So, I've read a lot of paranormal YA fiction, but I must admit I've never read anything about angels. Right before actually starting ANGEL BURN I read a review stating that the book wasn't your "typical" angel book -- so leave it to me to start there, right? 
 And, I see what the review meant, I think, without having read other angel books. Although I do have two more YA angel novels in my "to-be-read" stash beside my bed, I'd have previously imagined angels to be positioned as the forbidden object of the heroine's affection -- a being too mystical and good to be fully obtainable for a relationship with a teenage girl, but of course she manages to accomplish the "impossible" by the end of the novel (which will lead into some kind of problem or cliff-hanger in case we turn this into a series, right?) 
 In ANGEL BURN, however, the angels are the "bad guys". You see, the angels have their own world where they have their own methods for feeding and replenishing themselves, but things are slowly collapsing in angel-world so a few rogue angels took to feeding off humans in their own dimension in order to survive. The angels are visible only to the human who happens to be dinner at the moment, and despite the fact that the angel is slowly but surely sucking away the human's energy (leading to a multitude of maladies and diseases), the human STILL sees the angel as something beautiful, magical, and beneficial. 
 THAT is the beauty (for the angel) of "angel burn" -- the phenomenon that keeps humans adoring angels while angels keep sucking the life out of humans. As news of the glories of the angels spreads, churches are established solely for the purpose of seeking and praising the wonderful gifts of the angels. Sure, the congregation seems to be getting weaker and more afflicted over time, but they're quick to embrace the angels, acknowledging that churches typically DO attract the troubled folks -- so this must be normal. 
 As more and more angels infiltrate work, mumblings spread that the angels are planning a "Second Wave"-- a date in which the gates to angel-land are open, allowing mass quantities of angels to join humans on earth. The angel-burnt humans of the angel-church are ecstatic, planning special ceremonies and awaiting the time at which they will be further blessed with the gifts of the angels. 
 But, a (very) small percentage of humans have been trained from youth to see the TRUTH about the angels. One such individual is Alex, an angel-killer (further referred to as "AK" throughout the book). After years of experience, Alex has become pretty adept at spotting, shooting, and killing the angels, but he's recently been given a new mission. 
 Apparently, a lone angel managed to reproduce with a human female, spawning a half-human, half-angel teenage girl named Willow. Nobody is positive of the danger that Willow may or may not present, but Alex has been instructed to find her -- and kill her -- immediately. 
 However, Alex wasn't quite expecting Willow to be so beautiful and alluring. And, rumors are abound that a half-human, half-angel may be the only way to stop the angels from fully completing their Second Coming -- and destroying mankind for good. 
 I really did enjoy the unique perspective taken by this novel, as it didn't seem to QUITE follow the semi-formulaic feel that is typical of this genre. The pacing was good, the plot was action-packed, and the characters were interesting enough to allow the reader to feel invested in the story. And, I do tend to appreciate fantastical worlds that do seem to be grounded enough in reality to allow one to speculate on how such a universe might have evolved to this point. While the idea of rogue angels feeding off the souls of humans may never actually happen, the reader can easily see how this event could realistically lead into a setting of complete and utter angel adoration, such as what is portrayed in the novel. Additionally, I did find the "twist" on the angels to be interesting and unexpected enough that I think this novel will likely stand out in my memory, even after finishing the other two angel novels on my nightstand. 
 While ANGEL BURN did have it's unique twists and turns in the plot, I think it's over-fascination on the teenage love story felt a little familiar and almost boring at this point. Doesn't every teenage dystopian or paranormal tale seem to boil down to a forbidden romance, regardless of the severity of the proceeding plot points? Maybe not, but it times it can feel that way -- and ANGEL BURN is no exception. Some elements of the love story felt too forced and too dramatic to really keep my attention, and I'll admit that I found myself skimming ahead to the action at points (hence the subtraction of the one star) 
 ANGEL BURN is the first in a trilogy, and I've read that the second book is due out in December of 2011, which doesn't give me TOO much of a wait (since I do intend to read the second book, I think). Overall, I think this is a very interesting addition to the genre of YA fiction, and I do look forward to the rest of the story in the future.