Scan barcode
A review by emosheeran
A Brush with Death by Elizabeth Blake
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!