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2012: The War for Souls

Review

2012: The War for Souls

The
ancient Maya, in their primitive yet deceptively remarkable way,
have calculated December 21, 2012 to be the day on which our Earth
aligns exactly with the center of the galaxy as it does only once
every 26,000 years. On this day, the world will come to an
end.


In 2012: The War for Souls, author Whitley Strieber shows his
vision for the horrors predicted to come. Archaeologist Martin
Winters is in the Pyramid of Khufu before the day breaks, seeking
answers to a question that could support a theory he holds dear. As
he works, the pyramid begins to collapse; when he scrambles his way
to safety, all that remains is a sleek, black lens staring up into
space.


Eventually, 14 lenses will appear on destroyed ancient sites
worldwide. The real problem comes when night falls and invasion
begins. Alien forces come from within the discs and begin
systematically targeting humans, using an attack that removes the
soul but keeps the shell alive for purposes of slavery. Martin
loses his family in one such attack, and while military strategists
do their best to turn the tide, the effort is futile. Worse yet, an
agent of the invading force has already infiltrated the US
government, infecting it from within.


Strieber does a phenomenal job in presenting this invasion and
ensuing chaos. The story rockets forward, dragging you deeper with
page-turning ferocity. As exhilarating and nerve-wracking as it is,
you are sent for a complete spin when you meet husband, father and
author Wiley Dale. Wiley awakens from a trance while sitting at his
computer and finds on his system the horrifying story of an
archaeologist named Martin Winters and his struggle against an
alien invasion force.


Something is so strikingly real about the story, which makes Wiley
afraid. Of course, his wife believes he's nuts, and he begins to
drift back into a paranoia about the time when he claims to have
been abducted. Someone is trying to tell him something. As more of
the story begins to unfold and he becomes more embroiled on a
personal level, Wiley comes to understand that there are multiple
Earths existing at the same time. He becomes convinced that Martin
is in the next ripple over and that a loss in their world will have
drastic consequences for his own.


And then he discovers the portal.


Strieber has crafted an intense book, one that flies by with
startling and vivid imagery. What could have been a standard alien
invasion story is kicked to a higher level with the implementation
of the multiple-Earth theory. Conversely, what could have collapsed
under the weight of its effort is pulled off successfully with
tremendous flair.


   













Reviewed by Stephen Hubbard on December 22, 2010

2012: The War for Souls
by Whitley Strieber

  • Publication Date: September 18, 2007
  • Genres: Fiction, Horror, Science Fiction
  • Hardcover: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Tor Books
  • ISBN-10: 0765318962
  • ISBN-13: 9780765318961