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Almost Paradise

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Sometimes Hell follows you home.

Something with sinister intentions stalks Daniel Strong, but it doesn’t know that he has a magical stone that can send it back to the fiery abyss. Unfortunately for Daniel, there isn’t much power in slinging stones. Heartless Charles must decide who he serves, and If that wasn’t enough trouble, an alluring female spirit has him ensnared with her charms. Beau is in Grayton ready to catch the next bus to Heaven, but to get there, he must remember his past. None of them know that demons are digging their way into the living world. A peculiar angel, named Chance, tracks their scheme, but after a treacherous act leads to his imprisonment, hell is about to break loose.

Join Daniel as he confronts his demons once more, and find out why it's harder to fly than to fall.

Almost Paradise is book 2 in the Infernal Fall series by Bryan Timothy Mitchell.

309 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2023

14 people are currently reading
56 people want to read

About the author

Bryan Timothy Mitchell

2 books38 followers
Bryan Mitchell lives in Archdale, North Carolina with his wife and children. He is an Army Veteran and has a master’s degree in computer science and a bachelor’s degree in English. His debut novel, Infernal Fall, won the Realm Award for Best Horror. He is a member of Realm Makers and Word Weavers which are Christian writer communities. Beyond higher education, he enhanced his storytelling abilities by attending Realm Maker’s Conferences and the Novel Writing Intensive headed by Stephen James and Robert Dugoni, and by reading books that focus on the craft of writing. You can learn more about Bryan at www.bryantimothymitchell.com.

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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Nicole.
18 reviews3 followers
November 4, 2023
Thank you to this wonderful author for letting me have an Advanced Reading Copy of this book!

While I enjoyed Infernal Fall, this sequel seems not only stronger, but very necessary to the progression of the story. The characters have ample time to develop fully within this book and hook the reader in each of their own personal backstories. I was particularly interested in reading from Beau's POV and the process he had to go through of watching his younger self go through his own life as he stood on the sidelines, witnessing it from a third person perspective, never able to interfere or change what happened in the past. I love the attention to detail with his story.

I'm not usually a fan of split POV's due to my tendency to always favor one character more than the other, but the switching between characters was quite seamless here and did not get confusing. The chapters are quick and wonderfully paced, which allows the switching between characters to blend together nicely into one cohesive narrative.

The tone of the ending was also quite different from the way in which Infernal Fall ended and this ending was much more satisfying. So many loose ends were tied up and it's bittersweet to let go of the characters we first met in Infernal Fall, who change so much by the time Almost Paradise is over. I was really pleased with this sequel! I think it's even better than the original.

Profile Image for Liz Fully Booked.
530 reviews21 followers
October 18, 2023
The second book in the Infernal Fall series goes in a different direction than the original trip down to Hell. Our favorite characters are now on a journey to reach their own, and literal versions of Heaven.

Daniel, Beau, Charles and Kristine all deal with their own demons, as well as demons from Hell, who are bent on keeping them from reaching Paradise. With some help from family, some new friends, and angels, they are able to overcome both sets of demons and move on to their own personal salvations.

Like with Infernal Fall, the author does a great job of getting the reader invested in the characters struggles. While telling an entertaining story, he also is able to highlight their internal struggles and show how forgiveness of oneself and others can have a significant impact.

Another great book from this author. I would definitely recommend if you’re interested in reading a different type of good vs evil book.

I received an advance reader copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Bryan Mitchell.
Author 2 books38 followers
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February 13, 2024
I finished Almost Paradise around August of 2023. I wrote it mostly as a pantser, which means on the fly. I did do some planning and mapping but not like I did with Infernal Fall, where I did my best to pay proper respect to Dante. This novel has a lot more light to it than Infernal Fall. I do see it as a different subgenre than its predecessor too. While Infernal Fall falls under Christian Horror, Almost Paradise is more of a Christian Supernatural Fantasy. It still has some horror elements but how much horror can you have when it's closer to paradise? I enjoyed writing the novel. I wrote it quickly after finishing Infernal Fall because I had promised my subscribers and readers that I would. With that said, this novel wasn't rushed. The process was smooth and it came naturally. If you're curious about what I will write next, I recommend subscribing to my newsletter. Feel free to send me a question any time. Take care.
27 reviews
December 19, 2023
Swing and a miss. Not much to say. Infernal Fall was like watching 1994’s The Mask and Almost Paradise was like watching 2005’s Son of the Mask.
Profile Image for Carolynn Olmstead.
11 reviews
April 25, 2024
⭐⭐⭐ 3.5 Stars
**I received a copy of Almost Paradise from Descendent Publishing in exchange for my honest review**

Bryan Timothy Mitchell's Almost Paradise, is a splendidly humorous, uplifting, yet thrilling tale of faith, redemption, and hope.

This book got me out of a massive reading slump. I opened it and could not for the life of me put it down. Things got worse when I read a few chapters to my mom. She kept me awake until 1 am and forbade me from reading it without her. Mitchell really found his voice as an author with this book and it is wonderfully and uniquely him. My phone storage is now full thanks to all the screenshots I took of the lines and conversations that made me cackle.

Praise:
Beau and Heartless Charles were the stand out characters of the book, though I do have a soft spot for Emma and Clayton. Beau had the best and most well designed arc. Charles's arc is a close second only because his motivations flip-flopped a little in the beginning before smoothing out into an enjoyable ride of emotions and adventure.

The pacing in the first 75% of the book is a great improvement over Mitchell's first book, Infernal Fall. The pacing of first 3/4's of Almost Paradise was amazing and perfectly balanced across the four main POVs. This unfortunately, is where my critiques of the book begin. The first book had a slower slightly meandering pace in the first part of the story but focused in, kicking it into high gear in the last 25%. The opposite is true for Almost Paradise.

Critiques:
It felt as if the book was shaping up to be a great sequel in a trilogy, as it was building upon old concepts and characters while setting up new antagonists and world mechanics. But this was not intended to be a part of a trilogy. The ending had so many new elements and characters to conclude in a satisfying way that wound up feeling very rushed. Towards the end the plot seemed to take over the characters making their actions and decisions feel less organic.

Daniel and Kristine's arcs were the weakest of the book. Daniel had such an incredible transformation in the first book and I was looking forward to seeing him take the lessons he'd learned into the real world to faces his demons. While, in a way he did just that, it would have been more realistic to see him struggle with his wrath and unforgiveness throughout the book, instead it gets resolved in the first few chapters. As a Christian who struggles with emotional regulation and forgiveness for myself and others, I know that a relationship with God is the first step in healing but it is far from a magic bullet to cure all personal vices.

Kristine in the first book was not very fleshed out which I did not have a problem with as she was to Daniel what Beatrice was to Dante, a light guiding him from dark places to redemption. In this book she is slightly more fleshed out but her development as a character was hampered when her agency was removed and she was used as a tool to move the plot forward.

Conclusion:
Despite my criticisms, I still enjoyed Almost Paradise, and I am happy to have read it. It was a very fun story! It would have received five stars if not for the pacing and developmental issues.
4 reviews
November 6, 2023
We've come a long way since the classic Christian fantasy of Tolkien and Lewis, thanks mostly to Frank Peretti's contemporary depictions of the spiritual realm intersecting with a common, modern world. Now, Bryan Mitchell has thrown his quill into the ring with the Infernal Fall series. I recommend you read them in order. The first book drags an average guy (significantly an Army veteran) through the nine levels of Hell in a daunting quest to get back home. Along the way, he finds two traveling companions who also undergo significant character arcs during the journey. Well, now Daniel is back "stateside," and it's not all roses and gumdrops (though there is a swarm of delightful, hyperactive fairies). Daniel's spiritual sight is fully awakened, so he can't help but see demonic (and occasionally angelic) beings all around, influencing the people he loves most. While Infernal Fall was somewhat restricted by its adherence to Dante's vision, Almost Paradise is character driven and wide open. It's refreshingly unpredictable. New characters are brought in, there are various reunions, and formerly damned characters are offered painful redemption. While Infernal Fall was a normal guy's quest to get back home, Almost Paradise is a journey of the heart. Instead of escaping pain and misery, this homecoming requires leaning into grief, regret, and painful reconciliation. There's plenty of danger, and even an epic spiritual battle between demonic and angelic forces at the climax of this exciting tale. The ending is satisfying, but the story is far from over, as Daniel has yet to learn that prayer is his most powerful weapon. He's still spiritually immature, at best a "guest" at his parent's church. I look forward to at least one more book in this series, where Daniel, who only wishes to have his spiritual blindness restored, embraces the call to heroic faith and action. Now THAT would be epic.
Profile Image for Fedythereader.
1,030 reviews30 followers
October 21, 2023
Thank you so incredibly much to the amazing author for sharing an ARC copy of this book with me !!!

“Some things you have to do on your own, Beau.” Ralph leaned back in the chair and let it rock back and forth. “You may not think so, but you did well.”

A wonderful ascension to love and faith … a battle against fear and doubt and hate to reach peace. I loved this book. I was a big fan of book one, Infernal Fall, and when I first met Daniel, Chance, Charles and Beau … they suddenly became friends I could not let go of. And when book one ended so beautifully and the author came up with a book two … I felt so blessed !!! And what a read!! My emotions were all over the place. It was such a soul-lifting read. I loved how we got to see what they were up to after the descend through hell. It’s time for a personal deep growth for Beau … it brought tears to my eyes … everything that he has been through … such a beautiful soul !!!
Daniel’s character is still growing so so much and it’s learning the way to have faith again and it’s wonderful to read.
There was not one part in this book that I didn’t love and I read it faster than I thought possible!!! We got to know more about the characters, we gif to know more about the world building and the journeys they take. As in book one I was left speechless by the innovative and creative way to adapt Dante’s masterpiece in a more modern setting. The interpretation though … it’s always still there. And it’s always wonderful no matter how you want to see it! I’m so so glad I had the amazing opportunity to read it!! I can’t wait for it to be out !!!

“When you’re alone in your fears, you become easy prey.”

“Seeing things as they truly are can be difficult, but you need to. It’s the truth that’ll set you free.”
Profile Image for Kez Marie.
1,242 reviews77 followers
October 21, 2023
This book follows straight on from the events in infernal fall.
Told from multiple POV we see how each character is facing their own perilous journey, internal conflicts, and challenges.
Daniel is now able to see other worldly creatures and must face more demons to help those he cares about.
Beau is on a journey to Heaven if he can overcome his own fears and accept himself and the choices he made in life.
Charles (Heartless again) has been tasked by hell to watch over Daniel and cause him misery and ruin, but ever the rebellious character he has his own agenda in mind.
And the mysterious Chance and Emma are introduced who offer help on the paths our heroes face.
With Hell's demons intent on rising to Earth in an Apocalyptic takeover through the very mountain Daniel first fell through, everyone must band together to save the World and face their Demons.

This fast paced action filled story keeps you hooked from start to finish. You feel invested in all the characters journeys and see their emotions and struggles. This is an epic battle between Earth, Heaven and Hell, with the fates of humanity resting in the hands of a few unlikely heroes who must have faith in each other and in higher powers.
Profile Image for Michael Petty.
Author 9 books6 followers
October 16, 2023
The direct follow-up to Bryan Timothy Mitchell’s breakout novel “Infernal Fall,” “Almost Paradise” is a worthwhile sequel that pushes these characters almost further than before. Sure, it may not seem as intense as plowing through literal Hell, but the challenges that Daniel, Beau, Charles, and Kristine (plus newcomers Chance and Emma) have to face here are just as vital to their mortal (and immortal) souls.

One can only describe “Almost Paradise” as a stunning fantasy adventure full of deep conviction and eternal hope. Mitchell knows how to keep his readers on the edge of their seat while challenging their personal moral compass. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t stay up late into the night to read the last 10-15 chapters or so; I just couldn’t put it down.

If you enjoyed “Infernal Fall,” then “Almost Paradise” isn’t just a must-read, it’s essential if you want the full story.
Profile Image for Tania Ibrahim.
Author 1 book16 followers
November 8, 2023
Overall rating: 4.5

This book was amazing from start to finish! I loved the pacing, the multiple povs, and just how deep the author went into each and everyone’s stories. The character growth, especially for Beau was amazingly written.

Sometimes I had thought to myself what if it were I in their shoes. Like if I were Beau, I couldn’t imagine seeing a replay of my life play out in front of me, wishing I could go and change something about the past, what led up to what decisions etc.

I definitely feel like the uniqueness from book 1 carried into book 2 but only got better, and in a way book 2 was necessary to really understand our friends from book 1.

I loved that the topics of grief, pain, redemption, and forgiveness were so well written out too. It’s hard to not learn something from this wonderful story.

Great job, Bryan Mitchell!
Profile Image for Mike Bogue.
Author 19 books51 followers
October 14, 2023
“Almost Paradise” is not almost a good read—it is totally a good read for fantasy fans of all persuasions.

We’re told to confront our demons, but what if they’re literal? Such is Daniel Strong’s predicament in this fast-paced, imaginative fantasy, a sequel to the author’s award-winning “Infernal Fall.”

Daniel almost found himself stuck in hell in “Infernal Fall,” and now he thinks he’s free--but unfortunately, like a rabid dog, Hell has followed him home. And it widens its jaws to include not only Daniel, but also his celestial acquaintances and loved ones.

Laced with evocative description and deft characterization, Mitchell’s novel is by turns harrowing, adventuresome, and even humorous.
Author 2 books34 followers
October 30, 2023
I've been waiting for Almost Paradise ever since I finished Infernal Fall last year and it did not disappoint! Infernal Fall was truly just the beginning, especially for Charles and Beau. I was thrilled to finally see more of Daniel and Kristine, as well. And, without giving any spoilers, I got the character arc I've been waiting for ever since the beginning of Infernal Fall!

Bryan does an amazing job balancing several separate storylines, making me care about all of the characters individually, and tying everything together into a huge climactic ending. If you liked Infernal Fall and you want to see where these characters' journeys end, I highly recommend Almost Paradise!
450 reviews15 followers
November 7, 2023
Wonderfully written!

Almost Paradies is the second book in the Infernal Fall series and continues the world of Heaven, H3ll and demons created by Bryan Mitchell. This is a series that I didn’t know I wanted to read. The world building is phenomenal, the characters are intriguing, and the overall story is just good.

I love that this is story confronts demons, both internal and as well as those from H3ll and angels. The struggle these characters face is one, I believe, most of us face in our lives. The struggle to move forward and forgive. The struggle between what is good and what is evil.

Read this series. You will not regret it.
Profile Image for Jason McCoy.
Author 1 book11 followers
March 16, 2025
Daniel has just escaped hell, but hell isn’t finished with him yet. This sequal to Infernal Fall was a thrilling ride. No one from the first novel is forgotten, and really, there are no side characters.

I loved the themes of grace, forgiveness, and atonement. Scenes of spiritual warfare are equal parts chilling and inspiring when one considers the angels and demons vying to influence humanity.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would recommend it. Just don’t read it in the dark. You’ve been warned.
94 reviews2 followers
October 24, 2023
What happens when Hell follows you home and you can see into the spiritual realm? Will Daniel succumb to the evil spirits still pursuing his soul, Or will he follow God?
Will Beau be able to face his past on the bus to Heaven, or will he remain a Shadow-man?
What about Charles? What will this female spirit do to him?
Who is Chance the angel and how does he help everyone?
You have to grab this book and find out what happened to everyone after Daniel gets out of Hell.
2 reviews
November 2, 2023
This book was phenomenal. It picks up right where 1 left off. The action draws you in. When you start to connect with the characters, it has you coming back for more. Therefore, you are not going to want to put it down til you read it cover to cover.
270 reviews6 followers
January 21, 2024
It took me longer to get into this book than the first book in the series. However, once I got into it, it really took off and I didn't want to stop reading. I couldn't wait to see how it ended.
Profile Image for Elicia Johnson.
Author 4 books14 followers
November 7, 2023
Almost Paradise is a fantastic follow up to Infernal Fall! Mitchell’s imaginative portrayal of the good and evil in the unseen realm is both entertaining and thought-provoking. This sequel has a lighter-hearted effect than Lewis’ Screwtape Letters but still drops a few beautiful truth bombs. I highly recommend for readers who enjoy a shadowy read or as a appetizer/segue into SCLewis or Dr. Michael Heiser’s works.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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