Forging a Nightmare

August 2, 2021
Jackson modernizes Christian lore in her action-packed debut. FBI Agent Michael Childs is investigating the serial homicide of people born with extra fingers and toes. The killer mutilates his victims by cutting off the corpses’ eyelids and burning their tongues. Even more unusual is the Enochian script carved in the victims’ faces and Childs’s run-in with presumed dead Marine sniper Anaba Raines. Childs comes to discover that the victims were all Nephilim, half-human and half-angel—and so is he. Uncovering his heritage leads Childs to realize his destiny as an apocalypse angel and puts him on the trail of a plot to kill all Nephilim to spur an angelic war. Now reluctant chosen one Childs must pull deep from within to accept his calling and protect the innocent. This fast-paced urban fantasy builds momentum by toggling between the protagonist’s and antagonist’s points of view, but at times character development takes a back seat to the breakneck plot and descriptive clashes between Nephilim, angels, fallen angels, and humans. Still, urban fantasy fans will be happy to charge through to the end. Agent: Sara Megibow, KT Literary.

October 1, 2021
Jackson takes readers to hell and back in this urban fantasy-meets-high fantasy action-packed debut. When Michael Childs, FBI special agent, starts investigating the ancient markings and peculiar rituals left at several brutal murder crime scenes, he unearths a sinister celestial plot revolving around his hidden angel heritage and prophesied destiny. In Michael's journey to awaken his true power as God's foretold chosen, he crosses The Horsemen of Apocalypse, Loki'el (Son of Odin), archangel Gabriel, the last Leviathan, and even Lucifer who all seek to aid him, for their own complicated reasons. The plot is buoyed by side adventures and backstory snippets that entertain, though they may overwhelm readers as they try and suss out the most relevant parts of the story. Still, this is an intricate world that reimagines and mashes together ancient myths in a refreshing and wholly original way. Readers who relish dynamic, well-written action scenes, wry Avenger-like humor, and biblical folklore will eagerly anticipate a sequel.

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