Rating: 
Summary: B-O-R-I-N-G
Review: I just don't see how you people have rated this book so highly. It seems almost as if a high school student had a crazy idea for a short story, then was prodded on by their teacher to turn it into a several hundred page book. I can barely even get through the first few chapters, much less finish the book. It seems to me that Peretti has a loser in this one. The Visitation, alse by Peretti, is a MUCH better book, and is MUCH more interesting.I guess you could read this book at night if you need help falling asleep.
Rating: 
Summary: It's not the bible, people.
Review: First off, I would like to say that OF COURSE this book is one person's opinion. Isn't that what all novels are?
Secondly, Peretti is writing to Christians, most of whom have the same opinions as he does. This is definitely Christian entertainment.
That said, it is darn good Christian entertainment. It's an exciting page turner, just like the first. It is current, exciting, and heartwarming. I love the depiction of Sally Roe. And the book doesn't stereotype about all Liberals. Just about some who have deliberate anti-christian agendas - which does exist. Score another for Peretti - this is a great book.
Rating: 
Summary: Great book, but could have been a lot better
Review: This book has an exciting plot that will change your picture of spiritual warfare. That said, it raised a lot of big philosophical issues without giving answers. One is vouchers and government interference in Christian schools, a very timely topic, that eventually goes nowhere. The book also slams a number of different New Age and spiritual practices, but often without explanation. That was confusing to me, who as a liberal Christian, doesn't have moral qualms about visualization or relaxation exercises or many of the other techniques that the book considers to be openings for demonic activity. All considered, it was a very good read, but I think it more represents one person's opinion than what the Bible actually teaches on spiritual warfare.
Rating:
Summary: A Christian Breakthrough
Review: I realize it's fiction. But I think Peretti, through his writing, is giving us a great deal of insight into the spirit world. His angels. His demons. His humans! It's important to me that there's more to gain here than just a good read. If entertainment is all there is to it, there are thousands of well writen secular novels already. But Peretti's novel is edifying and affirming to me as a Christian, a Christian that believes there's more out there than just the sweet by-and-by. The Bible itself shows us that angels are among us. And Peretti shows us how and what they're doing.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, wonderful book!
Review: Books are indeed friends, because within this book, I did find angelic friends. Seriously. I mean, the book just swept me away. My favorite part would be the time Sally Roe repented -- it fits everything I imagined it to be. The book is well written. At first, it can be confusing,especially with all the characters involved in it, but soon, you'll see the connection of everyone in the story. It gets a bit frustrating when the saints of God in Bacon's Corner wouldn't pray, and you would find yourself actually prodding them to pray. It's very much worth the read. I definitely definitely recommend it. :)
Rating:
Summary: The Best in Christian Fiction
Review: Frank Peretti is the most talented Christian author working today. Though I enjoyed The Visitation and The Oath, I still maintain that his earlier books, This present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness are two of the most startling books I've ever read. These books are not just for entertainment, they instruct on the all-too-real spiritual world around us that is interwoven with the reality we know so well. I read these books shortly after I became a Christian and they changed the way I looked at the world. I have read countless Christian books since then and would be hard pressed to find any book, fiction or non, that has been more valuable to me than these works by Peretti. If you are even curious as to what the spiritual world around us is like, or if you simply want to be entertained by a fresh voice, read these two books. They are classified as fiction, but end up revealing truths that are anything but make-believe.
Rating:
Summary: A stellar read
Review: I was first given the name of Frank E Peretti by a coworker as an excellent Christian author. I didn't realize at the time that the current book I was reading (and unable to put down) was also by this author. Piercing the darkness is a book that is extremely difficult to describe. It must be read. It is an understandable, albeit fictional, battle between the unseen spiritual turmoils faced daily. This book, and all others by Frank E Peretti are must reads!!!!! Everyone I know who has read one, must read them all. As have I. You won't be dissapointed.
Rating: 
Summary: What's your angle?
Review: In this sequel to the book "This Present Darkness," Peretti spins another yarn about angelic vs demonic warfare in a tiny town. While in some ways I liked its plot better than the first book's, there were numerous minor things, when considered together, left me a little disappointed. Basically the story is about a church school that faces a big lawsuit that threatens to ruin one teacher, create division in the church, and take away religious freedoms. Paralleling this storyline is the woman Sally Roe, who is a "lost and confused" person, who narrowly escapes being murdered, and is now on the run from her attackers. The story proceeds from there, eventually showing the connection between these seemingly unrelated events. From a literary angle, the story seemed a little too drawn out and dragged on at times. Also the plot turns were mostly predictable, with a few nicely done exceptions. Some of the characters seemed a bit stereotypical as well (as some reviewers pointed out about both books). However, with Peretti's flair for storytelling these can easily be overlooked, and most readers should be caught up in the story and find it an enjoyable book. My main concern, however, is the perspective that these two books by Peretti take on angels and demons. For one thing, it is clear from the Bible that angels and demons do exist, so that was fine. However, no where that I've seen is there any evidence that angels get their power from the prayers of believers (compare to the "Prayer Cover" concept in the book). Rather than being dependent on our prayers, angels act at God's command and by His power. Furthermore, some of the angels in Peretti's book are characterized as impetuous and fickle, traits that made them seem much less than the sinless messengers of God we read about in the Bible. Another concern I had is the way God seems almost like a detached entity, that doesn't take action until enough prayers pester him into action. I know that Peretti didn't intend to convey this idea, but it is implicit in his treatment of prayer in the books. God in His grace promises to hear our prayers, and thankfully, we can have faith that He will act on our behalf despite our failings and lack of prayer. God is certainly an active participant in our daily lives and desires to hear our prayers, but prayer is not a method for controlling Him. As long as the reader is aware that "Piercing the Darkness" has some fanciful ideas about theology, and is just good fiction, I think it's a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Great story!
Review: I think this is Peretti's best novel yet. Entertaining, suspenseful, and thought provoking. A fine story.
Rating:
Summary: Good Sequel
Review: This is actually the second book in this series, this present darkness was the first. If you are into christian reading and the struggle between good versus evil then you need to read this book. I felt that I couldnt put it down and I was really into the characters and plot twists. Truly one of Frank's best.
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