Snark & Sensibility

FICTION FRIDAY

BOOK REVIEW

OF

CAST OUT/CHRONICLES OF A FAMILIAR SPIRIT

BY

IVANI GREPPI

BOOK INFO:

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pure Heart Publications (June 10, 2021)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 10, 2021
Print length ‏ : ‎ 472 pages

THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY

Even though this is a supernatural fictional story, it relates in detail to Ivani’s testimony of deliverance from demonic possession and salvation in Jesus Christ.

Inspired by C. S. Lewis’s Screwtape Letters, this novel is told from the demon’s point of view of how he deceived generations of the protagonist’s bloodline, giving a unique perspective to spiritual warfare.

MORE ABOUT CAST OUT

How does a familiar spirit—a demonic entity—an evil imp—gain entrance into a family line and remain there for centuries? How does such a dark power transfer from one generation to the next—refusing to yield its turf? What compromises reinforce its control? What rituals does it relish? What deepening deceptions attract its fiendish companions, that the stronghold might be strengthened all the more?

Do these ‘spirit-beings’ function under the authority of superior shadowy forces, a spiritual hierarchy whose primary focus is to attack the vulnerable to steal what is good, maim what is whole, pervert what is pure, sicken what is healthy, and destroy anything of lasting value? How do you win a war of words against an invisible enemy whose chief weapon is deception, who constantly forges lies to keep victims in a state of spiritual stupor? There is a way out, often maligned, that brings security. There are weapons, often overlooked, that strike terror in the heart of the adversary.

The Son rises over those who have faith—and when the Son radiates His light, the darkness must flee.

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ABOUT IVANI GREPPI 

Ivani Greppi was born in Brazil. Her ancestors were spiritist mediums. Throughout her childhood, Ivani experienced seeing spirits. In Brazil, at the age of 14, she was indoctrinated into Umbanda, a spiritual practice derived from the African Yoruba, Ifá faith, syncretized with spiritism and Roman Catholicism.

In 1997, she met a Brazilian missionary pastor in Florida who led Ivani and her family to salvation in Jesus Christ. This fictional story illustrates Ivani’s and her ancestors’ spiritual and immigration journey across three continents, spanning one hundred years.

www.ivanigreppi.com

MY REVIEW *****

This book is a literary masterpiece. A feast of imagination, knowledge, and realistic characterization. Through systematic backstory, the author takes the reader through a century of demonic activity through three continents. I am reminded of the Bible’s warning: Satan is like a lion, going to and fro seeking whom he can devour. Writing the story from the devil’s point of view was genius, but I imagine it was very difficult to write. 

The book shows that there is a path to freedom from the devil’s stronghold, and those who wonder if they are hopelessly entrenched can realize no one is beyond God’s redemption. I also was struck by the importance of the Pastor’s patience, love, and compassion. Too often, we who hold the Savior dear, stand in judgment, off-put by the behaviors, or perhaps fearful of contamination should we dare witness to those who need a release from an ancestry of the devil’s deception.

Greppi demonstrates how God’s armor and shield protected the Pastor as he witnessed with prayer, fasting, and caring. 

Ala Tom Clancy, the book goes in depth about historical events that impacted the characters and how Satan used war, famine, poverty, and helplessness to shape the lives of those he choose to claim as his own. I felt these historical treatments from the devil’s point of view, added layers of understanding.

I highly recommend this book. I was given a copy for my honest opinion.