Angel Eyes

In Dittemore’s first novel, humans, demons, and angels intermingle, unknown to most humans, in the terrestrial and celestial realms they call home. The story unfolds mainly from the viewpoint of teenage Brielle, who returns to smalltown Stratus, Ore., after the brutal murder of her best friend. Brielle then becomes involved with newcomer Jake, a human with a healing touch. Other chapters take the viewpoints of Jake; Damien, a fallen angel; and Canaan, a “Shield angel” assigned to protect Jake. The humans, however, are pawns in the struggle between the demons, who seek to corrupt their souls, and the Shield angels, there to protect them. A histrionic style overwhelms a few moments of real teen interaction. Some clunkers (“He doesn’t seem enamored by this information”) further hamper the reader’s ability to suspend disbelief. Action obscures the important question Brielle raises when she says that her dad thinks if God exists then he must be cruel, because “He allowed my mother to die.” The plot ultimately serves as a pulpit for a sermon on the importance of accepting that human understanding is limited and therefore trust in God’s greater, unknowable plan is key to being saved. Some readers may prefer a subtler approach. Ages 10–up. Agent: Holly Root, Waxman Literary Agency. (June) ■