Angel of Wrath by Bill Myers

Reviewed by Dale Lewis

"...a thought-provoking, intense read."

Written with multiple points of view, Myers weaves Satanism with a warped mockery of "Christianity" and comes up with an intense dark tale in his newest novel, Angel of Wrath.

In the second of the his Voice of God series, Jazmin, her ex-Special Ops uncle Charlie, and former FBI agent Lisa reunite to thwart an assassin driven to murdering church members. The church pastor, Thomas, is Lisa's brother. On top of the bizzare serial murders, a coven of teens has begun toying with satanic practices which may include the pastors’ son. Unbeknownst to them, a portal into the spiritual realm has opened releasing a terrifying and mysterious entity.

Encounters with the supernatural and ongoing spiritual warfare are a steady staple of a Myers’ novel. He continues to do an excellent job of delving into that unknown and misunderstood realm with Angel of Wrath. It is certainly reminiscent of Frank Peretti's This Present Darkness.

The power of prayer and worship is prominently displayed in its role at keeping the darkness at a distance. The church is exposed as something not as “spiritually pure” as many would assume or expect (which might offend some readers). Two underlying themes thread through the story. The idea that sin is sin in the eyes of God. And, no matter how "big" the sin is perceived to be . . . forgiveness is available and needed by all.
The epilogue brings the pieces of the story together and continues the humorous dynamic of Jazmin and Uncle Charlie’s relationship.

My only struggle, in spite of the story being fiction, was when each person was overwhelmed by the creature, their minds were flooded with memories of wrong choices. It is my understanding that the Holy Spirit is one who convicts of sin, although Satan uses past sins to discourage Christ-followers.

Angel of Wrath is definitely a thought-provoking, intense read. The resolution in this storyline is fantastic, as the journey to get there is drawn out enough to keep the reader experiencing what the characters are walking through while wrestling with the issues in their own faith journey.

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Dale Lewis is the graphic designer/pre-press production artist at the EFCA (The Evangelical Free Church of America) National Office in Minneapolis, MN. Prior to that, he was the publications manager at his alma mater, Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN in the public relations office as well as the adviser to the college’s yearbook. He's directed the Hope Church (Oakdale, MN) adult drama worship team and was the senior editor of the church newsletter. He's also written two collections of poetry, “Whispers of Assurance” and “On Life: Constant Communion Without Ceasing” as well as a devotional entitled “Eternal Education.” He and his family live in Oakdale, Minnesota.