Review ~ Don't Fear the Reaper (Netherworld #1) - Michelle Muto

Ebook received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Published: September 23rd 2011

ASIN: B005P4534O

Description

Grief-stricken by the murder of her twin, Keely Morrison is convinced suicide is her ticket to eternal peace and a chance to reunite with her sister. When Keely succeeds in taking her own life, she discovers death isn’t at all what she expected. Instead, she’s trapped in a netherworld on Earth and her only hope for reconnecting with her sister and navigating the afterlife is a bounty-hunting reaper and a sardonic, possibly unscrupulous, demon. But when the demon offers Keely her greatest temptation—revenge on her sister’s murderer—she must uncover his motives and determine who she can trust. Because, as Keely soon learns, both reaper and demon are keeping secrets and she fears the worst is true—that her every decision will change how, and with whom, she spends eternity.

My Opinion

I'm not sure why but for some reason I kept putting off reading this book. I don't know why as I was excited when I first got it but now I have read it I can't believe I waited so long to pick up this book. It was a really great read that I couldn't put down once I started.

The storyline was well constructed and interesting. It was also surprisingly original. I wasn't sure how Michelle was going to develop the reaper side of things but I really enjoyed it and can honestly say it was a new take on the paranormal characters that I have read about before. I also loved the after-life aspect. Although it was related to Heaven, Hell and Purgatory and used that as a basis, I liked how the author developed the earth-bound characters and changed how we think of the after-life. One thing I really enjoyed was reapers being the enforcers rather than just death-bringers. 

Because of this different take and Banning's relationship with Keely he was a character I could really feel compassion for and connect with. He contrasted well with Daniel's personality and the two together were great. They had a few funny moments and others where they split your opinion with their view. I also liked how Daniel developed, I'm not sure if there is anything going on with Keely or if there will be but it was subtle concern that helped me grow to like him by the end.

With the way the book started I was a bit wary about it being a book that covers teen and hard hitting issues. Now, I know death and grief is one of these but it was more the suicide aspect that I think helped put me off reading this book. I understand why it was needed and it wasn't as bad as I expected. As well as this thankfully that was the only way it was majorly involved and the way Keely comes to deal with it (and Daniel's stages of grief/blunt nature) made it more interesting. I liked how Keely comes to accept and and her journey was filled with fast-paced moments and slower moments that kept my interest well and helped me engage with the story and characters well. 

The only thing I wasn't so keen on was how the story built itself around this mystery and secrets that were kept from Keely. There were some successful moments that I couldn't predict how parts would turn out, however the main ending I saw coming a mile away and for me, the rest of the mystery became slightly irrelevant as it didn't matter what happened. Once I figured out how the characters were going to get out of the situation the rest of the secrets became a little pointless. Although saying that, it didn't stop me reading as I was really enjoying the book. As well as this even though I knew how it would end when I got there it was executed well and had a good resolve that satisfies the reader while wanting to find out more if there is a sequel. 

Overall this was an enjoyable read that had an original take on a paranormal species and stands out from other books I have read in the genre that deals with these beings. The characters were interesting and engaging, as well as easy to relate to. Although it's predictable it was a nice read and if there is a sequel I will be looking forward to it.

4.5

          

Book Tour ~ Don't Fear the Reaper by Michelle Muto + Giveaway

Don't Fear the Reaper Tour

Description
Haunted by memories of her murdered twin, Keely Morrison is convinced suicide is her only ticket to eternal peace.

But in death, she discovers the afterlife is nothing like she expected. Instead of peaceful oblivion or a joyful reunion with her sister, Keely is trapped in a netherworld on Earth with only a bounty-hunting reaper and a sarcastic demon to show her the ropes.

When the demon offers Keely her ultimate temptation--revenge on her sister's killer--she must determine who she can trust. Because, as Keely soon learns, the reaper and demon have been keeping secrets and she fears the worst is true-- that her every decision changes how, and with whom, she spends eternity.

Genre: YA/Horror/Ghosts

Buy Links: Amazon US, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Smashwords



Tell Me About Heaven – The Story Behind Don't Fear the
Reaper

I first came up with the idea for Don't Fear the Reaper after several agents had rejected another novel I’d written and asked if I had  anything, darker – more edgy. Oddly, it’s been years, but I still recall  coming up with the concept so vividly.

I was cleaning house and mulling over new ideas when Blue Oyster Cult’s iconic 1976 song, Don't Fear the Reaper, came up on my iPod’s  playlist. There were several parts that truly inspired me: “Take my  hand,” “40,000 men and women everyday,” “Love of two is one. Here, 

but now they’re gone,” and “the candles flew and the mist appeared,  the curtains blew and then he appeared.”

From there, it was a matter of ‘What If’s’ that made my idea unique from the song. What if it wasn’t star-crossed lovers? What if it was  family? What if the main character met up with a bounty-hunting reaper and a handsome, but sarcastic demon? And what if all the odds were stacked against my main character and yet, she still found  hope and assistance in the most unlikely of fellow characters? What if all it took to save a soul was sacrifice, one born of undying love and devotion? And yet, what if the price of that salvation came at a high price?

I couldn’t wait to write it. What I hadn’t expected was how it’d rip open old wounds, how the pain of writing Keely’s grief meant  revisiting my own. I’d lost my grandparents, my parents, my uncles, all my aunts except for one. I’d lost friends and beloved fur babies, all of whom I’d loved with every fiber of my being. I’d witnessed four of  their deaths. I even held the head of two in my arms as they passed. Two loved ones died in the house I currently live in. 

Up to this point, I’d managed my grief. Now, by sitting down to write about love that went beyond death, I was getting ready to stick a  hammer and chisel into the wall I’d built and bring the entire thing down—and with it, all the painful memories I’d carefully placed behind it. 

Tell me about Heaven, Dad
 I really want to know,
Because ten long 

years have passed,
And I miss you so… 

The above stanza is from a poem I wrote to my father ten years after his death. I cannot begin to describe what it was like to lose my father, whom I loved more than my very being. All these years later, I’ll freely admit it: I’m a Daddy’s girl. We’re so much alike, he and I. I was robbed of him far too soon by multiple myeloma, a brutal and incurable cancer.

For those who have read Don’t Fear the Reaper, it’s easy to see the real life example I used. It’s easy to spot the grief, the emotion I used for my main character, Keely Morrison. All scenes I drew from real life.

Oh, and about those agents? I had several tell me that the opening was one of the best they’d read in a long time and that the concept  was truly original. But, in the end, they felt the subject matter was too dark. That’s okay. I think the person best qualified to make that

choice is the reader. 

That’s my heart on a sleeve, Dear Reader. The story behind the story. Thanks for reading about the journey. 

Where to find Michelle: Blog, Twittter, FB

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