American Prophet by Jeff Fullmer

This story had no justice or vengeance. I’m sure the author would argue for redemption of his main character. But I’m not going to give that much credit. My streak is broken this year. This is the first book I’ve read that is only okay. It’s not badly written. It was disappointing given the promise of the premise.

Peter Quell has vivid dreams that he says are prophesies from God. This is in modern times. A great premise, and I bought this book hoping for something interesting. Instead, it’s the author’s thinly veiled diatribe against Donald Trump. Peter’s visions are real events we’re familiar with. Though there are a couple I’m not sure their parallels in the real world. Okay, still the premise could work. The big problem is Peter doesn’t actually do anything. His contribution to what he perceives God’s calling is to put the dream out on social media. We see reactions from followers. Then the events happen. That’s it. That’s all there is to the entire story. Has a vision. Puts it on social media. Grows his follower base. Goes on podcasts, even television shows after the events. Then the story ends. The visions end. Nothing has changed except Peter has a lot of money that he didn’t earn. There’s a tiny character arc in which maybe Peter has grown some. The book is subtitled a spiritual journey, but we get nothing as why God has chosen Peter or what He wants to accomplish through him.

The story is written in present tense. I’m not a fan of present tense unless the author is writing an intense thriller. This was not a thriller, and it was not intense. The prose is well-written with some flashes of poetic brilliance.

There’s a small amount of profanity scattered throughout. One sexual situation, but nothing on page. And the violence is muted.

I’m not going to get into the political rantings of this book. However, it heavily leans to the left and is one-sided. Basically, the author seems to have done his research by watching CNN. Peter is a self-proclaimed Christian. In his heart he wants to make the world a better place. Unfortunately, I didn’t see any evidence that he actually made anything better.

I’m going to put this one at the bottom of the rankings. Again, it was okay. Not bad, but not good. If it’s the worst thing I read this year, it will have been a good reading year.

1. The Record Keeper by Charles Martin
2. The Samaritan’s Patient by Chevron Ross
3. Days Coming by Pat Simmons
4. The Runaway Jury by John Grisham
5. The Maid by Nita Prose
6. Where is My Sister by Jane Daly
7. Braving Strange Waters by Sarah Hanks
8. Blood Red Deceit by Steve Rush
9. The Dark Wind by Tony Hillerman
10. Black Cherry Blues by James Lee Burke
11. A Vanishing Act by Edwina Kiernan
12. Cali’s Hope by John Matthew Walker
13. Field Training by Patrick O’Donnell
14. Deadly Pursuit by Elle Gray
15. American Prophet by Jeff Fullmer

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