4.5 stars. The moment I came across a review for "A Night on Kingwood" on Reader's Favorite website with a 5-star rating, I was intrigued by the idea of a modern-day Christian allegory. The blurb compares the author's style to John Bunyan and C.S. Lewis, but that's not why I wanted to read it. I've never read Bunyan, and I confess I'm not a fan of fantasy stories such as Lewis writes, but I am deeply interested in young adult fiction, which is what grabbed me about this book. As soon as my copy came in the mail, I immediately knew this would not be a cheery or lighthearted read. I was right. Early in the story the main character Kyle, a lonely and misfit teenage boy rejected by the girl he loves, takes a gun and attempts to end his life by suicide. Something prevents him in the nick of time (which I won't spoil by revealing what), and Kyle is mysteriously drawn into a journey down Kingwood Road outside his house, which is instantly transformed into a supernatural world. Strange events, out of his control, pull him along and characters, both good and evil, join him on his incredible travels. His world has gone topsy-turvey with a huge talking snake (the bad guy), moving plants, and all kinds of other weird and symbolic objects and events. Although Kyle is physically walking along the road, his journey is actually a spiritual journey to God -- thus the allegory. The book is not long and a very read, but even so, the author manages to have Kyle grow and change and come out of his amazing night as a totally renewed man. At its core, it is a triumphant account of God's great power and mercy and cannot but leave the reader pondering his or her own heart, actions, and decisions.
I admit that it took me a little while to adjust to the author's style. Derowitsch writes in omniscient viewpoint, which really gave it an "old world, archaic" feel, reminding me of books written at the turn of the century where the author inserts himself in the story, making personal comments and observations along the way, and TELLING the reader everything that is happening rather than letting the characters SHOW us. Obviously this was the author's intent, and he certainly achieved it. For myself, it has been decades since I've read a book written in this style, so it jarred me for the first few chapters. I would just be adjusting to a scene when -- bam! -- the author would barge into my reading experience with something like, "Okay, whoa, whoa, whoa! Time out. Let's stop the story for a second. You see, as the narrator of this fine tale, I feel compelled to explain to you -- my dear reader -- the disjointed nature this story began. Let's ponder this a bit. We have a unique and rare street and. . .[etc.]" This particular paragraph was at the end of Chapter One, and similar intrusions were frequent throughout the book. If I didn't know the author did it for a certain affect, I would have been quite horrified, but as the story progressed, I started thinking of it less as a novel and more of a "sitting with the author by the fireside and listening to him recount a tale" sort of thing, and that helped me adjust. Having said this, I know quite a few people who really love this kind of old-fashioned narration, so it's a matter of taste.
Omniscient viewpoint aside, "A Night on Kingwood" is a story that can do much good in our anti-God world and I hope many readers discover it and take what they can for their own spiritual lives. A very interesting first book by a man who obviously wants to help souls.

Where do I begin? A Night on Kingwood by Jayson Derowitsch has a spiritual and philosophical tone. There’s such depthness in its tone yet it’s an engaging fiction masterpiece. This book had my attention from start to finish! Jayson’s style reminds me of C.S. Lewis “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “The Shack” by William P. Young in that it’s a narrative style with Christian symbolism throughout. I could easily see this adapted into a movie!

Our main character Kyle feels like a nobody. He has two overachieving parents who he feels he can never measure up to. He’s not a good student, athlete or musician so how can he make a name for himself when he feels like there’s nothing he’s really good at? Kyle’s hopelessness is filled with hope when he meets Marah. They become good friends and are inseparable; she’s the woman of his dreams! He bares his heart to Marah only to discover she’s dating a popular jock named Billy and only sees him as friend. Kyle’s attempt to win back Marah’s affection backfires and only leads to further shame and embarrassment.

In desperation Kyle unsuccessfully attempts to end his life. He has what I’d describe as an outer body experience and enters the supernatural world of Kingwood where he’s given the supernatural lenses to discover the battle that exists between darkness and light. He’s in the battle of his life and realizes he can’t win it on his own. In Kingwood, Jayson gains wisdom, learns faith and literally fights for his identity. It’s not until he almost loses the identity he has that he fights desperately to maintain his sanity and cling to the somebody remaining within him. Jayson can now clearly see his flaws and painfully understands the true meaning of love. He realize he doesn’t really love Marah; he only loves how she makes him feel and saw her as a possession. He discovers popularity isn’t really what he desires; he desires to have a deep intimate relationship with someone who really knows and understands him. He discovers that success is not personal achievement but it’s sacrificial and a willingness to esteem the needs of others above yourself.

In Jayson discovering the inadequacies of self he realizes his only identity should be in a power higher than himself. As he loses his flawed identity of himself he’s given the supernatural lenses to see the spiritual state of others and realize he isn’t the only one in a raging battle with darkness. As he successfully learns to not follow his heart and emotions but instead heed the voice of “The Wind Voice” (The Holy Spirit) and realize that only “The Pantokrator” (God) could deliver him from darkness and it could only be accomplished in his accepting the saving grace of Meshiach (Jesus Christ). I highly recommend this book to anyone who’s hurting and as I believe the message of this book will help them to realize their value and find the true meaning and purpose of life.