Age level: 9 and up
Percy Jackson, move over! Jonah Stone is here!
My review: The cover and title of this book got my attention, but the moment I saw the reference to Percy Jackson, I knew I had to review it! I had to read Percy Jackson in college, but I ended up loving it :)
Spirit Fighter tells the story of Jonah, who at first seems like a typical 13 year old boy who loves to play basketball and video games, forgets he has homework assignments, needs to be reminded by his parents to do his chores, has a younger brother named Jeremiah who likes to be nearby, a younger sister named Eliza who is a top student at their school, and has a close relationship with both of his parents. His mom, Eleanor, is a homemaker while his dad, Benjamin, is a pastor at their church in Peacefield, New Jersey. When the story begins, Jonah is having nightmares and having a hard time sleeping. He goes out for basketball tryouts and despite all the practice he puts in, ends up being told by the coach not to return. Whoa! What kind of teacher tells a student that they need to find a different sport after the first day of tryouts? As it turns out, God has bigger plans for Jonah then being on the basketball team at school. Jonah is devastated and cries out to God in prayer and the answer he gets changes everything.
That evening Benjamin and Eleanor decide to reveal an ancient truth to Jonah. Eleanors father is a fallen angel making her half-angel or a Nephilim; which makes Jonah, Jeremiah, and Eliza quarter-angels or quarterlings. Jonah has already discovered his power; he has superhuman strength that is fast developing, but before he has a chance to enjoy this new revelation his mom is kidnapped. Jonah and Eliza are sent to New York City on a quest to rescue Eleanor, but before they leave they are given three things: a MissionFinder 3000 which looks like a watch, but is a military-grade angelic navigation system; a small Bible; and a blessing.
Jonah has one demonic encounter before going on this journey with his sister and he realizes its going to take more than physical strength to beat them. Hes the oldest of the three kids and initially is the only one who discovers what his identity really is. No matter what powers he has and what hes capable of, he is told throughout the story that the real excitement is how much God loves him and the importance of his faith. Jonah also learns about his guardian angel, Henry, who helps him and Eliza both with their questions as well as fighting the fallen angels they come across. God is referred to as Elohim, which in Hebrew means Strong One.
Jonah and Eliza have several encounters with fallen angels on the way to Manhattan. We learn right away that Elizas power is a shield as quoted in scripture as the shield of faith. Her shield only works well when her faith is intact. Jonah also discovers that every time theyre in an impossible situation that all he has to do is cry out to Elohim and a solution presents itself. Sometimes its a scripture verse that empowers him; sometimes its Henry there to rescue them; sometimes its a vision that guides him; but the story does well to illustrate that God gives Jonah the wisdom, encouragement, strength, favor, and love he needs to overcome anything he has to face on this rescue mission.
References that are mentioned in this story that are either landmarks or important names:
LeBron James
Attila the Hun
Genghis Khan
Joseph Stalin
Wall Street bull in NY
Statue of Liberty
Brooklyn Bridge in NY
Central Park
The Miami Heat
Many angels including the Archangel Michael
My favorite parts of the story: a precious scene of Jonah and Eliza riding their bikes super fast and it reminded me of the scene in ET when the kids are flying on their bikes; how close the Stone family is (when Jonah tells Eleanor what the coach says to him she nearly goes to lecture the man before Jonah stops her, I had the same reaction while reading it; Eliza and Jonah risk their lives more than once for each other in team work to find their mom; Benjamin is devastated when he learns his wife has been kidnapped, but he is even more heartbroken to learn that his two kids are being sent on such a dangerous mission instead of himself); the Word of God is emphasized throughout the story; Jonah learns the value of prayer; the story of Jericho is reenacted by Jonah and Eliza at one point and it was awesome!!!! Jonah and Eliza learn that the truth and miracles of the Bible are relevant today and that a persons spirit man is just as real as their human bodies.
Even though I highly recommend this book for anyone 9 or older, I also advise that parents, teachers, and youth pastors to read it over first so that youre comfortable with it before sharing it with your kids. There is violence in the story, but nothing over the top or inappropriate. One intense moment happens at the end where Jonah is tested in his faith, but the power of God comes through strongly and Jonah does not give in to his fear. It was challenging to see what the kids have to endure, more spiritually than physically, but I found myself cheering them on the entire time :) I think the video games and cartoons kids watch today are much more violent than anything this story illustrates, but there is enough action to keep you turning the pages. Spirit Fighter is Laws first book and brilliantly sheds light on the spirit realm, mentions several scripture passages, and shows the power of faith without preaching. Its only 240 pages, but I loved everything about Spirit Fighter and cant wait to read Book Two: The Fire Prophet later this year!
I want to thank NetGalley.com and Thomas Nelson for the copy they provided for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Percy Jackson, move over! Jonah Stone is here!
My review: The cover and title of this book got my attention, but the moment I saw the reference to Percy Jackson, I knew I had to review it! I had to read Percy Jackson in college, but I ended up loving it :)
Spirit Fighter tells the story of Jonah, who at first seems like a typical 13 year old boy who loves to play basketball and video games, forgets he has homework assignments, needs to be reminded by his parents to do his chores, has a younger brother named Jeremiah who likes to be nearby, a younger sister named Eliza who is a top student at their school, and has a close relationship with both of his parents. His mom, Eleanor, is a homemaker while his dad, Benjamin, is a pastor at their church in Peacefield, New Jersey. When the story begins, Jonah is having nightmares and having a hard time sleeping. He goes out for basketball tryouts and despite all the practice he puts in, ends up being told by the coach not to return. Whoa! What kind of teacher tells a student that they need to find a different sport after the first day of tryouts? As it turns out, God has bigger plans for Jonah then being on the basketball team at school. Jonah is devastated and cries out to God in prayer and the answer he gets changes everything.
That evening Benjamin and Eleanor decide to reveal an ancient truth to Jonah. Eleanors father is a fallen angel making her half-angel or a Nephilim; which makes Jonah, Jeremiah, and Eliza quarter-angels or quarterlings. Jonah has already discovered his power; he has superhuman strength that is fast developing, but before he has a chance to enjoy this new revelation his mom is kidnapped. Jonah and Eliza are sent to New York City on a quest to rescue Eleanor, but before they leave they are given three things: a MissionFinder 3000 which looks like a watch, but is a military-grade angelic navigation system; a small Bible; and a blessing.
Jonah has one demonic encounter before going on this journey with his sister and he realizes its going to take more than physical strength to beat them. Hes the oldest of the three kids and initially is the only one who discovers what his identity really is. No matter what powers he has and what hes capable of, he is told throughout the story that the real excitement is how much God loves him and the importance of his faith. Jonah also learns about his guardian angel, Henry, who helps him and Eliza both with their questions as well as fighting the fallen angels they come across. God is referred to as Elohim, which in Hebrew means Strong One.
Jonah and Eliza have several encounters with fallen angels on the way to Manhattan. We learn right away that Elizas power is a shield as quoted in scripture as the shield of faith. Her shield only works well when her faith is intact. Jonah also discovers that every time theyre in an impossible situation that all he has to do is cry out to Elohim and a solution presents itself. Sometimes its a scripture verse that empowers him; sometimes its Henry there to rescue them; sometimes its a vision that guides him; but the story does well to illustrate that God gives Jonah the wisdom, encouragement, strength, favor, and love he needs to overcome anything he has to face on this rescue mission.
References that are mentioned in this story that are either landmarks or important names:
LeBron James
Attila the Hun
Genghis Khan
Joseph Stalin
Wall Street bull in NY
Statue of Liberty
Brooklyn Bridge in NY
Central Park
The Miami Heat
Many angels including the Archangel Michael
My favorite parts of the story: a precious scene of Jonah and Eliza riding their bikes super fast and it reminded me of the scene in ET when the kids are flying on their bikes; how close the Stone family is (when Jonah tells Eleanor what the coach says to him she nearly goes to lecture the man before Jonah stops her, I had the same reaction while reading it; Eliza and Jonah risk their lives more than once for each other in team work to find their mom; Benjamin is devastated when he learns his wife has been kidnapped, but he is even more heartbroken to learn that his two kids are being sent on such a dangerous mission instead of himself); the Word of God is emphasized throughout the story; Jonah learns the value of prayer; the story of Jericho is reenacted by Jonah and Eliza at one point and it was awesome!!!! Jonah and Eliza learn that the truth and miracles of the Bible are relevant today and that a persons spirit man is just as real as their human bodies.
Even though I highly recommend this book for anyone 9 or older, I also advise that parents, teachers, and youth pastors to read it over first so that youre comfortable with it before sharing it with your kids. There is violence in the story, but nothing over the top or inappropriate. One intense moment happens at the end where Jonah is tested in his faith, but the power of God comes through strongly and Jonah does not give in to his fear. It was challenging to see what the kids have to endure, more spiritually than physically, but I found myself cheering them on the entire time :) I think the video games and cartoons kids watch today are much more violent than anything this story illustrates, but there is enough action to keep you turning the pages. Spirit Fighter is Laws first book and brilliantly sheds light on the spirit realm, mentions several scripture passages, and shows the power of faith without preaching. Its only 240 pages, but I loved everything about Spirit Fighter and cant wait to read Book Two: The Fire Prophet later this year!
I want to thank NetGalley.com and Thomas Nelson for the copy they provided for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
I was excited to read this book, since the cover said it's "an imaginative adventure that is based on scripture in the book of Genesis." What it doesn't tell you is it's based on the MORMON book of Genesis.
