Magical is the only word that comes to my mind after finishing this story. What a wonderful twist on the 'angels as aliens' idea.

Matthew is a wounded young man, trying to survive after being sent to prison for protecting his sister from someone who wanted to hurt her. When an 'angel' takes over Matthew's boss's body and tries to heal him, he fights and struggles for a long time. He doesn't want to love someone again for fear of losing them. But the angel gets to him, just like he'd gotten to the angel, and he starts to become more like the person he used to be. Adventurous, curious and trusting.

This story had me enthralled from the very beginning. Fearing the angel would have to leave without Matthew having been healed and wishing for a different outcome because I could feel Matthew's pain. The relief when the final solution was a happy one was definitely worth the anguish Jan Irving made me go through. Well done! ( )