A Nefarious Carol

by Steve Deace

The time has finally come. Confident America has been conquered, Satan prepares to initiate the final stage of his master plan, but it requires a willing partner—will she say yes? Convinced his demon general Lord Nefarious has successfully conquered America, Satan himself now decides it’s time for him to step out of the shadows and complete his master plan. But for it to succeed, he must find a willing partner… On the run, frightened, and alone, Rae is cornered one fateful night in a rundown motel room by the devil himself. He has a once-in-eternity offer for her—the chance to change the world forever. But to convince her to freely accept it, Satan needs to connect with Rae’s past, present, and future to prove to her he can be trusted after all. A showdown for the ages is officially on, and humanity hangs in the balance.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction

71 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2020

Reviews

[Robin Luftig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful.

We are introduced to Satan in this "A Christmas Carol"-style adventure. The story is short, but the message is gripping.

While Rae's world is falling apart, she encounters one who offers her a chance of a lifetime. Will she listen to the purrs of this demon, or will she return to the life of healing and heartache?

I read this seeing hints of Frank Pernetti's "This Present Darkness and C. S. Lewis' "Screwtape Letters".

This is a great read ... if you dare.

[Danielle LaTulippe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good short read. As the story progressed I really wasn’t sure where it could go when the pages left dwindled. I’d say it was probably a better ending than what I was expecting given everything leading up to it.

[Rachel Oberlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sad Glad Story

I won't give away the end, but I will say that Steve Desde wrote the Devil's voice very well. As he gets to convince Rae to join him, you can see the half truths and justifications that are used to support why certain things are said or done. The most chilling is the idea of the future. We could be heading there right now.

[Brian Schulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does an excellent job of reflecting on the tipping point of our world and culture that is before our very eyes, but in a way that is engaging as a novella. It is the sequel to "A Nefarious Plot" which I also can't recommend highly enough.

[callherwallflower · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read A Nefarious Plot, so I had high hopes for this one. I, unfortunately, wasn’t a fan of A Nefarious Carol. I get the point Deace was trying to make and the path he was taking with it, but I thought it was an obvious read and sometimes a bit cheesy? Maybe it was just me, but this one didn’t work for me. It’s a quick read and does grab you because you want to know how it’s going to turn out, but it was a letdown, in my opinion.

[EPendleton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read Nefarious, I was really excited to start reading this book. Well, I was actually terrified. Nefarious laid out a plan so ghastly, so close to home, that I truly began to fear for society’s souls and the future of my children. Never has something been so chilling and panic inducing to me as the plans contained in Nefarious.

Unfortunately, maybe I’ve missed the larger picture in A Nefarious Carol. Yes, the Devil has made his appearance to young Rae. He appeals to her pains, her trials and tribulations, and attempts to persuade her of the beauty and peace that only he can provide. After all, where was God when she was suffering? God didn’t answer, God didn’t stop the obstacles —— but, for someone claiming to want the best for everyone, to rule humanity for its own good, did the Devil answer and stop the pain? Of course not. The Devil was there, watching and lying in wait, to pounce on those in their hardest of times, not to save them and deliver them, but to enslave them to his false offer of hedonism and tolerance for all forms of deviancy. Everything he says sounds as though it is from an altruistic position, the older sibling fearing for their younger inexperienced sibling, but it’s simply a ruse. His goal is plain to see: he doesn’t want you to forget about God, on the contrary, he wants you to believe in God and to replace him. To “upgrade” to a new Ruler….. to let the Devil take his place and for God to sit in the position of the Devil - spoken of, known, but holding no superiority. He speaks of free will and deliverance but simultaneously discusses the need to curb free will, to rule humans (meatbags) because they lack the ability to control their own free will. As Nancy Pelosi has said “people are too stupid to know what’s good for them.”

Maybe I didn’t miss the point. Maybe I do see what the major plan for the Devil is….. but even so, I fear the message will not reach enough ears. Let us all not be fooled by the temptations of what is easy but by what is right in the face of ease.

[Brent Soderstrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Steve Deace. Being originally from Iowa, I remember Deace doing a sports talk radio show on KJJC and then moving to WHO. I still listen to his podcasts when I can. I have read Nefarious Plot and looked forward to reading this book, which is patterned after A Christmas Carol by Dickens.

This book had an interesting spin on A Christmas Carol. In it, Nefarious, a name for Satan, has Rae in a motel room, and he is trying to convince her to bear his child, who will rule the Earth as the Anti-Christ.

Like the original Carol, we get glimpses of Rae's past, present, and future. At the end of the story, Rae makes a decision.

I read this book just before Christmas, which seemed fitting. A short read in front of the fireplace which I enjoyed.

[Emily Rink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had me hooked the entire time. A great companion piece to Deace's "A Nefarious Plot." Readers who love a dark and theological take on issues will love this book. Although a little short for my taste, Deace knocked this book straight out of the part. Highly recommend and am looking forward to the upcoming movie.

[Misty Blackburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay so I was not sure what to expect from the book after seeing some clips of the movie but I have to say it is one of the best books I have read In a while. It's not a very big book at all like a one night read but it packs a lot in it. Definitely one that I have to own! You much read this book if you like A Christmas carol by Charles Dickens you will love this one as well.

[Adam Bloch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book but I don’t think it’s good as A Nefarious Plot. The main character didn’t make sense to me—is she broken and hurt or does she have wit and self confidence? It’s too short of a book and she waivers too much to call it depth or character development. (I know it’s a metaphor, but still)

[Brian Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but poignant book. The devil offers a abused woman the chance to live in luxury, provided she become his bride and give birth to the Anti-Christ. This book is a reminder to us, the Church. Will we choose the pain path and follow Jesus Christ? The alternative is the pleasure path, which requires following the devil and fighting against God.

[Dayna Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A chilling fantasy modern day version of the Dickens' classic. The devil presents a lost young girl with an offer she should definitely refuse. A very Christian look at temptation and how our past can shape our future. Nowhere near as good as A Nefarious Plot, but a wonderful read nonetheless.

[Tracy Karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

I don’t want to give any spoilers away, so I can’t say much about the plot. Just know the characters (human and not) come from very dark places. And not all stay there. It seems this author found hope since the prior book in the duo. Quick read.

[Joyce Sappington · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy C.S. Lewis you'll enjoy this book. It amazes me the twists in logic that book takes that seem completely sensible and yet, at the same time, incredibly diabolical.

[Jackie Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read. Rae struggles with Satan’s evil ways and her belief in herself and in those she loves. Really enjoyed the read.

[Fran McCuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read!

I couldn’t put it down! Flows and reads easily, but is anything but an easy subject. I will recommend this book to everyone I know!

[Brian OCONNOR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep my attention short read. Thought provoking

[Angel *angelwraps* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

What an interesting reversal. Such a stirring presentation! The audio is amazing as well. "You thought it was dark out, but it was only dark in."

[Frank Chirico · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good. Wish it was longer and even more detailed through each chapter. The last chapter was by far the best.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

More good work from Steve.

[Orion Maple · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well written story of redemption, sprinkled with thoughts from the enemy showing what a struggle it is to first believe in Christ, and find redemption.

[Shannon Coblentz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope

Hope for the hopeless.
This story offers hope even in the darkness. And it's dark, darkness that is without light until it appears

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

An allegory. Light vs dark, good vs evil.

[Patricia E Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Big Reminder!

Satan works on our weaknesses, and exploits them. Don't listen to that voice! We do have a choice: choose carefully.

[Jordan Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
Much better than the Plot

The movie is even better

[Monika · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

[Decembre · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn't a bad read just not my writing style.

I'd rather read something with a storyline, instead this was a conversation between 2 characters for 90ish pages.

Thankfully it was a quick one.

[Breanna Vroman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing book. It was a very good story and I didn’t want to put it down!