Starred review from December 20, 2010
In this refreshing twist on a traditional call narrative, theological musings transform into urgent moral questions requiring decisive action as well as literal and metaphorical leaps of faith. Skillfully intertwining family, medical, and supernatural dramas with a sweet romantic subplot, Stein (High Dive) unleashes cosmic battles to play out among the inhabitants of smalltown Hamilton, Tenn., a setting replete with Civil War history. Narrator Miriam, a college freshman and budding journalist, responds with a persuasive blend of faith and doubt to archangel Raphael's terrifying appearance, dropping out of college after her only partly successful attempt at obeying his command to "evacuate Tabitha before the Sabbath." Thus launched on an unexpected path, Miriam confronts a serious illness and the growing awareness that her spiritual quest pits her against her twin, Moses, a recruit of demonic forces. Additional parallels add intriguing nuance, such as the Christian and Jewish faith perspectives offered by the twins' divorced parents. Miriam's initial interpretation of her illness as divine punishment gives way to more complex theological reflections in this riveting tale, an angel book that stands out from the chorus. Ages 12–up.
January 1, 2011
For the Abbott-Levy siblings, good versus evil is a family affair. The archangel Raphael descends on Miriam, a college freshman, and issues a cryptic command that she botches. Guilt-ridden, Miriam confides in Moses, her twin brother. Mo's had a similar visitation, only his was demonic. Miriam abruptly leaves school and lands a reporting job at a rural Tennessee newspaper while coping with a sudden, severe gastrointestinal illness of possibly supernatural origins. Supported by her boss, two friendly organic farmers and, especially, Emmett, an appealing tattoo artist, she struggles to understand what's happening and to accomplish her next task. Then Mo shows up with an agenda of his own. There's much to like in this series opener: Miriam is engaging, her interfaith roots (Roman Catholic mother, Jewish father) interesting and the heavenly visitations credibly devastating. Less believable are her blind affection for selfish Mo and her circumstances (the job and the world's best medical benefits). Despite uneven pacing and loose plotting, this intriguing exploration of divine intervention and cast of complex characters add up to a compelling read. (Fantasy. 12 & up)
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March 1, 2011
Gr 10 Up-College freshman Miriam is stuck at school during spring break when she receives a terrifying visit from the archangel Raphael. Although her father and mother both teach theology and are, respectively, a rabbi and a former nun, Miriam chooses not to seek their help but rather turns to the library for research. She saves the life of another student as instructed by Raphael but Tabitha is left permanently injured, causing Miriam to feel that she has failed. Then her twin brother, Mo, comes to town and tells her that he, too, has had a supernatural contact but with an entity from the other camp. Her health begins to suffer and she is constantly distracted by her visitation so she decides to drop out. She accepts an internship at a newspaper in a small Tennessee town where she meets Emmett, an intriguing tattoo artist, and receives her next mission. She attributes her worsening health to angelic retribution but her doctor tells her she has Crohn's disease. The lack of resolution of several plot strands or promise of a sequel makes this an unsatisfying read. Miriam and Mo don't end up as enemies as the cover suggests. Miriam never recovers her health nor are we sure why she has been chosen and whether she will continue to be given tasks by divine messengers. Supernatural fiction seems to be on the rise so this may appeal to some teens, but it isn't strong enough to earn a general recommendation.-Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
January 1, 2011
Grades 8-11 Miriam drops out of college near the end of her freshman year after failing to save another student from bodily harm. She lands a newspaper job in a small Tennessee town but discovers soon after her move that her cramps and weight loss derive from Crohns disease. Miriam has a lot with which to cope: her new independence, her physical deterioration, a possible boyfriend, and a boss who is more interested in scooping news than caring about those who make it. Oh, and she also has visions of angelsand her twin brother is in cahoots with Satan. The multiple plot strands, as well as Miriams relationship with her twin and her mission to help a young local who seems intent on avenging himself with heavy artillery, are wound together to form a credible world, featuring a flawed but admirable heroine. The story demands thought and reflection from readers about the gray area between good and evil and the real differences between faith and systematic religion, tasks made easier by smooth writing and an engaging cast of rounded characters.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)
March 1, 2011
Eighteen-year-old Miriam and her twin brother Mo (short for Moses) have had an unconventional religious upbringing. Their parents are both theology professors; Dad is also a rabbi and Mom's a former nun. At the start of the book, Miriam has a terrifying encounter with archangel Raphael. She doesn't know why she was chosen, but God has tasked her with protecting a college acquaintance, Tabitha -- a mission at which Miriam fails. Guilt-riddled, she drops out of school and takes a job at a small newspaper. She's slowly coming to terms with her role as celestial envoy when Mo -- who was similarly visited, but by the devil -- rolls into town, hell-bent on coaxing a loner teen named Jason into committing a terrible act of violence. Miriam, recently diagnosed with Crohn's disease, ultimately triumphs -- sort of -- by convincing Mo that God is punishing her for her failure with Tabitha, and that his wrath will be even greater if she doesn't stop Jason. The theme of dualism is continually explored throughout the book: benevolent or vengeful beings; belief versus skepticism; free will and predestination, etc. It's lofty theological stuff, but the compelling characters -- including fully realized secondary players -- keep the story down to earth. elissa gershowitz
(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)