Set in many times and places, Thomas Davidsmeier’s Blessings and Trials spans a large and fascinating world filled with angels, either exiled from heaven or sent from heaven to help mankind. In this world, humans receive powerful blessings from God or grotesque powers from fallen angels. For this first entry of a planned series, the various stories seem largely disconnected. Some events even appear unrelated to any other parts of the story. Still, these flaws don’t restrain the work’s overall intriguing concept, and later books in the series may make the connections clearer. A strong Christian message and gospel presentation make this book worth a read.

Best for: Teens and young adults.

Discern: A good bit of fighting and killing, even with children present and involved; some liberties are taken with spiritual beings, powers, and gifts.