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Angel in Vegas: The Chronicles of Noah Sark
Good heavens! A teen angel drops into Sin City in this wickedly funny YA novel from the author of the Blue Avenger trilogy.
Who is Noah Sark, really? And what is he doing in the men’s room at Angelo’s All-Day All-Nite Donut Emporium in Las Vegas? No use asking him; he doesn’t know, either.
Only Norma Howe, author of the beloved Blue Avenger books and a gleeful practitioner of comedic satire, could blend in a devilishly funny mix one (or maybe two) budding teenage romances, a psychic fair, a dead frog, a headful of cascading blond ringlets, glorious Las Vegas in all its glitz and sparkle — including Elvis and his hound dog, erupting volcanoes, and a Seeing-Eye-dog video poker player — with the dramatic back story of Princess Di in Paris, to portray an unlikely teen angel on a desperate mission to save a certain unknown girl from a certain unknown disaster. But, reader, never fear. All will be revealed in good time, so long as you resist, as Noah himself says, "the siren call of logic."
Who is Noah Sark, really? And what is he doing in the men’s room at Angelo’s All-Day All-Nite Donut Emporium in Las Vegas? No use asking him; he doesn’t know, either.
Only Norma Howe, author of the beloved Blue Avenger books and a gleeful practitioner of comedic satire, could blend in a devilishly funny mix one (or maybe two) budding teenage romances, a psychic fair, a dead frog, a headful of cascading blond ringlets, glorious Las Vegas in all its glitz and sparkle — including Elvis and his hound dog, erupting volcanoes, and a Seeing-Eye-dog video poker player — with the dramatic back story of Princess Di in Paris, to portray an unlikely teen angel on a desperate mission to save a certain unknown girl from a certain unknown disaster. But, reader, never fear. All will be revealed in good time, so long as you resist, as Noah himself says, "the siren call of logic."
- GenresYoung AdultFantasy
256 pages, Hardcover
First published November 10, 2009
About the author
Norma Howe
13 books5 followersNorma Howe was an acclaimed author of young adult fiction known for blending humor, philosophy, and heartfelt storytelling. Raised in east San Jose, California, she began writing while raising her children and working various jobs, from soda-jerking to phone answering. Her early success came through confession stories, which paved the way for more ambitious works. Norma's novels often explore themes like faith versus reason, peer pressure, and the randomness of life. Her celebrated Blue Avenger trilogy, praised for its wit and philosophical depth, was sparked by her interest in free will and determinism. Other notable works include God, the Universe, and Hot Fudge Sundaes, In With the Out Crowd, Shoot for the Moon, and Angel in Vegas. With a BA in English from San Jose State University, she traveled widely and drew inspiration from both everyday experiences and abstract questions. Norma wrote with an omniscient voice, grounding complex ideas in accessible, often comical narratives. A self-described perpetual thirteen-year-old, she brought authenticity to her young adult characters. She continued writing with humor, insight, and heart until her passing in 2011, leaving behind a legacy of thoughtful, joyful storytelling that continues to resonate with readers of all ages.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 13, 2012
Reviewed by Lesley for TeensReadToo.com
The role of a Guardian Angel is to become a new identity and get close to the person you're trying to protect. You have no powers, no magic; you just have to be like a bodyguard, always ready for anything.
Our Angel of the story has been depressed over his last assignment for over a decade, never having a chance to leave Heaven because of his incident. That's when his Angel friend, Jake, gives him a second chance, to help a girl in Las Vegas.
Our Angel becomes Noah Sark, a teenage boy who is put in place with a bag of clues and extra help to guide him along the way. Books, maps, even a frog! He is to help a girl named Barbra who bears a striking resemblance to the assignment he can't forget.
Noah, Barbra, and Barbra's new boyfriend, Andy, all plan on going to a psychic convention. When will Barbra need his help? All he needs to do is watch and wait for the moment.
With vivid detail, the author shows us a side of Vegas that is fun to read. If you haven't been to Vegas, here is a great way to be right there in it with Noah and his newfound friends.
The role of a Guardian Angel is to become a new identity and get close to the person you're trying to protect. You have no powers, no magic; you just have to be like a bodyguard, always ready for anything.
Our Angel of the story has been depressed over his last assignment for over a decade, never having a chance to leave Heaven because of his incident. That's when his Angel friend, Jake, gives him a second chance, to help a girl in Las Vegas.
Our Angel becomes Noah Sark, a teenage boy who is put in place with a bag of clues and extra help to guide him along the way. Books, maps, even a frog! He is to help a girl named Barbra who bears a striking resemblance to the assignment he can't forget.
Noah, Barbra, and Barbra's new boyfriend, Andy, all plan on going to a psychic convention. When will Barbra need his help? All he needs to do is watch and wait for the moment.
With vivid detail, the author shows us a side of Vegas that is fun to read. If you haven't been to Vegas, here is a great way to be right there in it with Noah and his newfound friends.
January 3, 2015
Hmm... Our hero(?) is a Guardian Angel, assigned to Princess Diana but forgot to put her in "protective surveillance" one night - you know the rest, right? This is his next assignment, as Noah Sark, 16-year-old from Angels Camp CA visiting Las Vegas for, well, something. He meets Andy and his Di-lookalike girlfriend Barbra (she's the assignment) and they spend a day together: hanging out at the donut shop, touring the Strip, watching Barbra dance as her Elvis-impersonator-father's Hound Dog, etc.. In the end, they're in California (flown there by Andy's Uncle Buck) and narrowly miss being killed in a car driven by a man named Henri.
I could have easily done without all the digressions about Life In Paris, Life with Diana, Things To Do In Paris With "Margaret", etc.. For an angel that's been around forever, this one seems pretty out of it. More focus on Andy/Barbra would have made the book a much better read. And I'm guessing - based on the "Chronicles" part, that it's going to be a series. Yikes.
I could have easily done without all the digressions about Life In Paris, Life with Diana, Things To Do In Paris With "Margaret", etc.. For an angel that's been around forever, this one seems pretty out of it. More focus on Andy/Barbra would have made the book a much better read. And I'm guessing - based on the "Chronicles" part, that it's going to be a series. Yikes.
December 16, 2025
silly book, good read
February 2, 2010
possibly a YA book. not for inappropriateness, though it is from the perspective of a somewhat randy 16-year-old dude, but just because I don't know that a kid would get the references and thus the humor.
August 28, 2010
Princess Diana's guardian angel screwed up. This is supposed to be funny.
October 9, 2010
I really liked the Blue Avenger, but this book... where is the audience? Quite disappointing and not something I would put into my middle school library...
October 29, 2012
A quick, entertaining read but quite unbelievable. The story leaves me uncertain about guardian angles, but makes me willing to visit Las Vegas for sure!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews