Wings of the Wicked

Gr 10 Up—Moulton takes readers into an engrossing world of biblical fantasy and epic romance, and gives them insight into the bewildering effects of superpowers and leadership thrust upon the shoulders of a teenage girl. In this sequel to Angelfire (HarperCollins, 2011), 17-year-old Ellie Monroe of Detroit's suburbs is still growing into her destiny as the vessel of Gabriel, archangel and the left hand of God. While struggling with her unrequited love for Will, her heaven-appointed Guardian, she is training for the Second War: the Apocalypse. The demonic reapers have acquired a soul-sucking ancient relic that could eliminate the Preliator's soul and its reincarnation cycle. But all Ellie wants is a normal senior year and her studly, stoic, angelic reaper boyfriend. The writing is saturated with descriptors and smatterings of jargon, though the action-driven plot propels readers through the sometimes-ambiguous prose. Moulton weaves multiple climaxes and unexpected love triangles to engage readers, but the dragged-out cliff-hanger with a twist is unfortunately too reminiscent of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight. Dripping with drama and gruesome battle imagery, this sequel will satisfy paranormal devotees more than its precursor.—Jamie-Lee Schombs, Library Journal