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A Prayer of Vengeance
Notice to readers:
This is not a regular, "sugar-coated" Christian story of fiction. Within the story, is foul language and explicit violence, just like in the real world. Readers of Dan Brown or Steven King will love this book. The story is a real page-turner, from the first page until the last.
If you call the light, you will inevitably battle the darkness.
Brady is a high school senior, the champion of the outcast and bullied, who becomes the unwitting recipient of a gift that is both beautiful and terrifying. He discovers he can talk to angels and draw down a magnificent and mysterious light from the Blessed Virgin. However, Brady soon realizes that such power comes at a price: If you call the light, you will inevitably battle the darkness.
Indeed, a malevolent darkness is racing toward a small town outside of Dayton, Ohio - transported in a rusted, white conversion van. Its driver brings a palpable evil, unique in its seemingly aimless cruelty. Arrogant and vicious, Ray has no idea of the role he plays in his Master's plan. This evil has a purpose.
1970s Beavercreek, Ohio is a small, Air Force base town. With lots of folks continually moving in and out, the community is slow to take notice when teenage girls start disappearing.
However, as darkness descends and violence intensifies around him, Brady realizes that he is in a life-and-death struggle - not against school bullies, nor merely flesh and blood - but against a strange man with a leering smile who carries Satan in his soul.
In an epic battle of good versus evil, Brady will fulfill a prophecy that is hidden in the vaults of the Vatican...but only if he follows the laws of the Prayer of Vengeance.
This is not a regular, "sugar-coated" Christian story of fiction. Within the story, is foul language and explicit violence, just like in the real world. Readers of Dan Brown or Steven King will love this book. The story is a real page-turner, from the first page until the last.
If you call the light, you will inevitably battle the darkness.
Brady is a high school senior, the champion of the outcast and bullied, who becomes the unwitting recipient of a gift that is both beautiful and terrifying. He discovers he can talk to angels and draw down a magnificent and mysterious light from the Blessed Virgin. However, Brady soon realizes that such power comes at a price: If you call the light, you will inevitably battle the darkness.
Indeed, a malevolent darkness is racing toward a small town outside of Dayton, Ohio - transported in a rusted, white conversion van. Its driver brings a palpable evil, unique in its seemingly aimless cruelty. Arrogant and vicious, Ray has no idea of the role he plays in his Master's plan. This evil has a purpose.
1970s Beavercreek, Ohio is a small, Air Force base town. With lots of folks continually moving in and out, the community is slow to take notice when teenage girls start disappearing.
However, as darkness descends and violence intensifies around him, Brady realizes that he is in a life-and-death struggle - not against school bullies, nor merely flesh and blood - but against a strange man with a leering smile who carries Satan in his soul.
In an epic battle of good versus evil, Brady will fulfill a prophecy that is hidden in the vaults of the Vatican...but only if he follows the laws of the Prayer of Vengeance.
- GenresChristian
227 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 28, 2018
153 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
John Stafford
5 books4 followersJohn Stafford, Sr., the CEO of Stafford Jewelers, is a widely-recognized, highly successful, and innovative businessman in the diamond industry. John is regularly featured in an array of international business and travel magazines.
His debut novel, the first in the Call of Vengeance Series, is a poignant examination of good versus evil, reflecting his profound psychological, political, and spiritual observations of the world.
Growing up in Beavercreek, Ohio, he is the father of three daughters and one son, and savors his time with seven grandchildren.
When not working, he can be found racing through the back roads of Ohio or on the race track on one of the prized Ducati motorcycles from his classic collection.
His debut novel, the first in the Call of Vengeance Series, is a poignant examination of good versus evil, reflecting his profound psychological, political, and spiritual observations of the world.
Growing up in Beavercreek, Ohio, he is the father of three daughters and one son, and savors his time with seven grandchildren.
When not working, he can be found racing through the back roads of Ohio or on the race track on one of the prized Ducati motorcycles from his classic collection.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 14, 2020
To begin this review, I am a student at Bellbrook High School, so I naturally have an distaste for anything Stafford. As such, my review will mostly only cover the 5th grade level grammar present in the story.
———————————————————
The book reads like a WatPad story, complete with the wish fulfillment, Gary Stu protagonist.
The wise grandfather character describes himself as once being a diamond and jewelry dealer, increasing my suspicion of Brady being a self-insert character
First paragraph lacks pronouns
In many parts of the book proper nouns are used in places where pronouns would be easier, and more sensible, to read
Most sentences in the story are simple, with almost no compound or complex sentences to be seen.
Around page 30 you learn to ignore the missing commas. Almost all compound or complex sentences in the story are missing said commas.
Multiple instances of “a” being used where an “an” belongs
Missing quotation mark confused me for a second before I spotted the error in the final sentence of chapter 17 on page 111
Along with this, there are many instances of missing quotations throughout either book.
On page 136, the author forgot to turn off italicization for a sentence
This is how you do decimals .45
Not. 45
————- Quotes from the book ————
One of the students in the group was a named Greg (33)
He was a senior, tall, thin with black hair and a with a face that could smile its way out of trouble (33)
He always afraid of getting into trouble (34)
He considered Brady one of best friends (34)
It made me questioned everything (130)
Father Vincenzo made every adult and child to place their hand on the Holy Bible (134)
He was product of a disfunctional, alcoholic family. (158)
Drugs, alcohol and sex was on the menu (158) - was should be were
It will be like a moth is drawn to a flame. (197) - Just add a how
Caleb, Zane, Liam we’re standing near Michelle” (206)
———————————————————
If your favorite thing to do is peer review other’s works, this book is a gift from God that will keep you busy for a month.
Other than that, the only thing you will find in this book is an edgy Percy Jackson fan fiction, crafted by a Christian who was personally offended by the mention of Greek gods, later changing the names of the characters when he wanted to publish his admission that he wasn’t the best in Language Arts class.
———————————————————
The book reads like a WatPad story, complete with the wish fulfillment, Gary Stu protagonist.
The wise grandfather character describes himself as once being a diamond and jewelry dealer, increasing my suspicion of Brady being a self-insert character
First paragraph lacks pronouns
In many parts of the book proper nouns are used in places where pronouns would be easier, and more sensible, to read
Most sentences in the story are simple, with almost no compound or complex sentences to be seen.
Around page 30 you learn to ignore the missing commas. Almost all compound or complex sentences in the story are missing said commas.
Multiple instances of “a” being used where an “an” belongs
Missing quotation mark confused me for a second before I spotted the error in the final sentence of chapter 17 on page 111
Along with this, there are many instances of missing quotations throughout either book.
On page 136, the author forgot to turn off italicization for a sentence
This is how you do decimals .45
Not. 45
————- Quotes from the book ————
One of the students in the group was a named Greg (33)
He was a senior, tall, thin with black hair and a with a face that could smile its way out of trouble (33)
He always afraid of getting into trouble (34)
He considered Brady one of best friends (34)
It made me questioned everything (130)
Father Vincenzo made every adult and child to place their hand on the Holy Bible (134)
He was product of a disfunctional, alcoholic family. (158)
Drugs, alcohol and sex was on the menu (158) - was should be were
It will be like a moth is drawn to a flame. (197) - Just add a how
Caleb, Zane, Liam we’re standing near Michelle” (206)
———————————————————
If your favorite thing to do is peer review other’s works, this book is a gift from God that will keep you busy for a month.
Other than that, the only thing you will find in this book is an edgy Percy Jackson fan fiction, crafted by a Christian who was personally offended by the mention of Greek gods, later changing the names of the characters when he wanted to publish his admission that he wasn’t the best in Language Arts class.
May 9, 2019
This is hands-down the worst book I have ever read. The story line is poorly developed, the characters have no depth, the grammar is atrocious, and the author's grasp of the english lexicon is subpar at best. The author can't even keep his own characters straight. For example, the author clearly states in Chapter 4 that Zane is the youngest brother but in Chapter 11 says that "A group of three men had surrounded his youngest brother Caleb". I am confused as to how this book was ever published as the number of spelling and grammar mistakes is astounding. Looking past the grammar issues, the story itself is simplistic and cliche. "If you call the light, you will inevitably battle the darkness". The first chapter is needlessly graphic and does little for the development of the plot. This book has no redeeming qualities and I wouldn't reccommend it to anyone.
July 19, 2018
It wasn’t labelled as such, but I knew it was a warning: “To gaze into the heart of Darkness is to feel its horror even when we stand at a distance.”
I took the warning to mean I was going to feel something bad even while sitting in my easy chair reading the book, a far distance from what was happening on the book’s pages. The warning didn’t deter me. I’d read other such books and seen horror movies. However, this book was different. By the end of the first chapter, I had not only felt by skin crawl from the horror, I wanted revenge.
The author speaks of Darkness and Light so authoritatively that, at times, the line between what’s real and what’s not is blurred.
The book is set in 1976 Beavercreek, Ohio, and the main characters are high-school students. All characters came alive as I read. Some events and the descriptions of the town were so realistic, I searched the internet and found everything appeared to be historically correct.
From that first chapter on, the author tells the story by alternating between the viewpoints of Darkness and Light--until they clash. There wasn’t a time I wanted to set the book down.
I took the warning to mean I was going to feel something bad even while sitting in my easy chair reading the book, a far distance from what was happening on the book’s pages. The warning didn’t deter me. I’d read other such books and seen horror movies. However, this book was different. By the end of the first chapter, I had not only felt by skin crawl from the horror, I wanted revenge.
The author speaks of Darkness and Light so authoritatively that, at times, the line between what’s real and what’s not is blurred.
The book is set in 1976 Beavercreek, Ohio, and the main characters are high-school students. All characters came alive as I read. Some events and the descriptions of the town were so realistic, I searched the internet and found everything appeared to be historically correct.
From that first chapter on, the author tells the story by alternating between the viewpoints of Darkness and Light--until they clash. There wasn’t a time I wanted to set the book down.
May 29, 2019
Not exactly a "Christian" book
This story is a less well written version of "This Present Darkness". The premise is good and the battle between God and demons is somewhat correct. If you are a Catholic I suppose it would seem accurate but strictly speaking it is incorrect. Mary the mother of Christ is not all powerful as depicted in this book. There are some really graphic and disturbing moments and more than a few editing and proofreading errors. It's an easy quick read, but I don't really recommend it. The author tried but I feel as though he hasn't come to terms with what he actually believes himself. If you like science fiction crossed with serial killers and pornography, then this might appeal to you. Otherwise spend your money on This Present Darkness series, it's much better an not nearly as foul.
This story is a less well written version of "This Present Darkness". The premise is good and the battle between God and demons is somewhat correct. If you are a Catholic I suppose it would seem accurate but strictly speaking it is incorrect. Mary the mother of Christ is not all powerful as depicted in this book. There are some really graphic and disturbing moments and more than a few editing and proofreading errors. It's an easy quick read, but I don't really recommend it. The author tried but I feel as though he hasn't come to terms with what he actually believes himself. If you like science fiction crossed with serial killers and pornography, then this might appeal to you. Otherwise spend your money on This Present Darkness series, it's much better an not nearly as foul.
July 21, 2019
This is the first book in the Fall of Vengeance series
This was a great start to a New Religions /Urban Legend series this book is about the men who fight the darkness in all it's forms . These annotated men are from a long line of warriors who pledged their life to The Holy Mother Mary on cavalry at the site of Jesus crucifixion to fight the darkness in her name . I enjoyed this book immensely the storyline was unique and easy to follow U didn't get bored it didn't over do it like some books of this genre can I'm looking forward too the other book's in this series .
This was a great start to a New Religions /Urban Legend series this book is about the men who fight the darkness in all it's forms . These annotated men are from a long line of warriors who pledged their life to The Holy Mother Mary on cavalry at the site of Jesus crucifixion to fight the darkness in her name . I enjoyed this book immensely the storyline was unique and easy to follow U didn't get bored it didn't over do it like some books of this genre can I'm looking forward too the other book's in this series .
August 25, 2018
Very well done!
As a writer myself, I know the pitfalls and difficulties in writing believable characters and good dialogue. John has done a very good job crafting a story rich in detail and characters that seem real. Good and evil are the foundation of all earthly struggles; this story brings a new twist to the ages old battle.
As a writer myself, I know the pitfalls and difficulties in writing believable characters and good dialogue. John has done a very good job crafting a story rich in detail and characters that seem real. Good and evil are the foundation of all earthly struggles; this story brings a new twist to the ages old battle.
January 23, 2019
Good read
I enjoyed this book. I can appreciate that it may not appeal to a wide audience, but I could be wrong. A very enjoyable read and I am looking forward to reading the next instalment
I enjoyed this book. I can appreciate that it may not appeal to a wide audience, but I could be wrong. A very enjoyable read and I am looking forward to reading the next instalment
February 16, 2019
First two chapters are hard to read because of the authors talent at writing evil. I almost put the book away but I didn’t and I’m glad I read on. Great story of good bs evil.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews