Armageddon Summer

Armageddon Summer. Jane Yolen and Bruce Coville. San Diego, Calif.: Harcourt Brace. 275 pages.
The end of the world is scheduled for July 27, 2000. At least that’s what Reverend Beelson tells his followers as he leads them to a mountain to wait out the Armageddon. Among the people are two teenagers, Marina, daughter of a woman estranged from her husband and about to turn fourteen on July 2, and Jed, son of a man who turned to religion after his wife left. Marina believes in God, but thinks he is good and benevolent, which conflicts with Beelson’s prophecy, while Jed is simply a non-believer who only came to watch over his father. Marina and Jed develop a close relationship, sharing a mutual crush, though Marina’s mother is against it. They must wait out the time until Armageddon on top of the mountain to wait and see what really will happen on July 27. This book seems to be directed toward young adults, the relationship between Marina and Jed making this obvious. However, it also pokes fun at fundamentalist groups such as that of Reverend Beelson.
I thoroughly enjoyed Armageddon Summer, from the relationships that develop down to the slightly hidden satire of the extremist religious groups. Jane Yolen and Bruce Coville, both excellent writers, combine their talents in this work. Yolen writes the chapters where Marina is the focus, and Coville writes the chapters where Jed dominates. The descriptions are also very well done, painting vivid pictures of the compound where Beelson’s flock waits out the end of the world. I especially enjoyed the surprise ending, which you’ll have to read the book to see.
Rank: 10 out of 10

Reviewed By: Rick