Feathered Quill Book Reviews

 #Bookreview of The Observer: Book 1 in the Spirit Saga

By: Brian Thompson

Publication Date: May 5, 2025

ISBN: 979-8282551426

Reviewed by: Lily Andrews

Review Date: July 22, 2025

The Observer: Book 1 in the Spirit Saga is a gripping supernatural fantasy and the first book in the "Spirit Saga" series by Brian Thompson. Told through a surreal, out-of-body experience, it tells the story of Frank, a 42-year-old middle school teacher who wakes up in a dark, empty space with no memory of who he is or how he got there.

As the story unfolds, Frank comes to the startling realization that he has died and become a spirit. We see him caught up in a frozen moment in time in a room where a doctor is using defibrillators on his body, a nurse is crying, and his wife Angela and son Franklin Jr. are grieving, as he lies motionless in a hospital bed. But just as Frank begins to accept his fate, a mysterious figure bathed in orange light appears suddenly appears, interrupting Frank’s spiral of confusion and grief. Though he looks like a teenager, the figure, named Michael, claims to be over 4,000 years old and what he reveals shatters everything Frank thought he knew about death, purpose, and the afterlife in a twist that changes everything.

Michael identifies himself as a Guide whose job is to help new spirits, like Frank, figure out what the afterlife is all about. He profoundly and patiently explains that death isn’t really the end, but more like the start of something much bigger, which, as you can imagine, completely throws Frank for a loop. Michael furthermore informs Frank that he is now an Observer, a spirit whose role is to watch the world quietly and sometimes help the living not directly, but through tiny nudges, gut feelings, or flashes of intuition that will gently push people in the right direction. He also teaches Frank how time doesn’t behave the way it used to, how energy fuels everything in this new realm, and that there are other spirits out there, some kind and others terrifying, including Demons who thrive on pain and suffering. These revelations are like nothing Frank ever gave thought to when he was alive. Soon, we see him begin to understand that the world he’s entered is not only more complex than he ever imagined, but it’s also filled with danger, mystery, and a purpose he never expected to have.

As Frank trains under Michael’s watchful eye, he begins to unlock abilities he never imagined such as glimpsing the future, slipping through time, even influencing the thoughts and emotions of the living. But every act of intervention and great power comes a painful cost. Every time Frank taps into his spiritual abilities, whether it's offering a subtle nudge to the living, sharing his energy to protect someone, or confronting a dark force, he draws from the very essence that keeps him anchored in the afterlife. Too much, too fast, and he risks fading away entirely, a second and final death that not even Michael can stop. Frank learns this the hard way when he hears the story of James, Michael’s first student, who burned out after giving too much of himself to save a soul from a Demon. It's a turning point for Frank, forcing him to weigh his compassion against survival, even as a desperation to help grows.

The deeper he dives into his role as an Observer, the more he begins to question the system he has now become part of. We see him question why some spirits are chosen to guide, while others are twisted into demons as well as who are the Gods that built these rules in the first place. When whispers of rebellion stir among the spirits and a forbidden truth about his own past threatens to unravel everything, Frank is forced to choose either to stay within the lines of cosmic order, or risk everything to rewrite the fate of the afterlife itself.

This is a unique story that creates a different version of the afterlife, one where spirits are portrayed as emotional beings with jobs to do and roles to undertake. It’s a fresh take that moves away from traditional beliefs about the spirit world as floating around or haunting people and builds something both imaginative and meaningful. One of the strongest elements in the story is its use of time travel—not just as a gimmick, but as a smart, well-explained tool that helps the reader explore the limits of spiritual power and the value of patience. Even though the story is full of supernatural elements, its heart is very human, captured through flashbacks that are touching, and which give the story a strong emotional base.

Brian Thompson’s writing style makes this book a really smooth read, the language is clear and never tries too hard, the pacing moves along quickly, and the dialogue feels like real conversations you might overhear even in the middle of all the supernatural stuff. The protagonist's thoughts are a major highlight: he’s funny in a dry, sarcastic way that brings some lightness to even the heaviest moments, and that humor makes him incredibly easy to relate to. What really stands out is how detailed the world-building is, and how it never overwhelms you with information. You get to learn about the spirit world slowly, naturally, as the protagonist learns it himself through his conversations with Michael. And even when the book takes time to explain the spirit rules or the cost of powers, it always breaks that up with either some strong emotion or action, so you never feel bogged down by it. Various scenes are unforgettable such as where a young slave is forced to fight a massive, demon-controlled warrior in a brutal arena match, and another Observer is trying to help but things don’t go as planned. But beyond the action and the spiritual battles, the book is filled with emotional truths that stick with you such as how grief and guilt follow you even after death, how power needs to be used with wisdom and patience, and how even though you can’t fix the past, you can still change what comes next.

Quill says: Whether you're into time travel, fantasy worlds with rules that actually make sense, or stories about second chances and quiet redemption, The Observer delivers all that with heart, clarity, and a surprising amount of emotional depth. This is a story for anyone who loves supernatural tales that aren’t just about magic or monsters, but about people trying to figure out who they are, what they’re meant to do, and how to make peace with the lives they’ve lived.

For more information about The Observer, please visit the author's website at: brianthompsonwrites.com