Rating: 
Summary: Realistic, yet frustrating
Review: "The Ishbane Conspiracy" by Randy Alcorn tells the story of four young adults - Jillian, Rob, Ian, and Brittany - over one year. It is the most critical year of a young person's life: the transfer from high school to college, and Alcorn portrays the emotion, fear, and excitment that go along with this move masterfully (no doubt with the help of his two 20-something daughters who co-authored the book).
The drama of the situations and temptations the characters face is realistic. Being barely 18 years old myself, and entering my final year of high school, this book hit pretty close to home. I related well to Rob: the Christian with natural leadership abilities, a strong faith, and a nack for sharing his faith effectively. I really enjoyed his character. I was pleased that Alcorn gave Rob weaknesses, too, such as lust, depression, etc., so he wasn't portrayed as some "super-Christian".
The situations described in the book were, in my opinion, not over-exaggerated at all. If a parent reads this book and says, "There's no way it's this bad out there", well, yes it is.
This is a watershed book. I'd recommend it to freshmen in high school, and their parents. Every chapter was followed by a demonic correspondance, by two demons, Prince Ishbane and Lord Foulgrin, much like Lewis's "The Screwtape Letters", in which two demons talk about how they can keep the teens from God.
The reason I rated the book 4 out of 5 stars is that, about halfway through the book, the demon letters started to get annoying. At times, the letters were longer than the preceding chapter! It was frustrating, I just wanted to know about the story, not the back-story! Every time the story got interesting, it was interrupted by the demon correspondance
If you don't want a primer on the current state of teenage culture, read the book, but skip the letters. Parents, however, should read the letters, as it outlines what we go through, and exposes the truth about the media, etc.
Overall, a very well-written book. I really enjoyed it.
Rating:
Summary: Not quite Foulgrin, but foul enough.
Review: A great read and a good follow up to "Lord Foulgrin's Letters"
Rating: 
Summary: Hard to put down!
Review: Another great book by Randy Alcorn, this time with his daughters. How sobering to see how satan can work his way into our lives without our even being aware of it. How important to always be in God's word. Thank you so much for alerting me to more of satan's ways and as in your other books, giving such splendid views of heaven! I look forward to the new book coming in August.
Rating:
Summary: Great! Very eye-opening
Review: AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME. I really enjoyed this book. It was great. It really opened my eyes to what is out there. lt really gave me a sense of campassion for those who are struggling with the many problems delt with in the book, like: the occult, teen pregnancy, depression, drugs, spiritual warfare, and many more. The fact that it showed everyone's different views on the issues were really good. The letters between the demons were also very riveting. Though, they were very frequent and the amount of them could have been cut in half. Despite that small fault, this was by far a GREAT book. I recommend it to everyone (over the age of 14 would be prefferable)
Rating:
Summary: Good book for Teens to Read!
Review: I am an avid fan of Randy Alcorn and his books. I enjoy the way he makes the reader aware of the eternal consequences of each and every action taken here on earth. I found the Ishbane Conspiracy to be a cross between Lord Foulgrin's Letters and an interesting story of a group of teenagers gaining their "rites of passage" into adulthood. The Isbane Conspiracy is, in part, a continuation of Alcorn's previous novel, Lord Foulgrin's Letters, and the members of the same Fletcher family are the predominate characters of this book as well. The story centers around four young friends, two girls and two boys. Three of the friends are graduating from High School and one boy is already in his first year of college. The four friends must come to terms with the influences of dating, drugs, alcohol, sex and the occult as they make daily choices between the fulfillment that these things provide versus the fullfillment from Christ and doing things God's way. Although I enjoyed the story very much, I started getting very irritated by the interruptions in the story when the two demons, Lord Foulgrin and Prince Ishbane, would speak. Each time the story got interesting, these two demons would interrupt the plot and start discussing their strategies and plans for getting the teenagers to do bad things instead of good things. This approach worked well in Lord Foulgrin's letters, however once you get the point (and it doesn't take long), it really becomes annoying (especially to Christians!) to experience the constant interruptions in dialog to listen to the plots of these demons. I guinelly hope these "Foulgrin and Ishbane" conversations do not become a trademark of Alcorn's future novels. If so, Alcorn should make two versions of his novels - One version, with the demon conversations and one without, especially for the more mature reader. If these irritating conversations had not been included, I would have given the novel 5 stars instead of 4 stars. Overall, the Ishbane Conspiracy takes a contemporary and fresh look at the battles that teenagers face each day and remind the reader that without a strong grounding in the Lord, they are subject to- and prime candidates for- the influences of all that is evil.
Rating:
Summary: A must for parents as well as teenagers.....
Review: I believe anyone would benefit from reading this book. The reviews share how real issues of today are brought up and dealt with by these young adults intermingled with family, friends and the church. If anything, Randy Alcorn and his daughters expose the truth how Satan and his followers are never out for our good but to steal, kill and destroy as many people as they can. I would hope every parent, especially, takes time to read this book because Satan is out to destroy the family first and foremost and it is so apparent in the Ishbane Conspiracy as it is today. I found it very distressing how we as parents can be made to feel very guilty for wanting to stay involved in our kids' lives even if we have to lay down a few rules that may counter what society says is ok. It is time to be reminded that God has a plan and a design for the family, not to limit them or ruin someone's fun but so that we may abound in blessings. Satan's "so-called" rewards are temporary and reap far from "cool" eternal rewards. Alcorn shares great scriptures and mentions other helpful books in this story. We need to equip ourselves and this book along with your Bible will help. For the battle is real, the conspiracy is real and the target is our minds and our hearts. We know who wins the war, but the battle is still raging on....
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: i enjoyed this book as much, if not more so, than lord foulgrin. there are some very important issues addressed, its a book relevant for teens and older
i'd have to agree that at times the letter 'interruptions' were a little frustrating, especially during crucial parts of the story but you learn to put up with that. good stuff
Rating:
Summary: worth the read
Review: i enjoyed this book as much, if not more so, than lord foulgrin. there are some very important issues addressed, its a book relevant for teens and older
i'd have to agree that at times the letter 'interruptions' were a little frustrating, especially during crucial parts of the story but you learn to put up with that. good stuff
Rating:
Summary: Soul Stirring
Review: I initially purchased this book because I thought the cover was pretty awesome. When I started reading it, I was drawn in and impressed at how the author incorporated a positive aspect of Christianity through letters of the evil. I finished the book about a half-hour ago, almost in tears. Since May I had slipped away from my strong faith, and reading this book made me realize that when I die, I want what happened to one of the characters happen to me (I'm trying not to give out the ending!). I'm very blessed that I "stumbled upon" the book because it reminded me, in obvious AND subtle ways, of the spiritual battle being fought over for me.
Rating:
Summary: Lifting the "veil"
Review: I just wanted to say that I've read most of the novels that you have authored, and have enjoyed each of them. This book, though, is definitely one that I have been talking about to many of my friends. Although my children (I have 2 daughters) are no longer home, I remember some of these types of situations and concerns. My oldest was the "more independent" of the 2, harder to talk to and reason with. But I have to say that during the time that things became extremely difficult, I felt we were also under attack. I remember crying, sobbing, pleading with God to give me the strength and insight to "get through". I knew she was His, but was leaving the "straight and narrow way" because she "wanted to have fun". I still pray mightily for her, as she is still going through tough situations, but I also know that when she steps back, she will have a mighty testimony, and will be a strong witness for God's eternal love. My other daughter has also had her share of troubles (as we all do), but is maturing into a beautiful young woman. I know she has many questions about the Bible and lacks an intuitive understanding, but I seek to share my experiences as well as my love for Christ with her. She is a sensitive, loving spirit and I keep guiding her to getting to know our Heavenly Father, to have a personal relationship with Him. Both are still learning that the "control issue" is really out of their hands....for He is in the driver's seat! But they have to make the best choices, with His guidance. I just wanted to thank you for this endeavor by you and your daughters. It is a mighty work, one that should be read by all of us. It will help to "lift the veil" so that others might see the "unseen"....
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