Ishmael Covenant
by Terry Brennan
Independent Publishers Group
Kregel Publications
Christian | Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date 18 Feb 2020





I am reviewing a copy of Ishmael Covenant through Independent Publishers Group/Kregel Publications and Netgalley:





Diplomatic Security Service agent Brian Mullaney is at the end of his rope, with his marriage and tatters and his career destroyed by lies. He has been banished to Israel, as a punishment given to him by his agency, he’s assigned to guard a U.S Ambassador and an insignificant box. What he doesn’t know is that his new job is going to propel him straight into a global crisis.






The box contains a messianic prophecy about the fate of the world. A dark enemy known as The Turk as well as the forces of evil who are at his command are determined to destroy the box. When Ambassador Cleveland gets in the way he puts not only his life but the life of his daughter is threatening forcing Mullaney to act fast.






The agents of three ancient empires have launched covert operations so they could secure nuclear weapons which are in direct defiance of the startling peace treaty Israel and its Arab neighbors have signed. Means a traitor in the U.S State department is leaking information to a foreign super power. Mullaney who is still struggling with the future that was destroyed must protect the embassy staff, as well as thwart the clandestine conspiracies, and unmask a traitor before they turn the desert into a radioactive wasteland.






I give Ishmael Covenant five out of five stars!






Happy Reading!

I am not a religious person so you might find reading a book based on religious writings and stories a little strange. This however is only the background for an excellent geopolitical thriller with the US diplomatic service. Brian Mullaney is an agent of the diplomatic security service assigned to protect Ambassador Cleveland in Turkey. The author starts with a little history and background which is brief but informative, moving quickly to the main plot of a high stakes chase of a centuries old prophecy. With world peace in the balance Mullaney and his team have a roller coaster of a journey with the ambassador as he is posted to the Israeli mission. Recommended.

Captivating and action packed drama:
This is an emotionally gripping and action filled depiction of the days leading up to Christ's second coming. It felt highly plausible that events could transpire as depicted and the author clearly has a solid understanding of both world politics and biblical knowledge. There were many moving parts yet the different subplots fit well together.
At times however it got bogged down by too many facts and details, yet the information provided was interesting and relevant. I found the behind the scenes maneuverings of political and evil forces frightening as I am sure it happens more than we know. This book provides a good reminder that there are unseen forces at work between good and evil and that we ought to pray that the Lord's will be done and His kingdom come.
Only problem is that now I have to try to be patient whilst I wait for book 2 of the trilogy which is due July 2020!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

I like books with action and suspense, and this book has both. I just had trouble getting into it. I wasn’t able to connect with what was going on, so I felt more like a distant bystander than like I was right there as everything happened.

However, I think that it is still a good book overall. Along with the action and suspense, there is Biblical prophecy and recent events. The people in the story seem realistic and you can see evidence of research being done to describe the people and places authentically. Even with different pieces of the plot starting out separate, they come together smoothly.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and Independent Publishers Group for providing me with a free copy of this book in return for an honest review. OK, I admit it. I am a sucker for books like this. Books that tell tales of uncovered or lost Biblical codes out r mysteries, and that is why I am a bit perplexed with my feelings about this book. On the face of it, the book sounds pretty good, and there certainly is a lot of rapid action and adventure (some of which is a bit too hastily introduced and finished). And yet I struggled at times with the book. The plot centers around some religious predictions made by a Lithuanian Jewish scholar back in the 1700's, which are then placed in a metal box that can only be opened by someone who carries the Blessing of Aaron. We then cut to present day and things are happening in the Middle East that deal with a peace treat with Israel, along with the natural animosity between the Turks, Arabs and Iran. Lots can be done with this plot but it all seems rushed and then by the end we have no resolution - stay tuned for books 2 & 3 - which is a little off-putting. More Christianity in here than I suspected, but nonetheless the books main points have been terrifically researched and the author gave me a look into some religious history and animosity that I was unaware of. Some characters need more fleshing out, and some leads that are discovered drop by the wayside, and will probably pop up again in books 2 or 3. So as a stand alone book it is OK, and will probably be better if you can read or get ahold of all 3 books. The series has potential and it appears the other books will appear shortly, but for me this only rises to a 3***, but who knows if I will get a chance to read the other two books, and if so, my final grade for the series may be higher.

I loved this first instalment of the 3-part series. It's a fantastic combination of thriller, historical conspiracy, Biblical prophecy, Middle Eastern complexity and one's never sure where the line is drawn between fact and fiction.

There are a lot of players but Brennan supplies a ready-reckoner at the beginning. And there are a few plot lines thrown at us early in the story which takes a little working through but by around 40% of the way through it I was getting the hang of it.

This is a very plot driven story but Brennan gives us sufficient insights into some of the key players like Brian Mullaney, the DSS Head responsible for guarding the US Ambassador to Israel, Atticus Cleveland and his daughter, Palmyra Parker. There are a bunch of bad guys, one in particular, a mysterious 'otherworldly' type dubbed The Turk, who takes the story into a different realm for parts of it. I particularly appreciated how Cleveland had a strong faith, even when confronted with some hairy situations, that Mullaney was struggling in his faith and Palmyra had many questions about hers. I'm excited as to how these three navigate the rest of the story as regards their faith.

I found it enthralling and even though this story wraps up one of the key plot points there's still much to resolve when it ends leaving us enthusiastically waiting for Book Two.

I received an ebook copy of the novel from the publisher via NetGalley being a member of Audra Jennings PR blog tour with no expectation of a favourable review.

In ISHMAEL COVENANT TERRY BRENNAN has given us a fast paced political thriller with a difference. It is a most inspirational novel and the Christian message is strong.
Brian Mullaney, a U S Diplomatic Security Service agent, after losing favour with the powers that be in Washington, and also with his socialite wife, Abigail, is sent to Israel to head up security for U S Ambassador Cleveland who has just been sent to head up the Embassy in Tel Aviv.
Added to the volatile situation in the Middle East, where a peace treaty has been offered to the Israelis by surrounding Arab nations, is the danger surrounding a two hundred and fifty year old prophecy which Ambassador Cleveland has been tasked with taking to the Rabbinate at the Hurva Synagogue in Jerusalem.
The author has so much knowledge about the End Times as understood by the three main religions of the Middle East and about the politics of the region, giving the story great authenticity.
I cannot wait for the next novel in the Empires of Armageddon series. Ishmael Covenant is a wonderful read and one I highly recommend for anyone who enjoys this genre.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Independant Publishers Group. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

This book has been an exciting adventure. The author is well versed in military lingo which explodes on the pages. I loved reading about the different countries and what their history was. It was intriguing to learn about prophecies from the Bible. The story is centered around a very special box that holds a treasure many would kill for. I liked the intensity of the story as danger slipped around every corner. I loved how fast the action was and the characters who were expertly written.
Brian Mullaney has been assigned a very important duty which will find him face to face with death. He is a very intelligent man who must bring a very precious box safely to a Rabbi. I desperately wanted to know what was in the box and wished I was there helping to guard it. The author writes the story so realistically I felt like I was actually there as the bullets flew and bombs exploded.

It is a great story that brings the Middle East into the middle of a battle where peace is wanted by some. There is a part in the story where Brian turns to God for help. He feels inadequate to do the job and knows he needs to find his faith again.It is worth mentioning how a man in the midst of danger stops to pray and seeks God's wisdom in his time of need. There are several keys characters in the book that Brian will come in contact with. He will have to decide who he can trust and who is the enemy. Will the box be delivered safely? It is a wonderful end of time story that left me wanting more. I am happy to say that there will be more books coming soon in this exciting series. I am anxious to find out what happens next.

I received a copy of this book from Read with Audra blogger program. The review is my own opinion.