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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
This book was a pleasant surprise. I went into it thinking it would be an angsty YA read. There was a bit of angsty, but it fit into the story. Everything else about this book drew me in and kept me on edge the whole time.
The whole book comes from Libbi's POV, have sole control of the narrative it is important she is like-able. She is actually rather fabulous for a teen character. Thankfully, she is not boy obsessed like so many heroines in YA. She does have a bit of crushing going on, but it is not her whole world. I love her sass and snark. She is remarkably mature for a 16 year old.
I love the supporting characters as well. They are complex and yet simple at heart. Everyone in the story helps to draw you in and make you wish things could work out. It is difficult, especially when you know what Libbi faces. Fortunately, the story is beautifully crafted and flows, keeping the reader engaged the whole time.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Kelly Collins Lintz, who was lovely. Her pace was spot on, moving with the story and keeping the action flowing. She has a wonderful youthful quality to her voice that fit the main character, while still keeping her mature. She has a real gift for adding the natural sass of a teenager into the read. I will definitely be looking for more of her work!
The end of this book leave you at a but of a cliff hanger. It is an unexpected turn of events and I have no idea where the story is headed from here. That is kind of refreshing. It is rare for an author to surprise me. I can not wait for the next book, really hope it will be in audio!
Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
The whole book comes from Libbi's POV, have sole control of the narrative it is important she is like-able. She is actually rather fabulous for a teen character. Thankfully, she is not boy obsessed like so many heroines in YA. She does have a bit of crushing going on, but it is not her whole world. I love her sass and snark. She is remarkably mature for a 16 year old.
I love the supporting characters as well. They are complex and yet simple at heart. Everyone in the story helps to draw you in and make you wish things could work out. It is difficult, especially when you know what Libbi faces. Fortunately, the story is beautifully crafted and flows, keeping the reader engaged the whole time.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Kelly Collins Lintz, who was lovely. Her pace was spot on, moving with the story and keeping the action flowing. She has a wonderful youthful quality to her voice that fit the main character, while still keeping her mature. She has a real gift for adding the natural sass of a teenager into the read. I will definitely be looking for more of her work!
The end of this book leave you at a but of a cliff hanger. It is an unexpected turn of events and I have no idea where the story is headed from here. That is kind of refreshing. It is rare for an author to surprise me. I can not wait for the next book, really hope it will be in audio!
Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
*I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
One-Sentence Summary: Libbi was supposed to lose her life while being smashed between a truck and a car, but, instead, she agreed to be The Grim Reaper.
Time/Setting: Present day Carol Falls
Review: This is another one of those books I should’ve read a bit sooner. Putting the instalove (and the fact that’s it’s with a 50+ year old teen, EW) and love triangle aside, this was actually pretty interesting. Libbi’s not completely stupid, nor is she all that smart. What I mean by that is she’s a relatively normal teen, no super intelligence, no gorgeous looks; she’s average. It’s nice to read about an average girl thrown into a situation she isn’t ready for and she just uses her stubborn nature to get her through. I’m also impressed by the editing done in this one; it’s real shaky with Indie books sometimes. I’m somewhat upset that this has a book in the works. I hate new series because they always leave me wanting more. I don’t have time for this!
Favorite Character: Libbi.
Least Favorite Character: Kyle was extreme as all hell, but I guess it was done out of love? Still.
Favorite Quote: Nothing reached out at me.
Recommend?: Yes, but realize you’ll be waiting on the next one *side eye*
Re-read?: Possibly..
Recap :
One-Sentence Summary: Libbi was supposed to lose her life while being smashed between a truck and a car, but, instead, she agreed to be The Grim Reaper.
Time/Setting: Present day Carol Falls
Review: This is another one of those books I should’ve read a bit sooner. Putting the instalove (and the fact that’s it’s with a 50+ year old teen, EW) and love triangle aside, this was actually pretty interesting. Libbi’s not completely stupid, nor is she all that smart. What I mean by that is she’s a relatively normal teen, no super intelligence, no gorgeous looks; she’s average. It’s nice to read about an average girl thrown into a situation she isn’t ready for and she just uses her stubborn nature to get her through. I’m also impressed by the editing done in this one; it’s real shaky with Indie books sometimes. I’m somewhat upset that this has a book in the works. I hate new series because they always leave me wanting more. I don’t have time for this!
Favorite Character: Libbi.
Least Favorite Character: Kyle was extreme as all hell, but I guess it was done out of love? Still.
Favorite Quote: Nothing reached out at me.
Recommend?: Yes, but realize you’ll be waiting on the next one *side eye*
Re-read?: Possibly..
Recap :
Spoiler
Kyle, in his desperate act of love, decides to become the next Grim Reaper so that Aaron and Libbi can go on the road to hide from Abaddon.
Call Me Grim enticed me with its promise of a new Grim Reaper story. No matter how many I read, I'm always excited to see what angle a new author will take on this subject. It's fascinating to me. The chance to skip your death, if you're only willing to guide others into the light? Yup, I want to know how it works. There was no hesitation as to whether or not I'd read this book. It instantly went on my list when it was offered to me for review.
I'll start with the strong points. First off, the premise of this story is pretty standard. You're slated to die, but you can avoid that if you're okay with becoming a Grim Reaper. Done, and done. The wrench in this system is that there can only be one Reaper in a certain zone. So if you want to take their place? They have to die. Twist! I liked this. Imagine knowing that, not only are you avoiding your own death, but you're trading places with someone else. Crazy. The other thing I liked about this book was that Libbi was so adamant about needing time to think it over. I'm always wary when a character makes a split decision regarding something so life changing. It made this feel more real.
Now on to what I didn't click with so much. The characters fall under this category. All of them, Libbi, Kyle, Aaron and Haley, were just so hard to like. They whined, a lot. They got into fights that felt like they were so petty that I couldn't get behind them. What they felt like, to me, were what an adult believes that teenagers act and sound like. Do I believe that there are teenagers out there who actually behave like this? Yes, I do. I don't think it's the norm though. So having four characters who are all eerily similar in their temperament? A little frustrating, to say the least. Add to this the fact that their dialogue never really felt true, and I had a hard time sticking with them.
The other issue I had, and this was the big one, was that the story just didn't seem to flow. Aaron's plight made sense. I understood the way that the Reaper world worked on a very shallow level, but that's where things stopped making sense to me. I wanted to see further into the politics of this world. Wanted to know who Aaron answered to, and why he was such a stickler for the rules. The ending also made me a little upset, but I won't spoil it for you. Suffice it to say that, although I finished it, this wasn't a book that I clicked with.
I'll start with the strong points. First off, the premise of this story is pretty standard. You're slated to die, but you can avoid that if you're okay with becoming a Grim Reaper. Done, and done. The wrench in this system is that there can only be one Reaper in a certain zone. So if you want to take their place? They have to die. Twist! I liked this. Imagine knowing that, not only are you avoiding your own death, but you're trading places with someone else. Crazy. The other thing I liked about this book was that Libbi was so adamant about needing time to think it over. I'm always wary when a character makes a split decision regarding something so life changing. It made this feel more real.
Now on to what I didn't click with so much. The characters fall under this category. All of them, Libbi, Kyle, Aaron and Haley, were just so hard to like. They whined, a lot. They got into fights that felt like they were so petty that I couldn't get behind them. What they felt like, to me, were what an adult believes that teenagers act and sound like. Do I believe that there are teenagers out there who actually behave like this? Yes, I do. I don't think it's the norm though. So having four characters who are all eerily similar in their temperament? A little frustrating, to say the least. Add to this the fact that their dialogue never really felt true, and I had a hard time sticking with them.
The other issue I had, and this was the big one, was that the story just didn't seem to flow. Aaron's plight made sense. I understood the way that the Reaper world worked on a very shallow level, but that's where things stopped making sense to me. I wanted to see further into the politics of this world. Wanted to know who Aaron answered to, and why he was such a stickler for the rules. The ending also made me a little upset, but I won't spoil it for you. Suffice it to say that, although I finished it, this wasn't a book that I clicked with.
Short but I loved it. The Grim Reaper idea captivated me and it didn't let me down. I haven't had much prior experience with Grim Reapers used as main characters but the way she used them was brilliant.
It sounds like a typical boy meets girl, girl falls for boy story but I promise it's not. She actually doesn't like him very much when they meet. If you're looking for a love at first sight book this isn't it.
There is more substance to the plot besides the romance aspect. The ending isn't predictable from early on. There were some intense scenes that make me shift in my seat.
I don't typically read books in a day anymore but this one I did, thanks to it be short and it never lost my attention.
It sounds like a typical boy meets girl, girl falls for boy story but I promise it's not. She actually doesn't like him very much when they meet. If you're looking for a love at first sight book this isn't it.
There is more substance to the plot besides the romance aspect. The ending isn't predictable from early on. There were some intense scenes that make me shift in my seat.
I don't typically read books in a day anymore but this one I did, thanks to it be short and it never lost my attention.
I read a sample of the first few chapters and enjoyed it so much that I had to get the book and read it. However, by the end, I had lost my enthusiasm for the story. It turned out to be another boy-meets-girl story just with supernatural elements. At least that's how it seemed to me.
I fully admit I signed up for the blog tour because of the way the synopsis is written – it speaks to me! Of course I'm excited! Except there's a big problem: what if I don't like it? What if I hate it, or, or, want to throw it out the window because it was just that terrible?
Hint: I didn't throw it out the window. Holloway's debut novel is one you don't want to bypass simply. A girl nearly gets killed, gets saved and offered a job yet has 48 hours to choose. Add the fact a best friend is marked for murder and time is tick tocking (certainly not slowly) – what more could you ask for? The idea oozes awesomeness all around.
BUT... there's just a few things. I feel that Holloway focused more on the plot and the action rather than the character building. I completely get that the fast pace might be an emphasis for how fast time is running out for Libbi. And as much as I just love Libbi Piper as a character and her personality, I don't feel as though I know her. Libbi and I are still strangers – there's hardly anything about her past aside from a life of taking care of her brother when her mom is working in a hospital. Her dad just upped and left once upon a time. Well, at least until she was supposedly killed. But I'm quite sure Libbi has a much more interesting life than always taking care of her little brother – even I have one (and my life is quite similar to Libbi's. Just lots of family drama.)!
Aside from all of that, there's barely anything else about Libbi, and she's the main character. You would expect more than a life of taking care of her brother and having a couple of besties since childhood – I feel like I know Grimmy Aaron more now. I'm quite disappointed.
Second, the love triangle. It was extremely obvious the romance isn't going to go well (please, don't tell me the best friend never wins. I know that. That's beside the point.). If there's one thing that's obvious from day one, it's the fact Libbi is going to be no doubt jumping between two corners of the triangle so said corners wouldn't murder each other. LITERALLY.
(I personally predict that will be the near future of the Lux series.)
Despite the couple of problems, I loved Call Me Grim – the building of the Grim Reaper world, Libbi's humor and making light of the entire situation even though it was likely she wouldn't get out of the situation "alive". Elizabeth Holloway is an author you'll want to watch out for in this particular genre.
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Advanced copy provided by Month9Books for the blog tour
Original Review posted at Bookwyrming Thoughts
Hint: I didn't throw it out the window. Holloway's debut novel is one you don't want to bypass simply. A girl nearly gets killed, gets saved and offered a job yet has 48 hours to choose. Add the fact a best friend is marked for murder and time is tick tocking (certainly not slowly) – what more could you ask for? The idea oozes awesomeness all around.
BUT... there's just a few things. I feel that Holloway focused more on the plot and the action rather than the character building. I completely get that the fast pace might be an emphasis for how fast time is running out for Libbi. And as much as I just love Libbi Piper as a character and her personality, I don't feel as though I know her. Libbi and I are still strangers – there's hardly anything about her past aside from a life of taking care of her brother when her mom is working in a hospital. Her dad just upped and left once upon a time. Well, at least until she was supposedly killed. But I'm quite sure Libbi has a much more interesting life than always taking care of her little brother – even I have one (and my life is quite similar to Libbi's. Just lots of family drama.)!
Aside from all of that, there's barely anything else about Libbi, and she's the main character. You would expect more than a life of taking care of her brother and having a couple of besties since childhood – I feel like I know Grimmy Aaron more now. I'm quite disappointed.
Second, the love triangle. It was extremely obvious the romance isn't going to go well (please, don't tell me the best friend never wins. I know that. That's beside the point.). If there's one thing that's obvious from day one, it's the fact Libbi is going to be no doubt jumping between two corners of the triangle so said corners wouldn't murder each other. LITERALLY.
(I personally predict that will be the near future of the Lux series.)
Despite the couple of problems, I loved Call Me Grim – the building of the Grim Reaper world, Libbi's humor and making light of the entire situation even though it was likely she wouldn't get out of the situation "alive". Elizabeth Holloway is an author you'll want to watch out for in this particular genre.
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Advanced copy provided by Month9Books for the blog tour
Original Review posted at Bookwyrming Thoughts
I received a copy of this book for my honest review.
Call me grim is about teenager Libby who almost gets hit by a truck but is saved by mysterious guy named Aaron. He saved her for a reason, he's a Grimm and he wants her to take her place.She doesn't believe him but starts to see glowing light aroung people and after witnessing Aaron take the soul of an elderly woman she starts to believe what he says is true.
She only has two days to decide if she will take his place or she will die. She doesn't want to but something happens, her best friend Kyle is marked and will commit a crime. Now she has a difficult decision to make: take the job and try to save Kyle or refuse and die in two days.
This is Ms. Holloway's debut novel and it's good. This paranormal story is original and well written. You do not get bored reading this book, it's a fast paced book. All the characters were well developped and interesting.
There is some romance but it's so minimal and it doesn't get in the way of the main story. I loved her concept of what happens when we die and the purpose of having Grim reapers when that happens.
Original, action-packed can't wait for the sequel. Amazing job from Ms. Holloway!
Call me grim is about teenager Libby who almost gets hit by a truck but is saved by mysterious guy named Aaron. He saved her for a reason, he's a Grimm and he wants her to take her place.She doesn't believe him but starts to see glowing light aroung people and after witnessing Aaron take the soul of an elderly woman she starts to believe what he says is true.
She only has two days to decide if she will take his place or she will die. She doesn't want to but something happens, her best friend Kyle is marked and will commit a crime. Now she has a difficult decision to make: take the job and try to save Kyle or refuse and die in two days.
This is Ms. Holloway's debut novel and it's good. This paranormal story is original and well written. You do not get bored reading this book, it's a fast paced book. All the characters were well developped and interesting.
There is some romance but it's so minimal and it doesn't get in the way of the main story. I loved her concept of what happens when we die and the purpose of having Grim reapers when that happens.
Original, action-packed can't wait for the sequel. Amazing job from Ms. Holloway!
I thought this wasn't YA based on the cover, but it is. (Just like I was duped with Chase the Dark) I didn't like the MC and the way she dealt with her friend, Kyle. (Teens don't know how to tell the truth, so they tell lies to make things better, but it never does) Basically, it's a lust triangle, but the girl is in love with the grim reaper boy and her best friend is in love with her. It's two kids trying to cheat death, but no one's around to notice the stupid things they're doing. The mom is like not even there and after an apology, she gives the MC more freedom? We never get to meet the boss Death 'Abaddon' so this book is set up for a trilogy.
Didn't like it and don't recommend.
Didn't like it and don't recommend.
I'm always looking for a great "reaper" story similar to that show "Dead Like Me" which I LOVED. Call Me Grim started off great but then began to lose me. I felt like there were a bunch of unnecessary plot twists and weird character personality shifts, especially closer to the end, to the point that it pretty much ruined the story for me. The first half was definitely entertaining but it began to fall apart in the second half and completely disintegrated into a convoluted mess by the end.