Gr 10 Up—Riddled with manipulations, betrayals, and secrets, this tale begins at the Jersey shore where high school senior Eden meets and (exasperatingly) immediately connects with Az when moments before she'd been contemplating suicide. Az, a half-fallen angel, and his friend Gabe, an angel currently Bound to Upstairs, discover that Eden is pathless and is apparently destined to commit suicide. She'll become a Sider, a supposedly immortal being kept secret from Upstairs who passes Touch (a sort of chaotic virus that hinders inhibitions and pushes mortals over the emotional edge). When the Fallen take a special interest in Eden, an unthinkable betrayal with far-reaching consequences leaves her with unheard of power. Foreshadowing and dialogue herald impending doom. The uneven pacing that denies the leads (and readers) a chance to get to know one another at the novel's beginning picks up in its final (and better) third, offering interesting twists and a movielike climax with sequel-justifying loose ends. Peripheral characters steal the spotlight, namely Gabe and caustic, loyal, and a little crazy Kristen, who runs a Bronx enclave of Siders and poaches clothing from the deceased. In this genre, Clifford's use of suicide as a plot device feels uncomfortable. While there is some nice descriptive prose, the dark subject matter and language make this an additional purchase for public libraries where mature teens are looking for the next paranormal read to check off their lists.—Danielle Serra, Cliffside Park Public Library, NJ
Eden is a Sider, a human who returns after suicide to spread magical "Touch" to the living. She's also capable of releasing other Siders from their unwanted immortality, and this ability makes her a target for angels. The requisite love triangle between Eden, fellow Sider Adam, and true love Az (a partially fallen angel who has profoundly betrayed Eden) is predictable but effective.
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