Brennan S. McPhersonCain: The Story of the First Murder & the Birth of an Unstoppable Evil (The Fall of Man, 1)

This may be a book that's best appreciated during the second read because the world of Cain is so different from ours, as indeed it must've been. I'm quite certain there isn't a person alive today who has any inkling what daily life was like for humanity's first family experiencing their first family crisis. We, who are two millennia downstream from a revolution in which good crushed evil, surely would need to put aside assumptions we don't even realize we have to understand that world. Kudos to Brennan McPherson for making a stab at imagining a story set there. Mr. McPherson takes his readers on the ride of their lives into an era during which the physical and the spiritual weren't very far apart. He spins an epic drama with many elements that are common to dramas: Murder, brother against brother, and heartbreaking loss.But in Mr. McPherson's story, each of these elements is primal: the FIRST murder, the FIRST brother against brother, the FIRST heartbreaking loss of a loved one. My advise is to lay aside what your assumptions and enjoy the ride.

This extra-Biblical fantasy novel gave Cain, Abel, Seth, Adam, Eve, and many other extra-Biblical characters a heart-wrenching depth. The action and character development are spotless. The struggle Cain has with evil is excellently done. Although many readers might not like the veering off into supernatural (paranormal style) fantasy for the creature of evil who tempts Cain, I felt it was an interesting, fantastical style into a possible spiritual realm. The unknown and otherworldly places and creatures were fascinating throughout the book - they weren't comfortable places, but they made "sense" in a unearthly way.I did have trouble with the presense of a Lilith character (I put the book down for a bit when she showed up). I feel like nearly every extra-Biblical fantasy has a Lilith character although this one wasn't the source of all evil this time. The timeline and the presence of a City of God created by God outside the Garden of Eden was one that I struggled with a bit, too, along with the timing of Seth's birth - although Seth's "birth" timing made more sense by the end of the book.The Bible verses at the beginning of each chapter were perfectly chosen to fit the sequence of events and helped explain some of the author's more creative exploits in a way that showed he had done is Biblical research and was immersed in a relationship with Christ as he wrote this novel.All in all, for readers of Christian fantasy - especially those who like extra-Biblical Christian fantasy - this is a good read that I recommend.Note - even with putting down the book at Lilith, i did read it in one day - so it is riveting!

I tend to read the negative reviews for a new book before purchasing. And I tend to give a review more credence if the write-up is detailed and articulate. I freely admit that this book had more than one bad review that met my qualifications but I decided to try it anyway. There are places where the story-line because a bit obtuse but, nevertheless, the story is well-written. It is a most unique take on the story of Cain. The author states in the preface that the story is speculative so it is, by no means, meant to follow the typical outline of events. Some of the negative reviews chastised the author for departing from the accepted outline but, considering that this is fiction, I do not see any issue with the complaints. I purchased the story & finished it in the same day. It was a rewarding read and I have already purchased the remaining books. Perhaps I am desensitized but I also saw nothing to complain about in regards to the violence in the book. It was no more than what was required and I did not find it graphic or off-putting. I'm definitely looking forward to what comes next in the rest of the books and I hope more will follow

Brennan McPherson's debut novel is a powerful portrayal of the first murder in human history. For those who love speculative (fantasy) fiction, this one is POWERFUL! For the straight-on biblical fiction lovers, you'll need to keep in mind that the pre-Flood world was filled with many UNKNOWNS. Brennan is a meticulous scholar that leads us on an enigmatic journey through the lives of the troubled first family. I would recommend this book for older teens or adults because of the realistic violent descriptions and deeply thought-provoking concepts. If you're looking for a book that makes you think beyond the words on the page, you'll enjoy this one!

Intense from the first moment, "Cain" takes you on a journey through the days following the first recorded murder in human history. It is extra-biblical in scope but not anti-biblical. Brennan remains true to the original text and then amplifies with imaginative prose the disturbing possibilities opened up by the killing of brother by brother. It is not an easy, breezy read. It is dark on many levels with sobering insights into the dysfunctions already apparent in our earliest fore-fathers. I did have to put the book down at times to take an emotional break and digest some of the thoughts behind the words. But I am glad I finished for in the end, the author gives us glimpses of the redemption set in place by our Good Father even before Cain picked up the rock or Eve plucked the fruit. The book is thought provoking and challenging. Not for the faint of heart or those too young for some fairly graphic violence.

This book is a tough read! So much symbolism that it warrants a second read to fully understand it. Confusing at time and full of horror! Praise Yahweh for his promise of redemption for all mankind!