Angel Board

Rufty’s unapologetically gruesome horror debut revolves around the relationship between an emotionally unstable man and his supposed guardian angel. David Barker, a discontented assistant manager at an office products store, slits his wrists and sees a vision of an ethereal woman. He attributes his survival to her. When his mother gives him an angel board—essentially a Ouija board designed to communicate with angels—he contacts his beautiful savior, whom he names Natasha, and they begin a strange and intense otherworldly courtship. But Natasha’s behavior isn’t exactly angelic, and she’ll kill anyone who gets between her and her lover. The pacing is brisk, the action nonstop, and the ending delightfully unexpected, but a choppy narrative, uncompelling characters, and hilariously over-the-top violence (“She saw the meat cleaver coming toward her, spinning end over end, making PHAWP! PHAWP! PHAWP! noises”) make this far from a heavenly read. (Jan.)