This Present Darkness

Darkness #1

by Frank E. Peretti

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:12

Ashton is just a typical small town. But when a skeptical reporter and a prayerful, hardworking pastor begin to investigate mysterious events, they suddenly find themselves caught up in a hideous New Age plot to enslave the townspeople, and eventually the entire human race. The physical world meets the spiritual realm as the battle rages between forces of good and evil. 

This Present Darkness is a gripping story that brings keen insight into spiritual warfare and the necessity of prayer. Since its original publication more than 2.7 million copies have been sold. The companion volume, Piercing the Darkness, continues the story of the battle between spiritual forces.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Fantasy, Thriller, Religion, Faith

376 pages, Audio

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Frank E. Peretti is an American author whose work transformed the landscape of contemporary Christian fiction by introducing suspense, supernatural conflict, and spiritual warfare into mainstream religious storytelling. Widely regarded as a pioneer of the Christian thriller genre, he achieved international recognition with the bestselling novels This Present Darkness (1986) and Piercing the Darkness (1989), books that captivated millions of readers and helped redefine the possibilities of faith-based fiction. His novels combine fast-paced storytelling with biblical themes, presenting unseen battles between angels and demons alongside the everyday struggles of ordinary people. Over the course of his career, Peretti's books have sold more than 15 million copies worldwide and have been translated into dozens of languages, making him one of the most influential Christian novelists of his generation. Born in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, and raised primarily in Seattle, Washington, Peretti overcame a difficult childhood marked by a facial tumor that impaired his speech until corrective surgery and therapy allowed him to communicate more freely. Those early experiences of isolation, ridicule, and perseverance later inspired both his memoir The Wounded Spirit and his lifelong concern for children facing bullying. Before becoming a full-time writer, he studied English, filmmaking, and screenwriting, worked various jobs, performed with a bluegrass band, and served alongside his father in pastoral ministry within the Assemblies of God. His experience teaching children at church camps rekindled his passion for storytelling and ultimately led him toward writing. After publishing the children's adventure novel The Door in the Dragon's Throat, Peretti experienced a breakthrough with This Present Darkness, a manuscript rejected by numerous publishers before becoming an extraordinary bestseller through enthusiastic reader recommendations. He continued his success with novels including The Oath, The Visitation, Monster, Illusion, and the popular Veritas Project series for younger readers. Several of his works have also been adapted into films, including Hangman's Curse, The Visitation, and House, the latter co-written with fellow novelist Ted Dekker. In addition to fiction, Peretti has written memoirs and nonfiction books addressing bullying, personal healing, and Christian living. His writing is distinguished by its vivid portrayal of spiritual warfare, moral conflict, redemption, and the enduring struggle between good and evil. While many readers praise his compelling narratives and imaginative vision, his theological interpretations have also generated discussion and criticism within Christian circles, particularly regarding the depiction of angels, demons, and supernatural conflict. Nevertheless, his influence on Christian publishing remains profound. Many authors and commentators credit Peretti with opening the door for a new generation of Christian suspense and speculative fiction, while scholars have noted the lasting cultural impact of his novels on evangelical readers and modern religious literature. Through his storytelling, Peretti established a distinctive literary voice that continues to inspire readers seeking fiction that combines suspense, faith, and the supernatural.

Reviews

[Adam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Besides the bad writing and the clichéd, predictable storytelling, the message of this book is really ugly. Tall, handsome angels are associated with Protestantism, and foul demons are associated with, well, everything else (e.g., New Age spirituality, Eastern religions, and any philosophy that does not place Christ at its center). Personally I think New Age philosophies, astrology, and crystal power are all pretty silly, but deliberately associating them with Satan is not only ridiculously simplistic, it's really hateful. Furthermore, the idea that taking a college-level class on Eastern religions might imperil one's immortal soul deliberately attacks the very notion of ecumenicism, not to mention the values of love and understanding. It's really depressing that this book is so popular with evangelical Christians, and that so many of them mindlessly accept Peretti's ideas about secular society and non-Christian religions. Also, the very notion of a "Christian horror novel" is almost as idiotic as "Christian porn." Christians should be able to read a novel by Stephen King, recognize that it is a made-up story, and then go back to getting their information about good and evil directly from the Bible, instead of fearfully rejecting anything not labelled "Christian," yet revel in all the B-grade, watered-down versions of mainstream media that are labelled Christian. Speaking of which, I'm not even sure if This Present Darkness can technically be called "Christian," since in it, Peretti has created his own bizarre cosmology nearly from whole cloth--one that ignores the very real notion of personal responsibility, since good and evil in this novel are solely the province of unseen angels and demons--which is why I honestly can't recommend this novel to anyone, Christian or non-Christian.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember "This Present Darkness" with fondness from my early - mid teen years. While some may disdainfully complain that Peretti is nothing but a fantasy writer for Christians and that his works cause the easily influenced to see demons behind every tree, in my opinion he does the church a service by reminding us of the supernatural forces which actually *are* at work in our world and which many of us have done out best to forget in this "modern" era. Do they function exactly as Peretti describes? No, I am certain they don't. This is clearly fiction, and the author would not claim otherwise. And I don't envy the line he has to walk between theology and story telling, fearmongering and faith. Certainly there are going to be some slip-ups, and equally certainly no single group of Christians is going to agree exactly where they are. :) But there are undeniably some good principles behind the action, and a darned good story to boot. I still recommend "This Present Darkness" and its sequel "Piercing the Darkness" to anyone looking for a good read and perhaps an eye-opening glimpse into the spiritual forces beyond our ordinary perception.

[Brian Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian fiction at its very best.

Peretti doesn't make the mistake that a lot of other Christian authors make. He doesn't ever stop telling his story to preach some valuable theological lesson. Rather he weaves it seamlessly into the narrative. The overarching theme of this book is "the power of prayer". But the story is straight out of a Stephen King novel. A small town is under attack from dark forces, both in this world and in the spiritual realm. The story is told from the points of view of humans and their angel protectors. Truly fascinating. Even if you think Christianity is a farce, this book still stands on its own.

I will also say that the sequel "Piercing the Darkness" wasn't nearly as good.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that started it all...

EDIT: I remember the first time I got my hands on this book; I was in college--I went to a community college, mind you--and my mom and I were "garage saling"--that is, going to garage sales, not having one--in a nearby city. Imagine how happy I was when I came across both this book and its sequel...and for super cheap, at that. Sure, I'd read Frank Peretti before; I'd had a blast with his Veritas Project duology, and even watched the Hangman's Curse flick. Not only that, but, I had read one or two of his Cooper Kids novels, and had even heard the audio version of Tilly. However, This Present Darkness was unlike any of those other works, and also was a game changer for Christian literature; though fiction in that genre had been around well before Mr. Peretti--take a look at the works of Grace Livingston Hill for an example--it hadn't really caught on until this book was published. Without it, we wouldn't have the works of great authors such as Ted Dekker, Bill Myers, or Robin Parrish. So, my reading diet--especially this month--owes a lot to this book.

[Oceana Reads Co. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I begin? This book is a new all time favourite.

It's not an easy book to read. It's intense. It's thought-provoking. It's eye-opening.
Depending on your beliefs and your experience, I could see this book being very triggering for some people. Witchcraft and possession are described in a lot of details, so brace yourself if that's a trigger.
I was greatly encouraged by this book. I have angels on my side because of Jesus! There is power in His name! There is power is prayer!
Besides the spiritual aspects (which was most of the book), I thought the conspiracy plot was fantastic. I liked the progression of the characters throughout the story, and I came to care about every one of them.
I have too many scenes to say which is my favourite one! I cried at so many points.
I couldn't put it down!
Check out my YouTube channel for my reading vlog I made for this book too! https://youtu.be/fiYdcSypkjU

[Charles van Buren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Kindle edition
Publication date: February 14, 2012
Publisher: Howard Books
Language: English
ASIN: B005WK6JFI
388 pages

Edited March 13, 2024 after a reread.

This, Mr. Peretti's first adult novel, remains his most popular and best selling. He sent it to many publishers, 14 I think, before it was published in 1986. Here is a quote from Peretti's introduction: "Seventeen years ago—three years after it was finished—TPD was in print. After a slow start, it leaped suddenly from store shelf obscurity to front-counter celebrity, and stayed on the bestseller lists for nearly ten years, breaking publishing barriers and records alike."

If you are a Christian who believes that the Bible is the word of God, then believing in demons intellectually is easy. Believing in their physical presence in the world is harder. If you have been trained in logic, skepticism, science and a general dismissing of superstition, believing in the physical presence of demons in this world is even harder. In this novel Peretti hits the reader in the face with demons and their existence and power in the physical world.

A well written, chilling read of spiritual warfare. But it is fiction. Peretti himself has said that if one wants to read a text on spiritual warfare, read the Bible, not his books.

[Bibi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this some 15 years ago and still it resonates. A great depiction of good v. evil. Angels v. Demons. Highly recommend!

[Sharae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down, the most eye opening book I've ever read that actually changed my views and outlook at everyday happenstance in the world. I couldn't wait for the sequel but darn it. It just did not stack up to the first. Sure it's fiction but man..this particular fiction has become my fact by deliberate choice because for me there is no down side in doing so. The book is a sparkler. I passed it on to my husband, who couldn't put it down, then my son who also loved it and finally I convinced my non-reader daughter to buckle down and read it. She was not disappointed. If you're a christian, Frank Peretti pulls away the curtains and give a view of what "might" be going on in the day-to-day goings on of angels in the upper and lower realms. So enjoyable, so entertaining, so satisfying in the end. O man. can anyone come up with something to compare. I had high hopes for the "Left Behind" series that crashed and burn when I couldn't get past the first chapter of the first book. SO there it sits, on my shelf for treasured books only. To be re-read every few years until I die.

[Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written as a "Christian science fiction" or a Christian fantasy, this involved a behind the scenes war between angels and demons, taking place invisibly while Earthly struggles are taking place contiguously.

Obviously there is going to be a certain audience for this kind of fiction, but it was well written and entertaining.

[Eddy Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written in 1986, but I read it for the first time just recently. There are some things about the book that seem a bit dated now, but at the time I'm sure Frank Peretti was breaking new ground in a lot of ways.
This book was written at a time when the big enemy to the church seemed to be the occult, and it exercising influence in American daily life, and surreptitiously leading Christians astray; hence the main themes of the book.

What this book did that was unique in its time was give a full-on view of the spiritual warfare that happens all around us as we fight the “good fight”.

I found the human characters engaging with a lot of depth. They seemed, for the most part, totally unaware of the battles raging all around them.

It was very easy to root for the angelic characters, and I enjoyed seeing how Mr. Peretti described their militaristic tactics to win battles.

The demonic characters were a despicable bunch, with no redeeming qualities whatsoever; as one would expect. But, they also had tactics of their own, and somehow expected victory against God’s host.

This book reminded me of how temporal and fleeting this life of the flesh really is.
We must empower the ministering spirits that have been put in charge over us by praying and speaking words of authority in Christ.

I would encourage anyone, Christian or not, to read this book.

If you are looking for excellent Christian Fiction for young people, please try Vicki Silver Mysteries: “The Stolen Gem” and “Cruise Control” by Alissa Wood.

[Sarah Booth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't realize that this book was based on Fundamentalist Christianity when I downloaded it from Audible.com. The story started out just like any science fiction fantasy book and then introduced a Christian component which I was perfectly fine with though I originally thought it was merely a basic good vs. evil type story. Being a C.S. Lewis fan (also of his Christian essays and books) I didn't have any problem with the book until it started to demonized and vilify "Eastern Mysticism". Now many religions and philosophies fall under that umbrella and while it was never specifically stated it insinuated that, among other religions that strive to do good, Buddhism is anti-Christian and even Satanic in nature which just isn't true. Part of the reason I believe that it was Buddhism that was being rebuked is: the importance of meditation, the reference to dragons (described as dragons but written as demons) (which mean a different thing in Buddhism than it does in Christianity) and several other practices I saw misinterpreted and maligned. The book portrayed these aspects in a very ugly light and was often out and out incorrect in what the Buddhist practice is about. Granted, Buddhism is non-theist religion, but it isn't anti-theist. There is a big difference. Western Buddhism often has no problem having God or Christ incorporated into its practices. The 2,500 year old view is to be compassionate to every living thing. There's also the Three Pure Precepts: to not create evil, to practice good, and to actualize good for others. Not very demonic in my book. Saving the environment and animals that God created hardly seems to me a heretical or blasphemous act.
The message about God and Christ would have been quite enlightening and influential if it weren't for the Eastern beliefs bashing which really turned me off from the book. If it weren't for that I would have given the book 4 stars **** As it was well written for fantasy writing, and had a decent adventurous story line.
It would have been very easy for them to be a quiet satanic cult under the guise of Christianity which they did cover, but it satanism that uses, always, Eastern 'Mysticism' or religion as its right arm. Again, I would have liked it had it not equated Eastern Religions with Satanism. One's failure to believe in God does not equate being evil. There are many who are moral and ethical who believe different things or incorporate different aspects into their beliefs. Hate is not what Jesus proposed but loving those who may not be awake in the manner in which you think they should.

[Anton Styles · Rating 1 out of 5]

I forgot all about this book until it popped up on Goodreads... I read it almost 10 years ago, as a sensitive, emotionally-wounded teenager, as I was being funneled through a fundamentalist religious conversion.

Basically, this book introduced a paranoid neurosis into my awareness of self-in-the-world. "The world" (read:everything except for fundamentalist warfare-obsessed Christianity) is painted as basically evil, and all well-meaning people who aren't Christians are actually playthings of demonic spirits from the Dark Side.

If that view of things seems OK to you, it might be nice to think about your social relationships—how close are you to people with diverse beliefs? Do all those close to you reflect the same philosophy of self, God, and humanity, that you share?

I was taught to be extremely wary of non-Christians, basically to only interact with them in service of the Ulterior Motive (to convert them to OUR way). After a few years, I started to feel like this attitude was generating more heat than light. I got to know a bunch of "spiritual" people—yes, spiritual in the "vague" or "new-age" way. I thought a bunch of what they thought was silly and strange, and I still do, but I realized that they're actually beautiful people, and the whole teaching that had been drilled into me every week for years—that Satan and his Army of Angry Creatures were clamouring at the door of every heart—came to look like the childish, cartoonish caricature that it is. I started to actually *relate* to people. It was like walking into air and suddenly realizing that I'd been in hazy fog for years.

This story-book would have been ok as a D-grade horror novel, but as an actual spiritual teaching? It's like believing that the Orcs of Mordor will come to eat you if you don't depend on Frodo.

In the final analysis, I think this book added nothing but silly, superstitious complication to my spirituality.

(I should add that with greater literacy, the narrative itself is awkwardly awful — it probably should only be read for comedic value)

[Hannah Beth (Hannah's Book Cafe) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book! I loved all the imagery of what the author defines as spiritual warfare. I know this is just imagination, but I loved how it all came together. Is this how prayers really work? If anything, this book makes you think.

I totally understand why this was such a popular book in its time. I can't wait to read the second book. Thanks to my hubby for recommending it to me. 😍

[Rhonda 🌒🌕🌘 🐈‍⬛ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 🌟 *rounded down
2/5 ❤️‍🩹
0/5 🥰
0/5 🌶️
0/5 🔎
2/5 😰A
3/5 🎭T


⚠️⛔️TRIGGERS:⛔️⚠️

Angels
Demons
Possession
Monopolization
Gaslighting
Framing of Crimes
Deceit
Lies


🗯️💬BOOK BLURB:💬🗯️

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:12

Ashton is just a typical small town. But when a skeptical reporter and a prayerful, hardworking pastor begin to investigate mysterious events, they suddenly find themselves caught up in a hideous New Age plot to enslave the townspeople, and eventually the entire human race. The physical world meets the spiritual realm as the battle rages between forces of good and evil.

This Present Darkness is a gripping story that brings keen insight into spiritual warfare and the necessity of prayer. Since its original publication more than 2.7 million copies have been sold. The companion volume, Piercing the Darkness, continues the story of the battle between spiritual forces.

🤔🧐🤯MY THOUGHTS:🤯🧐🤔

I have read 2 other books by Frank E. Peretti, The Oath and Monster. I loved both of those books but this one was just kinda boring to me for some reason. It was good but slow paced. I will read the sequel to this book and I’ll still read some of Peretti’s other books that have been on my TBR. I hope the companion to this book will be better.

RATING KEY:

🌟 Stars - based on the overall plot and theme or idea of the book
❤️‍🩹 Emotions - based on how emotional I got while reading
🥰 Romance - based on how well I got invested in the love story aspect
🌶️ Spice - based on how the sex scenes were portrayed and written as well as the number of sex scenes
🔎 Mystery - based on how well it kept me guessing who, how and why
😰 Scared/Anxious - based on how scared or anxious the book made me while reading
🎭 Comedy/Tragedy based on if I laughed or if there was a tragic event and how it affected me. I will mark the Masks with either a C or T to indicate Comedy or Tragedy

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do I review a book like this? I asked myself this question many times as I got further and further in, close and closer to the end.
How can I write a review worthy of this novel?

Now we must pause, and we must reflect…
What made it so good?
How can you even explain what made it so good?

There are no normal, straightforward words that can convey what this book really is. So I’ll go into descriptive/comparative mode now…

This book is dark, it’s frightening, maybe even slightly gritty. Kind of gave me that creepy feeling that The Screwtape Letters successfully conveyed, but it wasn’t stifling because it wasn’t told exclusively from a demon’s perspective.

This novel is sort of, I guess, like walking down a long black tunnel all by yourself, alone and afraid, and then suddenly hearing a friend’s voice. Or, more appropriately, it’s like when you’re driving home in a storm, the sky so dark that it feels like nighttime, and suddenly the sunlight starts seeping through the clouds, and the rain stops.

You feel safer, and you don’t really know why.

I once read a quote in another book that said, “You live through the night, knowing dawn is coming.” And I guess that’s sort of how this book felt.

And see? I’m banging my head against a wall because I just didn’t get that right at all. It’s impossible to review this book well. It just is.

I think the overall message of this book is that we need to pray more. I know I don’t pray enough. I’m a Christian, and this is a very Christian book…and as I read it, I felt like this is real. We can’t see it, certainly, but we can feel it. And that’s the point of this book. We’re not dealing with flesh and blood, we’re dealing with the world rulers of this present darkness…
The spiritual goes along with the physical. You can’t really separate the two, they’re inexplicably connected in ways that we’ll never fully know. This book gives you a glimpse of that, and it’s unbelievably creepy.

Aside from the beautiful Christian themes (yes, beautiful), this story is gripping. Remember it’s a mystery/thriller and do yourself the favor of not peeking ahead! As you read, a certain amount of “WHAT THE HECK?!” dread will be building up inside of you. It’s ominous because you’re absolutely certain that there’s going to be a train wreck but you’re not exactly sure how it’s going to come about, or if it will even happen at all in the end. I’m not going to tell you.

I always feel, after I write a review, that I didn’t write it very well. Or that I did a terrible job of conveying the meaning of the story. But honestly, this is probably the best I can do.

When I read the last sentence and closed the book, I smiled to myself.
For once, I had nothing to say right after finishing a story…
I was speechless.

This novel is about angels and demons, good and evil. It’s about miracles. It’s about spiritual and physical struggles. It’s about redemption.

…It’s about finding the light when you’d been lost in the darkness.

And I can’t recommend it more.

[Jonathan Terrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must honestly admit first and foremost that this is a book I read many years ago and as such I cannot offer properly any views about the quality of writing. That is except to admit while not the worst nor the greatest quality of writing Peretti is in my eyes a powerful story teller (although I must admit in my view his Monster is in some aspects more powerful) and for what he (I believe aimed to do his work is fine).

This Present Darkness is in many ways a thriller but I do not believe that the thriller elements are the main focus of this novel. Instead I believe it is the Christian message that Peretti aims to transmit through his work. After all this is a Christian novel tackling the spiritual world.

This Present Darkness focuses on showing how demonic influence affects the physical world through branching its story into two narratives. The first addresses the issue of what is happening in the physical world. The second reveals the background influence of angels and demons as they guide human beings in order to continue spiritual warfare.

It is the spiritual aspect of this book that I love on the whole however. Because the Bible from my point of view is quite clear on the fact that angels and demons do influence our world in many ways. The power of prayer is revealed in various ways in this book and the power of Jesus name is also revealed.


I disagree with some ideas that this book makes Jesus name into just a magic word because I personally think that too few Christians understand the power in that name and that this book attempts to reveal the power. I also disagree with the complaints I've read about how Peretti aligns New Age mysticism and the demonic realm as it seems pretty clear to me how such things match up. Peretti I believe attempts to show what is stated in Matthew 12:30 which is that “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters." (NIV) An idea which applies to spiritual things such as the New Age Mysticism. What Peretti attempts to show I believe is that such things open avenues into which evil demonic forces can work and as such it's best not to have anything to do with them.

On the whole I believe Frank Peretti does an excellent job of making more real those aspects of the Bible particularly mentioned in Daniel and Revelations. Of course I do disagree with some of his ideas but on the whole I don't believe his book was meant to be fully accurate but rather present a depiction and insight into the ways in which the unknown spiritual real affects the mundane. Take the book as you like that is my opinion and mine alone you don't have to agree or disagree.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book decades ago and it had a really significant impact on me at the time. Though I was definitely a person of faith, the idea of spiritual warfare going on all about us in this modern day was very foreign to my understanding of how God works in world events today. Frank Peretti's fictional story of the community of Ashton was an enjoyable read back then, but it really challenged my thinking.

I have just re-read it because, surprise, it is our current book club selection. I was foggy enough on the details that it was almost like reading a new book, but the story line came back to me quickly and I didn't have to struggle with whether or not I believed it was likely that angels and demons might be interested or involved in how human issues might be resolved.

The premise of the novel is that a college community has become a place of interest to the Universal Consciousness Society, a New Age/Eastern Mysticism group which actually has built a significant membership among the respectable members of the community. The members keep their relationship a secret from the community, as well as the unsavory and questionable business practices they employ to take control of both the college and the community.

The story begins as two spiritual warriors appear in the community to observe and assist the humans who will eventually rise up to thwart the powerful group before it is too late. Peretti moves from the perspective of the angelic warriors to the powerful and ruthless community members to the young minister who feels called by God to intercede for this community through prayer and to the newspaper editor and the news reporter who begin to uncover the seedy goings on around them.

It doesn't take long to realize that the Universal Consciousness Society is a front group for demons who are intent of spreading their earthly kingdom from a power base in this quiet little community. And, though angelic warriors are involved, there is no foregone conclusion that Good will overpower Evil. In fact Evil is so powerful that even the angels know they can't win until a power shift occurs and that will only happen if people who are believers start to pray earnestly for intervention.

This is an exciting saga that moves quickly and dramatically through several skirmishes between good and evil, climaxing in a great spiritual battle scene before the final outcome for this little community is known. Lots of scripture, lots of great examples of prayer warriors in action as well as spiritual awakenings on the part of several of the key characters. It's a good story. I liked it even more the second time around.

[📚 Alana (professional book nerd)(officially 18!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝔗𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔓𝔯𝔢𝔰𝔢𝔫𝔱 𝔇𝔞𝔯𝔨𝔫𝔢𝔰𝔰
✴.·´¯`·.·★ 🎀𝓒𝓱𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓪𝓷 𝓯𝓲𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 🎀 ★·.·`¯´·.✴

I remember reading this book when I was younger with my mom, listening to it as an audio book over a few car rides. I remember enjoying it but not truly getting the message behind the book or how true it is.

Then, I reread it on my own a few years later, and realized how genuinely accurate it is.

𝒯𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒫𝓇𝑒𝓈𝑒𝓃𝓉 𝒟𝒶𝓇𝓀𝓃𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝒾𝓈 𝒶 𝓂𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝒞𝒽𝓇𝒾𝓈𝓉𝒾𝒶𝓃𝓈, 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓃𝑔 𝑜𝓇 𝑜𝓁𝒹. 𝐼𝓉'𝓈 𝒶 𝓇𝑒𝓅𝓇𝑒𝓈𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝒶𝓉𝓉𝓁𝑒 𝓌𝑒 𝒻𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝒹𝒶𝓎, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒶 𝓇𝑒𝓂𝒾𝓃𝒹𝑒𝓇 𝓌𝑒 𝒶𝓇𝑒𝓃'𝓉 𝒶𝓁𝑜𝓃𝑒.

So, what are you waiting for? 🅶🅾 🆁🅴🅰🅳 🅸🆃!

----------------------------------

Reread in 2025: buddy read with Taz!!!!

——————————————————
I love this book so much. It’s definitely a very sobering book, and I think anybody who is Christian, interested in becoming a Christian, or a non-believer should read or listen to this book. I’m thinking about making this book a yearly read.

[x · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to read this book for school and it is one of the worst books I have ever read.

The plot was ignorant and unbelievable, the characters were boring, and I felt like I was being preached to the entire time. None of this should come as a surprise considering it is a Christian novel with an agenda of course. I especially found it absurd that the villains would be controlled by demons while engaging in Eastern meditation and preaching unity and self-awareness.

I understand that this book was supposed to be about the power of prayer or something like that, but it seemed to me that it was more about the evils of New Age religions and philosophy. I could have looked past this if the story was at all interesting or engaging, but at one point I almost fell asleep while trying to get through this book. It is that dull.

[Louize · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have recently reread Daniel’s story from the Bible. Allow me to say that Daniel was my favorite Bible character when I was growing up. He was a prayerful man who did not bent to any pagan rule, even if it meant being fed to the lions on a pit. He was a man miraculously saved by an angel. He was guided by God, not only to see visions but interpret them as well. His book was, for me, the first evidence there was of spiritual warfare. Although angels appeared many times in the Bible, their battles were never mentioned as it was in Daniel’s vision (v.10:13). Beyond what the Scriptures revealed regarding the spiritual warfare is mere conjecture.

“There, kneeling in earnest prayer, his head resting on the hard wooden bench, and his hands clenched with fervency, was a young man, very young, the blond man thought at first: young and vulnerable. It all showed in his countenance, now the very picture of pain, grief, and love. His lips moved without sound as names, petition, and praises poured forth with passion and tears.”

Like Daniel, Frank E. Peretti’s main character Hank Busche is a prayerful man, a pastor, protected by angels and chosen to fulfill a mission for the small college town of Ashton. He faced discouragements every day, including a sexual scandal to stain his character. But Hank, and his wife Mary, knows that there is a stronger force gripping their small church and town; which can only be defeated through God’s intervention.

The Strongman’s cloud of demons is looming towards Ashton. Victory will be theirs to claim through the global tyrant Alexander Kaseph, owner of Omni Corporations. Possessing demons have wormed into the lives of the townspeople and started ejecting possible threats to their sinister plan. But Hank Busche and Marshall Hogan, editor of Ashton Clarion, are the two biggest threats of them all.

"I'm sorry, we cannot allow any more demons into the church this morning."

God has equal plans for Ashton. The captain of the hosts, Tal, was sent to derail the enemy’s plan. One by one, the angels came and strengthened as more and more “Remanants” started praying and praising God.

This Present Darkness is a very engaging fantasy. It has the charisma that drew me into the lives and battles of the characters. I cannot help but root for the heroes of the story. It was greatly entertaining to read some of the angels’ punk and swag. The good blend of intense action, drama, mystery and humor have to be mentioned, too.

I have to commend Peretti for giving “the Power of Prayer” great emphasis. Let us be reminded, though, that our prayer life is far more effective through the knowledge of God’s Word and solemn worship. The Bible is the most powerful text book I’ve ever known. Confronted with evil influences, teachings or temptations, we fight with the truth – the Living Word of God. Needless to say, for me, Peretti’s mystical approach of admonishing demons is rather off. Believing and living according to God’s Word is the best way in keeping the enemy away.

Furthermore, prayer and worship brings us into the presence of God. Prayer is an open communication that empowers and comforts us. Contrary to the book’s suggestion, our prayers do not empower angels. Not once was it ever mentioned in the Scriptures. It is God who empowers them according to their purpose; the same thing may be said with us.

Please, understand that it is not my intention to discourage anyone from reading this book. It is a well-written and captivating story. I just wanted to point out that this is a fantasy based on the creative conjectures of a best-selling author.

[ChrissiesPurpleLibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

“For the saints of God and for the Lamb!”

Whoa…fantastic. exponential. One of the most amazing reading experiences.

Must read! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

This is now a favorite of All 👏🏾TIME👏🏾

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I forgot I had read this. I thought it was good, but in the context of the 90s when the New Age movement was booming and conservative Christianity was looking for a response. Peretti put all of it in a Christian context and showed us an invisible world behind the scenes that although fiction, became reality for many people.

[Karly Jo (Christian Booktuber) · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book really reminded me how powerful prayer and intercession are 🥹 the spooky nostalgic vibe mixed with angels and demons and saint and sinners, secret societies and unlikely allies coming together in Christ was exactly what i wanted and more!
though the prose was not my favorite, the story was oh so thrilling, entertaining and inspiring!

but check trigger warning before going into it because this is very dark !!
(no spice or language though)

[Robin Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most unique Christian Fiction book ever to be read!

[Kristen Overton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back when I was into Christian Literature, I really loved this author. I've moved past a lot of Christian Authors, persay, but Frank Peretti will always have my heart. He's very witty and well spoken (and a ham if you've heard him speak in public). This book was written with a lot of creativity and enlightenment, and though I've moved past a lot of the 'spiritual warefare' movement that ripped through the bible belt in the 90's, this book is still one of the most riveting I've ever read.

It's flat out scary at times.

[Joseph Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, its over stylized with unrealistically gentle depictions of evil, but its the grand-daddy of them all and deserves its five stars.

[Shelly L · Rating 1 out of 5]

Time for a real come-to-Jesus meeting, 'Merica. We got a forking nightmare scenario on our hands, and that's a fact. Seems there's a palpable evil sneaking its way into our small towns, right under very our noses. Specially if said town has ... ahem ... a college. And to think, this furtive, foul, secret state of affairs started WAY before that accursed bastion of evil known as the Internet. Did I say secret? Well, honestly, it's not so secret for Christians who have eyes to see, ears to hear, and lips to pray. No siree, Bob. In Ashton, the young folk'll come right up and tell you they're into indescribable witchcraft and sorcery and drugs and sex and Satanic rituals, if you only ask them! You know, they do it right down there at that den-of-sin video arcade where they hang out. And if just one of the saints of God were to lay hands on them and say the magic words, "In Jesus' name I bind thee, spirit, to leave this poor body," well! The exit may be bumpy, but that demon'll be up and banished. Problem solved! It's not rocket science, see? The saved young soul will look up at you with kindergarten-era earnestness, thank you from the bottom of their liberated hearts, and just love Jesus. Then they'll join the church, where they'll be welcomed with loving arms, no questions asked! And that's how real Christians win. See, real Christians — who are humans and can’t help but sin, sometimes see angels, solemnly believe in demonic possession, and give powerful prayer cover to the battle between good and evil waging in their very streets — are the kindest, most accepting, most tolerant, and diverse people in all the world! Liberals, now, watch out for them. These unbelievers are the rigid ones! They busily abandon their God-given empathy, give away their diversity, and enslave themselves to a single, centralized, evil, mindless group-think. Yep. It's a one-way ticket to authoritarian rule — by none other than SATAN, folks! Good gravy. The one quaint detail in this book is that the town's newspaperman — a journalist! — is one of the good guys. Fancy there being a “good” enemy of the people, people! Anyhoo. He and this poor, nutty, powerful young pastor do more exorcisms than The Exorcist, while keeping things considerably cleaner, and with significantly less harm to his person. So. The richie-rich church and bigwigs of the town all fall to evil, yes, as do poor, pleasure-seeking tweens and teens at the video arcade, but also? Those twenty-somethings who get tangled up with new-fangled ideas at college. Beware wealth, beware poverty — and beware the college-educated, my friends! Thinking too much leads to questioning and confusion — and pretty soon, to trance-states and demonic possession, y'all! Oh, and what do these very real, very evil demons love most of all to do in the little town of Ashton? Well, I'll tell you. It's to possess pliable young women, spurring them to accuse good men of rape. RAPE, mind you! Yes, and of course, luring those men to stick their bits where they don't belong outside the holy bonds of matrimony. But that's old school. A tale as old as time. Rape raps are the modern-day innovation, don't you know? Wouldn't fly in the old days, when if you did get raped, that was just a Tuesday night! Nothing to write home about. Ammiright? But to get back to the issue, here. The bum rape rap is just one more way Satan attempts to ruin reputations and run all the good men out of your town! So. If any old gal up and says she's been raped, the right CHRISTIAN thing to do is to realize she's a liar in Satan's service, and give prayer cover to her rapist right away. Because prayer is powerful, and when we praise the Lord, there's simply no rapist we can't save. O to the M to the Gee whiz, my fellow Americans! Not merely bad, but actually insidious, I do not lie when I confess this to be the worst book I've ever, ever read. Why did I read it? Because it's on the PBS Great American Reads list — let that sink in a minute. Ya, it's a best seller here in our great nation! Holy headsmack, indeed. And BTW? I say fans of this bullshirt can go fork themselves.

[Nay Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still reeling over the power of this book. Will post my final review by this evening.

Chapter 30...mind blowing. I can't wait to read book two!!

Perfect for fans of The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis and Demon by Tosca Lee.

Full review to come.

--------------------

This is a solid five star, 2021 favorite and a MUST read. I was highly impressed by this. The writing, the plot, the use of scripture, the characters...everything about this perfect from beginning to end. A page turner, fast paced and so much depth. I was pulled in to the end.

The town of Ashton is being controlled by darkness and the little bit of light there must shine bright and protect the town. Seeing the people of the town be controlled by various spirits (divination, socerey, lust, deception, cheating and the list goes on) was so eye-opening. It brought such a better understanding of spiritual warfare.

Seeing the people pray and how their prayers help in the spiritual realm was phenomenal. Marshall and Hank were such amazing men! I loved seeing them deal with the spiritual warfare going on around them. The angelic host was epic! Their strength was amazing when facing and combating against the principalities under Rafar.

This book includes death, murder, suicide, mentions of rape and so much more. If you can't handle those topics this might not be for you.

There is so much to this book, that I can't really sit down and write out my full thoughts, but I will be doing a video review on this soon!

I 100% recommend and can't wait to read the sequel, Piercing the Darkness in August!

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book annoyed me in so many ways. There were multiple typographical errors. The characters all began sentences with "Aw". Not every sentence, but enough to be really irksome. THe idea behind this book is interesting but the characters were so unbelievable. The Christians were either fanatical or really evil in disguise. Everything that happens is attributed to either demons or angels. It was just too much. I did finish the book and I have to say at least the pace did pick up about halfway through. Still, not worth a lot of time.

[Liz~In~Colorado · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Present Darkness. #1
By Frank Peretti

➡️"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
Ephesians 6:12

➡️Ashton is just a typical small town. But when a skeptical reporter and a prayerful, hardworking pastor begin to investigate mysterious events, they suddenly find themselves caught up in a hideous New Age plot to enslave the townspeople, and eventually the entire human race. The physical world meets the spiritual realm as the battle rages between forces of good and evil.

➡️This Present Darkness is a gripping story that brings keen insight into spiritual warfare and the necessity of prayer. Since its original publication more than 2.7 million copies have been sold. The companion volume, Piercing the Darkness, continues the story of the battle between spiritual forces

💥My Thoughts:
It REALLY helped being written as a novel,, with the spiritual principals woven throughout. We see the named beasts that invisibly fight against us. The first 50 pages or so are a bit slow,, as the story is being set up. It is revolutionary to combine all this into one book. It helped my middle teenage son at the time to sort it all out and understand things on a different level!
Frank has written many more great books since, I still need to read some of them.

⭐5/5*