 | After a science lab explosion, Drew Carter is able to see angels and demons waring. Meanwhile, the angel Validus fights to keep Drew safe. Series format: Chronological 1. Cloak of the Light: Drew searches for his friend to replicate the experiment that enabled him to see ‘invaders.’ 2. Rise of the Fallen: An equal. Angelic Commander Validus is re-assigned to protect Drew Carter. The book alternates between Validus’ past and the present story. 3. Light of the Last: Drew must stop a terrorist threat. Validus and his team fight waves of demons trying to kill Drew. |
Positive Content
Drew believes that if he has the power to help someone, he should. Drew stands against school shooters, terrorists, potential kidnappers, and angry boyfriends. Drew is brave and heroic.
When Validus is invited to join in Satan’s rebellion, he quickly refuses. He is loyal to his friends and willing to die to protect Drew.
Biblical events are woven into the story.
The story shows a clear battle between good and evil. Demons torment humans and seek their own pleasure. Besides Validus, we have several role-model angels to admire.
Morale Dilemma
To stop a terrorist conspiracy, Drew and his team must break several laws. They also must work with a corrupt president, which sparks debate. Drew chooses to ‘do what’s right rather than what’s legal.’ He is pardoned by the new president months later.
“What if a terrorist sees us coming and runs? Do we shoot him in the back?” A teammate asks.
“He’s running to kill millions,” Drew says. “Shoot to kill.”
Character Development
Drew starts the story as an unbeliever. He remains a stubborn atheist, believing that if there was a God, the world would not be in pain. He mocks Sydney’s faith. He lies to protect himself. But after hitting a low point, he re-reads the Bible with fresh eyes. Later, he accepts Jesus. Now, he prays. His previous lying bothers him and he sets it right. He starts sharing his testimony.
At one point, Validus fears he’s sinned and panics. He drops to his knees and begs for forgiveness, terrified that sin will cut him off from God. He is relieved when God answers.
Religious/Spiritual Content
Drew sees both angels and demons, though he initially thinks they are alien invaders.
God is referred to as Elohim. Three-in-one creator God. Sometimes, specific actions are attributed to one person of the trinity. Biblical events appear from Validus’s perspective. God and Satan agree on “accords” of engagement dictating the war. Some biblical events, like the Flood or Babel, are God’s creative ways of engaging while following the accords. God’s final plan to redeem humanity comes through Jesus, Elohim as a human. Only those who trust in Jesus are reunited with Him in heaven. Unbelievers are dragged by demons to hell when they die.
Children who die before the ‘age of reason’ are carried to heaven by their guardian angels.
The story embraces a futuristic view of Revelation.
Islam extremist terrorists rally behind their Islamic messiah. America is the ‘Great Satan’ and Israel is the ‘Little Satan.’ Several terrorists shout “Praise be to Allah!” before committing their violence. America must stand with Israel.
Demons possesses humans and animals. Angels step into the physical world or make copies of objects. Angels bleed, can be killed, and feel emotions. When an angel dies, his ‘soul’ returns to heaven while slain demons fall into prison inside the earth. Both groups will be released at the fifth trumpet.
Only humans can evangelize. Prayer manifests as a blue flames that repels demons and strengthens angels. Believers are ‘protected,’ meaning they have a forcefield.
Validus translates as a human and speaks to Drew a few times. In one battle, Validus and Drew fight side-by-side against translated demons.
When demons seek too much pleasure, they de-evolve into dragmas, or hell-hounds.
Family Structure/Gender Roles
A male gold digger is excited that once he marries a ‘fundamentals freak’ that she will obey him. (They never marry).
Homosexuality is a sin. Abortion is demonic advancement.
Sexual/Romance Content
A girl flirts with Drew. She reveals her swimsuit after taking off her shirt and invites him to join her in a hottub (he doesn’t).
Sydney won’t date Drew because he is an unbeliever. However, she develops romantic feelings toward him. Later, her fiancé sees her care toward Drew and ends the engagement. After Drew becomes a believer, they date (and we assume later marry).
A mother is stripped naked and forced to walk into a gas chamber.
After getting out of the shower, Drew gets a call from Sydney, and his AI jokes about doing a video call. He talks as he puts on his clothes, confirming ‘you can’t see me, right?’
After surviving a terrorist attack, Sydney doesn’t want to be left alone. Drew checks them into a hotel and sits with her until she falls asleep. He tucks her into bed and he sleeps on the couch. The next morning, he brings her breakfast in bed.
Sydney and her fiancé kiss.
Drugs/Alcoholic Content
Drew is almost hit by a drunk driver.
Drew attends a party with classmates that includes drinking beers. Drew tries a can, but doesn’t like the taste and pours it out. Some friends become drunk.
A gang member gives a teen a bag of crystal meth.
Language
‘He cursed’ or ‘choice words’ is how Black describes language. ‘Heck’ appears.
There’s name calling: you’re nuts, foolish, stupid, fake, etc. ‘God help us’ is said, but not as a prayer.
Violence
Drew hits his head in a car accident and blood flows into his eyes. Another passenger dies with his head in Drew’s lap, blood flowing from the injury.
When the angels and demons fight, they mostly use swords. Warriors are stabbed in the chest, leg, or arms. Blood pours from the wounds and soaks their clothes or drip on the floor. Dying angels struggle in pain before the end. Validus is choked multiply times. An explosion kills several dark-warriors.
Drew fights hand-to-hand multiply times. He kicks a gang member in the jaw and spits blood. Drew breaks a man’s wrist, throws a syringe into a neck, and uses a traitor as a human shield to protect himself from gunfire. Drew is a skilled gunmen and shoots multiply targets: legs, arms, chests, and heads. Drew is shot in the shoulder twice. The second time, he passes out and almost bleeds to death. A gang leader holds a knife to hostages' throats. Multiple people are shot, blood pooling. Some survive. Others don’t. An agent is shot in the stomach so he dies in pain.
A terrorist infected with an illness detonates his suicide explosive vest, spraying contaminated tissue and liquid outward.
A villain threatens hostages with a nano-bot serum that destroys your veins. He says the dying test-monkeys were ‘gruesome’ to watch. Later, he himself is injected with the serum (we don’t get a description of his death.)
Other Negative Content
Painful healings: Water heals angels, but it’s painful. Some choose to die rather than go through the agony.
Suicide: Vexes (demons able to possess humans) plant suicidal thoughts in their victims. Seeing the horrors his side has caused, a Nazi soldier pressed his pistol against his head to kill himself, but is interrupted. Unable to overcome the guilt, he kills himself years later off screen.
Death POV: A chapter is told from a Jewish mother’s point of view. She’s stripped naked and shoved into a gas chamber. Dying bodies fall on her. The scene ends as she dies while cradling her baby. (Spoiler: the baby survives).
Writing quality
The first book is the strongest. The characters, stakes, and world-building were spot on. Since humans, angels, and demons each have different abilities, we got some fantastic fight sequences.
The series struggled with focus. Many plot lines are incomplete or have weak payoffs. There are many angelic characters, but no time to developed them. There are several angel deaths, but the emotions are flat. “Oh no! Not…that one.” I wish Black had developed few themes and characters better.
Audiobook: The audiobook is GOLDEN. Music, voice actors, sound effects.
Final thoughts
I love the concept of this book! I would definitely welcome more installments in this series (More with Validus’s team, please?)
Since the ‘science vs faith’ subplot is incomplete, I’ll finish it. The complexity of biology and the cosmic factors required for life points to a creator, not to random chance.
Drew believes that if he has the power to help someone, he should. Drew stands against school shooters, terrorists, potential kidnappers, and angry boyfriends. Drew is brave and heroic.
When Validus is invited to join in Satan’s rebellion, he quickly refuses. He is loyal to his friends and willing to die to protect Drew.
Biblical events are woven into the story.
The story shows a clear battle between good and evil. Demons torment humans and seek their own pleasure. Besides Validus, we have several role-model angels to admire.
Morale Dilemma
To stop a terrorist conspiracy, Drew and his team must break several laws. They also must work with a corrupt president, which sparks debate. Drew chooses to ‘do what’s right rather than what’s legal.’ He is pardoned by the new president months later.
“What if a terrorist sees us coming and runs? Do we shoot him in the back?” A teammate asks.
“He’s running to kill millions,” Drew says. “Shoot to kill.”
Character Development
Drew starts the story as an unbeliever. He remains a stubborn atheist, believing that if there was a God, the world would not be in pain. He mocks Sydney’s faith. He lies to protect himself. But after hitting a low point, he re-reads the Bible with fresh eyes. Later, he accepts Jesus. Now, he prays. His previous lying bothers him and he sets it right. He starts sharing his testimony.
At one point, Validus fears he’s sinned and panics. He drops to his knees and begs for forgiveness, terrified that sin will cut him off from God. He is relieved when God answers.
Religious/Spiritual Content
Drew sees both angels and demons, though he initially thinks they are alien invaders.
God is referred to as Elohim. Three-in-one creator God. Sometimes, specific actions are attributed to one person of the trinity. Biblical events appear from Validus’s perspective. God and Satan agree on “accords” of engagement dictating the war. Some biblical events, like the Flood or Babel, are God’s creative ways of engaging while following the accords. God’s final plan to redeem humanity comes through Jesus, Elohim as a human. Only those who trust in Jesus are reunited with Him in heaven. Unbelievers are dragged by demons to hell when they die.
Children who die before the ‘age of reason’ are carried to heaven by their guardian angels.
The story embraces a futuristic view of Revelation.
Islam extremist terrorists rally behind their Islamic messiah. America is the ‘Great Satan’ and Israel is the ‘Little Satan.’ Several terrorists shout “Praise be to Allah!” before committing their violence. America must stand with Israel.
Demons possesses humans and animals. Angels step into the physical world or make copies of objects. Angels bleed, can be killed, and feel emotions. When an angel dies, his ‘soul’ returns to heaven while slain demons fall into prison inside the earth. Both groups will be released at the fifth trumpet.
Only humans can evangelize. Prayer manifests as a blue flames that repels demons and strengthens angels. Believers are ‘protected,’ meaning they have a forcefield.
Validus translates as a human and speaks to Drew a few times. In one battle, Validus and Drew fight side-by-side against translated demons.
When demons seek too much pleasure, they de-evolve into dragmas, or hell-hounds.
Family Structure/Gender Roles
A male gold digger is excited that once he marries a ‘fundamentals freak’ that she will obey him. (They never marry).
Homosexuality is a sin. Abortion is demonic advancement.
Sexual/Romance Content
A girl flirts with Drew. She reveals her swimsuit after taking off her shirt and invites him to join her in a hottub (he doesn’t).
Sydney won’t date Drew because he is an unbeliever. However, she develops romantic feelings toward him. Later, her fiancé sees her care toward Drew and ends the engagement. After Drew becomes a believer, they date (and we assume later marry).
A mother is stripped naked and forced to walk into a gas chamber.
After getting out of the shower, Drew gets a call from Sydney, and his AI jokes about doing a video call. He talks as he puts on his clothes, confirming ‘you can’t see me, right?’
After surviving a terrorist attack, Sydney doesn’t want to be left alone. Drew checks them into a hotel and sits with her until she falls asleep. He tucks her into bed and he sleeps on the couch. The next morning, he brings her breakfast in bed.
Sydney and her fiancé kiss.
Drugs/Alcoholic Content
Drew is almost hit by a drunk driver.
Drew attends a party with classmates that includes drinking beers. Drew tries a can, but doesn’t like the taste and pours it out. Some friends become drunk.
A gang member gives a teen a bag of crystal meth.
Language
‘He cursed’ or ‘choice words’ is how Black describes language. ‘Heck’ appears.
There’s name calling: you’re nuts, foolish, stupid, fake, etc. ‘God help us’ is said, but not as a prayer.
Violence
Drew hits his head in a car accident and blood flows into his eyes. Another passenger dies with his head in Drew’s lap, blood flowing from the injury.
When the angels and demons fight, they mostly use swords. Warriors are stabbed in the chest, leg, or arms. Blood pours from the wounds and soaks their clothes or drip on the floor. Dying angels struggle in pain before the end. Validus is choked multiply times. An explosion kills several dark-warriors.
Drew fights hand-to-hand multiply times. He kicks a gang member in the jaw and spits blood. Drew breaks a man’s wrist, throws a syringe into a neck, and uses a traitor as a human shield to protect himself from gunfire. Drew is a skilled gunmen and shoots multiply targets: legs, arms, chests, and heads. Drew is shot in the shoulder twice. The second time, he passes out and almost bleeds to death. A gang leader holds a knife to hostages' throats. Multiple people are shot, blood pooling. Some survive. Others don’t. An agent is shot in the stomach so he dies in pain.
A terrorist infected with an illness detonates his suicide explosive vest, spraying contaminated tissue and liquid outward.
A villain threatens hostages with a nano-bot serum that destroys your veins. He says the dying test-monkeys were ‘gruesome’ to watch. Later, he himself is injected with the serum (we don’t get a description of his death.)
Other Negative Content
Painful healings: Water heals angels, but it’s painful. Some choose to die rather than go through the agony.
Suicide: Vexes (demons able to possess humans) plant suicidal thoughts in their victims. Seeing the horrors his side has caused, a Nazi soldier pressed his pistol against his head to kill himself, but is interrupted. Unable to overcome the guilt, he kills himself years later off screen.
Death POV: A chapter is told from a Jewish mother’s point of view. She’s stripped naked and shoved into a gas chamber. Dying bodies fall on her. The scene ends as she dies while cradling her baby. (Spoiler: the baby survives).
Writing quality
The first book is the strongest. The characters, stakes, and world-building were spot on. Since humans, angels, and demons each have different abilities, we got some fantastic fight sequences.
The series struggled with focus. Many plot lines are incomplete or have weak payoffs. There are many angelic characters, but no time to developed them. There are several angel deaths, but the emotions are flat. “Oh no! Not…that one.” I wish Black had developed few themes and characters better.
Audiobook: The audiobook is GOLDEN. Music, voice actors, sound effects.
Final thoughts
I love the concept of this book! I would definitely welcome more installments in this series (More with Validus’s team, please?)
Since the ‘science vs faith’ subplot is incomplete, I’ll finish it. The complexity of biology and the cosmic factors required for life points to a creator, not to random chance.
