Surrender

The Chronicles of Servitude #3

by J.S. Bailey

Bobby Roland has spread himself too thin.

Bobby has finally found a demoniac to cleanse. Before the exorcism is complete, he learns that someone is plotting the assassination of a local humanist leader.

When Bobby’s enemy, Thane, appears at a party with threats to kill everyone, Bobby realizes he can’t save them all on his own. But Bobby doesn’t give up easily. He flees town to find help and discovers it in the most unexpected of places.

Can Bobby and his new friend save everyone before it’s too late?

376 pages, Paperback

Published October 20, 2017

About the author

J. S. Bailey enjoys writing speculative tales that keep readers on the edges of their seats. She has published eight novels and twenty-two short stories, with more on the way. Bailey is fond of long walks in the woods, British television, and lots of burritos. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband and cats.

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Reviews

[G.S. Jennsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being the Servant just might be the death of Bobby Roland. He hasn’t so much as performed his first cleansing when his arch enemy starts walking the streets freely in a quest to end Bobby’s life. The possessed needing Bobby’s help are piling up at his doorstep, he needs to stop a looming assassination attempt, and these are only the beginnings of his problems.

But the Servant doesn’t walk alone, and Bobby’s friends and loved ones willingly put their own lives in danger in order to help him carry this burden, and for the sake of a cause they all believe in.

This is a fast-paced thriller from start to finish, leaping from one crisis and heart-stopping encounter to the next without stopping for a breath. The sense of constant danger, of no one and nowhere being safe, is palpable on every page. It’s easy to get caught up in the adrenaline rush of hurriedly flipping those pages to find out what happens next, but underneath all the action the author has expertly woven a nuanced, compelling story of not merely good vs. evil, but of good people—good souls—finding the strength required to oppose evil that is petty, selfish and ultimately soulless.

Surrender isn’t a rollicking, feel-good book where the hero saves the day, gets the girl and everyone lives happily ever after beneath a shining sun. The stakes are real, as are the consequences. Evil is real, and the cost of standing in its path is sometimes paid in lives. But good is real, too, and Bailey has made its triumph all the more satisfying by creating heroes worthy of triumphing.

[Kelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Surrender, J.S. Bailey picks up where she left off with Bobby Roland. A bad guy wants to kill Bobby, one who can play with his mind. He's come across his first demoniac to cleanse, but this man lets him in on a secret--an assassin is targeting an interfaith conference to kill one of the participants. Clearly, Bobby can't let that happen. But he also has to deal with his own aspiring murderer. The question is: how? No one else is equipped to cast out demons, and the killer is only targeting him. No way Bobby can address both at the same time.

Bailey brings back old characters--who continue to grow--and introduces new ones. The antagonist in Surrender is easily one of the most thought-out enemies I have ever encountered in a novel. While I struggled to understand the antagonist's motivation in the first book of the series (Servant), the bad guy in Surrender genuinely scared me. A demon didn't just possess him--oh, no, he had partnered with a demon. Thane sent chills up and down my spine and uncomfortable tingles through my bones. I felt a sort of visceral hatred toward Thane, which is something I rarely feel for any character in a novel. I didn't just want him to lose. No, I wanted Thane to die.

Surrender, however, did have some weaknesses. I loved many of the new developments, but struggled with one character in particular--Mia Thompson. I didn't understand her--especially not how she got her "powers." Surrender had me asking questions and furrowing my brow, yet I never found answers. There were times this novel gave me a headache, and I had to go back and reread portions to ensure I caught everything. I scratched my head so much, I'm shocked I didn't break the skin with my fingernails.

A Speedbump in the Journey
Surrender by J.S. Bailey is about what you'd expect for the middle book of a series. It had its highlights and its thrills, but for all its intriguing elements, it wasn't quite as strong as its predecessors. It's the peak of the mountain, the middle part of the story. I enjoyed it, but Bailey left me a bit dissatisfied with this one. Dissatisfied and not to mention heartbroken! I grow to like characters, and Bailey rips them away in dramatic fashion.  Not too happy for her for that one!  Surrender is an exciting and fascinating journey into four D's--death, demons, darkness, and despair. But the theme remains: The Spirit conquers. He overcomes. Nothing will stop His purposes from being fulfilled.

*Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

[J.E. Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stakes are real in Surrender and it's not just about good versus evil. Sometimes people lean one way due to experiences and readers will find themselves angry at some and sympathizing with others. In this third book Bailey brings to life some very real danger for Bobby and his friends. This book is full of unexpected twists and turns and will keep you flipping the pages as you pray they find their way out of one bad situation after another. I won't spoil, but this isn't the type of book where the hero rushes in and just saves the day. People die, sometimes innocents and the characters have to work through their grief in order to do what must be done. Pick up the first book, you won't be disappointed.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

JS Bailey has done it again! Another exciting, thrilling page turner! I had cried twice while reading this book (but no spoilers)!
I do enjoy Kaori, she is one favorite characters. I hope to see her in the future!
I honestly can’t wait for Solemnity!