Prey by Douglas Hill (Demon Stalkers - Book 1)

PREY (Demon Stalkers : Book 1)
By Douglas Hill
Release Date : July 2008

Nick Walker can pass for eighteen, which comes in useful while living on the streets. But Nick isn't eighteen. He's fourteen. He's been fourteen for years...A chance encounter with Manta, an exceedingly powerful witch, sees Nick cursed with changelessness. Not only will he never age, but, more usefully to Manta, broken bones and sliced flesh, while excruciatingly painful, will mend themselves in a short space of time making Nick the perfect weapon against the demonic assassins sent by the evil Cartel.
Constantly hunted, Nick is forced to run evading his enemy when he can and facing gruesome and bloody battles when he can't. But, help comes from a surprising source April, a young girl Nick rescues from some occult enthusiasts intent on sacrificing her, has powers beyond her control or understanding. Together, might they be a match for the sinister forces that stalk them ?(summary taken from MacMillan Children's Books website)

MY THOUGHTS : Although I liked the main character and found the atmosphere interesting, I didn't get into the book until the middle of it. I found the first part a bit too long and all over the place, with lots of explicative flashbacks that slowed the main plot. The situation of course needed to be installed, but it was a bit too long for my taste. 

The second part is more thrilling and dynamic, full of action, but for some reason I wasn't hooked. I felt like I was reading a long prologue actually. But fans of urban monsters stories may enjoy Nick's adventures. It just didn't catch my personal eye.