Happy Friday, and welcome to First Line Friday! Today I am sharing the first line of Dark Angel by Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson.

“Nicholas Woland, known simply as “l’américain” to prisoners and guards alike, sat on the edge of his hard, narrow cot, hands resting idly on his knees.”

Dark Angel by Andrews & Wilson

The Basics

Title: Dark Angel

Authors: Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson

Series: The Shepherds (Book 2 of 3)

Publication Date: April 5, 2022

Genre: Military Thriller

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Former Navy SEAL Jedidiah Johnson returns to Nashville ready to begin his training with the elite warriors known as the Shepherds. He thinks he knows what to expect when he arrives on the sprawling, state-of-the-art facility but quickly realizes he’ll have to find his place as the rookie leader of a new team. Then he starts having visions of an imminent attack overseas, and with the clock ticking, Jed and his team are dispatched to neutralize the threat. All the while, Jed hears whispers of another threat . . . a name that raises unexplained fear and anger throughout the Shepherds organization.

Once a military man, Nicholas Woland betrayed the Shepherds and all they stood for when he joined their enemies. After years in prison, Woland is eager to get back in action spreading chaos and death. And he has been freed for a purpose: a sinister plot that will result in hundreds of casualties and incite worldwide religious warfare for years to come.

As Woland and the Shepherds race toward a collision, Jed must rely on his gifts, his training, and his untested team to make critical decisions on a global stage—never realizing that a secret servant of the enemy is growing closer and closer to him.

My Review

“…I can tell you that God is here, right now. He’s with us. And so are the evil forces, because Satan is just as real. There’s a war raging all around us – a war that most people can’t see. But some of us can.”

Dark Angel picks up right where Dark Intercept left off, with Jed Johnson officially part of the Shepherds organization. The action is ramped up even higher than the first book in the series when Jed and his team are thrust into an urgent mission before their training is complete. This intense thriller showcases the war between good and evil in both the natural and supernatural realms. The military action and tactics are so realistic, while the spiritual elements add depth and top-notch character development to the story. Sarah Beth, who we met in the first book, is one of my favorite characters – I love how her friendship with “Uncle Jed” plays such an important role. This book is not only an enjoyable thriller, but also a thought-provoking look at the spiritual battles raging around us. Fans of Joel C. Rosenberg and Ronie Kendig will love this series!

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.