Book Review w/ bonus: Early to Death, Early to Rise by Kim Harrison
First off, let me say that these books continue a young adult story told in the short story anthology, Prom Nights from Hell. When I started Once Dead, Twice Shy I thought it started in the middle of the story and the references to the back story sounded so interesting. Then I found out about the short story – so I suggest you check it out at the library before you read these books.
In the Prom Nights from Hell short story, Madison Avery ditched her date on her prom night and left with a stranger, who was actually a dark timekeeper. He drove off a cliff and then, when she didn’t die from the crash, murdered her. Somehow Madison’s soul managed to steal his amulet, which kept her soul from moving on to heaven and gave her the illusion of a body in this world.
In Once Dead, Twice Shy, Madison wants to get her body (and her normal life) back. Madison is a Goth former troublemaker, and she seems like a pretty nice girl. I mean she says, “puppy presents on the carpet” and “son of a dead puppy” instead of cuss words! Josh is the hot, cool boy she ditched at the prom, who followed her that night and witnessed her die, and who now is “dreaming” about her (actually erased memories from that night). He’s initially skeptical about her story, but quickly believes and wants to help her in her mission to get back to normal. I liked Josh – honest, loyal and definite boyfriend material. Barnabas is the light reaper who was supposed to protect Madison the night she died, and failed. He is disillusioned with the light timekeeper, Ron, and is hanging around Madison trying to help her adjust to her new, um, death. Rounding out the cast is Grace, a Tinkerbell-like guardian angel, and Nakita, a rather haughty dark reaper.
In the next book, Early to Death, Early to Rise, Madison takes on the roll of dark timekeeper (on a trial basis) in order to change the way souls are reaped. She tries to prevent a boy from releasing a computer virus that accidentally infects a hospital system and causes the death of some of the patients. This book deals more with the changes Madison wants to make – she believes that she can influence a person’s choices to keep them from committing sins so great they lose their soul. It seems that traditionally, the dark timekeeper believes that fate is unalterable, but Madison believes in free will and wants to give humans the chance to change their path. The explanations kind of lost me a couple times, but I really loved the concept of this story, even if I was a little confused reading it (I felt like I was wading through a philosophy class.) I think my favorite character out of this book is Nakita – she is sort of a terminator with a conscience, trying to fit into high school and be friends with her boss, Madison.
I give Once Dead, Twice Shy 3 STACKS
I give Early to Death, Early to Rise 3 STACKS
sidenote: I recently had my “geeky fan” moment with Kim Harrison on the Supernatural Tour promoting her latest YA book Early to Death, Early to Rise. I HAD to go, since I own all the The Hollows Series books she has written and had to have her sign my copies. If you check out Kim’s blog, you can see us in all our geeky glory on her bunny cam page .
STACKGirl Nancy, who wants Kim H. to know I am not such a spaz in real life. Honest.
LOVE THE BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!