Meticulously plotted, intelligent and terrifying!
In dark fall, the third installment of Andrews & Wilson's Shepherds series, Jedidiah Johnson and his fellow Shepherds are on the trail of an energy-based weapon capable of incinerating human targets.
With the assistance of a tight-lipped & quirky CIA team, the Shepherds deploy to Hong Kong to extract the Chinese scientist who developed the weapon.
While Victor—the leader of the dark ones—intends to use the weapon to wreak untold damage and destabilize the faith of millions.
The watchers, children with superhuman capabilities like astral projection & telepathy, help develop a connection with the readers through their acts of bravery & unwavering faith.
With a great mix of plot and pacing, there is never a dull moment as the team pulls off stunts in the vein of the mission: impossible series.
Full of dramatic revelations & gut-wrenching losses, the pulse-pounding finale provides a satisfactory closure to the story.
This one is a must read for lovers of action thrillers.

“As the recently installed leader of the Joshua Bravo team, Jedidiah Johnson shifts into covert operation mode to follow rumors of a new energy-based weapon able to incinerate a target—even a human target—with no warning. With the assistance of the CIA, Jed’s team deploys to Hong Kong to extract the Chinese scientist who helped develop the weapon.”

I have to say this is not a book I would normally pick at face value. It was very enjoyable though and fast paced. It will keep you guessing until the end. You won’t want to miss it.

Book #3 in the Shepherds series. Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson write thoughtful novels, with great characters, gripping action scenes, and compelling plots. They also are masters at the right vs. wrong and good vs. evil stories. This series while not only military thrillers, also has an aspect of spiritual warfare to it. Seeing the
protagonists fight for the souls of people, steering them back towards the light, gives an added dimension that you don't always get within the genre. I find it to be a nice addition to the story arc, and not so heavy handed as to feel like religion is being shoved down the throat of the readers. They strike an excellent balance.

This is my first novel by the guys—Andrews and Wilson—but it won’t be the last! Whew! Dark Fall was a combination of Tom Clancy and Frank Peretti—a combustible, inspirational, and incredible combination. My only disappointment was not knowing about these dudes until recently, so I hadn’t read the first two books in the Shepherds series. Still, it didn’t keep me from gasping, chewing my thumbnail, and reading into the night.

Even though I have no military experience, I did work for Air Force personnel and hubby was in the Navy, so all the acronyms didn’t bother me. If you read this on an eBook reader and you’re not familiar, it can be a bit problematic. Still, there’s enough context one shouldn’t find it too difficult. If it is, just ignore them, because the story is strong enough to keep one engaged.

The character development is not lacking as can happen in military thrillers. The two main characters Jed and his “niece” Sarah Beth were endearing and gave heart to all the action.

Sigh. I’m going to have to buy all three books in paperback. These are keepers!

If you love plausible spiritual warfare and frighteningly authentic military thrillers, Dark Fall, and I suspect the whole series, are a must!

I received a complimentary eBook copy from Tyndale via #NetGalley for my honest review.

This review was originally published on NetGalley.com. I was given an ebook freely by NetGalley and the book’s publisher in return for a voluntary and honest review.

Dark Fall
Book 3 in The Shepherds series
By Brian Andrews and Jeffery Wilson

This is the first book I’ve read in this series by Brian Andrews and Jeffery Wilson but I have read books from another series they write together. Dark Fall takes a fun approach to the special ops thrillers by giving it a religious slant. The team is made up of soldiers who believe in God and battle demons.

Andrews and Wilson take a unique approach to their supernatural soldiers of god world building that was entertaining. They also throw in some psychic powers and hell fire raining down on earth to spice things up.

Very entertaining and some interesting characters in the special ops team. I will say jumping into a series in the third book does leave several questions about past events but it doesn’t make it impossible to follow. I plan on hunting down the first two books. If you’re tired of terrorists as the villains give demons a try.

Another stellar performance from Andrews and Wilson and how the Shepherds are forced to act and deliver a final blow to the dark ones! I really enjoy the mystique that the characters bring, even though you feel like you know them, you still have a lot to learn. Well written and laid out with a fun and energetic vibe from start to finish! Well done!!

I have been eagerly awaiting the release of Dark Fall, and this captivating story does not disappoint! The story arc that began in Dark Intercept is concluded here in spectacular fashion. The authors' tight writing style is perfect for the military thriller genre, with details and descriptions that put you right in the middle of the action. The character development is excellent, shown especially through Jed's growth into his leadership role and Sarah Beth's courage in facing off with the enemy. I love the spiritual warfare component and how clearly it shows the stark contrast between good and evil, light and darkness. If you love high-stakes suspense mixed with profound truths that will make you see your faith in a new way, don't miss this series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Andrews and Wilson have once again delivered an action packed novel that should be moved to the top of TBR piles. Dark Fall is an exciting story full of futuristic weaponry, intense descriptive battle scenes, and enough intensity to keep readers up to the wee hours of the morning,

I highly recommend any novel that Jeffrey Wilson and Brian Andrews write and this is no exception. I cannot wait until the next one in the Shepherd Series.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Books like this are one reason I love being retired. I can stay up all night with a page-burner I cannot put down and not have to slog through the ensuing workday barely keeping my eyes open. Dark Fall is a great read.
Jed and the whole crew are back - as is Victor. And this time they are both intent on ending one another for good. Like Lord of the Rings or the Harry Potter series as examples, The Shepherds can be read on a number of levels. There is a great surface story but under the surface there is profound truth. The battle of Good versus Evil has raged for millennia and rages today. Even in the throes of great loss and tragedy and facing the evil and persecution to come, it is good to know the end has already been written and God wins.

The powerhouse duo of Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson have done it again with Dark Fall! One of the most action-packed, adrenaline laced thrillers I have read this year.

The Shepherds are called in on a mission after a village in Peru is found in ashes leading them to question if it is from a human weapon or some higher power. Jedidiah Johnson is the leader of the group and as they head to investigate rumors of a new energy-based weapon, tensions mount as the weapon is unlike anything any of them have ever dealt with. The team heads to Hong Kong to try and find a scientist that helped create the weapon but what they learn from Dr. Zhao is that things are worse than they imagined.

Dark Fall is the third book in The Shepherd Series book and each time I pick one of these books up I shouldn’t be surprised by how amazing they are but am always blown away by the writing of Andrews and Wilson. The way these two come together to write these military thrillers keep me on the edge of my seat and up way past my bedtime. Jedidiah Johnson is the perfect protagonist to lead these stories. In a way he reminds me of Hondo from SWAT, or Gibbs from NCIS; a great leader and all-around fantastic character.

Each book in the series has proven to get better and better with more explosive plots, characters that pull at the heartstrings and so much more. This story had all the right points and the best tension I have read in a very long time with none of the normal drudgery that so many books have included lately. There was not a scene or chapter that didn’t feel right or pulled me out of the story. This is a very different kind of book than a lot out right now and I love the feel of the unknown coming from what is written within these pages. I recommend this book for fans of fast action, military, and supernatural thrillers. I do also recommend reading the whole series to get the most out of the story.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own!

eARC Book Review – Dark Fall – Andrews & Wilson
“Dark Fall” by writing duo Brian Andrews and Jeff Wilson is the third book in their military-spiritual Shepherd's series. They’re well-known for their Tier One military action thrillers but have created a unique spiritual military series blended with thrilling action and faith-based elements that I have come to admire. The writing is excellent, the action is detailed, and the characters are well developed. I truly love the spiritual warfare aspect of this series. Readers are always treated to great fight scenes in Andrews and Wilson’s novels, but in this series, the stakes are even higher because they are fighting for the souls of people. Maybe a typical ‘good vs evil’ narrative, but I read it as more of a faith-based spiritual tale with spiritual aspects of light vs darkness. Yes, there’s the military aspects of violence of action, and a terrible bad guy, but the plot, storyline and characters are all easy to follow. Not overly religious nor uncomfortably weird, but enthralling, entertaining, and enjoyable! I always look forward to new releases by Andrews and Wilson because I know I’m going to be blessed with a great read! Dark Fall met that standard. It has great characters, an intricate plot, and vigorous action. It’s an exciting read that left me wanting another installment in this unique and distinctive series. Thanks to NetGalley, authors Brian Andrews and Jeff Wilson, and Tyndale House Publishing for the electronic Advance Reader’s Copy (ARC) of Dark Fall.

This is another fascinating book in the Shepherds series. After seeing the results of one of the worst attacks possible, Jed and Ben realize something is going on, the likes of which they’ve never seen before. They can’t understand why the watchers are being blindsided.

There was not as much interaction between the team and the watchers in this book. However, there was a lot more focus on how the watchers are trained. The breadth of their abilities was highlighted as well, especially Sarabeth’s. I look forward to learning more about them in future books.

I would highly recommend this to people who like military fiction with a strong supernatural or spiritual element. Thank you to Tyndale House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

** “It was right out of their playbook — violence and horror, not for its own sake, not to conquer territory or change geopolitics, but to shake faith and wrestle people away from a loving God.” **

Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson deliver another incredibly intense installation to their Shepherds series with “Dark Fall,” which picks up shortly after “Dark Angel.”

When Jedidiah Johnson and the Shepherds attempt to determine the nature of a new weapon that quite literally creates a Sodom and Gomorrah situation, Jed must figure out if this weapon is connected to Victor and his Dark Ones. As those closest to Jed come under attack, he and his fellow warriors must stop Victor and his horrific destruction before all of humanity is destroyed.

As usual, Andrews and Wilson create an intense story filled with high energy. They create incredible characters, both good and evil. Readers will love young Sarah Beth and her fellow Watchers and their special abilities (“Watchers, as the children were known, functioned as the Shepherds’ eyes and ears in the invisible war raging around the globe for the hearts, minds, and souls of humanity. Where the Dark Ones spread chaos, hate, and death, the Shepherds and the Watchers battled tirelessly to stop them.)”

They excel at developing plots that keep the readers invested and guessing until the end. “Dark Fall” is a story of good versus evil, reminding us of God’s grace and forgiveness. It also shows us that fighting evil is a hard, yet rewarding, journey (“Worrying about faith and firepower was literally in Jed’s job description. Because without an abundance of both, the enemy his team faced would prevail. Battling evil, it turns out, is complicated.”)

One caution, this story is extremely intense, containing many violent scenes, and does very occasionally use mild curse words.

Fans of military and special ops stories, as well as supernatural battles, will enjoy “Dark Fall,” which is due out Nov. 8.

I would not recommend reading this as a standalone.

Five stars out of five.

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

I am not much for fantasy or supernatural books but this series about the Shepherds is an exception for me. Jeffrey Wilson and Brian Andrews has something in their writing that appeals to me and they do write great action. Dark Fall is the latest about Jedidiah Johnson and his comrades. The struggle against evil is ongoing and new things are constantly revealed. If you like stories where good and evil batles then this is for you. Thanks to Netgalley and Tyndale for giving me this advance copy.

It takes mere seconds to reduce a remote Peruvian village to ashes. Is it terrorism? Was God handing down a punishment? The prospects could not be more dire. Not knowing the type of weapon or who wields it, the Shepards race to locate and disable the weapon before it can be used again.

I resisted reading this series even though I have loved everything Jeffrey Wilson and Brian Andrews have written. I wasn't sold on the overall premise and didn't think it was for me, So, I'd like the apologize to Andrews and Wilson for ever doubting them. I mean, this series was a risky endeavor. Spiritual warfare is a heady subject but one most everyone can conceptualize. Good vs Evil. Right vs wrong. Its hard to hit the right balance but Andrews and Wilson do it with aplomb.

The manor in which Andrews and Wilson tackle spiritual warfare is unique and thoughtful. Like all of their books you can expect A+ characters, vivid and authentic action, and plots that grab you from the start. The gentlemen like employing a three story arc and Dark Fall finishes up this story arc. If you haven't read the previous books I would suggest starting from the beginning but you will enjoy Dark Fall regardless. Don't be a dummy like me and miss this book and series.

My sincere thanks to Jeffrey Wilson and Brian Andrews, Tyndale House Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Dark Fall.

A fast passed spiritual warfare action. Book 3 in the series, it continues on where book 2 ends. The struggle of Jed to continually feel stable in his choices and what's being asked of him while on the search for a machine that can turn people to ashes. The struggle od parents to not only accept their daughter's ability and allow her to be who she's meant to be, but for the mother to accept and embrace her abilities. Meanwhile warfare is going both in the physical and spiritual realm.
I received an ARC copy of the book and all opinions are my own.

What a book! Such a good story overall that really blends the spiritual world with the physical world. Although a work of fiction, I’ve always contemplated what spiritual warfare looks like. The thing I’ve enjoyed about this series is that each book builds on the previous book and makes you care about the characters. I do like the fact that there was some closure to some of the main plots from the first three books and I look forward to finding out what happens next.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early!

Dark Fall by Brian Andrew and Jeff Wilson follows the harrowing tale of the Shepherds who see the interaction with the demon world. While on a life saving mission, they are trying to find out what the weapon is and how to stop it before it destroys much of mankind. The action is definitely a moving target as the story progresses. My favorite part is the last thirty percent of the novel where the main climactic moment of the whole series come to a head. With plenty of action and movement, Wilson and Andrews will take readers on a ride through the demonic world and understand the overarching power of God and how he can defeat all of them. THe storyline was different, yet familiar to readers of spiritual darkness like Frank Peretti, but they allow soldiers who are trained in armed forces to deal with this type of evil. Overall, Dark Fall by Andrews and Wilson had enough action to keep this suspense loving reader actively involved, but it also forces me to wonder how deep my faith is. A great question to ponder.

I received a complimentary copy of Dark Fall by Brian Andrews and Jeff Wilson through Tyndale Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

When I read this story, I had to keep reminding myself that this is FICTION - a very thrilling thriller of a one, no doubt about it, and there were, no holds barred. Yet, one would not wish a believer in Jesus Christ to be confused about spiritual warfare. We do not come against flesh and blood...Christian living is a supernatural battle. So I take Dark Fall to be more of an allegory, although one will read some parts as if one has just listened to the news.

There are Dark Ones in this tale, which are people possessed by demons and these people are using actual weaponry that can be seen, touched, and fired, used to defeat and kill those who stand in their way, especially against those who love, fear, and have faith in God and Jesus. These believers fight back. On top of this, the Dark Ones have their own agenda and use a newly acquired weapon of incineration, aimed at creating terror and chaos.

When one keeps Scripture in mind about spiritual warfare, one can then relax, ummm, well, no, be terrified right along with the good guys, like the Shepherds and Watchers, as things heat up and pan out. I found the storyline gives an excellent idea of what Christians are up against in fighting against the evil principalities and powers of the air; thus my idea and of mention of 'allegory'. Should you choose to read this gripping, action-packed novel, gird your loins and hope you have an "easy day".

Additionally, it is good to note that the authors, Jeffrey Wilson and Brian Andrews, create strong characters based on their own active duty training and experiences. In fact, they write in support and honor of comrades-in-arms, in association with their faith in Christ. I salute them!

They have written multiple books together and if this one is any indication of the others, I believe any potential readers will NOT be disappointed with any of them, including this one. There are rather a number of acronyms scattered throughout the book so it is helpful to have a glossary in the addenda.

~ Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~

August 2022

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary eARC of the book through the publisher and NetGalley. Opinions expressed are my own.
Scripture Connection
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9
See also the below references, which I’m not quoting here, in an effort to avoid spoilers of my favorite parts

Matt. 20:1-16
Deut. 31:8
Spiritual Themes
In my review of book two, I discussed how I felt a little bit weird about some of the spiritual content with the whole “spiritual task force” thing. I think I feel a bit more okay with it, though, when I think about it as a work of fiction.

I remember reading a review for book one, with someone emphasizing the fictional aspect, before I started reading. To be honest, I was bothered, at the time, because I figured that the reviewer was implying that God doesn’t work in certain ways– and I am someone who believes that God continues to do supernatural things.

Here I am, now, saying the same thing– not because I don’t believe that God could or even would do things that way, but more just because of the specific organization (and because of the trend I’ve seen with Christians calling themselves “General”) . That’s not really something I recognize in Scripture. However, and this is big, looking at this through the lens of fiction really changes my perspective.

A little over a month ago, I had an impactful conversation with R.M. Ruiz, who writes middle grade fiction. While reading her novel, I wanted spiritual element to correspond more directly to the Bible, especially because the book was set in “the real world.” The author explained that the book was a fantasy, not an allegory. While she wanted readers to come away from the book with a deeper understanding of trusting God, there was a lot that was fictionalized. She feels that it’s really important to have Christian books for kids, which aren’t in another world and point to God’s presence, here.

That conversation has stuck with me, as I think about interpretation of Christian novels with spiritual themes, and it has definitely affected my reading of Dark Fall. I would still feel uncomfortable recommending this book as, say, a solid work of theology, but recognizing that this is a work of fiction, and maintaining my notes about elements that could be misinterpreted, yeah, this is a book I can recommend.

It actually reminds me a bit of Touched by An Angel (one of my very favorite TV shows, and definitely the one God has most used to speak to me), in the sense of conveying some powerful truths about God, while not splitting hairs to ensure that everything is strictly based on the Bible. Although, Touched has a little bit more leeway in my mind, since the premise was that angels were the ones doing the things.

But, because I do want to mention them, here are the elements that would raise a flag for me, if interpreted realistically:

The “spiritual task force” element, because of some trends I’m aware of in the church (i.e., Christians calling themselves “generals,” in a spiritual warfare sense)
There’s an interpretation of a verse about exorcism, which I’m not sure I agree with, though it worked with the plot

Although there is quite a bit of “spiritual content,” compared to many Christian books, I would have still liked to see even more interaction with Jesus, given all of the supernatural elements. However, compared to book two, I was very pleased, in this regard.

What I Liked
So, wow! I enjoyed book one, but felt a bit iffy about the spiritual content in book two. Nonetheless, I was really enjoying the series, so I requested book three, as well. And again, wow!

Amidst all of the action and intrigue, there was so much beauty in this book. The Lord used it, strongly, to minister to me, and I felt tears in my eyes several times, while reading. There was one scene, in particular, that God used for me. I was about to do something scary and RIGHT BEFORE, I read a part where God reminded a character of a Bible verse that I very much needed to read. I know that my mom was praying for me, at this time, for which I am also very grateful!

Thematically, there were multiple moments (the “beautiful” ones), that simply blew me away. I’m not going to say more, because I don’t want to spoil anything, but again, wow. I’m not yet sure whether or not there will be more books in the series; the book left me wanting more, but also with a profound feeling of satisfaction. I also feel that this one really gave me a better understanding of the “project” of the series, as a whole. Where I would have liked to have seen more spiritual content (about God’s character, for instance,) in previous books, I now believe that everything was leading up to… this. And, for me, the wait paid off!

As I mentioned above, the book reminded me of Touched by an Angel (with some This Present Darkness elements, for sure), which I definitely say as a compliment. In particular, it reminded me of the arc with Kathleen, though I won’t say much more, in case that’s a spoiler. (But, if you’re reading this and have also read Dark Fall/watched the TV show in question, I’m quite curious to hear your thoughts!)

The writing is great! I enjoyed the alternating perspectives, especially (ironically, given that both authors are male) the female perspectives. Upon reflection, I think that’s because Jed’s scenes (the more “action-packed” ones) are less of what appeals to me, as a reader. With that said, I really liked reading Sara Beth’s perspective, as well as Rachel’s and Maria’s.

Timing was also fantastic. Especially towards the end of the book, with the intensity building, I just wanted to keep reading!

I was pleased with the amount of spiritual content in the book, with the strong emphasis on prayer, trust in God, and redemption. I also felt that the commentary about fear was insightfully placed and meaningful.

Content Notes
There were some definitively gruesome parts, especially in the action sequences and moments when Victor / the Dark Ones were present. For readers who really visualize what they’re reading, this book might be over the top.

There are a few misuses of the Lord’s Name. For those who are sensitive to them, I’ll add that there are a few “swear” words, too.

Recommendation Status
This is, in my opinion, a fantastic novel. I would recommend reader discretion, on the basis of the content notes (and interpretation of the spiritual content), but this book was so powerful, on top of being a really interesting read. While I had more qualms with book two, I’d have to say that book three really “redeemed” (pun intended) the series for me. The first two books built up to this, and I’ll say it again… wow!