This Present Darkness, by Frank Peretti, is among the classic novels of the Christian thriller genre. First published in 1986, Peretti's book set a suspenseful standard in spiritual warfare story-telling that has rarely been met by his contemporaries. Set in the apparently innocent small town of Ashton, This Present Darkness follows an intrepid born-again Christian preacher and newspaper reporter as they unearth a New Age plot to take over the local community and eventually the entire world. Nearly every page of the book describes sulfur-breathing, black-winged, slobbering demons battling with tall, handsome, angelic warriors on a level of reality that is just beyond the senses. However, Christian believers and New Age demon-worshippers are able to influence unseen clashes between good and evil by the power of prayer. Peretti's violent descriptions of exorcisms are especially vivid: "There were fifteen [demons], packed into Carmen's body like crawling, superimposed maggots, boiling, writhing, a tangle of hideous arms, legs, talons, and heads." This book is not for the squeamish. But for page-turning spiritual suspense, it's hard to beat.
Wow| Posted September 26, 2013
The perspective of the fights that go on in the spiritual world is amazing, and it really gets you thinking about hard God is fighting for you, but also how hard the devil is fighting against you.
eye-opening| Posted June 02, 2011
nothing will open your eyes to spiritual warfare and the spiritual realm like this book. you won't be able to forget it's message - it will truly change the way you live!! it's so much more than entertainment, it's attitude-reversing. it's for everybody!!
AHWESOME| Posted November 29, 2009
Wow, i totally had fallen in love w/ Frank Peretti after reading the amazing novels, Prophet and House. I figured that they couldnt get any better than those and was hesitant to read this, but it was GREAT. With awesome spiritual warfare and different points of view, this book was perfect, and there was nothing that could be done to make it better.
captivating and edge-of-your-seat reading| Posted August 26, 2009
Peretti's first novel ever written, This Present Darkness, has reached the top on Christian literature charts. A supernatural thriller, this book gives us an insight into the fight of angels and demons on the earth. This Present Darkness will suck you in, leaving you reading late into the night.
Highly recommended read.
Thought provoking| Posted May 19, 2009
This book is not only a great read, but is also a very thought provoking book. As I read through, it became clear to me that this maybe be a fiction book, but the truth of the story is so real when it comes to spiritual warfare.
This Present Darkness| Posted May 12, 2009
I love this book. I'm currently reading it for the third time. It shows the amazing spiritual world with the dueling of the demons and angels and how the power of prayer can overcome all evils. I give it two thumbs up!
awesome read!| Posted March 24, 2008
suspenseful, intriging, words can barely describe this book. its stories intertwine creativly. you keep reading until you've reached the end. i'd definently reccommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian suspense thrillers.
