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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
Starts very good; interesting and with some moving scenes. I wasn't as satisfied with the climax and end.
4.5 STARS: A really great read, I highly recommend!
From the moment I picked up this book I was instantly drawn into the story. Don’t Fear the Reaper opens with the protagonist, Keely, taking her own life, and reflecting on the things that lead to that moment. The pain she felt throughout the book felt very real to me even though in most of the book she is “living” through very different situations than one generally faces.
Michelle Muto’s writing is absolutely beautiful, and all the characters have depth and are well developed. I really don’t have anything negative to say about this book. It brought me close to tears on more than one occasion, and I can count with the fingers on one hand the books that have made me cry. I could also relate to this book on a more personal level because I am a twin myself, and felt I understood Keely’s connection with her sister very well.
One thing that set this book apart for me and made me love it was that it was in no way a cookie-cutter YA novel. It was original and raw, and the author did not put anything in that took your attention away from the plot to add interest when it didn’t need it. Once you read YA for a while, you really start to appreciate it when an author relies purely on their own originality and ideas and doesn’t go to any “plot formulas” to lead their story on.
In short, this is a beautifully written, emotion-evoking book, and I highly recommend it.
From the moment I picked up this book I was instantly drawn into the story. Don’t Fear the Reaper opens with the protagonist, Keely, taking her own life, and reflecting on the things that lead to that moment. The pain she felt throughout the book felt very real to me even though in most of the book she is “living” through very different situations than one generally faces.
Michelle Muto’s writing is absolutely beautiful, and all the characters have depth and are well developed. I really don’t have anything negative to say about this book. It brought me close to tears on more than one occasion, and I can count with the fingers on one hand the books that have made me cry. I could also relate to this book on a more personal level because I am a twin myself, and felt I understood Keely’s connection with her sister very well.
One thing that set this book apart for me and made me love it was that it was in no way a cookie-cutter YA novel. It was original and raw, and the author did not put anything in that took your attention away from the plot to add interest when it didn’t need it. Once you read YA for a while, you really start to appreciate it when an author relies purely on their own originality and ideas and doesn’t go to any “plot formulas” to lead their story on.
In short, this is a beautifully written, emotion-evoking book, and I highly recommend it.
This book ripped my heart out. To think these parents lost both their children really ate at me and I think that speaks to the talent of the writer. To get a reader to be crying within the first few sentences, to feel the raw emotion and hurt that the story teller is feeling is to me, simply amazing. It is a sad book on many aspects but also a great story that will have you feeling sad it ended so soon.
The story was outstanding. I hope to the powers that be this will be a series because I LOVED all the characters and want to read more of their adventures.
Thank You Michelle Muto for a memorable story.
The story was outstanding. I hope to the powers that be this will be a series because I LOVED all the characters and want to read more of their adventures.
Thank You Michelle Muto for a memorable story.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
1 star. Alright, so I am going to try and word this review as tactfully as possible because I do believe that this book came from a painful place.
This novel is about a teenage girl named Keely who was recently devastated by the death of her twin sister, Jordon. In one swift move, she succeeds in taking her own life in an attempt to reunite with Jordon on the other side. Unknowingly, a reaper and a demon wait for her instead. Heaven or hell, it's up to them to decide, and it's up to Keely to discover the truth regarding the circumstances surrounding her own death.
So, I had a lot of issues with this plot. Sure, at first it seemed interesting but after Keely died the plot (or was there really ever a plot to begin with?) simply unraveled. To be quite frank, I started skim reading at approximately 30 percent but it was easy to see that the whole book was about Keely traipsing along in the afterlife with a reaper and a demon in some strange quest to find her sister. There was little effort made to garner any emotion from the reader except for perhaps the first...mmm....20-30 pages in the book. Poor characterization. Sketchy plot. And I could tell that the author was trying her best to make the reader feel a connection with Keely, but sadly, all the interactions with the surrounding characters seemed a little off considering that she was dead. I mean these weren't her highschool chums. We're talking about a reaper and a demon here.
Anyways, I appreciate that the publisher sent me the book but I think the author still has a lot to work on in terms of overall story structure and character depth.
This novel is about a teenage girl named Keely who was recently devastated by the death of her twin sister, Jordon. In one swift move, she succeeds in taking her own life in an attempt to reunite with Jordon on the other side. Unknowingly, a reaper and a demon wait for her instead. Heaven or hell, it's up to them to decide, and it's up to Keely to discover the truth regarding the circumstances surrounding her own death.
So, I had a lot of issues with this plot. Sure, at first it seemed interesting but after Keely died the plot (or was there really ever a plot to begin with?) simply unraveled. To be quite frank, I started skim reading at approximately 30 percent but it was easy to see that the whole book was about Keely traipsing along in the afterlife with a reaper and a demon in some strange quest to find her sister. There was little effort made to garner any emotion from the reader except for perhaps the first...mmm....20-30 pages in the book. Poor characterization. Sketchy plot. And I could tell that the author was trying her best to make the reader feel a connection with Keely, but sadly, all the interactions with the surrounding characters seemed a little off considering that she was dead. I mean these weren't her highschool chums. We're talking about a reaper and a demon here.
Anyways, I appreciate that the publisher sent me the book but I think the author still has a lot to work on in terms of overall story structure and character depth.
3 ½ ★
This is one of the harder books to review for me. I’m not really sure what to say without really spoiling it but I try and I make it short .
I also should warn, that this book might not be for everyone. It deals with the rather sad and dark subject of suicide, teen suicide to be exact as Keely commits a pretty graphic suicide in the first chapter.
When she wakes up in purgatory she finds the reaper and a demon there to escort her to hell. But it is clear very early on that there is much more going on.
Keely has to be remain with Daniel and Banning until her fate for her afterlife is revealed for sure.
Purgatory is not such a nice place to be and not very safe and even with Manning and Daniel by her site things start to get out of hand. Plus, both of them are keeping things from her and she does her best to figure it out and what is the truth.
You can find my full review here:
http://snoopydoosbookreviews.com/dont-fear-reaper-netherworld-1-michelle-muto/
This is one of the harder books to review for me. I’m not really sure what to say without really spoiling it but I try and I make it short .
I also should warn, that this book might not be for everyone. It deals with the rather sad and dark subject of suicide, teen suicide to be exact as Keely commits a pretty graphic suicide in the first chapter.
When she wakes up in purgatory she finds the reaper and a demon there to escort her to hell. But it is clear very early on that there is much more going on.
Keely has to be remain with Daniel and Banning until her fate for her afterlife is revealed for sure.
Purgatory is not such a nice place to be and not very safe and even with Manning and Daniel by her site things start to get out of hand. Plus, both of them are keeping things from her and she does her best to figure it out and what is the truth.
You can find my full review here:
http://snoopydoosbookreviews.com/dont-fear-reaper-netherworld-1-michelle-muto/
Skilfully written book, emotionally challenging, dark, deep, amazing and unusual. Definitely not relaxing reading - it makes you feel, hurt, think, cry, sympathize, sometimes shudder and in rare moments grin ( but it's only thanks to our charming Daniel). Highly recommended!
Really enjoyed this one, an interesting take on death and the author did a good job of addressing suicide without glamorizing it.
Promising start!
The opening chapter of Don’t Fear the Reaper by Michelle Muto is a very powerful way to begin a story: with the death of the lead character by suicide. This chapter alone had me hook, line, and sinker. I wish it had maintained that level throughout the story.
Keely Morrison commits suicide to find peace after the death of her twin sister. What she finds on the other side is far from peaceful. Stuck in purgatory until a test decides her fate she is left with two guides: a demon and a reaper. The demon is there to make sure she fails her test, possibly. The reaper has bet his soul that she will pass and move on to heaven. Can she trust either of them?
Probably not.
The suicide in the story is never glamorized. The damage Keely has done to her family and friends is conveyed very well and Keely both sees and feels the pain that she has caused. She is also forced to come to terms with the fact that she did successfully commit suicide.
My biggest complaint with Don’t Fear the Reaper is the minimal character development. I felt that the author got too far out in the weeds of developing what purgatory was like that she missed some chances to really flesh out the characters. I hope these characters are developed further if this is to be a series.
My last comment is directed towards the ending: it was obvious. So much so that when it finally happened, I felt whacked upside the head with it.
Overall, Don’t Fear the Reaper is decent read. I look forward to reading more from Michelle Muto and watching her grow as an author.
The opening chapter of Don’t Fear the Reaper by Michelle Muto is a very powerful way to begin a story: with the death of the lead character by suicide. This chapter alone had me hook, line, and sinker. I wish it had maintained that level throughout the story.
Keely Morrison commits suicide to find peace after the death of her twin sister. What she finds on the other side is far from peaceful. Stuck in purgatory until a test decides her fate she is left with two guides: a demon and a reaper. The demon is there to make sure she fails her test, possibly. The reaper has bet his soul that she will pass and move on to heaven. Can she trust either of them?
Probably not.
The suicide in the story is never glamorized. The damage Keely has done to her family and friends is conveyed very well and Keely both sees and feels the pain that she has caused. She is also forced to come to terms with the fact that she did successfully commit suicide.
My biggest complaint with Don’t Fear the Reaper is the minimal character development. I felt that the author got too far out in the weeds of developing what purgatory was like that she missed some chances to really flesh out the characters. I hope these characters are developed further if this is to be a series.
My last comment is directed towards the ending: it was obvious. So much so that when it finally happened, I felt whacked upside the head with it.
Overall, Don’t Fear the Reaper is decent read. I look forward to reading more from Michelle Muto and watching her grow as an author.
I've never been able to read a story that includes suicide as it's focus. However in Don't Fear the Reaper it is done with such tact and compassion that you can't help but hurt for Keely. My heart broke for her over and over. Starting with her death by her own hand and her coming to terms with it. I can't imagine life being so hopeless that you think death is your only way out; but then again I don't have a murdered twin sister either.
Keely's death is only the beginning of her journey. She almost instantly realizes the impact her choice will have for her parents and the rest of her family, as because she was a suicide she must remain earthbound for a period of time while her soul is basically on trial. To determine where she will end up. Fortunately for her, she doesn't have to go through this alone, as she has a reaper and a demon to keep her company. At first they do not sound like the most ideal companions, but I knew that would change.
This is not a happy story. It is also not an overly sad story, though the themes throughout (death, suicide, self sacrifice, and eventually forgiveness) make you FEEL. There wasn't a moment while reading that I didn't feel something. Or a character I didn't feel something for. It is an intense emotional roller coaster that I was hesitant to get on, but once I was strapped in I didn't want it to end.
I am not going to lie to you; this book is not for everyone. If you don't like deep books, or stories that make you feel some of the more unpleasant emotions, I don't recommend it. However, if you like when an author can weave a story so well that you become invested in the good and bad choices a character makes, then pick this one up. You won't be disappointed in the range of emotions Muto forces you to face.
Keely's death is only the beginning of her journey. She almost instantly realizes the impact her choice will have for her parents and the rest of her family, as because she was a suicide she must remain earthbound for a period of time while her soul is basically on trial. To determine where she will end up. Fortunately for her, she doesn't have to go through this alone, as she has a reaper and a demon to keep her company. At first they do not sound like the most ideal companions, but I knew that would change.
This is not a happy story. It is also not an overly sad story, though the themes throughout (death, suicide, self sacrifice, and eventually forgiveness) make you FEEL. There wasn't a moment while reading that I didn't feel something. Or a character I didn't feel something for. It is an intense emotional roller coaster that I was hesitant to get on, but once I was strapped in I didn't want it to end.
I am not going to lie to you; this book is not for everyone. If you don't like deep books, or stories that make you feel some of the more unpleasant emotions, I don't recommend it. However, if you like when an author can weave a story so well that you become invested in the good and bad choices a character makes, then pick this one up. You won't be disappointed in the range of emotions Muto forces you to face.