The Warriors by Mark Andrew Olsen

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Warriors
(Bethany House April 1, 2008)
by
Mark Andrew Olsen
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

MARK ANDREW OLSEN whose novel The Assignment was a Christy Award finalist, also collaborated on bestsellers Hadassah (now the major motion picture: One Night With the King), The Hadassah Covenant, and Rescued. His last novel was the supernatural thriller The Watchers.

The son of missionaries to France, Mark is a Professional Writing graduate of Baylor University. He and his wife, Connie, live in Colorado Springs with their three children.

ABOUT THE BOOK

A failed recon mission deep in the tunnels of Afghanistan has provoked a demonic onslaught that had been brewing for centuries. The mission's sole survivor is reformed black ops assassin Dylan Hatfield, and he once again teams up with Abby Sherman, now at the helm of the Watchers, an ancient spiritual force. Uncovering and preventing a secret wave of death whispered across cyberspace and threatening to be unleash against civilization will require another level of spiritual power and expertise--the Warriors.

Journeying across the Alps of Europe through the multilayered history of warfare in the unseen world, Dylan and Abby uncover an age-old stone engraving that rouses the church's Warriors to action, placing them dead center in one of the fiercest spiritual battles of their time!

And once again they are reminded: This is all part of a vast and perpetual war, a war beyond all human conflicts, one that has engulfed heaven and earth since before the dawn of history....

Abby Sherman is headed back to Israel, where a Watcher, the Sentinel of Jerusalem, lies dying. In her last breaths the old woman tells Abby of an ancient document prophesying humanity's full-scale entry into the ongoing conflict between armies of heaven and fallen angels.

Dylan Hatfield has decided to answer a summons from his old boss and join a secret operation, its mission to reconnoiter the Afghani tunnel complex from which Osama bin Laden escaped in 2001. What he discovers sears his very soul and likely will end his life.

Abby learns of the peril facing Dylan, and she sends out a call for intercession on his behalf. Her frantic email message sets in motion a series of harrowing events, propelling the two on a new mission and quest--one where the stakes are the lives of millions!

The Warriors is packed with high-octane action, featuring exotic international locales, with characters in a clash against spiritual "principalities and powers" with eternal consequences, The Warriors is a story that will enthrall, enlighten, and engage its readers.

If that piques your interest, you can read the first chapter HERE


MY REVIEW:

“I know you’re used to hearing powerfully from God,” Skinner said, “but I know from my own experience that a lot of times, responding to Him means just turning away from the wall I’ve been beating my head against and stepping out in faith. With no obvious response to guide me. Sometimes that’s the greatest faith of all. To just take one unsure step after another, with no strong leading, and yet trust that He’ll still guide the way.”(p. 281).

If you had the gift of literally seeing the spiritual warfare taking place around you, you’d think your faith in God would be so secure and so strong that NOTHING could shake you. However, when you are pleading with God for direction and no obvious answer is forthcoming, your “seeing” gift seems of little use. That is exactly the position Abby Sherman finds herself in time and again in Mark Andrew Olsen’s latest suspense tale, The Warriors. The sound advice from a friend about trusting God to provide direction is just one wonderful example of the practical faith lessons nestled among the pages of this incredible story!

Abby Sherman is one of the main characters in this fast-paced, suspenseful tale. Dylan Hatfield comes alongside as the other key character in the story, and together they must discover God’s call for His people to become the spiritual warriors our nation needs in order to defeat Satan and his legions. While some of this story is a bit fantastical in regard to “seeing” into the spiritual realm, Olsen makes a very strong and valid point regarding the importance of all Christian’s heeding the prompting of the Spirit to act when they hear God’s still small voice. Abby and Dylan’s heart-pounding race against time is really a great example of trusting God when it doesn’t make sense – trusting God to direct when it seems the odds are against us – trusting God alone for our direction and strength no matter what! You see, the United States is facing an attack of unknown origin. The Watchers are getting very clear and direct messages that send the National Intelligence and Homeland Security Offices scrambling! Meanwhile, Abby and Dylan are receiving their own messages, and they are left with more questions than answers!

This is an awesome book! Don’t miss it’s powerful and exciting tale! I know I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next book with Mark Andrew Olsen’s name on the cover! In the meantime, I plan to read The Watchers and learn more about Abby and Dylan! I hope you will too!!

"Olsen, one of the better writers in this subgenre, delivers powerful, action-packed plots that delve into mystical paranormal worlds."
~Library Journal, Feb. 2008

"Olsen delivers an entertaining thriller likely to be enjoyed especially by fans of the spiritual warfare genre."
~PUBLISHERS WEEKLY