Ascent from Darkness by Michael Leehan

Ascent from Darkness by Michael Leehan is an eye-opening explanation from the first person point-of-view of what a person experiences when they commit to working for God’s enemy, Satan. More importantly, however, is how God used Christians who crossed Mr. Leehan’s path to plant seeds of salvation, either through prayer, personal example, and/or forgiveness.  This book will give the Christian who is strong in their faith, the assurance that God is in control and He is victorious. 

First of all, I must tell the reader that I agonized over writing this review.  Mr. Leehan expressed that he is not a writer at the beginning of Ascent from Darkness.  I must say that the visual images that he presented in the book will not leave my mind.  His descriptive writing is extremely visual and powerful.

For that reason, if given the opportunity to speak to Mr. Leehan personally, I would ask him to preface the book with a warning.  It is my opinion that books dealing with the subject of the occult have the power to influence the reader in ways that they do not even recognize.   I would only recommend this book to Christians who are strong in their faith and who have a fair understanding of spiritual warfare. 

Part of my reason for this warning is what I experienced personally the day after I finished this book.  While the book’s theme is God’s deliverance of Mr. Leehan from the hand of Satan and his fallen angels, I found myself overcome with the discernment of evil around me.  The day after I finished this book, I found it difficult to focus in church, snapped at my family members, argued with my husband, and felt a deep sense of depression as I heard in my head suggestions that I was lazy, a bad cook, etc.  I believe what I experienced was a form of spiritual oppression. I prayed throughout that day and later found that a friend was praying for me also, although she did not know why she was led to pray for me.  I must say that I did not choose to read this book in ignorance, my life’s path has led me to work and school situations where I have gotten to know individuals involved in the occult.  I have read other Christian books on the topic of spiritual warfare, but none has affected me in this way. In choosing to read Ascent from Darkness, please be aware of your own spiritual condition and prayerfully consider whether this is the book for you.

In addition, I found the imagery on the cover and at the beginning of each chapter to be objectionable.  While I understand the intent of contrasting the dark with the light, I believe showing a cross upside down (coupled with the cross right-side up) is a poor choice of illustrating the contrast.

In conclusion, Ascent from Darkness is a powerful book that celebrates God’s victory over evil.  Do not enter into this reading lightly, only after prayer, due to the detailed descriptions of the activities of Mr. Leehan when he was under Satan’s influence. Would I recommend this book to others?  Of my personal friends there are a few to which I may recommend this book that are strong in their faith and have a grasp of what spiritual warfare is. Would I recommend it to an immature Christian, still being fed “milk” – definitely not.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.