**Thank you NetGalley and David C Cook for the digital copy of the 40th anniversary edition of this book.

Y’all, I have already pre-ordered my physical copy. That should tell you everything you need to know.

This book takes us to the small town of Ashton, where something strange is brewing. As a local pastor and newspaper editor begin investigating what’s happening in their town, we quickly learn that there is much more going on than what the townspeople can see. Behind it all, an entirely different battle is taking place: spiritual warfare.

And I absolutely LOVE this book.

You do not have to be religious to enjoy This Present Darkness. At its core, this is an incredibly immersive story filled with mystery, suspense, relatable characters, and a town that feels so real you can practically picture yourself walking through it. The characters are so well established that it’s incredibly easy to connect with them on a personal level.

But the spiritual warfare? I genuinely don’t even have the words. The way Frank Peretti brings that unseen battle to life is unlike anything else I’ve read. The imagery, tension, pacing, storyline, characters…I love every single piece of it.

Frank Peretti has been one of my favorite authors since I was little. I started with the Cooper Kids books and continued reading his work as I got older, so having something new connected to one of my favorite books after so long feels incredibly special. I especially loved hearing from Peretti again in the introduction to this 40th Anniversary Edition and getting a glimpse at notes from the original manuscript.

And THAT is exactly why I already ordered the physical edition. 😂 Those manuscript pages are difficult to fully appreciate on a Kindle, and I cannot wait to sit down with the physical copy and really look through them.

As someone who reads a lot, I always struggle when someone asks me to name my favorite book I’ve read this year. There are too many great books across too many genres. But ask me my favorite book of all time? Easy. It’s This Present Darkness.

I couldn’t even tell you how many times I’ve read this book over the years, and somehow it still pulls me in every single time. I recommend it constantly, including to readers who aren’t religious, because the storytelling stands completely on its own.

Frank Peretti is a master storyteller. An artist. His work is simply unmatched for me.

And Mr. Peretti, if you happen to see this: I NEED MORE!!! 😂

Such a unique and thought-provoking read! I loved the portrayal of spiritual warfare and the reminder that there is so much happening beyond what we can see. Some parts were genuinely creepy, but in the best way. It definitely made me think more deeply about prayer, faith, and the unseen battle between good and evil. Definitely recommend for anyone who enjoys Christian fiction with suspense and supernatural elements!

This book is an absolute Christian classic. There is not another book (other than the sequel, Piercing the Dark was) has ever impacted me or opened my eyes to spiritual warfare like this book. I recommend it all the time. This reread was just as impactful. I’m telling you, no one does it like Frank Peretti. I wish he wrote more!