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ktbeth143's review
While the premise is intriguing, the execution is a mess. There is so much flip-flopping when it comes to the character of death, along with missing information about who he is, how he came to be, where his purpose and powers come from. And Isabel is a wishy-washy heroine who acts likes she a strong independent woman who knows what she wants but in reality has no idea. She pulls Death in, then pushes him away, then almost immediately is reaching for him tenderly again. It’s annoying. I got about halfway through before I skipped to the end to find out what happens and then called it done. The second storyline with Jack the Ripper seemed like it was supposed to be there to help show us deeper sides of death’s character, but because of the poor execution it kind of felt irrelevant.
stella_starstruck's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. This was a story about a dying woman who was courted by Death personified in the time of Jack the Ripper.
It's a romance novel with a slight gothic bent and a mystery about who is Jack the Ripper.
It's well written and didn't get bogged down. I enjoyed it, would consider reading more by this author.
It's a romance novel with a slight gothic bent and a mystery about who is Jack the Ripper.
It's well written and didn't get bogged down. I enjoyed it, would consider reading more by this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Violence, Death, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, and Murder
karaklos's review
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up.
A Brush with Death is an absorbing and unusual mystery that surprised me with its dark themes and characters. It’s not every day that I read a book that features Death and Jack the Ripper.
Well-written with imagery to set the tone, I felt like I was following the main character Isabel and “Death” around in 1888 England. Isabel is dying of an unknown affliction and Death formally introduces himself and the story ensues.
I didn’t quite understand what Death was…he had a mortal form that could get injured, a heart, and could eat and drink beverages…yet he has lived for thousands of years and can heal. I also didn’t understand how he could handle all of the deaths all over the world and spend so much time with Isabel. Surely he needs an apprentice or two?
I was a little creeped out how Death watched Isabel since she was a child and was so pushy about Isabel being “his”. I didn’t understand why she would be attracted to him.
The mystery was enjoyable but a bit too quickly resolved. I wish that Isabel played a bigger role in solving it. My ideal would be her pairing up with Denise to figure out what the police could not.
Thank you to Goodreads for this Kindle ARC. I was a Goodreads giveaway winner.
A Brush with Death is an absorbing and unusual mystery that surprised me with its dark themes and characters. It’s not every day that I read a book that features Death and Jack the Ripper.
Well-written with imagery to set the tone, I felt like I was following the main character Isabel and “Death” around in 1888 England. Isabel is dying of an unknown affliction and Death formally introduces himself and the story ensues.
I didn’t quite understand what Death was…he had a mortal form that could get injured, a heart, and could eat and drink beverages…yet he has lived for thousands of years and can heal. I also didn’t understand how he could handle all of the deaths all over the world and spend so much time with Isabel. Surely he needs an apprentice or two?
I was a little creeped out how Death watched Isabel since she was a child and was so pushy about Isabel being “his”. I didn’t understand why she would be attracted to him.
The mystery was enjoyable but a bit too quickly resolved. I wish that Isabel played a bigger role in solving it. My ideal would be her pairing up with Denise to figure out what the police could not.
Thank you to Goodreads for this Kindle ARC. I was a Goodreads giveaway winner.
bmarvallace's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
emosheeran's review
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
1.0
Oh boy, oh boy. I really don’t like when a story I envision going a certain way goes the complete opposite route and is so gross on top of it.
There will be minor spoilers throughout, so you’ve been warned!
I’m just going to get into my biggest problem with this book, and it is Death. I’m not sure what it is with immortal men, but 9/10 times they are extremely creepy and insufferable. You’re telling me this guy is this possessive and in love with a girl he’s been watching over since she was FOUR????? And that’s supposed to be endearing????? Of all people he could’ve chosen to be head over heels for, it’s a girl he’s been watching since she was a small child? Oh yeah, let’s not talk about the ‘pull’ he felt towards her back then. YUCK!!! Here’s a nice example of just how not creepy this man is :)
He had touched her then, running the back of his pale fingers down her smooth cheek.
"Sleep, my child, he had whispered.
"Sleep. One day I will come for you, but not for a very long time yet."
And just remember, he decides to come back later demanding she kiss him and be his… definitely not concerning!!!! He’s a disgusting excuse for a character, and I hate that we are obviously supposed to sympathise with him. He touches her multiple times without consent, is constantly moaning on about wanting to kiss her, and is just overall extremely annoying and pushy. This guy has been around for thousands of years, and this is how immature and useless he is? His multiple love confessions when she’s only officially met him like three times are embarrassing and ridiculous. No matter how much pushback there was from Isabel, he would constantly say cringe "you will be mine you have no choice!!!" dialogue that makes my stomach clench. I can’t believe people voluntarily choose to write loser love interests like this. His jealousy issues and petty manipulativeness seen in the rose scene… ugh, do I fucking hate characters like this. The only redemption would be if he turned out to be someone we weren’t supposed to like, but hahaaaaaa.
Him aside, there was no one else to like either. Isabel has no actual backbone and is constantly fawning over Death even though she has told him no several times. I guess it’s too hard not to be attracted to a total creep. I did like the little bit of chronic illness rep, but that’s about it. Honestly though, the ridiculous kissing feet scenes made me wish there were no health issues involved!!
The story was predictable and seemed a bit rushed. I was really hoping it would focus mainly on catching Jack and that Death and Isabel would be a cool detective duo team, but that definitely doesn’t happen because Death certainly cannot meddle with fate, even though he does multiple times for the person he’s soooo inlove with.
The only thing this book has going for it is the writing; it was easy to read (besides the dialogue) and flowed nicely.
Overall I wish I never read this, as I would rather use my time better than to read about creepy old men!
There will be minor spoilers throughout, so you’ve been warned!
I’m just going to get into my biggest problem with this book, and it is Death. I’m not sure what it is with immortal men, but 9/10 times they are extremely creepy and insufferable. You’re telling me this guy is this possessive and in love with a girl he’s been watching over since she was FOUR????? And that’s supposed to be endearing????? Of all people he could’ve chosen to be head over heels for, it’s a girl he’s been watching since she was a small child? Oh yeah, let’s not talk about the ‘pull’ he felt towards her back then. YUCK!!! Here’s a nice example of just how not creepy this man is :)
He had touched her then, running the back of his pale fingers down her smooth cheek.
"Sleep, my child, he had whispered.
"Sleep. One day I will come for you, but not for a very long time yet."
And just remember, he decides to come back later demanding she kiss him and be his… definitely not concerning!!!! He’s a disgusting excuse for a character, and I hate that we are obviously supposed to sympathise with him. He touches her multiple times without consent, is constantly moaning on about wanting to kiss her, and is just overall extremely annoying and pushy. This guy has been around for thousands of years, and this is how immature and useless he is? His multiple love confessions when she’s only officially met him like three times are embarrassing and ridiculous. No matter how much pushback there was from Isabel, he would constantly say cringe "you will be mine you have no choice!!!" dialogue that makes my stomach clench. I can’t believe people voluntarily choose to write loser love interests like this. His jealousy issues and petty manipulativeness seen in the rose scene… ugh, do I fucking hate characters like this. The only redemption would be if he turned out to be someone we weren’t supposed to like, but hahaaaaaa.
Him aside, there was no one else to like either. Isabel has no actual backbone and is constantly fawning over Death even though she has told him no several times. I guess it’s too hard not to be attracted to a total creep. I did like the little bit of chronic illness rep, but that’s about it. Honestly though, the ridiculous kissing feet scenes made me wish there were no health issues involved!!
The story was predictable and seemed a bit rushed. I was really hoping it would focus mainly on catching Jack and that Death and Isabel would be a cool detective duo team, but that definitely doesn’t happen because Death certainly cannot meddle with fate, even though he does multiple times for the person he’s soooo inlove with.
The only thing this book has going for it is the writing; it was easy to read (besides the dialogue) and flowed nicely.
Overall I wish I never read this, as I would rather use my time better than to read about creepy old men!
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