Invitation by Bill Myers, Frank Peretti, Angela Hunt, and Alton Gansky

Invitation (Harbingers: Cycle One) is a compilation of four novellas by Bill Myers, Frank Peretti, Angela Hunt, and Alton Gansky. In this first book of the Harbingers series, we meet our unlikely cast of characters: Brenda (a tattoo artist who has visions of the future), The Professor (a priest-turned-atheist who relies on logic instead of God), Andi (the professor's assistant who sees patterns in everything), and Cowboy/Tank (a football player with religious belief in the healing power of prayer).

Invitation takes on a writing style that sets it apart from most compilations I've come across; each author writes a short story from a specific character's viewpoint - but the tales are all linked together and go in a set order to give the reader a better image of the entire story (the big picture, if you will).

Bill Myers writes as Brenda and tells of the group first coming together, along with the tale of an Institution of psychic study being controlled by evil forces and dark energies.

Frank Peretti takes on the persona of The Professor, recounting the group's involvement with a house that haunts those who give in to their inner demons.

Angela Hunt takes us into the mathematical genius of Andi, while seeking answers to strange natural phenomena and unexplained animal deaths.

Alton Gansky portrays Tank, who stumbles across a little girl in need of help only to find that he needs her more than she needs him.

All four authors do a wonderful job at pulling us into their character's world, while keeping us connected to the story at large. Each character's personality remains the same, regardless as to who is telling the story at the moment. And the bigger picture is always at play.

This book is very well thought out, with excellent collaboration. I look forward to reading the Cycle Two of the Harbingers series at some point in the future. I would recommend this to any teen-adult readers who enjoys sci-fi/paranormal fiction with a twist of God's blessings thrown in. 5/5 stars.

*Disclaimer: I received a free print copy of this book from Bethany House for the purpose of this honest review. All opinions are my own.*

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