This is the first novel I have read from Mary Ann Poll. I am so glad to have done so. Very pleased to have found this author.
I love novels about spiritual warfare where this is dealt with using Biblical principles. I can say that Poll knows how to create this in a novel. From looking at her Bio, it is evident her past dabbling in New Age philosophies has given her an hands on perspective in relation to the demonic. Her later conversion to Christianity seems to have shown her the importance of portraying this solely from the Biblical perspective, apart from the fact that it is biblical to do so. From this angle, I appreciate greatly novels of this calibre. This is how Christian fiction should be presented. Not only is it highly entertaining but it honours the Bible and most importantly, God. It also educates in spiritual principles, in this case, spiritual warfare, and strengthens the Christian reader's faith. For an unbeliever, it shows the truth about demonology, demon possession, demonic deception and gives the reader something to think about. Poll highlights one aspect that I feel is important to the Christian as displayed by Grandma Bricken,
"I'm not scared of seeing the dead, Bartholomew, I've seen much in my time. But I cry for the should lost to God. That's the real horror!"
This truly shows what the heart of the Christian should be, as it directly shows what the heart of God is, that He does not want any to perish but to be saved from a Christless eternity. And this directly ties in with the Gospel and why Jesus came to us, to be the propitiation of our sin and be restored back to Him.
Poll has successfully incorporated these elements into a plot that has you thoroughly engaged. It is an enthralling read and has that quality that every reader loves, where they cannot put the book down. I read this novel over the course of a day despite many interruptions.
I cannot fault this novel's construction. There are no peaks or troughs, plot slowness or acceleration. Everything is at a steady pace and the plot lines keep it this way, hence the experience of not being able to put this novel down. I cannot fault Poll's characterisation. For a short novel that this is, the characters are well developed. You find yourself endeared to many, despising others, and cheering on some and even sad for those who met such horrific deaths. Just as any small town is flavoured by its characters, this novel is well flavoured by the same.
Poll has three types of characters in this novel. There are the "fundamentalist" Christian characters of Josiah, Grandma Bricken and Pastor Paul Lucas. These three believe in the God of the Bible and are submitted to His will. Then there is the New Agers of Anita Conner, Reverend Plotno and his wife Ransom, Miggie, who are submitted to their Master (Iconoclast, demon). Thirdly, we have those who do not have any belief in the Biblical God or any other god. These include Marshall Bart Anderson, his cousin Kat, Kenneth Melbourne (FBI agent), Josephina Latrell, Cassandra Martin, Caroline, Doc Billings, Jonathan & Joseph Tillwater, Mikie Colmbs.
The demonic forces then try to pit all these groups against one another with their planned outcome to devour physically and spiritually the whole town. It is here that Poll shines in her execution of spiritual warfare that leads to a spiritual confrontation between this force of evil and God's sovereignty. It is well done, but with one plot line left unfinished. I can only guess that this is continued in the next novel in this series, Ingress.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and all that it contained. I am definitely an avid fan of this series now and of this author.
Highly Recommended. 5/5 Stars.
World Building 5/5
Characterisation 5/5
Story 5/5
Spiritual Level 5/5
Enemy Spiritual Level 5/5
Overall Rating 5/5
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