I know I have some reviews pending (the rest of Norn9, for example) but SWD released a new payable route game called “War of Prayers”.
It promises knights (
) magical girls () and beautiful art () so yesss let’s play! 
In this world, there are shadows attacking. The lead character, default name Angela Rampling (I changed the name to Aurora Angeli in my playthrough, so that’s what you’re seeing on the screenshots) is chosen to become the next Prayer Maiden and is taxed with defeating the shadows. She needs the assistance of a knight in order to transform and fight.
The entire knight transformation sequence is very Revolutionary Girl Utena-esque. 
Angela is held by her knight and the gemstone produces her wand, which the knight draws from her chest. I enjoyed her little transformation sequence the first couple of times, but by the end of the route I was like, “okay okay light and sparkles, feel the power, gotcha, let’s go get some shadows” 
There are four stories available at the time of this review.
Christopher
Matthew
Evans
Liam
Liam drew my gaze first, as did Simon, but Simon isn’t a playable route at this moment (I hope he ends up being added later, though). I adore Liam’s expression. The artist this go around is rather skilled at drawing various facial expressions and showing emotion.
Bodies, however….
Like what is going on with her spine?! And her legs aren’t attached to her hips… and her chest is twisting in a way that’s physically impossible… and why is she pushing her chest out… and how is she standing with her knees like that too…. Good thing we can’t see her feet
Well, the other sprites and CGs are rather lovely, I don’t know why the main character sprite is odd looking. 
Anyway, Liam is coming next because apparently he’s connected to Christopher somehow, so I decided to play his first, in case I get spoilers for Christopher’s route in Liam’s route.
Christopher is the twin brother to Matthew, and there’s a definite theme of “dark versus light” with them. Christopher is clad in black, he’s standoff-ish and broody, and he obviously is hiding some sort of past/has something in the past haunting him. 
I just love reading those guys! Matthew is clad is gold and white, he’s cheerful, helpful, and sweet, and I’m not sure if he’ll have a “secret” or if his route will be a sort of “pure love” route. And tbh I may never get his route because I’m not that interested >>;;
Christopher keeps himself locked up throughout most of the route. This is the sort of love story where the hero is scarred and the heroine’s incessant optimism and kindness eventually break through his barriers and allow him to “live” again, by loving her.
The beginning of the route he’s kinda mean, hahaha. 
Angela insists on the crystal that gives her magical girl powers chose him to be her knight. He refuses to be named her knight and instead they settle on calling each other companion. That’s way cuter than the clichéd knight/princess archetype, though Angela constantly wished throughout the route that they were a real knight/princess…
I liked that their story took them all over the world and we got to meet each of the magical girls from the other countries. 
Look at them! They’re all gorgeous! 
Angela learned and evolved with her magical girl abilities and wasn’t a sitting duck the entire time. Their romance happened at a good pace and none of it felt rushed. Christopher’s past is the main catalyst for everything, so it’s hard for me to talk about any specific details without getting into spoiler territory. 
Final Thoughts:
There’s nothing really special about this route. If you’ve read this sort of story before, there won’t be anything here that surprises you. If you’re itching to read this sort of story, it’s going to scratch your itch, but I doubt it’s going on any sort of favorite list. Of the two endings, I preferred the “Prayer Maiden” ending.
My heart scale is defined as follows – 5 hearts = a story everyone will fall in love with, regardless of preferences; 4 hearts = a well-done story that people who love the concept will adore, and people who don’t may end up liking it; 3 hearts = if you like this type of story or this type of hero, then you will enjoy this, but those who do not like either of those things will probably not; 2 hearts = it had potential, it squandered it; 1 heart = just a waste of time from the get-go; 0 hearts = why was this made
Notable Moments
This is one of the first moments we learn Christopher’s past is tainted by a tragedy. Liam’s intensity in trying to persuade Angela into leaving Christopher is both scary and intriguing. We do not find out what transpired between them to make him have such an intense reaction in this route, so I hope we can find it out in Liam’s.
I just… swoon!!! 
Sadly, moments like these are few and far between in his route, however, that makes the few times they appear that much more powerful.
This is Simon, from earlier int he review. He is paired up with another prayer maiden named Sophia in this route. I hope he becomes playable! This scene is a tense moment in the route. We have two prayer maidens going up against a rather powerful foe… with a surprising origin.
My heart broke reading this. 
Christopher has been cold, but we find out why during this scene. As for exactly who Anabel is, you’ll find out in the playthrough.
My absolute favorite sprites are always the blushing ones!
I loved her dress and design. Hauntingly beautiful.
This was really cute! Hahaha. I like her design and how the cloth at the skirt looks like the decorative edge of icing on a cake.