Defiance, The

The battle between heaven and hell continues in this final installment of the Delusion trilogy. It's been four months since Owen witnessed an occult human trafficking auction on his property, and the Molek, Lord of the Dead, was taken away by the protective and benevolent Watchmen. Owen is desperate to know how he can drive the remaining evil presence out of Masonville for good. Along with Ray Anne, his devoted girlfriend, he now is attempting to root it out and determine where the truth lies--all while being pursued by mysterious forces and confronting old foes. Many new and frightening underworld creatures are introduced in great detail, and each embodies an aspect of spiritual warfare that Owen must learn to navigate. In the process, Owen discovers Molek's plan to sacrifice 13 targets in town, and he races to save the potential victims along with the souls of everyone in Masonville, including people he loves dearly. The members of a considerable cast of spirits, demons, and heavenly guardians seem to come and go when it's convenient to the plot but do little to advance a cohesive story; however, the power of faithful prayer and the ability of light to triumph over darkness are themes throughout and imbue the novel with a sense of hope. Most characters are assumed White. Readers seeking spiritual inspiration will be intrigued. (Christian supernatural fiction. 14-18)--Kirkus Reviews