Lesser Demons

Lesser Demons is an upper YA sci-fantasy with a strong female lead, unique narrative voice, immersive world building, lovable cast of characters, and slow burn romance.
Zanny Monroe doesn't need anything more than her mom, her friends, her daydreams, and the same quiet life she's lived for the last eighteen years. At least, that's what she believes until eccentric Rishi and his annoyingly handsome sidekick Dylan arrive in town with news that shatters her whole understanding of herself.
It turns out Zanny belongs to a secret race of humans called Painters, who can manipulate matter with their minds. It also turns out that the future of the Painters-and maybe the entire world-depends on Zanny becoming a super-powered, once-in-a-century hero, formidable enough to defeat a murderous cult leader named The Angel.
Zanny's pretty sure she's not the kind of person who saves worlds, but, with so much at stake, she's absolutely going to try. Fleeing from The Angel and his followers, she takes refuge with Rishi and Dylan in a hidden Painter city where no one is exactly as they appear. Zanny struggles to master her newfound skills while navigating a life filled with secrets. And, as The Angel's attacks grow more vicious and Zanny's supposed super powers aren't developing fast enough, she begins to wonder if she's actually a dud.
When The Angel's brutality hits too close to home, though, Zanny doesn't have any more time for self doubt. She has to uncover her true source of power before The Angel destroys her and all her friends.