A review by judeinthestars
Only Mostly Dead by Alli Temple

dark emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.5

I was discussing zombies with one of my friends the other day, as one does, and I told her about this audiobook I was listening to, and how it was simultaneously funny and terrifying.

The plot: Before she died, Ember, 32, was an influencer turned successful and respected life coach. After she dies, though, the answer isn’t as clear… A glitch in the Afterlife system means no reaper is ready for her despite her assisted death being scheduled and therefore easily predictable (the book is set in Toronto, Canada, where medical assistance in dying is legal). A reluctant ghost, she tries to convince reaper after reaper to bring her to the other side. As all her efforts fail, she endeavours to haunt one of them until they surrender. Kelly, the aforementioned hauntee, reveals themselves to be highly stubborn, grim—they’re a reaper, after all—and dismissive of their human roommate, a young medium named Jupiter. Over the course of the story—which is the first one in Alli Temple‘s new series—Ember realises that the world, and especially the afterlife, is a lot more complex than she thought, filled with legendary creatures that actually exist. Adventures ensue and twists abound.

Joyfully Jay describes Only Mostly Dead as “sort of a dark comedy/urban fantasy mashup”, which is perfect. Knowing myself, the humour, the banter, Kelly’s sarcastic persona are what I’ll remember most, along with Ember’s wilful bravery, Jupiter’s kindness (and her sweet boyfriend), and Carrot Stick the cat. I love Kelly’s gender fluidity, the reminder that gender is a social construct—even more so for shapeshifters who don’t care about pronouns. And the chemistry between them and Ember is tangible, in what will probably be the slowest of slow burns.

This book, however, is not just a fun read. Some of my favourite moments are about grief, hope, end of life. I’ve come to realise that Allison Temple’s books are rarely as lighthearted as they seem. She excels at inserting gravity and realness in between bursts of laughter. Check the content warnings on the author’s website before diving in.

I listened to the audiobook and Emily Lawrence does a wonderful job of capturing the layered personalities of each character, big or small (even if some of the accents are a bit random). I’d never heard her before, but I hope she keeps narrating this series. The next instalment, Hate to Haunt You, should be released this year. I can’t wait to read/hear it and the next books in the Afterlife Incorporated universe. 4.5⭐️

Video review: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFYF-jggB2f/?utm_source=ig_embed

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Read all my reviews on my website (and please get your books from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars