Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Out of Body: Master of the Archons by Christopher Chater is a supernatural thriller that will take readers on a rollercoaster of emotions. To save his girlfriend’s life, Harley Baker sold his soul to the Devil. Although this achieved his desired effect of saving Stephanie’s life, he now has to cut himself off from his best friend and his beloved. His contract with Satan now means that his corporeal body is an inviting host to any manner of demons who decide to occupy it. His latest body invader is a demon known as Yaldabaoth, a narcissistic false god, who desires total control of humanity. When Yaldabaoth begins to make contact with Stephanie and Harley’s best friend Darren, Harley must do something to stop this evil demon in his tracks. Using astral projection, Harley can enter the bodies of sinners for about an hour. He must use these convenient 'meat suits' to warn Stephanie and Darren that the Harley they are dealing with is not him but rather an evil demon. When Yaldabaoth discovers there is new technology being developed that allows users to immerse themselves in an artificial reality, he must have and control it at all costs to enable him to rule humanity.

Supernatural fiction is not a genre I am generally attracted to but the premise of Out of Body grabbed my attention and I’m so glad it did. It is a fantastic story, beautifully woven together by author Christopher Chater. Despite the presence of demons, archons, and other strange beings, the author manages to make it not only believable but also relatable. Harley Baker is an unlikely hero, a man who has sold his soul to the Devil, yet despite this, his love and devotion to Stephanie, his parents, and his best friend Darren shine through in his determination to correct the wrongs caused not only by the demon Yaldabaoth but also those being perpetrated by an insanely wealthy and power-crazed family, the Wrothmores. I particularly liked the character of Mike Wrothmore who was determined, in his way, to break the secrecy and skullduggery of his parents and the Wrothmore clan and to use his wealth and power to do positive things for society. The clever plot twists were a highlight and if you like fast-paced, thoughtful, and redeeming stories with a supernatural flair, then this book is definitely for you. My mind has been opened to the possibility of enjoying the supernatural genre and I look forward to the continuation of Harley’s story. I can highly recommend this read.