Flight

Wealthy Manhattan heiress Camille Vanderhale is already undergoing a strange transformation—suddenly able to float in midair, crushing hard on Xavier, a maintenance man—when the high school senior discovers that there are angels on Earth. But their existence contains the secret to her family’s fortune: an Illuminati plot, a purported deal with the devil, and a legion of power-hungry descendants. But first-time author Moncrief’s story line falters early and often, weighed down by flat characters and repetitive references to high-end brands, details such as Xavier’s “too-full upper lip,” and other tired phrasings. Moncrief glosses over key plot points—rushing to establish Camille’s bond with her sister, employing a basic Web search as a clunky device to move the tale forward—yet indulges in lengthy passages to describe the romantic encounters between Camille and her lover. Although the final battle shows some depth, the overall result is a lusty page-turner that should appeal to those looking for a bit of steaminess, but with little in the way of substance. Ages 12–up. (BookLife)