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Chronicles of the Host #1
Exile of Lucifer
How Did Lucifer Get to the Point of No Return? Setting the heavenlies as a backdrop, D. Brian Shafer leads readers through the angelic political labyrinth that may have existed before Creation. By following the exploits of Michael, Gabriel, Lucifer, and many other influential angels, the reader is afforded a behind-the-scenes view of the supernatural realm that pre-existed earth. As God forms the new planet, Lucifer weaves his own plans with intrigue, seducing other angels into seeking a "truth" not offered by the Most High. By promising future benefits for present loyalties, Lucifer demonstrates enormous political and persuasive ability in both realms—the supernatural and the physical. Shafer paints lyrically cunning scenarios describing Lucifer's gradual slide downward into evil and his attempt coup d'état in Haven.
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2002
103 people are currently reading
664 people want to read
About the author
D. Brian Shafer
8 books34 followersD. Brian Shafer is a pastor and writer. He lives in Waco, Texas with his wife, Lori, and their three children, Kiersten, Breelin, and Ethan. He is the author of the Chronicles of the Host series, available in bookstores nationwide.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
April 6, 2008
First, I completely acknowledge that this is a work of fiction and so should everyone else. Moving on....
This was one of those books that I had trouble putting down. I've never read a fiction book about heaven and angels and certainly none that were trying to remain true to the bible. Reading an account of pre-creation Heaven was very eye opening to the fact that Heaven and angels are quite real. I don't want to say that I didn't believe in them before, but I never really acknowledged them or could picture their lives and actions.
Again, I know this is fiction, but it opened my mind to the spiritual side of things - angels with personalities, angles fighting angels, God's holy temple in heaven. It has changed the way I worship and pray as I tend to be more in tune with these things now.
There were also some great dialogs on various (usually philosophical) issues, mostly focusing on free will and the responsibility of the individual which I found to be intriguing.
This was one of those books that I had trouble putting down. I've never read a fiction book about heaven and angels and certainly none that were trying to remain true to the bible. Reading an account of pre-creation Heaven was very eye opening to the fact that Heaven and angels are quite real. I don't want to say that I didn't believe in them before, but I never really acknowledged them or could picture their lives and actions.
Again, I know this is fiction, but it opened my mind to the spiritual side of things - angels with personalities, angles fighting angels, God's holy temple in heaven. It has changed the way I worship and pray as I tend to be more in tune with these things now.
There were also some great dialogs on various (usually philosophical) issues, mostly focusing on free will and the responsibility of the individual which I found to be intriguing.
September 17, 2011
Wow, what an excellent book! I just finished it a few days ago. The author'w intentions of writing the book have been realized. My worship time last Sunday was incredible because I kept in my mind the Holiness of God and His Lovingkindness. The way the author portrayed the angels when they came near to God was gripping. As believers we can do much better than we have when worshiping God. Thank you for keeping God's Word as the source of truth. The Lord as certainly blessed D.B. with a creative and truthful pen.
He artistically laced his writing with the historical Biblical events as they have been revealed to us in the Bible. We all, at least I hope others also do, lay awake at night trying to visualize what our HOPE will be like in heaven. I was great to have such a well thought out, BIBLICAL, portrayal of a plausible heavenly home. I know that heaven is mostly likely not at all what we can envision, but knowing full well, that it will be far more beautiful than we ever could. But it sure is fun to dwell on the thought, isn't it?
He artistically laced his writing with the historical Biblical events as they have been revealed to us in the Bible. We all, at least I hope others also do, lay awake at night trying to visualize what our HOPE will be like in heaven. I was great to have such a well thought out, BIBLICAL, portrayal of a plausible heavenly home. I know that heaven is mostly likely not at all what we can envision, but knowing full well, that it will be far more beautiful than we ever could. But it sure is fun to dwell on the thought, isn't it?
October 23, 2009
This book and Shafer are the reason I do what I do, which is read and write.
This book created a world for me that was so real it felt like was truly on the front lines. It makes you not only understand what the characters are going through but you feel them as well.
This book takes place "Before" the fall, when God announces to the Host that he will create A-dam. The Host of Angels look on with true amazement.
Lucifer hadn't really started off with ill-will but it will show his decent into the creature he is today.
I recommend all readers read this book and share with me one of the greatest stories never told...until now; and watch your love of God grow and puts questions in your mind that beg to be answered and drives you deeper into your faith in God and christianity.
If you like books that make you think and GROW, you will love this book.
Casse
CatholicKittie.blogspot.com
This book created a world for me that was so real it felt like was truly on the front lines. It makes you not only understand what the characters are going through but you feel them as well.
This book takes place "Before" the fall, when God announces to the Host that he will create A-dam. The Host of Angels look on with true amazement.
Lucifer hadn't really started off with ill-will but it will show his decent into the creature he is today.
I recommend all readers read this book and share with me one of the greatest stories never told...until now; and watch your love of God grow and puts questions in your mind that beg to be answered and drives you deeper into your faith in God and christianity.
If you like books that make you think and GROW, you will love this book.
Casse
CatholicKittie.blogspot.com
June 4, 2009
I consider Chronicles of the Host among the best Books I've ever read. I read them a few years ago, having difficulty obtaining them all, so I was delighted to find a fifth book added to the series, which I promptly ordered, As Paul so aptly pointed out our battles down here aren't just about flesh and blood, but powers and principalities in the heavenly realm. The author gives us an excellent taste of what that means. Even though fiction, the author went through a great deal of effort to keep the flesh and blood stories scripturally correct.
January 8, 2014
Excellent Christian fiction that stays biblically accurate when needed. Gives a different perspective of what the lead to the fall might have looked like. I was impressed by the majority of the characters but thoroughly impressed that the story did not only tell about condemnation of the Morning Star, but also showed the redemption of some other angles.
It must be said that this is a work of fiction though a very good one.
It must be said that this is a work of fiction though a very good one.
September 15, 2013
The best novel about The Fall I have read. Well thoughtout and closely follows the Biblical account.
January 29, 2013
If you are familiar with Christianity or Judaism you probably know the story of Lucifer/Satan/The Morning Star/The Anointed Cherub (or other names given to this biblical character), and the archangels Michael and Gabriel. Or perhaps you've seen various movies which talk about Satan in the biblical context like The Prophecy, The Ninth Gate or Dogma, etc.
I say all that to say, many are familiar with the basic story. Lucifer was a beloved angel living in Heaven with all the other angels until one day he got the idea that he wanted more power or to be as powerful as God. So he hatches a plan to gain control of Heaven, but surprise, surprise, the plan fails because, well, he was going up against God (remember he's all powerful and all knowing and all that). So he's kicked out of Heaven with his cohorts to reign terror and strife on earth. The end.
But this novel, tells the story from the viewpoint of the Angels. It gives us details about life in Heaven and what "really" went down with Lucifer being kicked out of heaven.
I found this novel rather intriguing (even though the writing at times is a bit flat and many one dimensional characters) because it's like reading a story you generally know, but with extra details, so it makes it a quick read and you're interested in how this author will spin things. I also liked that this novel wasn't all "preachy" about right and wrong and all that religion stuff (not that there's anything wrong with that, but just not my cup of tea).
So if you're a fan of angels, and want the back-story of what went down in Heaven, give it a go.
Oh yeah, do I even have to mention, this is fiction (for some reason I feel like I have too).
I say all that to say, many are familiar with the basic story. Lucifer was a beloved angel living in Heaven with all the other angels until one day he got the idea that he wanted more power or to be as powerful as God. So he hatches a plan to gain control of Heaven, but surprise, surprise, the plan fails because, well, he was going up against God (remember he's all powerful and all knowing and all that). So he's kicked out of Heaven with his cohorts to reign terror and strife on earth. The end.
But this novel, tells the story from the viewpoint of the Angels. It gives us details about life in Heaven and what "really" went down with Lucifer being kicked out of heaven.
I found this novel rather intriguing (even though the writing at times is a bit flat and many one dimensional characters) because it's like reading a story you generally know, but with extra details, so it makes it a quick read and you're interested in how this author will spin things. I also liked that this novel wasn't all "preachy" about right and wrong and all that religion stuff (not that there's anything wrong with that, but just not my cup of tea).
So if you're a fan of angels, and want the back-story of what went down in Heaven, give it a go.
Oh yeah, do I even have to mention, this is fiction (for some reason I feel like I have too).
July 25, 2016
This book was awesome.
In this book we follow 3 main angels-Micheal, Gabriel and Lucifer- as they go about things in Heaven and learn that there will be the creation of Earth. From there, they watch as God creates the Earth and the things on Earth. There is going to be a governor of Earth and all the angels are anxious to know who this could be. Lucifer thinks that He should be because he has not been promoted yet so he thinks that this could be his opportunity to have some leadership. All the angels are excited about being able to watch the creation.
I loved this book. It was very thought provoking as I read about what the angels were doing before and after the start of the creation. How Lucifer fell into obsessing over wanting to be the one who will be a leader on Earth and how it lead to his downfall and led him away from God.
I really enjoyed the book. It was fun to get an angels view of everything that went on before and in the lives of the people of earth in the bible. It made me think a lot more about the bible and seeing how the things that people were doing and how the angels were involved in their lives even if we never know.
It was fun and I cant wait to see what happens in the next 4 books in this series.
In this book we follow 3 main angels-Micheal, Gabriel and Lucifer- as they go about things in Heaven and learn that there will be the creation of Earth. From there, they watch as God creates the Earth and the things on Earth. There is going to be a governor of Earth and all the angels are anxious to know who this could be. Lucifer thinks that He should be because he has not been promoted yet so he thinks that this could be his opportunity to have some leadership. All the angels are excited about being able to watch the creation.
I loved this book. It was very thought provoking as I read about what the angels were doing before and after the start of the creation. How Lucifer fell into obsessing over wanting to be the one who will be a leader on Earth and how it lead to his downfall and led him away from God.
I really enjoyed the book. It was fun to get an angels view of everything that went on before and in the lives of the people of earth in the bible. It made me think a lot more about the bible and seeing how the things that people were doing and how the angels were involved in their lives even if we never know.
It was fun and I cant wait to see what happens in the next 4 books in this series.
May 3, 2011
Shafer brings the Holy Bible to life with a dramatic gravitational pull that you won't be able to resist.
June 25, 2016
This book is one of a kind and great for anyone and any age within understanding. From cover to cover this book keep my attention as well as sparked new ideas of ways to to ponder and discus the fall. Taking into account that this book is a work of fiction, the author seems to have his facts in tact without even touching the aprcrophies; which for me is amazing. We know that there are principalities, elders, host, council, and the hierarchies of angels and so forth. The Bible, at many times gives us a glimpse into the conversations The Lord had with his host. This book paints 1 portrait of what this may look like. I believe any time he used the Lord's words the author respectfully quoted the Bible exact. Side note; If you have ever studied Michael Hieser then you will be thoroughly entertained. I see some reviews are being very strict on the Author. I do not believe he took many liberties here, at all. This book is nearly 15 years old and so very relevant, especially in this age of the great awakening! God bless!
September 7, 2013
Shafer used Bible accounts of the rebellion of Lucifer and the creation to tell an interesting story. I did not find the story 'religious' at all. The characters, though they are angels, are infused with the emotions, feelings, and reactions of mankind so they were easy to relate to, unlike most stories about angels. Though portrayed as withdrawn, preoccupied, above the action, and unapproachable, God is not a main character yet the story centers around his actions. Similar to a father-figure in a story about siblings and their reaction to the father as told by the siblings while the father is in another room. The layout of the story was not complex but compelling to me as a reader. Without spoiling, the main twist was one I hoped for but did not see coming in the way Shafer wrote it. Yet it was still believable. Interesting enough to read again and to look for others in the series.
January 3, 2013
Why did he do it? He had everything an Angel was created to desire the love of Almighty God, the brotherhood of Michael and Gabriel, musical talent beyond compare and a mansion second only to the Lord's. He was the most bright and the most beautiful.
Then like the child who learns another is about to be born, he starts to question the Father's decisions concerning the creation of humans. Is he, the Morning Star, nothing but a slave to his devotions, unable to choose his own destiny? Slowly he draws a third of heavenly host into rebellion. The Father must be made to see reason and place the angels as governors over the Earth. And of course, He must set the Morning Star above them all.
Then like the child who learns another is about to be born, he starts to question the Father's decisions concerning the creation of humans. Is he, the Morning Star, nothing but a slave to his devotions, unable to choose his own destiny? Slowly he draws a third of heavenly host into rebellion. The Father must be made to see reason and place the angels as governors over the Earth. And of course, He must set the Morning Star above them all.
November 1, 2013
An interesting view on Lucifer as an angel long before earth was formed. This story takes you on one view about how it may have happened that Lucifer was banished from heaven. I found it very interesting and a good story.
September 30, 2015
Interesting!
Although fiction, this book opened up quite a bit of dialogue with others as to the possibility of what could have truly taken place prior to the Creation and in the Garden of Eden. Looking forward to book two.
Although fiction, this book opened up quite a bit of dialogue with others as to the possibility of what could have truly taken place prior to the Creation and in the Garden of Eden. Looking forward to book two.
October 23, 2009
GREAT CHRISTIAN FICTION.
April 30, 2012
I absolutely loved this book. It depicted the angels in a very truthful way and gave thought provoking ideas to consider.
January 20, 2013
This a a wonderful series. Each book was incredible on its own. I would read them all again.
February 26, 2018
For me - weird. I dislike the bible itself, and I'm an agnostic - I was hoping for a fantasy book and this was that by my reckoning, only when I know the ending (Lucifer being exiled of course :D), it kind of lost it's pull on me. I didn't realise this would be a re-telling of bible, I was expecting more sometihing along the lines of Lucifer TV series. Still, a well depicted story - it was well fleshed out compared to the usual sum-up of events (he was glorious, he grew proud, he was cast out, he is now the most evil thing ever) and Lucifer's cause was well argued, philosophically speaking.
August 17, 2018
I really enjoyed the author's view of how the fall of angels and Man may have happened. It's not doctrine and wasn't the point of the book. The only "christian-based doctrine" presented is the love of a creator allowing His creation to have freedom and choice. Also, the love of a creator who would rather reprimand instead of destroying His creation when it had chosen a failed path. To me, it was a philosophical tale that helped me rethink my relationship and bring me closer and thankful to my Creator. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.
June 17, 2021
Shafer writes a wonderful depiction of Lucifer before he fell, focusing on him as a master manipulator and charmer. I could honestly picture Lucifer in my mind goading on his fellow angels as a genius politician! I liked how Michael was the one angel who was able to see through his phony antics. I just started the second book in the series and am also loving it. My only complaint is that I wish he would have described physical traits of the angels more. But the stories are fantastic! These books will stay in my library!
July 24, 2023
Books can sit on your library shelf for a long time before a second or third reading takes place. Such is the story of this tale. In light of this present age we now find ourselves in, this is an intriguing story of what and how Lucifer may have plotted to get himself booted out of Heaven. This is a very captivating story by author D. Brian Shafer who has woven a supernatural thriller that spins a web of seduction and deception. An imaginative tale for those who are willing to brave the stairways of Heaven.
June 4, 2019
Fascinating story about the rebellion in Heaven. If you like religious-themed stories, than this is perfect for you! It reads like an autobiographical account of Lucifer and his faction of angels; filled with intrigue and political scheming on a Grand scale. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
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January 30, 2023What a way to bring the unseen spiritual world into the light! This entire series had me hooked from the first book. The author paints a fantastic but believable image of what could have happened when Lucifer decided to make his fateful decision to go against God. Yep...you guessed it. He lost everything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2024
This is fanfiction that goes in-depth on Lucifer from the Holy Bible. It’s entertaining and funny, I haven’t finished but I’m enjoying it. It’s a good bedtime read, the imagery is nice. I like the drama and gossip among the angels; it reminds me of the high school trope of being bullied by the popular kids.
May 16, 2020
I read this book twice, it is a very good read. It gives us an in-depth look @ Heaven and the Angels before the creation of Man & Earth. It breaks down the relationship of Lucifer and God and how Lucifer fell out of grace with The Most High.
February 26, 2019
X,,,,,
August 19, 2019
Very good story. Not the most convincing reason for the fall, but lots of food for thought.
November 23, 2024
wow! what an Insight
Amazing way to see the spiritual battle of the heavens and understand how the subtle nuances of words can be used to manipulate.
Amazing way to see the spiritual battle of the heavens and understand how the subtle nuances of words can be used to manipulate.
June 23, 2021
This was a great read the author portrayed Lucifer as a politician of sorts. I really liked how the Archangel Michael was the only angel who could see through his fake charm and deception. A little more character description on the angels would have been nice, but the story was amazing!
February 15, 2017
Fantastic Story. Could not put it down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews