BOOK REVIEW: The Assult by Bill Myers, Frank Peretti, Angela Hunt and Alton Gansky

Cycle 2 of the Harbingers series continues the story of four gifted strangers brought together to fight a growing darkness.

In Bill Myers's "The Revealing," the team finds themselves in Rome trying to retrieve the mystical spear Hitler once owned--the very spear that pierced Christ's side. This task will take them from hidden chambers inside the Vatican to a mysterious seaside cave with powers they could never expect.

Frank Peretti's "Infestation" unleashes a microscopic evil on the world that deceives, blinds, kills, then spreads. The Harbingers team must confront a monster bent on seducing and destroying mankind.

In "Infiltration" by Angela Hunt, the team is wounded and barely holding together. Forced to split up, they realize their investigations have led them into dangerous waters.

Alton Gansky's "The Fog" unleashes a supernatural mist unlike any other. There are vicious things in the fog that kill whatever they find. One team member realizes that the ultimate sacrifice may have to be made.

'The Assault' picks up where 'The Invitation' left off.  Four stories told from four different view points that all blend and weave together.  the author's refer to them as episodes in a series, much like a sitcom.  I'd forgotten how much paranormal/sci-fi elments there were in this series.  It was a leap from what I've been currently reading and it took a bit to get my head in the game.  The dying animals with no eyes thing is still alive and well in this book as well.  I'm certain it plays into the bigger picture with 'The Gate' (again is back, sorta) but I've not yet been able to piece it all together. We started back out with Brenda, and by extension Daniel, in 'The Revealing'. This story is a followup on a scroll that was found which The Professor sent to an old mentor at the Vatican.  Honest, this story left me feeling a lot confused and a little lost.  It was lacking in plot to the point that the message that was attempting to be conveyed was lost on me.  They dig through a couple of catacombs, end up on a beach with eyes thugs chasing them and end up in an ever changing house that merges with the multiverse.  I think they figured out what they were supposed to with the Spear of Destiny, but I can't be certain since I was predominately lost in the shuffle.

Episode two, 'Infestation', takes up with the Professor and the team back to Florida where the unexplainable deaths all first began.  Being back on firm ground that I recognize helped to kick up the understanding.  This short episode got to the root of, and explained so much of, what has been going on with the animals.  The one thing I'm not loving with the shortened story-lines is the lack of ability to create real depth to the plot. Things feel entirely too easy.  Oh we need this, blam in the nick of time (without much time mind you) we have it.  It's just slightly too tidy in a plot that could easily fill a coliseum.  Moving on to episode three, 'Infiltration',  where we catch up with Andi after they have managed to escape the reemergence of the fungus.  Andi has a lot of things to deal with.  Yes the infiltration is done but there's the emotional scars to deal with.  And of course, getting involved with a delicious looking psychiatrist proves to be disastrous for them all.  This was by far my favorite episode in this book.  With more a focus on the group trying to research The Gate and Andi dealing with life it's the most involved. There's no awkward need for bizarre heroics which makes it easier to follow along.

The final episode, 'The Fog, in the book comes back from Tank's perspective.  This episode was more about emotion and drama than physicality like the others.  There were no exotic locations, no 'chasing' the bad guys.  More the bad guys chasing them.  And there is definitely a sense that someone is directing the teams movements.  Providing them tickets and accommodations and much needed funds.  Tank takes one for the team and I loved this episode through his voice.  The only thing that was truly lacking, I'm sure due to lack of space for additional word count, was a thorough understanding of what he was thinking, doing, feeling and especially seeing.  All told this second installment is just as good as the first and here's to hoping I can get my hands on the next one!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley.  I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review. 

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About Bill Myers

Bill Myers was born into a Christian home, and although as a child he became bored with Christianity, he decided at the University of Washington quote, to "make God my boss." Ironically, at the University his worst subject was writing. He claims to have prayed, and said that he would be able to do anything for God, except write. Even so, he has become a prominent Christian writer, and has a large amount of successful books and films to his credit.
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About Frank Peretti

Frank Edward Peretti is a New York Times best-selling author of Christian fiction, whose novels primarily focus on the supernatural. To date, his works have sold over 15 million copies worldwide.

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About Angela Elwell Hunt 

Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected in novels from this versatile author. With over three million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 100 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to novels.
Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. 
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About Alton Gansky 

Alton Gansky is the author of 30 books--24 of them novels, including the Angel Award winner Terminal Justice and Christy Award finalist A Ship Possessed. A frequent speaker at writing conferences, he holds a BA and MA degrees in biblical studies. Alton and his wife reside in Southern California.

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