Description
Winner of the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Genesis Contest-YA Category
If the angel is real, does that mean demons also exist?
Joy McLain is gunning for valedictorian. Her brother Daniel has his heart set on leading the JV soccer team to victory. They’re on course to rack up honors and trophies. Nothing can deter them.
Except the most popular guy at school-Hunter Haddix. Everywhere they turn, the star quarterback’s there lending them a hand. What’s up with that? Joy’s not his type-she’s a nerd, not a cheerleader. And Daniel’s a lowly freshman with a below-average GPA.
Hunter offers them each a deal. Not for the street Adderall Joy’s abusing. Or test answers for Daniel. Hunter guarantees he’ll fulfill their dreams if they recruit followers for his boss. As a bonus, he offers them eternal life . . . on earth.
A divine messenger warns the siblings about Hunter’s deals, and their eyes are opened to the reality of angels and demons. But Hunter is relentless, and now he’s after their friends. Are the siblings willing to overcome their inner demons to fight for their friends’ souls?
Susan Kendrick –
After many temptations and altercations, good prevails over evil in Jill K Willis’s debut book The Demons Among Us. The author nails the peer pressure as her characters are enticed with good grades, popularity, athletic abilities, money, looks, as well as, everlasting life … All the desires most impressionable teens think they need to be successful in this world. However, that everlasting life promised is not godly but one instead of manipulation, lies, deceit, and finally death.
The authors’ ministry to share the gospel in her book that attracts teenagers is embraced as Willis captures a teen dialogue with suspense and powerful adventures of good vs. evil through daily ordinary teenage life: high school, driving, church, parties, teachers, parents, pets, clothes, and drugs. Often temptation is subliminally underlying the apparent. Choices have to be made that can change the rest of their lives. What a weight on youthful shoulders … shoulders that the devil is constantly tapping. And, that tapping becomes an irritant as the main characters take charge through Christ and thus, ultimately win.
Once a lay speaker for the Methodist North Georgia Conference, a Bible study and senior MYF youth leader, I read the advance copy of The Demons Among Us and found it to be a must read for those formative years when building a Christian foundation of godly faith through Jesus for the true everlasting life of GOD’s promised paradise. Would loved to have read this when I was a teenager! But, hey, it’s never too late and a word of caution while reading … keep your light on!
Julane Fisher –
If someone promised all your dreams would come true if you sell your soul, would you do it? For fans of Laura Gallier’s The Delusion Series and Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons comes a young adult thriller of demons offering more promises than they can keep.
When star quarterback Hunter Haddix steps in front of a moving car and walks away unscathed questions surface. Did he do it on purpose? If so, why? As Joy and Daniel McClain untangle the mystery of Hunter’s claims, the truth is far more frightening than imagined. Joy and Daniel discover demons have taken over willing souls in their community and plan to wreak havoc on those who resist. When their neighbor is murdered, more questions about who Joy and Daniel can trust emerge. Will they be able to stop their friends from saying yes to Hunter’s offer before it’s too late?
Demons Among Us is a terrifying look at the darker side of the supernatural realm threatened by those who follow God. Male and female teens will enjoy this action packed clean read. Demons Among Us will generate great discussion for church youth groups or teen book clubs.
Thank you to Redemption Press for the advance reader copy. All opinions in this honest review are that of my own.
Donna Ahlstedt –
The plot turns come fast and furious in this gripping teen thriller, keeping readers guessing until the last page. Willis masterfully weaves a supernatural tale centered around teen siblings Joy and Daniel as they and their friends are suddenly confronted with an onslaught of demons in a spiritual battle of epic proportions.
Demons Among Us isn’t just a story of external demons, but also personal demons, inner battles and ordinary distractions we all face. The novel vividly portrays the ways in which Satan and his demons are relentless in their efforts to wreck God’s plans for our lives. Christian themes of faith, mercy, forgiveness, and redemption are threaded throughout. Though it is fiction, Willis’ novel gives readers a picture of how the enemy works and inspires us to use Jesus’ power to overcome the enemy. I received an advance reader copy for my honest review.
Nancy Van Patten –
It’s Teens vs. Demons in this spirited, clean read
What if the Devil was not in the details, but sitting in your high school homeroom class? In “The Demons Among Us,” that’s the dilemma facing siblings Joy and Daniel McClain and their peers, who enter into spiritual warfare with the Devil and his followers. In the guise of fellow classmates, these Devil’s advocates ascend Hell and prowl the halls of Pleasant Hill High School. The demons offer Joy, Daniel, and their friends high school success and eternal life, all guaranteed by their “Boss,” but Angels appear from Heaven and guide the teens in their fight against temptation and evil. The supernatural battle eventually threatens the safety of their suburban town, and the teens must decide where their spirituals paths will lead.
Author Jill Willis is adept at appealing to young adults in a story format that is familiar to them through mainstream paranormal novels, such as “Twilight.” The plot’s agility and movement will hold a teen reader’s attention. The strength of “The Demons Among Us” lies in its ability to establish a Christian awareness of the Devil and his underlings; the suburban high school setting makes this supernatural threat even more authentic to its teen audience.
The book masterfully defines the way evil morphs to steal souls, from a handsome star quarterback to a flock of nasty birds and serpents. It’s refreshing to read a book that is so suspenseful and thoughtful without unnecessary forays into random sex and drug use that might drag the plot and deflect from its message. If you’re a parent looking for something to read with your teen or young adult, “The Demons Among Us” will create opportunities for discussion, listening, and mutual accountability to faith.
I received an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
A.W. Lewis –
Angels and demons and real-world teens! Read this gripping tale of how they face good and evil and the sometimes questionable decisions they make! What would you do if promised eternal life–on earth?
Michelle Kaderly Welsh –
One way the devil gets us on to dangerous ground is to put doubts into our minds. He likes to use our insecurities and our desires against us.
The novel Demons Among Us presents some troubling scenarios of various choices teens face. Battling some don’t appear that dangerous. What’s so wrong about wanting to be valedictorian or getting good grades? What’s wrong with excelling in sports or music? Doesn’t everybody want to be beautiful and successful? Each of us—even Christians who go to church services and activities each week—aren’t immune to these tactics. But it just takes a small shift in our attitude to send us down the wrong path. The first discretion leads to the next and the next, gaining speed like a snowball growing in size as it plummets the mountainside.
More dangerous temptations are to experiment with drugs and alcohol or to play around with the occult. Everyone wants to be accepted and loved. It’s easy to overstep some bounds including sexual temptation or assessing an attractive person.
Demons Among Us is a gripping tale of choices. Each person makes lots of little choices that lead up to some big choices. One of these choices is who will we serve? God or Satan? Each of us answers for ourselves. We want to bring others with us, but we can’t. This chilling story makes one think. Like in real life, we get to see the results of both choices.
What would you do if demons invaded your school? This is a speculative young adult novel, but it hits the truth with clarity. Frank Peretti fans will love this novel. And if you want to observe what’s going on in this community for a scary tale in time for Halloween, find yourself a copy of Jill K. Willis’ novel, Demons Among Us.
I received an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Karen A. –
“The Demons Among Us” opens our eyes to the fact that angels and demons do exist in today’s world. Willis presents a realistic view of the many choices and challenges facing today’s young adults. Joy and Daniel, as well as their friends, are constantly faced with promises of popularity, esteem, money, and a plethora of others seemingly desirable gifts. But what are the consequences?
This book is a very engaging and quick read for teens that are struggling with following their heart and soul versus the “Facebook” world. It confirms that God is the only “influencer” they need in their lives.
I received an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Pat Nichols –
The Demons Among Us is a skillfully written, gripping young adult supernatural story of spiritual warfare punctuated by the challenges of friendship and teenage rivalry. Daniel and his sister Joy deal with the consequences of their own poor choices while struggling to help friends navigate between gut-wrenching fear of failure and the promise of instant gratification and success.
Carol S Wrape –
“The Demons Among Us” is a supernatural story geared to teenagers and young adults. It reminds us that there are demonic forces in this world that pull us to do things we know we shouldn’t and; angelic forces that watch over us and draw us closer to God. Author Jill K. Willis’s depiction of the high school students is believable and offers a window to the many challenges our teenagers face. I found her debut book to be a ‘page turner’ and left me wondering, how many people would accept the offer to have their most desired dreams come true, IF they agreed to serve satan forever? You won’t want to put it down!
Carol James –
Congratulations to Jill K. Willis on her exciting young adult debut novel, The Demons Among Us. I love Frank Peretti books because they make the spiritual world come to life, and Ms. Willis has captured that Peretti-esque feel in this intriguing story of angels, demons, and teenagers. Her storyline is gripping, illustrating that her characters’ choices, just like ours, are not without consequences. Battle lines are drawn, and spiritual warfare ensues. The author’s descriptions are rich. Several times, I had to look over my shoulder to make she I wasn’t being watched. I highly recommend The Demons Among Us for your young adult reader. I was given an advance reader copy of this book. I was not required to leave a review. These opinions are my own.
Wendy W. –
The Demons Among Us explores the struggle contemporary teens face in today’s society where success and popularity are paramount. It has exciting supernatural components that will grip young adult readers and keep them turning the pages. As demons fight to claim souls with near irresistible promises, angels offer support in this tale of spiritual warfare. With vivid imagery and contemporary challenges and dialogue, I highly recommend this book. I received an advance copy of The Demons Among Us in exchange for my honest opinion. Congratulations to Ms. Willis on a brilliant debut novel.