INVITATION is the first cycle in The Harbingers series as Frank Peretti, Bill Myers, Angela Hunt, and Alton Gansky introduce us to a group of unlikely friends. INVITATION contains four episodes, each one narrated from a different character's perspective. INVITATION opens with Bill Myers' "The Call", where the four friends first meet and are introduced to an institute dedicated to teaching the paranormal, with deadly consequences. Frank Peretti's "The Haunted" pulls them back together as they investigate a mysterious house and a murder. Angela Hunt continues the storyline in "The Sentinels" in which the friends now face a worldwide epidemic of mysterious animal deaths. INVITATION concludes with Alton Gansky's "The Girl" in which the friends find a young girl with a scroll she's determined to deliver.

INVITATION features some intriguing characters, all distinctly different from one another. The book is prefaced by which character's point of view is utilized for each story and I suggest looking at that list before starting each story. On the surface, the characters appear stereotyped but the authors ensure that this is not the case as each story digs a bit deeper into the characters, their unusual connection, and their faith (or lack therof).

I picked this book up because I'm a long-time fan of Frank Peretti's work. I hadn't read the other authors before, but I knew Frank Peretti would deliver a tale I would enjoy. "The Haunted" didn't disappoint as Frank Peretti delivers a creepy tale that delves into ultimate judgment and demons. I love that he tells his story from the point of view of the somewhat cranky atheist ex- priest.

However, the surprise hit for me was Angela Hunt's story. I actually enjoyed it even more than Frank Peretti's. I couldn't help but love Andi and her propensity to see patterns, but it is her love for Abby that made her my favorite character.

In fact, all the stories in INVITATION hint or directly address demons, aliens, or other supernatural creatures with a Christian flavor. Readers looking for Christian stories with a supernatural/paranormal bent will appreciate INVITATION. I'm looking forward to seeing what the next cycle of The Harbingers has in store for us!