DNA by W. Craig Reed - Review

DNA

by W. Craig Reed

Publisher: Booksurge Publishing

Publ. Date: July 2008

ISBN: 978-1419654626

330 pages

Fiction

Summary:

San Jose, CA (September 22, 2008) - DNA by W. Craig Reed (Rain Publishing, September 2008) will plunge readers into the most controversial topic of our time: Intelligent Design vs. Darwin's Evolution. Based on six years of genetic, historical and psychological research, DNA will take readers on an intense journey with a genetic question that, once answered, could unleash an equal measure of hope and horror for us all.

Just after the Gulf War, Ensign George Anders parachutes into Iraq with a Navy SEAL team to hunt down Fahkir Kaseem – an impassioned fanatic bent on continuing his own private war against the West. After finding evidence that Kaseem has commandeered a group of Russian scientists and bio-weapon production equipment, George is thrust into a battle between two opposing forces that each have their own agenda for the future of mankind, and have manipulated world events for centuries to fulfill their plans.

Russian bio-scientist Annelia Salenski is taken captive by Kaseem – who plans to exploit her expertise in genetics. She soon discovers Kaseem’s true agenda – one that involves using a terrifying technology developed by the Soviets during the Cold War, a technology that could alter the definition of what it means to be human.

Racing against time to rescue Annelia and prevent Kaseem from unleashing the most horrific genetic weapon imaginable, George comes face to face with his true identity and unravels an astonishing truth behind a discovery made by an eighteenth century scientist – a man that Voltaire once claimed “knows everything and never dies.” Through the words and formulas recorded by this enigma from the past, George discovers the answer to the most important argument since the dawn of man: Intelligent Design or Darwin’s Evolution? And the proof is hidden in the twisting turning bundle of phosphate atoms that determine the destiny of life.


My Opinion:

When I first saw this book, my eyes were drawn to the subtitle, "Intelligent Design or Darwin's Evolution? Discovering the truth can be fatal . . ." I wasn't sure if this novel was going to be about intelligent design from a Christian perspective, or if it was going to be pro-evolution. Surprisingly it was neither.

The first half of the book was similar to a Michael Crichton tale, in that it was action-packed and full of realistic details. It was all about terrorists trying to obtain biological weapons, and people were dying left and right.

In the second half of the book the tone changes; it becomes more mystical and supernatural, with secret societies and codes. It reminded me a lot of the Indiana Jones movies, and I'm sure it probably has some similarities to The DaVinci Code (which I haven't read).

I was pleasantly surprised at the high quality of the writing in this book. The plot was exciting; heart-pounding even. It made for a very intense read.

The storyline was complex, but not confusing and the author did a great job of making the details easy to understand for the reader.

I liked the touch of supernatural in the story. Even though it wasn't what I was expecting, it was entertaining, and worked well with the rest of the book.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes an intense read, just be forewarned that there is a lot of violence.

Rating: 4.5/5

Author Information:

W. Craig Reed specializes in controversial, fact-based thrillers, historical narrative nonfiction and memoirs. He lives in San Jose, CA. For more information about W. Craig Reed and his books, please visit the author's webpage.