Brian’s dreams have forewarned him of the trouble he faces. He is being chased by a serpent-like entity intent on consuming him. A teenager living in Chicago and raised by a single mother, Brian is a relatively good kid aside from the occasional adolescent mischief. He strays too far from home one night and is caught in the middle of a gang-related shooting. While he initially believes he is okay, his spirit floats above his corporeal form, and angels guide him into the kingdom of Elohim. In the immediate aftermath, the demons who have been targeting young Brian throughout his life rejoice at their success, while Brian’s bereft mother struggles to come to terms with losing her only child. As Brian adjusts to his new environment, he is introduced to angels such as Barakiel and the majestic King Adonai, who inform Brian of the battle being waged between angels and demons for those still on earth, like Brian’s mother. The city of Chicago is the battleground for an engagement unlike any other.

A senseless tragedy takes a young man from the earthly realm far too early, but he soon finds himself in a place to serve a higher purpose in this spiritually infused drama. Good and evil are time-honored themes. In this lively narrative, scheming demons such as Andras plan misery and destruction on the citizens of Chicago to avenge the exile enforced upon them by King Adonai. Brian’s character arc sees the rambunctious teenager evolve into a steadfast warrior for God and his fellow angels, a trajectory that proceeds in a more than satisfying manner. The clashes between the angels and demons are fierce and action-oriented, the scenes detailed in an almost epic fashion. Ultimately, this is a highly rewarding read exploring topics of loss, grief, and the afterlife.