Two Images of God

Discontent

Fiction - Suspense
455 Pages
Reviewed on 03/09/2018
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Brian Sheets is an award winning author with books spanning several genres. In writing the Two Images of God series, he relied on his experience as a veteran and as a student of religious literature. His composition style makes widespread use of everyday language as opposed to academic-eze, thus increasing reader enjoyment and the pace at which the books can be read.

“In viewing events in the Middle East during the past 25 years, the question arose for me “Why can’t we all get along?” Wars in the past had well-defined moral goals of right over wrong or freedom over tyranny. Now, the struggle appears to center around religious doctrine that has been redefined to achieve an end-goal for which there will only be losers. I wanted to write a book that provided a platform for people to explore this question along with me.”

    Book Review

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

Discontent is the second book in the Two Images of God series by Brian P. Sheets, a wonderful meld of terrorist and political thriller with monumental religious conflict. I was thrilled when I read the first book in this series, and in this new installment, the author takes the game even higher. The story begins with a moment of crisis, a bombing that leaves many people dead and others wounded, and quickly moves on to explore the dynamics of geopolitical and religious conflict, featuring a cast of powerful and well-developed characters. This book explores the conflict between the Western Alliance and the Islamic forces, and readers also get a clear sense of the differences between Christianity and Islam and what political and religious fanaticism can do to a world like ours.

This book tells a modern story with ancient beginnings, a conflict that stares the world defiantly in the face, and the story can be read as a powerful indictment of the mindlessness that has been behind religious fanaticism. But what is very interesting about the writing is the way that themes are integrated into it. The author offers, alongside the gripping story, a strong message of hope — dialogue and mutual respect are values that we need to make the world better and more peaceful. But can people who feel hurt and cheated accept sitting at the dialogue table? Two Images of God: Discontent is filled with relevant historical references and readers not only become witnesses to global terror, but get a great understanding of man’s inhumanity to man. It’s a skillfully written book with great philosophical underpinnings and a message that needs to be heard.

Charles Remington

The second book in the series Two Images of God is titled Discontent and follows on from the first book, Quest. It leaves the original characters and situations, however, taking the central theme from a different viewpoint involving top level protagonists in the armed forces of the USA, China, Russia and other leading economies - experienced military men who find themselves facing the leaders of the world's Islamic Jihadist militias in a terrifying global confrontation. As with the previous volume, author Brian P. Sheets takes the trouble to introduce the main players who will participate in his narrative so they are clearly defined, which is helpful in a plot involving many characters and locations around the world - from California to the Yemen, from Moscow to Tahiti and many more. Once the characters are established, the narrative moves briskly forward in the style of a high-octane thriller following the efforts of Abbas, an Islamic leader, in his attempts to create a united Sunni/Shia army, and Arthur, commander of the Western forces, whose task it is to thwart that ambition. Riddled with plots and counter-plots, the narrative moves seamlessly through a complex maze where the central characters can never be sure of the loyalties of those around them or even if they can survive the mission they have undertaken. Men of peace struggle with men of war on both sides – in a world where violence and naked ambition hold sway, can the doves possibly prevail?

Two Images of God: Discontent is a carefully structured, well researched thriller in a style that reminded me, at times, of the immaculately crafted novels of Frederick Forsyth. It continues the theme of Sheets’ earlier book, Quest, asking the question ‘why can’t we get along?’ but written in a quite different style and pace. It would not be necessary to read Quest in order to enjoy the current volume, but as the books are designed to form a series it would probably be best to read them in order. Discontent again displays the author’s understanding and depth of knowledge of his subject matter, along with his undoubted ability to engage the reader. This second book brings another viewpoint to the ongoing discussion about a troubled region – a region that has seen bloodshed throughout its history, wars chronicled in the Bible and the Koran, tribal and religious conflicts that endure to this day. Mr Sheets’ question is pertinent and his book a worthy contribution to the discussion. It presents some surprising, thought provoking, sometimes frightening viewpoints - but does he have an answer?

Romuald Dzemo

Two Images of God: Discontent by Brian P. Sheets is a suspense novel, but the realistic perspective of the narrative is stunning. It is unusual to discover writing that is purpose-driven and intentionally crafted to arouse the reader’s consciousness, but here is one such novel. While it is interesting and hugely entertaining, this novel asks powerful religious and philosophical questions that compel the reader to compose their own answers to the religious divide that has punctuated the course of history. Why is it so hard for people of different faith traditions be tolerant and why can’t they live together harmoniously?

The reader is introduced to a group of people who finally come to believe that we can put aside our religious differences and live together in peace, but while they embark on making this utopia a reality, a dangerous enemy hits. The reader is left with the question: For how long can anything that enriches humanity endure? The answers are disturbing, intriguing and suspenseful, and once you’re done finding out what they are, you’ll feel the need to do something.

Brian P. Sheets is a brilliant writer and his work shows great understanding of one of the conflicts that have determined the course of history — the conflict between Christianity and Islam. I loved his prose and the skill with which he handles the themes, exploring issues that affect the lives of millions of people such as fanaticism, religious tolerance, the pursuit of the common good. Two Images of God: Discontent is crafted to keep the reader turning the page nonstop. While it is very entertaining, it is the message of the book that caught my attention — there is a lot that divides us, but what unites us is what makes life meaningful.

Arya Fomonyuy

Two Images of God: Discontent by Brian P Sheets is a blend of political thriller and intrigue that explores the theme of religious conflict and what ideologies can do to a world where what divides people could have been an opportunity for growth. The story starts with a blast, a moment of crisis, a terrorist attack that leaves many people hurt and others wounded. From this moment on, the reader is introduced to an array of characters, militants who are willing to die for what they believe, those who understand that it is just normal to have a different faith tradition from them, and those who think that dialogue can be the only way to establish a world of peaceful co-existence. But how can peace be possible when the idea of God is already being used as an instrument of terror?

Original, fresh, and exciting, this second book in the Two Images of God series is as powerful as it is entertaining, as realistic as it is intriguing. Brian P Sheets succeeds in demonstrating the nefarious power of ideologies and how far-reaching its consequences can be. Readers are pulled into a political landscape where sects and geopolitical factions hold sway. The conflict is well-developed and readers will love the characters who are given depth and flesh, imagined with unique and powerful backgrounds. Starting with Abbas, we meet characters that surprise us in many ways. Two Images of God: Discontent doesn’t feel like fiction and, as one reads, there are images of activities of groups like Isis, Boko Haram, and many others. Sheets puts a lot of life into the narrative and compels readers to relive the tragedy that is current in our religious and political landscape. A great read with a timely message!