Ok, so my opinion of this book might be totally bias because this book is honestly the first book I ever remember reading that wasn't a "school assignment" or those Goosebumps books in middle school. (go R.L. Stine!)

So it was my first "adult" choice book. And I'm SO glad it was, because it did the job. I don't know if I'd be as taken with reading if I didn't like this book.

Thankfully that wasn't the case.

Have I read things I've loved more since this book? Of course. But you're always gonna have a soft spot and love for your "first."

I loved the plot, it kept me turning the pages. I rememeber being SO engrossed in what was going on and not knowing WHAT would happen next. I REALLY loved the locations in the story, I remember thinking they were beautiful and I could completely picture them in my head. But more so, I loved the two girls (the main characters). I felt like I could relate to them.

I fully intend to go back and read this agian to see if I still love it as much and really figure out what did it for me, but having said that I'll always love this book for what it signifies to me. And I'd recommend it to anyone who likes a good suspenseful plot and a fun, quick page turner!

James Patterson is skilled at making the reader keep turning the page, primarily by withholding infuriating details and writing chapters that are no longer than 3 pages. This book was definitely a page-turner, but ultimately I did not enjoy it. Most, if not all, of the characters were underdeveloped, and the plot bordered on ridiculous at times. I wasn't sure what type of book Patterson intended this to be. For a long time I wondered if the visions and voices that different characters were seeing and hearing were going to be explained by something non-supernatural—and that, I think, would have made this book more intriguing and satisfying. I am a Christian, but a lot of the imagery and theology in this book were unfamiliar to me (I suppose since I am not Catholic?) and frankly, quite disturbing. Explaining the majority of the events in the book on supernatural forces came off a bit as lazy writing. At the end, I was still left with many questions that were unanswered, and I hated that particular details were never explained. For example—why did the Vatican priest believe he was descending into hell after taking on his "mission" to try to solve the mysteries of the two virgins? I found myself saying "I just don't get it" at several points, and again, I wondered if my lack of experience with Catholicism had something to do with it, although I consider myself pretty knowledgeable about Christianity and other religious imagery. So yes, while I spent the majority of the book eager to know how it ended, I wasn't left with many answers or even a satisfyingly vague ending. I still give the book two stars because it was fun to read for a while before I realized that Patterson wasn't going to really solve the mystery for us.

First published in 1980, Cradle and All is my first horror novel by James Patterson and I really enjoyed it.

The new cover is a bit telling, it reminds me of a classic Rosemary's Baby, but I still wasn't sure what to expect. Turns out JP can write demonic suspense about good vs evil and a very gripping one at that.

There are droughts, famines, and floods. The polio outbreak in Los Angeles and Boston. Two young girls one in Rhode Island and another in Ireland are pregnant, both claimed to be virgins.

Anne Fitzgerald, a PI and a former nun is asked to investigate the occurrences by her friend, a cardinal of the Archdiocese of Boston.

I usually avoid religious themes in books, but I went in blind and I'm happy I didn't miss out on this one. JP manages to keep me guessing and unable to stop listening. I was invested in the MC, Anne as well as the two pregnant girls, and really want to know about the babies. I love the unexpected and twisted ending that sends shivers down my spine!

Noelle hurried away so as not to be noticed. She had no way of knowing she was being watched.
Pg.344
I enjoyed this book . It wasn't what I expected but it written so wonderfully .

I normally enjoy James Patterson books but I didn’t really enjoy this one.

Fun, fast thriller to read. It's old James Patterson and I was sure I had read it, but I sure didn't remember it, so glad I picked it up.

A novel with a punch, that seemed more like something Dean Koontz would write. Definitely not a murder mystery but well written with a surprise ending. There was suspense and you do like the characters but the premise of two virgins having the Holy Son, seemed hard to believe. Polio is killing children and many are ill. Towards the end, much is revealed but then again, how do we really know what will actually happen when Jesus comes again and the end of the world happens?

2.5/5
Story was ok but lacked in details. Especially for a horror novel the details really need to be there to pull the reader in.

The Catholic church tries to figure out which pregnant virgin teen is the Mother of Christ and which is the Mother of Satan. Needless to say, they get it wrong, although what with all the snakes attacking Mexico and demonic priests riding motorcycles you can understand how they got baffled. Written in that typical Patterson style: as personal and efficient as an unoccupied room in a Ramada Inn.

I finished reading this a few days ago but I completely forgot to update it on here... see what prac is doing to me

This book was creepy! Made me feel creepy! Didn't like it! Not one of James Patterson's best.

Good enough book, readable. Would have been better without the typical horror film twist at the end.