This Present Darkness by Frank E. Peretti

Fantasy. 376 Pages. 4 Stars

Synopsis: 

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:12

Ashton is just a typical small town. But when a skeptical reporter and a prayerful, hardworking pastor begin to investigate mysterious events, they suddenly find themselves caught up in a hideous New Age plot to enslave the townspeople, and eventually the entire human race. The physical world meets the spiritual realm as the battle rages between forces of good and evil.

This Present Darkness is a gripping story that brings keen insight into spiritual warfare and the necessity of prayer. Since its original publication more than 2.7 million copies have been sold. The companion volume, Piercing the Darkness, continues the story of the battle between spiritual forces. 

My Review: 

This is a classic for a reason. Peretti did something no one else had ever done before. He shifted the market and paved a path for modern authors to tackle stories in the Christian spec fic world. He tackled the topic of spiritual warfare in Christian fiction. And he wrote a stinking suspenseful novel while he was at it.

My dad’s (and my sister both, actually) been trying to get me to read this book for ages, and I finally bit the bullet and did it. It’s not that I didn’t want to; it’s just that the never-ending to-read list always has more to choose from than I have time to actually read. But as a Christian, as a voracious reader, and as a fantasy writer, I finally felt it was time to tackle the beloved book. So, I picked up the audio book from my library (epic narration!) and I’m glad for it.

The story starts out with this slow burn build up, and a lot of names. I had so much trouble keeping names straight. But eventually, I figured out which names were people and which were angels and even which names went with which people, for the most part. But I never mixed up the characters themselves. Each player on the field was so distinct that I understood who they were once I heard them talking, even if I mixed their names up a little here or there. But Peretti sets the stage for this massive showdown really well. One of my favorite parts of this story was the incredible suspense Peretti built. I was on the edge of my seat in places wondering how on earth things were going to go down. He does a fantastic job hooking the reader in and building tension.

I also really enjoyed a lot of the cast. Hogan and Bernice and Hank and Sandy were characters I wanted to root for, characters I was emotionally attached to. It was a journey to follow each player and I loved watching the mystery unwravel. So many moving pieces that all built toward a logical end. But in such a way that I spent the novel puzzling things out myself. Peretti doesn’t reveal too much too soon, but he drags us along for the ride and makes us feel like we’re right there in the middle of the investigation. I liked how the characters each had their own role to play and each faced their own issues, but how they all interwoven to build toward the massive climax. Hogan was probably my favorite. I wanted so badly to see him win and learn and grow and do the right thing. Hank was noble and good, but I had a hard time seeing him as a 20 something year old guy. He wrestled with things, but sometimes he felt a little too straight and narrow. And maybe it was the narration, but he also felt a lot like a man who’d lived through 50+ years of weathered life lessons at times. But I liked his heart and his wife and his part in the story.

The spiritual warfare was effective. At least for me. I don’t read or watch a lot of angels and demons stuff cause it’s real and that’s more chilling to me than any made-up creature or villain could ever be. Peretti’s angels and demons were clearly fictitious, but they also created a looot of the suspense and tension because they showed something that is very real indeed. I liked how they each had hierarchies and strategies and cultures and tactics of their own. It was fun to watch them engage in a more tangible battle like manner, but I also really appreciated the nods to how they work in everyday moments, too. How those everyday moments are sometimes part of a bigger plan. God works things together for his good. And Peretti did a really good job of showcasing examples of how evil can be worked for good and of how demons and angels really do wage war around us.

I’m glad I read it. I look forward to reading the sequel one day. And I’m grateful for what this book has done for Christian writers today. I would recommend it, simply as a classic to be read if nothing else, but I’d definitely recommend it with the full disclosure that it isn’t always a pretty read. It’s absolutely brimming with content you should be aware of beforehand. The book, clearly, deals with the supernatural realms, with spiritual warfare, deception, lust, violence, drugs, demonic possession, etc. There isn’t anything I’d consider graphic, but thematically, the book touches on a lot. I’d probably recommend 16/17+ with parental awareness.

More: 

The sequel is titled Piercing the Darkness

I haven’t read the sequel yet, but I hope to one day. When I do, I’ll go back and review it. But for now, check out the link for more info on it!