Personal Demons

Gr 9 Up—Infernal and celestial forces collide over the fate of a girl's soul in the first title (Tor Teen, 2010 pap.) in a projected trilogy by Lisa Desrochers. Luc Cain, a demon in human form, has been sent to tag the soul of high school senior Frannie Cavanaugh for Hell. Though Luc doesn't know why, Frannie's soul is of great importance to the King of Hell and the demon is prepared to do whatever it takes to tag it. His mission is complicated by the arrival of Gabe, an angel intent on protecting Frannie and claiming her soul for Heaven. Matters are further complicated when Frannie and Luc begin having feelings for each other. The story unfolds through the dual narratives of Frannie and Luc, performed by Sara Barnett and Michael Nathanson who have believably youthful voices. Barnett adequately portrays Frannie's angst and confusion over her feelings of love and lust for Luc and Gabe, while Nathanson gives a more nuanced performance. He strikes the right note of arrogance in the prideful demon's narration (with that disdain mostly disappearing as the character changes), and his voice takes on an appropriate roughness when Luc is particularly angry, aroused, or desperate. Heavy on teen angst, this novel will be enjoyed by fans of supernatural romance.—Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL