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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BOOK REVIEW: Egypt's Sister by Angela Hunt

Five decades before the birth of Christ, Chava, daughter of the royal tutor, grows up with Urbi, a princess in Alexandria's royal palace. When Urbi becomes Queen Cleopatra, Chava vows to be a faithful friend no matter what--but after she and Cleopatra have an argument, she finds herself imprisoned and sold into slavery.

Torn from her family, her community, and her elevated place in Alexandrian society, Chava finds herself cast off and alone in Rome. Forced to learn difficult lessons, she struggles to trust a promise HaShem has given her. After experiencing the best and worst of Roman society, Chava must choose between love and honor, between her own desires and God's will for her life.

This book is so hard to review right now.  When I saw it come across the available titles at Bethany House and NetGalley it captured my attention and I HAD to read it.  Biblical fiction is a favorite genre of mine (well, lets face it there's so few genres that aren't a favorite!). While not exactly Biblical the synopsis definitely fits into the genre.  There's the added bonus of Angela Hunt who is just amazing.  However, the execution didn't quite hit the expectation, at least for me.  Set during the 'Silent Years', this book tells the story of a young Jewish girl, Chava, who is raised with and envisions a lifelong friendship with Cleopatra VII.  The appearances of Cleopatra were few, which was disappointing in a book about her, but Chava's story had potential to be interesting.

There are several things, if you haven't figured out yet, that fell flat for me with this book.  I felt like I was reading a historical text as opposed to a novel about the lives of two historical women, one of which is quite famous as the subject of books, movies and documentaries.  There was so much historical 'filler' that took away from the story.  Just an example, referencing that the battle with Caesar in Alexandria would become known as the Alexandrian War seems out of place for a character to reference something that would come later, most likely after her time.  With all the extra research filler the story tended to drag along.  It read quickly but the story was sluggish.  I don't to pick about everything but another thing that struck me as beyond odd was how quickly Chava became a midwife and trained another midwife.  It felt like 'hey look at me, I successfully delivered a baby and read a scroll, put me in coach!'.  There were a few things that just didn't add up or were just too much that brought this down for me.

It wasn't all drawbacks and sluggishness.  Honestly, my favorite portrayal was of Agrippa.  He was a gentleman, kind, honest and accommodating.  He didn't just look at for number one but for all those he cared about.  Chava, when she was simply telling of her life was engaging.  When the story slipped into research mode that was lost but she kept me in the story.  I promise I didn't totally fall flat on the book.  It left a lot to be desired for me but I love the premise, I adore the author and I think in the right hands this book will be a blessing and become well loved.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House and 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 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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BOOK REVIEW: Invitation by Bill Myers, Frank Peretti, Angela Hunt, and Alton Gansky

A compilation of the first four episodes of the Harbingers series. Five characters--with gifts they do not fully understand-- are mysteriously brought together to battle growing pockets of darkness throughout the world: Brenda-the street-hustling tattoo artist who sees images of the future. The Professor-the atheist ex-priest ruled by logic. Andi-the professor's brilliant-but-geeky assistant who sees inexplicable patterns. Tank-the naive, big-hearted jock with a surprising connection to a healing power. Daniel-the institutionalized ten-year-old who can see into the supernatural world."

I was a little bit excited to be able to read Invitation through NetGalley.  It promised to be different, engaging, yet manageable in small bits.  It was all those things and a few others as well.  Each story within the book is a continuation of the previous from a different character's point of view.  Brenda starts us out with 'The Call' and ultimately bringing most of the group together.  She can sometimes see things, premonitions of people that will later become important to the story. We also meet most of the group with their own special talents. The Professor takes over from there with 'The Haunted' where the final member of the group meets up with them.  The Professor is all logic all the time.  Everything can be explained by science and logic.  Even when he can't figure out at way he still tries.  Andi takes over in 'The Sentinels' where they all come back together again.  Andi sees the world in patterns and number sequences.  Seriously, the girl can look at a pattern in the carpet and figure out exactly how often the pattern repeats in a set area.  Finally we hear from Tank and the girl that can appear and disappear at will.  Tank has a foundation in faith and in Christ, the only on of the bunch that does.  Tank also has an ability to heal things, sometimes.  He's OK with sometimes though because he feels that it happens when it's God's will and not just because it's his will.  

While I knew this book was going to be something different there were aspects that I didn't 'get' right away and aspects I didn't expect.  I get it, a harbinger is something that brings forth something else.  Perhaps I'm more obtuse than I thought because I just didn't get it.  I kept waiting to figure out what was coming, what was going to happen, something.  Finally about the third story I realized it's all harbingers, every story is a harbinger of something more to come.  By the end though I still don't know what's coming.  I know that there are more books, more episodes, to come but I'm still feeling lost.  The other things that threw me off a bit was how deeply supernatural it all was.  I mean, I should have clued in during story one at a school for the 'gifted' (and they don't mean super smart) that was built over a well to somewhere else.  I should have clued in as the special talents of the cast were put into play.  Yup, kinda clueless here.

That aside, I really really liked this book.  When I say I will literally read almost anything it's the truth.  Faith - got it but it was a bit downplayed in this book and not as forward as I expected from this cast of authors.  Supernatural - got it, and done well.  Mystery - yup, at least for me since I totally missed the harbinger play on words and all.  I would recommend this book to anyone who is open and likes the supernatural aspect of the world and storytelling.  In this book the faith was subtle and therefore I don't feel would be a deterrent for someone who doesn't look for that in a book.  I can't wait to be able to read the next episodes.

As mentioned before, 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.

Goodreads     Amazon

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.
Website | Facebook | Goodreads





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.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads











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. 
Website | Facebook | Goodreads

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.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Goodreads