The Unseen Battle: An Unexpected Love Story

by Micah Leydorf

Have you ever wondered why relationships are so hard? Could it be that you have an enemy working against you? You do. We all do.

Under the façade of our seemingly ordinary lives, a profound spiritual battle wages for our relationships, our marriages, and our very souls. The Unseen An Unexpected Love Story rips through that façade to reveal the life-and-death struggle between good and evil in the life of Abby, an ordinary American woman in a crumbling marriage. Demons Twisttale and Stumbletrick bring division and despair with their cunning lies, but Abby is not alone in her fight. Angel Ariam and Guardian Corel plan her rescue as part of a heavenly counter-offensive.

From brokenness to belovedness, this riveting tale of Abby’s transformation offers hope far beyond the fate of one marriage— to reveal the truth of the greatest love story ever told.

“In a world saturated with stories of love and struggle, this novel stands out as a beacon of originality and depth bringing to mind a modern retelling of C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters …. I am continually searching for stories that not only entertain but also provoke thought and introspection. The Unseen Battle delivers on all fronts. It’s a page-turner that explores profound truths about faith, love, and the issues facing American believers…. Prepare to be captivated, enlightened, and deeply moved by this extraordinary tale of love, redemption, and the battle that rages on beyond our sight.”

—Robin Patchen, USA Today bestselling author

See more at micahleydorf.com

303 pages, Paperback

Published October 17, 2023

Reviews

[Mary selid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written.

This updated Screwtape Letters comes from a female perspective. Not only do you hear the demon's thoughts, but you hear the angels' battle for her and the thoughts of the woman in her journal.

The unexpected twist at the end, along with the discussion questions in the back of the book, add a whole other level of depth.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Recommend!

[Brock Lutz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read, particularly in the spirit of Screwtape Letters combined with many of the Frank Peretti books. A good look into the spiritual warfare around us, tactics of the enemy, the power of prayer, and the importance of primarily, realizing that we are God’s beloved (in a Henri Nouwen kind of way). One of my favorite quotes, echoing Kurt Thompson’s view of Shame and it’s negative impact:

My bet is the self condemnation will lay her flat. She is weak and pathetic. You can have her wallow in the torment, playing the tapes over and over in her mind – debilitating and painful, a solid option. But remember, her desperate desire to ease her mental torture is also a perfect opportunity to introduce a new vice or solidify an old addiction. Page 162.

Humans do not realize they are enslaved and formed by their habits. They imagine their routines to be as fragile as spiderwebs – easily, broken and re-created. But each repetition deepens the grooves in their brains’ neuropathways. Every time they reach for their phone, their drink, that next bite, the remote control– whatever fix they use to soothe the pain and isolation – twist another strand around their will until they hang, trapped and powerless as an insect waiting to be devoured. Page 79.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 28 of 2024 — The Unseen Battle by Micah Leydorf

This was a gift from a dear friend. She said I would probably finish it in an hour! Well, it took longer than an hour but it was so hard for me to put it down! What an INCREDIBLE story.

I had my middle school students dive into The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis at the beginning of this semester. What a fortuitous circumstance (always the Holy Spirit) that my friend thought I would enjoy this book. Prior to this semester, I had not read Lewis’ book.

I have tabbed all the pages in this book that I want to refer back to. The author is local (hi!!!), so I am going to reach out and see about leading a small group book study in the future. Stay tuned!

5⭐️/5

[Barbara Brockhaus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel delves into the precarious state of Abby's marriage. The constant tension between angelic guidance and demonic manipulation keeps the reader guessing about the true nature of the couple's problems. While Abby's journey focuses on saving the marriage, the question of her own accountability adds a layer of complexity.

[Lori Guerin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A glimpse into spiritual warfare actively present in every person’s life. I found the letters from the demonic perspective eye-opening to the little things that the evil one plants to grow into big ones, and the ones from the angelic perspective encouraging.
This novel leaves me with much to contemplate and bring to prayer in my own spiritual journey of healing.

[Sarah]

It’s easy to forget about the battle being waged in the unseen world around us. It’s also easy to forget that our true enemy isn’t flesh and blood. This was very thought provoking and I enjoyed reading it!

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book for everyone to read. It shines a light on a different point of view. The female point of view. Women see the world in a different perspective that men do not understand.

[Andrea E · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best fiction books I've read in awhile. It's well worth the read, spiritually challenging, thought provoking and an eye opening look at current culture through a different lens.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's not subtle and does most of the thinking for you, but if that's what you want then that's what you want.