Debut author Enthoven delivers a sprawling fantasy epic set in modern-day London about a 14-year-old boy, Charlie, who thinks he has been given superpowers. The truth is, however, that Charlie has been possessed by a demon. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Gr 9 Up-London teen Jack leads a not-very-interesting life. His friend Charlie is none too bright and is blinded by his anger over his parents' divorce. Jack stands by his best mate through thick and thin, even when Charlie, possessed by a demon, crosses into Hell itself. Khentimentu, also known as the Scourge, has been trapped in the roots of an ancient tree for thousands of years by a secret society called The Brotherhood of Sleep. Charlie, thinking he is being recruited into it, unwittingly becomes a host for the escaped Scourge, manifested in a writhing, black tattoo. With Charlie's help, the demon kills all the members of the Brotherhood except the young warrior-woman Esme. When the demon and Charlie escape into Hell, it is up to Jack and Esme to rescue Charlie and save the universe from Khentimentu's evil plan. Enthoven has created an interesting and original universe and a gripping story. Hell is a demon-populated Roman empire at its most decadent, complete with gladiators and an all-powerful emperor. There are a few plot inconsistencies in this hefty book, and scattered Briticisms will momentarily trip up some readers, but overall it is a readable story with an amusing denouement. A good choice for readers ready to move on from Darren Shan's popular "Cirque du Freak" and "Demonata" series (both Little, Brown).-Anthony C. Doyle, Livingston High School Library, CA Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

A fight to save the world from an evil presence; magical creatures; and three teen protagonists (two boys and girl) . . . : sound familiar? Esme has trained all her life to help her father and the Brotherhood defeat the Scourge, an evil entity that plans to end the world. Charlie gains superpowers as he becomes host to the Scourge, which manifests itself as a shifting black tattoo. Charlie's friend Jack becomes an unwitting, unskilled participant in the battle against the evil. Campy humor enlivens the sometimes cliched events, which move between London and Hell through a portal located in a pub. Esme's martial arts and sword-wielding skills provide plenty of action, and a wide range of intriguing creatures populates the story: floating sharks; blood-sucking, meal-vomiting bats; and giant spiders--sometimes serving as gladiator adversaries in Hell. Adventure and invention abound, but tighter plotting would have improved the story. The epilogue sets the stage for a sequel. --Cindy Dobrez Copyright 2006 Booklist From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.