A SWORD OF VENGEANCE: A Novel (Call of Vengeance Book 2) by John Stafford – Dark Fantasy / Horror, Men’s Adventure Books, Thriller / Suspense

In the second volume of the Call of Vengeance series, author John Stafford takes the fight overseas in A Sword of Vengeance.

Brady, the young American hero of the first volume, A Prayer of Vengeance (see our review), continues his crusade to decimate The Beast, the Evil One, the darkness, whatever your favorite term, wherever it exists. Along with his three brothers, his girlfriend, and an ever-expanding crew of like-minded supporters, they take on Beelzebub in Israel’s Temple Mount and France.

This time, in 1980, the book leaps into revisionist history as Pope John Paul supports an attack by Brady and his companions on the evil spirit that has taken over the Islamic Imam of the Temple Mount. By freeing the most sacred building of the world’s three major religions of its evil, in coordination with the Vatican, Brady makes it possible for the Pope to convene a most secret meeting of the Council of Cardinals, telling them that he is casting out the Devil from the Vatican along with those who waver from the faith with an Act of Consecretion to the Sacred Heart.

Simultaneously, the Dome of the Rock, housed within the Temple Mount and supposedly the place where Mohammed ascended into Heaven, will be consecrated with holy water containing the blood of Jesus, casting out The Angel of the Fallen from the sacred spot.

While these acts will mean much more to Catholic readers, the planning surrounding these events reads more like a combination of graphic thriller and supernatural thriller in one. Brady and his three brothers, his girlfriend Michelle, and some additional crew members find themselves on a luxury yacht at the beginning of the book, bonding with the Mighty Men of King David,  an Israeli military group of 40 men led by a general and his daughter. They enjoy a great food-filled celebration with each other, capped by seeing Brady, infused by the light, elevating into the air so they can see for themselves the miracle of who he is: the man who talks to the angels.

But before the storm, there is a coupling to celebrate.

A joyous union among the team comes as a surprise to all involved. Nevertheless, family and friends have managed to remain hidden on the yacht before the nuptials. The wedding procession preceding the landing in Israel and the possibility of death all make the bonding aboard the yacht so special.

Backed by the Israelis, Brady and company make their way into the Temple Mount in a military-style operation and perform their miracle, but not without tragedy. But Brady uses his unique talents given him by the Mother of God to save a life, taking unto himself the wounds suffered by another.

Brady roots out evil in the church, as well.

Brady must face one more assignment overseas: to release dozens of children captured by an evil sect of the Church. Corrupt priests and nuns capture children and allow unspeakable evil to be done to them in an annual bacchanal at a chateau outside Paris. With the same religious fervor, Brady takes on the task. The house’s defense by Iranian shooters hidden in the bushes causes considerable damage to the would-be rescuers, including people near and dear to Brady and his people. In the world of this series, Iranians do the Devil’s work.

As in the first book, the evil fought here may repulse some people. The descriptions, in some instances, are uncomfortably vivid. Yet, the writer believes that the need to portray the good properly must be accompanied by a strong showing of the evil that must be cast out forcibly and by any/every means necessary from the world. Readers will find these books well-written and intriguing additions to the supernatural thriller genre – but quite graphic.