Infamous by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Chronicles of Nick Book 3. Atom Books, 2012. ISBN: 978-1-907411-55-7.
(Age: 13+) Recommended. Fantasy/Paranormal. The Chronicles of Nick series has developed a legion of fans since the publication of the first volume Infinity in 2010. Nick Gautier and the Dark-Hunters take readers on another journey into the world of the Netherworld and dark evil creatures. To all outward appearances, Nick is a fairly average teenager with a group of friends who hang out together. But Nick has discovered that he is the Malachai, a demon of immense power - in fact, the most powerful being of all such creatures, of whom only one can exist at any time - born to be the instrument of great evil but conflicted by the human side of his nature. His father, the unremittingly evil elder Malachai, is somehow still alive and relentlessly plotting to kill him. His mother is completely unaware of the demonic nature of either her son or his father, believing the father to be mentally unstable and always alert to any signs that Nick may be also affected. His closest friends are, in fact, his protectors - themselves ancient creatures from the Netherworld with their own powers and abilities, all cloaked in the guise of ordinary teenagers.
The dichotomy of Nick's nature means that either he will be the ultimate downfall of the world or the greatest hero in history but before he reaches that point he must battle both new and old enemies, risking his own life before he has even attained his full strength of Malachai powers.
Kenyon has a real flair for conveying drama and excitement in Nick's dilemma and neatly juxtaposes this with wit and humour. Readers easily relate to the authenticity of Nick and his friends in both their regular and demonic aspects. While the abundance of characters can make reading a little tricky for readers new to the series, the story itself loses none of its impetus through this.
Sue Warren