The Ishbane Conspiracy by Randy, Angela, and Karina Alcorn

Jillian is picture-perfect on the outside, but terrified of getting hurt on the inside. Brittany is a tough girl who trusts almost no one. Ian is a successful athlete who dabbles in the occult. And Rob is a former gang-banger who struggles with guilt, pain, and a newfound faith in God. These four college students will face the ultimate battle between good and evil in a single year. As spiritual warfare rages around them, a dramatic demonic correspondence takes place. Readers can eavesdrop on the enemy, and learn to stave off their own defeat, by reading The Ishbane Conspiracy.



My review:

  This book came out in 2001, and if I am correct, was marketed for teenagers. It was offered for review, and I can't remember if I read it or not, so I requested it. If I did read it, I don't remember any of it.

  This is very similar to C.S. Lewis' book, The Screwtape Letters. It is an "inside look" at demons work on an individual, or in this instance, four different individuals, all of them college students.

 I listened to The Screwtape Letters and read Randy's similar adult book, but like this one the best. Since there are more people involved, it makes the book more interesting and moves it along at a faster pace.

 I thought the authors did a great job on the characters and plot. It not only kept my attention, but made me realize how hard the devil does tempt us. Even though the story is fictional, and the demons and their activities a figment of the authors' imaginations, it still was a stark reminder of what we face and how much the devil wants is to fall to his snares.

  This is more modern than The Screwtape Letters, and although it was geared for teenagers, adults will enjoy this fresher look at what C.S. Lewis did in his novel.

About the author:

Randy Alcorn is the founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM), a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching biblical truth and drawing attention to the needy and how to help them. EPM exists to meet the needs of the unreached, unfed, unborn, uneducated, unreconciled and unsupported people around the world.

"My ministry focus is communicating the strategic importance of using our earthly time, money, possessions and opportunities to invest in need-meeting ministries that count for eternity," Alcorn says. "I do that by trying to analyze, teach and apply the implications of Christian truth."

Before starting EPM in 1990, Alcorn co-pastored for thirteen years Good Shepherd Community Church outside Gresham, Oregon. He has ministered in many countries, including China, and is a popular teacher and conference speaker. Randy has taught on the part-time faculties of Western Seminary and Multnomah University, both in Portland, Oregon. 

Randy is a best-selling author of over 40 books including Heaven, The Treasure Principle and the 2002 Gold Medallion winner, Safely Home. He has written numerous articles for magazines such as Discipleship Journal, Moody, Leadership, New Man, and The Christian Reader. He produces the quarterly issues-oriented magazine Eternal Perspectives, and has been a guest on more than 650 radio and television programs including Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, The Bible Answer Man, Revive Our Hearts, Truths that Transform and Faith Under Fire.

Alcorn resides in Gresham, Oregon with his wife, Nanci, and their Dalmatian, Moses. The Alcorns have two married daughters, Karina and Angela.

Randy and Nanci are the proud grandparents of four grandsons. Randy enjoys hanging out with his family, biking, tennis, research and reading.


The Ishbane Conspiracy is available from Waterbrook/Multnomah Publishing.

Thanks to Waterbrook/Multnomah for the review copy.