No Angel

September 1, 2013
Keeble applies a heaping helping of wit to explore the question of what it's like to be the answer to someone else's prayers. Raffi Angelos thought admission to St. Mary's School for Girls and Boys was a dream come true--after all, it's only just started admitting boys, so the girl-boy ratio is bound to be amazing. But he hadn't counted on being the only male on campus. It isn't long before he realizes his troubles are just beginning. There is something dramatically wrong at St. Mary's, as well as with Raffi himself. The headmistress's daughter, Faith, has been praying for help to rid the school of demons, and she just knows that Raffi is an angel in disguise. When he suddenly sprouts wings and a halo, he realizes there are things he's never known about himself. But there's more to being an angel than wings. Why has no one told him about the different types of angels--like that some of them have multiple sets of eyes orbiting their heads? Finding a balance between his normal life and his new paranormal talents, Raffi must fight off adoring middle graders, lecherous teachers and threatening demons--and save Faith from a fate worse than death. After all, Faith is his soul mate...isn't she? The plot is tried and true, but Raffi's likable voice, well-drawn characters and dead-on humor makes it good fun anyway. An angel book with a sense of humor. (Paranormal humor. 12 & up)

COPYRIGHT(2013) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

December 1, 2013

Gr 8 Up-Sixteen-year-old Rafael Angelos arrives at the St. Mary's Boarding School for Girls and Boys, a former convent in modern-day England, only to discover that he is the sole male student. After a series of unfortunate mishaps, he finds himself with a halo and a pair of wings. It turns out that he is a guardian angel who has been summoned to help defeat a demon who is haunting St. Mary's. With the help of a couple of girls, Raf stumbles to figure out how to close the Hellgate that allowed the demon through. The unlikely hero finds himself confronting a problem much bigger than he could ever have imagined, one that will require a sacrifice he isn't sure he can make. Keeble provides readers with snarky characters; a quick-moving, entertaining plot; and a fascinating setting. The wit and humor add a lighter element to what could have been a dark story, making this novel a good choice for reluctant readers. There's a moderate amount of swearing and sexual innuendo. No Angel will find an audience among teens who enjoy stories about angels and demons and the fight between good and evil.-Heidi Grange, Summit Elementary School, Smithfield, UT

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.