A story about the purpose of life, the healing power of fandom, and the resilience of the human spirit.Tormented by the in-crowd at school on a daily basis, there were two things that gave fifteen-year-old Abigail Perkins the strength to keep going-her best friend, Danny Cobb; and her favorite television show, Supernatural. But the night Danny’s mother calls to say that his battle with cancer is … say that his battle with cancer is nearing its end, and the doctors don’t expect him to live through the night, even Supernatural can’t dull the ache in her heart.
Devastated by her impending loss and crushed that Danny’s mother won’t allow her to visit him one last time, Abigail crawls into bed and cries herself to sleep that night; and she wakes to find Supernatural’s most endearing angel standing at the foot of her bed.
Told from Abigail’s perspective as she nears the end of her long life and revisits the moments that defined it, this story was inspired by the deep connection that Supernatural fans feel with the show’s beloved characters, and the show’s miraculous ability to help its fans through troubled times.
100% of the net proceeds from this book will go to Random Acts charitable organization.
Random Acts inspires many amazing things around the world every day – from small acts of kindness, such as inspiring someone to buy a stranger a cup of coffee, to much bigger acts of kindness like building a school in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua.To learn more about Random Acts visit randomacts.org
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Wow!!! This book was incredible!!! I absolutely LOVED every page of it!!!
This book took me on a roller-coaster of emotions!!!
This book keeps you totally engaged from page one through the very last page! I honestly could not put this book down!
This book is told through Abigail’s point-of-view and mostly through flashbacks as she’s laying on her deathbed looking back at her life and recalling some of the more defining moments that stuck out over her years. This was definitely a different kind of book than I’ve read before – but still ever so enjoyable!
I really liked the main characters, Abigail, Danny, and Castiel. I felt an instant connection with Abigail and was able to easily relate with her for the most part. She was sweet, innocent, kind, likable, caring, considerate, and compassionate. It was difficult watching Danny whittle away from cancer. Cancer is a hard topic for me as I’ve had to watch my mom suffer from multiple cancer diagnoses, surgeries, chemo and radiation treatments, etc., over the years. My mom is finally in remission, however, it’s only temporary, as it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when she will get another cancer diagnosis. So, yes, there were lots of tears while reading this book!!!
However, unlike Abigail, I was never really bullied growing up. But these days bullies are EVERYWHERE!!! I’ve had to deal with bullies in the workplace, as neighbors, and at the gym. I’m sure most of us, can at least relate to having to deal with a bully somewhere in our lifetime – which is why Abigail made such a great, well-rounded, easy to connect with character – that I think most of us can relate to at least some part of her.
As for Castiel, he was a pleasurable addition to this book! I am a Supernatural fan, so I really enjoyed him being part of this story! However, I am not a diehard fan of the show (sorry Erin!!) – although I really wanted to be! I got rid of cable and kept missing episodes and getting lost. I’m now a streamer, and sadly Supernatural isn’t on Hulu. However, it’s on my list of shows to buy when it goes cheaper than $29.99 a season!! Perhaps this Gray Thursday/Black Friday it will go on sale and I can buy a few seasons and get caught back up as this book really made me miss the show!!
I think the author did a fantastic job on her character development as these characters were so real, raw, and personal on many levels!
This book has a creative story line with well executed plot points, fantastic writing style with detailed scenes, relatable characters, is evenly paced, and keeps you fully engaged and entertained.
This book is so beautifully told in a mannerism that allows the reader to get fully immersed and invested in the story and the outcome of the characters.
I LOVED that this book was wrapped up in the Supernatural TV Show. And it absolutely showed a new, but brilliant, merciful, benevolent, humanizing side of Castiel. It’s no wonder the author’s book won in the Supernatural Giving Back Tour’s Creative Quest Competition in Cleveland!
There are some predictable scenes. However, there are still many unexpected twists and turns that you won’t see coming!
This book is not listed to be part of a book series. Therefore, this book can be read as a standalone.
I absolutely love that this book donates 100% of the net proceeds from this book will go to Random Acts charitable organization.
Random Acts inspires many amazing things around the world every day — from small acts of kindness, such as inspiring someone to buy a stranger a cup of coffee, to much bigger acts of kindness like building a school in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. To learn more about Random Acts visit randomacts.org.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it! I think all fantasy readers – especially Supernatural TV Show fans will like this book too! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading – you won’t be disappointed!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
While guardian angels are not my thing, one could only hope in reading this heartstring-pulling book that they do exist. This is a story containing paranormal content and yet much of the story happens literally in real life every day. Losing a friend and/or a loved one is a hard thing to handle and even more so when you are young and have not had to experience something that even adults can’t exactly explain. Saying “we all die” is not what one would call a comforting explanation. Is it so odd that a young person, or anyone for that matter, might begin to see or create someone to talk to? Is it unbelievable to have a supernatural friend?
This is an interesting read with a smooth flow of writing and even though it’s fiction, it accomplishes many things. One is to deliver an enjoyable read. Another is to bring up some very penetrating questions for discussion. However, I think the most important point is a reminder that many people of all ages do not know how to handle the death of a friend or loved one and sometimes we need to watch and be aware and ready to help.
Didn’t mean to lecture. Just telling it like it is from a good book.
Benevolent is the first book I have read by Erin A. Jensen. I found her writing to be unique and really creative. I really liked Abigail. The whole book deals with real life issues and some that made me relate to. I had to have a box of tissues at times to get through some scenes.
I am giving Benevolent four stars. I believe it is one of those books many readers would not want to miss.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
I first heard of Benevolent by Erin A. Jensen through the blogging community. It sounded very interesting especially the more I heard about it. When an opportunity to review Benevolent came about, I jumped at the chance. Although Benevolent does mention the television show Supernatural throughout the book, you don’t have to be a fan of Supernatural or know anything about the show to enjoy this novel. I will admit that I’ve only seen a few episodes of Supernatural back when it first began, but my limited knowledge of Supernatural did not take away my enjoyment of Benevolent. I’m really glad I got the chance to read Benevolent because it truly is a gem of a book!
The plot of Benevolent was a truly interesting one that really tugged at my heartstrings throughout. Benevolent begins with a teenage girl, Abigail (or Abbie as she’s sometimes called) losing her best and only friend to cancer. She is comforted by an angel who appears in the form of Castiel from the television show Supernatural (her and her best friend’s favorite). The reader is then taken through a journey throughout Abbie’s life including all the ups and downs. Her angel, Castiel, plays a big role in her life’s journey, and Abbie’s left wondering if Castiel is real or if he’s just a figment of her imagination. Benevolent is more than just that though. It’s a gripping and emotional love story, but not in the romantic sense.
I could not put Benevolent down! In fact, I pretty much read this book in one sitting. It’s a fairly short story, but the pacing was absolutely perfect throughout. I love how each chapter title was a song title. In fact, it makes for a great playlist whilst reading the chapter that features it or before and/or after that chapter. I was pulled into Abigail’s world as soon as I started reading the first page. I loved how every loose end is tied up before Benevolent ends, and every question I had was answered. The world building is fantastic, and I can’t fault anything about it. Erin A. Jensen is such a talented writer based on Benevolent!
I absolutely enjoyed every character in Benevolent. Abigail felt like an old friend. In fact, I felt like I was reading a true life biography about Abigail instead of just a work of fiction. Everything about Abigail’s character was just laid bare for everyone to read about, and I think that’s what made me love her so much. She had been through a lot, and I could relate to her on so many levels. The character of Castiel was written perfectly too. Like I said, I had only watched a few episodes of Supernatural before they introduced the character of Castiel, so I can’t comment on how much Benevolent’s character of Castiel was like the one on Supernatural. However, it is mentioned in the beginning of Benevolent that Abigail’s angel took on the form of Castiel and his name and mannerisms to make Abbie feel more comfortable. It is said that he isn’t the actual Castiel from Supernatural. We also get to know Danny, Abbie’s childhood best friend, through Abbie’s memories. Danny seemed like such an awesome person, and even I was saddened by his death.
Trigger warnings for Benevolent include death, cancer, attempted suicide, overdosing, drug use, alcohol, and some profanity but nothing too bad.
Overall, Benevolent is one of those books that will stick with you long after you’ve stopped reading. It’s a book that tugs on your heart strings and won’t let go until the very end. Benevolent has such a fantastic plot with such a relatable main character that it just makes for an awesome read. What makes Benevolent even more awesome (which is saying something since Benevolent is highly awesome already) is that 100 percent of the profits from its sales will be donated to Random Acts charity. I would wholeheartedly recommend Benevolent by Erin A. Jensen to everyone aged 15+ no matter what genre of book they like. I feel like this book will touch everyone who gives it a read.
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(A special thank you to Erin A. Jensen for providing me with a paperback of Benevolent in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.)