Helpful Score: 4
Amazing book for Christian or anyone of any religion.
Eye opening about the powers and forces BEHIND what we can touch with our five senses. The every book in this series by Peretti is wonderful but this one, the first one, changed how I look at the world around me and the people in it forever.
Eye opening about the powers and forces BEHIND what we can touch with our five senses. The every book in this series by Peretti is wonderful but this one, the first one, changed how I look at the world around me and the people in it forever.
Helpful Score: 2
The small town of Ashton is the scene of a terrific battle between evil demons led by Rafar and angelic forces led by Tal in this Christian suspense tale.
Leaders of the human participants are Marshall Hogan, editor of The Clarion, Pastor Hank Busche, their friends, and groups of praying Christians. The battle wages fiercely, working up to a thrilling and satisfying climax.
The born-again Christian preacher and newspaper reporter unearth a New Age plot to take over the local community and eventually the entire world. Nearly every page of the book describes sulfur-breathing, black-winged, slobbering demons battling with tall, handsome, angelic warriors on a level of reality that is just beyond the senses.
However, Christian believers and New Age demon-worshippers are able to influence unseen clashes between good and evil by the power of prayer.
Descriptions of exorcisms are especially vivid:
"There were fifteen [demons], packed into Carmen's body like crawling, superimposed maggots, boiling, writhing, a tangle of hideous arms, legs, talons, and heads."
This book is not for the squeamish. But for page-turning spiritual suspense,is hard to beat.
Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!
Leaders of the human participants are Marshall Hogan, editor of The Clarion, Pastor Hank Busche, their friends, and groups of praying Christians. The battle wages fiercely, working up to a thrilling and satisfying climax.
The born-again Christian preacher and newspaper reporter unearth a New Age plot to take over the local community and eventually the entire world. Nearly every page of the book describes sulfur-breathing, black-winged, slobbering demons battling with tall, handsome, angelic warriors on a level of reality that is just beyond the senses.
However, Christian believers and New Age demon-worshippers are able to influence unseen clashes between good and evil by the power of prayer.
Descriptions of exorcisms are especially vivid:
"There were fifteen [demons], packed into Carmen's body like crawling, superimposed maggots, boiling, writhing, a tangle of hideous arms, legs, talons, and heads."
This book is not for the squeamish. But for page-turning spiritual suspense,is hard to beat.
Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!
Helpful Score: 2
Enlightening! This book opens the eyes to the "5th" dimension, the "real" reality.
Helpful Score: 2
For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. Ephesians 6:12
Delve into a town that is being attacked in the spiritual realm and learn how the battle is far more unseen than seen.
Delve into a town that is being attacked in the spiritual realm and learn how the battle is far more unseen than seen.
Helpful Score: 1
A favorite novel that may have a lot more truth in it than we would be willing to admit. Skillfully written with insights on spiritual warfare and how/why prayer is important.
Awesome book about spirtual warfare. Christian classic.
sorry, I could not get into this book at all! I read it all the way through and it was not for me. I have read one other book by the author and I loved it. It was Biblical and I could see how it could really happen. This one though was too much like a sword fights, and investigating bad people. During most of the book only little refrance was made to praying and the christians until the end. It dwelled to much on the evil and not enough on the good.
This book helps believers to visualize the constant battles waged here on earth on our behalf.
I found this book riviting. I made me a Peretti fan forever.
This book brings spiritual warfare into a new light. You'll never view it the same again after reading this.
this was the most repetative, tedious thing i've read in awhile. the premise is great, but the execution was not so great. i think the problem stems from the fact that the author was originally a children's book writer... so, maybe that's why it didn't compel me to finish.
This book was a recommendation in my community class at Church and glad I read it; very good reading and a book that you wanted to keep turning the pages.
Have you ever wondered what one person can do to right a wrong? This novel offers a view of exactly that. An overwhelming and undescribable evil is moving into Ashton, a small college community. There is an unusual population exchange occuring as long time residents silently leave and new folks arrive. There is the feeliing of a huge chess game with pieces being arranged and re-arranged, but who or what is in control?
Peretti has created an amazing story of spiritual conflict that is at least as real as the world in which we live and move. His characters are well developed and the story they weave is simultaneously terrifying and encouraging by virtue of the principles Peretti uses to tie everything together.
For the reader who enjoys mystery, suspense, imagination, and challenge, this novel is a must read!
Peretti has created an amazing story of spiritual conflict that is at least as real as the world in which we live and move. His characters are well developed and the story they weave is simultaneously terrifying and encouraging by virtue of the principles Peretti uses to tie everything together.
For the reader who enjoys mystery, suspense, imagination, and challenge, this novel is a must read!
Elizabeth H. (willowandholly) reviewed This Present Darkness (Darkness, Bk 1) on + 178 more book reviews
I had trouble getting into this book but I'm glad I did. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and was rooting for the characters by the end.
This book left me thinking about my own life and beliefs in a new way.
This book left me thinking about my own life and beliefs in a new way.
what a wonderful book! Very interesting to visualize true spiritual warfare. Definitely an eye opener for me
This Present Darkness is the best depiction of Spirital Warfare that I have ever read. I have ordered or found at least 6/7 books in the last few months. I share them with new believers (Christians) in order for them to get a visual of what we find in Ephesians 6:12 where it says our fight is not against the flesh - but our war is with the spirits, the things that you can't see with your eye but are taking place in the heavenly and spiritual realm. I read this book in two sittings. It shows why so much chaos and mayhem go on here in the earth and how we need to pray. To say I loved this book is not an exaggeration. This book will have you sitting on the edge of your seat for the outcome. It is a must read!
I'm reviewing this old one because it's the one I own. This is a fantastic book. Doesn't matter if you're Christian or not, although coming from someone with a religious background I might be a bit biased. He's a damn good writer. I have read this book several times because each time I read it I remember something I forgot, or find something else that speaks to me. It has lots of action for that action-loving fiend in me. But it also has actual development of characters. You get to watch as these people transform. And from what I remember (bc I read it years ago now), the reader gets to follow a couple of characters. If you're a Christian it's simply a sin you haven't picked it up. If not, give it a try and tell me if a non-Christian can enjoy something like this. Honestly, he's just a great writer.
The story was good but the writing was extremely bad. I'd like to see a story like this in the hands of a much better writer. Peretti was badly in need of a thesaurus (did every paragraph have to contain the words "immediately" and "suddenly"?), and the overuse of simile was SO aggravating. I guess if you're not a critical reader, this is good Christian fiction. For me? Not so much.
Actual spiritual insights are lost in this book, which expresses its doctrine with all the poetry of a train schedule and all the subtlety of a sledgehammer.
If you want quality horror with spiritual themes that will give you plenty to think about, read Neil Gaiman. For a story about a college town being subverted, read "That Hideous Strength."
But skip this one.
If you want quality horror with spiritual themes that will give you plenty to think about, read Neil Gaiman. For a story about a college town being subverted, read "That Hideous Strength."
But skip this one.
Does Frank Peretti always write with such suspense...of course he does! Evil and Good fighting for the town of Ashton. I almost thought he was writing about a town I am very familiar with. You feel like you are right there living it all through each character. You can just imagine your prayers reaching on high and being just what the Angels need to rally to victory! What an awesome feeling this story leaves you with!
Connie A. (jazzysmom) -
This Present Darkness in nothing but eye opening!! WOW. Beautiful story about faith, prayer and what those who believe can do. Loved this book.
What a ridiculous book. Don't abide by the 4 star rating this book gets on this website - unbelievable. What a bunch of crap.
This is a very good book
Awesome. Peretti is truly a great author if you like biting your nails in suspense.
THIS IS ABSALUTLY THE BEST BOOK I'V EVER READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Satrena M. (CuddlyComfort) reviewed This Present Darkness (Darkness, Bk 1) on + 13 more book reviews
I LOVED this book. I don't know about others but to me the first chapter or two was a little boring... BUT KEEP READING... once they establish the charcters.. the book explodes into the GREATEST BOOK EVER!!!!! The Excitement.. the Strugles... Just everything about this book. I think it is a must read.
Sandy R. (lamplightreader) reviewed This Present Darkness (Darkness, Bk 1) on + 10 more book reviews
This book definately made me think about what might be going on in the unknown. It took me a chapter or two to get into it but after that I wanted answers to what would happen next.
I read this a long time ago and liked it.
A good read!
Great account of spiritual warfare!
This is a great religious thriller! As good and horifying as any Stephen King!
Ashton is just a typical small town. But when a skeptical reporter and a prayerful pastor begin to compare notes, they suddenly find themselves fighting a hideous New Age plot to subjugate the townspeople, and eventually the entire human race.
Not since The Screwtape Letters has there been a novel with as much insight into spiritual warfare and the necessity of prayer. Fast-moving, riveting reading ranking with the best thrillers on the bookshelf.
Not since The Screwtape Letters has there been a novel with as much insight into spiritual warfare and the necessity of prayer. Fast-moving, riveting reading ranking with the best thrillers on the bookshelf.
I read this book ages ago and vaguely remember how much it moved me - enough to hang onto it for years afterward. I thoroughly enjoyed it but in a different way...a quick read but not an "easy" read. I enjoy the author and have several of his books.
I enjoyed the fantasy portion of the book and I cared about the characters. :-D
It was hard to find a novel with as much insight to pray and spiritual warfare.
great fiction book that really makes you think about the spiritual realm.
A fictional book that deals with the subject of spiritual warfare. Is a real thriller with many truths to be learned. One of a two part series.
First of 2 based on the same small town and the struggle between good and evil, angels and demons. Will make you think about faith and
Ashton is just a typical small town. But when a skeptical reporter and a prayerful pastor begin to compare notes, they suddenly find themselves fighting a hideous New Age plot to subjugate the townspeople, and eventually the entire human race.
Personal favorite. Excellent and very immense story.
A novel that shows insight into the mysterious world of spiritual warfare. The fight between angels and demons and how humans influence that fight.
Angels vs. demons in a little town full of regular people. Really got me to thinking, are they really there?
Page turner. Good spiritual read.
If spiritual warfare is your cup of tea, you'll like this book.
Very thought provoking! Really makes you think and wonder!
This is such a good book. I have read this series twice!
Book about good vs. evil.
Christine E. (Scaper) - , reviewed This Present Darkness (Darkness, Bk 1) on + 237 more book reviews
Ashton is just a typical small town. But when a skeptical repoter and a prayerful pastor begin to compare notes, they suddenly find themselves fighting a hideous New Age plot to subjugate the townspeople, and eventually the entire human race.
GREAT ONE OF HIS BEST
A great page turner!
unbelievably captivating- puts yourself at the end times and charges you spiritually. great book!
Suzanne P. (christianreader) reviewed This Present Darkness (Darkness, Bk 1) on + 24 more book reviews
Very good story - scary, yet gave me an entirely new look on spiritual warfare and the power of prayer!!
Great book, if you, like the author, believe that anyone who's not a hardline conservative American Christian is ipso facto a demon-raddled moron. Apparently going to college is Satanic, as anyone in the books with any sort of higher degree than high school or "Bible college" is invariably possessed.
For an ostensibly Christian novel, this book shows remarkably little grace and compassion.
For an ostensibly Christian novel, this book shows remarkably little grace and compassion.
Riveting read about things just might be...
Loved it
I started this, got almost halfway through it and just could not get into it further.
Ashton is just a typical small town. But when a skeptical reporter and a prayerful pastor begin to compare notes, they suddenly find themselves fighting a hideous New Age plot to subjugate the townspeople, and eventually the entire human race.
