to appease her husband. Then she would be able to breathe a little easier and not have to worry about bringing a little girl into the cruel world in which Zonera lives. But as the world becomes more violent around her and a mysterious pandemic (according to the media) has swept globally with vast numbers of Christians and children mysteriously disappearing, Zonera finds hope in an unexpected place. After she expresses her fears to Dr. Liu, the doctor returns the favor by sharing with her about her faith which resonates with Zonera as she is cast out of her home and finds herself in the middle of a violent upheaval.

This is a Christian book, so contains several themes that focus on the Rapture, faith, and violence against Christians and women. The story is set against a horrific backdrop which is set up in the prologue and is used to establish the tone and setting. By delving into the Biblical connection and providing the ominous tone with how the Earth was supposed to be perfect and then transitions into how this is occurring during a time when mankind has reached the end of their story. The prologue is a clever way to establish both the Christian elements that can be expected and the apocalyptic events which are soon to transpire in the story. The setting takes place in the modern-day with references such as fake news and a political conspiracy which weaves and touches of the ‘end of the world’ such as the special event sale. Zonera is an immediately relatable character through her struggles as a woman feeling unwelcome everywhere she goes and the hostility she faces to being cast out from her own home after losing her baby.  Each moment is a poignant example of the reality she faces simply by being a woman.

The story does not shy away from the apocalyptic atmosphere or the violence of it, specifically throwing Zonera into the middle of it. Through Zonera, the story focuses on her plight as a Pakistani woman and the treatment she endures at the hands of various men in her life – from her husband to the taxi driver, and other men in between. The events around her force Zonera into situation after situation which calls for her to fight for her own survival, and requires her to reach to the depths of her soul to be strong and faithful. Her journey into faith stems from a profound moment where she’s able to understand the meaning of salvation against this backdrop of collapsing governments and the rise of Solomon, a man that proclaims that he is the King of the Earth. The writing is descriptive such as seen in the opening with a man’s voice wailing out a fervent song that echoed in quiet alleyways.

Despite the horrors she faces, Zonera still finds solace thanks to Dr. Liu providing her with the first step. The doctor is someone who shows her kindness and gentleness, who listens to her, and serves as the first catalyst on this journey of faith. Following her abandonment by her husband, she’s taken in and ministered to which helps to solidify this journey of faith that she’s embarking on. She began with a skeptical perspective, wondering if there was a God – then why is there such evil on the earth – which is a specific moment of a prominent theme in the story. The violence of the world was already present in her reality which creates a built-in fear for Zonera about having a daughter and has been her reality since she was a teenager and soldiers came into her village.

Apocalyptic Kingdom is a fast-paced story which explores themes regarding the Rapture, faith, Christianity, violence, and the struggle of women set against an apocalyptic backdrop.