This fantasy novel by Jerel Law is the third in the ” Sons of Angels, Jonah Stone” series published by Tommy Nelson, a registered trademark of Thomas Nelson Inc.
Shadow Chaser is for kids ages 11 to 15. The age range reflects readability and not necessarily content appropriateness.
A year ago, Jonah Stone learned a startling family secret. His mother is a nephilim, meaning she is half angel, half human. That makes Jonah and his younger siblings, Eliza and Jeremiah, one-fourth angel or quarterlings. As the devil, called Abaddon, sought to round up the nephilim for his evil purposes, Jonah, his siblings and other quarterlings were summoned to join God (referred to as Elohim) and His angels in battle. Jonah, Eliza and Jeremiah were sent to train at a convent with other quarterlings. In Angel School, they studied the Word of God, practiced spiritual disciplines and learned battle tactics for facing the enemy.
As Shadow Chaser begins, Jonah finds himself with the world’s biggest zit. Soon, his entire face is covered. None of the remedies he tries have any effect. Meanwhile, he seems to be getting his fellow quarterlings into trouble, causing them physical pain. Even his own mother, with whom he can speak through an angelic vortex, appears physically weak.
The quarterlings are supposed to be focusing on their mid-term exams. But Jonah continues to feel more pain throughout his body, making it difficult for him to concentrate on his studies. He and his friends take a study break and find themselves battling fallen angels in Times Square. Again, Jonah seems to be the cause of physical injury for his peers. His popularity wanes among his classmates.
Jonah hears the angelic administrators of the school mention the name M’chala. After some research, he learns this is the fallen angel responsible for disease and death. Convinced that M’chala has targeted him, he goes in search of the demon. He finds him in a hospital ICU, and a battle ensues. Jonah’s friends find him and help him escape.
The physical portion of the mid-term exams takes place in various locations around the world, including the Roman Coliseum. The quarterlings face various challenges created especially for them and their unique strengths and weaknesses. Several times, Jonah comes face to face with an encouraging man who is never named but makes him feel safe. The man does warn that Jonah will face some serious difficulty in the future. During Jonah’s last test, he comes face to face with Abaddon. Jonah tells the devil to stop terrorizing his family and friends and to take him. Abaddon talks to Elohim, though Jonah can only hear the devil’s side of the conversation. In the end, Jonah realizes Elohim has given Abaddon power to test Jonah.
Jonah comes in first in his exams, but the victory celebration is short-lived. Jonah’s mother dies at the hands of Abaddon’s demons. Jonah and his family struggle to understand why Elohim permitted this to happen, and Jonah spends months feeling angry. In the end, as he worships at church, he realizes his mother is right there with him, praising God alongside him.
The quarterlings study, quote Scripture and learn biblical history lessons. They study spiritual disciplines and use the armor of God in their battles with fallen angels. The quarterlings, like angels, can slip in and out of the spiritual realm. Jonah learns he is a prophet and strives to understand, use and appreciate this gift.
When Jonah’s acne won’t go away, he turns to a healer in Chinatown for help. The healer tapes a pig’s ear soaked in squid ink to his forehead. The remedy doesn’t work.
Jonah’s parents, though separated from their children, strive to support and encourage them. The angels on staff at the school listen and provide spiritual direction even in the midst of situations that are difficult to understand or explain. Abaddon and his forces attack Jonah in every way they’re allowed, though Elohim has the final say and will not permit them to harm him beyond what he can bear.
The word darn appears once.
None
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This review is brought to you by Focus on the Family, a donor-based ministry. Book reviews cover the content, themes and world-views of fiction books, not their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. A book’s inclusion does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.
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