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Laodicea Chronicles #1
Winds of Evil
Katherine Adamson hadn't expected to find her hometown infested with demons. Following the sudden death of her aunt Celeste Adamson, Katy returns to Eden and finds the town in an uproar. All of Eden has become a war camp, and citizens are being forced to take sides in an eternal battle.
300 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 30, 2024
I have not finished the story, this book is not a stand-alone, or part of a series. It is a long book published in several volumes, but as I didn't see the next part in the library, I probably never will finish it, and so this is not a review, but just a few observations.
The book is billed as a "supernatural thriller", which immediately makes me think of Charles Williams, whose novels have been described as such.
But the back cover blurb begins "what would you do if your town was infested with demons?" -- to which my answer would be "Thank God they were exorcised." And it immediately makes the think of Frank Peretti whose "supernatural thrillers" have very materialistic demons.
Fortunately the demons in this story (or at least the first volume of it) are not as materialistic as Frank Peretti's. The story is set in a town called Eden, in Indiana on the banks of the Ohio River. Katherine Adamson, now a successful author, returns to her home town after the death of the aunt who brought her up after the death of her parents, and everyone tells her that the town is much worse than when she left it. There seems to be endemic corruption in local government and local business. On the outskirts of town there is a sinister Institute reminiscent of the N.I.C.E. in That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis. And a child who was among the first to see one of the infesting demons compared it with the description of a balrog from The Lord of the Rings.
So far, so good. I'd be interested to see how the story develops in subsequent volumes, though I would hope it didn't go on for ever, like The Game of Thrones, which I gave up halfway through the second volume.
The book is billed as a "supernatural thriller", which immediately makes me think of Charles Williams, whose novels have been described as such.
But the back cover blurb begins "what would you do if your town was infested with demons?" -- to which my answer would be "Thank God they were exorcised." And it immediately makes the think of Frank Peretti whose "supernatural thrillers" have very materialistic demons.
Fortunately the demons in this story (or at least the first volume of it) are not as materialistic as Frank Peretti's. The story is set in a town called Eden, in Indiana on the banks of the Ohio River. Katherine Adamson, now a successful author, returns to her home town after the death of the aunt who brought her up after the death of her parents, and everyone tells her that the town is much worse than when she left it. There seems to be endemic corruption in local government and local business. On the outskirts of town there is a sinister Institute reminiscent of the N.I.C.E. in That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis. And a child who was among the first to see one of the infesting demons compared it with the description of a balrog from The Lord of the Rings.
So far, so good. I'd be interested to see how the story develops in subsequent volumes, though I would hope it didn't go on for ever, like The Game of Thrones, which I gave up halfway through the second volume.
June 13, 2013
Good writing, interesting plot/story. I was very intrigued since the beginning and couldn't stop reading once I started. It was a great book, especially with the religious theme. I would have like it to be a stand alone book instead, but overall it was worth the read.
September 29, 2026
I read this book as a child, and I absolutely loved it.
I took it everywhere with me and read it over and over again. It became one of those books that somehow just followed me around, getting reread until the poor thing probably knew me better than some people did.
One of the moments that really stuck with me was when they hit that *thing* in the road. I remember that scene so clearly. There was something about not quite knowing what had happened and then discovering what was actually there that completely hooked me.
It's funny how some books disappear from your memory, while others leave little fingerprints behind.
This one stayed.
I still think about that road. And that damn thing they hit.
I took it everywhere with me and read it over and over again. It became one of those books that somehow just followed me around, getting reread until the poor thing probably knew me better than some people did.
One of the moments that really stuck with me was when they hit that *thing* in the road. I remember that scene so clearly. There was something about not quite knowing what had happened and then discovering what was actually there that completely hooked me.
It's funny how some books disappear from your memory, while others leave little fingerprints behind.
This one stayed.
I still think about that road. And that damn thing they hit.
August 3, 2023
It was a great read. Reminded me of Frank Peretti's "This Present Darkness." The Christian characters were well thought out and there were many encouraging messages in it. I just wish the series had been finished. Maybe one day...
I will still pick the second book when I find it.
I will still pick the second book when I find it.
August 20, 2025
Sharon K Gilbert is one of my favorite authours
I laid aside my regular work the story was so interesting to me. Now I have to get the next book. I loved the RedWing Saga so much, reading this book just showed me I like Sharon’s style of writing.
I laid aside my regular work the story was so interesting to me. Now I have to get the next book. I loved the RedWing Saga so much, reading this book just showed me I like Sharon’s style of writing.
January 7, 2026
Great Book
Great book by Sharon Gilbert! The only problem is that I want more of the story!!! I'd love a happy ending but I realize that won't happen until Jesus comes and brings Peace to the earth; until His enemies are finally judged. Come Lord Jesus, come!
Great book by Sharon Gilbert! The only problem is that I want more of the story!!! I'd love a happy ending but I realize that won't happen until Jesus comes and brings Peace to the earth; until His enemies are finally judged. Come Lord Jesus, come!
March 23, 2026
Reading this after the Exorcist was really funny because one handled religion and the concept of evil with layers of depth and one fell into cringey religious cliches and I think my ratings can show which is which
September 12, 2019
If you like a book with no plot resolution and a side of Evangelism, one's for you!
May 4, 2020
Really enjoyed this one. It is a great read but this series has been abandoned by the author. Not sure why. Publisher issues and maybe just on the cusp of indie publishing emerging as a new alternative and the author did not take this up on that platform.
This is a shame. The author's message is still relevant today, even more so but this is as far as it gets.
I am just glad that she is continuing her current series, The Redwing Saga (6 novels so far) that has similar messages and biblical themes.
This is a shame. The author's message is still relevant today, even more so but this is as far as it gets.
I am just glad that she is continuing her current series, The Redwing Saga (6 novels so far) that has similar messages and biblical themes.
September 7, 2022
As the cover says this is Book 1 of the Laodicean Chronicles .
May 25, 2025
this book was good. i would remand it.
August 28, 2025
An amazing and inspirational novel about a town taken over by evil. It is creepy but also a warning! I can’t wait to read book 2 of the series.
September 13, 2025
Sharon and her cliffhangers! This is what makes her an awesome writer. It’s such a great story.
March 20, 2013
Winds of Evil was a random find at a discount book store... and what an absolutely amazing find it was!
I am on the hunt for the rest of the Laodicea Chronicles now! The writing style was a breath of fresh air. I have been picking books up and then setting them down for months, until this book. I could not put it down. It is a must read for anyone because it has a little of everything in it. Sadness, love, mystery, and a battle between good and evil that will leave you thinking!
I am on the hunt for the rest of the Laodicea Chronicles now! The writing style was a breath of fresh air. I have been picking books up and then setting them down for months, until this book. I could not put it down. It is a must read for anyone because it has a little of everything in it. Sadness, love, mystery, and a battle between good and evil that will leave you thinking!
August 10, 2013
I just happened to find this book atour local market.
I couldnt put it down.
Being a fan of horror and macabre, this to me was a good read. I would've prefered it to be a stand alone book.
Not a big fan of books ending with a cliff hanger.
I couldnt put it down.
Being a fan of horror and macabre, this to me was a good read. I would've prefered it to be a stand alone book.
Not a big fan of books ending with a cliff hanger.
April 16, 2025
Incredible
I just finished reading the Red Wing Saga by Sharon so I thought is check out her other work. I'm pleased to say that out is also very well done. I encourage anyone reading this to read her work.
I just finished reading the Red Wing Saga by Sharon so I thought is check out her other work. I'm pleased to say that out is also very well done. I encourage anyone reading this to read her work.
December 24, 2012
Really surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. It starts with some gut wrenching action and gets quite disturbing in places. But it is a great book about spiritual warfare. Worth the read.
January 10, 2013
scary enough to be good
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews