A Temptation of Angels

Gr 9 Up—Helen Cartwright is 16 when her mother awakens her in the middle of the night and hurriedly rushes her into a secret passage in the wall, telling her that she must save herself or everything will have been for nothing. Thus begins the teen's mysterious adventure and education into who she really is and what this means. Helen is a Keeper; she is descended from angels and given the task of protecting the knowledge of the past, present, and future for the mysterious Dictata. Zink does a marvelous job of blending technology and magic together to create plausible explanations for many fantastical possibilities like traveling via beams from light sources due to the particulate nature of matter and energy. The use of gadgets and inventions lends a steampunk air to several scenes. Two brothers, Keepers whose parents were also murdered, take Helen in. While investigating the deaths, Helen discovers that one of her childhood friends is connected to this mysterious new world and that her loyalties are going to be tested like never before. This is a compelling read, but it differs greatly from other recent "angel fiction" in that these beings don't have wings and, aside from being on the side of good, there is little connection to the typical Heaven and Hell. There is a hierarchy of demons and the Dictata, of course, but this may not satisfy fans of the emerging angel genre. It stands alone, but a sequel could help to flesh out some of the details of this world and hopefully build upon Helen's emerging romantic possibilities.—Genevieve Gallagher, Charlottesville High School, VA