American Omens : The Coming Fight for Faith

A mysterious prophet is wreaking havoc on the world's top technology firm. Cheyenne Burne, whose father converts to Christianity and disappears, is a skeptic and does not condone her father's choices.  Nonetheless, she finds herself scrutinized by the firm and is suddenly on the run and in hiding.  Along the way, she meets believers who, like her father, see the risks of choosing God over the world. "American Omens" by Travis Thrasher imagines a world that's coming where Americans are asked to choose between their allegiance to God and their country, Bibles and Christian books are banned and illegal and your every move and conversation is monitored. If we pay attention to the signs (or omens), it is easy to believe that Thrasher's fictional story could become reality, and that makes his book both intriguing and scary--certainly not for believers because we know how it ends, but for those who have hardened their heart and refused to acknowledge God, it will be a time of fear and uncertainty. While Christians are slowly giving away their freedoms in the name of tolerance, Thrasher shows what the ultimate result will be.  However, in the midst of all the drama, Americans will discover true faith in Christ and what faith in God really involves. While Thrasher's book doesn't involve all of the elements of most end-time novels, he tells a compelling story of what can happen as the world slowly drains us of our freedom and privacy. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Penguin Random House as part of Waterbrook Multnomah's Book Review Blogger Program. I was not required to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

AMERICAN OMENS: THE COMING FIGHT FOR FAITH may turn out to be the most important fiction book published in recent years that a Christian needs to read and deserves to be the must-read book of 2019. Set twenty years in the future but based in part on present-day happenings, the novel comes across as prophetic --especially if the devaluation of Christianity in America continues. AMERICAN OMENS is intensely compelling and will grab readers with its strong characters, plot, and uncompromising view that God is still God and He is still ultimately in control in a world where technology seemingly rules and privacy is violated by an "elite" few. Love those pop-up ads you see while surfing the Internet? On his blog, author Travis Thrasher had this to say about algorithms: "I've spent many hours researching technology and the advancements being made in all sorts of areas. Algorithms are something I've studied quite intensely, and honestly, the more I know the more terrified I become." After reading AMERICAN OMENS, I'm more terrified as well. I rarely quote from the advance reader copy of a book as things may change between release if the ARC and publication. However, this quote hit me hard when I read it: "There's a war going on out there. You know it now from experience--how they forced you to close after selling some Christian materials. It's gone that far in this country. First you couldn't speak out about issues like homosexuality or abortion or refugees or a better understanding of racial equality, with everybody on social media slamming those they deemed on the wrong side. The condemnation became so extreme, and now our culture is attacking everything--churches, gatherings, literature, and the arts. Everything. Christianity has been eradicated, and most of the country has sat back and done nothing to stop it." I'm not saying that events are going to unfold the way that Thrasher's fertile imagination has them laid out in AMERICAN OMENS, but I'm saying it is scary just how plausible the scenario is. I have already started a list of friends, family, and church family who I think should read this book. That's how excited I am for AMERICAN OMENS. 5 Stars. Highly recommended!!! I received a copy from Multnomah through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.