This story really didn't go where I thought it would go. It is a very religious story about faith. The angels are the pretty traditional sort. Brielle is back home after a tragedy. Her best friend was murdered. She feels that she should have been able to do something to stop it. What she doesn't realize is that her friend's death came because a demon got involved with her. The story switches viewpoints with the chapters. Most of the chapters are from Brielle or Damien's point of view. Damien is the villain of the piece being a fallen angel who is trying to gain favor with Lucifer by corrupting humans. He feeds on fear. Brielle meets Jake when she comes home. He is about the only thing that can bring warmth back into her life. He offers her comfort. But Jake isn't your ordinary teenage boy. He is able to heal with his hands and has an angel for a guardian. He knows about the battle between the angels and demons and has a strong religious faith.Brielle lost her mother at age three and doesn't remember her at all. Her father lost his faith in God after his wife's death and has raised Brielle without religion. Now Brielle is confronted with the fact that God exists and that angels and demons are battling here on earth. She has a hard time understanding a God who can let bad things happen to good people.The book had some thrilling adventures as Brielle, Jake and his guardian angel Canaan battle evil demons including Damien to save the lives of children who are being sold. It also had some romance as Jake and Brielle get to know each other. But the strongest part of the book for me was the religious themes of faith and belief. This one would go well in a Christian school and will appeal to my religious students.
