Wednesday 6 June 2018

Battle for His Soul - Theresa Linden - West Brothers Book 3

Battle for His Soul
West Brothers Book 3
Theresa Linden
Silver Fire Publishing

ISBN 9780997674705
eISBN 9780997674712
ASIN B01LZB8QGU 


Wow, what an amazing read! In the last year I have read eight novels, 3 short stories, and two contributions to anthologies by Theresa Linden, and I can safely state that she has jumped into my top 5 all time favorite fiction authors. Her stories have incredibly fleshed out characters, stunning plots, and are examples of masterful storytelling. And though, this book is book three in the West brothers series, and one of 5 books about the three boys, it is in many ways completely different than anything else Linden has written. 

I have been jumping around and reading these books out of order. The first book I had read was book 1, Roland West Loner, and loved it. Then I read book 4, Standing Strong, and thought it was amazing. Next to be read was Anyone But Him, which is a West Brother story set a few years after the first 4, and was amazed by it. And shortly before reading this volume I read book 2, Life-Changing Love which was also an excellent read. 

In a previous review I compared Linden's writings to Madeleine L'Engle and Lois Lowry and now that I have read all of her published works, I believe that statement even more! If we were to do a side by side comparison between L'Engle's main series and Linden's then the Chasing Liberty Series would be the Kairos series and the West Brothers would be the Chronos series, but this book would be a crossover. In some ways this book is very similar to Frank E. Peretti's This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness. But as much as I loved those books I believe this book does an even better job of capturing the reality of spiritual battle. The depictions of angels, guardian angels, demons and the reality during adoration of the blessed sacrament is incredible. 

In this installment two of the west brother's journey to Arizona with their father. Jarred and Roland. When they get there they find out that there father was called there to appraise a friends antiquities, because items have started going missing. Both Jarred and Roland are attracted to the hosts daughter, Selena. But Roland gets the mystery stuck in his head and decides that he wants to investigate to try and solve the robberies. Back home, Roland's friends have formed a new youth group, called the fire starters. They are having prayer meetings and doing adoration of the blessed sacrament. But the book is not just the story about teens. It is also a representation of the reality of the spiritual battle. We are presented with the battle between angels and demons. We encounter guardian angels that are protected by prayers and others that are not. We witness spiritual defeats and their consequences, but also victories 

Linden does an amazing job of presenting this unseen world! There have been times in my life where I am certain of angelic intervention, two times come to mind that had witnesses. But this book reminded me of not just the power but the utmost need for prayer; and has spurred me to be praying for my own three children in a new way. And I cannot but think back on the other West Brothers books and picture some of the battles in them. In fact, the next time I read them I know I will be picturing scenes like those in this volume. 

I have loved all of Linden's books, but this one is so powerful It will always hold a special place on my shelf. I recommend all of Linen's books, but the spiritual elements in this book take it to a new level. An incredible read that I give my highest recommendation. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2018 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Theresa Linden:
Tortured Soul
...

Chasing Liberty Series:
01 Chasing Liberty
02 Testing Liberty
03 Fight For Liberty
Bound to find Freedom - Short Story

...

West brothers Series:
Roland West Loner
Life-Changing Love
Battle for His Soul

Standing Strong
Roland West Outcast
Fire Starters
...
...

Armour of God Series:
Belt of Truth
Breastplate of Righteousness
Boot of Peace
Shield of Faith
Helmet of Salvation
Sword of the Spirit

Armor of God Series Second Edition:

Other Books:
A Symbol of Hope - Short Story
A Battle for the Faith (with John Paul Wohlscheid)

...

Books contributed to:
Image and Likeness: Literary Reflections on the Theology of the Body
Secrets: Visible & Invisible 7 Amazing Stories - Catholic Teen Books
Gifts Visible & Invisible 8 Christmas Stories for Teens
Treasures: Visible & Invisible 8 Stories for Teens

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