"A Kentucky teen survives clinical death only to discover supernatural abilities and a startling history in Faye’s YA debut. 

Sophomore Ember O’Neill hopes this high-school year will be better than the last. Sadly, she remains a social pariah who’s mercilessly mocked and bullied (“look at how she dresses. She’s like an old lady”). Ember has a few people on her side, like her loyal pal, Erick Grossman, and the new girl he’s befriended, Hallee Wilson. But that doesn’t stop a bully from pulling a prank that technically kills her—for 20 minutes—before paramedics revive her. She subsequently learns that the prescription pills she’s long been taking may have been stunting her abilities; Ember has superhuman strength and speed (and something even more astonishing). Clarification as to where her powers stem from may lie with Adam, the mysterious guy who keeps popping up in her dreams. Meanwhile, her social status gets a tweak as she stands up to her bullies with renewed vigor and catches the eye of more than one boy, including the just-transferred Logan Lauder. Faye aptly blends supernatural elements with the realities of adolescence as Ember struggles to adjust to her body’s changes. There are other relatable turns as well, from her possible pill addiction to her mother’s excessive drinking. As this is likely the start of a series, the story introduces numerous questions involving such things as an ancient order of assassins, visions of archangel Michael, and Ember’s family. Mostly, it’s a fully engaging teen drama—Ember juggles romantic possibilities, including an older guy, and, as an “outcast,” she is understandably wary of others. The snobs and bullies at school make great villains, while endearing companions such as Erick, Hallee, and her “oversized” dog, Bear, consistently and wholeheartedly alleviate the tension. 

Riveting adolescent melodrama powers this remarkable urban fantasy with series potential.”