Rating: 
Summary: Nuts
Review: The good news is that this is an entertaining, competently written mystery-thriller. The bad news is everything else. An underground group of "New Agers" is plotting to take over a small town, and eventually the world. As far as I'm aware, there is no New Age "conspiracy" trying this sort of thing, and if there were it wouldn't be coordinated by anthropomorphic demons from the Christian hell. And if its practitioners engaged in human sacrifice (unlikely), they wouldn't be in business for long. Well and good; read this as a fantasy if you like, but how many people will take this seriously because they bought it in a Christian bookstore? I don't believe there's a racist element in this novel, as some reviewers have said. The blackness of the demons is most likely part of the same tradition that includes B-movie westerns wherein the bad dudes wear the black hats. There are, however, other types of intolerance here: of nature religions, Eastern faiths, certain modes of meditation, etc. I'm no New Ager, but Peretti seems particularly antagonistic toward them. (In fairness, I should state that the author doesn't use the term "New Age"; it appears in the blurb on the cover of the paperback. It's clear, though, that the phrase suits his purposes here.) There's something disturbingly medieval in all this, exemplified not only by the angels and demons fighting it out in the air around us, but also by the idea that a specific brand of Christianity is the Only Way. It's difficult to tell whether Peretti believes in what he's writing, or if he simply knows a lucrative market when he sees it. He certainly knows a gullible one, and he appears for all the world to be exploiting the paranoia and fears of naïve churchgoers. Not to mention - and this could be serious - implying that we aren't responsible for our bad actions; they're attributable to nothing more than demons working through us. Somebody somewhere just needs to be praying, that's all. One can imagine the response from the Christian community if someone decided to publish a novel taking something of an opposite approach, that is, presenting New Agers as minding their own business (usually the case) and Christians as intolerant bigots trying to run everyone else out of town (gee, ya think there might be some historical examples of that?): accusations of libel and persecution, no doubt. (BL, Tucker, GA)
Rating: 
Summary: A Fun Read
Review: STRENGTHS: This is just a fun book to read. It is part thriller and part detective story set against a Christian backdrop that emphasizes the struggled between good and evil and the power of prayer. WEAKNESSES: This book is a work of fiction. The world Peretti creates is based on Scripture, but it is not necessarily theologically correct, any more than the worlds created by other Christians who write "Christian Fiction". This is an important distinction for those who base doctrinal beliefs on books such as these. MY ADVICE: Read it for fun (I did). Discuss the ideas in it (I did), but if you really want something to sink your teeth in, stick to the biographies of Great Christians. Truth is sometimes stranger and more fascinating than fiction.
Rating: 
Summary: The book that started the spiritual warfare study movement!
Review: If you choose to read this written work, prepare to have your life changed! I don't see how any Christian who sincerely reads this book could be inactive with their prayer life afterwards. Certainly, this book and its story line are all fiction. However, the possibilities presented and the practical principles developed within these pages, are perfectly inline with Scripture. Peretti places an emphasis on prayer and the fact that spiritual war is going on all around us. I have seen many Bible students become transformed and motivated after reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: Engaging
Review: Frank Peretti wrote an engaging book. While this book certainly is not a theology text, nor is it meant to be, it is entertaining and engaging. While we should be careful not to let this book define our theology of prayer, angels, or spiritual warfare, we should be able to be entertained. I read this book a number of years ago and recently skimmed it once again. This book does do a good job of giving one perspective on angels and demons that is entertaining. This book is at least worth reading. B- Joseph Dworak
Rating:
Summary: A riveting must read for any Christian!
Review: This book was impossible to put down! The imagination and creativity put me right there with the characters in the story. I am always impressed by the shocking way Frank Peretti can turn my thoughts and imagination with the turn of every page! Worth reading over and over.
Rating: 
Summary: It scares me to think that there is such lack of tolerance!
Review: First let me tell you that I would not even give this book a one star but it is required so I gave the lowest rating allowed. Each person is out looking for what will lead them to a better life. While looking over the book I found a message of hate and lack of tolerance. This book is a book written from the heart of one who seems to have the very termoil in his heart and wants to have the rest of the world pulled in. New Age religion is not so new, being as they clump Druids and Wiccans and the like into one group. When we go on the defensive then we teach hate which is not a value I wish to instill in my children. Each to their own and share what you like, listen if you will. But this is more of a fire and brimstone kind of approach and nothing I want anything to do with!
Rating:
Summary: This Present Darkness by F Peretti
Review: I enjoyed reading this novel that used fictious characters to encourage Christians to think about spriritual things in a more offensive way. I enjoyed the fast-paced, and adventurous manner to this book. I'm planning to buy a copy for my nephew.
Rating:
Summary: Spiritual Truths Revealed Through Fiction
Review: Peretti uses fiction to illustrate spiritual realities. He does so effectively in establishing his plot, characters, and setting. In the margin in one place in the book I wrote, "What is taught has consequences." Truth liberates. This book shows how a lack of knowledge on spiritual matters can have adverse consequences. Prayer's power is demonstrated through the story line. He addresses the fallacy of what Hindus call "karma," that a person can earn brownie points as opposed to the reality of accepting the Jesus and what He did. This book shows two worlds operating simultaneously. The physical world everyone sees is governed by the invisible spiritual world. Prayer taps into that unseen dimension for direct results in the material realm. By reading this book you see the interaction take place.
Rating:
Summary: great
Review: it was a new sharp spiritual warfare noval, each Christian should to read it if you have time...
Rating:
Summary: This Present Darkness: Good Book
Review: 'The heavenly warriors mowed through the ranks of demons like blurring scythes. Demons began to fall out of the sky like meteors, spinning, smoking, dissolving.' This quote is typical of This Present Darkness. Frank Peretti writes this book to give it's readers a better understanding of spiritual warfare. He incorporates complex characters and descriptive diction to make this book come alive. This book takes place in the typical small college town of Ashton. However, when a skeptical reporter and a prayerful pastor compare notes, they suddenly find themselves fighting a hideous New Age plot to subjugate the townspeople, and eventually the entire human race. Ashton is just another small town. It's population nearly doubles when college is in session. Peretti does a very good job at describing this town and areas around it. This helps in understanding the plot. The usage of foreshadowing in this book heightens suspense and makes for a great climax. It keeps your attention throughout the book. A Bible verse on the back of the book contains the novel's conflict: 'For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world'' ' Ephesians 6:12 (NLT). This narrative brilliantly reveals the truth of the spiritual realm through interesting, fast-paced action. The characters that Peretti uses in this book bring it to life. Powerful angels and evil demons fiercely battle over human souls. The main human protagonists, Hank Busche and Marshall Hogan, strongly pursue truth in their quest to save Ashton. And thinking that no one can stop him, the main human antagonist, Alexander Kaseph, tries to take over the town for his satanic mission. Kaseph is a formidable opponent to Busche and Hogan. Said about Kaseph: 'This guy is a perfect cross between the ultimate guru and Adolph Hitler, and he makes Al Capone look like a boy scout.' The language Peretti uses adds to the intenseness of the story. 'A low gurgling growl came from deep in his throat as his nostrils belched forth yellow vapor' gives a better description of the main supernatural antagonist. This book is good for anyone who likes a thrilling novel, or anyone who is interested in spiritual warfare. It ties in a Biblical view of the supernatural with a fast-paced narrative to compete with that of John Gresham and Stephen King.
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