The Holy Warrior and the Last Angel
It’s been a very long time since I returned to this series, so I have to be honest and say I don’t remember all the details of the previous two books. Heading into the epic ending of this apocalyptic trilogy was kind of a head-spinning thrill—and I mean that in a good way.
Book III is sort of a standalone book in many ways. I feel like the struggles faced by the cast in this story were obviously based on previous battles and developments but there was also a sense of freshness and individuality that really made me see the characters and events in a new light. Maybe this is all because the previous two works were lost on me or maybe because the ending is just a bit more unique than the beginning and middle.
Even though this book has many ties to Christian fiction there are many elements to it that make it hard to stick the book into one category. It is an action-packed thriller, it is an apocalyptic adventure, and it is an epic tale of valor from beginning to end. All that is bundled into one story about what happens when all hell breaks loose. There are angels, demons, Nephilim, and other realms; if you don’t have a large enough imagination, this book may overwhelm you.
My only complaint about this book is somewhat of a compliment as well. I really like that this installment wraps everything up; it lays everything on the table and confronts every battle, every issue, and every event head-on—but that’s also one of the draw-backs. While this is an epic tale, it feels somewhat bloated. Don’t get me wrong, this is definitely something that will have you turning page after page, but there are times where it will make you feel like perhaps there should have been a book 4. I don’t mean this in a necessarily negative way, I just felt that each concept could have been developed enough into its own story; the Blessed Man, the worry and wonder of when the angels will show up, and Kyle’s spiritual battle were all more than enough to become books 3, 4, and 5.
Despite my complaint, I think this was a good book by itself and as the ending to what was a wonderfully written and developed journey. The action was great, the characters were sincere, and the struggle and development of not just the cast but the world surrounding them was excellent. I believe the aspects of Christianity that were used were well-represented in this piece, and—as a Christian myself—that’s what matters most to me at the end of the day. So, I will most definitely recommend this book to young adult and adult readers who enjoy action trilogies, apocalyptic novels, and epic fantasy. Christian audiences will appreciate this most, but secular readers will not be able to overlook the talent and creativity of Dubrow either.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*