Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

5 stars

Possessed: From Darkness to Light by Cordelia Lee is a memoir that reads like horror, and it’s hard to believe this is a true story, but the narrator’s voice is so real that the reader is compelled to accept the extraordinary events narrated in this memoir. Readers are introduced to a protagonist with a heap of problems — difficult childhood, molestation, attempted rape, black magic, anorexia, marital issues, and depression. Possessed, a shaman exorcises her, but is unable to completely banish the evil spirits. While Cordelia Lee seeks healing, she has an unusual experience of awakening — transported to a spiritual realm where she experiences the different energies in the universe. She could find answers to her quest for healing in this dimension, but this realm is also the dwelling of malevolent spirits. Can she beat the ruses of manipulative spiritual teachers who would use black magic to get what they want, find the tools she needs for her battles, and win her inner freedom? This is a story that exudes a rare kind of pathos and as the reader encounters young Cordelia Lee — a once happy and exuberant child — they become keen to find out what could possibly happen to her. They quickly learn to care about her. 

The author has a unique narrative voice and knows how to make readers feel what she has felt. You’ll touch her fear; you’ll feel the chills run down your body as you connect with the images she conjures. While the writing might not be exceptional, the story is confidently told and the author has a voice that is original. Possessed: From Darkness to Light is a true story that gives hope to readers, making them understand that they can be masters of their destiny and that no matter how horrific their experiences in life, they can always choose to seek the light at the end of the tunnel. This is an engrossing story that will awaken all kinds of emotions in readers. 

Ruffina Oserio (5 stars)

Possessed: From Darkness to Light by Cordelia Lee is a dark and scary story, but also one full of hope and inspiration. This is the story of one woman’s battle with demonic spirits, black magic, depression, and a lot more. Born in 1972 in a quaint city in Malaysia, Cordelia Lee's earliest memories with her family were those of happiness, but then before she turned eight, her grandmother died and she experienced her first mysterious thunderstorm. And things changed from that moment. She describes her childhood as “walking endlessly in thunderstorms, soaked wet, cold, and alone, battered by winds and rain…” A demonic possession pushed her to seek the help of a Taoist shaman. The shaman was able to exorcise the demon temporarily. Follow her on a spiritual journey where she gains enlightenment and awakening into a higher spiritual realm where she could experience the unseen energies that fill the world and a place where vicious spirits reside as well. Can she harness the power she needs to completely free herself or will she be lured by the luster of black magic? 

In a mellow tone, Cordelia Lee shares her story of horror, her spiritual as well as physical battles, unveiling each layer of her pain, each gaping wound. From the moment “por-por” dies and she is accused of cheating in school, life has been a roller-coaster of misery for her. But how does she become triumphant? How does she beat the odds and win over her illness, her failing marriage, and her demonic possessions? It’s that part of the story, her journey to freedom, marked by her resilient spirit, her combative nature, and her self-love that constitute the real appeal of this memoir. While Possessed: From Darkness to Light is chilling, it communicates a message of hope, that we can always gain inner freedom if we face our battles head on. 

Jamie Michele (5 stars)

Possessed: From Darkness to Light by Cordelia Lee is the author's memoir, chronicling a chilling battle with multiple dominions beginning at the age of eight and continuing through adulthood. Set in her home in Malaysia, Lee dives right into her story, and it's truly extraordinary. Raised with the dual influences of Buddhism and the Roman Catholic Church, Lee details the demons in her life - and by demons, I mean literally demons. The title, Possessed, is not an allegory and describes Lee's chilling journey through a life of supernatural influence, demonic possession, depression, and black magic. She says, "Everywhere I moved, I could see them. Sometimes I could hear them. Sometimes I could feel them. I felt I had a beacon on me that allowed these ghosts to track me no matter where I was. I came to realize there were a few ghosts who kept targeting me every now and then. Among them was a dominant one that appeared to be their leader."

Narrated through a first person account with a creative format that includes a beautiful mix of poetry and autobiographical storytelling, Lee reveals each step of her life. It's a phenomenal tale that includes the full gamut of experiences, including paranormal contact and violations of her own spirit (...Until dark shadows wanted to talk to me...“I understand what you are going through. You can talk to me.” “I am lost.” “We can be friends."). Seeking help from multiple resources, including a Taoist Shaman and an authentic and harrowing exorcism, Lee is ultimately able to shed the shadowy darkness of destructive influence, overcome the obstacles of deeply depressive episodes, and finally restore her mind, body, and soul in the glow of light. If you are looking for an inspiring story about overcoming the unimaginable, Possessed by Cordelia Lee is it.

Rabia Tanveer (5 stars)

Possessed: From Darkness to Light by Cordelia Lee is the story of the author’s struggle to find the light inside her and the world around her, only to discover that finding the light is not as easy as it might seem. Cordelia had a rough start in life. From a very early age, she had to endure depression, anxiety, attempted rape, discord between her parents, and having to relocate because of the consequences of black magic. Such occurrences in her life made her stronger, but also made her vulnerable to demonic possession. Very early in life, when all of this was happening to her, Cordelia realized that this was something that she would have to fight by herself and so she did exactly that. When her life became too difficult, she went to get help and had a Kundalini experience that seemed to awaken her mind to the spiritual world. After that, she had a new goal in her life other than surviving: becoming a healer. But before she could become a healer, she had to literally fight her demons and find people she could trust. 

I thought this book would be very dark and gritty and, to an extent, it actually is, but the author brings light into her life and discusses the hardships she had to suffer in a tone that soothes the reader. I sympathized with her, but never pitied her because you can feel her strength through her words. Her resilience and her support system were portrayed and conveyed to the reader very well. What I really enjoyed reading is how she narrated everything with a light tone to ease the mind of the reader. I never once felt rushed or scared or anxious, even when Cordelia Lee was talking about pretty intense occurrences in her life (which I think is no small feat). I’m in awe of this woman and what she has achieved. Possessed: From Darkness to Light is really well written.

Lesley Jones (5 Stars)

Possessed: From Darkness to Light by Cordelia Lee is a chilling memoir chronicling a horrifying struggle with personal issues from self-esteem, attempted rape and depression, to inexplicable bodily experiences which she refers to as ‘thunderstorms’. From her childhood in Malaysia, through to adulthood, the author begins her story with one such thunderstorm in a shop with her father, as an evil spirit engulfs her. She recounts, throughout the book, of times when they speak to her and other times when they completely take over her body, sometimes for her benefit and other times not. Follow the author's gripping journey as she searches for answers to conquer these demons, and finds a Taoist Shaman who performs a traumatic exorcism. Discover how Lee finally frees herself from the shackles of these 'thunderstorms' and uses her unique gift to help others.

This is undoubtedly a gripping memoir of black magic and the author's experiences of living with demonic possession. Lee’s account of her personal problems, of losing her beloved grandmother, the attempted rape and the depression were written superbly. The book was intriguing from the explosive start in the shop to her triumphant ending. Her talent for writing the events of demonic possession in such a visual manner sent shivers down my spine, especially during the exorcism by the Taoist Shaman. The subject matter is unprecedented and told with brutal honesty. A story of transforming a debilitating condition into an ability to heal and help others. An extremely enthralling story of triumph over the seemingly impossible. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys books on the paranormal and spiritual enlightenment.