The Defiance by Laura Gallier is the last of the author's "The Deception" series. The poor teenagers in these novels experience spiritual warfare in the physical sense. They see it, and it can affect their bodies. However, as the Lord chose them to be the town's defenders, only they can see the chaos surrounding Madisonville. This book explores spiritual warfare even further than the last two--identifying the seven "Cosmic Rulers" and demonstrating the power they can have over ordinary people.

Owen and Ray Anne must stop them from succeeding, or the entire United States could be in trouble. Whoever thought Madisonville, Texas would be so important? Doubts, however, begin to creep in for Ray Anne. The demons find her weakness--her kindness--and actually begin to manipulate it. It starts small but grows larger...and larger...and larger until it multiplies. Soon, Ray Anne finds herself at odds with Owen, who like Ray Anne in the first book, tires to tell her what she's doing is wrong. Ray Anne, on the other hand, is too blinded and too deafened to notice what she's doing.

Once again, Laura Gallier kept me on the edge of my seat with The Defiance. It's fast-paced, with high stakes, and I definitely read it when I should've been studying...or sleeping...or cleaning. Maybe I should rephrase--I read The Defiance when I should have been doing anything that could be categorized as "adulting." Madisonville offered me an escape from my own problems. Even if I didn't know its exactly conclusion, I figured I could surmise from what I knew of the power of God. Good would prevail; it was only a matter of how fast and how many lives would be torn apart in the process.

This novel demonstrated how even long-time Christians can be vulnerable to the devil's manipulation. I think many of us can become prideful in our "strong" faith. We think we're invincible, but Satan is crafty. He knows our faults perhaps even better than we do. The Defiance by Laura Gallier, too, notes how the devil's minions can also take people out of the equation. Not kill them, just...move them someplace else so they can no longer influence, which is a discomforting thought. The book, too, also stresses how important it is to overcome our differences. We're all members of the body of Christ; we have different gifts and different callings in the Lord. But, ultimately, we all need each other. A finger is worthless without the arm, a leg without the hip, a brain without the heart.

I thoroughly enjoyed "The Deception" series. Did it give me chills? Yes. Would I recommend it? Yes, with some fine print. Would I read it again? Absolutely. I invite you all to travel to Madisonville, Texas for quite the harrowing adventure. When I finished the series, I did so with a new vision of spiritual warfare. If you step into this with an open mind, I believe you will, too.

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

The Deception is the second book in the Delusion series and I definitely think they need to be read in order. I read and loved the first book a couple of years ago, so I was excited to pick up this one. While I didn't enjoy Deception as much as book one, it was still a good read and thought-provoking.

I liked how this story continued Owen's story and didn't switch to other characters. It was interesting to see where life was now for him and the spiritual warfare aspect was just as creepy. I didn't like certain aspects that were in this book, but I understood why they were in the story.

All in all, The Deception was a good read. If there is a third story, I plan on reading it.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.*

This story picks up eleven months after the horrific shooting at Masonville High. Owen Edmonds and others are starting to pick up the pieces of their lives and attempt to move on. But there have been mysterious disappearances in this small town. Owen along with his girlfriend Ray Anne can see the supernatural with shackles and chains that burden people and hold them in bondage.

This book is not a standalone read. The author does not go into detail about book one (nor would it fit to rehash everything just for the sake of book two) Owen encounters something new. It’s not a ghost but two people have come into his life through unexpected channels. His girlfriend Ray Anne is disturbed by this encounter and wants him to stop entertaining these spirits. Owen comes to the conclusion, “I can’t keep pretending to be someone I’m not just to make you happy, Ray Anne.”

This book takes readers into the nitty and gritty of spiritual battle. Owen finds it hard to explain to others (even to his girlfriend) about what he sees and what’s actually going on around him. Who does he turn to? He needs help in discerning what is the truth and what is a lie. Things were getting blurry. We’d all get it right if the enemy came looking like someone evil with pitchfork, horns dressed in red. But oh, how beautifully deceiving he can appear. Owen discovers this the hard way. Nothing prepares him for that reality until a friend helps him chase the enemy out of his apartment in the name of Jesus.

Readers see how spiritual warfare works, how to fight the enemy through Owen’s spiritual eyes. Betty prayers and anoints his place with oil, then “Connie prayed. The cool thing was each time she streaked the oil, to my spiritual sight it went from clear to a metallic, rainbow-looking gloss. Then things took a revolting turn. As Connie applied her oil to random spots on my walls, declaring that no pestilence would ravage my dwelling or come near me, that rustling sound I’d been hearing at night began to stir, “Keep going!” I told her. As much as the extermination process grossed me out, I knew it had to be done. “

…”some of these bugs looked like cockroaches but with fat bumble-bee stingers, and there were spiders with crab-like pincers….”But by far, the most horrendous demonic-world pest had to have been the hairy black scorpions…That flew.

This book was creepier to read then book one. But then again, the enemy was coming at Owen with more force. Owen realizes that nobody can do anything to you that you don’t give permission to first. Same goes for the supernatural world. I have to say I didn’t like how this book ended. It left me wondering what happened. I sure hope there is a book three. Things were left hanging. This book is more graphic in the supernatural imagination than I’m comfortable reading. This is a powerful book and would be a great book for discussion and reflection.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. 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! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Catalogue front page www.bookfun.org

This book deals with spiritual warfare not always a topic many like to delve into, but it is definitely something we as Christians need to be aware of! This was a great book that had me thinking and making me aware yet again of the realities of spiritual warfare going on around us on a daily basis. It was an excellent book, well-written, and full of lots of suspense! I highly recommend reading it--be ready to set aside time because once you start, you won't want to put it down!

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy from Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley. All opinions and thoughts are my own.