The Reaping by Matt Aynes revolves around Charles Ferguson, a young biotech scientist who invents a medical scanner capable of revealing the secrets concealed in human DNA. During the scanner's distribution phase, Charles falls prey to the conniving agendas of the formidable Magnus Foundation. Alexander Magnus, the CEO of the Foundation, is determined to use advanced technology to kill as many individuals on Earth as possible—in particular, those whose genotype he deems inferior. Should Magnus succeed, he would triumphantly get away with the world's most extensive form of genetic genocide. With the lives of billions of innocent people in his hands, Charles and his associates rush to stop this deranged lunatic and his Foundation from successfully bringing humanity to its knees. Are Charles and his team resilient enough to prevent Magnus from annihilating the human race?

Matt Aynes' The Reaping is a high-stakes techno-thriller with well-developed characters and a riveting Christian sci-fi storyline. Aynes skillfully explores the dangers of corrupt, narcissistic thinking, especially by misguided individuals obsessed with power and control. This fast-paced, action-driven story creates a detailed illustration of a world driven by technology and the abuse of the latter when placed in unstable and hostile hands. As the tension intensifies, Aynes does a masterful job of using Charles to explore profound issues, such as faith, the struggle between good and evil, and spiritual resilience. I was intrigued by how Charles and his team confronted the prospect of a terrifying new world while simultaneously exploring their unique abilities and spiritual worldviews. This engaging narrative technique easily made them more three-dimensional and identifiable as characters. Overall, The Reaping will hold your attention from beginning to end. I highly recommend it.

Charles Ferguson's latest invention has attracted worldwide attention due to its revolutionary design and functionality. The only obstacle for the biotech genius is finding a suitable sponsor to collaborate with. While Charles and his close friend Nadia Petrov weigh their options, they do not realize that a mysterious organization has targeted the innovator. The situation intensifies when Charles receives an ultimatum: work for the Magnus Foundation or face severe consequences. Reluctantly, he agrees, but upon meeting its reclusive leader and learning about the foundation's goals, he realizes he may have taken on more than he can handle in The Reaping by Matt Aynes.

The Reaping by Matt Aynes is the first installment in the Aeternum Trilogy. Although the novel's tone focuses on science, Aynes fills the narrative with some unusual characters. This approach results in typical genius-level individuals that science fiction enthusiasts expect—such as Charles and his fellow scientists—interacting with characters like Boris Petrov, whose actions sometimes seem unrelated to the main plot. Aynes increases the mystery through dialogue, shifting from detailed conversations among Charles and his colleagues about the implications of their scientific discoveries to light-hearted, often humorous banter from Boris, appearing deceptively nonsensical. The author fills the dialogue with powerful symbolism, offering clues that attentive readers must connect to understand the motives of the Magnus Foundation. Aynes layers these elements with intrigue and mystery, grounding the world-building in theology and contemporary issues like overpopulation to craft a thought-provoking adventure that readers won't want to stop reading. I look forward to the next installment of this fascinating series.