Customer Reviews

The Warriors (The Watchers Series #2)

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Abby Sherman and Dylan Hatfield argue over the differences between spiritual and mortal combat. They are Watchers; humans who hear God's voce and can see demons and angels fighting one another. Dylan is with a black ops operation in Tora Bora; the place where Osama escaped in Tunnel Nine from the allies during the overthrow of the Taliban. The Watcher realizes he and his peers have uncovered a Principality; a demon hold on earth. He is the only one to come out alive, but those who saved his life want him dead because they are possessed.

Abby goes to Jerusalem to visit the Watcher the Sentinel who is dying but needs to deliver a message for Abby. A giant wave of destruction is going to destroy the North American eastern coast; to prevent onslaught Abby must find the summons in stone that will call forth the Warriors. Abby and Dylan meet up with both on the run while searching for the stone etching. Demon possessed American agents pursue them to prevent them from bringing the Warriors to fight the horde.

Mark Andrew Olsen is an expert at writing exciting faith based supernatural thrillers in which a chosen few are chillingly able to see the true meaning of Revelations. Most people are unaware of Watchers and the few who do rarely believe they are part of God's plan, but instead assume they are crazy religious fanatics. Whereas Abby's faith carries her through one crisis after another, Dylan's doubts make him work harder at acceptance. Readers will enjoy this couple who if successful will prevent biblical calamity.

Harriet Klausner

In 2001, Osama Bin Laden slipped through the fingers of the U.S. when he disappeared in a tunnel complex in Tora Bora, Afghanistan. Seven years later Dylan Hatfield and an elite Special Forces unit is sent into the caves to try and seek out any answers that can be found. What Dylan discovers is more frightening than anything he or anyone could ever imagine.

Meanwhile, Abby Sherman has been called to Israel to meet with Sister Rulaz, a fellow Watcher also known as The Sentinel of Jerusalem. The Watchers are a global sisterhood of believers who have the unique gift of spiritual sight. While perched on the rooftops of Jerusalem, Sister Rulaz has a vision that reveals an imminent threat to the US. As Sister Rulaz takes her least breath she reveals her vision to Abby. Now Abby and Dylan must once again work together to thwart the darkness and bring God's light to the world.

Mark Andrew Olsen took my breath away with the pulse-pounding action and heightened tension of The Watchers. This latest offering delivers yet again, this time set against the intriguing historical backdrop of the Templar Knights and the Middle East conflict. Once again we are treated to a relentless thrill ride full of action, suspense, mystery, and global conspiracy. Olsen also carries readers along a deep spiritual journey at the core of this story that is eye-opening and breathtaking at every turn.

The Warriors can be read independently of The Watchers, but both are just too good to pass up. Mark Andrew Olsen is beginning to make his mark as a premiere thriller writer in the Christian market. I can only hope more and more people will discover this great storytelling talent that demands to be noticed.

Very good and fast paced hard to put down. Gives a great continuation to the first book, the Watchman. It shows us how to fight without using a single weapon just prayer and how powerful it truly is. And it shows that there really is a war going on over us 24/7

Dylan Hatfield is back in action, in a place he never thought he'd be--a stronghold of evil so powerful it can kill. Abby Sherman is summoned to Israel to receive the last words of a respected Watcher, only to be told to search for an ancient document that will help her call up Warriors. And all around them, a new terrorist threat bears down on the U.S. with a fury no one is sure they can stop.

From the vile evil of underground caverns in Afghanistan to the picturesque majesty of the Alps, The Warriors takes the reader on an adventure that will shoot tingles down his spine. Dylan and Abby travel the world over in search of this document, their peculiar sight into the supernatural world of angels and demons helping them along the way. Whenever danger strikes, they can see the evil forces behind it, as well as the angels standing guard over them--but with this new threat to their country, it's soon clear that seeing isn't enough. They need to act.

The Warriors is a sequel to The Watchers but easily stands on its own--I hadn't read the previous book but had no trouble following along this second story of Abby and Dylan (though now I'm dying to read their original story!). As someone who has always loved tales that include the supernatural, I was immediately caught up in this book. Olsen delves deep into the world just beyond our vision, mapping out possibilities that urged me to remember Paul's instruction to be in constant prayer.

Full of adventure, wonder, and hair-raising suspense, The Warriors is a story not to be missed by those who love supernatural thrillers. You'll be turning those pages quickly and not want to put them down until you turn the last one.

The Warriors is the second in an informal series of novels by Mark Andrew Olsen. While marketed as novels that can be read individually, I'd recommend that readers first peruse The Watchers, the first novel. A stronger basis for understanding the world of spiritual warfare that Abby and Dylan operate within will reward the effort.

Violent physical attacks continue to replace spiritual defenses. The romantic tension between Abby and Dylan fails to rouse any believable feelings, excepting one moment that borders on genuine in the closing scenes. Without needlessly repeating myself, I will simply say that my concerns with the first novel are still present in the second. For further details please see my review of The Watchers. While Abby's father - Robert Sherman - was not a main character in the first novel (in fact I didn't mention him in my review), he has disappeared without a trace from the series. There are no mentions of him whatsoever, but it would have been interesting to see his newfound faith develop further.

Despite my ongoing concerns with some of the content, The Warriors proved to be even more compelling than it's predecessor. Olsen beautifully describes the lush scenery of various European locations as Abby and Dylan pursue their feverish goal. Olsen's integration of the history of persecuted European Christians such as the Waldensian people was a welcome and unexpected surprise. Their history was woven together with the geography during their ongoing search.

I was relieved to see Abby set to the side, relinquishing the stage and role of main character to Dylan. In this series Dylan has always been the stronger character, and in The Warriors he truly has a chance to shine. The final scenes are stirring; if I were to make a book trailer for this title I'd include some clips from them along with "What if His People Prayed" from Casting Crowns playing for soundtrack. There are truly some awe-inspiring moments to contrast the depictions of evil as the battle continues to rage. Oddly, each description of a demonic presence is foul and grotesque. In scripture we see Satan and his minions masquerading as angels of light in order to deceive. It would be wonderful if Olsen would integrate this as an interesting twist in upcoming novels.

Similar to The Watchers, readers are not treated to a lengthy, expository conclusion. After tying up a few loose ends it is made eminently clear that Olsen plans to pen additional installations for this series. While many readers are enthusiastic about these novels I won't be investigating future efforts in this series. It's not Olsen that I have issues with; I have enjoyed other books bearing his name. Rather, it's my own stubborn insistence that Christian fiction should be somewhat aligned with scripture on issues the Bible speaks to clearly. Mark, it's not you, it's me.

Wow! Mark did it again,only better. I love Abby Sherman and her determination to do what God tells her. She listens,trusts, and moves as she is led.

Mark quickly brought me into Abby's world with a sense of urgency.I followed her all over Europe to find the answer to save the United States from a bomb that could destroy the Eastern Coastline twenty miles inland.

Mark's first hand experience of the continent comes though Abby's six senses in a remarkable way. Although she is constantly moving at a fast pace, she takes fresh notice of the beauty of the land that she is traveling through.

Much of her time is spent with Dylan as they work together,interceding for others and a call to wake up long asleep warriors to fight together in their behalf. They come in the spirit from all over the world for prayer and it is comforting to the reader to know that God has warriors watching, waiting, and battling on the behalf of those who belong to Him.

There is no call to small that the Creator doesn't hear and heed on behalf of His people.

An interesting twist, Abby belongs to a group of people called by the Lord for specific work in the Kingdom of God. Her gifts go back many generations. Her mother is also gifted and supports Abby.

I enjoyed this book and found it entertaining and informative. Although it isn't necessary to read The Watchers, you would enjoy The Warriors even more having had some insight into Abby and the way she thinks.

If there were more than five stars to give these two books, well, I would! You won't be sorry, these are great reads.

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