Vengeance: Children of Faust

Ulm, Chris. Vengeance: Children of Faust. Book 1 of the series. 2015. 329p. ISBN 978-1-5144-2697-5. Available at FIC ULM on the library shelves.

Kim's life in her small New Hampshire town has been difficult ever since she and her father moved here nearly a decade ago, following the death of her mother. Now in middle school, Kim is bullied and used as the punching bag for the school's mean girl and her posse. Life at home is not any easier. Her father sinks ever lower in an alcohol-fueled stupor, and he relentless controls and beats her. Kim cannot wait to get out of this place.

Then a new girl moves in. Tansu is quiet and reserved, but she and Kim hit it off immediately. Suddenly, Kim is excited to go to school and hang out with her, and Tansu is glad for Kim's friendship. As they navigate the treacherous waters of middle school, their friendship grows ever stronger. Throughout all of this, Kim feels a presence nearby, observing her. When she discovers a literal demon in her bedroom, Kim is scared beyond belief. Calling himself Sin, the demon offers her a deal: The power to wreck vengeance on her enemies in exchange for her soul. Kim refuses, but Sin promises her to return if she ever needs him.

When Kim's father, dives into a deeper part of his alcoholism, Kim becomes the object of his anger. Violently sewing her lips shut, he reveals to her that he sold her soul, as his unborn daughter, to a demon years ago if only that demon would make her mother love him. Unfortunately Kim's mother had died only a few years later, and now he regretted it every day of his life. This is why they had moved to rural New Hampshire, hoping to stay away from the demon.

Hurt and feeling violated, Kim calls Sin to her, and accepts his deal. Her father is the first to suffer her wrath, as she shouts him point blank. But now Kim has a demon named Alice inside of her who cannot wait to gain full possession of her body. As Kim's life spirals out of control, Tansu remains the only constant. With other demons circling and hoping to kill Kim and gain her power, Kim must also struggle with Alice, and find a way to remain alive and protect her friend Tansu. Will she be strong enough to resist a quick descent into darkness?