Hollyweird

In Clark’s (Sleepless) over-the-top story of romance and spiritual warfare in the Hollywood hills, high school senior Aly King wins a contest to meet teenage celebrity dreamboat Dakota Danvers, traveling from Colorado to Los Angeles with her outspoken best friend Des and Ali’s wannabe-actress older sister, Missy. The story shifts between the (oddly similar) narratives of Aly and Dakota’s personal assistant, Jameson, a fallen angel seeking redemption by taking down Dakota—who is literally Satan’s spawn. Dakota charms Des and Missy, but Aly is taken with Jameson, who opens Aly and Des’s eyes to the supernatural battle taking place around them (nothing like a text message from God or celestial magic show to shore up one’s belief in a higher power) and instantaneously renews Aly’s faith, which was shaken by her mother’s death in a drunk-driving accident (a plot element that fits uncomfortably with the book’s campy, overcaffeinated tone). While the concept of Hollywood as a playground for supernatural creatures is fun, the amped-up personalities and dialogue are forced and, despite the book’s spiritual motif, it ends up feeling fairly empty. Ages 12–up. (May)