Rating: 
Summary: Frank Peretti's best work
Review: The Visitation is Frank Peretti's best work. This novel manages to address so many issues concerning faith that it almost accomplishes too much for one book to handle. Mr. Peretti tells the story in the first and third person extraordinarily well. The synopsis could never do the actual finished work justice. Deadline by Randy Alcorn is the only Christian fiction novel that surpasses this Peretti creation.
Anyone who has struggled with their faith (I believe most have) will find this book stimulating. I have experienced many of the things the main character, Travis Jordan, has experienced. It was easy to understand and empathize with Travis and his struggle to fight for the truth without alienating the children of God he so needed to befriend and lead.
Brandon Nichols is one of the most memorable characters of any book I have ever read. Is he Jesus, come back for his flock? That is for the reader to figure out. That is also for the characters in the novel to decide - and decide they do. The Visitation is a novel that makes one delve into the heart of faith, especially his or her own heart of faith. I, and most likely you, can relate to all of the characteristics and debates of the Christian faith: once saved, always saved, speaking in tongues, baptism, tolerance, etc..
If you haven't read The Visitation, you should. Even if you don't consider yourself a Christian, this is a novel anyone can enjoy. The characters are so real you'll find yourself comparing most of them to people you know - more so than with any other novel (especially with this large amount of characters).
The Visitation has plenty of twists and suspenseful moments, excellent dialogue, and a plot that is second to none.
Buy The Visitation!
You won't be sorry!
See ya next review.
Rating: 
Summary: Not only entertaining, but informative as well
Review: A great comment I can make about this book is that you don't have to be a Christian (or even believe in Jesus) to enjoy the story. I picked up this book in the library without realizing that it was Christian fiction (not something I would normally be interested in reading). I was pleasantly surprised that the plot was good - the characters believable and I feel I got a good understanding of how the Christian clergy leads their ministry. Because the ending was a bit weak (not as good as the other 9/10ths of the book), I gave this review 4 stars instead of 5. I was a bit sorry to see the story end - even at 500+ pages, it was never boring.
Rating:
Summary: A turn back toward darkness
Review: After reading "This Present Darkness" and "Piercing the Darkness", both of which broke new ground, for me at least, I was dissappointed by "Prophet" and even more by "The Oath." "The Visitation" brought back some of what I enjoyed so much about my earlier experience with Peretti with its honest look at what it sometimes means to be a Christian in this world. The main character, Travis, experiences a lot of what I experience, ups and downs, success and defeat, and he doesn't usually know why -- but he trusts God even in his cynicism brought about by his experiences. I found the flashback sequences, which provide the backstory, very significant in that Peretti is almost always dead on in relating them to the present story. Travis' wisdom, and cynicism, are shown to be born of a youthful immaturity and naïveté and it was refreshing to see the protaganist of a Christian fiction novel developed out of a pointedly imperfect and human soul like myself. He failed, often foolishly, and then grew up a little afterwards. With this book Peretti brings me back to a "real" feeling story and even without the supernatural elements carrying such a prominent role as in many of his other novels, the story is compelling and absorbing. Perhaps even more so because of it.
Rating:
Summary: very healing for people who've gotten lost IN the church
Review: Frank Peretti got right to the heart of many things that happen in the Christian journey. It's fiction, but it is very real life stuff, as he tells the story of a burnt out pastor through flashbacks and through the challenge that gets to him when he'd rather not be reached. I laughed more than ever in a Peretti novel, and at times I thought he was reading my mail or going to the same conferences. He touches on all of us in every different kind of church, and the insights all draw us to love more and point fingers less. It's so accurate it's scary, but I will read it over again many times in spots. His word pictures of the mega-church atmosphere were especially thought-provoking. And the focus on a real relationship with Jesus, rather than your pastor or your denomination's particular church rules and flavors, was profound stuff. Not a perfect ending of the Justin story, but in the last couple of paragraphs I found myself weeping, the book had so moved my heart, and its conclusion was profound in the simplicity of the words. As a pastor, I found this a book that I could recommend to anyone, in or out of the church. Peretti and Randall Arthur are the two Christian novelists most in touch with real world people. They make you want to sit down and have a talk, just regular folk.
Rating: 
Summary: Finally....it ended
Review: Frank Peretti had a novel idea for this book. He had a strong beginning of the book, having the characters and their lives seem so real, but yet a third of the way through he seemed to have gotten lost "chasing rabbits" and having many strange conflicts come to arise every few chapters. About two-thirds through he seemed to be "kicking a dead dog," and dragging the book out longer than he should have. He tried to tie in the life of a backslidden pastor, anciet religion, and contemporary situations that made the book come out as an interesting book, but then all of a sudden he adds evil spirits and mystic powers, which then made the book seem kind of silly in a way.
The whole adding of characters in the end of the book was very annoying, along with the fact that he kept switching from the present life of a backslidden pastor, to his young-adulthood.
What I did like about the book was the fact of that pastor's determination not to give up and the way he took charge of a very strange and unusual situation in his town. He showed leadership characteristics such as bravery and patience.
But if you enjoy a very good beginning, a 5-star beginning, and a very slow, dry ending, this is your book.
Rating:
Summary: A great in-house story for church-goers--lots of "ah hahs!"
Review: Frank Peretti has become famous for his spiritual warfare novels. However, unlike THIS PRESENT DARKNESS, and PIERCING THE DARKNESS, in which evil was found in worldy people, organizations and philosophies, this time he finds evil within the church. The author uses the anti-hero--a demon-possessed false christ--to highlight the far more dangerous devils--ignorance, self-righteousness, hypocrisy, pride and cruelty--that call themselves members, and even leaders, of the family of God. The writing is well-paced and enjoyable. Occasionally there seem to be too many subplots brewing, but the confusion does not last too long. Peretti causes us to smirk at times, but then catches us unaware--tossing out a bombshell insight that forces us to look more closely into the mirror. Though the book is directed towards Christians, anyone who is active in a faith community will find incredible insights in this book. Those who are more passive about spirituality may mistakenly see The Visitation as a critique of organized religion. On the contrary, Peretti simply affirms that family life--whether with blood relatives, or with spiritual 'brothers and sisters'--is sometimes difficult and painful. Bottom-line: This is an incredible read for those who enjoy a good story with spiritual depth, and who are not afraid to confront themselves.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Frank Peretti in his other books I've read usually takes awhile to actually get into his story but this book didn't really take off until page 300 something which really angered me because the whole book was only 511 pages. So about 2/3s of it was pretty much useless information. Throughout the book there is this prophet in Antioch Washington, proclaiming to be Jesus but he actually has a lot of demonic influence, but fools the town through healing and miracles. The book shows his corruption and shows parallels he has to the main character in the book, Travis. Peretti shows a lot of Travis's past to show the parallels, but thats the useless information. I think in this instance Peretti included all the extra information to merely make his book longer. Although the ending of this book was good, the last 100 pages of so, overall the book wasn't that great because the first 300 or so pages were so boring. Also the book was entirely religious, so hence is not recomended to non-christian/catholic people.
Rating:
Summary: Frank Peretti at his literary peak
Review: Frank Peretti is probably one of the coolest Christian writers alive today. He comes up with the greatest plots, keeps you in the dark until the end, and crafts his story in the most imaginative ways. It's just like a regular movie plot, with Peretti's Christianity keeping close beside. The Visitation is his finest work yet, taking into account his Darkness novels, as well as The Oath and The Prophet. You probably already know the basics of the plot...Travis Jordan, a pastor in the small town of Antioch Washington begins noticing the strange, allegedly miraculous events occurring around town. People of the town that he knows suddenly show up healed from all of their handicaps and giving the credit to Jesus. Then he receives a phone call from the healer. Before he knows it, he (and, since this is Peretti's first "First Person" perspective novel, so is the reader) is caught up in a chaotic present, a dubious future, and a painful past all at once. Peretti wastes no time, catching your attention from the very beginning of the book. As with most novels, there is a period of calmness that, if you are an impatient reader, you must work through to get to the action, but don't you dare skip! You'll miss crucial elements of the story. However, I've yet to meet an impatient reader that didn't enjoy Peretti. We gradually discover lots more about Travis Jordan, the protagonist of the book, through a series of flashbacks starting when Travis was at college, and leading up to his present situation. You gotta keep track of everything that happens, but it's worth it in the end. Peretti incorporates something a lot different in this book than he has tried before...humor. This is the first book of Peretti's I've read that was so cool, and still so funny at times. Peretti has found a wonderful gift of inserting little tidbits of comedy here and there that provide tasty spice for the book. Example, we know that Frank Peretti once lived in a camper, so when he writes about the portable toilet that was first installed in the church of the story, you can tell he relies on personal experience. And wouldn't you know it, Peretti can't stay away from towns that go bonkers, and this book is no exception. Ever since The Oath he's enjoyed doing that, it must be some sort of fantasy of his. The plot, mystery, and characters thicken, the action intensifies, and the enjoyment peaks in this book. If you like good mystery, drama, action, comedy, and sound Christian truth, then this is the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: Peretti's Best! A MUST READ!
Review: Hmm... let's see--when you think of Frank Peretti, you think of a writer who seems to engage you--keep you yearning for every page. If that's what you think about Peretti or what you like, you will not be disappointed in this book. Peretti writes portions of this book (I'd say the majority) in the first-person ("I did this", "I thought that"). Of course, there is some third-person narrative in the book also. It takes some getting used to the style, but in the end it engages you, placing you in Travis Jordan's mind. The book slows down in some places while it fills in the holes which make the story make sense, but overall the book keeps surprises coming around every corner. Compared to Peretti's other novels of note, (This Present Darkness, Piercing The Darkness, Tilly, The Oath) this book in my opinion shines brightest (maybe because I just read it!). The book also makes you think about yourself and how you view your relationship with God and others. It may even stir up some of your own memories as Travis Jordan talks about his. I think any Christian in any church can empathize with some of the stories presented here. The overall plot of the book--the visitation of the "messiah" Justin Cantwell/Brandon Nichols: from his meek entry into the town, his "healings", his "ministry" and his eventual demise, you are not disappointed with the plot and its masterful portrayal of the "messiah's" loss of identity and mind, and of Travis Jordan's finding his. DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT NOT READING THIS BOOK!
Rating:
Summary: One of Frank Peretti's best!
Review: I am an avid fan of F. Peretti (possibly #1). I walked into a local christian bookstore wondering when he would release a new book and there it was! I cried, I laughed and I was pleasantly supprised at the ending. We have to realize that life is not one big thrill (this is for the thrill seeking fans) and realize there are some serious issues that all christians have to deal with that are not always suspensful or pleasant. Everyone of Peretti's books have touch my life in a different way and my hat is off to this great writer. Let's continue to give him the freedom to write in the manner he so chooses and not limit him to just "thriller's". I feel this is a must read for every christian young or old! Tilly was not a thriller yet it help me to deal whith some unresolved issue's in my life that I felt I could not be forgiven for. Visitation is a very meaniful book. The character's were true and believable. This book proves how much we need to depend on God for guidence and His word to determine what is true and right. Especially in a world which is so accepting of all religious belief's. For every christian who would come up againt a false prophet,a false teacher, a false pastor or a ministry that is working outside of God's plan, I sugesst that they read this book. The main point is to trust God no matter what is going on in our lives!
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