The fight continues.

Owen and Ray Anne have dealt Molek a small defeat, but he is gathering his strength again and the whole world is at stake.

A great addition to the series, and this is definitely a series you will want to read in order as the plot draws heavily on past events and knowledge. The third in the series, and I'm not sure if more books are forthcoming or not, but if there are, I will read them. I love how the author continues to ramp it up and take each book up a notch, raising the stakes. I think that the author does a fantastic job of showing the struggles and doubts that we face even after becoming Christians, in a way that is realistic and all too true.

I liked where this book went with the characters, and how far they have come over the overall arc of the story. Owen is focused on fighting the righteous fight, but he still struggles with distractions and strife. I liked his drive to help others, he is a hero you want to cheer for, and his flaws are all too familiar, which only makes him more compelling.

Overall, an action packed read, compelling, with high stakes and with danger that will chill your spine with its reality. A fantastic speculative thriller, I didn't want to put it down. In some ways this book brings everything full circle, but in other ways it only opens more questions. A satisfying read, I can't wait to see what it next!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This author does an incredible job of giving readers peek behind the veil of night and see what the human eye can’t She brings the spiritual battle to life as Owen Edmond’s fights the battle not just for his life but for everyone in the city limits of Masonville, Texas. Through his battles in books one and two he learns to fight the enemy on a whole new level. This new novel opened up my eyes to things I hadn’t thought of before like how. I saw what to be aware of and how I could be set free the things that bond me. (similar to author Frank Pereetti books but more in-depth).

Owen has a heightened awareness of the spiritual world, how far reaching it is and how to get others to help in the battle raging around them. We’ve seen this struggle/battle as everyone has had their own battles in 2020. It made this novel even more fascinating as the author shows readers the darkness that is hidden in plain sight and how these forces plague humankind.

If you have not read books one and two the author catches readers up to speed, so you do not feel lost as to who is who in the story. For an in-depth explanation I highly recommend reading books one and two before and/or after this one)

The author is currently seeking the funds to make this series into a movie. It will be frightful to watch, google the trailer this author has made for the movie.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

** “There are no coincidences in spirt-realm operations on either side of the kingdom equation, light or dark.” **

** “That’s what evil does — pinpoints our soul’s deepest wound, then brutalizes it with lies.” **

Wow, just wow. That’s all I can say about “The Defiance” by Laura Gallier, a story of supernatural battle on the grandest level.

As the spiritual battle for Masonville, Texas, and the entire world continues, Owen and Ray Anne, who are both spirit-world sensors who can see hideous creatures and situations as well as heavenly beings, continue to fight the evil forces attacking their town. As the Lord of Death Molek continues to gain strength after being banished, and the seven evil Cosmic Rulers gain strength, Owen and Ray Anne race to stop another horrific event, all while being attacked on very personal levels.

Once again, Gallier delivers an incredible supernatural novel telling the story of the very real battle of good and evil that exists in our world. She does an amazing job revealing how that good and evil could be personified, as well as the hold evil can have on us all.

This story will totally creep you out, but yet move you to decide whose side are you on. It’s filled with unthinkable darkness and sorrow, yet offers a very real hope as Owen and Ray Anne battle evil’s darkest forces.

“The Defiance” also reminds us of other themes, like to react with faith and not doubt; “stay focused on Scripture, especially the red-letter text”; evil deserves no mercy; faith is liberating; dealing with neglect and abandonment; if we call out to God, He will always answer; and if we come together to fight for good, we are an incredible power (“Seek out and band together with those chosen by God and destined to believe your account and join you in the mission. Together, the handful of you can turn this town around and overturn evil.”)

This story reminds us that God’s forces — forces for good — are always fighting for us. “Hand-to-hand combat had it’s place between Watchmen and Creepers, but apparently there were other ways to inflict damage on the kingdom of darkness. The way I now saw it, (the evil forces) had recently unleashed heightened, cosmic evil on Masonville, but heaven wasn’t just sitting idly by, tolerating it. God’s forces were ramping up the fight too.”

Fans of Frank Peretti or Robert Liparulo’s Dreamhouse Kings series will love “The Defiance.” This is definitely not a standalone novel, as I highly recommend you read the first two novels in the series to understand the plot line.

Five stars out of five.

Wander, an imprint of Tyndale House Publishers, provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

The Deception by Laura Gallier is book #2 of The Delusion series, and it picks up not long after The Delusion concludes...if you could call the first book's cliffhanger ending a "conclusion." The Deception also ends in a cliffhanger, just a warning in advance! Had I had a physical book in my hand, I might have tossed it across the room as I screeched, "WHAT?!" But I value my eReader a little more than that, so I groaned and complained into a pillow instead.


I will be honest and say it took me quite a bit longer to write this review; I kept putting it off because I just...didn't know how I felt about The Deception by Laura Gallier. The first book unnerved me and had me seeing creepy grim reaper creatures in my sleep. Since I knew what to expect with The Deception, I wasn't as disturbed, but Gallier definitely still gave me the shivers. What stood out to me most about this book: Oh, how easily the weak--and the broken--can fall into deception. Owen's suddenly torn in two different directions, as kids are disappearing, and he's being visited by a spirit. He is overjoyed because this...being is telling him all the things he wants to hear. When everyone else tells Owen to stay away, he doesn't listen. In fact, he becomes defiant and thinks they're all wrong. It's all fine. Nothing to worry about. Well, besides the disappearances, but he's going to team up with his girlfriend and a few others to solve those!

The demons and their servants would not have a hold on his town of Madisonville, not if he could do something to stop them. God would win, in the end. No matter what it took from Owen.

I sped through The Deception like I was competing in a NASCAR race. The language is simple, and each chapter ended with me holding my breath. Honestly? I'm not sure if I ever let it out. That's how suspenseful Gallier's books are. What I love about her books, though, is that there's a lesson from which both new and old Christians can learn.  Owen is not a perfect character; no one in this book is. It made him and his struggles relatable. For example, we all may not have seen spirits in our living rooms, but we've definitely heard the lying whispers in our ear that lead us astray from the Lord.

The Deception is good. I enjoyed it and would recommend it, but just have the third book nearby so you can immediately flip to its beginning. The Deception ends with a single question, and I guarantee you will want to know the answer like I did! 

*Note: I was given a free copy of this novel by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.