Reviews

— REVIEW FROM GOODREADS ”Great read for entertainment and spiritual fulfillment. The protagonist AND antagonist were both well developed, and I found myself rooting for them both. Had fun with how the author portrayed the angels in this book; very unique. Would make a great movie!” Junior

— ADVANCED COPY READER REVIEW “Love Benaiah’s strength and courage, but also her vulnerability and willingness to show her fear. I also loved her hope in God’s ability to redeem and answer prayers. I enjoyed how the author developed Inner City’s character from birth to his transformation into prayer warrior / intercessor. The author’s belief in the transformative power of the cross, prayer, and the redemption of man is clear.” Y.A.

— ADVANCED COPY READER REVIEW ”This book needs to be on screen. I was pulled into the story, I saw the battles, I laughed out loud, I hoped for the safety of some and the death of a few. This book can awaken and change hearts and minds. I personally was captivated and emotionally attached to the story.” Bryan K

— REVIEW FROM AMAZON “Transfigured: The Spirit Realm is an exciting story as well as a learning experience. For the Christian reader, this book will bring conviction and offer challenges. The author has created characters that feel real, even though they face extraordinary circumstances. There are no superheroes or demigods, just flawed humans. Some live lives empowered by God and others live half-lives exemplified by the negative aspects of human emotions; hate, rage, vengeance, and power lust. The dialogue is clean and clear, keeping the reader involved, wanting to know more. “Transfigured” is a page-turner, not just due to the suspense, mystery, or action, all of which are present, but because the characters demand our empathy. It is understandable to feel empathy for the “good guy,” but this author writes the “bad guy” characters in a way that they also demand our sympathy. The honest reader will see some of themself in both sets of characters. “But for the grace of God there go I” is one message this story brings home to the reader. There are others, making this story one that can, and should be read several times to extract its multiple messages. Transfigured also compares and contrasts human standards of Justice with God’s standard of Justice. They could not be more different. Retributive Justice is the world’s way of treating offenders; treat them as enemies and punish them. Its basis is hate. God’s standard is Restorative Justice. He convicts, corrects, and restores. It is all about love. The story illustrates these differences powerfully. There are more good things about this book, but I will leave it to other reviewers to highlight them. I recommend this book and its author. Read, enjoy, learn.” GMF Phil

— REVIEW FROM BARNES & NOBLE “Riveting from beginning to end! I had trouble putting it down!” P.L

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS: Review from Online Book Club Volunteer Reviewer Caitlin Ruggiero - 4 out of 5 STARS!

I give this book a 4 out of 5. The book is definitely a Christian themed book and would not be a good fit for those that do not believe in or are openly opposed to God or the Holy Trinity or are not open to books with a strong religious theme. This book was a beautiful story of God's love and redemption. I thoroughly enjoyed the author's way of describing angels and how we all picture Jesus in different ways. The book gave a beautiful explanation on how our prayers are answered and it had a unique take on the fight to save souls from evil. One of my favorite things about the book is how it made me think on my own prayer life. I love that the book not only gives a great story but also encourages personal growth. There were very few errors in spelling and grammar. The errors that did occur did not take away from the story and were usually something as small as just missing a letter (typically an 's'). Some of the content may be triggering for individuals affected by gang violence or sexual violence however the book is by no means descriptive or graphic in these situations. Seeing as this book does involve gangsters and prison inmates, there is some mild offensive language but the author did a good job of not over doing it and avoiding the more vulgar words. The story was very well written. The characters showed growth throughout the story and the storyline was easy to follow. I have found it to be distracting or unnecessary in some other books when the author jumps around from past to present but this author did the time jumps well. They were clearly shown as a previous time in the character's life and helped to show more about the individual character and how their past molded them into who they became. I look forward to reading more of this author's work.

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS: Review from Online Book Club Volunteer Reviewer A.A - 4 out of 5 STARS!

"Transfigured: the spirit realm" , tells of the war between angels and demons while telling of the men and women who fight the battle in the power of prayer. Prayer transforms them from mere mortals to warriors in the spirit realm. In their immovable positions, the main characters are transformed and made fit for the spiritual war on the spiritual battlefield. They have the privilege in their battle beside the angels to meet and learn from Yeshua, the Son of God.

The main character, Eleazar Daniels, finds himself in the middle of the war and plays a crucial role in the novel, as does the District Attorney, Benaiah Mann. Of great importance, is that the novel also tells of the God-encounters which each character experiences in their lifetime. This, in itself, is a revelation and poses the question to each reader whether they can recall their God-encounter. In essence, the novel puts the question: "Who is on the Lord's side" - opposed to - "Who is on the dark side?"

Prisoners come to believe in the love of Jesus through testimony of men like Eleazar; his death sentence was overturned to life imprisonment. On the other side of the bars, the District Attorney leaves no stone unturned in her pursuit of justice at all costs.

The novel brings to the reader the concept of physical change to spiritual reality in space and time. In the spirit realm, the spiritual transformation in the lives of men and women are related to their relationship with God. It describes the perspectives of life and death, heaven and hell, as well as hate and love described in Biblical reference to prayer and defiance.

The story is well orchestrated and relates to the power of prayer which is the method by which goals are achieved for certain individuals in the battle where angels fight for the souls of the lost against demons who perpetuate theft, lies and murder. The message of love, forgiveness and salvation draws the reader to an in-depth look into their own lives. It also heightens their understanding of the Lord Jesus Christ's sacrifice for them and the forgiveness of sin through his death and resurrection on the cross.

The story about angels and demons, good and evil, the physical as opposed to spiritual reality is mind gripping. The message of salvation and incessant prayer is instructed as a way to life. The recording of how the men and women came out of dysfunctional homes, especially where God was the centre of worship, is depicted wonderfully by the author.

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS: Review from Online Book Club Volunteer Reviewer Pru75 - 4 out of 5 STARS!

Transfigured: The Spirit Realm by K. Lewis-Monk is the story of how men from a vicious neighborhood fought for the title of "The Tsar". A man with power, immense influence, and no conscience and greatly feared in his empire. Eleazar was involved in a shooting incident that almost cost his mother her life. She prayed for him every day, hoping that he would change. But luck seemed to run out for him when he found himself on death row. Behind prison doors he had a life-changing encounter and began to interact with divine beings in the spiritual realm. In the meantime, Joshua, his son, continued where he left off and was eliminating all the people that dared to oppose him. Joshua had a very painful childhood, and he carried a lifelong grudge against his father. But he did not see the ton of bricks that were about to be hurled in his direction. Was it going to be the end of the reign of the Tsars? Does love really conquer all things, including evil?
 
I loved the way that the entire story caused me to think about the power that prayer carries. We go through life oblivious to the fact that there is actually a spirit realm with powerful beings like angels and demons. These creatures can influence our lives from birth, but not everyone has the gift of actually seeing them daily. Sometimes victories and defeats in life are a result of what is going on in the unseen world. The author used fictitious characters in this book, but it makes one begin to take prayer seriously.
 
There was a scene where there was a battle between good and evil, which could have been the crescendo of the story, but not much creativity was put into it. Perhaps writer's block could be attributed to that. It actually watered down the great flow of the story up to that point.

Brilliant story!

Due to its strong reference to Christianity, I recommend it for those who love adult Christian thriller fiction novels.

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS: Review from Online Book Club Volunteer Reviewer Nicole Adam - 5 out of 5 STARS!

It is hard most times to know and fully understand the things of the spirit realm. Especially knowing fully well that we humans are of canal minds. What does it take to be transfigured? And is there more to the spirit realm?

Transfigured: The Spirit Realm by K. Lewis-Monk is a Christian fiction book about the battles being fought in the spirit realm for the souls of men, the love of God to all men, and how the life of one who is saved can affect many. Eleazar Daniels, a notorious gangster and drug lord who was referred to as the "Tsar" had his life changed after he was sentenced to death for the crimes he had committed. Being a hard-hearted man, a man with power, and being betrayed by his best friend Rodrigo, he found himself in a state of bitterness and no return. After an encounter with the Lord in prison, his life was transformed. Now he has to face his son, Joshua, who he never got to meet, who hated him and blamed him for not being present as a father. Joshua is the new Tsar and much worse than he is. He is on a quest to get revenge. Will Eleazar survive?

To be perfectly honest, this book is very special. Just like the author said, it is a Christian book. It's a book written to show that our warfare isn't canal, but spiritual. One of my favorite aspects of this book is the funny sense of humor between Eleazar, Samson, and Stoney. I couldn't get enough of that. Another aspect is how the love of God is being displayed in the book. Indeed, we aren't worthy of it, but still, he shows us love. The writing skill of the author is superb. I believe it takes not just his understanding to write this book, but that of the Holy Spirit.

Just as this book is easy to read, at a steady pace, humorous and all, it also has some themes like love, hatred, betrayal, trust, and jealousy among others that set the scenes. It is a book that isn't for the faint and weak hearts. It revealed so much more to me that I thought I knew but was wrong about. This book is an inspiration to Christians, an encouragement to unbelievers, and a masterpiece to readers looking for a good book to read. With this alone, I found nothing to hate about the book. This book is professionally edited as I only found two typos in the book which never disrupted the flow of the book.

Finally, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. I believe it well deserves my rating because of what I've said so far. I recommend this book to Christians, readers who are curious about the spiritual, those who seem to have lost their faith, and readers looking for that touch. Muslims and other religions might find some words offensive. So, it's only best for those recommended.

Review from Online Book Club Volunteer Reviewer Ntsako NS - 4 out of 5 STARS!

The story indulges into Eleazer's journey from a troubled past as the Tsar to his newfound role as a warrior and man of God, fighting in the battleground of angels and demons. The crux of the narrative lies in Eleazer's training under the guidance of the warrior angel Red, who guides him to lead the souls he once terrorised. Eleazer grapples with the challenges of his past while striving for a better future. The novel seamlessly weaves together elements of urban life, spiritual warfare, and personal redemption. The character development of the protagonist is proficiently portrayed as he confronts his own inner demons and external forces that threaten his newly changed path. The juxtaposition of Eleazer's internal conflicts adds depth to the read, making it compelling and multifaceted. The author's descriptions and evocative pursuits bring the battleground of angels and demons to life, immersing readers in another world. The narrative is infused with emotion, action, and moral dilemmas. Furthermore, this offers a thought-provoking navigation of the struggles between good and evil. The novel is also a captivating tale that will resonate with readers who enjoy stories of redemption. With its incorporation of supernatural elements and gritty setting, the novel offers a unique and engaging reading experience.

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS: Review from Online Book Club Volunteer Reviewer Stacey Alex - 5 out of 5 STARS!

Although he was chosen from birth to be a warrior angel and despite growing up with a Christian mother, Eleazar ends up joining a gang to protect himself and earns a reputation as the Tsar. Facing the consequences of his lifestyle in prison, Eleazar is given another chance to know God for himself after a near-death experience lands him in the hospital under the care of a Christian doctor. How does his decision affect his life and the lives of those around him? Can there be a second chance to live for a death row inmate?

Transfigured: The Spirit Realm by K. Lewis is a Christian fiction novel whose characters have grown up in an inner city. The author focuses on the theme of redemption and shows the roles that different people have to play in the salvation of a soul. I enjoyed the new insight the author gave into spiritual warfare and how we as humans can partake in it. In Transfigured, K. Lewis-Monk also shows the difference between God’s standards of justice and human standards of justice. Humans tend to punish offenders and treat them as enemies, while God convicts and corrects them so He can restore them. I also enjoyed the conviction it brought me and the challenges it offered as a Christian reader.

I honestly don’t have any negative criticisms about the book. There were profanities used, but the author does give a disclaimer. The book was flawlessly edited. I could find no errors in the book and rate it 5 out of 5 stars. I highly recommend the book to all Christians, especially those above the age of 13.

There are a lot of lessons that can be learned from this book. The one that touched me was that intercession for souls is best done on one’s knees. Your knees might suffer, but there is a certain power behind the prayers prayed on your knees

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS: Review from Online Book Club Volunteer Reviewer Nickeisha Noble - 3 out of 5 STARS!

It really would have been nice for me to get a chance to see the cover of the book. I would have been able to give my opinion or view on it.

Notwithstanding, I find the book to be very intriguing. Though some content was a bit graphic, I could see that the author's use of the language was to bring awareness to issues in life that individuals can relate to. This will be quite useful to help persons out there in similar situations, or who may be going through their personal struggles to know that there is always hope.

It is the ideal kind of book that I would recommend for adults though due to the graphic languages used occasionally. It can then help the reader (an adult) to also be able to talk about it to teenagers and younger children using appropriate words to bring awareness to them. In general it can make a difference to a lot of people in this world.

I really enjoyed reading this book!

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS: Review from Online Book Club Volunteer Reviewer Shadi Mokonyane - 4 out of 5 STARS!

Transfigured: The Spirit Realm by K. Lewis is a book about the supernatural. It talks about life in the Spirit Realm. The book centers around a man by the name of Eleazar, from his first day on earth as an infant, to his days as a young man, and then to his adult life. The book discusses parts of his life but the main focus of the book is his supernatural experiences. Readers are taken into the world of the supernatural through Eleazar's interactions and conversations with angels, Yeshua and God. The book offers an escape from our natural lives. Transfigured: The Spirit Realm is a very interesting and well thought out book, it is very easy to understand and relate with.

The characters are well thought out and properly introduced. Enough background information is given about the characters in such way that I could easily understand the character's emotions and actions, and therefore easily understand the story. For example, the character of Dr. Sam, he treated Eleazar better than other people because Eleazar reminded him of his own younger brother. The book is well written and easy to understand. It feels like it is a story that a real person actually lived and not a work of fiction. It is believable and relatable.

I only encountered two negative issues with the book, one was that the timeframes were confusing. First, the author wrote "Forty-five Years Ago", then later on in the book he wrote, "Fifteen Years Ago". It is just a suggestion, but I think if he rather wrote "Thirty Years Later", then it is easier to make the connection. When I read the "Fifteen Years Ago", I had to pause my reading and think about it. That was not fun since I read to relax and not to think. Maybe even, using years like 1965 and 1995 could be another option that can be considered. The second negative issue I had with the book, was that, the book had a few errors.

I recommend that the book be targeted at Christians all over the world, from the young to the old, because the book offers a refreshing and different type of teaching about the supernatural compared to the conventional teaching that we are used to, and it is an interesting book to read.

The book was well written and it did not have many errors. It was well researched, easy to understand, enjoyable, informative and entertaining.