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Natural Born Angel
Common Sense says
- Scott Speer
- Fantasy
- 2013
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Natural Born Angel is the second book in the Immortal City series, in which angels are celebrities in a place very much like Hollywood. While the first book dealt with darker topics, such as a serial killer on the loose in Angel City, this one focuses on protagonist Maddy becoming an angel, getting angel training, and dealing with being in the constant spotlight. The novel deals with issues of celebrity, money, politics, religion, and crime. And like the first book, the sequel is loaded with brand-name items, high-end cars, and designer labels. There's some violence (people are killed in bombing attack and a fire) some swearing ("bitch," "goddammit"), teen drinking, and the sexual content is limited to flirting, kissing, and caressing.
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What's the story?
Maddy Montgomery discovers she's part-angel -- a surprise for everyone, including herself -- and cancels her plans to leave Angel City for college, figuring she can do more to help save people by being an angel. Yet, Maddy doesn't want to just save the rich who can afford protection; she wants to save anyone in need of help. As soon as word gets out that she's going through training to become a guardian, her popularity and fame soars -- leaving her relationship with Jacks to cool. But Jacks has his own problems and is having trouble dealing with Maddy's success, as well as her distance. Not to mention a fringe political group working to get a bill passed in Congress to stop angels from saving people. A war between humans and angels is on the horizon -- causing Jacks and Maddy to question which side they'll be on when the moment arrives for them to fight for their lives.
Is it any good?
While Immortal City, the first book in this series, dealt with angel murders and Maddy falling in love with angel hottie Jackson Godspeed, NATURAL BORN ANGEL turns the tables. It deals with Maddy's life as a half-angel and her newfound celebrity fame, interweaving a mystery and political subplot. Maddy remains an interesting character, and her love for Jackson stays constant, but her characterization seems off. In the first book, she was a regular teen girl who didn't quite get the angel phenomenon and was reluctant to embrace her feelings for one of the most popular angels. Now that she's discovered she's an angel and become famous because of it, she's addicted to designer labels and consumed by celebrity -- posing for paparazzi, driving fancy cars, attending events, and doing photo shoots for magazines.
Even though, it's part of her "job," it still seems out of character. Gone is the Maddy who felt comfortable wearing a hoodie and jeans, living with her Uncle Kevin, and making time for her boyfriend and friends. She also suddenly knows how to be an angel, which is a little implausible. Readers may be disappointed that Maddie is no longer "the girl next-door" but a rich, powerful, and well-dressed angel like all the others.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about why books about angels are so popular. How do you think Natural Born Angels compares with the first book in the series, Immortal City?
What do you think about how Maddy's character evolves in the second book?
What are your thoughts on the protection-for-pay system, by which only the wealthy can afford protection? Is there anything similar in our society?
Book details
- Author: Scott Speer
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Adventures, Misfits and Underdogs
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Razorbill
- Publication date: April 23, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 17
- Number of pages: 368
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
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