Sunday, July 14, 2019

Storm Rising, The Book of Wars #1 by Ronie Kendig

Book description:

Does an Ancient Book of Prophecy Hold the Answers to Saving the World . . . Or Predict Its Destruction? 

Mentioned in the pages of the Old Testament but lost to history, the Book of the Wars has resurfaced, and its pages hold secrets--and dangers--never before seen on earth. 

Tasked with capturing the ancient text, former Navy SEAL Leif Metcalfe is once more given command of his own team. But their best efforts are ruined when a notorious Bulgarian operative known as Viorica snatches the volume right out from under them.

Iskra "Viorica" Todorova is determined to use the book to secure the thing that matters most--freedom. But a series of strange storms erupts around the globe, and the coming dangers foretold in the text threaten crops, lives, and entire nations. Though both are haunted by secrets of the past and neither trusts the other, Leif and Iskra must form an uneasy alliance to thwart impending disaster. However, the truth hidden in centuries-old words could unleash a storm of their own destruction.

My review

  For years, my favorite genre' to read has been Christian suspense. In more recent years, there have been a few authors come on the Christian market who brought fiction that deals with military and special ops. In my opinion, Ronie Kendig is the best of those authors to write this kind of fiction, and has certainly put more of it out than the handful of others who have written it.

 This novel is the first in a new series of hers, and I was eager to read it. It, and the rest of the series, centers on a minor character from her last series: Leif Metcalfe, nicknamed "Runt". On a side note, he was actually introduced as an even more minor character in Wolfsbane, the 3rd book in her first series, Discarded Heroes.

  Storm Rising is another masterpiece of Christian suspense/special ops type of book. I have no idea where this author gets her ideas for the plots, but they are never your run of the mill plots. She also excels at coming up with colorful, unusual,  and likable characters. I didn't know if she'd be able to top Tox from her last series, but Leif may topple him as a fan favorite. Iskra/Viorica also turned out to be a most interesting character, one I had a hard time deciding if she was good or bad, but liking her in spite of that conflict.

 As with the Tox Files, this series seems like it will be about ancient artifacts, but in this case just one throughout the whole series....yet it already is obviously totally different than the Tox Files Series. Toss in the storm maker phenomena and the mystery surrounding Leif's past and abilities, you have the makings of another awesome series by this author who never disappoints.

 Kendig's series always has a team of men and women with their own talents and abilities, and this series is no different. It was cool to have a few make it onto this team from the previous series.

  Storm Rising is an awesome suspenseful book that spans a few countries, showcases the talents of some great special ops characters, and is a roller coaster of a ride. I loved the book, the plot, and definitely the characters. I am looking forward to the next book in this great series.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.


About the author:


Ronie Kendig (www.roniekendig.com) is an award-winning, bestselling author of over twenty novels. She grew up an army brat, and now she and her Army-veteran husband live a short train ride from New York City with their children and a retired military working dog. Ronie's degree in psychology has helped her pen novels of intense, raw characters.


Storm Rising is available from Bethany House Publishers, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

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