Piercing the Darkness [Paperback]

Frank E. Peretti (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 26, 2003

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:5 (ESV)

It all begins in Bacon’s corner, a tiny farming community far from the interstate. An attempted murder, a suspicious case of mistaken identity, and a ruthless lawsuit against a struggling Christian school threaten the peace of the small town. Sally Beth Roe, a young loner, finds herself in the middle of events beyond her control, fleeing for her life while trying to recall her dark past. She doesn’t realize that a demonic army is growing in power and that a spiritual battle is rapidly approaching.

This companion volume to This Present Darkness offers readers a new perspective on spiritual warfare, prayer, and the seemingly coincidental events of our lives. It has sold over 2 million copies.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This sequel to Peretti's This Present Darkness is built upon fundamentalist Christian ideas. As it tells the story of Sally Roe, who goes from spiritualism to conversion, it also traces a battle to save a Christian school from demon-inspired litigation. The human activities are again overshadowed by the battle between angels and demons, whom the author takes quite literally, giving them names, personalities, and dialogue. They influence all human activities, just as human prayer helps angels and hampers demons. Some readers may find this treatment religiously offensive or react negatively to the book's depiction of liberals. But this is a good story, and it offers insight into the kind of religion that sees demons behind every stump and angels in the hen house. Recommended for public libraries.
- C. Robert Nixon, M.L.S., Lafayette, Ind.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Frank Peretti kicked open the doors that all of us Christian novelists are passing through today. We owe him a huge debt."
—Jerry B. Jenkins, author, The Left Behind series

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Crossway (June 26, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581345275
• ISBN-13: 978-1581345278
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (134 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #196,859 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Frank E. Peretti is one of American Christianity's best-known authors. His novels have sold over 10 million copies, and he is widely credited with reinventing Christian fiction. He and his wife, Barbara, live in the Pacific Northwest. www.frankperetti.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Riveting page-turner June 26, 2000

By yarden

Format:Paperback

In PIERCING THE DARKNESS, Frank Peretti creates a successful follow-up to his popular first novel THIS PRESENT DARKNESS. PIERCING THE DARKNESS is a spiritual thriller telling the story of the sleepy town of Bacon's Corner, and the sinister things going on just below the surface.

This novel was suspenseful, well-written, and inspiring but not saccharine. Peretti has a gift for writing about Christian topics without getting too preachy or formulaic, and this book had a good balance of imagination and Bible-based truth. This book holds its own alongside such popular authors as John Grisham and Michael Crichton, but also delivers a valuable perspective on Christian life: the interaction between the physical and spiritual realms. This book is entertaining, but beyond that, it is thought-provoking.

I would highly recommend this book, as Frank Peretti is probably the most talented christian author of fiction I've read. However, if you haven't read THIS PRESENT DARKNESS, I would recommend starting there first.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT BOOK! November 7, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I had thought this book was another armeggedon thing, but when I actually read it, I was hooked! This book totally changed the way I looked at the power of a praying saint. I think God really used Frank to send a message: We, as believers, have full access to His power through prayer- if we ask right. He will not leave us, and if Jesus is IN us, the Father's angels will never leave us. I also enjoyed the use of the different nationalities given to the angels, as well as the attitudes (my favorites were Cree and Chimon). It really made the book. Of course you know Who is going to win the war: but sometimes the battles require more prayer and work than we usually want to give. Praise God for His Love and His Son! The bottom line of this review is: THIS IS A GREAT BOOK!

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Spiritual Wake-Up Call June 8, 2001

By Hope A. Pfeiffer

Format:Paperback

What a rivetting, thought-provoking reminder that we war not against flesh and blood but against the spirits and the Prince of the air (Eph. 6:12). Once again, in keeping with the spirit of "This Present Darkness," Peretti has skillfully pictured what takes place around us every day, unseen and seemingly un-noticed. I found myself looking forward to the daily moments that I would be able to sit down and read "Piercing the Darkness" uninterrupted. With each delightful turn of the page, the words captured my undivided attention, while challenging my spirituality. I found myself wanting to pray for the persecuted Christians, wanting to reach out to them in Christian support; but then I had to remind myself that it was just a book! Never before this book have I seen such a beautiful, rapturous description of receiving Christ as one's Savior. Peretti has given his readers a rare, yet human, glimpse at what it just might be like when Jesus redeems another soul to Himself. What a challenge this book has given me to pray with more fervor, to boldly come before His throne, to rejoice in His love and the protection of His children. I hope and pray that Peretti continues to write such challenging material.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book! February 1, 2007

By D. Bass

Format:Paperback

While I enjoyed Frank Peretti's first thriller, "This Present Darkness," I didn't think it was an earth-shattering novel. It was the kind of story that you could put down for several times without experiencing major angst over wanting to know what happens next. Not so with "Piercing the Darkness." Frank seemed to get his mojo going in this one. The plot is gripping and involving. The characters are real, especially Sally Roe. The story carries the conviction of great moral truth. The transitional redemption of the main character is beautiful to witness. Although some of Frank Peretti's theological interpretations are open to debate, he still came up with an interesting idea in the whole "spiritual warfare" angle. To be honest, though, the sections of the story dealing with the battle between the angels and demons were the weakest. Where the story truly shines is in the human side of the plot. Many new characters are introduced, and a few reintroduced from "This Present Darkness." Also, the villains are particularly good in "Piercing the Darkness." I mean, what better name could a bad guy have than "Khull"? Truly interesting characters and a rip-roaring plot to go along with it. Definitely recommended.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Creepy, Very Creepy August 27, 2001

By "zee280"

Format:Paperback

I've read Piercing the Darkness a couple times, and it never ceases to freak me out. I can't help but check over my shoulder after reading this book. The book deals with the supernatural forces of God and his angels against Satan and his demons. Though they're invisible to the human eye, they see us and direct us for one side or the other. This is the sequel book, following This Present Darkness, which I didn't like nearly as much. The book follows Sally Beth Roe, a burn-out with a dark past, who finds herself caught up in some strange events that only progress to the stranger. Forceing her to flee her home in Bacon's Corner. The book is just creepy! While Sally flees we watch as demons chase her with one goal, to ultimatly kill her. I could write about this book all day, the plot is thick and deep and the characters believeable. But what really made this book stand out is the fact that once you start reading it, you began to wonder, "What if there really are demons? What if they're here in this room right now?" It just creeps you out! A first class creepy book with religious themes, who wouldn't love it?