Review: The Intrepid Three - Animus Rising

How exciting that The Intrepid Three: Animus Rising by Brianna and Matthew Penfold will soon be available on July 31, 2026!

This is a book that I could not stop annotating; I really have to give a lot of credit to this lovely wife-and-husband writing team for capturing so many sentiments in such a poetic way. Not only is the world building a spectacular journey on its own, the words to get us there have just as much layered meaning.

Many thanks to the authors for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Book Synopsis

The Intrepid Three are back to continue their quest to restore their worlds. Dez, Arabella, and Walter face their greatest challenges yet-their planes are upended, the Murk are on the verge of breaking through from Animus, and the Lumen are vastly outnumbered. To make matters worse, people, the most-needed allies, are petrified.

Are The Intrepid Three really the heroes Author believes can restore the planes? Will enough people join the fight against the Switcher and its army of Murk, or is humanity doomed to fall like the Switcher says? Pick up where you left off in the series with The Intrepid Three: Animus Rising to find out.

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

If you've read The Intrepid Three: Animus Revealed, this is a must-read to find out what happens next with Arabella, Dez, and Walter, the three chosen teenagers who face off against evil in the world of Animus. In this installment, the allegories run deeper with the Holy Spirit accompanying The Intrepid Three in their quest to share light with the citizens of Aurelia, Euporia, and Immerxia. I love the different settings that Brianna and Matthew Penfold have created in these three locations where each is eerily reminiscent of our world today. There are quite a number of nuggets of truth that each Intrepid learns and passes on, making this book a wonderful springboard into discussions with youth and young adults.

While this sequel hints at more to come, it definitely lays the foundation for the clashes between good and evil coming out into the open. The Intrepid Three get to utilize their gifts to a fuller capacity and persuade the citizens of the three planes of reality to wake up to what's happening around them. Having Author, or God the Creator, walk alongside The Intrepid Three is reassuring as are the presence of wisdom and light in their various forms. Readers who enjoy working out spiritual analogies will find this book to be a treasure trove of apt illustrations and compelling storylines, creating an immersive experience that takes the adage of telling it slant to another level with how well the creation story is conveyed.

Book Summary

• Format of book: 📱
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Recommendation: 👍

Book Quotes

“This someone created everything, but they choose not to control everything,” Sophia explained. “Why not? Wouldn’t it be better?” the innocent child asked. “Control is a funny thing. It might seem easier, but it is not loving. The being that wrote everything also loves everything. Even you and me,” the teacher responded. The boy pondered what Sophia had said. She further explained, “You wouldn’t want your mommy to choose everything for you, and she wouldn’t want to make every decision for you either. She loves you, so she allows you to choose, and you love her that much more because you have the choice to.”