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Paranormia #1
Paranormia
A nerdy nobody is heaven's newest hero. It's too bad that the devil fights dirty...Chris Loury is penniless and painfully geeky. So when the struggling illustrator makes a wish that grants him supernatural visions, the lines start to blur between his comics and reality. After he crosses paths with a protector who calls himself an angel, Chris must decide if being a hero is worth the danger.When his newfound confidence helps him connect with the girl-next-door, he hopes he can balance a relationship and a superhuman secret. But after a devilishly gorgeous woman with money and an ulterior motive tempts him with career success and fame, he puts his crush, his town, and his life in jeopardy.Will Chris fulfill his destiny and save the city from destruction?Paranormia is an enthralling urban fantasy adventure. If you like underdog heroes, supernatural battles, and a dash of humor, then you'll love Paul Regnier's action-packed novel.Buy Paranormia to join the battle between heaven and hell today!
- GenresUrban Fantasy
270 pages, Paperback
Published June 25, 2019
18 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Paul Regnier
26 books77 followersPaul Regnier is a speculative fiction author. He believes one of the closest things to magic on this earth is imagination. His favorite type of story is filled with adventure, humor, and heartfelt moments between characters. He likes to dream up worlds of fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, and the supernatural. Sometimes they end up in a book.
Paul is the writer of Monster Therapist, Bard Tidings, the Luke and Bandit cozy mystery series, the Paranormia series, and the Space Drifters series.
Paul lives in Treasure Valley, Idaho, with his wife and two children.
Paul is the writer of Monster Therapist, Bard Tidings, the Luke and Bandit cozy mystery series, the Paranormia series, and the Space Drifters series.
Paul lives in Treasure Valley, Idaho, with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 27, 2019
Most fictional works involving angels and demons fall into one of two camps. The ones that are made by Christians often go to such lengths to take their source material seriously that everything gets treated too seriously, resulting in poorly-written characters and melodramatic (yet entirely predictable) plot developments. The ones made by secular creators end up in Supernatural territory, with characters and storylines that are frequently quite entertaining, but theology that ranges from laughable to somewhat offensive in nature.
Why can’t there be a Christian-penned story that tackles the war between heaven and hell in an accurate manner but has fun with the concept at the same time?
Thanks to Paul Regnier, now there is. And it's very, very good.
A funny, engaging hero that the reader can actually relate to? Paranormia has that. A wisecracking, Pratchett-esque angel? That too. A surprising twist on demonic characters that entertains without cheapening the reality of spiritual warfare? Check. Add to that a laugh-out-loud line on nearly every page and a truly gripping plot, and you’ve got the Christian paranormal novel that the market has needed for about as long as I can remember.
We need more books like Paranormia. And while we’re on the subject, I need a sequel. Here’s hoping.
Why can’t there be a Christian-penned story that tackles the war between heaven and hell in an accurate manner but has fun with the concept at the same time?
Thanks to Paul Regnier, now there is. And it's very, very good.
A funny, engaging hero that the reader can actually relate to? Paranormia has that. A wisecracking, Pratchett-esque angel? That too. A surprising twist on demonic characters that entertains without cheapening the reality of spiritual warfare? Check. Add to that a laugh-out-loud line on nearly every page and a truly gripping plot, and you’ve got the Christian paranormal novel that the market has needed for about as long as I can remember.
We need more books like Paranormia. And while we’re on the subject, I need a sequel. Here’s hoping.
December 31, 2019
I picked this book up on the advice of a friend who is a fan of Mr. Regnier's other books. He added that most of Mr. Regnier's books have a comical edge to them, which I thought would be nice while going through some stressful straits in life. At the same time, I'm not exactly a read-for-pure-entertainment kind of person. I want some substance, something to carry away at the end. PARANORMIA delivered both to me handily. Along with a page turning plot, a relatable—if naïve—protagonist, Chris, and some eye opening sequences that show just how easily the mundane setbacks and frustrations of life could be part of something bigger. Having an awareness that our actions reverberate within and are impacted by not only the physical but spiritual realm has been helpful for my faith, which I definitely wasn’t expecting when I gave the book a try. I’m officially a fan.
June 24, 2019
Superhero meets supernatural. When awkward geek Chris sends up a last ditch effort prayer that God intercede in his life, he never expects to be assigned a guardian angel who likes disguising himself as Marty from Back to the Future.
Dealing with real issues of temptation and faith, this book could've become stilted and dorky in the hands of another writer. But Paul Regnier writes in a way that will make you laugh out loud, and still keep you at the edge of your seat. This a great read for young adult audience and older.
Dealing with real issues of temptation and faith, this book could've become stilted and dorky in the hands of another writer. But Paul Regnier writes in a way that will make you laugh out loud, and still keep you at the edge of your seat. This a great read for young adult audience and older.
January 29, 2020
Lots of humor and paranormal adventure in this novel! How can you go wrong with a wanna-be graphic novel writer who gets thrust into a supernatural battle alongside an angel who's stuck in the '80s? The main character is likable, with just the right balance of snark and sincerity. This book was really a lot of fun to read.
July 4, 2019
Reads like a modern day Screwtape! Love the characters, love the concept, and look forward to reading more from Mr. Regnier!
Read
July 12, 2020Actual rating: 4.5 stars
This book was not quite what I expected. Rather than a fast-paced action story, this ended up being more grounded in a world very much like our own with characters very much like me and people I've known. And I really appreciated that.
I didn't fully agree with all the details of the supernatural theology in this book, but I found that didn't matter. That's a huge compliment: It was a brilliantly-told story and the worldbuilding was absolutely solid, so much that I stopped caring about fine points of theology because it didn't matter to the story.
Paranormia was also funny and surprisingly insightful. Though Chris, the main character, was very much not self-aware (very, VERY unaware of himself and his surroundings), his story still brings the reader to new realizations about themselves and their world.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it to people who grew up in youth group or like It's a Wonderful Life. I look forward to reading more from Regnier.
This book was not quite what I expected. Rather than a fast-paced action story, this ended up being more grounded in a world very much like our own with characters very much like me and people I've known. And I really appreciated that.
I didn't fully agree with all the details of the supernatural theology in this book, but I found that didn't matter. That's a huge compliment: It was a brilliantly-told story and the worldbuilding was absolutely solid, so much that I stopped caring about fine points of theology because it didn't matter to the story.
Paranormia was also funny and surprisingly insightful. Though Chris, the main character, was very much not self-aware (very, VERY unaware of himself and his surroundings), his story still brings the reader to new realizations about themselves and their world.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it to people who grew up in youth group or like It's a Wonderful Life. I look forward to reading more from Regnier.
Read
October 6, 2022Dnf, clearly not my thing. Single person POV is quite intense, and if you find the narrator an annoying drip it's not fun. I get that there's room for character arc, but you want to set up something for the reader that this self absorbed slacker has some great future worth hanging out for.
September 3, 2019
Paranormia is about the ongoing, eternal battle between good and evil. Spiritual warfare. You might expect that a novel dealing with such a serious subject would be just as serious as it sounds. But not necessarily. Paranormia tackles the issue with a ton of humor and a bit of lightheartedness that worked out perfectly and ended up being an extremely engaging read.
Aspiring graphic novelist Chris Loury is an average geeky guy who's awkwardness tends to shine most in the moments when he's trying to be cool. He's tired of his boring, mundane life and wishes for greatness. Well...he gets it, alright, but it's not at all what he was expecting.
I won't lie, there were times when Chris wasn't the most likable guy, but there was a relatable and endearing quality to him that had me rooting for him. The first meeting between Chris and Finchelus the angel was memorable and hilarious. Come to think of it, pretty much every time Finch showed up it was like that.
Paranormia is a stellar Christian urban fantasy. It wrapped up nicely, but I'm definitely hoping for a sequel!
Aspiring graphic novelist Chris Loury is an average geeky guy who's awkwardness tends to shine most in the moments when he's trying to be cool. He's tired of his boring, mundane life and wishes for greatness. Well...he gets it, alright, but it's not at all what he was expecting.
I won't lie, there were times when Chris wasn't the most likable guy, but there was a relatable and endearing quality to him that had me rooting for him. The first meeting between Chris and Finchelus the angel was memorable and hilarious. Come to think of it, pretty much every time Finch showed up it was like that.
Paranormia is a stellar Christian urban fantasy. It wrapped up nicely, but I'm definitely hoping for a sequel!
October 16, 2019
Chris Loury is the THATest THAT guy I've ever met, and it's PERFECT. Entirely self-absorbed without being self-aware about it, a casually terrible friend, subtly convinced he's smarter than whoever's in front of him, refers to women as their hair color, would probably describe himself "morally relatively-uncomfortable," somehow both entitled AND enjoys playing the victim--of his circumstances, of other people, of God, of his own self.
And he does it all so relatably that, instead of hating him, you stare at the pages like "Oh no. I AM THIS CHRIS." And all you want out of life is to go through this journey with him.
The writing is great and sucked me in from the get go. Found myself thinking about it while doing other things. Overall, it's a fun read with something for everyone. Humor and peril, humanity and the paranormal; and where it could have easily stayed shallow and light, it's not afraid to be challenging and take you deep.
I could write an absolute SONNET about Finch. I won't. But I could.
Anyway. Consider this my formal request for a sequel.
And he does it all so relatably that, instead of hating him, you stare at the pages like "Oh no. I AM THIS CHRIS." And all you want out of life is to go through this journey with him.
The writing is great and sucked me in from the get go. Found myself thinking about it while doing other things. Overall, it's a fun read with something for everyone. Humor and peril, humanity and the paranormal; and where it could have easily stayed shallow and light, it's not afraid to be challenging and take you deep.
I could write an absolute SONNET about Finch. I won't. But I could.
Anyway. Consider this my formal request for a sequel.
June 27, 2019
Told in sharp, snappy prose, Paul Regnier’s PARANORMIA is a light-hearted take on the war between good and evil, with a nerdy artist caught in the crossfire. This book had the endearing banter of GALAXY QUEST combined with the supernatural elements of IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE. Angels and demons walk the streets of Los Angeles, their attention laser-focused on a graphic novel illustrator who wants nothing more than to be the hero who saves the day. This novel would appeal to fans of urban fantasy, Marvel and DC comics, superhero stories, and the SUPERNATURAL TV series, as well as angel and demon lore.
Some of my favorite passages include the following:
The guys hunkered at the bar were slurring out tales of past glory while the bartenders were busy wiping down the counter and glancing at the clock.
She hit me with both puppy-dog barrels of her blue eyes.
His eyes slid from her to me as if he was shifting the targeting site on a rifle.
Some of my favorite passages include the following:
The guys hunkered at the bar were slurring out tales of past glory while the bartenders were busy wiping down the counter and glancing at the clock.
She hit me with both puppy-dog barrels of her blue eyes.
His eyes slid from her to me as if he was shifting the targeting site on a rifle.
September 5, 2019
What got me to try Paranormia by Paul Regnier was the well-designed cover. It also helped it was about an underdog and struggling comic book artist in his twenties. Having been in those same shoes in my salad days, there was much in this novel that I experienced. Paul weaves the supernatural elements into the everyday struggles of trying to find one's purpose and also higher purpose. The book is filled with lovely snippets of dialogue, confidently crafted description, and quick wit. The pacing keeps you turning pages, especially the strong cliffhangers at the end of each chapter. I’m glad I took a chance on this author. I’m going to be keeping an eye out for his next release.
June 27, 2019
A little comedy, a little drama, and the supernatural, all tied up in one story!! I love the humor in Paul Regnier's writing.
Chris (the hero of this story) has no idea what is about to happen to him! I love the improvement in his character over the course of the book!!
It's a good story, and I think it will especially appeal to older teens and young adults. Though I may not recommend it to younger teens, due to some of the content.
Chris (the hero of this story) has no idea what is about to happen to him! I love the improvement in his character over the course of the book!!
It's a good story, and I think it will especially appeal to older teens and young adults. Though I may not recommend it to younger teens, due to some of the content.
July 15, 2019
The Paranormal Has Never Been So Much Fun
This isn’t usually my genre but I’m glad I stepped out of my comfort zone. Lots of laughs and thrills without being gory or too creepy, which is what I normally associate with this category. I even identified with the main character’s struggles and saw some hints of It’s A Wonderful Life. Tore through the story in two days. I couldn’t put it down.
This isn’t usually my genre but I’m glad I stepped out of my comfort zone. Lots of laughs and thrills without being gory or too creepy, which is what I normally associate with this category. I even identified with the main character’s struggles and saw some hints of It’s A Wonderful Life. Tore through the story in two days. I couldn’t put it down.
January 28, 2020
Wow!
What do you get it you cross C. S. Lewis's Screwtape Letters with Garth Nix's Keys to the Kingdom? This book. What an incredible spiritual warfare ride! If you want to sense the reality of the supernatural just beyond our day to day lives, read this. And whatever you do, don't let Solas stop you.
What do you get it you cross C. S. Lewis's Screwtape Letters with Garth Nix's Keys to the Kingdom? This book. What an incredible spiritual warfare ride! If you want to sense the reality of the supernatural just beyond our day to day lives, read this. And whatever you do, don't let Solas stop you.
October 3, 2019
Paul Regnier does it again. Paranormia is a wonderfully entertaining story! The only part I didn’t like was that it ended. I actually groaned since I wouldn’t get to be spending any more time with these interesting and fun characters. Hopefully, there will be a sequel.
July 1, 2019
Loved
Paranormal has a YA feel to it, and I love YA. The message is excellent. I loved the character arc for the protagonist. Well worth the read. Nicely done.
Paranormal has a YA feel to it, and I love YA. The message is excellent. I loved the character arc for the protagonist. Well worth the read. Nicely done.
August 5, 2020
Fun and entertaining! This book hooked me right away and I ended up finishing it in one sitting. Looking forward to the next one.
March 23, 2024
Good book with lots of action. Could have had a little better character development.
September 19, 2019
Where have I seen that opening before?
A probationary angel seemingly drowning who rescues his down-on-his-luck rescuer? Thankfully his name wasn't "Clarence." After the Capra-esque beginning, the story picks up and gets rolling. Its a good old good vs evil battle. The hero goes through some trials, learns to rely on God, and he and the girl next door go on to live a wonderful life. And the angel gets off probation. Fun, light read.
A probationary angel seemingly drowning who rescues his down-on-his-luck rescuer? Thankfully his name wasn't "Clarence." After the Capra-esque beginning, the story picks up and gets rolling. Its a good old good vs evil battle. The hero goes through some trials, learns to rely on God, and he and the girl next door go on to live a wonderful life. And the angel gets off probation. Fun, light read.
October 2, 2019
Funny and easy to read, but with themes that will make you think.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews