Reviews

Death and Relaxation by Devon Monk

knewt5's review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

rileylopez's review against another edition

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

feelingferal's review against another edition

3.0

The town of Ordinary, OR has a special secret. It is where Gods go to vacation. Gods come to spend however long they want, living in Ordinary, working jobs and experiencing life as an average person. Their powers are locked away during their time there. This has a side effect of making usually immortal beings mortal! And when gods die, their powers need a new vessel. It is the curse and privilege of the Reed family to be the bridge for that vessel. When her dad dies unexpectedly, Delaney Reed is thrown in the deep end as the new sheriff and the new vessel. And she better learn to swim fast, because someone has already turned up dead.

Add in a romantic subplot involving a high school crush and you have a fun, but pretty average urban fantasy. Not life changing in any way, but when I have a reading lull, I'm likely to pick up more of the series.

dalidja's review against another edition

challenging funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

hijinx_abound's review against another edition

3.0

I love the premise. A small town where Gods can choose to “vacation”. The Gods must forfeit their powers to a deity who is already in residence, choose a job, and blend into the town. The forfeiture of power makes the God mortal. The God powers are transferable. They can stay as long as they want. If they request their powers be returned, they must leave the town fir a year.
Police Chief Delaney Reed’s family line is one of a few in town who know that Gods live among them. If a God is killed whilst mortal, the power goes to her until the next host can be found. If she doesn’t find the next host within a specific amount of time, the power will kill her and destroy the town.
I really enjoyed the characters in the town. The mystery was solid but, and this is hard for my romance loving heart to suggest, Ryder was not necessary. I realize he has a bigger arc but he could have remained in the periphery without damaging the story at all.
I’m interested in reading more in this series.

chindydoj's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition

3.0

I was surprised and excited to trip over a new set of books by Devon Monk. And now I'm disappointed. Gods hanging out without their power in an Oregon beach town. I just couldn't buy it. And the characters were lots of near misses - they sounded good but the writing didn't quite work. Sure the whole thing has possibilities. And perhaps the sequel will be better. But a bit lame. And not up to the level of quality I expect from this author.

jcmum2danny's review against another edition

4.0

good story line; looking forward to next in series. Was a slow start... thought it was typical "hot guy she always crushed on but never dated shows up" book/never get few the first chapter of those... but glad I gave it a change as the overall read has some interesting twists.

kd_adam1's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious medium-paced

4.0

susan_loves_stories's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0