Scan barcode
A review by katykelly
Denton Little's Deathdate by Lance Rubin
5.0
What a unique idea... The world is like ours, but with one difference: every person has a blood test at birth that tells them the exact date of their eventual death. Now, to accept this idea and this book, you have to ignore the fact that the 'test' can apparently predict through blood if you're going to die in a car crash, an overdose, in a fire - not just cancers and old age. Hmmm. Just let it go.
The story picks up with 17-year-old Denton. His deathdate is tomorrow. And while this book is hilarious at times with one of the funniest narrators I can recall in YA fiction, it's also a scary and thought-provoking concept. He's known the date his whole life, he has long ago accepted it and lived a careful and rather dull life knowing he would never make it to his own prom, let alone college or the world of work.
But last night... it appears he's woken up in the bed of his best friend's sister... But he has a girlfriend... And his funeral is today. In Denton's world, the soon-to-die attend their own funerals, speak, and are able to hear everyone's thoughts on their lives. Denton's family, his older absent brother, Dad and stepmother are all there to support him in his final hours. Which are going to be anything but peaceful.
A very funny book, in spite of the subject matter - teenage death. Nobody knows just WHAT they will die from, which had me thinking of Final Destination in some scenes as possible deaths turned into near misses and 'Fate' seemed to be thwarted.
Denton makes a wonderfully appealing teenager - he's such a funny guy, with morals and a typical horny-adolescent streak that makes him more real. His best friend gets a better sidekick role than most, though the girlfriend and Dad are barely there. Stepmother Raquel gets a meaty role, and a lot of heart, as her feelings for the son she has raised are tested time and time again during two days that include alcohol, sex, guns, police, spreading rashes, funerals, and a Prom. Really liked her.
Such an unusual idea, but one that works. It's one to consider - if you could fund out the date of your own death, would you? Denton has no choice in the matter, and issues raised by an early death (would you go mad? Would you go on a rampage? Would you still go to school?) aren't really covered in any depth. Some people aren't able to have their own deathdates determined, and Denton's grandfather "remembers a time" when it wasn't possible to find out, reminding us of how bizarre the concept of the dead person attending their own funeral is.
It's madcap, it's a mystery, a comedy, a romance (though with at least two too many possible partners), and a teenage tale of finding your place and making a difference. A lot to cram into one book.
A lot to recommend this one, and one I raced through eagerly. Looking forward to the next in the series.
The story picks up with 17-year-old Denton. His deathdate is tomorrow. And while this book is hilarious at times with one of the funniest narrators I can recall in YA fiction, it's also a scary and thought-provoking concept. He's known the date his whole life, he has long ago accepted it and lived a careful and rather dull life knowing he would never make it to his own prom, let alone college or the world of work.
But last night... it appears he's woken up in the bed of his best friend's sister... But he has a girlfriend... And his funeral is today. In Denton's world, the soon-to-die attend their own funerals, speak, and are able to hear everyone's thoughts on their lives. Denton's family, his older absent brother, Dad and stepmother are all there to support him in his final hours. Which are going to be anything but peaceful.
A very funny book, in spite of the subject matter - teenage death. Nobody knows just WHAT they will die from, which had me thinking of Final Destination in some scenes as possible deaths turned into near misses and 'Fate' seemed to be thwarted.
Denton makes a wonderfully appealing teenager - he's such a funny guy, with morals and a typical horny-adolescent streak that makes him more real. His best friend gets a better sidekick role than most, though the girlfriend and Dad are barely there. Stepmother Raquel gets a meaty role, and a lot of heart, as her feelings for the son she has raised are tested time and time again during two days that include alcohol, sex, guns, police, spreading rashes, funerals, and a Prom. Really liked her.
Such an unusual idea, but one that works. It's one to consider - if you could fund out the date of your own death, would you? Denton has no choice in the matter, and issues raised by an early death (would you go mad? Would you go on a rampage? Would you still go to school?) aren't really covered in any depth. Some people aren't able to have their own deathdates determined, and Denton's grandfather "remembers a time" when it wasn't possible to find out, reminding us of how bizarre the concept of the dead person attending their own funeral is.
It's madcap, it's a mystery, a comedy, a romance (though with at least two too many possible partners), and a teenage tale of finding your place and making a difference. A lot to cram into one book.
A lot to recommend this one, and one I raced through eagerly. Looking forward to the next in the series.