My rating: 4/5
Awareness of the existence of the spiritual realm and spiritual warfare is vital for all to know, especially Christians. Trial & Tribulations by Rachel Dylan is an enthralling Christian legal thriller that depicts this fact in a dynamic way. This fast-paced novel includes an intriguing plot, sound Christian doctrine, and interesting characters.
Ephesians 6:12 (KJV): For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Trial & Tribulations is book one in a four-part series. It follows the two protagonists in the story Olivia Murray and Grant Baxter, who are skilled and accomplished lawyers working on opposing sides of a nonconventional case involving two New Age Tech companies who each teach New Age practices and techniques through an online application. Olivia is a Christian who is strong in her faith and knowledgeable about the spiritual realm. After being assigned to the case in fictional Windy Ridge, Chicago, she quickly realizes her role in this job far exceeds merely winning a case. Olivia discovers that her participation in the case includes her fighting a fierce spiritual battle that threaten to pull Christians in Windy Ridge from the faith into a Satanic lifestyle. Grant Baxter is the attorney working with the opposing New Age Tech company suing Olivia’s client’s company. Grant is an atheist, who initially has no interest in learning or believing in any religion, whether Christianity or Satanic. However, meeting Olivia changes his outlook on Christianity and his views on spirituality. Both Grant and Olivia are thrust into a fierce spiritual battle between good and evil that leaves Grant strongly convinced of the validity of the spiritual realm and will embolden Olivia’s strong faith and spiritual gifts.
The Christian faith content in this novel was outstanding. Although this novel depicts spiritual warfare and the participation of angels and demons in the spiritual battle, the ultimate power of Christ is illustrated profoundly. Characters were portrayed casting out demons in the name of Jesus and consistently praying. There was also the inclusion of a local community church whose pastor and church leaders provided support and guidance throughout the battle. This was by no means a spooky story that just described evil, but adequately displayed the power of Christ and the spiritual authority believers have in the name of Jesus. This is a riveting Christian legal thriller that I highly recommend to others.
