It's not easy being Death. For starters, people keep dying. And then, they keep getting up again.
Steven de Selby got promoted. This makes t... read full description
Steven de Selby got promoted. This makes t... read full description
reviews
Jan 12, 2012
Sequelguerrier
rated it: 
Book two of the Death Works Series and Stephen de Selby continues to have a hell of a time. Having ended up, without ever intending to, as regional manager for Australia of Mortmax his luck at doing or getting what he would actually like remains dismal. Part is his own fault. He keeps whining about his bad luck rather than try do something and be pro-cative. All right he ended up dead at the end of last book but how bad can that be when it means you have become DEATH HIMSELF or at least 1/13th o
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Mar 04, 2011
Jen
rated it:
Steven de Selby was a charming, geeky slacker in life --and it seems Death hasn't changed him much. Steven isn't dead... He IS Death, or at least part of a greater whole that comprises Death. In the world of the Death Works series, there are 13 individuals that carry the essence of Death and since the events of Death Most Definite, Steven is one of them. But unlike his peers, he never wanted the job. It was an unfortunate by-product of fighting for his life, and winning. Apparently the job suc
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Jan 24, 2011
Alison
rated it:
The second book in Trent Jamieson’s “Steven de Selby” (Death Works) series is great; continuing the witty dialogue, original plot, interesting characters and just all-round darn good yarn that we discovered with the debut book Death Most Definite.
When Death is your subject matter you’re certainly allowed a healthy dose of black humour and Mr Jamieson uses Steven de Selby as not just the anti-hero, but as the perfect mechanism for great one liners and a very British, dry deadpan style o More...
When Death is your subject matter you’re certainly allowed a healthy dose of black humour and Mr Jamieson uses Steven de Selby as not just the anti-hero, but as the perfect mechanism for great one liners and a very British, dry deadpan style o More...
Dec 30, 2010
Yolanda
rated it: 
I was really looking forward to reading the second book of the Death Works series. So as soon as I received it, I got stuck into it. And let me start by saying that it didn't disappoint. :)
Steven de Selby used to be a Pomp. Well, he can still pomp the dead, but now he's a whole lot more... and he's not adapting well.
A few months have passed since the events of Death Most Definite. He might have helped stop a Regional Apocalypse, but things are still not going well More...
Steven de Selby used to be a Pomp. Well, he can still pomp the dead, but now he's a whole lot more... and he's not adapting well.
A few months have passed since the events of Death Most Definite. He might have helped stop a Regional Apocalypse, but things are still not going well More...
Dec 05, 2010
ALPHAreader
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
May 12, 2011
Kristin
rated it:
I really enjoyed the first book in this series and the second one didn’t disappoint. It deserves 4.5 stars.
In Managing Death our favorite new Australian Regional Manager Steven de Selby has to not only rebuild his numbers by recruiting new Pomps for Mortmax Australia, but also has to plan the Death Mort, where all thirteen RMs come together for their biannual meeting. However, at the beginning of the book, a drunken, sleep-deprived Steven has been shirking his responsibilities and ha More...
In Managing Death our favorite new Australian Regional Manager Steven de Selby has to not only rebuild his numbers by recruiting new Pomps for Mortmax Australia, but also has to plan the Death Mort, where all thirteen RMs come together for their biannual meeting. However, at the beginning of the book, a drunken, sleep-deprived Steven has been shirking his responsibilities and ha More...
Sep 22, 2011
Kaje
rated it:
This is the second book in a new urban fantasy series with a fresh trope (psychopomps for the dead, with management infighting, Stirrers who want to take over dead bodies, etc.) The hero and his friends and enemies are engaging characters. The author is not afraid to include big events and changes (characters died right and left in the first one, and came to life -quite a range of surprises.) The main character, Steven, is interesting, unusual in the degree to which he is a slacker and not rea
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Jan 13, 2011
Sean
rated it:
We pick up the story from the end of the first novel. Steven de Selby is the newly appointed (if that's the right word) Death for the Australian region.
He's put off a regional apocalypse but Mortmax Australia is in a bit of a shambles, and so is de Selby. The Stirrer god is coming, Steve is hitting the bottle, testing the strength of his relationship with his newly resurrected girlfriend and despite having the powers of a Regional Manager someone is still trying to kill hi More...
Jan 07, 2011
Rebekah
rated it:
Harry Potter for Grown-Ups Has Arrived!
The Short of It
The unendingly creative, and hilarious Jamieson brings us the second book in his Death Works series. Fantastic and fun, Managing Death feels a bit like reading Harry Potter for Grownups, while riding Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and listening to Aerosmith (maybe just a little drunk on booze). The writing is superb, featuring tight plots, boundless imagination and witty charm. He gives us sterling characters woven through a More...
The Short of It
The unendingly creative, and hilarious Jamieson brings us the second book in his Death Works series. Fantastic and fun, Managing Death feels a bit like reading Harry Potter for Grownups, while riding Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and listening to Aerosmith (maybe just a little drunk on booze). The writing is superb, featuring tight plots, boundless imagination and witty charm. He gives us sterling characters woven through a More...
Apr 27, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
Another fantastic book in the Steven de Selby series. I loved the development of the characters, and how once again, the book starts you going and does not let you go until the end. The book is fast paced and the ending is a surprise that leaves readers demanding the next book. I don't know how I'll manage to wait until this fall to get my hands on the third book. I can only hope it is just as amazing as the first two, because it looks really promising.
I still love the idea of pomps More...
I still love the idea of pomps More...
Jan 30, 2011
Alexandra
rated it:
Some spoilers for Death Most Definite.
When we left the somewhat hapless Steve at the end of Death Most Definite, he had just managed – through no intention of his own – to become Australia’s Regional Manager of Mortmax. Essentially, he became Australia’s Death. He had also discovered that the Stirrers – that ancient foe of the Psychopomps (employees of Mortmax, responsible for ensuring souls get to the Underworld) – are awaiting the imminent arrival of their god, meaning that they are More...
When we left the somewhat hapless Steve at the end of Death Most Definite, he had just managed – through no intention of his own – to become Australia’s Regional Manager of Mortmax. Essentially, he became Australia’s Death. He had also discovered that the Stirrers – that ancient foe of the Psychopomps (employees of Mortmax, responsible for ensuring souls get to the Underworld) – are awaiting the imminent arrival of their god, meaning that they are More...
Jun 02, 2011
Alan
rated it:
I'm really enjoying this series by Trent Jamieson. This is the second of three and it did have a bit of a middle book feel. For the first two thirds or so I was interested, but not gripped like I had been by the first one. The last third of the book, however, really picked up and interesting stuff happened. I'm really excited now for the last book, with the long arc of the series ramping up to be a very exciting confrontation.
Ideally I'd give this book 3 1/2 stars - being a bit " More...
Ideally I'd give this book 3 1/2 stars - being a bit " More...
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Nov 16, 2011
k
rated it: 
This review first appeared at So I Read This Book... and can be found at: http://www.soireadthisbook.com/2011/11/quick-dirty-reviews-two-entertaining.html
In book two of the Death Works series, hero Steven de Selby has stepped into the job of Mortmax Industries' Australian Regional Manager, aka Death. Steven never wanted the job, happy to tred water as a psychopomp but due to the catastrophic events in book one, his only choice was to sink or swim. He chose to swim but despite th More...
In book two of the Death Works series, hero Steven de Selby has stepped into the job of Mortmax Industries' Australian Regional Manager, aka Death. Steven never wanted the job, happy to tred water as a psychopomp but due to the catastrophic events in book one, his only choice was to sink or swim. He chose to swim but despite th More...
Jan 20, 2012
Ami
rated it:
Steven de Selby is now the Death for Australia and responsible to manage Mortmax Industries. He has his girlfriend Lissa to recruit/train new Pomps and his best friend/cousin as his second in command for administrial duties. In between learning the ropes and arranging Death Moot for the whole 13 RMs in Australia, the last thing Steven wants is trouble. But it seems that it follows him no matter what, as someone is determined to kill Steven, and probably the rest of the RMs.
The second More...
The second More...
May 19, 2011
Kayla
rated it:
I pretty much loved everything about this. I loved reading about all this craziness happening in my lovely little city, I loved learning more about Mr. D, I loved Steven's growth and the further development of his world, and I even loved that Steve and Lissa themselves acknowledged how quickly their romance formed and both took ownership of the cracks appearing in their relationship.
I really think the story benefits from the male POV, and the male author. Steven feels like a man even w More...
I really think the story benefits from the male POV, and the male author. Steven feels like a man even w More...
Jan 23, 2012
Nicole
rated it:
Almost didn't buy book two, but now glad I did. Very cool Death magic and less-worn Australian setting. The main character (Steven de Selby) shaped up since the first book (though he did backslide a few times especially in the first couple chapters). In book one, I felt like he spent all his time reacting/on the run. This time he took more action, which was nice. A lovely plot twist at the Death Moot took me by surprise, and the sample excerpt from book three looks great.
Jan 04, 2011
Thoraiya
rated it:
I love reading trilogies that are real trilogies, ie. the story could not be condensed down into a single book without losing its uniqueness and poignancy.
So far, so good!
Managing Death is unique, it is poignant, it is action-packed without lacking all introspection, and I am looking forward to the next one.
So far, so good!
Managing Death is unique, it is poignant, it is action-packed without lacking all introspection, and I am looking forward to the next one.
Dec 24, 2010
Qwill / The Qwillery
rated it:
Managing Death is a terrific read. The story was well crafted. The plot really surprised me. I did not figure out what was coming and oh boy!
Nov 23, 2010
Thomas Scofield
rated it:
Fan-bloody-tastic! I'm hard pressed to say whether I love the first more, or this one, although the first might have just the slightest of edges.
Jan 18, 2011
Penny
rated it:
I do like the theory and the development of the plot but find him a touch annoying cos he just doesn't get it.
Apr 18, 2011
Evelyn
rated it:
I'm still really enjoying this series, and intrigued as to where it will end up. Not long to wait- I think the next books out in August.
Reading about Steve lying to Lissa was like watching a car accident in slow motion. Not trusting her with the truth was such a believable Stupid Guy Move. It's things like that which make Steve and Lissa's relationship seems so real.
I also loved the ending of this one. I can picture so many of the scenes so clearly, I suppose partly bec More...
Reading about Steve lying to Lissa was like watching a car accident in slow motion. Not trusting her with the truth was such a believable Stupid Guy Move. It's things like that which make Steve and Lissa's relationship seems so real.
I also loved the ending of this one. I can picture so many of the scenes so clearly, I suppose partly bec More...
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Oct 02, 2011
Ed
rated it:
Another enjoyable book by Trent Jamieson. I almost always enjoy the personification of death. From Regional Manager to the Big D himself, the protagonist has gone from a minor player to the top of the heap. And now all he has to do is fight a god.
All in all, a quick and fun read.
All in all, a quick and fun read.
Feb 25, 2011
Paige
rated it:
Read my review at WordPress! http://wp.me/pmGbb-aL (minor spoilers included!)
Dec 22, 2011
Elaine
rated it:
This wasn't by any stretch a bad book but it wasn't outstanding either. I would read more Death Works novels which I guess is the bottom line.
It was nice to see a different villain but Steven's whining did get tedious at times.
The Lissa/Steven relationship was fresh and kept interesting.
Overall, not bad.
It was nice to see a different villain but Steven's whining did get tedious at times.
The Lissa/Steven relationship was fresh and kept interesting.
Overall, not bad.
Apr 30, 2011
Martin
rated it:
I liked this one even more than the first, it's definitely building itself to an exciting conclusion! Roll on The Business of Death!
Sep 15, 2011
Talietha
rated it:
Seriously I'm loving this series. Thrown in the deep-end with rocks attached. Really there needs to be a 'Death for Dummies'
