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Don't Fear the Reaper (Netherworld #1)

by Michelle Muto (Goodreads Author)

4.14 of 5 stars 4.14 · rating details · 214 ratings · 89 reviews

Book 1 of the Netherworld series

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 sist...more

Kindle Edition, 251 pages

Published September 23rd 2011 by Dreamscapes, Ink

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Sep 28, 2011 Thomas Amo rated it 5 of 5 stars

5/5 Stars....not nearly enough! More stars needed!

Author Michelle Muto has done something for me, no other author ever has, she made me cry. This is a good thing! Don't Fear The Reaper for me was absolutely the perfect read. The story so well executed and flawlessly written. Only a few times in my life have I devoured a book and not wanted it to end. I won't do the typical rehashing the plot, because this book is too good to give anything away about it! Just read the preview blurb that should ho...more

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Mar 06, 2012 Branwen rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: People who like deep, thought-provoking young adult books

Shelves: fantasy-science-fiction, young-adult

Wow. This book was so poignant and thought provoking I almost don't know how to describe it in words. What happens when you commit suicide? What do your parents go through? Your friends? What sort of afterlife awaits you? These types of questions are addressed in this book in such an emotional and intense way I found myself in tears throughout the story. It's beautiful and moving, and probably one of the best young adult...no...one of the best books that I have ever read. Seriously, go read this...more

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Nov 17, 2011 aobibliophile™ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Because I could not stop for Death, He kindly stopped for me. The Carriage held but just ourselves And Immortality - Emily Dickinson

Keely Morisson lost more than half of herself when her twin Jordan was murdered. wallowing in grief and hoping to be reunited with her sister, Keely commits suicide. the afterlife, however, was not what she expected. with a reaper and a demon for company, she finds out what being dead really is and that the battle for souls including her own is being wagered.
author...more

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Dec 05, 2012 Tom rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-paranormal, sci-fi-fantasy

Some part of me has always been attracted to those who work between the Living and The Other Side. From dramedies like "Dead Like Me," where Reapers collect their assignments at Der Waffle Haus, to Wim Wenders' elegiac masterpiece, "Wings of Desire," I've been fascinated by these go-betweens. It's almost like I'd rather send somebody else into The Light than go there myself.

Michelle Muto's novel, "Don't Fear the Reaper" attempted to create such a world. She had a number of things working against...more Some part of me has always been attracted to those who work between the Living and The Other Side. From dramedies like "Dead Like Me," where Reapers collect their assignments at Der Waffle Haus, to Wim Wenders' elegiac masterpiece, "Wings of Desire," I've been fascinated by these go-betweens. It's almost like I'd rather send somebody else into The Light than go there myself.

Michelle Muto's novel, "Don't Fear the Reaper" attempted to create such a world. She had a number of things working against her. First, her protagonist--Keely Morrison--commits suicide in the first chapter. As if suicide weren't difficult enough a topic to cover in a YA novel, there's the added stigma that many faiths and cultures consider suicide to be one of those capital-S Sins that gets you an automatic ticket on the Down elevator. Second, Keely's twin sister, Jordan, had been brutally murdered just a couple months before; indeed, it was Keely's unbearable grief that led her to cut her wrists, in the hope that she and Jordan would be reunited. Keely's voice narrates "Reapers," and we hear her regret as she bleeds out, how she wishes she could get up and call for help.

These are delicate subjects for the first chapter of a YA novel. Michelle Muto handles them masterfully.

Keely is disappointed to find that she is welcomed to the afterlife, not by her sister, but by a Reaper named Banning, and a wise-cracking demon, named Daniel. Because Keely is a suicide, Daniel is there to claim her soul for Hell. Banning is there to safeguard her, because there are extenuating circumstances, and Keely's banishment will be subject to review.

I liked the mythology Ms Muto creates as far as life and afterlife. I call if "mythology," because nobody really knows how it works. Well, billions do, but they're all dead, so they're no help at all.

In the days between her death and her funeral, Keely deals with grief and regret, of course, but she learns about empathy, kindness, tenacity, and the power of love. By the time she reaches her "trial," she is a much stronger and wiser person than the teenaged girl who cut her wrists in that bathtub.

"Don't Fear the Reaper" avoids most of the potholes this type of subject matter presents. I like the evolution of Banning, Daniel, and Keely as an odd little family, and when the "trial" ends as it does, it makes perfect sense.

Inevitably, I drew comparisons between Keely's first few days between worlds, and how Georgia Lass faced a similar adjustment in "Dead Like Me." The circumstances are different, and Keely seems to have an easier time, though with less breakfast food and fewer f-bombs.

From the heading, the book is entitled "Don't Fear the Reaper (Netherworld, #1)." This novel works so well as a one-off, that I'm not sure how this could carry on as a series. I can't worry about sequel feasibility right now. I found "Don't Fear the Reaper" to be thoroughly captivating, and that's all that matters now. (after I stayed up all night reading it straight through). Recommended.
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Jan 07, 2012 Michelle, the Bookshelf Stalker rated it 4 of 5 stars

3.5 out of 5

Too much explaining in the middle, rather than showing. However, the actual story was good enough to keep me reading. Really liked the characters.

I'll explain more later.

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May 06, 2013 Lainy rated it 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars

I finished reading it in one day and I loved it.

The afterlife created by Muto was an interesting one. Purgatory
was a dangerous place, particularly for the vulnerable newly dead.
Negative emotions of the dead and demons had an impact on the living.
Muto did a wonderful job of expressing what death is like for those leaving and those who are left behind. Those who are dying just want to make it less painful for their loved ones and they worry about them and are unwilling to leave.

I real...more

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Mar 21, 2013 Christie Rich rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: rocking-original

I really hate to cry, so I usually avoid reads that I know will get me all teary eyed. When I read the first chapter of this book I not only cried, I bawled. Michelle Muto is a talented author that captured the feelings of grief exquisitely. Not only did I feel sorry for Keelie in that opening scene, I ached for her.

If you've ever felt despair or know someone who has, you'll probably connect with Keelie. She just lost her sister (identical twin), who was murdered and couldn't deal with the pain...more

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Mar 15, 2013 mich rated it 2 of 5 stars

Let me start off by saying that the beginning of this book was amazing. Not just good, but really, really great. From within the first few chapters I was completely engrossed in the story. The author sets up the tone of the book beautifully -- the bleakness, Keely's despair, confusion and regret are all displayed to utmost perfection.

It goes downhill from there.

Why did I think this book was frustrating? Hmm, what do you think of this:

"Hey Banning, what was that message that raven just gave you?...more Let me start off by saying that the beginning of this book was amazing. Not just good, but really, really great. From within the first few chapters I was completely engrossed in the story. The author sets up the tone of the book beautifully -- the bleakness, Keely's despair, confusion and regret are all displayed to utmost perfection.

It goes downhill from there.

Why did I think this book was frustrating? Hmm, what do you think of this:

"Hey Banning, what was that message that raven just gave you? Something bad? Something that has to do with me? Oh no! So what was the message?"

"[insert cryptic one word reply here]"

"What does that mean? I don't understand! Oh well that's ok, we can talk about it later."

It reminds me of The Maze Runner. The protagonist is surrounded by people who have key information, but choose not share it for no reason other than to create tension and keep up the sense of mystery. I hate this type of contrived, manipulative so-called suspense.

Then there's the ending. I saw it coming from a mile away. No, actually it was more like 30 miles. It was strange that the author would spend such a large portion of the book needlessly hiding bits and pieces of the story from Keely and the reader, and yet she showed her hand for the ending so early. And the big reveal is done in such a dramatic way that it actually emphasizes the disappointment you feel at having already figured it out. Lame.

This book had a lot of potential. I liked the whole idea of the reapers and Banning as Keely's guide in the afterlife, and I even thought Daniel's role was pretty interesting (but don't get me started on the 180 he pulled in his attitude/feelings towards Keely and the zero explanation we are given for it). I liked the writing for the most part (although there were a few sections that were painfully mechanical and flat). I just wish the execution had been done better. But I still think I might read the sequel if there is one because I liked the idea of the story so much and I'm not quite ready to give up on this author. (less)

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Mar 05, 2013 Sheila rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: coming-of-age, cultural, current_issues, mystery, paranormal, relationships, romance, scifi-fantasy, spiritual, suspense, young-adult

Keely’s twin sister’s dead. Her parents are grieving. And reformed bad-girl Keely has had enough of being left to sorrow alone. Her moods have driven everyone away. Now she drives herself on one last journey, but finds the end somewhat different to all she’d expected. Isn’t hell a given if you kill yourself?
Deeply intriguing, filled with haunting and haunted characters and no easy answers, Michelle Muto’s Don’t Fear the Reaper introduces a very different grim reaper from legend, his curiously sy...more

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Jan 23, 2013 Heather Adkins rated it 5 of 5 stars

There are some books that a writer picks up, and within the first few pages, she's envious. Envious of the flawless writing, the vivid scenes, the raw emotions, and the fresh, unique story line. This was one of those books for me.

I loved Muto's "The Book of Lost Souls" when I read it a little over a year ago. But "Don't Fear the Reaper" is worlds different from that debut novel. Where Book of Lost Souls felt like Buffy - lighthearted, fun, full of magick - Reaper is dark, hard and painful - a tr...more

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Jan 20, 2013 Dani Morales rated it 5 of 5 stars

So here’s the thing, I love Indie authors and finding new ones because let’s be honest… I LOVE TO READ! My friend Heather has been raving about Michelle Muto and her amazing books, so I had to check it out. I bought all three of her books but haven’t had the chance to get to them, bad me, I know. The thing is, lol, it’s not that I haven’t wanted to but you know when you get caught up in a book that you thought was a standalone to find it a series and well you can’t just stop at the one, it’s lik...more

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Nov 14, 2012 Dean Mayes rated it 5 of 5 stars

I originally read Michelle Muto's novel back when it first came out in 2011 and it just happened to be around the same time that news reports about two Australian twin sisters having shot themselves in an apparent suicide pact in Colorado. I have to admit that I couldn't go any further with the book at that time. I just felt uncomfortable with the premise of the novel despite the fact that Michelle Muto is an author of considerable talent and one whose work I've read and enjoyed before.

I return...more

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Apr 19, 2012 BookHookup rated it 4 of 5 stars

Death does not necessarily stop your pain. Keely, our main character, discovers this when she commits suicide in the first chapter. The devastation and emptiness she feels because of her sister’s death leads her to take her own life in the hopes of both being with her sister again and, somehow, easing her sorrow.

Now, I know this is tough subject to read about but trust me when I say that the author does not glorify suicide nor does she show it to be the answers to anyone’s prayers. She shows it...more

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Apr 14, 2012 FicTalk Blog rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed-in-2012

Reviewed by Meg

I got to read the first chapter of Don’t Fear the Reaper, by Michelle Muto, on Courtney Cole’s blog and oh wow, it blew me away. Don’t Fear the Reaper is a dark, anguishing and beautiful book that explores so many taboo and dark topics. Keely Morrison is an identical twin, only she’s no longer a twin. Her sister, Jordan, was brutally murdered months before and the lingering agony of missing her sister, her own guilt over what had happened, and her deteriorating relationship with h...more Reviewed by Meg

I got to read the first chapter of Don’t Fear the Reaper, by Michelle Muto, on Courtney Cole’s blog and oh wow, it blew me away. Don’t Fear the Reaper is a dark, anguishing and beautiful book that explores so many taboo and dark topics. Keely Morrison is an identical twin, only she’s no longer a twin. Her sister, Jordan, was brutally murdered months before and the lingering agony of missing her sister, her own guilt over what had happened, and her deteriorating relationship with her parents is building on Keely’s breaking heart. She feels she has no choice, her need to escape, to be reunited with her sister, compounds into a dark and horrifying suicide.

Yes, that’s right. The main character kills herself in the beginning of the book. I want to preface this by saying that Don’t Fear the Reaper does not, in any way, glorify suicide. If anything, it’s the exact opposite. Keely has essentially given up on life, but she hasn’t given up on her sister. At first, she doesn’t think she’s succeeded in the suicide, and believes that the strange man standing in her home is there because he saved her. That is, until her parents come home and she’s faced with the scene she never imagined seeing. The man who arrived after her death is a reaper named Banning, and accompanying him is a demon named Daniel.

Other than the entire premise of being told from the point of view of a successful suicide, Don’t Fear the Reaper is also very unique in that the characters embark on what is nothing less than an amazing journey. Keely must pass a test to determine her fate, for as of the moment her suicide was complete, she was bound for hell. By some miracle, she’s been given a chance to redeem herself and Banning and Daniel are there to see her through with her journey. Muto gives the readers a glimpse into a dark world that surprisingly has quite a bit of hope within it. She writes it beautifully, giving a level of depth to purgatory that allows the readers to hope with Keely as she makes her journey. There’s so many moments of sadness and tragedy, that being able to keep that tiny little flame of hope burning is quite a feat.

Another astonishing aspect of Muto’s writing is that she is able to communicate Keely’s desperation in the beginning, and the history behind the despair that drives her actions so that when we’re reading that first chapter and witnessing Keely’s death, her emotions are palpable. Afterwards, Muto never once approaches Keely’s suicide as anything less that a tragedy. There is no positive spin put on Keely’s actions, only the hope that in the end, she can redeem herself for her actions. As the readers, we face Keely’s emotions, the after effects of her choices as they stand with her family and friends, the community and the afterlife. It’s gritty, it’s dark, and it certainly isn’t pleasant.

As Keely searches the afterlife for her twin, and struggles to understand Banning and Daniel’s roles in her fate, she faces many obstacles that continuously aid her in expanding her thoughts and increasing her appreciation for human life. This book, in some ways, isn’t one that every parent would be comfortable giving to their teenager to read simply because of the dark subject matter, but I feel that it’s a book every teenager who’s dealt with sadness or depression should read, not even considering the paranormal element of it. It’s simply such a raw look into the repercussions of suicide, and suicide affects families, friends and entire communities. Add in the paranormal element and you have a dark, extraordinarily original plot line that is filled with twists and turns that constantly keep a reader on their toes. I’m beyond excited for the sequel to this novel!(less)

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Oct 14, 2011 Jean Booth rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was great! I have to be honest, I got a little irritated at Keely's inability to cope with being dead. I mean, I get it, it's a traumatic thing. It's just, I would have liked her to have gotten a handle on it a lot earlier. It was as if we were going on a journey with the character, but focusing on the holy crap I just killed myself and there's no going back part and ignoring the vast unknown that's ahead of us. I loved Daniel instantly, and continued to enjoy him throughout the book....more

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Nov 15, 2011 Sheila rated it 5 of 5 stars

Don't Fear the Reaper has a beautiful cover that pulls you in.The first chapter of this book is one of the most haunting, breath-taking and heart stopping I have read. In fact, the first paragraph quickly shows Michelle's awesome,descriptive writing style.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for they are with me. I repeated my version of the psalm as I watched the ribbon of blood drift from my wrist. I’d hoped it would be a distraction—something to...more

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Nov 21, 2011 Courtney Cole rated it 5 of 5 stars

I sat down yesterday to read Don’t Fear the Reaper by Michelle Muto and I didn’t get up until I had finished it. It was the kind of book that you just don’t put down.

I am struggling with figuring out how to explain why this book is so good. I know that I can’t simply say “It just is” and you’ll take my word for it. You want details, right?

Part of the draw for me is this author’s amazing writing style. It’s dark and haunting, but beautiful and delicate even while dealing with a sensitive, ugly...more

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Mar 04, 2013 Laura *Little Read Riding Hood* rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks

I've never been able to read a story that includes suicide as it's focus. However in Don't Fear the Reaper it is done with such tact and compassion that you can't help but hurt for Keely. My heart broke for her over and over. Starting with her death by her own hand and her coming to terms with it. I can't imagine life being so hopeless that you think death is your only way out; but then again I don't have a murdered twin sister either.

Keely's death is only the beginning of her journey. She almos...more

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Sep 08, 2012 Kelley rated it 3 of 5 stars

Sometimes I felt the characters were not as well explored as I'd have liked and they didn't feel real. I could have cared so much more for Banning or Daniel or Jordan or even Keely if there were more scenes that explored their dimensions rather than fill in little bits of their handful of traits. None of the characters were unpredictable. I could predict the ending miles away.

We never got to see what happened to make Daniel a demon, but maybe Muto is planning a sequel? Well, I didn't really miss...more

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Sep 28, 2011 Shirley rated it 5 of 5 stars

I put this review off for a day after I finished. Not because it was something I didn’t want to do, but mainly because the book was so good I wanted to make sure I did Michelle’s story justice. I’m still not positive that I can do that, but here it goes.

Don’t Fear the Reaper is a dark story about the afterlife of a teen who commits suicide. It doesn’t glorify suicide and not once is Keely happy with her decision. As a matter of fact, almost immediately she regrets doing what she did and wants to...more I put this review off for a day after I finished. Not because it was something I didn’t want to do, but mainly because the book was so good I wanted to make sure I did Michelle’s story justice. I’m still not positive that I can do that, but here it goes.

Don’t Fear the Reaper is a dark story about the afterlife of a teen who commits suicide. It doesn’t glorify suicide and not once is Keely happy with her decision. As a matter of fact, almost immediately she regrets doing what she did and wants to take it back. Even before she knows she is truly dead. It is definitely a book for older more mature teens. It delves into the grief of those left behind and the regret of the teen who took her own life, but it also does so much more than that.

To me, the main focus of Don’t Fear the Reaper was undying love. Not only the love of Keely and her sister and the love that they both had for their parents but also the love that other characters shared and the ultimate sacrifices that many of them made. The book began with suicide and ended with hope and the journey that Michelle takes you on to get you there is unforgettable.

Michelle’s characters have so much depth that you feel like you know them personally by the time you are through. Basically Keely is led through her short time left on Earth by her reaper, Banning and a demon, Daniel. Being a demon you would think that Daniel is the bad guy and in essence he is, but I always found something lovable about him. Maybe it was his sarcastic humor in the beginning. Regardless I think he may have been my favorite character. Banning was a fatherly figure for Keely and mostly the voice of reason, but not perfect. They all played off each other perfectly and the dialog between them was fun to keep up with and all of it moved the story along flawlessly.

I love Michelle’s style of writing and even though I knew that this story was going to be a lot darker than The Book of Lost Souls, I went into it knowing that I was going to love it. I obviously wasn’t disappointed. Was it a hard book to read? Of course, but the action and the suspense made it impossible to put down. Did I shed a few tears? Yes, and I expected to, but the tears weren’t all tears of sadness. It was a very emotional read, especially near the end, but it was worth every minute. Michelle’s take on the afterlife and her touching depictions of what families experience during times of tragedy and grief are well worth any tears shed. Now I’m going to wait very patiently for Michelle to get back to Ivy and her friends, but whatever she writes next, I will be sure to pick up. (less)

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Jun 22, 2012 Aliraluna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks

Keely Morrison, a rebel girl that had a past were she used to use drugs, likes to hang out with a lot of people, have fun, go out of the house with or without permission meets death. She had everything that made her happy; a twin sister that was just like her- enjoys life-; when suddenly both of their lifes and their family as well change when Jordan(keely sister) is killed. Keely doesn't enjoy life anymore, she feels like crap and needs to be with her sister. She wonders is her sister is alread...more

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Feb 28, 2013 Danielle Young rated it 5 of 5 stars

After committing suicide with the hopes of reuniting with her dead twin sister Keely discovers that being dead isn't so easy. And neither is finding her sister. As she struggles with the loss of her own life Keely is forced to stay on Earth with no one but a reaper and a demon for company. Eternal happiness for more than Keely is on the line when she discovers that in order to move on from her Earthbound hell she has to face an ugly truth that will have her facing her fears and fighting for more...more After committing suicide with the hopes of reuniting with her dead twin sister Keely discovers that being dead isn't so easy. And neither is finding her sister. As she struggles with the loss of her own life Keely is forced to stay on Earth with no one but a reaper and a demon for company. Eternal happiness for more than Keely is on the line when she discovers that in order to move on from her Earthbound hell she has to face an ugly truth that will have her facing her fears and fighting for more than just her afterlife.

As soon as I started Don't Fear the Reaper I knew it was going to be awesome. The first chapter left me completely breathless, on the edge of my seat and biting my nails because from the minute Keely graced the page I felt connected to her. Her pain and anguish were so real that I felt it through Michelle Muto's words.

And I fell even more in love with Keely throughout the book. I was happy to find a kind girl with a large heart under all the pain and sorrow and I was also happy to see that she wasn't the kind of girl to run away. No matter how afraid she was if her friends needed her she was there. Even for those she wasn't sure she could quite trust. And in the end despite knowing what was going to happen, I was happy to see Keely step up to the plate.

Luckily for Keely, in her Earthbound purgatory she has friends. Well, the closest thing she can get to friends. Banning, a reaper--the reaper who took her soul--who is like a protective older brother and Daniel the demon with a conscious. And I loved them. They reminded me of brothers and they often bickered like brothers. Daniel provided that needed bit of sarcasm and humor throughout the story helping to remind me that even in death their can be a bright side. Banning is one of those characters that I just can't help but feel for. The losses and struggles that he endures make you route for a happy ending. Both of these side characters are strong and fierce warriors and are completely loyal. The trick is just finding out who they are loyal to. (Psst, I know, but I won't tell you). I know that if I were ever in purgatory I wouldn't mind having them at my side. Seriously I don't think there would ever be a dull moment!

I truly enjoyed the story that Michelle Muto weaved in Don't Fear the Reaper. She gave me just enough details and information to allow my imagination to run wild. And I was completely fascinated by her idea of the demon. I appreciated her different take on both the demon and the reaper and I thought it really brought fresh air to the whole realm of reapers. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to be swept up in a story that will leave you breathless and wanting more. Bring on the next adventure in the Netherworld Series!!!

*Won a copy of the book from the author and Bookworm Babblings(less)

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May 06, 2012 Hope rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I do not remember where I got this ebook from, all I know that it's been a while since I got it but never got around to reading it. I have always like reading books about ghosts and reapers and or any kind of supernatural. So I thought I give this one a try!

Keely Morrison commits suicide in her parents bathtub, after her twin sister dies. At first I did not have much sympathy for Keely, especially after she becomes a ghost and keeps saying that she is sorry and that she really did not mean to c...more

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Sep 23, 2012 Josie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, own, books-i-adore

this book was heart breaking and beautifully written, Don't fear the reaper is about life, love and loss , keely and her twin sister jordan are soul mates and when jordan get's murdered keely looses a part of herself with her sister . grief stricken and desperate for the pain to end keely decides to take her own life and is met by the reaper , banning and a demon , Daniel. keely soon finds out that death isn't exactly what she first thought it would be and there the story begins , keelys only th...more

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Dec 05, 2011 Larissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

4.5 STARS: A really great read, I highly recommend!

From the moment I picked up this book I was instantly drawn into the story. Don’t Fear the Reaper opens with the protagonist, Keely, taking her own life, and reflecting on the things that lead to that moment. The pain she felt throughout the book felt very real to me even though in most of the book she is “living” through very different situations than one generally faces.

Michelle Muto’s writing is absolutely beautiful, and all the characters ha...more

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Jan 28, 2012 Rhiannon Frater rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This is a book I really, really wanted to love, but only came away liking. It still definitely deserves 4 stars, but it just felt like it missed the mark somehow.

WHAT I LIKED:

1. Keely was a great heroine. I really liked her quite a bit. Even though the book starts off with her suicide, she was a sympathetic character. She also had a strength I appreciated and a loyalty to her family (despite not always being happy with her parents) that felt very real.

2. Banning was amazing. I loved him so much....more

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Dec 31, 2011 Emily Tippetts rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: indie, young-adult

I've been aware of Michelle Muto for months, but only just got around to reading one of her books. She's an up and coming indie writer whom I hope we'll be hearing a lot more from.

If it weren't for holiday craziness, I'd have read this in one sitting - partly because it's well written and easy to devour, and partly out of desperation to see if things ever get better for the protagonist. I should warn you, the main character commits suicide in the first scene, and Muto doesn't pull punches when d...more

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Nov 16, 2011 ABookVacation rated it 5 of 5 stars

I am in awe of Muto’s sheer writing abilities! This book sucked me in and didn’t release me until the final page was tucked neatly inside my head. I can’t get over how amazing, how breathtaking, and how riveting this book is. Don’t Fear the Reaper is one of those books that I’m going to read again and again. It’s one of those books I wish could hit the big screen; it’s that good. This is that book that leaves you stunned and wanting more, much more, upon its conclusion. Seriously, why are you st...more I am in awe of Muto’s sheer writing abilities! This book sucked me in and didn’t release me until the final page was tucked neatly inside my head. I can’t get over how amazing, how breathtaking, and how riveting this book is. Don’t Fear the Reaper is one of those books that I’m going to read again and again. It’s one of those books I wish could hit the big screen; it’s that good. This is that book that leaves you stunned and wanting more, much more, upon its conclusion. Seriously, why are you still reading this review? You need this novel now!!!

Muto has created a very powerful novel about suicide, and though I feel like the messages it portrays to the readers are subtle undertones, they speak volumes, nonetheless. Yes, this novel is about the netherworld and Keely’s attempts to reconnect with her sister, but it’s about so much more than that. Muto portrays the raw truth concerning suicide and its effects on those left behind, and even though this is just a book, I felt so strongly for the characters that I actually cried on multiple occasions. I am not a crier, by any means, but this novel really touched me and made me feel as if I was a part of it, looking the awful truth of suicide straight in the face. What the person committing suicide doesn’t realize is how much of an affect they’ll have on those they leave behind, devastating everyone around them, just as Keely does when she succeeds in killing herself. The fact that she has to stand there and witness the chaos she left behind in a fit of selfishness, watching her family mourn her, is all too powerful, and I feel like this novel does a phenomenal job showing readers that suicide really isn’t the answer. Yes, I realize that this is the subtle undertone of the novel, and that it really isn’t about the suicide as much as it is about Keely making the correct decisions in the netherworld, but it spoke volumes to me and I can’t get over how powerful this story really is...

To read my full review (12/8):

http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...

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Mar 29, 2012 Joyce Baker rated it 4 of 5 stars

Joyce Baker
Horror

The story opens with high school student Keely Morrison getting ready so she can commit suicide. Her twin sister was murdered and Keely is determined it was her fault. To Keely’s surprise, death is nothing like she ever imagined. In purgatory, Keely is assigned a reaper named Banning and a demon named Daniel. Keely is intent on finding her sister. They cannot find Jordan until they go to the high school.

Daniel presents Keely a chance to get revenge on her sister’s murderer. Jor...more

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Feb 16, 2013 Emma Adams rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: supernatural, paranormal, young-adult

When seventeen-year-old Keely commits suicide, she expects to be reunited with her murdered twin sister Jordan, whose death she never recovered from, in the afterlife. Instead, she wakes up looking at her own corpse and in the company of two men in suits: Banning, a reaper employed to escort her to the afterlife, and Daniel, a demon. Suddenly death doesn’t seem so simple.

Now in purgatory, bound to walk the earth amongst the other souls unable to move on, Keely is faced with a choice. She wants t...more

When seventeen-year-old Keely commits suicide, she expects to be reunited with her murdered twin sister Jordan, whose death she never recovered from, in the afterlife. Instead, she wakes up looking at her own corpse and in the company of two men in suits: Banning, a reaper employed to escort her to the afterlife, and Daniel, a demon. Suddenly death doesn’t seem so simple.

Now in purgatory, bound to walk the earth amongst the other souls unable to move on, Keely is faced with a choice. She wants to find her sister’s killer, and when Daniel offers her that chance, she finds herself torn between saving her own soul and avenging her sister.

This is the first book by Michelle Muto I’ve read, and it was amazing! Don’t Fear the Reaper is a haunting take on life after death, and I was instantly drawn in from the first chapter. The themes of teen suicide and murder are undoubtedly bleak, so I knew this wasn’t going to be a light read, but Muto does an excellent job of capturing the emotions surrounding death and in particular, Keely’s realisation of the pain she has caused her family. Her regret and grief make her sympathetic despite her selfish act.

Sad and poignant, this is an extremely well-written novel which draws on the idea of purgatory as simply earthbound, lingering in the living world. This unseen world of reapers, angels and demons is made plausible through the details and through the characterisation. Daniel is another interesting character: a demon with a conscience. Daniel is unable to help what he is, but as it’s his job to convince Keely to give up her soul, he is not trustworthy even though he may be Keely’s last hope to find her sister.

I found the lack of romance refreshing for YA novel, and I didn’t feel it detracted from the story. Far more important was the sisters’ close bond and the personal stories of the individual characters. This is a powerful and thought-provoking tale of death, life and hope, and I will definitely be reading more from this author!(less)

1 like · like · see review

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About Michelle Muto

Writer of urban fantasy, the paranormal, and all things eerie and curious. Lover of scary books and funny movies, sports cars, chocolate, and changes of season. Owned by two incredible dogs and an iMac. Author, wife, sister, freelance tech writer, and IT geek.

Author of The Haunting Season, The Book of Lost Souls, & Don't Fear the Reaper. Read the 1st chapter of Don't Fear the Reaper here.

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The Book of Lost Souls (Ivy MacTavish, #1)

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Quotes from Don't Fear the Reaper

“I’d lost sight of heaven, God, and everything good, but not Jordan. Some things transcended both life and death. Some things never died.” — 3 people liked it

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