Milayna

Gr 9 Up—Just before her 18th birthday, Milayna starts having odd visions. She sees bad things before they happen and wonders if she is going crazy. Her best friend, Muriel, notices and tells Milayna's parents, who inform her that her friend is a demi-angel and coming into her powers. Not only is her father a fallen angel, making her half angel, but she is also surrounded by other teenage half-angels, including Muriel. Together they make up a small gang, pitted against Azazel, the fallen angel of the underworld, and his minions. When Milayna is 18, she will become the strongest demi-angel in existence, which is why Azazel wants to take her powers. Demi-angel powers include telekinesis, emotion reading, and life-saving visions. When battles of good vs. evil begin, it is full-out street warfare. Chay, a searing hot demi-angel, is charged with protecting Milayna (as all the demi-angels are), and a love story blooms during the pivotal seven weeks before her birthday. Azazel uses his powers of persuasion to compel members of Milayna's angel posse to switch sides. Crumbling alliances make the teen unsure whom she can trust as she contends with crippling visions and her own conflicting feelings about being a demi-angel. The story is decently paced, between days at school, hanging out at the mall, raucous battles, and gooey love scenes. Refreshingly, Milayna's parents are present and help her. Unfortunately, the characters are flat and their motivations are sketchy at best. The plot is pitted with glaring holes, which will leave readers frustrated. This is the first novel in a series, so perhaps characters and plot will develop solidly in future books.