Book Review: Spirit Fighter by Jerel Law

Spirit Fighter by Jerel Law is the first book in the Son of Angels series for children, around eight years and older. In this story the average seventh-grader Jonah Stone is often over shadowed by his very smart younger sister, and walks his little brother to class every morning. He is bullied and often feels that he has no real talent, unlike his sister. One day Jonah discovers that he is much more special than he had ever hoped.Jonah discovers that his mother is half angel, making him and his siblings one-quarter angel. When his mother is kidnapped. Jonah and his sister Eliza are charged with the task of using their new-found heritage, prayer, and a little help from a guardian angel to rescue her from fallen angels, who have less than pleasant plans for their captives and the world in general.

What I really like about Spirit Fighter is the realism of the characters. Even as an adult, I can see bits on myself in Jonah. He worries about being good enough, about meeting other's expectations. However, he also is more thoughtful in concern to his family and those weaker than himself than most people would admit, or actually act on. Eliza also reflected parts of myself, she might be very smart but she still has doubts in her own abilities and questions herself. Even the guardian angel, the parents, other children, and other characters we run into throughout the story reflect aspects of reality, no matter how improbable a reader might find the particular situations. Faith, and faith in oneself, both move the story forward, without making the reader feel like they are being taught a Sunday School lesson.

I think that Spirit Fighter just might call to many readers. It is full of action, the children in the midst of the action are ones many readers can see a little of themselves in. Parents that want their children reading faith friendly fiction are in luck. This series combines Old Testament teachings in the action, and faith and prayer play an active role in the story. However, these elements are used in a way that blends beautifully into the story, so that young readers and adults of other faiths or beliefs can still feel comfortable reading the book. That is a balance that is hard to achieve in religious fiction for all ages, including adults.