Enjoyable read, entertaining, but perplexing

I’ve really been wondering how to review this book. I had high hopes. It’s written by an Assembly of God youth pastor. It’s about spiritual warfare. So, it should be great, right?

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The story is fun. An ancient bloodline from the mighty men of David, no problems with that. But the conferred power and responsibility of seeing, battling, and being the frontline of the spiritual battle for mankind’s souls? That’s beyond speculative and into non-biblical fantasy.

Zoe thought the loss of her parents would be the most difficult thing she’d ever have to endure. When she began seeing things she couldn’t explain in her new home of Torchcreek, Virginia, she was sure the grief was driving her mad. Instead Zoe discovers she is part of an ancient bloodline, one destined to defeat the powers of darkness from condemning the world. But Zoe, the daughter of the three, isn’t just another descendant, but the key to humanity’s salvation.

Wait just a cotton-picking minute here! Jesus is the key to humanity’s salvation. We don’t fight demons with swords, causing them to dissolve in a black mist. We tell them what to do and where to go in the name of our Messiah, Jesus, or Yeshua [or any of the variant spellings].

But it gets more weird. The guardian angel assigned to help those of the bloodline is HOT! [He] has the women panting {almost}—though angels are asexual. The relationship with the aunt is said to be pure, but it’s certainly presented in a titillating manner. The teenagers are running with the bad assumptions in their minds.

I understand and sympathize with the author

The problem is how does an author write a story like this and keep the interest of teens who have been corrupted by television and Hollywood spirituality? This tale is not far outside the TV norm. The religion is barely mainline. The characters feel guilty if they don’t go to church. The pastor/rector/priest is talked about as if he were Old School Episcopalian—though no denomination is stated.

As usual in books of this type, the demons have real power and the believers have a real struggle. The demons are on the other side of a veil. The Bloodline can see them as soon as they cross over. They dissipate them with swords and daggers. The Truth would have been better—the demons being banished or overcome by simple prayer in the name of the King of kings and Lord of lords. Even the angel [guardian] seems to be clueless much of the time. God is reduced to a breeze which enrobes a character and makes them feel good. Jesus is nowhere to be seen or mentioned.

So, spiritually this a 2.4 star level, and that’s being generous

Technically, it should be a 1.2 star or so. But Christianity is implied, at least. The story will probably sell well. It’s certainly no threat to the World and the Creep. But if your child is reading it, be sure you get it read first so you can answer the questions. Better yet, so you can ask questions of your own. It’s not nearly as bad as a Twilight or Potter, but Christian, it is not.

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