Book 4 of The Shepherd Series

I did not read the first 3 books, so I feel at a bit of a disadvantage while giving this review. I did like the storyline and the mystery of what was happening throughout this book. This book is intense military style so go into this knowing it is not a simple storyline.

Jed is on vacation, but while there he is met with missing children and is off to figure out what is happening.

This is Christian fiction about spiritual warfare and features serious prayer and discussions of faith.

I received an advance review copy audio version. Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks, for the opportunity to listen to this book. MacLeod Andrewsdid an amazing job narrating this audiobook.

Follow my other social media for more views and takes!
TikTok: @magically.miranda
Instagram: @magicallymiranda

➤ 𝚂𝚈𝙽𝙾𝙿𝚂𝙸𝚂

In the fourth installment of the Shepherds Series, former Navy SEAL Jedidiah Johnson barely has time to recover from defeating the Dark Ones’ leader before a new evil begins to rise. What was supposed to be a relaxing vacation in the Dominican Republic turns deadly when orphans start vanishing from the streets. Partnering with unexpected CIA liaison Gayle James, Jed is pulled into a dark world of abduction, murder, betrayal, and voodoo. As the mystery deepens, he must rely on his allies, including the Watchers and his Shepherds team, to stop a new power from filling the void left by Victor and launching the world into further darkness.

➤ 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂

You don’t need to be caught up on the Shepherds series to enjoy Dark Rising, but odds are you’ll want to backtrack once this one grab’s hold. Former Navy SEAL Jedidiah Johnson is supposed to be on vacation. Naturally, that lasts about five minutes. Missing orphans, a rising dark force, and a CIA liaison with zero patience for nonsense pull him right back into the fight. The pace never lets up, the action hits hard, and the suspense stays thick as molasses in a thunderstorm.
Andrews and Wilson continue to prove they know how to build a world that punches and prays in equal measure. The returning cast adds weight, the new faces bring heat, and the villainous Manboo stirs chaos with voodoo flair and chessboard precision. Faith, grit, and sheer stubbornness drive the story forward, and by the time the dust settles, it is clear the Shepherds are not done yet. Good thing, because evil is not taking a day off either.

Phenomenal next chapter in the Shephard's series. I wasn't sure where Andrews & Wilson might take the series after the stunning climax of the last three book arc, but I can't wait to see what they do next!

Thank you to NetGalley, Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson, and Blackstone Publishing for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great author duo and I’ll read just about anything they put out. This series was so easy to binge and I got through all four books in just under two weeks I was that hooked. Very good series and fantastic narration that felt so intense. 5 stars!

Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson have such a unique series of characters and stories that I fully look forward to every installment. There is just the right amount of suspense and emotional moments that make the characters come alive. Dark Rising is the fourth installment of the Shepherds series. It blends Christian faith and former Navy SEAL energy to fight against dark powers. The way the authors use the Watchers but still focused on their mental wellbeing is so refreshing. I hope that they continue the Shepherds series. I will definitely be the first in line.

I highly recommend the audiobook version. The narrators bring the energy so you feel a part of the action.

I binged this whole series in a few weeks (via audio) and am really glad I did.

I enjoyed this next progression in the story as we follow the team into fighting the darkness once again, this time to stop a new leader like Victor (previous bad guy) from taking over his place.

I like the light romance thread for Jed (finally he’s maybe got someone!) and to see Sarah Beth taking on a bigger role.

I had a harder time with some of the decisions the characters made that took them down some darker paths (though can recognize we all face temptation) but missed them turning to the Lord in those times as they would have in previous books.

It felt a little unfinished at the end and I hope they continue on in the series soon since that would make this book make a bit more sense maybe? At least in the spectrum of the characters decisions.

All in all this series is great - action filled and hard hitting but also filled with faith.

Note: There is some language used.

My rating: 4*

—-
Thanks to NetGalley for this ALC. All opinions are my own.

Dark Rising, the fourth installment in Brian Andrews and Jeffery Wilson's Shepherds series, continues to deliver gripping action thrillers that are utterly addictive. I devoured this book in two days, sacrificing sleep to keep turning the pages. Andrews and Wilson have mastered the art of suspense, and the unique blend of military action with spiritual warfare sets this series apart.

Following the defeat of Victor in Dark Fall, former Navy SEAL Jedidiah Johnson and his team attempt a much-needed vacation. Jed's inherent unease with downtime, however, is palpable, and his divinely inspired trip to Haiti quickly ignites a chain reaction of events, plunging the Shepherds back into the fray to confront Victor's sinister successor. The authors craft characters with remarkable depth, such as Jed’s internal conflict between his warrior nature and his desire to follow his faith, and the action sequences, like the harrowing rescue mission through the Haitian mountains, are masterfully executed. The powerful message of good versus evil is interwoven throughout the story, shown through the characters unwavering dedication to their beliefs in the face of overwhelming odds.

Dark Rising is a superb thriller that will captivate you from beginning to end. If you crave a page-turning rollercoaster ride with a thought-provoking spiritual dimension, I highly recommend this book.

NOT YET PUBLISHED, Arriving April 8th!!

OK. I’m just gonna say it! I love these authors, AND, this amazing series they have created!

The Shepherds return in book #4 with the sole purpose of fighting off evil. The evil spirits you say? Yes and no…
The Shepherds are literally fighting against the devils — minions/princes/ whatever you want to call them… all in the name of God and all that is good and light in this world!

🛑🛑 STOP. RIGHT. HERE!! 🛑🛑. If you have not read books 1-3, stop reading, as I’m going to give a little bit away here… and I don’t want you to miss out on any surprises if you are going to read them!!

Also, if you have not read any of these and are going to, please try to read them IN ORDER!

Ok now… on to my review…

After defeating Victor in book #3, Jed and the team are all TOLD to take a much needed vacation.
But of course, before Jed even gets to dip a single toe in the water at the beach, he hears a woman screaming.
Her child has been abducted. Right. Under. Her. Nose.
This does not sit well with Jed, and so he jumps in to try to find him…

This leads him to other revelations and puts him in a precarious situation… as he is in the Dominican Republic… by himself. Soooo….no backup!

Additionally, one of the watchers (and Jed’s cherished little friend) Sarah Beth begins to see things that do not look like they should… and so now SHE is worried…. She thinks they are looking to choose a new leader for the Dark Ones… 😮

This is just the tip of the iceberg, as there’s a LOT going on throughout this book!
And, it kept me on the edge of my seat for the most part!.

Some of the situations were very grisly. Some were raw and heartfelt. Some were absolutely beautiful. And some left me utterly SOBBING.😭

There were prayers and guidance from God mentioned throughout the book, and I loved it even more for this!

Seriously hoping that the saga will continue and we’ll have more books to follow in the series! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

#DarkRising by #BrianAndrews and #JeffreyWilson. Narrated intensely by #MacLeodAndrews.

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #BlackstonePublishing for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.
**** Release date is in a few days on 4/8/25, so look 👀 for it on shelves then !! ****

You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️