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Travis
Winter is the Spirit of Independence. Murdered in the Second World War, he was
kidnapped by demons before being rescued and recruited into the ranks of divine
knights called Spirits. For there’s another war raging that has even greater
consequences than WWII, one involving Heaven and Hell with Earth and its
inhabitants slap bang in the middle…
Fast-forward
to the present and when Winter’s granddaughter Amanda is put in danger, he materializes to save her. But his actions set off a chain of events which
threaten both lots of combatants. As the Devil pleads his case, arguing that God
is the one who uses humanity for his own sport, the lines between good and evil
become increasingly vague, threatening the safe haven of Chova - a kind of
middle ground between realms. And when the third antichrist is born, it seems
that Armageddon can’t be too far away. Will the Spirit of Independence be able
to save humanity, save his family, and save the day?
It’s
always a difficult thing, kicking off the first in a series of novels. You have
to lay the groundwork for what’s to come, introduce characters that might not
be developed fully until the next book, or even the one after that. And you have
to find some way of making it a self-contained story in its own right, yet still
leave the reader with the sense there is more to come… On the whole, Keith
Rommel does all of this very well. Although the premise is far from fresh (it
stretches back as far as Paradise Lost, and there are more than a few nods to
The Prophecy films I think), the author does manage to put his own personal spin
on it.
What
also shines through is the research, as Rommel incorporates different aspects of
various religions in his fiction. He’s certainly done his homework as far as I
can see, and in the character of Spirit he’s also found the ideal way to tell
an ambitious story of this magnitude. It’s just a pity he doesn’t carry the
first person recollections of Spirit right through to the end of the book. Each
chapter is told from a different character’s point of view, so you get
headings that say ‘DemAngel’, ‘Divination’ or ‘Osiris’ to let you
know who’s doing the talking. Now, although this is a brave move on Rommel’s
part and a unique way to present the story, at times it does give it a
disjointed feel that you wouldn’t get if it was being told through the eyes of
one character, or maybe even in third person.
There were one or two lines of dialogue that didn’t quite ring true as well…Things like: "Leave me; you’ve already broken my rationality." and the Yoda-esque, "Bad I did by her. I did! Show you, I will!" And I doubt very much whether God would start a sentence "I guess" either. But then maybe that’s the Brit in me shining through. All things considered though I’m looking forward to seeing where Rommel will take the mythos next, and I’m hoping it will build into an epic story arch to match say King’s ‘Dark Tower’ series or Babylon 5 on TV. That’s the spirit! -- Reviewed by Terror Tales
******
It is said that God allows us the freedom of choice, so Spirit of Independence is the story of one man's choices after he is prematurely snatched from life to participate in the great war between heaven and hell. Within the stereotypical setting of a heaven "up above" that has streets paved with gold, and a hell "down below" where a river of fire boils, author Rommel adds an in-between land called the House of Chova where souls of all kinds can meet to discuss matters. Mostly they argue. The main character, Travis Winter, is shot during WWII, not by the enemy but by a Spirit claiming him--Travis is told--for God, to be a new breed of Angel. Travis later learns that everything he understood about heaven and hell was upside down and he switches his allegiance to another spirit who rules hell, one named Navarro. Years pass as they battle heaven together, gathering more and more Spirits to their side, both new and ancient. Meanwhile, Travis' son and daughter-in-law are brutally murdered by a bad spirit. And his granddaughter is raped. After an extensive gestation, she gives birth to a demonic child with red skin, pointy ears, fanged teeth, spiked horns, and a tail. Many more people die. And so the war goes on, until all is chaos and one begins to wonder if perhaps Travis has been deceived.
But I will leave that for you to find out, if this is your taste in literature. I will only add that I found the milieu cliché and the editing slack. The most interesting aspect of the story, for me, was the presentation of viewpoint. Spirit of Independence is written in first person, each chapter being a different first person, though many chapters return to Travis' perspective.
Spirit of Independence is recommended only for those who enjoy reading about that old mythological play between God and Lucifer.
KC Heath -- Yetanotherbookreview.com
******
Travis
Winter, the protagonist of Spirit of Independence, is confronted by increasingly
complex lies about Heaven and Hell. It all begins with his murder during World
War II, and his shock in discovering he has been recruited by Heaven to serve as
a celestial warrior in the age-old war between Heaven and Hell. The Devil
himself approaches Travis, arguing that he has it all backwards: the devil is
merely a failed dreamer and that the creator is a detached viewer of the world.
Refusing to believe that the Devil can offer him any happiness or salvation,
Travis launches a 50-year odyssey to uncover the truth about Heaven and Hell.
This is an intellectually
stimulating book that forces the reader to continually reassess the truth in the
context of the book. Readers who like intrigue and sorting through lies within
lies within lies will really enjoy this book. This is not a book for those who
like a simple narrative where good confronts evil, is almost destroyed by it,
but comes off victorious in the end. Keith Rommel has put together an
unforgettably stunning story.
Spirit of Independence is book one in the Spirit Chronicles, which will be followed by Repentance, book two of the Spirit Chronicles to be available this summer. -- review by Dragons, Knights and Angels : Christian Review Magazine
******
Keith Rommel pens a fascinating and original tale of good versus evil in Spirit of Independence, the first in his four-part "Spirit Chronicles" series.
Travis Winter, an American soldier during World War II, was senselessly murdered, or so it seemed. Upon his death, Travis is literally pulled down to Hell where he meets the devil, who introduces himself as Navarro. Travis soon discovers that he has been chosen as a celestial knight and given the task of fighting the never-ending battle between good and evil. During the next fifty years Travis begins to question what is 'good' and what is 'evil' and why the two factions are constantly at war.
The structure of this story is very unique, with each chapter being written from the perspective of a different character. Travis, Navarro and other humans, spirits and demons actually speak to the reader. Every character has its own viewpoint and it becomes a test of wits to figure out who to trust and what to believe. With Spirit of Independence, Rommel shows real imagination and ingenuity while exploring the realms of Heaven and Hell. -- Reviewed by Dark Realms Magazine www.monolithgraphics.com
******
The first and debut volume of the "Spirit Chronicles" series, Spirit Of Independence by Keith Rommel is a fascinating allegorical fantasy novel of Travis Winter, a man who falls in battle during World War II and then learns he has been chosen as a celestial knight in the ancient war between Heaven and Hell. Yet when the Devil himself makes a plea to Travis, begging only to be heard, Travis learns that there is much more to the ancient cosmic feud than what appears. Though he distrusts the Devil's plea, he must set out on a personal quest to learn more about what drives the afterlife into such violent conflict, and what can possibly be done about it, in this incredible, powerful story of questing for truth and redemption in worlds both within and beyond mortal reckoning. Spirit Of Independence is very highly recommended for fantasy buff reading lists and community library fantasy collections. -- Midwest Book Review
******
Good vs. Evil. Evil vs. Good. Sounds like the same thing, right? Well, not in Keith Rommel's impacting debut novel, Spirit of Independence. Rommel confidently keeps the tables turning in this fantasy-like thriller involving good spirits and bad spirits, but which is which is the persistent question throughout the story.
The cast of characters is clever, the plot, intriguing. Travis Winter was a young soldier, murdered in 1944 during World II. Winter is now like an angel known as Spirit. While Navarro, who some might consider the root of all evil—the devil himself—calls on Spirit, pleading for Spirit to listen to his side of the story. And there is DemAngel, who was once a heavenly angel who preferred the demonic side of existence. And all of their paths cross when there is an attempted robbery. Spirit's daughter was the clerk. Spirit, using his power, steps in to save his daughter's life and chases after one of the fleeing thieves. When the theif vanishes through some type of mystical portal, Spirit follows and finds himself submerged in the conspiracy of an after-life time.
Heaven and hell seem to always have been at opposite ends of the battlefield. Most have always assumed that Heaven was synonymous with righteousness. Is it possible that we have the story wrong? Backwards? Who has ever stopped to listen to what Navarro had to say on the matter?
From beginning to end, Spirit of Independence held my interest. It is a well-written and fast-paced novel. It is written from many viewpoints, which was fascinating and unique. Imaginative scenes and creative settings are consistently woven into each of the chapters making for a fulfilling and satisfying read. I look forward to Rommel's next work in the series.
--Phillip Tomasso III, author of Third Ring,Tenth House & Mind Play
******
Travis Winter is your average soldier fighting in the latter days of World War II. One day, he is killed in cold blood by another American soldier. Then his adventures begin.
He has been recruited, by Heaven, as a new kind of warrior in the age-old battle between Heaven and Hell. Now called the Spirit of Independence, Winter's first stop is at the Gates of Hell. He is confronted by the ruler, a being who calls himself Navarro and claims to be a nice guy who was thrown out of Heaven by a mean and vindictive God. Winter is rescued by a group of Angels, and so thus begins a new phase in the Heaven and Hell battle.
As a Spirit, Winter is able to travel in the spirit and material worlds. One of his duties is to bring souls to the light when their time comes. He meets all sorts of beings, including his predecessors as Spirit. Among the humans brought into the battle is a woman named Amanda. During a time in the material world, she is dragged into a building and is brutally raped. While she is unconscious, Navarro shows up and changes the DNA of the fetus to match his own. Amanda is pregnant for two full years, then gives birth to a being that changes, within minutes, from a newborn baby to a full-grown adult with horns, red skin and a tail.
As you might have guessed, this is a very strange novel. Written from several different perspectives, it's intended as a sort of guide for the reader, chosen as the next Spirit. The first of a four-part series, this is also a pretty graphic story, with a considerable amount of violence. It's not a very easy read, but it's a very well done and very satisfying read that is well worth the reader's time. -- Dead Trees Review
******
Powerful inspirational fiction
In 1947, Travis Winter was on a covert operation in East Berlin when his captain shot him in cold blood. As he lay dying, a hand reached up from within the ground and pulled Travis though the layers of the earth until he reached Hell. The devil using the name Navarro insists they must talk, but before they chat angels arrive freeing Travis.
For the next half a century, Travis has been the SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENCE in God’s Army. He serves as a modern day angel waiting to fight on the front lines when the Day of reckoning arrives. However his five decades of angelic living makes Travis question God’s ruthlessness so he joins Navarro’s minion as the cold war between Heaven and Hell has heated up to what seems like the final solution.
Anyone who enjoys the “Left behind” novels will gain immense pleasure from SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENCE, the first tale of the “Spirit Chronicles” series. Kith Rommel visualizes images so that even an atheist will believe in Heaven and Hell. Travis is one heck of a lead protagonist, as he seems so human even in the afterlife that he is a sort of modern day doubting everyman. Keith Rommel displays his talent with this powerful inspirational fiction.
Harriet Klausner
******
This book is the ultimate good verses evil. The Spirit of Independence is the name of a good spirit and the story of what he can offer mankind. Mr. Rommel's unique writing style will keep you turning the page. You will also be left in want of more. The battle of good and evil goes on daily and this book lets us know there is hope.
Reviewed by Debbie Neckel, BookCrazy Radio, Phoenix, Az
******
Travis Winter's human life ended abruptly (by way of) execution. He had been chosen to become the next Spirit. Divination was the keeper of Travis's bones. If his bones were ever buried, as was all the Spirits' before him, he would be thrown into limbo. The world believed Navarro to be the Devil. Navarro showed Travis his side of the story. Thus began a Holy War. This time, Armageddon was real!
**** I have never read a book like this one! Author Keith Rommel has shown a rare talent in his craft! There are several secondary characters and each get their turn. In a strange twist, the book is interactive with the reader! Travis, Navarro, and others actually speak to the reader. I admit that I found it to be a bit unsettling.
A wonderfully unique type of book that will have readers looking over their shoulders and often losing themselves in thought! An extremely surprising ending that left me eager for the second book of the series! Excellent! ****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch - Huntress Reviews
******
Murdered in World War II, Travis Winter, the Spirit of Independence, is forced to become an unwilling participant in the ageless war between Heaven and Hell. Hold on while Travis confronts the Devil himself in order to unravel the true meaning why the two super powers war. Travis’s discoveries and decisions may change the course of history while the fate of humanity hangs in the balance. Journey to worlds not of this earth; see the wonders of Heaven and sniff the rot inside Hell where the eternally tortured beg for release.
Keith Rommel’s first novel is a must read. His characters seem as real as you and I even though they are of a factitious nature. The cranial teasing plot keeps you guessing and intrigued until the surprising ending you’d never suspect.
Keith Rommel is an up-and-coming author that I look forward to seeing future projects from and you should too! Visit his site to get samples of his work and experience what I have.
Reviewed by Gene William www.Bookreview.ws
Spirit of Independence
Spirit of Independence: Repentance
Sardurvial Dissenting
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