Winging It

Angels Unlimited #1

by Annie Dalton

Mel isn't your average angel.She certainly never expected to wind up at posh Angel Academy. Why would she want to learn about halos, when "shopping is much more divine?

But when she joins an elite group of time-traveling angels fighting against the Opposition, she learns angel business is a lot more dangerous -- and a lot more fun -- than she ever could have suspected.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Young Adult, Angels, Fiction, Middle Grade, Paranormal

144 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Annie grew up as an only child in the English countryside during the 1950s. Her father was not always around but when he was, he would tell her fantastical stories, often with her as the principal character. Annie missed him and his stories, which led her to the fantasy section at her local library, thus sparking life-long love of fiction.

After undertaking jobs such as waitressing, cleaning and factory work, Annie went on to study at University of Warwick and soon started writing.

Annie lives in Norfolk. She has three children, Anna, Reuben, and Maria (the inspiration for the first “Angels Unlimited” book, “Winging It”) and two grandchildren, Sophie and Isabella.

Reviews

[Kat Herondale · Rating 5 out of 5]

My childhood books! I will always love this series,I think she did such a great job with them.To this day I'm still attached to the characters,the lot was so original and I loved the missions,it's just amazing. I've re read them recently and I'm so glad that they really are greatly written books,and not just due to my fond memories,still one of my all time favorite series,and I hope others have read them too.I actually had the pleasure of meeting Annie when she came to my school! I'm so glad my books are signed,and she's one of the first authors that really inspired me.Love her!

[Mel Steadman Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book when I was a kid but never continued with the series. Decided now is the time I finally read the rest of the books. This book is exactly how I remembered it, fast paced, exciting, and such a quick read. I'm quite looking forward to trying out the others.

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this series when I was in grade nine, and loved them so much... now, when I re-read them, they're still good but clearly for younger teenagers. I finished the book in little more than an hour.

I like the concept of it: dead girl in heaven, sent to go back in time to be an angel in all those historical events we know of... it's charming, really.

I recommend this series for budding readers (young girls in the ages between 10-15) who are looking for a good story with a relatable main character.

[Annabel Rianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such nostalgia! I read a couple of these books when I was young and couldn't stop thinking about it. So when I recently found them I knew I had to reread them to dive back into the story!
Although it is definitely for a much younger audience, I really enjoyed being back!

[Shani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book, the world was interesting, the main character sounded a few years older than she actually was

[Salomé · Rating 2 out of 5]

J'avais lu ce roman quand j'étais ado, et j'ai décidé de le relire pour voir si il pourrait plaire à ma fille, qui ne lit plus.
C'était mieux quand j'avais 12 ans !

[آیلار · Rating 5 out of 5]

من اين كتابو وقتى بچه بودم از كتابخونه محلمون گرفتم و خوندمش
و خييلى دوسش داشتم
خيييلى زياد!
از اون موقع تا حالا كه ده سال گذشته تو همه ى نمايشگاه كتابا يى كه رفتم دنبالش گشتم؛ يه بار هم از خود نشر نى پرسيدم گفت ديگه چاپ نميشه:( و اون نسخه اى ازش كه تو كتابخونه محلمون بود هم يكى برد و ديگه نياورد!
ميشه اگه كسى جايى سراغ داشت كه اين كتاب رو داشته باشه، بهم خبر بده؟
يه دنيا ممنونش ميشم:)

[Felix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this in year six and loved it then, but I was wary of it seeming less challenging and therefore less enjoyable this time around... Good to know I was wrong!

[Buchwelten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ein schönes Wohlfühlbuch für Zwischendurch. Der Schreibstil ist leicht gehalten und die Story sehr flüssig zu lesen. Die Protagonistin ist anfangs zwar eher nicht sympathisch, aber man spürt schnell, dass sie dennoch das Herz am rechten Fleck hat. Der Weltenaufbau ist zwar sehr kitschig, aber dennoch irgendwie süß. Die unterschiedlichen Arten von Engeln sind anfangs etwas verwirrend und es braucht ein wenig, um den wirren Gedanken der Protagonistin zu folgen;.zumal man als Leser nur den Kenntnisstand der Protagonistin hat, welche nicht unbedingt bemüht ist, sich mehr Wissen als unbedingt nötig anzueignen. Das Buch macht definitiv Lust auf mehr Geschichten aus dem Reich und der Arbeit der Engel.

[Katherine Bradshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dive back into my childhood literary favourites.

“All the other kids seemed really chilled, kidding about and flirting, which I found quite reassuring. I remember thinking that if I HAD been worried about it being a school for actual angels (which obviously I wasn’t), the flirting would definitely have put my mind at rest.”

[Izzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Sterne

[Justine · Rating 3 out of 5]

J'étais ultra fan vers 8 ou 9 ans. J'y ai pensé régulièrement, jusqu'à ce que je le relise aujourd'hui, presque 20 ans plus tard et franchement, c'est très sympa, pas aussi magique que dans mon souvenir, mais si la forme fait vraiment roman pour enfant, le fond, lui, est vraiment intéressant. Hâte de le faire découvrir à ma fille !

[beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read this book in over 3 years. But I still remember a lot of it. Like, I remembered Mel, Lola, Reuben and Michael. But I had completely forgotten about A..., the twins and Orlando. These books are a lot shorter than I'm used to, but sometimes that's good! I think this book probably could have been a little longer, as parts (the mission, the kindergarten etc.) I think could have definitely been longer.
FOR THE REST OF THE SERIES DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T READ AT LEAST THE FIRST 3 SHE MET BRICE! I think his name's Brice... Hehe. Brice was my first ever fictional boyfriend. I actually fantasised about him. And I was like, 10.
I have read (and own!) all if these books, except the last one! So, yeah, I know stuff. I've already started Losing The Plot, and will probably finish it over the weekend. My goal is to finish the Heavenly Collection over the weekend, so I can start the next 3-in-1 next week!

[Ange · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this years ago and I remember loving it. it was one if the very few books that I read from start to finish while I was in school. I never got past the first book though, but have thought about this book and finishing this series every so often. I hope that I'll have enough time this summer to read them all, even if they are tailored for teens. I did enjoy this book when I read it.

[The Artisan Geek · Rating 5 out of 5]

17/6/19
One of my favourite books growing up!!

You can find me on
Youtube | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Website

[Vic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this in 2005 and it pretty much changed my whole world view, which I’m not entirely sure was what was meant to happen but like. It is what it is. Remains to this day my favorite piece of angel related media outside of actual mythology. Idk it’s just a comfy book—glad I found it while cleaning stuff up

[Olivera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like many people, I read this when I was 10 to 14yrs old I would say. I remember getting 3 at Christmas and reading them in about 2 days. I really liked the concept and historical sides of them. I used to get so excited over them, would definitely recommend as YA fiction.

[Lilee White · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just one of those books you read as a child and the plot just stays with you. loved it as a kid, rereading it now I know it was written for a younger audience but I still love it. Great book XD

[Negin · Rating 4 out of 5]

یک کتاب فوق العاده قشنگ برای هدیه دادن به دختر هایی تو بازه ی سنی 10 تا 14 سال
همین الان فهمیدم در حقیقت این کتاب جزئی از یک مجموعه است
ولی نمیدونم بقیشم ترجمه شده یا نه.
به هر حال خودش به تنهایی که جذاب و تکمیل بود

[Jenn G · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

the vibes …. they’re divine

[Beatriz Pereira · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I was around 10 years old my hockey team (yes I played hockey and maybe that's why I unironically love all the hockey romances that are now very popular) had a Christmas event where our coach gave a present to every kid on the team. This was my gift. At the time, I was developing my edgy personality and loved the fact that "I wasn't like other girls" so I didn't really love the main character, a 12 year old girl that loves fashion and boys and pop music xD It was the only book in the series that I ended up reading cause the series wasn't in my library and I wasn't going to ask my parents to buy me books that I didn't really care about when there where so many books that I really wanted and could only choose a few to buy every year.
Today, I got the random urge to read this book again, I no longer have my copie in Portuguese, so I had to read the English original from an online library. I think the book really lost some stuff in translation because I don't remember it having so many jokes xD the main character is funny, like sure she is so basic and bland but still she is just trying to be a teenager I guess.
The world building feels kinda lazy. This is probably what people call urban fantasies. I dunno, I'm no longer at the age where I can give a review that's fair to the book but I have read lots of children fantasy books when I was younger and I remember the world building in most of them being way better than in this one, I'll have to reread some of my favourites some time in the future.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a kid, this book has some good lessons. It's filled with sublime imagery that will stick with you for years, with a small measure of a history lesson thrown in. As an adult, the main character, Mel, is frustrating - refusing to pay attention in school, caring only about shopping and boys. But kids for whom school is a chore, will find a relatable character who will help them to see that their strengths may lie in other areas of life, and help them focus on getting through it.
I recommend this book for any child out there - even if looking back on the writing style and all it's outdated slang is somewhat painful all these years later as an adult (but, hey, this book isn't intended for my age group).

[Paula :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

ein soo leichtes, niedliches buch zum zwischendurch lesen. die idee ist super cool, und auch toll umgesetzt. ich glaube, wenn man es auch wirklich als kind liest (und nicht in einem alter von fast 20 jahren), kann man einiges lernen. über den tod, über geschichtliches, über engel und so weiter. was mich jedoch ziemlich gestört hat war, dass der main character lisa als 12-13 jährige deklariert wurde, sich aber locker wie eine 16 jährige verhalten hat, mit "sexy" outfits und so einem zeug. i was like: "girly pop ur 12 just calm down" 💀.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The spare room is there for you.

When I started reading this book I had know idea it we about angles.
But I think God works in surprising way to tell there is another life after death.
The holy spirit is the angle God give you at birth to ask for help if you need to talk.
I would suggest this book to those I know.
Nancy.

[Joana Diez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aunque hay algunas expresiones que han envejecido mal es un libro que me encanta en cualquier momento de mi vida 😅 Me lo regalaron cuando entré en la ESO y me lo he releído para regalarselo a mi sobrina que va a empezar en septiembre y quiere comentar algún libro conmigo. Recomendadísimo para gente tímida de 11-14 años 🤣

[Taylah Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a teenager and loved it. Now I’m reading the series to my 11 year old (who is also loving it) and it is very reminiscent of childhood 😂

The slang is very dated and it is definitely aimed at a young reader but it is still absolutely beautiful and makes me cry it’s so sweet (much to my 11 year olds amusement 😂)

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy a lot of the books I read as a child, but I remember adoring these. I read three of them, and I can still remember them very well! I used to use bits of what I read to get me brownie points in history lessons. :D

[Felicity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mel Beeby starts a new academy for angels but surely that can't mean she's dead right? It must be a dream.

An interesting fantasy world with lots of humour and a good message about how you have to start to take responsibility in adolescence.

[Emilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great children's book with a fascinating premise. Dalton does a good job creating a bubbly, relatable main character and slowly introducing readers to this new world. A great introductory book to the series.