The Exodus Gate by Stephen Zimmer
Rate and review The Exodus Gate! | What does everyone else think?
Benedict Darwin, host of a popular late night radio show that deals with the paranormal, comes into possession of a virtual reality simulator that turns out to be something far greater and more powerful then he ever expected.
Supernatural powers from the Abyss and their human allies are working tirelessly to bring about a One World Government, bridging the boundaries of time and space to bring back the Nephilim, the offspring of Fallen Avatars and humans, who were destroyed in a Great Flood that occurred long ages ago.
On the verge of enslaving the entire world, the vast forces within the Abyss under their proud and defiant ruler Diabolos, the Shining One, are more powerful than ever before, and they hunger to shake the foundations of Heaven itself.
A convergence of unprecedented proportions is underway, as meticulously designed plans from malevolent otherworldly powers, set into motion at the foundation of the world, begin to unfold.
In the face of this rising storm, other powers begin to come together to resist. A most unlikely group begins to form, including high school student Seth Engel and his friends, who witness pony-sized wolves during a hike in a forest where wolves have not been seen in decades, to Benedict, his niece Arianna, and even souls existing within the afterworld. The Exodus Gate sets in motion many new forces and unexpected allies that are not going to allow their world and those beyond to fall without a fight.
The Exodus Gate is Denver-born author Stephen Zimmer's first full length novel. It is an ambitious tale of parallel worlds and not-so-virtual realities, heavenly bodies and sentient wolves, all the while featuring a narrative inspired by a diverse miscellany of lore and legend. Published by Seventh Star Press, it is the first book of the Rising Dawn Saga.
The Exodus Gate is an enjoyable book to read, it is also a big read. Despite being just over 550 pages in length, it requires dedicated time and effort but this outlay will be amply rewarded by a debut novel that has been constructed with great imagination and care, a novel that has the appearance of a real labour of love.
In a market that is flooded with Tolkien and Rowling pastiche it is refreshing to see an author attempting something different. Although Zimmer has, of course, called upon many existing sources and influences to help construct the story, there is much to be found that is original. Loosely classed as urban/contemporary fantasy, faith and belief are the overriding themes, allowing The Exodus Gate to also fall into the Christian fantasy genre. It is usual with Christian fantasy to find an author adopting a purely dogmatic approach which showcases their beliefs and which also encourages, with sledgehammer like subtlety, the reader to share these views. Despite having Christian elements within, Zimmer’s work cannot be classed as Christian fantasy due to the healthy inclusion of Islamic, Arabian, Jewish and Roman Catholic into the mix. And more importantly Zimmer has not adopted the dogmatic approach – he encourages you to think, and never at any time tells the reader what to think.
When asked if The Exodus Gate could be classed as Christian fantasy, Zimmer replied:
“As far as The Exodus Gate and Rising Dawn Saga goes, my publisher does not market it as "Christian Fantasy" as far as categorizing it, and I definitely want it to be accessible to a mainstream audience. I love David Gemmell, and his response was always that things are there in his writing for those with the "eyes to see them". My work is such that it can be read purely as a fantstical tale, and it can also be read with an eye to some theological themes. It is not intended to be preachy in any sense, in terms of beating readers over the head like the Left Behind books. It does have some things that might be considered "inspirational" to those that are open to it. In this story, the Nephilim and a cosmic war between Diabolos and Adonai create a framework that is clearly going to draw in some spiritual elements from Jewish and Christian heritages. There are references to Djinn (Islamic and pre-Islamic Arabian Lore), the formation of mythological gods like Enki and Erishkegal into the characters of Avatars. The splitting of Diabolos as a Lucifer-like character, with Sammael as The Adversary, is definitely non-canonical (not to mention the usage of a purgatory-like realm, which is more strictly Roman Catholic in terms of the theology). That being said, there are several elements within the storyline and series that are spiritual in nature. Topics are dealt with more in an essence sort of way rather than strict, dogmatic interpretations. I am an author who is a Christian, as opposed to being a Christian author.”
The Exodus Gate is a sometimes tough but ultimately gratifying read, a book that Fantasy Book Review recommends for lovers of thoughtful-fantasy. It is also a book with an ending that is near-prophetic, written as it was before the world’s economic meltdown.
The Exodus Gate (Amazon.co.uk)
Author: Stephen Zimmer
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 576
Publication date: 2009-02-05
Publisher: Unknown
RRP: £14.99
Lowest new price: £9.56
Lowest used price: £8.66
The Exodus Gate (Amazon.com)
Author: Stephen Zimmer
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 576
Publication date: 2009-02-05
Publisher: Seventh Star Press, LLC
RRP: $19.95
Lowest new price: $10.10
Lowest used price: $10.10
The Exodus Gate, by Stephen Zimmer, is a modern fantasy novel that is the first release in the Rising Dawn Saga. The story unfolds around Benedict Darwin, host of a popular late night radio show that deals with the paranormal. Benedict comes into possession of a virtual reality simulator that turns out to be something far greater and more powerful than he ever expected. Meanwhile, supernatural powers from the depths of the Abyss and their human allies are working tirelessly to bring about a One World Government. They are also laboring to bridge the boundaries between time and space to bring back the Nephilim, the monstrous offspring of Fallen Avatars and humans that were destroyed in a Great Flood that occurred long ages ago. An epic tale of courage, hope, and adventure, with fantastical realms and exotic creatures, The Exodus Gate is sure to appeal to a wide range of fantasy readers. The first edition also feature 15 full page illustrations by the artist Matthew Perry.
Product Description
Submit your own mini-review
Let people know what you think about The Exodus Gate. You can write your own mini-review and give the book the rating that you think it deserves. Your reviews will go towards giving The Exodus Gate its overall rating that will decide where The Exodus Gate finishes in the top 100 fantasy books of all time.
Books you may also enjoy...
Nation by Terry Pratchett
In what can really only be called a tour de force by an author who is arguably the greatest living English novelist, Terry Pratchett has pulled out all the stops for his latest book, Nation. Pratchett is best known for his Discworld series of books, which stretch across a monstrous 36 books (of which the majority does well to score below 7 out of 10). However this time around, Pratchett has stepped off the Disc and into a parallel universe to our own, with honorable mentions to Einstein and Isaac Newton. ... read the full review
Summary: Nation will make you feel good for a week (hopefully more, we’ll see) and will remind you once...
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Far from fading with time, Kenneth Grahame’s classic tale of fantasy has attracted a growing audience in each generation. Rat, Mole, Badger, and the preposterous Mr. Toad (with his ‘Poop-poop-poop’ road-hogging new motor-car), have brought delight to many through the years with their odd adventures on and by the river, and the imposing residence of Toad Hall. ... read the full review
Summary: It is a Household Book; a book which everybody in the household loves.
Watership Down by Richard Adams
A gripping story of rebellion in a rabbit warren and the subsequent adventures of the rebels... Adams has a poetic eye and a gift for storytelling which will speak to readers of all ages for many years to come. ... read the full review
Summary: A masterpiece which will speak to readers of all ages.
Also in this sub-genre...
- Nation by Terry Pratchett
- The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
- Watership Down by Richard Adams
- The Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon
- Duncton Wood by William Horwood
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling
- The Magicians by Lev Grossman
- Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling
- The Gunslinger by Stephen King
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling
- Prince Caspian by CS Lewis
- Duncton Quest by William Horwood
- The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
- Storm Front by Jim Butcher
- Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
- Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs
- Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs
- Palimpsest by Catherynne M Valente
- The Shadow Year by Jeffrey Ford
- X-isle by Steve Augarde
- Hyddenworld: Spring by William Horwood
- Charlotte’s Web by EB White
- The Wandering Fire by Guy Gavriel Kay
- The Darkest Road by Guy Gavriel Kay
- American Gods by Neil Gaiman
- Return To Allapatria by Shelley E Parker
- The Tales of Beedle the Bard by JK Rowling
- The Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay
- Turn Coat by Jim Butcher
- Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs
- Enchanters by David Bryan Russell
- Three Days to Dead by Kelly Meding
Book of the Month
Apartment 16 by Adam Nevill
Some doors are better left closed . . . In Barrington House, an upmarket block in London, there is an empty apartment. No one goes in, no one comes out. And it’s been that way for fifty years. Until the night watchman hears a disturbance after midnight and investigates. What he experiences is enough to change his life forever.
Latest interviews
Interviews plus question and answer sessions with authors, narrators and publishers.
Must-reads
The following reviews are of books that begin the very best fantasy series available.
Competition: Win a signed copy of Graham Hancock's Entangled
Graham Hancock is the author of The Sign and the Seal, Fingerprints of the Gods, Keeper of Genesis, Heaven's Mirror, Supernatural and other bestselling investigations of historical mysteries. His books have been translated into twenty-seven languages and have sold over five million copies worldwide. Written with the same page-turning appeal that has made his non-fiction so popular, Entangled is his first work of fiction. We have five signed copies of Entangled to give away as prizes. Email us the answer to the following question and the lucky winner, chosen at random, will receive a copy of the book, signed by the author.
Special Feature: Fantasy Book Review talks to the Book View Cafe
Book View Cafe is a cooperative site created by a group of writers - including internationally renowned authors Katharine Kerr, Ursula Le Guin and Vonda N. McIntyre - who want to take advantage of the internet's possibilities for reaching a wider audience and to distribute their work directly to their readers. The Book View Cafe is a place where you can find free, original fiction plus the authors' best and out-of-print work for a fee. Fantasy Book Review spoke to Book View Cafe member, science fiction author and memoirist Chris Dolley in February 2010.
Special Feature: Understanding the author of Alice in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll, the elusive author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, has been the subject of enduring fascination for the past hundred years. The destruction of many major documents about his personal life by his descendants has only magnified the mystery. Jenny Woolf's biography, published to coincide with the release of the new Tim Burton Alice in Wonderland film, lays waste to the myths and suspicions that have obscured Carroll's reputation by placing him firmly in the context of his own time.
