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The Shepherds #2
Dark Angel
Former Navy SEAL Jedidiah Johnson returns to Nashville ready to begin his training with the elite warriors known as the Shepherds. He thinks he knows what to expect when he arrives on the sprawling, state-of-the-art facility but quickly realizes he’ll have to find his place as the rookie leader of a new team. Then he starts having visions of an imminent attack overseas, and with the clock ticking, Jed and his team are dispatched to neutralize the threat. All the while, Jed hears whispers of another threat . . . a name that raises unexplained fear and anger throughout the Shepherds organization.
Once a military man, Nicholas Woland betrayed the Shepherds and all they stood for when he joined their enemies. After years in prison, Woland is eager to get back in action spreading chaos and death. And he has been freed for a purpose: a sinister plot that will result in hundreds of casualties and incite worldwide religious warfare for years to come.
As Woland and the Shepherds race toward a collision, Jed must rely on his gifts, his training, and his untested team to make critical decisions on a global stage―never realizing that a secret servant of the enemy is growing closer and closer to him.
Once a military man, Nicholas Woland betrayed the Shepherds and all they stood for when he joined their enemies. After years in prison, Woland is eager to get back in action spreading chaos and death. And he has been freed for a purpose: a sinister plot that will result in hundreds of casualties and incite worldwide religious warfare for years to come.
As Woland and the Shepherds race toward a collision, Jed must rely on his gifts, his training, and his untested team to make critical decisions on a global stage―never realizing that a secret servant of the enemy is growing closer and closer to him.
480 pages, Hardcover
Published April 5, 2022
285 people are currently reading
1945 people want to read
About the author
Brian Andrews
36 books1,133 followersBrian is a US Navy veteran, nuclear engineer, and former submarine officer. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in psychology, holds a Master's in business from Cornell University, and is a Park Leadership Fellow. He is a principal contributor at Career Authors, a site dedicated to advancing the careers of aspiring and published writers: www.careerauthors.com.
He is half of Andrews & Wilson, the New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, & #1 Amazon best-selling co-author team behind the TIER ONE series. New in 2025:
- DARK RISING: (APRIL)
- SONS OF VALOR 4: (7/22)
- THE ADVERSARY: Tier One #9 (11/4)
- EXECUTIVE POWER (11/25)
In addition to their novels, Andrews & Wilson have multiple projects under development for film and television with major motion picture studios including Tier One, Dark Intercept, 4 Minutes, Portal, Glitch, and The In Between.
Find Brian online at:
Web: www.andrews-wilson.com
Instagram: @andrewsandwilson
Twitter: @BAndrewsJWilson
Sign-up for his newsletter at www.andrews-wilson.com to stay informed about all his new releases or "Follow" his Amazon Author page!
He is half of Andrews & Wilson, the New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, & #1 Amazon best-selling co-author team behind the TIER ONE series. New in 2025:
- DARK RISING: (APRIL)
- SONS OF VALOR 4: (7/22)
- THE ADVERSARY: Tier One #9 (11/4)
- EXECUTIVE POWER (11/25)
In addition to their novels, Andrews & Wilson have multiple projects under development for film and television with major motion picture studios including Tier One, Dark Intercept, 4 Minutes, Portal, Glitch, and The In Between.
Find Brian online at:
Web: www.andrews-wilson.com
Instagram: @andrewsandwilson
Twitter: @BAndrewsJWilson
Sign-up for his newsletter at www.andrews-wilson.com to stay informed about all his new releases or "Follow" his Amazon Author page!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
February 21, 2022
Former Navy SEAL Jedidiah Johnson returns to Nashville ready to begin his training with the elite warriors known as the Shepherds. This is the second book about The Shepherds and it follows the events of the first book.
I'm such a big fan of Andrews & Wilson and I have read all their books. In my opinion this is my favorite series because it's much deeper and thought provoking than any other series I have read by them. This is a spiritual, mystical and deep warfare book, that will keep you up at night. I am already looking forward to book 3 of this series.
Thanks to the authors, Tyndale Publishing and Edelweiss for this advanced copy. Highly recommended!
I'm such a big fan of Andrews & Wilson and I have read all their books. In my opinion this is my favorite series because it's much deeper and thought provoking than any other series I have read by them. This is a spiritual, mystical and deep warfare book, that will keep you up at night. I am already looking forward to book 3 of this series.
Thanks to the authors, Tyndale Publishing and Edelweiss for this advanced copy. Highly recommended!
February 8, 2022
Jedidiah Johnson is back in school in Dark Angel by Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson. This is the second book about The Shepherds and we are back in Nashville and we get to follow how Jed is being trained together with his group of warriors. In this book we also get to learn a little more about the history of The Shepherds and the watchers and also about the Dark ones. They are also sent on a great mission into the Vatican. It is not really my cup of tea with all this supernatural stuff but the authors are so good at writing that I really enjoy the story. I will definitely follow this series as it develops. I had a conversation with the authors and this is a direct quote "The next one is kinda epic...no spoilers but the finale is Return of the Jedi good" If the next book is going to be epic I don't know what to say about this one. It simply is a great book and fun read, I hope you try it and enjoy it as much as I did. As a long time reader and avid book collector I have followed many authors and I have seldom seen someone write so many good book a year, it amazes me. I send a big thanks to @TyndaleHouse #TyndaleHousePublishers @netgalley #Netgalley @this_is_edelweiss #Edelweiss for letting me read this advance copy of #DarkAngel and of course @BAndrewsJWilson for writing these great books. This one is out in stores April 5th 2022.
May 10, 2023
Different type of series but I like it. A very good blend of counter terror and tactics and religion.
March 29, 2022
I received this as an advance reader copy free of charge, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The authors Andrews and Wilson knocked this one out of the park for me. It starts off where Dark Intercept ended. Our protagonist Jed is now fully imbedded with the Shepherds and is on a team that is battling the Dark Ones who plan on creating fear, distrust, and chaos throughout the world. This is a superb take on the good versus evil conflict on a spiritual and supernatural level, while weaving it into a tactical environment. The descriptions of the equipment, team tactics, and planning were on point and realistic. The Shepherds using the watchers as the ISR (intelligence, surveillance, recon) element, as well as the telepathic communications some of the team members used was one of the main supernatural aspects that I really enjoy in this series. I do see some trouble brewing ahead with the Nashville PD Detective, and look forward to follow on stories in this series.
The authors Andrews and Wilson knocked this one out of the park for me. It starts off where Dark Intercept ended. Our protagonist Jed is now fully imbedded with the Shepherds and is on a team that is battling the Dark Ones who plan on creating fear, distrust, and chaos throughout the world. This is a superb take on the good versus evil conflict on a spiritual and supernatural level, while weaving it into a tactical environment. The descriptions of the equipment, team tactics, and planning were on point and realistic. The Shepherds using the watchers as the ISR (intelligence, surveillance, recon) element, as well as the telepathic communications some of the team members used was one of the main supernatural aspects that I really enjoy in this series. I do see some trouble brewing ahead with the Nashville PD Detective, and look forward to follow on stories in this series.
April 7, 2022
"But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven."
Luke 10:20
First off, I’ll note that, to my recollection, this verse isn’t directly quoted in the text. However, I came across it last night and it really articulated my main points of discussion. I like this verse because Jesus is pointing His followers back to His Kingdom, when their focus is drifting toward the supernatural gift they’ve been given.
It’s easy to focus on the excitement of a spiritual gift or calling, but what ultimately matters most, even more than the mission, is relationship with Jesus. In some ways, the novel does a good job (see “Positives”) of portraying this truth. However, I did identify one major problem (see “Negatives”) that is also worth discussing.
Positives
The novel begins with the perspective of Nicolas Woland, a defected Shepherd. Having joined the Shepherds in the hopes of climbing the ranks to the top, Woland had no trouble switching allegiances, when he decided he could have more power as a dark one.
Jed, the main character, eventually learns that Woland is the main reason that each team has two leaders: a tactical strategist and a spiritual adviser. After Woland’s defection, the organization decided that there needed to be more accountability in place.
Woland illustrates what happens when a person gives into the temptation to seek spiritual authority, as itsN own end. He’s easily swayed because his motivation isn’t walking with God. It’s grasping for as much power as possible.
In contrast, Jed is learning, through his training, about what it means to serve God. He learns that, apart from God, failure is imminent. As Morvant explains to him, God will give us more than we can handle. What He won’t give us is more than He can handle. (Isn’t that a great assurance?)
Negatives
On the flip side, there was one line, in particular, that really bothered me: “As Shepherds, we are the guardians of the gate holding chaos at bay.” The line troubles me for two reasons. First, the emphasis is on the people, not on God. Second, the line has an air of exclusivity. The Shepherds are the one separating mankind from destruction.
While I absolutely believe that God gives specific people anointings, callings and talents, including intercession, I am strongly opposed to the idea of a single person or community “saving the world.” Jesus is the One to do that and there is no biblical precedent for elevating one group above another.
Unfortunately, this is a real trend I have witnessed in contemporary society: people talking about ascending “levels” of spirituality or using terms like “General” to describe a status in the realm of spiritual warfare. I’ve seen this with people who describe themselves as Christians.
For this reason, I’m very leery of this one line of the book and, even though it is just one line. Yes, the book is a work of fiction, but it is so heavily laden with spiritual principles that it makes sense to consider the logical conclusions of that one line.
Additionally (and this is a big one), I really feel a lack of actual relationship with God. Yes, there are references to His power and sovereignty, but there’s a lot more emphasis on training sessions. The spiritual gifts, rather than being illustrated as an outpouring of God’s power from a relational place, seem almost separate, at times. As a result, I have some trouble with the book’s premise, in general.
What I Liked
While the above line does make me very uncomfortable, there is a lot to appreciate about the book. For one thing, most of the thematic content really does support the message of Luke 10:20, as noted above, with various examples. In fact, for a person who does struggle with seeking supernatural power for its own sake, there is some good discussion/illustration of why that’s a dangerous pursuit
Book two also continues building on the foundations laid in book one, in terms of plot, character development and relationships. I think that this was one of the reasons I enjoyed Dark Angel so much. Because the authors devoted sufficient time to introducing the Shepherds in book one, there is more time to develop the organization, in book two (For this reason, I would recommend starting with Dark Intercept, as I don’t think Dark Angel would make a great standalone).
We also get to enjoy some rewarding pay-offs, in terms of character interactions. Jed and his former best friend are rebuilding their friendship, and Jed has become an uncle figure to Sarah Beth. (I really enjoyed seeing the respectful way Jed approaches this relationship, making sure her parents are involved in and aware of each aspect of the friendship).
For those who are unfamiliar with operational terms, the authors provide quick explanations of the terms. I’m impressed with how well they integrate these definitions into the text, without appearing to “insert” them. Moreover, there’s also a glossary at the back of the book.
The plot is highly engaging and very well-paced, thanks to shifting perspectives. While Jed is definitely the main character, we also read from the perspective of several other people.
The novel provides a satisfying conclusion for book two, while also leaving several threads loose. For this reason, I am eager to read book three when it arrives.
Content
As a reader, I am more concerned with language that misuses God’s names than “swear” words. With that said, there are several uses of “swear words” in the text.
Some chapters of the story are in the voice of some of the vile characters, including the defected Shepherd, Nicolas Woland. As a result, we’re party to his gruesome thoughts.
In terms of romantic/sexual content, there are some flirtatious comments, plus a few of the evil characters trying to seduce other people. It’s clear that this content is included to show the character of the people performing these acts– not to put the reader into their shoes.
As with the first book, there’s also a bit of violence, due to the nature of the conflict.
Concluding Thoughts
This was definitely an entertaining, well-written novel. As I reflected on the book, I realized that it also raises some important questions about the purpose of supernatural gifts and their source. While there are definite references to God’s power, I would have liked to see a lot more of Jed’s relationship with the Lord. As it is, he seems fairly young in his faith, which makes me feel a bit uncomfortable with his role in the Shepherds, especially when they claim to be such a powerful organization.
For these reasons, I have several hesitations in providing an unreserved recommendation of the title.
On the other hand, Jed’s immaturity is also a reminder that God chooses who He chooses. It doesn’t always make sense to us. There’s also some valuable content about accountability and the importance of relying on God. It’s also a good book in that it highlights the reality of the supernatural world, while emphasizing God’s control over it all.
Based on the nuances discussed above, I would categorize this title as “Reader Discretion Strongly Advised.” I really enjoyed reading the book, but I felt that the spiritual content was a bit off-base.
I received a complimentary eArc via NetGalley. Opinions expressed are my own.
Luke 10:20
First off, I’ll note that, to my recollection, this verse isn’t directly quoted in the text. However, I came across it last night and it really articulated my main points of discussion. I like this verse because Jesus is pointing His followers back to His Kingdom, when their focus is drifting toward the supernatural gift they’ve been given.
It’s easy to focus on the excitement of a spiritual gift or calling, but what ultimately matters most, even more than the mission, is relationship with Jesus. In some ways, the novel does a good job (see “Positives”) of portraying this truth. However, I did identify one major problem (see “Negatives”) that is also worth discussing.
Positives
The novel begins with the perspective of Nicolas Woland, a defected Shepherd. Having joined the Shepherds in the hopes of climbing the ranks to the top, Woland had no trouble switching allegiances, when he decided he could have more power as a dark one.
Jed, the main character, eventually learns that Woland is the main reason that each team has two leaders: a tactical strategist and a spiritual adviser. After Woland’s defection, the organization decided that there needed to be more accountability in place.
Woland illustrates what happens when a person gives into the temptation to seek spiritual authority, as itsN own end. He’s easily swayed because his motivation isn’t walking with God. It’s grasping for as much power as possible.
In contrast, Jed is learning, through his training, about what it means to serve God. He learns that, apart from God, failure is imminent. As Morvant explains to him, God will give us more than we can handle. What He won’t give us is more than He can handle. (Isn’t that a great assurance?)
Negatives
On the flip side, there was one line, in particular, that really bothered me: “As Shepherds, we are the guardians of the gate holding chaos at bay.” The line troubles me for two reasons. First, the emphasis is on the people, not on God. Second, the line has an air of exclusivity. The Shepherds are the one separating mankind from destruction.
While I absolutely believe that God gives specific people anointings, callings and talents, including intercession, I am strongly opposed to the idea of a single person or community “saving the world.” Jesus is the One to do that and there is no biblical precedent for elevating one group above another.
Unfortunately, this is a real trend I have witnessed in contemporary society: people talking about ascending “levels” of spirituality or using terms like “General” to describe a status in the realm of spiritual warfare. I’ve seen this with people who describe themselves as Christians.
For this reason, I’m very leery of this one line of the book and, even though it is just one line. Yes, the book is a work of fiction, but it is so heavily laden with spiritual principles that it makes sense to consider the logical conclusions of that one line.
Additionally (and this is a big one), I really feel a lack of actual relationship with God. Yes, there are references to His power and sovereignty, but there’s a lot more emphasis on training sessions. The spiritual gifts, rather than being illustrated as an outpouring of God’s power from a relational place, seem almost separate, at times. As a result, I have some trouble with the book’s premise, in general.
What I Liked
While the above line does make me very uncomfortable, there is a lot to appreciate about the book. For one thing, most of the thematic content really does support the message of Luke 10:20, as noted above, with various examples. In fact, for a person who does struggle with seeking supernatural power for its own sake, there is some good discussion/illustration of why that’s a dangerous pursuit
Book two also continues building on the foundations laid in book one, in terms of plot, character development and relationships. I think that this was one of the reasons I enjoyed Dark Angel so much. Because the authors devoted sufficient time to introducing the Shepherds in book one, there is more time to develop the organization, in book two (For this reason, I would recommend starting with Dark Intercept, as I don’t think Dark Angel would make a great standalone).
We also get to enjoy some rewarding pay-offs, in terms of character interactions. Jed and his former best friend are rebuilding their friendship, and Jed has become an uncle figure to Sarah Beth. (I really enjoyed seeing the respectful way Jed approaches this relationship, making sure her parents are involved in and aware of each aspect of the friendship).
For those who are unfamiliar with operational terms, the authors provide quick explanations of the terms. I’m impressed with how well they integrate these definitions into the text, without appearing to “insert” them. Moreover, there’s also a glossary at the back of the book.
The plot is highly engaging and very well-paced, thanks to shifting perspectives. While Jed is definitely the main character, we also read from the perspective of several other people.
The novel provides a satisfying conclusion for book two, while also leaving several threads loose. For this reason, I am eager to read book three when it arrives.
Content
As a reader, I am more concerned with language that misuses God’s names than “swear” words. With that said, there are several uses of “swear words” in the text.
Some chapters of the story are in the voice of some of the vile characters, including the defected Shepherd, Nicolas Woland. As a result, we’re party to his gruesome thoughts.
In terms of romantic/sexual content, there are some flirtatious comments, plus a few of the evil characters trying to seduce other people. It’s clear that this content is included to show the character of the people performing these acts– not to put the reader into their shoes.
As with the first book, there’s also a bit of violence, due to the nature of the conflict.
Concluding Thoughts
This was definitely an entertaining, well-written novel. As I reflected on the book, I realized that it also raises some important questions about the purpose of supernatural gifts and their source. While there are definite references to God’s power, I would have liked to see a lot more of Jed’s relationship with the Lord. As it is, he seems fairly young in his faith, which makes me feel a bit uncomfortable with his role in the Shepherds, especially when they claim to be such a powerful organization.
For these reasons, I have several hesitations in providing an unreserved recommendation of the title.
On the other hand, Jed’s immaturity is also a reminder that God chooses who He chooses. It doesn’t always make sense to us. There’s also some valuable content about accountability and the importance of relying on God. It’s also a good book in that it highlights the reality of the supernatural world, while emphasizing God’s control over it all.
Based on the nuances discussed above, I would categorize this title as “Reader Discretion Strongly Advised.” I really enjoyed reading the book, but I felt that the spiritual content was a bit off-base.
I received a complimentary eArc via NetGalley. Opinions expressed are my own.
January 6, 2024
This review will be hard to write. I'm torn.
I enjoy these authors and their stories. I can absolutely say that about this one. They are so creative when it comes to plot and characters. And let's not forget the action. That is truly one of my favorite elements. It is always topnotch. I also like the pace, the dialogue, and all those little things that make me swoon.
Now what pains me to say about this one is that this series...well....I'm struggling a wee bit. The evil supernatural element is front and center. Which is fine. But to navigate that path they use God, prayer, and scripture to make their actions plausible. I'm not feeling it. It just feels over worked, hokey, and like it is just a tool. I'll still read the next one in this series, especially since I already paid for it. So 3 stars is all I got for this one.
I enjoy these authors and their stories. I can absolutely say that about this one. They are so creative when it comes to plot and characters. And let's not forget the action. That is truly one of my favorite elements. It is always topnotch. I also like the pace, the dialogue, and all those little things that make me swoon.
Now what pains me to say about this one is that this series...well....I'm struggling a wee bit. The evil supernatural element is front and center. Which is fine. But to navigate that path they use God, prayer, and scripture to make their actions plausible. I'm not feeling it. It just feels over worked, hokey, and like it is just a tool. I'll still read the next one in this series, especially since I already paid for it. So 3 stars is all I got for this one.
February 16, 2022
READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books
Dark Angel is a story of spirituality and soldiering. A fable of faith and firearms. A guide to gospels and guns. A book bursting with belief and bullets. A drama of devotion and direct fire.
Ok, that may have been a bit much with the alliteration and duality of this book…but it is the exploration of those parallel tracks that makes this such an interesting read.
Andrews & Wilson craft military thrillers as well as anyone in the thriller genre. The authenticity, dynamics, and creativity they employ when writing action scenes is other worldly. With the addition of supernatural components in this series, the intensity and danger are taken to another level.
Make sure to check out the full review
Dark Angel is a story of spirituality and soldiering. A fable of faith and firearms. A guide to gospels and guns. A book bursting with belief and bullets. A drama of devotion and direct fire.
Ok, that may have been a bit much with the alliteration and duality of this book…but it is the exploration of those parallel tracks that makes this such an interesting read.
Andrews & Wilson craft military thrillers as well as anyone in the thriller genre. The authenticity, dynamics, and creativity they employ when writing action scenes is other worldly. With the addition of supernatural components in this series, the intensity and danger are taken to another level.
Make sure to check out the full review
May 7, 2022
I loved the dynamic pairing of Andrews and Wilson and what they bring to the table for what is termed as a ‘faith-based military thriller.’ I was encouraged to read something by this duo by a friend because she assured me that the authors would present me with a refreshing take on good versus evil - that they did! As I turned the final page, I thought about how this book influenced my vision of spiritual warfare and how it made me realize the importance of daily questioning my allegiance. What army am I enlisted in; the army of God or the army of this world?
I started right in with book two and didn’t feel like I missed too much of the background information that I would have been given had I started at the series opener. The authors give readers a history of Jed Johnson’s membership with the Shepherds organization, taking them through boot camp with Jed and seeing him hone his combat skills. As is always the case in the real world, timing is never perfect, and the team is called out on a mission before training can conclude. I loved the setting and appreciated the metaphor.
I really enjoyed this book because Andrews and Wilson were able to get me inside the mind of an elite warrior and show me the many faces of the enemy. Their plethora of expertise gained from various careers gave this novel an authentic feel. The pace kept me on the edge of my seat, the battles were intense and the content kept me engaged. I really enjoyed the skillful plotting and the opportunity to see and understand the enemy prior to his arrival at the Vatican. The characters were a perfect blend of military and faith based men and women who relied on training to make it to the dawn of another day. The spotlight on 2 Corinthians 10 was insightful and I don’t think I’ll read it again without thinking of the Shepherds. I have a deeper appreciation for our military who put our safety in their top priority…daily. Failure to anticipate the enemy is an important part of any soldier's mission; likewise, as ‘soldiers’ in this world, we need to have our spiritual ‘go bag’ at the ready, a reliance on our source of power, and knowledge of our enemy’s tactics. Andrews and Wilson highlighted the importance of being combat ready, both naturally and spiritually. I appreciated this reminder.
I look forward to reading more by this author duo.
I was gifted this copy by Brian Andrews, Jeffrey Wilson, Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I started right in with book two and didn’t feel like I missed too much of the background information that I would have been given had I started at the series opener. The authors give readers a history of Jed Johnson’s membership with the Shepherds organization, taking them through boot camp with Jed and seeing him hone his combat skills. As is always the case in the real world, timing is never perfect, and the team is called out on a mission before training can conclude. I loved the setting and appreciated the metaphor.
I really enjoyed this book because Andrews and Wilson were able to get me inside the mind of an elite warrior and show me the many faces of the enemy. Their plethora of expertise gained from various careers gave this novel an authentic feel. The pace kept me on the edge of my seat, the battles were intense and the content kept me engaged. I really enjoyed the skillful plotting and the opportunity to see and understand the enemy prior to his arrival at the Vatican. The characters were a perfect blend of military and faith based men and women who relied on training to make it to the dawn of another day. The spotlight on 2 Corinthians 10 was insightful and I don’t think I’ll read it again without thinking of the Shepherds. I have a deeper appreciation for our military who put our safety in their top priority…daily. Failure to anticipate the enemy is an important part of any soldier's mission; likewise, as ‘soldiers’ in this world, we need to have our spiritual ‘go bag’ at the ready, a reliance on our source of power, and knowledge of our enemy’s tactics. Andrews and Wilson highlighted the importance of being combat ready, both naturally and spiritually. I appreciated this reminder.
I look forward to reading more by this author duo.
I was gifted this copy by Brian Andrews, Jeffrey Wilson, Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
April 12, 2022
This is the second book in The Shepherds series. It's a fabulous read! I was drawn in immediately. The first few chapters filled me with anticipation and eagerness to read the book. It didn't disappoint. This book continues the story in book 1 so it's best to read them in order for them to make sense.
This book has intense battle scenes that combine physical, spiritual, and supernatural elements. It's fascinating to see how "The Watchers" interact with the "Shepherds." There's a strong sense of community and brotherhood as they prepare to battle evil. It's a compelling example of how each person has their own spiritual gifts and the body needs all of them to function well.
The ending sets the stage for the next book. I hope it comes out soon! I'd highly recommend this series. Thank you to Tyndale House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This book has intense battle scenes that combine physical, spiritual, and supernatural elements. It's fascinating to see how "The Watchers" interact with the "Shepherds." There's a strong sense of community and brotherhood as they prepare to battle evil. It's a compelling example of how each person has their own spiritual gifts and the body needs all of them to function well.
The ending sets the stage for the next book. I hope it comes out soon! I'd highly recommend this series. Thank you to Tyndale House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
May 4, 2022
Andrews and Wilson knocked this sequel out of the park!!! Jed is back in Nashville training to become a Shepherd when divine intervention takes him and his team out of certification training into a real word fight with the dark ones. The characters are well developed you feel their connection and desire to become a Shepherd. The dark ones have plans within plans that the watchers are able to see, but it is Jed who starts to believe in his gifts. And those gifts go to the core of the dark ones plans to foment war between religions. The action and tension rise as the story moves forward and we see what I recognized as doubts the strongest of us can have and fall prey to. The story combines the action of a military thriller with the spirituality of those who believe in a greater power. The writers do an excellent job of setting up the coming war in the next book. So much so, that I am already looking forward to book #3 and Jed's continuing growth in faith and trust in his gifts. Not every war can be fought with bullets and drones.
April 18, 2022
Spiritual warfare is real and fought every day, but we rarely think about it (unless we feel ourselves or someone we love being targeted). In Dark Angel, Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson expose some of the heavenly realm to readers.
As Jedediah Johnson returns to Nashville for training and to meet his Shepherd’s team, readers also travel across the world with those people possessed by the dark ones. With the paramilitary element, the authors deliver plenty of action while also deepening the connections we have with Jed, his team, and the watchers.
The one thing I would like to see more of in these books is intercessory prayer for Jed and his team as they face their unseen enemies. It’s inferred a couple of times but never straight out shown.
While I’m reading this series, I can’t help but wonder why there isn’t truly an organization like this in our world that is hurtling toward destroying itself. But I am also more challenged to pray for those people who give their lives to protect our freedom.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
As Jedediah Johnson returns to Nashville for training and to meet his Shepherd’s team, readers also travel across the world with those people possessed by the dark ones. With the paramilitary element, the authors deliver plenty of action while also deepening the connections we have with Jed, his team, and the watchers.
The one thing I would like to see more of in these books is intercessory prayer for Jed and his team as they face their unseen enemies. It’s inferred a couple of times but never straight out shown.
While I’m reading this series, I can’t help but wonder why there isn’t truly an organization like this in our world that is hurtling toward destroying itself. But I am also more challenged to pray for those people who give their lives to protect our freedom.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
July 24, 2022
Good and Evil.... ALWAYS exists! Loved it!
March 30, 2022
A great read.
April 8, 2022
Awesome!
What can I say. All action, military and spiritual was phenomenal. Storyline, great. Characters, great. Action, great. Filler, none. I can only hope this was more non fiction so our warriors are armed. I can hardly wait for the next book. Did I mention that it was awesome?
What can I say. All action, military and spiritual was phenomenal. Storyline, great. Characters, great. Action, great. Filler, none. I can only hope this was more non fiction so our warriors are armed. I can hardly wait for the next book. Did I mention that it was awesome?
January 23, 2024
This book was a bit of a mixed bag for me. In terms of the excitement, intensity, and military aspect, I would say it started out a bit slow but then ramped up to a solid 4.0 by the time I finished the book. The spiritual side of it (from a Christian perspective) would be more of a 2.0. I suppose that should average out to 3 stars, but the ending kept it at a 4.0 for me.
The book is not a "standalone" story - the first book really needs to be read as this book does a barely adequate job of telling a new reader what happened previously that brings the main character (Jedidiah Johnson) to where he is at the start of this book. There are hints of what happened in the first book, but not in any great detail. I can see it leaving a new reader who starts with this book a bit confused as this book builds upon the first book.
The character development in this book is good; Jedidiah's character continues to grow, which is always nice. However, there were some aspects of Jedidiah that seemed a little over the top and unrelatable (like how his giftings continue to grow). The other characters introduced in the book that form his "team" are also fairly well developed. It is funny -Johnson and some of the other characters have "traits" to them which annoyed me, on the one hand, but that actually makes them more human and relatable because of the traits they have and mistakes they make. I do the same thing (take my eyes off the Lord at times, forget that there is more to this life than what is on this side of eternity, make poor choices), so the authors did a nice job of not making their characters "perfectly perfect."
The book starts out with a jail break in France, then goes to Jedidiah beginning a form of 'basic training' which takes up a good portion of the beginning of the book. It was interesting to see him eventually submit to what was happening to him, and I liked that he had a friend in Eli (a former Green Beret and "veteran" of the Shepherds) to help keep him stable and guide him on his journey into the Shepherds. There were some interesting team dynamics going on as the eight individuals learned to gel as a single unit; I thought the authors did a good job of describing that over the course of the book.
I don't know how much I agree with the "spiritual gifts" that Jedidiah and other Christians had (such as the form of telepathy and reading minds, being able to see things through the eyes of another person as some incident was going down, finding "mental tethers" that are bound between people in order to access their minds, etc.). I don't see those kinds of gifts in the Bible, and it seems more "New Age" in nature than Christian to me.
Another thing, too, was that there was very little "Bible study" (i.e. - studying the Bible) in the book. You'd think that this Christian organization which supposedly recognizes that our battle is not against "just" flesh and blood but spiritual powers as well would focus just as much on the Bible and our identity in Christ as they do on military tactics. Perhaps that was during Round Two of Basic Training? It's not enough just to throw in some Bible verses here and there; I thought the lack of biblical study in the book was a serious deficit for the team. It seemed more like the team relied upon its training than it did the power of God and God watching over them. Hopefully that changes in the third book; we shall see.
I enjoyed the varying levels of technology used in the book. It was fun to read about. The "kill room" sounded absolutely crazy and "fun" and would be something to experience.
The intensity in the book is crazy (good). The authors do a nice job of ramping it up when it needs to be ramped up and then slowing it down when it is time to slow down. I thought they did a nice job of balancing the intensity and "intenseness" of being "on point" when necessary versus the times the team stands down in between missions. It was well done, and the last 100+ pages of the book absolutely flew by for me. The book was over before I knew it.
I think the authors have done a pretty good job, overall, of blending spiritual warfare with "physical" or "modern" warfare. It is easy to forget we are in a spiritual battle, and I think this book does a solid job of pointing that out. However, I do see a "glaring difference" between these heroes and the heroes of Peretti's This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness - the heroes in Peretti's books pray as their form of warfare whereas the heroes in this book have no qualms about killing their opponents. It is not exactly a fair comparison, though, and I realize that. Peretti does not write any stories involving military personnel in his stories (that I can remember or am aware of), so his POV is going to be very different from that of a person who served in the military and has actual combat experience.
I think, ultimately, these authors are trying to write Christian technothrillers with a more solid "Christian foundation" than have been previously written. I do think they are striving to honor God in the stories they tell and demonstrate His power. There are some solid spiritual truths discussed at times in the book (such as when the Colonel tells Jed he needs to stop living in the past, living out of past regrets, and start living the new life that is to be found in Christ - a life with no past regrets). It is an intense book, and it does get violent in parts, but I do not think the authors "overdo it" or go too far with it; I think they are being realistic in what they describe without glorying in it or glorifying the violence, so that is a good thing. As much as I enjoyed the book, I am still not 100% sold on the "spiritual gifts" the various heroes have been given, so we shall see if the third book in the series changes my mind at all. Hopefully the third book has a bit more of a "biblical focus" to it and better blends training for spiritual warfare and biblical studies with training for "modern warfare." In the end, I am glad that I picked it up and read it as I did find myself enjoying it more than the first book.
The book is not a "standalone" story - the first book really needs to be read as this book does a barely adequate job of telling a new reader what happened previously that brings the main character (Jedidiah Johnson) to where he is at the start of this book. There are hints of what happened in the first book, but not in any great detail. I can see it leaving a new reader who starts with this book a bit confused as this book builds upon the first book.
The character development in this book is good; Jedidiah's character continues to grow, which is always nice. However, there were some aspects of Jedidiah that seemed a little over the top and unrelatable (like how his giftings continue to grow). The other characters introduced in the book that form his "team" are also fairly well developed. It is funny -Johnson and some of the other characters have "traits" to them which annoyed me, on the one hand, but that actually makes them more human and relatable because of the traits they have and mistakes they make. I do the same thing (take my eyes off the Lord at times, forget that there is more to this life than what is on this side of eternity, make poor choices), so the authors did a nice job of not making their characters "perfectly perfect."
The book starts out with a jail break in France, then goes to Jedidiah beginning a form of 'basic training' which takes up a good portion of the beginning of the book. It was interesting to see him eventually submit to what was happening to him, and I liked that he had a friend in Eli (a former Green Beret and "veteran" of the Shepherds) to help keep him stable and guide him on his journey into the Shepherds. There were some interesting team dynamics going on as the eight individuals learned to gel as a single unit; I thought the authors did a good job of describing that over the course of the book.
I don't know how much I agree with the "spiritual gifts" that Jedidiah and other Christians had (such as the form of telepathy and reading minds, being able to see things through the eyes of another person as some incident was going down, finding "mental tethers" that are bound between people in order to access their minds, etc.). I don't see those kinds of gifts in the Bible, and it seems more "New Age" in nature than Christian to me.
Another thing, too, was that there was very little "Bible study" (i.e. - studying the Bible) in the book. You'd think that this Christian organization which supposedly recognizes that our battle is not against "just" flesh and blood but spiritual powers as well would focus just as much on the Bible and our identity in Christ as they do on military tactics. Perhaps that was during Round Two of Basic Training? It's not enough just to throw in some Bible verses here and there; I thought the lack of biblical study in the book was a serious deficit for the team. It seemed more like the team relied upon its training than it did the power of God and God watching over them. Hopefully that changes in the third book; we shall see.
I enjoyed the varying levels of technology used in the book. It was fun to read about. The "kill room" sounded absolutely crazy and "fun" and would be something to experience.
The intensity in the book is crazy (good). The authors do a nice job of ramping it up when it needs to be ramped up and then slowing it down when it is time to slow down. I thought they did a nice job of balancing the intensity and "intenseness" of being "on point" when necessary versus the times the team stands down in between missions. It was well done, and the last 100+ pages of the book absolutely flew by for me. The book was over before I knew it.
I think the authors have done a pretty good job, overall, of blending spiritual warfare with "physical" or "modern" warfare. It is easy to forget we are in a spiritual battle, and I think this book does a solid job of pointing that out. However, I do see a "glaring difference" between these heroes and the heroes of Peretti's This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness - the heroes in Peretti's books pray as their form of warfare whereas the heroes in this book have no qualms about killing their opponents. It is not exactly a fair comparison, though, and I realize that. Peretti does not write any stories involving military personnel in his stories (that I can remember or am aware of), so his POV is going to be very different from that of a person who served in the military and has actual combat experience.
I think, ultimately, these authors are trying to write Christian technothrillers with a more solid "Christian foundation" than have been previously written. I do think they are striving to honor God in the stories they tell and demonstrate His power. There are some solid spiritual truths discussed at times in the book (such as when the Colonel tells Jed he needs to stop living in the past, living out of past regrets, and start living the new life that is to be found in Christ - a life with no past regrets). It is an intense book, and it does get violent in parts, but I do not think the authors "overdo it" or go too far with it; I think they are being realistic in what they describe without glorying in it or glorifying the violence, so that is a good thing. As much as I enjoyed the book, I am still not 100% sold on the "spiritual gifts" the various heroes have been given, so we shall see if the third book in the series changes my mind at all. Hopefully the third book has a bit more of a "biblical focus" to it and better blends training for spiritual warfare and biblical studies with training for "modern warfare." In the end, I am glad that I picked it up and read it as I did find myself enjoying it more than the first book.
March 29, 2022
Jedidiah Johnson is returning to action, training with the elite warriors known as the Shepherds. He thinks he knows what he’s getting himself into, but finds himself placed among the raw recruits. As he struggles to earn his place in leadership, he starts having visions of an imminent attack and soon finds himself in a battle that’s far more than physical. Following up the events of Dark Intercept, Dark Angel takes readers further into the mind of Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson, combining military motifs with supernatural warfare to create a masculine, adrenaline-soaked series every bit as plausible as an 80s action movie.
I felt a bit thrown into the middle of the story when Dark Angel began. This is book two in the series, but I wasn’t aware of it initially and Andrews and Wilson don’t exactly do a great job to orient the reader in the setting. There’s an initial breakout scene that’s is over the top and amazing. It really the sets the tone for the book. But then we get to our hero and he’s—just maybe a little too perfect. I’ve read some over the top thriller series before—David Baldacci’s Oliver Stone; James Patterson’s Alex Cross—but those characters had some level of depth or charisma. I just never got that with Jed’s characterization. He never felt natural.
The story itself is overly long, drags in places, and yet still manages to leave out valuable information while taking too long to exposit what it does tell you. There’s flashes of brilliance and at times the novel really gets into a groove, but then a chapter or scene change occurs and all the momentum is lost. Looking at other reviews of Andrews and Wilson novels, I’m clearly in the minority and I’m okay with that. I wanted to try out this book because it’s filling a niche in the market I thought needed filled. Obviously, not my niche.
Another thing I want to talk about is that Andrews and Wilson use Dark Angel to give a shoutout to a real-life organization. In a super-cringey scene, our protagonist has a beer opened for him with a bottle-opener made from a .50-caliber shell. Remember the old timey TV shows where the actors in the show themselves would do the advertising? That’s what this looks like. The character opening the bottle gives you the URL and everything. (For anywhere between $22 and $66, you can get your own Andrews and Wilson bottle opener…also there’s a whole line of Let’s Go, Brandon merch.) I’m writing a review of this book, not the company, but—it’s a super awkward promotion that comes across heavy-handed and alienating.
Dark Angel is trying to fill that “men’s fiction” gap in the Christian fiction bookshelves. And I suppose if you’re looking for a Christian military thriller, this is one of the best out there. Speaking objectively, if Andrews and Wilson did a better job with their exposition, pacing, and explaining the supernatural elements, Dark Angel would be a good book. Speaking subjectively, the glorification of warfare combined with politically conservative overtones make this one a non-starter for me.
February 21, 2022
This book was a very enjoyable read, but I was uncomfortable with the portrayal of the spiritual warfare-- not because I doubt the realness of the warfare or God's provision of supernatural gifts, but because I really didn't see a rich relationship with God, in the midst of it. It felt more like people doing things for God.
I received a complimentary copy of the book, via the publisher and NetGalley. Opinions expressed are my own.
I've written a long review, below, which will go live on my blog April 1st.
But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.
Luke 10:20
Luke 10:20 (Spiritual Themes Discussion)
First off, I’ll note that, to my recollection, this verse isn’t directly quoted in the text. However, I came across it last night and it really articulated my main points of discussion. I like this verse because Jesus is pointing His followers back to His Kingdom, when their focus is drifting toward the supernatural gift they’ve been given.
It’s easy to focus on the excitement of a spiritual gift or calling, but what ultimately matters most, even more than the mission, is relationship with Jesus. In some ways, the novel does a good job (see “Positives”) of portraying this truth. However, I did identify one major problem (see “Negatives”) that is also worth discussing.
Positives
The novel begins with the perspective of Nicolas Woland, a defected Shepherd. Having joined the Shepherds in the hopes of climbing the ranks to the top, Woland had no trouble switching allegiances, when he decided he could have more power as a dark one.
Jed, the main character, eventually learns that Woland is the main reason that each team has two leaders: a tactical strategist and a spiritual adviser. After Woland’s defection, the organization decided that there needed to be more accountability in place.
Woland illustrates what happens when a person gives into the temptation to seek spiritual authority, as its own end. He’s easily swayed because his motivation isn’t walking with God. It’s grasping for as much power as possible.
In contrast, Jed is learning, through his training, about what it means to serve God. He learns that, apart from God, failure is imminent. As Morvant explains to him, God will give us more than we can handle. What He won’t give us is more than He can handle. (Isn’t that a great assurance?)
Negatives
On the flip side, there was one line, in particular, that really bothered me: “As Shepherds, we are the guardians of the gate holding chaos at bay.” The line troubles me for two reasons. First, the emphasis is on the people, not on God. Second, the line has an air of exclusivity. The Shepherds are the one separating mankind from destruction.
While I absolutely believe that God gives specific people anointings, callings and talents, including intercession, I am strongly opposed to the idea of a single person or community “saving the world.” Jesus is the One to do that and there is no biblical precedent for elevating one group above another.
Unfortunately, this is a real trend I have witnessed in contemporary society: people talking about ascending “levels” of spirituality or using terms like “General” to describe a status in the realm of spiritual warfare. I’ve seen this with people who describe themselves as Christians.
For this reason, I’m very leery of this one line of the book and, even though it is just one line. Yes, the book is a work of fiction, but it is so heavily laden with spiritual principles that it makes sense to consider the logical conclusions of that one line.
Additionally (and this is a big one), I really feel a lack of actual relationship with God. Yes, there are references to His power and sovereignty, but there’s a lot more emphasis on training sessions. The spiritual gifts, rather than being illustrated as an outpouring of God’s power from a relational place, seem almost separate, at times. As a result, I have some trouble with the book’s premise, in general.
What I Liked
While the above line does make me very uncomfortable, there is a lot to appreciate about the book. For one thing, most of the thematic content really does support the message of Luke 10:20, as noted above, with various examples. In fact, for a person who does struggle with seeking supernatural power for its own sake, there is some good discussion/illustration of why that’s a dangerous pursuit
Book two also continues building on the foundations laid in book one, in terms of plot, character development and relationships. I think that this was one of the reasons I enjoyed Dark Angel so much. Because the authors devoted sufficient time to introducing the Shepherds in book one, there is more time to develop the organization, in book two (For this reason, I would recommend starting with Dark Intercept, as I don’t think Dark Angel would make a great standalone).
We also get to enjoy some rewarding pay-offs, in terms of character interactions. Jed and his former best friend are rebuilding their friendship, and Jed has become an uncle figure to Sarah Beth. (I really enjoyed seeing the respectful way Jed approaches this relationship, making sure her parents are involved in and aware of each aspect of the friendship).
For those who are unfamiliar with operational terms, the authors provide quick explanations of the terms. I’m impressed with how well they integrate these definitions into the text, without appearing to “insert” them. Moreover, there’s also a glossary at the back of the book.
The plot is highly engaging and very well-paced, thanks to shifting perspectives. While Jed is definitely the main character, we also read from the perspective of several other people.
The novel provides a satisfying conclusion for book two, while also leaving several threads loose. For this reason, I am eager to read book three when it arrives.
Content
As a reader, I am more concerned with language that misuses God’s names than “swear” words. With that said, there are several uses of “swear words” in the text.
Some chapters of the story are in the voice of some of the vile characters, including the defected Shepherd, Nicolas Woland. As a result, we’re party to his gruesome thoughts.
In terms of romantic/sexual content, there are some flirtatious comments, plus a few of the evil characters trying to seduce other people. It’s clear that this content is included to show the character of the people performing these acts– not to put the reader into their shoes.
As with the first book, there’s also a bit of violence, due to the nature of the conflict.
Concluding Thoughts
This was definitely an entertaining, well-written novel. As I reflected on the book, I realized that it also raises some important questions about the purpose of supernatural gifts and their source. While there are definite references to God’s power, I would have liked to see a lot more of Jed’s relationship with the Lord. As it is, he seems fairly young in his faith, which makes me feel a bit uncomfortable with his role in the Shepherds, especially when they claim to be such a powerful organization.
For these reasons, I have several hesitations in providing an unreserved recommendation of the title.
On the other hand, Jed’s immaturity is also a reminder that God chooses who He chooses. It doesn’t always make sense to us. There’s also some valuable content about accountability and the importance of relying on God. It’s also a good book in that it highlights the reality of the supernatural world, while emphasizing God’s control over it all.
Recommendation Status
Based on the nuances discussed above, I would categorize this title as “Reader Discretion Strongly Advised.” I really enjoyed reading the book, but I felt that the spiritual content was a bit off-base-- or at the very least, not clearly "on-base."
I received a complimentary copy of the book, via the publisher and NetGalley. Opinions expressed are my own.
I've written a long review, below, which will go live on my blog April 1st.
But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.
Luke 10:20
Luke 10:20 (Spiritual Themes Discussion)
First off, I’ll note that, to my recollection, this verse isn’t directly quoted in the text. However, I came across it last night and it really articulated my main points of discussion. I like this verse because Jesus is pointing His followers back to His Kingdom, when their focus is drifting toward the supernatural gift they’ve been given.
It’s easy to focus on the excitement of a spiritual gift or calling, but what ultimately matters most, even more than the mission, is relationship with Jesus. In some ways, the novel does a good job (see “Positives”) of portraying this truth. However, I did identify one major problem (see “Negatives”) that is also worth discussing.
Positives
The novel begins with the perspective of Nicolas Woland, a defected Shepherd. Having joined the Shepherds in the hopes of climbing the ranks to the top, Woland had no trouble switching allegiances, when he decided he could have more power as a dark one.
Jed, the main character, eventually learns that Woland is the main reason that each team has two leaders: a tactical strategist and a spiritual adviser. After Woland’s defection, the organization decided that there needed to be more accountability in place.
Woland illustrates what happens when a person gives into the temptation to seek spiritual authority, as its own end. He’s easily swayed because his motivation isn’t walking with God. It’s grasping for as much power as possible.
In contrast, Jed is learning, through his training, about what it means to serve God. He learns that, apart from God, failure is imminent. As Morvant explains to him, God will give us more than we can handle. What He won’t give us is more than He can handle. (Isn’t that a great assurance?)
Negatives
On the flip side, there was one line, in particular, that really bothered me: “As Shepherds, we are the guardians of the gate holding chaos at bay.” The line troubles me for two reasons. First, the emphasis is on the people, not on God. Second, the line has an air of exclusivity. The Shepherds are the one separating mankind from destruction.
While I absolutely believe that God gives specific people anointings, callings and talents, including intercession, I am strongly opposed to the idea of a single person or community “saving the world.” Jesus is the One to do that and there is no biblical precedent for elevating one group above another.
Unfortunately, this is a real trend I have witnessed in contemporary society: people talking about ascending “levels” of spirituality or using terms like “General” to describe a status in the realm of spiritual warfare. I’ve seen this with people who describe themselves as Christians.
For this reason, I’m very leery of this one line of the book and, even though it is just one line. Yes, the book is a work of fiction, but it is so heavily laden with spiritual principles that it makes sense to consider the logical conclusions of that one line.
Additionally (and this is a big one), I really feel a lack of actual relationship with God. Yes, there are references to His power and sovereignty, but there’s a lot more emphasis on training sessions. The spiritual gifts, rather than being illustrated as an outpouring of God’s power from a relational place, seem almost separate, at times. As a result, I have some trouble with the book’s premise, in general.
What I Liked
While the above line does make me very uncomfortable, there is a lot to appreciate about the book. For one thing, most of the thematic content really does support the message of Luke 10:20, as noted above, with various examples. In fact, for a person who does struggle with seeking supernatural power for its own sake, there is some good discussion/illustration of why that’s a dangerous pursuit
Book two also continues building on the foundations laid in book one, in terms of plot, character development and relationships. I think that this was one of the reasons I enjoyed Dark Angel so much. Because the authors devoted sufficient time to introducing the Shepherds in book one, there is more time to develop the organization, in book two (For this reason, I would recommend starting with Dark Intercept, as I don’t think Dark Angel would make a great standalone).
We also get to enjoy some rewarding pay-offs, in terms of character interactions. Jed and his former best friend are rebuilding their friendship, and Jed has become an uncle figure to Sarah Beth. (I really enjoyed seeing the respectful way Jed approaches this relationship, making sure her parents are involved in and aware of each aspect of the friendship).
For those who are unfamiliar with operational terms, the authors provide quick explanations of the terms. I’m impressed with how well they integrate these definitions into the text, without appearing to “insert” them. Moreover, there’s also a glossary at the back of the book.
The plot is highly engaging and very well-paced, thanks to shifting perspectives. While Jed is definitely the main character, we also read from the perspective of several other people.
The novel provides a satisfying conclusion for book two, while also leaving several threads loose. For this reason, I am eager to read book three when it arrives.
Content
As a reader, I am more concerned with language that misuses God’s names than “swear” words. With that said, there are several uses of “swear words” in the text.
Some chapters of the story are in the voice of some of the vile characters, including the defected Shepherd, Nicolas Woland. As a result, we’re party to his gruesome thoughts.
In terms of romantic/sexual content, there are some flirtatious comments, plus a few of the evil characters trying to seduce other people. It’s clear that this content is included to show the character of the people performing these acts– not to put the reader into their shoes.
As with the first book, there’s also a bit of violence, due to the nature of the conflict.
Concluding Thoughts
This was definitely an entertaining, well-written novel. As I reflected on the book, I realized that it also raises some important questions about the purpose of supernatural gifts and their source. While there are definite references to God’s power, I would have liked to see a lot more of Jed’s relationship with the Lord. As it is, he seems fairly young in his faith, which makes me feel a bit uncomfortable with his role in the Shepherds, especially when they claim to be such a powerful organization.
For these reasons, I have several hesitations in providing an unreserved recommendation of the title.
On the other hand, Jed’s immaturity is also a reminder that God chooses who He chooses. It doesn’t always make sense to us. There’s also some valuable content about accountability and the importance of relying on God. It’s also a good book in that it highlights the reality of the supernatural world, while emphasizing God’s control over it all.
Recommendation Status
Based on the nuances discussed above, I would categorize this title as “Reader Discretion Strongly Advised.” I really enjoyed reading the book, but I felt that the spiritual content was a bit off-base-- or at the very least, not clearly "on-base."
June 11, 2022
Wow. This was a thrill of a ride. Heart pounding, heart stopping action. It was interesting seeing the Dark and the Shepherds fight, and the raw strength the demons gave to the Dark force.
Having said that...
Because of the nature of sin and demons, there were a [very] few thoughts and insinuations of lust and sex, which made me uncomfortable. There were also quite a few curse words, many of which were spoken by the Shepherds. THAT made me very uncomfortable. I mean, I understand military talk and all that, but to have the Christians saying those words doesn't set well with me.
Other than those things, this was an excellent book, and one that I think my husband would love. If it weren't for those things, this book would easily have a 4.5 star rating from me, but as it stands, I can only give it 3 stars. This is, after all, a Christian fiction book.
*I was given this book for review by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.*
Having said that...
Because of the nature of sin and demons, there were a [very] few thoughts and insinuations of lust and sex, which made me uncomfortable. There were also quite a few curse words, many of which were spoken by the Shepherds. THAT made me very uncomfortable. I mean, I understand military talk and all that, but to have the Christians saying those words doesn't set well with me.
Other than those things, this was an excellent book, and one that I think my husband would love. If it weren't for those things, this book would easily have a 4.5 star rating from me, but as it stands, I can only give it 3 stars. This is, after all, a Christian fiction book.
*I was given this book for review by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.*
February 8, 2022
READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books
Make sure to check out the full review
Make sure to check out the full review
March 3, 2024
An intense action filled read. Although slightly dark based on the nature of the story, it displays a fascinating interaction between the spiritual realm and the physical realm. It explores the idea that war rages around us on many levels and that there is can often be a connection between what is taking place in the physical realm and what is taking place in the spiritual realm. I enjoyed it as well as the development of the characters over the course of the story.
I received an ARC copy through NetGalley from the publisher and all opinions are my own.
I received an ARC copy through NetGalley from the publisher and all opinions are my own.
June 18, 2022
I enjoyed #2. It left you hanging for #3 which I have preordered. If you like Frank Peretti books, you will love this series.
July 4, 2022
Even better than the first! I can’t wait for the next installment in the series. Bravo Zulu gentlemen! “Begin as you mean to go on…”
April 25, 2022
Wow. I am on a roll. I very rarely give 5 star ratings but this has been a stellar week. And this series……just amazing. Truly amazing.
_______________________________________________________
Okay, a couple of days have gone by since I finished this book and just realized that I didn't finish this review.
This book is another winner by the fantastic writing duo of Andrews and Wilson and they have a couple of different series out now. By this time, I don't even hesitate to hit the "Buy" button when I see a new book by this team.
This is the second book in this new series and I can not stress the fact enough that this is not a series that is their normal genre. These guys excel in the Spec Ops type genre, the books dealing with Armed Services, CIA, Secret Squirrel (Super spooky) type political turmoil with American Patriots who give up some of the freedoms of having a normal life to be able to help defend this country. Don't get me wrong, there is still that element here in this series. We still have an organization committed to defending the US, heck, defending the World, but this is not your normal Black Ops Organization.
This new and improved NGO type group is founded on the commitment to fight evil. The REAL evil. This is a combination of military might and power, but with the added component of the supernatural. And by supernatural, I mean with God. And that means the enemy is, yes, you guessed it, that other guy and his team. Like I said...REAL evil.
This series may not be for everybody, but honestly, if you do not give it a try, you are definitely missing out. This organization - The Shepherds - has roots going back several hundred years and to all of us who believe in God, then you know that the enemy will do and has done, everything in his power to destroy and to cause chaos. The fight between good and evil is a scary one and we begin to see just how scary this fight can be in this second book.
I do not want to give out too much information other than to say that I LOVED it. I love the fact that this is a different type of book than what is typically out in this genre. The fights that we see in this book are huge in scope but some of the real damage is coming from within. There is a huge issue with "who" the bad guys are within our group of good guys.
It is so exciting to see the gifts that God has bestowed to certain individuals, and even those who may not have a particular "gift" - it is refreshing to see that their contribution can be just as important. The key to defeating an enemy is to have a team working together, with common goals and common beliefs.
Unfortunately, with the good also comes the bad. I am nervous to discover what is coming next, especially with some of the characters that have been introduced in these last two books.
Things are only getting more exciting....scary too, but it is going to be a wild ride. I would not expect anything less.....
_______________________________________________________
Okay, a couple of days have gone by since I finished this book and just realized that I didn't finish this review.
This book is another winner by the fantastic writing duo of Andrews and Wilson and they have a couple of different series out now. By this time, I don't even hesitate to hit the "Buy" button when I see a new book by this team.
This is the second book in this new series and I can not stress the fact enough that this is not a series that is their normal genre. These guys excel in the Spec Ops type genre, the books dealing with Armed Services, CIA, Secret Squirrel (Super spooky) type political turmoil with American Patriots who give up some of the freedoms of having a normal life to be able to help defend this country. Don't get me wrong, there is still that element here in this series. We still have an organization committed to defending the US, heck, defending the World, but this is not your normal Black Ops Organization.
This new and improved NGO type group is founded on the commitment to fight evil. The REAL evil. This is a combination of military might and power, but with the added component of the supernatural. And by supernatural, I mean with God. And that means the enemy is, yes, you guessed it, that other guy and his team. Like I said...REAL evil.
This series may not be for everybody, but honestly, if you do not give it a try, you are definitely missing out. This organization - The Shepherds - has roots going back several hundred years and to all of us who believe in God, then you know that the enemy will do and has done, everything in his power to destroy and to cause chaos. The fight between good and evil is a scary one and we begin to see just how scary this fight can be in this second book.
I do not want to give out too much information other than to say that I LOVED it. I love the fact that this is a different type of book than what is typically out in this genre. The fights that we see in this book are huge in scope but some of the real damage is coming from within. There is a huge issue with "who" the bad guys are within our group of good guys.
It is so exciting to see the gifts that God has bestowed to certain individuals, and even those who may not have a particular "gift" - it is refreshing to see that their contribution can be just as important. The key to defeating an enemy is to have a team working together, with common goals and common beliefs.
Unfortunately, with the good also comes the bad. I am nervous to discover what is coming next, especially with some of the characters that have been introduced in these last two books.
Things are only getting more exciting....scary too, but it is going to be a wild ride. I would not expect anything less.....
April 8, 2022
The second book in the Shepherds Series is even darker, more sinister and thrilling than the first! Readers will be entranced with this fantastic supernatural thriller!
After his first mission with the Shepherds, Jeddiah Johnson returns to Nashville for extensive training with the group. At the training, he meets a whole new group training to be Shepherds working in a state-of-the-art facility. Many have been training for a while and when Jed comes in as the new team leader while technically being a rookie, several feathers are ruffled. Jed tries to fix the team dynamic, but when he starts having visions of an attack overseas, the team are sent over to stop the threat before they finish their training. Jed and the team go up against their biggest threat yet, Nicholas Woland, once a Shepherd himself who now works against them spreading chaos and knowing how the Shepherds work makes it easier for him to defeat them. Jed and the Shepherds race against Woland and his sinister plot to stop hundreds from being taken out and evil to win. With their team still in training, they will have to work together and trust one another more than ever in order to win this battle against good and evil.
The first book in the Shepherds series laid the groundwork for the supernatural battle within the pages. Dark Angel picks up where the first left off and takes it even deeper into the world of evil we live in and how many of us walk around oblivious to the sinister and dark attacks we are under daily with angels around to help keep us safe. I loved the character of Jed and how he knew he needed help to fulfill the missions he was sent on. Even though he is a highly trained Navy SEAL, he knows that the skills needed to succeed are more than he alone possesses. There is a lot to unpack within the pages of this novel, but for me, it was well written with a fast plot, characters I wanted to see succeed and a lot of moments that left me with some good questions to ponder about life, spiritual matters and so much more. This is a book that will leave readers thinking about more than just the work of fiction. That said, it is a work of fiction and needs to be read as such, it isn’t a bible study or writing in that way. I recommend this book to those that love supernatural thrillers that are going to get your heart rate up and be hard to put down.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
After his first mission with the Shepherds, Jeddiah Johnson returns to Nashville for extensive training with the group. At the training, he meets a whole new group training to be Shepherds working in a state-of-the-art facility. Many have been training for a while and when Jed comes in as the new team leader while technically being a rookie, several feathers are ruffled. Jed tries to fix the team dynamic, but when he starts having visions of an attack overseas, the team are sent over to stop the threat before they finish their training. Jed and the team go up against their biggest threat yet, Nicholas Woland, once a Shepherd himself who now works against them spreading chaos and knowing how the Shepherds work makes it easier for him to defeat them. Jed and the Shepherds race against Woland and his sinister plot to stop hundreds from being taken out and evil to win. With their team still in training, they will have to work together and trust one another more than ever in order to win this battle against good and evil.
The first book in the Shepherds series laid the groundwork for the supernatural battle within the pages. Dark Angel picks up where the first left off and takes it even deeper into the world of evil we live in and how many of us walk around oblivious to the sinister and dark attacks we are under daily with angels around to help keep us safe. I loved the character of Jed and how he knew he needed help to fulfill the missions he was sent on. Even though he is a highly trained Navy SEAL, he knows that the skills needed to succeed are more than he alone possesses. There is a lot to unpack within the pages of this novel, but for me, it was well written with a fast plot, characters I wanted to see succeed and a lot of moments that left me with some good questions to ponder about life, spiritual matters and so much more. This is a book that will leave readers thinking about more than just the work of fiction. That said, it is a work of fiction and needs to be read as such, it isn’t a bible study or writing in that way. I recommend this book to those that love supernatural thrillers that are going to get your heart rate up and be hard to put down.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
April 6, 2022
** “For centuries, this is how it was, an alliance between men of God and warriors of faith, working together in secret, their partnership a promise, their mission a holy vow to stave off the efforts of the Dark Ones who are trying to keep mankind from God.” **
Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson once again take on good versus evil in an action-packed story filled with both spiritual and physical warfare in “Dark Angel.”
Taking place shortly after “Dark Intercept,” Jed Johnson has officially decided to join the Shepherds program, a group that combines physical military action with spiritual warfare to defeat horrific actions taken by Satan and his Dark Ones to draw people away from God.
Using the special supernatural skill sets of a group called the Watchers, skills Jed seems to also have, the Shepherds are brought into battles in Iraq and the Vatican City. As they face a new foe, they must rely on one another and each of their special gifts to defeat the enemy.
“Dark Angel” is a fast-paced, heart-thumping story with a supernatural influence that keeps the readers on the edge of their seat, following incredible twists and turns. Andrews and Wilson do a great job of developing characters you just can’t help rooting for, as well as some delectably evil characters.
They also fill the book with several great themes, like we all have spiritual gifts, each different to help build and strengthen God’s kingdom; God doesn’t gift us without purpose; the power of shared adversity, bonding and brotherhood; God has His own timing; and Dark Ones don’t play fair.
I would not recommend reading “Dark Angel” as a standalone, as readers might find some aspects confusing if they haven’t read the series’ first installment.
One warning: this book does contain a lot of violence and military action; some alcohol use; and a few mild curse words.
Fans of Mike Dellosso, Craig Parshall, Mike Nappa, James R. Hannibal and the Delusion series by Laura Gallier will enjoy “Dark Angel.”
Five stars out of five.
Tyndale House Publishers provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson once again take on good versus evil in an action-packed story filled with both spiritual and physical warfare in “Dark Angel.”
Taking place shortly after “Dark Intercept,” Jed Johnson has officially decided to join the Shepherds program, a group that combines physical military action with spiritual warfare to defeat horrific actions taken by Satan and his Dark Ones to draw people away from God.
Using the special supernatural skill sets of a group called the Watchers, skills Jed seems to also have, the Shepherds are brought into battles in Iraq and the Vatican City. As they face a new foe, they must rely on one another and each of their special gifts to defeat the enemy.
“Dark Angel” is a fast-paced, heart-thumping story with a supernatural influence that keeps the readers on the edge of their seat, following incredible twists and turns. Andrews and Wilson do a great job of developing characters you just can’t help rooting for, as well as some delectably evil characters.
They also fill the book with several great themes, like we all have spiritual gifts, each different to help build and strengthen God’s kingdom; God doesn’t gift us without purpose; the power of shared adversity, bonding and brotherhood; God has His own timing; and Dark Ones don’t play fair.
I would not recommend reading “Dark Angel” as a standalone, as readers might find some aspects confusing if they haven’t read the series’ first installment.
One warning: this book does contain a lot of violence and military action; some alcohol use; and a few mild curse words.
Fans of Mike Dellosso, Craig Parshall, Mike Nappa, James R. Hannibal and the Delusion series by Laura Gallier will enjoy “Dark Angel.”
Five stars out of five.
Tyndale House Publishers provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
April 30, 2022
5 stars, An epic battle of good vs evil
DARK ANGEL (THE SHEPHERDS #2)
by Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson
This is a jump-in with both feet and come-out swinging sort of novel. We follow the new life of Jedidiah "Jed" Johnson who is going through Jericho Basic, in his personal quest at becoming a well-rounded SHEPHERD. The Shepherds are trained in small groups, they are mostly all people who have come from the armed forces. It is easier for them to switch over to the rigorous physical training that is required of a Shepherd, rather than just a person off of the street. Jed has some gifts that he needs specialized training to use and deal with. His mentors at Jericho Basic have a list of trainers to give him the skills he needs to survive in the battles of good vs evil that occur on a regular basis.
The book reads well, Jed is my favorite person in the book, with Sarah Beth Yarnell as a close second. Sarah Beth is a Watcher, she helps teams of Shepherds survive each op. There are several Watchers, they are assigned a team, as each op starts. There's a lot of violence in this series, I have to read these books in smaller increments, rather than read one all at once, as I do with many other novels. The way it is written, you can literally feel the waves of animosity rolling off of the DARK ONES and the DARK ANGEL. This is a stand-alone book, but you'll understand the series better if you read them in order. This book has a conclusion, but you are left with the impression, that there is more to come.
I like that the books are written about servicemen and women who can express themselves, without any vulgarity or profanity. So many books these days are full of that language. I received a complimentary copy of #darkangel from #tyndale I was under no obligation to post a review. #christiansuspense #christianthriller #mostanticipatedbooks2022 #inspyfiction
DARK ANGEL (THE SHEPHERDS #2)
by Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson
This is a jump-in with both feet and come-out swinging sort of novel. We follow the new life of Jedidiah "Jed" Johnson who is going through Jericho Basic, in his personal quest at becoming a well-rounded SHEPHERD. The Shepherds are trained in small groups, they are mostly all people who have come from the armed forces. It is easier for them to switch over to the rigorous physical training that is required of a Shepherd, rather than just a person off of the street. Jed has some gifts that he needs specialized training to use and deal with. His mentors at Jericho Basic have a list of trainers to give him the skills he needs to survive in the battles of good vs evil that occur on a regular basis.
The book reads well, Jed is my favorite person in the book, with Sarah Beth Yarnell as a close second. Sarah Beth is a Watcher, she helps teams of Shepherds survive each op. There are several Watchers, they are assigned a team, as each op starts. There's a lot of violence in this series, I have to read these books in smaller increments, rather than read one all at once, as I do with many other novels. The way it is written, you can literally feel the waves of animosity rolling off of the DARK ONES and the DARK ANGEL. This is a stand-alone book, but you'll understand the series better if you read them in order. This book has a conclusion, but you are left with the impression, that there is more to come.
I like that the books are written about servicemen and women who can express themselves, without any vulgarity or profanity. So many books these days are full of that language. I received a complimentary copy of #darkangel from #tyndale I was under no obligation to post a review. #christiansuspense #christianthriller #mostanticipatedbooks2022 #inspyfiction
April 13, 2022
Dark Angel begins shortly after the events from Dark Intercept. Jed has accepted the offer to be a Shepherd and is reporting to training. Sarah Beth is at Watcher school. Maria is recovering from her gunshot wound and is still unsuspected of working with Victor and the Dark Ones. In Dark Angel, more of the structure of the Shepherd organization and its history are revealed along with training techniques and why each Shepherd has Team Ministry Leader. Jed's TML is David, and their relationship still isn't fully repaired.
This is an excellent book two. In fact, I enjoyed this more than I did book one. Much more Jed with tons of action. This is Christian fiction, and there is scripture, prayer, and faith. While I may not agree with some of the interpretation, there is nothing here unbiblical or heretical, and quite a bit here to make for thinky thoughts.
If you are a fan of this author duo, you will enjoy this. Fans of Frank E. Peretti and Ted Dekker will enjoy this. Folks that just like a good yarn, military action, and good versus evil will enjoy this.
Note - the authors provide a list of military jargon in the back. If you do not normally read this genre, you will want to make use of it. Their military characters speak in jargon and the dialog is not interrupted for explanations.
Not family friendly due to high levels of violence.
This is an excellent book two. In fact, I enjoyed this more than I did book one. Much more Jed with tons of action. This is Christian fiction, and there is scripture, prayer, and faith. While I may not agree with some of the interpretation, there is nothing here unbiblical or heretical, and quite a bit here to make for thinky thoughts.
If you are a fan of this author duo, you will enjoy this. Fans of Frank E. Peretti and Ted Dekker will enjoy this. Folks that just like a good yarn, military action, and good versus evil will enjoy this.
Note - the authors provide a list of military jargon in the back. If you do not normally read this genre, you will want to make use of it. Their military characters speak in jargon and the dialog is not interrupted for explanations.
Not family friendly due to high levels of violence.
April 5, 2022
Dark Angel is the second book in the Shepherds Series by Andrews and Wilson. It was so good! After reading the first one, I couldn't wait for this one to come out.
In the first book, we meet Jedidiah Johnson and learn about the war hidden to most of us...the spiritual warfare happening all across the globe. Only a few Shepherds and Watchers can see deeper into this world and fight against it. This book takes Jed into boot camp as he is training to be a Shepherd. We get to see our favorite Watchers again, Corbin and Sarah Beth, and see how they help Jed's missions. The Dark Ones are plotting again and the Shepherds must fight off more terrorist attacks involving a former Shepherd and the Pope.
Like I said after reading Dark Intercept, this series is not my normal with a male perspective, lots of guns and military speak, and spiritual warfare. But Andrews and Wilson do a remarkable job at making this life seem as realistic as possible while taking you on an incredible adventure and showing the faith journeys of the characters. My favorite quote comes from the Colonel to Jed about constantly living in the past instead of the present: "You need to leave your regrets behind...When you hold onto the guilt and regret that should be buried at the cross with your sins, then you don't walk awake with God. That makes you vulnerable. The lions are on the prowl and you must be vigilant." I always love a book that shines light on something I need to hear.
I highly recommend this series and eagerly look forward to more!
Thank you to Andrews and Wilson for sending me an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In the first book, we meet Jedidiah Johnson and learn about the war hidden to most of us...the spiritual warfare happening all across the globe. Only a few Shepherds and Watchers can see deeper into this world and fight against it. This book takes Jed into boot camp as he is training to be a Shepherd. We get to see our favorite Watchers again, Corbin and Sarah Beth, and see how they help Jed's missions. The Dark Ones are plotting again and the Shepherds must fight off more terrorist attacks involving a former Shepherd and the Pope.
Like I said after reading Dark Intercept, this series is not my normal with a male perspective, lots of guns and military speak, and spiritual warfare. But Andrews and Wilson do a remarkable job at making this life seem as realistic as possible while taking you on an incredible adventure and showing the faith journeys of the characters. My favorite quote comes from the Colonel to Jed about constantly living in the past instead of the present: "You need to leave your regrets behind...When you hold onto the guilt and regret that should be buried at the cross with your sins, then you don't walk awake with God. That makes you vulnerable. The lions are on the prowl and you must be vigilant." I always love a book that shines light on something I need to hear.
I highly recommend this series and eagerly look forward to more!
Thank you to Andrews and Wilson for sending me an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 20, 2022
Action packed story! Greater character development of many characters from the first book in the series.
However, if you don't want to read a story with some swearing, violence and some graphic descriptions, this book is not for you. I'm sure that this book is mild compared to those written by authors who aren't Christians, but it does have some of that...
Thanks to NetGalley and Tyndale House for the advance e-copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
However, if you don't want to read a story with some swearing, violence and some graphic descriptions, this book is not for you. I'm sure that this book is mild compared to those written by authors who aren't Christians, but it does have some of that...
Thanks to NetGalley and Tyndale House for the advance e-copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
September 22, 2023
The enemy lies to us, makes us think we deserve things. He uses the same lies over and over again with each generation. I like the characters and how they each handle the dark and light in the world differently and the reminders that when we turn to the light and accept God's mighty power, nothing on earth can harm us in any way that lasts. When our eternity is secure, perils are less daunting.
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