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The Battle for Heaven and Earth
In the beginning--before Earth, before humanity, before sin--there was Heaven. And it was perfect.
This is the story of creation as you've never imagined it.
Once united in worship and purpose, the angelic realm is shaken when Lucifer--the most beautiful and exalted of all--questions the authority of God Himself. What begins as subtle pride soon ignites into open rebellion.
As loyalties fracture and one-third of Heaven's hosts defect, Michael the Archangel is thrust into a role he never commander of God's army in a war that was never supposed to erupt. Friendship turns to enmity. Worship becomes warfare. And Heaven itself becomes a battlefield.
From the first spark of dissonance to the thunder of celestial combat, this sweeping epic explores the origin of evil and the agonizing cost of free will. With vivid imagination rooted in deep biblical truth, witness darkness rising against the very throne of God . . . and the divine plan that refuses to be undone, one that stretches from the creation of a new world to a garden paradise, and a fall that echoes through all of human history.
This is not just the story of a rebellion.
It is the story of why it mattered.
And why it still does.
This is the story of creation as you've never imagined it.
Once united in worship and purpose, the angelic realm is shaken when Lucifer--the most beautiful and exalted of all--questions the authority of God Himself. What begins as subtle pride soon ignites into open rebellion.
As loyalties fracture and one-third of Heaven's hosts defect, Michael the Archangel is thrust into a role he never commander of God's army in a war that was never supposed to erupt. Friendship turns to enmity. Worship becomes warfare. And Heaven itself becomes a battlefield.
From the first spark of dissonance to the thunder of celestial combat, this sweeping epic explores the origin of evil and the agonizing cost of free will. With vivid imagination rooted in deep biblical truth, witness darkness rising against the very throne of God . . . and the divine plan that refuses to be undone, one that stretches from the creation of a new world to a garden paradise, and a fall that echoes through all of human history.
This is not just the story of a rebellion.
It is the story of why it mattered.
And why it still does.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 3, 2026
About the author
Mark Yarbrough
2 books41 followersMark M. Yarbrough serves as the sixth president of Dallas Theological Seminary and as a professor of Bible Exposition. A sought-after speaker and author of several books, including How to Read the Bible Like a Seminary Professor and The Rekindled Heart, Mark has a passion for helping people grasp the grand narrative of God’s Word. As the founder of the “Story of Scripture” experience and lecture series, he teaches the Bible as one continuous story through engaging instruction, worship, and visual interaction (thestoryofscripture.org). Mark also regularly leads tours throughout Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and Germany, helping individuals understand the historical and cultural worlds of the Bible. He and his wife, Jennifer, enjoy spending time with family and serving together.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
August 11, 2026
This book gives a fascinating insight into what heaven might have been like at the beginning before Lucifer rebelled. That was the highlight of the book for me. The first part of the book is based in the heavenly realms – before, and then after the rebellion. The second part describes creation in detail – interesting, but I felt like it dragged on a bit. The third part focuses on lead-up to, and the aftermath of the fall – the first sin. Lucifer and his scheming are woven throughout all three parts of the book.
I liked that the book really helped me to get a sense of the perfect goodness of heaven, especially before Lucifer rebelled. It also opened my eyes more to the devil’s scheming and his lies that are so convincing that we don’t realise that they are lies.
Christians who enjoy Christian fiction are the ideal audience for this book. Not all Christians are happy with the liberties that are in Christian fiction books, so this wouldn’t be a book for them. But for Christian fiction readers who are happy with artistic licence, this might be a book to consider.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for sharing an advance reader copy of this book with me. All opinions are my own.
I liked that the book really helped me to get a sense of the perfect goodness of heaven, especially before Lucifer rebelled. It also opened my eyes more to the devil’s scheming and his lies that are so convincing that we don’t realise that they are lies.
Christians who enjoy Christian fiction are the ideal audience for this book. Not all Christians are happy with the liberties that are in Christian fiction books, so this wouldn’t be a book for them. But for Christian fiction readers who are happy with artistic licence, this might be a book to consider.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for sharing an advance reader copy of this book with me. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Battle for Heaven and Earth took me by surprise. Oh, I know that story . . . but did I? I normally read during meals, but this inspiring biblical novel—I'll say my food and coffee got cold while I was engrossed in the various point of views. Highly recommended. Well-written.
August 14, 2026
★★☆☆☆ — A compelling premise that never quite invited me into the story
The Battle for Heaven and Earth takes on an ambitious task: imagining the events surrounding creation, the rebellion in heaven, and the fall in a fuller narrative form. There is a lot of potential in that premise. Unfortunately, I found myself wanting to put the book down after the first chapter, and it never really overcame that initial reaction.
My greatest difficulty was that the book too often told me the story rather than allowing me to experience it. I wanted to see these characters encounter an existence being fundamentally changed around them. I wanted to feel their confusion, horror, temptation, loyalty, and eventual resolve. Instead, motivations and theological conclusions frequently felt explained to me before the characters had experienced enough to make those conclusions feel earned.
That particularly affected my ability to connect with the characters. These are beings encountering rebellion, violence, pain, and realities that have never existed before. There was an opportunity to lean into the horror of that—to let previously unwavering characters wrestle with what they were seeing and experiencing. Doing so could have made the goodness and beauty of God stand in even greater contrast to the destruction brought by sin. Instead, the characters often felt more certain and less affected than I expected them to be, leaving me without someone through whom I could genuinely experience the story.
The worldbuilding created a similar challenge. We are given glimpses of the physicality and geography of the heavenly realm, but I never developed a coherent enough picture to visualize where I was. At times details are carefully explained; at others, significant aspects of this imagined world simply appear when the story needs them. The dialogue and vocabulary can also shift noticeably in tone, occasionally making supposedly weighty moments feel much smaller than their stakes.
Ultimately, I wanted the book to trust me more as a reader. Show me devotion rather than telling me a character is devoted. Let me understand why rebellion could be seductive rather than simply telling me who is right. Let me experience a world encountering evil for the first time and then discover, alongside its characters, what that reveals about God.
By the end, The Battle for Heaven and Earth felt to me primarily like a lengthier retelling of creation and the fall rather than an imagining that added texture to those events or helped me visualize them differently. The premise is fascinating, and there were moments when I could see the deeper story I wanted it to become. Unfortunately, I remained more of an observer being told what happened than a reader invited to inhabit the story.
2/5 stars.
The Battle for Heaven and Earth takes on an ambitious task: imagining the events surrounding creation, the rebellion in heaven, and the fall in a fuller narrative form. There is a lot of potential in that premise. Unfortunately, I found myself wanting to put the book down after the first chapter, and it never really overcame that initial reaction.
My greatest difficulty was that the book too often told me the story rather than allowing me to experience it. I wanted to see these characters encounter an existence being fundamentally changed around them. I wanted to feel their confusion, horror, temptation, loyalty, and eventual resolve. Instead, motivations and theological conclusions frequently felt explained to me before the characters had experienced enough to make those conclusions feel earned.
That particularly affected my ability to connect with the characters. These are beings encountering rebellion, violence, pain, and realities that have never existed before. There was an opportunity to lean into the horror of that—to let previously unwavering characters wrestle with what they were seeing and experiencing. Doing so could have made the goodness and beauty of God stand in even greater contrast to the destruction brought by sin. Instead, the characters often felt more certain and less affected than I expected them to be, leaving me without someone through whom I could genuinely experience the story.
The worldbuilding created a similar challenge. We are given glimpses of the physicality and geography of the heavenly realm, but I never developed a coherent enough picture to visualize where I was. At times details are carefully explained; at others, significant aspects of this imagined world simply appear when the story needs them. The dialogue and vocabulary can also shift noticeably in tone, occasionally making supposedly weighty moments feel much smaller than their stakes.
Ultimately, I wanted the book to trust me more as a reader. Show me devotion rather than telling me a character is devoted. Let me understand why rebellion could be seductive rather than simply telling me who is right. Let me experience a world encountering evil for the first time and then discover, alongside its characters, what that reveals about God.
By the end, The Battle for Heaven and Earth felt to me primarily like a lengthier retelling of creation and the fall rather than an imagining that added texture to those events or helped me visualize them differently. The premise is fascinating, and there were moments when I could see the deeper story I wanted it to become. Unfortunately, I remained more of an observer being told what happened than a reader invited to inhabit the story.
2/5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is just as the title states; there is a battle for heaven and there is a battle for earth. It's a huge feat of imagination and a careful study of Scripture to examine what could have been taking place behind the scenes in the heavenly realms before the earth was formed. Told through multiple perspectives, this story is an eye-opening and harrowing look at the true cost of sin and evil while demonstrating God's holiness and sovereignty. The three sections of the book—the rebellion, creation, and fall—document the origin of our world in such vivid imagery that it evokes a glimmer of the majesty accompanying the presence of God in a surreal manner.
The Battle for Heaven and Earth is not just a theological retelling of Genesis 1-3. It is an emotional tale, placing readers right into the shoes of Adam and Eve as they fellowship with God and then decide to rebel against Him. It is an introspective invitation to us as it considers what free will and the choice to love freely means. And it is a convicting reminder that the thoughts and actions of Lucifer and his fallen angels are ones that continue to exist today as humanity sins against each other and against a righteous God. If you are keen to see the opening of the Bible come to life in an unexpected way, this book is a memorable opportunity to be immersed in the Story for the ages, where war and destruction have taken place, but there is still much to come.
Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
The Battle for Heaven and Earth is not just a theological retelling of Genesis 1-3. It is an emotional tale, placing readers right into the shoes of Adam and Eve as they fellowship with God and then decide to rebel against Him. It is an introspective invitation to us as it considers what free will and the choice to love freely means. And it is a convicting reminder that the thoughts and actions of Lucifer and his fallen angels are ones that continue to exist today as humanity sins against each other and against a righteous God. If you are keen to see the opening of the Bible come to life in an unexpected way, this book is a memorable opportunity to be immersed in the Story for the ages, where war and destruction have taken place, but there is still much to come.
Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was such an unexpected pleasure to read. I went in as a longtime Jerry Jenkins fan, but the partnership with Mark M. Yarbrough adds a richness and theological clarity that really elevates the story.
The plot moves quickly, but what impressed me most was how seamlessly the authors balance action with meaning. The spiritual themes are woven in naturally — never heavy handed, always purposeful. The result is a story that entertains while also inviting reflection on Scripture, faith, and the unseen realities the Bible describes.
Whether you’re drawn to end times fiction, biblical imagination, or simply a well crafted story with heart, this book delivers. A solid, satisfying five star read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.
The plot moves quickly, but what impressed me most was how seamlessly the authors balance action with meaning. The spiritual themes are woven in naturally — never heavy handed, always purposeful. The result is a story that entertains while also inviting reflection on Scripture, faith, and the unseen realities the Bible describes.
Whether you’re drawn to end times fiction, biblical imagination, or simply a well crafted story with heart, this book delivers. A solid, satisfying five star read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.
July 24, 2026
Wow. I loved this. It brought a lot of questions to the table on how things may have actually happened. and an interesting point of view from the Angels and Lucifer and how the battle of good and evil came to be. Obviously it’s just a story but the author took bits and pieces of the Bible to write it and it does paint a pretty good picture of what it may have been like. I am a fan of the left behind series so I knew this one wouldn’t disappoint and I was honestly hooked from the beginning.
I did receive this Arc from NetGalley to give my honest and unbiased opinion.
I did receive this Arc from NetGalley to give my honest and unbiased opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m typically not a fan of speculative fiction. I never got excited about The Chronicles of Narnia or The Lord of the Rings. The Battle for Heaven and Earth didn’t trip my trigger either. It’s a good book and well written, but it’s not my favorite genre.
It has to be hard to write a story which pre-dates your language. Every phrase and snippet of dialogue from the future appears out of sync with the story. “Copy that” or “Count us in” and “Suck it up”are examples.
Yet analogies can be drawn to highlight Biblical truths. The sin of pride caused Lucifer to fall like lightning from the sky. Pride goes before a fall. Such gems can be garnered if you don’t take the story too literally. For those familiar with the Bible and Christian theology, you can ride along on this story and the road feels familiar. After Adam and Eve are expelled from the garden, you can guess what comes next. The setup is perfect for a second book in the series.
It has to be hard to write a story which pre-dates your language. Every phrase and snippet of dialogue from the future appears out of sync with the story. “Copy that” or “Count us in” and “Suck it up”are examples.
Yet analogies can be drawn to highlight Biblical truths. The sin of pride caused Lucifer to fall like lightning from the sky. Pride goes before a fall. Such gems can be garnered if you don’t take the story too literally. For those familiar with the Bible and Christian theology, you can ride along on this story and the road feels familiar. After Adam and Eve are expelled from the garden, you can guess what comes next. The setup is perfect for a second book in the series.
August 10, 2026
2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 for the author’s imagination.
The Battle for Heaven and Earth is exactly what the title suggests: an imaginative retelling of Genesis 1–3 that explores what might have been happening behind the scenes of the biblical creation story.
The author takes readers deep into the heavenly realm, giving us an in-depth look at the battles between Lucifer and his followers and the Archangels and heavenly soldiers tasked with defending Heaven and God. I appreciated the sheer scope of the author’s imagination and the effort that went into bringing this unseen world to life.
I particularly enjoyed the sections dealing with creation. The descriptions of the Earth and the animals were beautifully imagined, and I especially liked Archangel Michael’s fascination and sense of wonder as he encountered the creatures being created.
That said, despite appreciating the author’s vision, this book ultimately wasn’t for me. I found the first half difficult to get through because of the extremely detailed descriptions of the battles. Nearly every movement and action was described at length, and the pacing began to feel slow as a result. I think this also made me realize that I’m probably not much of a fan of war novels—which, in many ways, is what the first half of this book felt like.
There is a lot of creativity here, and I can certainly appreciate the ambition behind the story. The author has taken a familiar biblical narrative and expanded it into an imaginative world filled with heavenly conflict, creation, and spiritual warfare. Unfortunately, the execution and pacing just didn’t quite work for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Battle for Heaven and Earth is exactly what the title suggests: an imaginative retelling of Genesis 1–3 that explores what might have been happening behind the scenes of the biblical creation story.
The author takes readers deep into the heavenly realm, giving us an in-depth look at the battles between Lucifer and his followers and the Archangels and heavenly soldiers tasked with defending Heaven and God. I appreciated the sheer scope of the author’s imagination and the effort that went into bringing this unseen world to life.
I particularly enjoyed the sections dealing with creation. The descriptions of the Earth and the animals were beautifully imagined, and I especially liked Archangel Michael’s fascination and sense of wonder as he encountered the creatures being created.
That said, despite appreciating the author’s vision, this book ultimately wasn’t for me. I found the first half difficult to get through because of the extremely detailed descriptions of the battles. Nearly every movement and action was described at length, and the pacing began to feel slow as a result. I think this also made me realize that I’m probably not much of a fan of war novels—which, in many ways, is what the first half of this book felt like.
There is a lot of creativity here, and I can certainly appreciate the ambition behind the story. The author has taken a familiar biblical narrative and expanded it into an imaginative world filled with heavenly conflict, creation, and spiritual warfare. Unfortunately, the execution and pacing just didn’t quite work for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Battle for Heaven and Earth is an imaginative retelling of Genesis 1-3 that gives us a behind the scenes story with God, his angels, and Lucifer (Satan).
The authors describe a story mostly from the perspectives of Gabriel, Michael, and Lucifer. Lucifer turns to selfishness early on in the book, giving us insight into pretend dialogues and narratives of both the real time feelings of the characters, as well as the battles between Lucifer and his followers vs the Archangels and heavenly soldiers ordered to defend Heaven and God. I appreciated the breadth of the authors’ imaginations and the effort that went into bringing the supernatural world to life.
I very much enjoyed the sections dealing with creation. The way the authors describe Earth and the animals were fascinating and creatively imagined, and I especially liked Gabriel and Michael's awe and wonder as they saw God creating Creation.
However, despite appreciating the authors’ vision for this book, ultimately it wasn’t for me. I found the first 45% especially slow and difficult to get through. A large part of that was the contrast between the dialogue and the narrative style. The characters’ conversations often had a very childlike wonder and naivety when speaking with one another and with God, while Lucifer’s dialogue was much more abrupt and definitive. At the same time, the narrative used much more formal and descriptive language, with sentences such as, “the Lord caused the entire system to slowly move in one syncopated harmonious motion” and “within a gaseous region of the celestial conglomeration, one shapeless and bare sphere glowed.”
For me, the shift between these different styles made it difficult to stay immersed in the story, and the pacing began to feel slow and somewhat disjointed.
There were also 1–2 uses of the word d*mn.
One line that really stood out to me was: “their sin had changed not just their countenances, but also their very characters.” I thought that was a beautiful way of capturing the effects of sin and the fall.
Unfortunately, the combination of the dialogue and narrative styles, along with the pacing, ultimately didn’t work for me. I can appreciate the creativity and imagination behind this retelling, even though I personally struggled to connect with the way the story was written.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The authors describe a story mostly from the perspectives of Gabriel, Michael, and Lucifer. Lucifer turns to selfishness early on in the book, giving us insight into pretend dialogues and narratives of both the real time feelings of the characters, as well as the battles between Lucifer and his followers vs the Archangels and heavenly soldiers ordered to defend Heaven and God. I appreciated the breadth of the authors’ imaginations and the effort that went into bringing the supernatural world to life.
I very much enjoyed the sections dealing with creation. The way the authors describe Earth and the animals were fascinating and creatively imagined, and I especially liked Gabriel and Michael's awe and wonder as they saw God creating Creation.
However, despite appreciating the authors’ vision for this book, ultimately it wasn’t for me. I found the first 45% especially slow and difficult to get through. A large part of that was the contrast between the dialogue and the narrative style. The characters’ conversations often had a very childlike wonder and naivety when speaking with one another and with God, while Lucifer’s dialogue was much more abrupt and definitive. At the same time, the narrative used much more formal and descriptive language, with sentences such as, “the Lord caused the entire system to slowly move in one syncopated harmonious motion” and “within a gaseous region of the celestial conglomeration, one shapeless and bare sphere glowed.”
For me, the shift between these different styles made it difficult to stay immersed in the story, and the pacing began to feel slow and somewhat disjointed.
There were also 1–2 uses of the word d*mn.
One line that really stood out to me was: “their sin had changed not just their countenances, but also their very characters.” I thought that was a beautiful way of capturing the effects of sin and the fall.
Unfortunately, the combination of the dialogue and narrative styles, along with the pacing, ultimately didn’t work for me. I can appreciate the creativity and imagination behind this retelling, even though I personally struggled to connect with the way the story was written.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is definitely a novel with a biblical spin. It grabbed me from the start from an entertainment perspective. Not from a spiritual growth perspective. In my humble opinion, this may not be a book for deep spiritual readers due to the fictional approach.
The main focus of the novel is pre-creation (life of archangels and angels), Lucifer's fall, the creation (Genesis 1-2) and the Fall (Genesis 3). There are scenarios on the angels' interactions and their appearance. Some liberties are taken describing Heaven and angelic worship. Have you ever wondered how and why Lucifer left God? This book fictionally illustrates just that. It also shows how the angels reacted when Lucifer and his minions left Heaven and how the angels responded to God's creations.
Some questions are raised in the book that the reader may be able to relate, such as when Archbishop Michael in the book spoke about God: "Why would He allow pain? Maybe that was why He instructed me to observe His beauty. So I forced myself to do just that. I would focus on Him, on all His marvelous traits and qualities."
Some aspects didn’t hold for me such as during a battle between the angels, "One of my angels took a direct hit to his left leg and screamed in pain." Angels in pain? "Several of our units took light-beam shots and wouldn’t fly for a while..." Light beam? "...surveyed the quiet surrounding hills where the beauty of Heaven had been scarred with the ravages of war." Heaven scarred? When the evil angels captured, their "basic needs" were met. It's like the angels have bodies and aren't spirits. "With no roof, it stood open for easy flight in and out." Like a roof will keep angel's out.
Overall, the book reflects the beginning of Genesis. Even with the points that didn't hold for me, I found the book entertaining. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants a fiction approach to the Bible.
Thank you to the publisher, Thomas Nelson, a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., and the authors for the privilege to read this advanced copy through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
The main focus of the novel is pre-creation (life of archangels and angels), Lucifer's fall, the creation (Genesis 1-2) and the Fall (Genesis 3). There are scenarios on the angels' interactions and their appearance. Some liberties are taken describing Heaven and angelic worship. Have you ever wondered how and why Lucifer left God? This book fictionally illustrates just that. It also shows how the angels reacted when Lucifer and his minions left Heaven and how the angels responded to God's creations.
Some questions are raised in the book that the reader may be able to relate, such as when Archbishop Michael in the book spoke about God: "Why would He allow pain? Maybe that was why He instructed me to observe His beauty. So I forced myself to do just that. I would focus on Him, on all His marvelous traits and qualities."
Some aspects didn’t hold for me such as during a battle between the angels, "One of my angels took a direct hit to his left leg and screamed in pain." Angels in pain? "Several of our units took light-beam shots and wouldn’t fly for a while..." Light beam? "...surveyed the quiet surrounding hills where the beauty of Heaven had been scarred with the ravages of war." Heaven scarred? When the evil angels captured, their "basic needs" were met. It's like the angels have bodies and aren't spirits. "With no roof, it stood open for easy flight in and out." Like a roof will keep angel's out.
Overall, the book reflects the beginning of Genesis. Even with the points that didn't hold for me, I found the book entertaining. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants a fiction approach to the Bible.
Thank you to the publisher, Thomas Nelson, a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., and the authors for the privilege to read this advanced copy through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This simple story is sure to inspire passionate debate over God’s plan. My emotions ranged from joy to confusion to pure outrage over choices certain characters made.
Told from multiple points of view, The Battle for Heaven and Earth is a fictionalized version of the opening chapters of the Bible, covering the creation of Earth, Lucifer’s rebellion, and his quest to corrupt everything most precious to God.
The descriptions of creation were glorious. I felt the joy and excitement of seeing our planet come to life. The prose was simple, the dialogue short and witty, and even in the thick of battle scenes, I followed where everyone stood (or flew).
Lucifer was a deliciously low-key villain. At first, he was almost likeable…handsome, funny, rolling his eyes at the over-the-top praise the Lord received. You almost rolled your eyes with him. But scene by scene his vanity, cowardice, and cruelty emerged. By the end, I found him truly despicable.
Adam and Eve’s romance was another highlight. It felt honest and funny, and I genuinely liked them both.
The novel approaches the story from a Christian worldview, and some of its treatment of Eve was difficult for me. At several points, I literally spoke back to the page. As a woman who values equality, I struggled with the imbalance between Adam and Eve’s punishments. They committed the same sin, yet Eve’s consequences felt decidedly harsher.
One tiny dialogue choice particularly got under my skin: Adam’s explanation for his actions ends neutrally with “he said,” while Eve’s ends with “she whined.” It’s only one word, but it subtly changes how we judge each character.
4/5 stars. Any book that can make me argue with its characters has clearly made me care about them. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy Left Behind and The Chosen.
Disclosure: I previously took a writing course by the author. I received an advanced review copy through NetGalley; all opinions expressed here are my own. You can read my full review here: https://lisatraugott.com/2026/09/02/t...
Told from multiple points of view, The Battle for Heaven and Earth is a fictionalized version of the opening chapters of the Bible, covering the creation of Earth, Lucifer’s rebellion, and his quest to corrupt everything most precious to God.
The descriptions of creation were glorious. I felt the joy and excitement of seeing our planet come to life. The prose was simple, the dialogue short and witty, and even in the thick of battle scenes, I followed where everyone stood (or flew).
Lucifer was a deliciously low-key villain. At first, he was almost likeable…handsome, funny, rolling his eyes at the over-the-top praise the Lord received. You almost rolled your eyes with him. But scene by scene his vanity, cowardice, and cruelty emerged. By the end, I found him truly despicable.
Adam and Eve’s romance was another highlight. It felt honest and funny, and I genuinely liked them both.
The novel approaches the story from a Christian worldview, and some of its treatment of Eve was difficult for me. At several points, I literally spoke back to the page. As a woman who values equality, I struggled with the imbalance between Adam and Eve’s punishments. They committed the same sin, yet Eve’s consequences felt decidedly harsher.
One tiny dialogue choice particularly got under my skin: Adam’s explanation for his actions ends neutrally with “he said,” while Eve’s ends with “she whined.” It’s only one word, but it subtly changes how we judge each character.
4/5 stars. Any book that can make me argue with its characters has clearly made me care about them. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy Left Behind and The Chosen.
Disclosure: I previously took a writing course by the author. I received an advanced review copy through NetGalley; all opinions expressed here are my own. You can read my full review here: https://lisatraugott.com/2026/09/02/t...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Battle for Heaven and Earth is an achingly beautiful and sobering speculative fiction story based on the true rebellion of Lucifer and his minions in Heaven. His jealousy and unquenchable thirst for power meant there was now evil. Angels Michael and Gabriel and millions of others stayed true to their Creator. To this day, Lucifer remains the author of lies in direct opposition to God's sovereignty and perfection. The story goes on to describe the wonders of creation from the perspectives of the angels (and later, Adam and Eve), very awe inspiring and wondrous, my favourite part of the book. I loved envisioning God forming the elements of the air, solar system, waters, animals, vegetation, and finally, Adam and Eve. But after the couple partook of the forbidden fruit at Satan's tempting, peace and perfect order immediately changed to pandemonium. As the authors repeated, where there is sin there is death, but no matter the choices of His followers, God will never abandon us.
The battles described were powerful though battle scenes are not my wheelhouse in any book. However, I appreciate their significance here. The themes which touched me most were the power of God, His love and mercy, and His sacrifice. Free will is necessary from His perspective but oh, the heartache! At times, modern idioms felt a bit out of place but the realistic story overall was well worth reading and pondering. I really enjoyed the unique perspectives from all sides.
The battles described were powerful though battle scenes are not my wheelhouse in any book. However, I appreciate their significance here. The themes which touched me most were the power of God, His love and mercy, and His sacrifice. Free will is necessary from His perspective but oh, the heartache! At times, modern idioms felt a bit out of place but the realistic story overall was well worth reading and pondering. I really enjoyed the unique perspectives from all sides.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Battle for Heaven and Earth by Mark Yarbrough & Jerry B Jenkins is a look at Heaven just before the rebellion of Lucifer, the rebellion itself, the creation of Earth, Adam and Eve, Satan being cast down to earth like lightening and the Fall of Man, all from the perspective of the archangels Michael, Gabriel, Lucifer himself and another guardian angel called Paroketh.
Interesting enough, but somehow it did not keep my attention. I kept comparing it to its detriment to Wendy Alec's Chronicles of the Brothers which is a series of explosively brilliant, descriptive, supernaturally fiery reads combining science and Holy Spirit inspired imagination.
I expected The Battle for Heaven and Earth to be a more rivetting read, especially after the Left Behind series which are brilliant, but it is a damp squib.
However, creation itself was pretty interesting, with angels Gabriel and Michael watching God "perform" (I say that with affection and reverence, because he doesn't perform, but it's an apt descriptor), spectacular miracles culminating in the creation of man. They get to zoom in and out of heaven and earth and even the uttermost depths of the sea and the earth's core.
Some of the interactions of Adam and Eve with each other and in the garden were precious. I liked God's patience and the grace given to Adam and Eve before sending them out.
However, the authors had them eating regularly of the Tree of Life which to me is unscriptural, because of the implication in Scripture that if they ate it, they'd live forever in their fallen state. It seems like a minor deviation but somehow, it rankles.
I received an ARC from the publishers, but the opinions expressed here are my own.
Interesting enough, but somehow it did not keep my attention. I kept comparing it to its detriment to Wendy Alec's Chronicles of the Brothers which is a series of explosively brilliant, descriptive, supernaturally fiery reads combining science and Holy Spirit inspired imagination.
I expected The Battle for Heaven and Earth to be a more rivetting read, especially after the Left Behind series which are brilliant, but it is a damp squib.
However, creation itself was pretty interesting, with angels Gabriel and Michael watching God "perform" (I say that with affection and reverence, because he doesn't perform, but it's an apt descriptor), spectacular miracles culminating in the creation of man. They get to zoom in and out of heaven and earth and even the uttermost depths of the sea and the earth's core.
Some of the interactions of Adam and Eve with each other and in the garden were precious. I liked God's patience and the grace given to Adam and Eve before sending them out.
However, the authors had them eating regularly of the Tree of Life which to me is unscriptural, because of the implication in Scripture that if they ate it, they'd live forever in their fallen state. It seems like a minor deviation but somehow, it rankles.
I received an ARC from the publishers, but the opinions expressed here are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Full disclosure: I am not much of a novel reader, even less interested in fiction based on the Bible. These imaginative Bible stories usually stray too far from the original text and characters for my taste. Sometimes the original Bible story isn’t even recognizable to someone who is familiar with the original. The Battle for Heaven and Earth sticks pretty close to the text. The authors managed to add tell a plausible version without distorting the original. There is suspense enough to keep you interested even though, as a Christian, you know who wins in the end. The character arc in the faithful angels is believable if Ephesians 3:10 is any indicator, “The purpose of this enlightenment is that through the church the multifaceted wisdom of God should now be disclosed to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly realms.” No waffling here on good vs evil. The bad guys are really bad, and the good guys are really good. That is the way it should be for this story because that is the way it is. I certainly identified with the human characters. The story ends on a high note of hope and victory. Even though you know that is how it’s going to end, it still grabs you emotionally. Finally, the eschatology is general enough that regardless of your position, it’s a good read and doesn’t offend any particular sensitivities.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“Call me Michael. God did. And He still does.” This is the opening line of a most compelling new book, “The Battle for Heaven and Earth.” Written by Mark M. Yarbrough and Jerry B. Jenkins.
The setting is in Heaven prior to Genesis 1 (Creation). We are introduced to Michael, the archangel, who narrates the story. He begins by introducing us to many of God’s angels, their roles and appearances. The conversations among the angels were interesting to read, since they ask some of the same questions we humans have about God. Unfortunately, though, there is a conflict brewing which is that Lucifer (Satan) wants to be God! Thus, a major rebellion is at hand. While many of the battle scenes seem unnecessarily long for me, they may be captivating and appreciated by others. The story-line is biblical combined with vivid imagination. It covers Creation, Judgment, the Garden of Eden and much more. The reader will be drawn in emotionally as the story unfolds. Not only do we witness God’s Mightiness, Sovereignty and Majesty, but also His tender love for us all. It is well written and very descriptive. I found it thought-provoking, illuminating and heartfelt - filled with joy, sadness, love and hope. It makes for interesting discussions. The reader will be motivated to search the Scriptures to learn more about our Creator God. It’s a book that will stay with you --it has with me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a novelization of the biblical events of heaven before Satan’s rebellion, the rebellion itself, the results of it, the creation of earth and the universe, and the fall of man. Some of these events only have a verse or two about them - and those verses are vague - so kudos to the authors for their imaginative interpretation. The writing flows and is easily understood. Some of the dialogue is clunky and occasionally doesn’t sound authentic, even for sinless angels and humans.
There were a few things that really made me think. For example, before the demonic rebellion, an angel mentions God’s mercy. Would an angel understand what mercy is before there has been any sin? I still haven’t decided what I think about that, but it is an interesting concept to ponder.
This appears to be the first in what would be a very long series considering it took over 400 pages to cover the first three chapters of Genesis plus a few other verses in other books. But it was interesting and thought-provoking. I enjoyed it and would recommend it.
Family friendly.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
There were a few things that really made me think. For example, before the demonic rebellion, an angel mentions God’s mercy. Would an angel understand what mercy is before there has been any sin? I still haven’t decided what I think about that, but it is an interesting concept to ponder.
This appears to be the first in what would be a very long series considering it took over 400 pages to cover the first three chapters of Genesis plus a few other verses in other books. But it was interesting and thought-provoking. I enjoyed it and would recommend it.
Family friendly.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this ARC.
I wanted this book because I loved the Left Behind Series and Riven that Jerry B Jenkins had written.
This is the story of the fall of Lucifer and how he took a 1/3 of the heavenly beings with him when he rebelled against God. It's true to Scripture and uses that basis throughout the book through to the end with Adam and Eve in the story. But I just couldn't connect with the writing or the development of the characters.
If you're curious about the origins of evil and sin in the world but aren't keen on digging through the Bible, this isn't a bad place to start to begin to understand it. I believe someone new to the story would find it incredibly intriguing and informative. I've grown up in the church and have abeen a believer so I'm familiar with the history.
Pick this book up to learn more. It just wasn't for me.
I wanted this book because I loved the Left Behind Series and Riven that Jerry B Jenkins had written.
This is the story of the fall of Lucifer and how he took a 1/3 of the heavenly beings with him when he rebelled against God. It's true to Scripture and uses that basis throughout the book through to the end with Adam and Eve in the story. But I just couldn't connect with the writing or the development of the characters.
If you're curious about the origins of evil and sin in the world but aren't keen on digging through the Bible, this isn't a bad place to start to begin to understand it. I believe someone new to the story would find it incredibly intriguing and informative. I've grown up in the church and have abeen a believer so I'm familiar with the history.
Pick this book up to learn more. It just wasn't for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It’s been awhile since I have read a book by Jerry B. Jenkins and Mark Yarbrough. Thanks God for guiding me to this book. God, what happens in your realm? God you are Almighty and you love your creation. With the help of Micheal, Gabriel and all the heavenly host, we are welcomed into a precious and amazing world. I could just feel myself singing lustily and praising God with all the saints. World without end, Amen!
But…what happens when a top Angel named Lucifer starts to think too much. And when Lucifer decides he is God, and proclaims that our true God is just a “Needy One”- a new battle begins.
This battle will take place on the new Earth. God has happily and delightful created a new world, with Adam and Eve, made in the image of God. Their world is so perfect and beautiful until Lucifer starts to “turn the dials”. And so here we are, thousand and thousands of years later…and the story continues
Thanks to Thomas Nelson fiction and NetGalley. This is my honest review.
But…what happens when a top Angel named Lucifer starts to think too much. And when Lucifer decides he is God, and proclaims that our true God is just a “Needy One”- a new battle begins.
This battle will take place on the new Earth. God has happily and delightful created a new world, with Adam and Eve, made in the image of God. Their world is so perfect and beautiful until Lucifer starts to “turn the dials”. And so here we are, thousand and thousands of years later…and the story continues
Thanks to Thomas Nelson fiction and NetGalley. This is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was very blessed to get an advanced copy of this book so here are my honest thoughts.
Positive:
I think this book really does make you think about creation and God’s story. It is definitely a fresh and interesting take on the creation story. It accomplished the goal of getting me thinking about heavenly things! It’s also very Biblically accurate, without taking too many liberties which is a nice change of pace.
Weaknesses:
I felt the characters were fairly flat, aside from God, the angels and the humans kind of felt like they were basically the same people with the same motivations. The villain (Lucifer) and his cronies felt a little too much like Saturday morning cartoon villains than the source of all evil. The use of poetry in the book didn’t really work for me either.
Overall I think it’s a decent read if you are interested in Biblical fiction!
Positive:
I think this book really does make you think about creation and God’s story. It is definitely a fresh and interesting take on the creation story. It accomplished the goal of getting me thinking about heavenly things! It’s also very Biblically accurate, without taking too many liberties which is a nice change of pace.
Weaknesses:
I felt the characters were fairly flat, aside from God, the angels and the humans kind of felt like they were basically the same people with the same motivations. The villain (Lucifer) and his cronies felt a little too much like Saturday morning cartoon villains than the source of all evil. The use of poetry in the book didn’t really work for me either.
Overall I think it’s a decent read if you are interested in Biblical fiction!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What The Screwtape Letters did for my understanding of demons, The Battle for Heaven and Earth did for my understanding of angels. Following Michael and Gabriel's perspectives during the beginning of time blew my mind in ways I never expected.
While there were a few parts that seemed a little far-fetched, isn't it just like God to work in ways so far beyond our understanding that they seem impossible? Seeing the story of creation and the fall of man through their eyes left me even more awestruck by God as our Creator.
As the book ended with Adam and Eve being cast out of the garden, I felt a pit of disappointment in my stomach over what could have been. It seemed the enemy had won. And yet, the story ended with a promise from God: "This is not over. He's coming."
And that is the hope we still cling to.
While there were a few parts that seemed a little far-fetched, isn't it just like God to work in ways so far beyond our understanding that they seem impossible? Seeing the story of creation and the fall of man through their eyes left me even more awestruck by God as our Creator.
As the book ended with Adam and Eve being cast out of the garden, I felt a pit of disappointment in my stomach over what could have been. It seemed the enemy had won. And yet, the story ended with a promise from God: "This is not over. He's coming."
And that is the hope we still cling to.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley.
I had a hard time with this book. This novel explores the events of Genesis 1-3. I liked the interactions between the angels but all of the dialogue in this book bothered me - if felt very juvenile, as if written by a middle schooler, which surprised me, given the extensive literary and theological accomplishments of the authors.
The underlying themes of free will given by God to humans and the idea that sin corrupts everything were well done and woven into the story nicely.
Read if you’re a fan of the Left Behind series, want a more vivid picture of the story of creation and the Fall, or if you’re interested in how Satan came to be.
I had a hard time with this book. This novel explores the events of Genesis 1-3. I liked the interactions between the angels but all of the dialogue in this book bothered me - if felt very juvenile, as if written by a middle schooler, which surprised me, given the extensive literary and theological accomplishments of the authors.
The underlying themes of free will given by God to humans and the idea that sin corrupts everything were well done and woven into the story nicely.
Read if you’re a fan of the Left Behind series, want a more vivid picture of the story of creation and the Fall, or if you’re interested in how Satan came to be.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Battle for Heaven and Earth was so well written, and I absolutely loved it. The battle in heaven between good and evil, creation, and free will are brought to life in such a vivid way that I could visualize every scene.
The story was captivating, and experiencing it through multiple points of view made it even more interesting to me. I’m a longtime fan of Jerry Jenkins and have read many of the books in the Left Behind series, and I loved this one just as much.
If you’re a fan of the Left Behind series or Christian fiction, I definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR.
The Battle for Heaven and Earth was so well written, and I absolutely loved it. The battle in heaven between good and evil, creation, and free will are brought to life in such a vivid way that I could visualize every scene.
The story was captivating, and experiencing it through multiple points of view made it even more interesting to me. I’m a longtime fan of Jerry Jenkins and have read many of the books in the Left Behind series, and I loved this one just as much.
If you’re a fan of the Left Behind series or Christian fiction, I definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR.
October 5, 2026
This biblical story takes readers back to the beginning and reimagines Lucifer’s rebellion, the celestial civil war that followed, the creation story, and the fall.
What I Loved:
• The Brilliant Premise: Taking readers into the heavenly realms before the creation of Earth is so creative! The foundational setup of the spiritual war and the dawn of creation was beautiful.
• The Heart Behind It: You can truly feel the authors’ dedication, care, and deep respect for the biblical narrative woven into every chapter.
Where It Lost Me a Little:
• The Pacing: The story unfolds at a slower pace than I anticipated for such an epic backdrop. At times, it felt a bit challenging to maintain momentum and stay fully engaged.
• Dialogue Tone Shifts: I noticed some unexpected shifts in the tone of the dialogue, moving between modern dialogue and more traditional, formal styles. For me, these shifts occasionally pulled me out of the story world.
Ultimately, while the execution didn't quite hold my full attention, this story definitely has some beautiful elements!
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was a little hesitant with the direction this fictional work was going but by the end, the overall story was very moving. The build up of the relationships of Lucifer and the other heavenly hosts and how the related to each other was interesting and felt very humanlike. The enemy twists and turns everything good into something corrupted and his only goal is to hurt our Almighty God. This book was very thought provoking and I literally wept the last few chapters.
ARC provided by NetGalley for my honest review.
ARC provided by NetGalley for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
For those who are familiar with the Bible, it would be reasonable to think that we know all about Creation, the Fall of Mankind, and the Fall of Satan and his angels. This book, however, tells the story from a new perspective. Organized into three main sections, we view these events from the angelic perspective. The Battle For Heaven and Earth delivered more than just a "retelling" of Bible stories; It provided an emotional roller coaster that kept me hooked, even though I already knew how the story would end. Four hundred pages went by in a flash!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Battle for Heaven and Earth is a great book for those who love fantasy books with some biblical aspects mixed in.
Though a bit slow at the beginning, we have a story taking place in God's world - including the arch angels that tell the story of how things came to be, including the fall of Lucifer and the creation of Earth. Even with this said, the book has twists and turns that make this a unpredictable book very much worth reading!
Without giving anything away, I hope there is more coming!
Though a bit slow at the beginning, we have a story taking place in God's world - including the arch angels that tell the story of how things came to be, including the fall of Lucifer and the creation of Earth. Even with this said, the book has twists and turns that make this a unpredictable book very much worth reading!
Without giving anything away, I hope there is more coming!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Battle for Heaven and Earth is a vivid fictional telling of the falling from grace of Lucifer and the battle that ensued. Told through multiple viewpoints of various characters we hear the story of the creation of earth and the heavens and of Adam and Eve and their downfall. This story of good over evil had me reaching for my King James several times. I enjoyed reading this book. Thanks to the authors and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was intrigued by the title of this book. The authors of this book are biblically trained Christians. As I read the book, it appears to me to be a work of creative nonfiction based on the teachings of the Old Testament of the Bible.
I enjoyed the authors' take on Lucifer's fall from Grace and the Earth's origin story. However, it might not be everyone's 'cup of tea'.
I read a galley copy of this book, which I received from NetGalley. I made the publisher aware that there were formatting issues that I suspect will be remedied by the time of publication and public release.
I enjoyed the authors' take on Lucifer's fall from Grace and the Earth's origin story. However, it might not be everyone's 'cup of tea'.
I read a galley copy of this book, which I received from NetGalley. I made the publisher aware that there were formatting issues that I suspect will be remedied by the time of publication and public release.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A creative retelling of Lucifer's rebellion, the creation of Earth, and the beginning of humanity. It felt a little slow at first but once the story shifted to creation and Eden it really picked up. I liked that it embraced being a fictional interpretation rather than trying to present itself as theology, which made it easy to get immersed in the world. The ending was strong and ultimately pushed this back up to a solid 4 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Battle for Heaven and Earth
By Mark Yarbrough and Jerry B. Jenkins
This is exactly what the title says. It goes back to the beginning, when the angels fall and what transpires. It’s an easy read and honestly I found it interesting! I will read this one again because it’s a very creative way to tell the story and definitely makes you think.
Thank you NetGalley!
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