Pets for Legion

by Shawn David Brink

When local school paraprofessional Sasha James rescues a child from a mysterious assailant, she unknowingly marks herself as the next target. To survive this supernatural foe, she will need to search deeper than the physical, pray for power beyond the natural, and fight like there’s no tomorrow.

Genres: Horror, Christian, Fiction

242 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2021

Reviews

[Bree Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

"He smiled because he realized he had never been in control. Everything was in God's hands as it had always been and as it always would be."

Pets for Legion is a fast-paced, Christian thriller that had me hooked. The first few chapters are a little bit slower, but once it takes off, it turns into a wild rollercoaster that will make you feel like you're watching a movie in your head.

What I Liked
The premise. It took me a little bit to really get into the story, but I remember thinking about it a lot. I wanted to know what would happen, and the story is thought out really well. There were very few plot holes or questions that I was left with and that definitely made me happy.
The depiction of actual spiritual warfare. I was a little nervous about this when I started the book because sometimes these things don't feel genuine. And while I still have my criticisms about the way religion is portrayed as a whole, the spiritual warfare was, by far, my favorite part of this book. It made me a little emotional in the last third of the book because it is such a beautiful depiction of the real battles that take place in our hearts...and the battles that take place for our hearts.
The way darkness is shown without ever crossing a line. I went back and forth about this point a lot. One part of me really wanted the author to push the envelope a little further with the darkness, but after some more thought, I think it actually works really well. I, as a reader, never felt violated, even with all of the occult/satanic practices and objects mentioned in relation to the antagonist. I think this was handled very tastefully, and I really do applaud the author for handling this so well because it can be a tricky thing to manage without falling short or going too far.

What I Didn't Like
The lack of characterization. Until about 2/3 of the way through, I really struggled to connect with the characters. I didn't want them to die, but I wasn't really emotionally invested yet. I don't really know how the author did it, but about 2/3 of the way through I found myself really invested, but I still wish there was more time spent on the characterization of the main characters. We get a fair amount of backstory for the antagonist, but I wanted more for Sasha and Xavier. Sasha also confused me a bit. Was she a Christian at the beginning? Is that why she saved the boy? Her religious arc felt too shallow for me and I wish more time had been spent on slowly having her realize the importance of Christ's love and forgiveness, as opposed to just making it seem like He was the only way to survive Legion.
The ending. The final chapters wrapped everything up, but it felt really rushed to me. I love the concept of the ending, but I wish it was more fully-developed and explored.
The writing style. This is really nitpicky, but I really didn't connect with the writing style of this book. There's nothing wrong with it, but it just didn't work as well for me. The overreliance on figurative language was sometimes a little repetitive and overdone, but this is fully just a reading preference.

Overall, I definitely enjoyed Pets for Legion. It felt like watching a movie in my head, and the way everything unfolded was really well done.

Content warning: Gun violence, blood, car accident, animal death, death, injury/injury detail, bullying (mentioned), torture (mentioned), several brief descriptions of the occult (Ouija board, pentagrams, satanic books are mentioned, etc).

*I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

[Iseult Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great horror thriller

Fans of Dean Koontz will love this fast paced horror thriller.

Legion wants Sasha James, and it will not stop until it has her. Over a couple of action packed days, Sasha fights for her life - and her soul - as the demons seek her out.

This book is well written and entertaining. There are some very emotional parts. It is incredibly tense and atmospheric. I loved the main characters. Sasha, Xavier, and Simon are all brave and resourceful, but they also behaved believably given the horrendous circumstances they found themselves in. The Chief and Clay were also well rounded characters.

I loved the Christian elements of this book. It made the book much more effective, realistic, and satisfying.

This is my first Brink book, and I look forward to reading more by the author.

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shawn David Brink writes some of the best Christian Horror fiction I have read. He never fails to have me tearing through the pages, having to know how the story ends. Pets For Legion is another hit. The battle between good and evil is fierce. The feeling of menace lurks on every page. The story flows smoothly, quickly, having me feeling like I can’t wait for what happens next. It pulls me along like a toddler with a string toy. I love Shawn David Brink’s ability to give me a unique look into the world of Christian horror.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com

[Rob Seabrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have possibly all read the Gospel passages and asked questions like : what happened to the legion of demons when the pigs leaped into a lake and drowned? Did the demons die too? If not, then where did they go? There were perhaps thousands of them, especially as the Gospels says there were about two thousand pigs.
Clearly Shawn has had similar questioning that has inspired him to come up with a story that follows that train of thought. Over the years legion may have had all sorts of influences and possessions throughout the world. This iteration is set in modern-day USA, in a small town where the deception, lies and violence can be obscured.
This story is of a local school teacher who rescues a child from a mysterious attacker and unknowingly becomes the next target of this supernatural enemy. With a couple of other characters who get wrapped up in the events, they all have to search deep within themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually to overcome the evil powers at work.
The book is set at a rapid pace...

Read the full review at https://www.robseabrook.com/pets-for-...

[Debbie Viscosi · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Sasha James relocated to a new town, she never anticipate the strange turn her life would take. At work as a school paraprofessional, she witnesses an attempted student abduction. Without thinking she runs to protect the student. The would-be abductor flees the scene. Her intervention brings her to the attention of the evil entity Legion. Now Legion wants her. Sasha finds herself running for her life. Can evil triumph?

Christian horror is new to me. I thoroughly enjoyed the manner with which the author has Christianity encounter evil. All the elements of a true horror story exist but interwoven in this story we also see faith. Shawn David Brink does not prosthelytize, he deftly has characters share their Christian faith when appropriate. It is a wonderful way to contrast evil and good.

I highly recommend this book. I really wish I could add half a star because that's the rating it deserves - 4 1/2! I am so happy to have read this. I can't wait to see what this imaginative author comes up with next.

[Tibbara's Den · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read from this author, and while I enjoyed the other one for the most part, I had a wonderful time with this one. This was definitely more horror/thriller leaning Christian fiction. I loved the on the run, not knowing who you can trust, nature of this one. I enjoyed how the characters circled around each other. I found Chief and Clay's interactions particularly enjoyable with the subtle humor that was there. I liked how the story evolved and the change in the second half. I really loved how it all wrapped up. It would have been a five-star for me if the editing had been better (as with the other book I read, there were typos and misspelled words. Though there weren't as many in this one) and the author hadn't relied as much on metaphors and similes to describe things. I would have loved a little more depth to the characters in this one as well, but with this story being fast-paced and plot focused, you didn't really lose much by not having that depth.

[C. D'Arc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horror can be one of the most Christian genres. Don't believe me? Try reading The Bible.

"Pets for Legion," by Shawn D. Brink, is a great blending of Christianity and horror, exploring some of the horrors of reality while also showing the hope and rescue available through Jesus Christ.
Yes, it has some supernatural elements (like an impossibly strong golem), but let's be real - the concept of Legion on its own is supernatural.

Referring to Mark 5:1-9 in the New Testament, the story centers around Legion and their partnership with a man named Chief, but is focused on Sasha James when she saves a victim from Chief's murderous plots. She's instantly likable as she's a teacher at a Lutheran elementary school who's living off the cafeteria food at the school and bologna and mustard at home. The story as a whole is non-denominational.

One of the hardest parts with horror is closing all the loopholes and plot holes, but Mr. Brink gave just enough explanation to keep the cat-and-mouse chase in high tension throughout the story. It fits all the tropes of a Christian horror and even blessed me with an inspiring thought (earning its fifth star).

[Patrick Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pets for Legion is my second jump into Christian horror. Oh boy. As with my other review in the genre, this isn't an Amish Romance or comfy Christian detective tale. Brink blends faith and suspense telling the story of Ms. Sasha James, a woman new town to a town who ends up becoming the target of a demonic entity. She goes through a lot, and that kept me engaged. The short chapters maintained tension. Like Brink's other work, the spiritual warfare is done in a realistic style that avoids the stereotypes common in many Christian fiction books. Sasha is relatable and grows as the story unfolds. The resolution ties up the narrative neatly, leaving a satisfying sense of hope, so you won't feel like you were cheated out when finishing it. If you are prepared for horror, I recommend it.

[Susan Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book in this genre and I was pleasantly surprised. The weaving of good vs. evil is very well done. This book kept me interested the whole way through and it was hard to put down.

[W.A. Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of Pets for Legion for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Before going further, I am no student of the bible. I'm broadly familiar with the titular Legion, I don't know the intricacies of the story. A lack of familiarity won't dampen your enjoyment of this book, but your stance on religion could. This is a Christian-themed horror story, and the characters' faith is central to both the plot and Pets for Legion's themes. Where horror stories are often good vs evil, this is about holy vs unholy. Where good triumphs in the end, the Christian triumphs over the demonic. This book does not preach at the reader, but the Christian faith is intrinsic to this book.

Pets for Legion is a quick read, with short and sharp chapters that help the book build momentum from the beginning. It creates a mood that builds mystery and suspense throughout but does so while maintaining a quick pace.

The book quickly establishes its protagonist and the world surrounding her, and jumps immediately into the story. It wastes no space on unnecessary information - this book is wonderfully tight. The book plays on the mysterious and scary nature of the threat, engaging the reader as it while building a sense of foreboding and dread.

The horror elements are haunting and Legion (and surrounding villains) brings a sense of foreboding at every point it appears. The horror itself is fairly light, and while some horror fans might be disappointed by this, it is welcoming to those who don't like their stories too horrific. There are certainly violent moments, but the book doesn't linger on these.

As enjoyable as the ominous tone is, a couple of character moments bring a fun, lighthearted sense of humour to them, and I would have liked to see a little more of this throughout. Broadly, the characters are well-defined, but their intricacies are not the focus of the book - moving the plot forward and building the horror are.

Legion works brilliantly, engaging the reader as the story builds its mystery. I did find Legion's threat to be undercut by its actions and their effects, however. While presented as a nigh-unstoppable enemy, as the plot reaches its climax, Legion's power isn't as all-encompassing as it seemed. This resulted in a resolution that was a little too clean for my taste. But given its themes of good triumphing over evuk and Christian faith triumphing over the demonic, Pets for Legion's resolution fits perfectly.

This carries the trappings of horror incredibly well, despite the horror itself being fairly light. If you enjoy horror but don't like it too horrific, you'll find a lot to enjoy. The Christian themes don't overpower the narrative, but depending on your stance on Christianity, your mileage will vary.

My full review will be available on my website from Wednesday, 1 June 2022. To read it (as well as my other book reviews), click here.

[Patrick S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story of this book pretty much starts with a bang and puts you in a chase for the entirety of the book without too many stops in between. I'm always trying to find a book that's "scary" as I think that's a hard thing for a book to do and the idea of having one that's a Christian fiction story set against spiritual warfare with the demon of Legion was a good hook as any. However, I found the story to be quite muddled and lacking depth that would lift it out of some of the known tropes of Christian fiction.

Sasha is normal person character but a little lost on her character about halfway through. She is presented with some backstory with how she got where she was and provides a set piece and character interaction around the start of the chase, however, she seems to get lost in the story and it's never quite clear if she is protected or not due to having faith or not. The inclusion of a preacher with a raccoon made for an odd introduction and a deputy sheriff that is repeatedly referred to as Barney Fife without really a reason for it as he seem pretty normal himself (a reference that's probably almost lost at this point too). The bad guy and his golem make for an odd pair. The golem supposedly passes off as a real person but every line he says makes him feel like he's a wooden AI bot who would never pass as human for more than five minutes. The main bad guy sheriff is your stereotypical villain of being picked on too much in school and he will have his revenge by killing the children of his classmates and so he's made a deal with a devil to do that.

The real motivation is lost as the sheriff chases after Sasha and the preacher for the majority of the story. I always think of Gary Cole playing the devil hiding as the sheriff in the amazing and short-lived series American Gothic and this guy felt like he would have been rightfully bullied by Cole's character in that show. There just wasn't much to it. Sasha and the preacher run away, the golem chases after them like T-1000, they escape, and confrontation at the end. There's not a lot of tension and it's not helped by the prose, which tends to repeat phrases like "Barney Fife" or referring to a scene like "the chest-bursting scene from Alien". Legion never really feels imposing and the villian doesn't have much time to hold the tension of a scene. An almost comical torture scene with Twister and electricity is thankfully interrupted by the demon in the basement and the crushing of arm is probably the most brutal scene. There is some working in of Christian protection and spiritual warfare but it is few and far between.

There is a story here, but it's lost in the chase. Final Grade - D+

[Ven · Rating 4 out of 5]

E-Book received for free from the author in return for a fair review.
3.75/5

Of all the books i read in December, this is maybe the most fun, which feels like an odd thing to say about a Christian horror bet their we go.

Sasha has moved to a small town in the US following a break up with her abusive ex husband. On her first day working in the local school a rock flies through the window hitting a fellow teacher, and when she peers outside she sees a child being assaulted by a big burley man with everybody stood around silently watching, with nobody trying to help. At this point Sascha wades in, breaking the spell on the group, chasing the man off and inadvertently becoming the number 1 contender to be a pet thrall for a demon who exists beneath the town (sort of).
From this point on Sasha is hunted by The Chief and Mutley to bring her to their demonic master, narrowly avoiding capture through a mix of dumb luck and survival instincts, getting help from the local reverend and a junior law enforcement officer on the way.
The worldbuilding does a solid job offering explanations as to why this has gone on so long unchecked, as well as some biblical references, which admittedly went over my head as well as couple of historical points around the founding of the time that did a solid job of building the world.
The characters get a bit more of a short shift, having just enough personality and backstory for them to make sense, with the Chief and Clay (my personal favourite) getting the better end of this, but still lacking some of the depth that would have mad this truly special.

Overall, this is a good, well plotted and well paced 'chase' horror that uses its premise well, and was a surprisingly fun read overall.

[Emily | bookswith.emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so intrigued by this book when I first read the synopsis of this book. I had never come across a horror book that included Christianity. Although, after reading it, it makes sense to put the two together, good and evil.

I thought Sasha was a fun character to read about, she was strong and independent. She was a paraprofessional who witnessed an attempted child abduction at the school she works at. She did not expect to be running for her own life after saving a child’s. I enjoyed reading about her journey for survival and she meets some equally amazing characters along the way. I want to add that I enjoyed the one year later chapter!

I thought this book was written wonderfully. It was very descriptive and action packed. The theme of Christianity only occurred when it was necessary to talk about it so it didn’t over power the book. To be honest, I didn’t even realise the theme at all while reading it. It really fit into the story and the plot. Going back to the one year later, I thought it was enough to be able to wrap up the book but still enough to leave the reader thinking. I do enjoy a chapter at the end which wraps up the story.

The plot was well thought out and it was unique. I enjoyed the horror aspect to it and I found the evil characters quite scary. I was rooting for Sarah and her new friends. Whenever the mysterious characters were close to finding her img heart was in my mouth. It was good for me as a reader to have felt like this because it shows how much I got to know Sarah as a character and empathise with her.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Legion for we are many”

When local paraprofessional Sasha James rescues a student from a mysterious assailant, she unknowingly marks herself as the next target. From that moment on she will be fighting for her life.

Having gone through a divorce from a horrible husband, Sasha does not know who to trust. She doesn’t know who or why someone is out to get her. She questions if it’s her ex husband who is after her.

This is a Christian horror. It is good versus evil, but the author does not preach at you. The Christian aspect flows perfectly with the story & I quite enjoyed that.

If you enjoy demons, supernatural horror & likable characters, I think you will enjoy this book!

I want to introduce you to one character. Clay who is a golem is working for the wrong side, but is very likable. He adds humor to the story & I really enjoyed his character.

I really enjoyed this story & I’m looking forward to reading more from this author!

[Valinora Troy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this horror tale! We dived straight into action from the first chapter, and it was fairly relentless throughout the story. I really enjoyed the open battles of good versus evil, as well as the sense of Divine Providence at work (things that should have worked didn't, and vice versa). I would have liked to know the characters a little better, particularly Sasha and Xavier (Simon was great!). I particularly liked how evil clouded the minds of the townsfolk. All in all, a great story!

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pets for Legion by Shawn D. Brink is a Christian-themed horror novel. A small town in Iowa is being afflicted by an evil that has been stealing their young ones. A new teacher by the name of Sasha James is about to find herself caught in this evil’s sights when she disrupts an attack that would have brought it new energy. Now, it demands its human servant bring her so that her life be the price for her interference. Let the hunt begin.
Pets for Legion had a lot of potentials to be a really interesting and thrilling novel, but due to a variety of issues, it falls flat for me. I’m not exactly a “horror connoisseur” but I feel that a lot of the horror elements that could have truly brought this book to life are played down. Details in the right places to give readers some idea as to how long things have been going on, and what some even experienced would have done wonders for this book.
The author ends up focusing heavily on the Christian aspect of this story, and for me, it overwhelms the overall novel. There are horror aspects sprinkled throughout, but a balance is never struck between the two. I also feel that things are rushed. When Legion demands the chief get Sasha there is no timetable given. So I figured there would be planning and then action. That isn’t the case, and so it makes me question who has he managed to not be caught? The author hints at and outright says Legion helps in that aspect, but it ends up not making sense. Legion is eluded to being strong and powerful one minute and then burns through its energy rather quickly which belies its power. The author bases their idea of Legion off the Bible, but it seems that they also tip the scales in the favor of good to always have Legion weaken quickly. It’s a disappointing tactic.
As far as the horror aspect of this story goes, in my opinion, it’s not as played up as it could have been. For me, based on the horror element alone I’d rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. The Christian aspect really takes over to focus on the “good triumphing over evil” so that it can be said, “faith defeated the devil.” If you look at the story from that angle this book would rate a little over 4 out of 5 stars. But overall, the book ends up rating 3.5 out of 5 stars. If you enjoy Christian novels with happy endings then this book will be a good one to check out. If you enjoy the darker aspects of the horror that keep you guessing as to who will triumph in the end...you may want to pass on this one.