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Death Works Trilogy #2
Managing Death
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 the increasing number of stirrers (and the disturbing rumors of a zombie god rising sometime soon) his problem. That time management seminar he keeps meaning to take would also remind him that he's got a Death Moot to plan, a Christmas party to organize, and an end-of-the-world thing to avert.
Steven must start managing Death, before Death starts managing him, or this time the Apocalypse will be more than Regional.
Steven de Selby got promoted. This makes the increasing number of stirrers (and the disturbing rumors of a zombie god rising sometime soon) his problem. That time management seminar he keeps meaning to take would also remind him that he's got a Death Moot to plan, a Christmas party to organize, and an end-of-the-world thing to avert.
Steven must start managing Death, before Death starts managing him, or this time the Apocalypse will be more than Regional.
327 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 2010
10 people are currently reading
338 people want to read
About the author
Trent Jamieson
49 books212 followersTrent Jamieson is a science fiction and fantasy writer.
Trent works as a teacher, a bookseller, and a writer, and has taught at Clarion South.
Trent works as a teacher, a bookseller, and a writer, and has taught at Clarion South.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
June 3, 2011
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 "middle book", it's not really a 4 star in my mind, but it's better than a 3. As the option doesn't exist on Goodreads, I'm giving Jamieson the benefit of the doubt and erring to 4 stars. These books are well worth your time and money.
Ideally I'd give this book 3 1/2 stars - being a bit "middle book", it's not really a 4 star in my mind, but it's better than a 3. As the option doesn't exist on Goodreads, I'm giving Jamieson the benefit of the doubt and erring to 4 stars. These books are well worth your time and money.
January 3, 2015
4 Stars
Managing Death, book two in the Death Works Trilogy is a solid middle read. As a whole it does a few things better than the first book and a few things did measure up. This book lacks the fun and excitement of the world building in book one. In addition, book one had a huge variety of baddies and ghoulies that Managing Death did not. Book one spent a great deal of time with world building. This book has a linear plot and a much narrower story line. There is less action even though the stakes are higher. Steven however is even more...literally. He has a new position with the business of Death and all the responsibility that goes with it. His growth is a highlight.
Jamieson does a great job at pacing these books. They are fast and fun reads. He also does a good job at making his characters more than two dimensional cut outs.
I love how both books one and two have very good beginnings and endings that also fit right into the bigger story line that runs through out. I can't wait to finish this blast of a series.
Highly recommended....
Managing Death, book two in the Death Works Trilogy is a solid middle read. As a whole it does a few things better than the first book and a few things did measure up. This book lacks the fun and excitement of the world building in book one. In addition, book one had a huge variety of baddies and ghoulies that Managing Death did not. Book one spent a great deal of time with world building. This book has a linear plot and a much narrower story line. There is less action even though the stakes are higher. Steven however is even more...literally. He has a new position with the business of Death and all the responsibility that goes with it. His growth is a highlight.
Jamieson does a great job at pacing these books. They are fast and fun reads. He also does a good job at making his characters more than two dimensional cut outs.
I love how both books one and two have very good beginnings and endings that also fit right into the bigger story line that runs through out. I can't wait to finish this blast of a series.
Highly recommended....
March 18, 2022
This book suffered from 'middle book in the trilogy' syndrome and I made a really bad personal choice when I started reading it directly after the first one, Death Most Definite. I enjoyed the first one so much, that I could not even wait a day before starting this one and I really should know better.
This book picks up from where the first one ended, Steven has become Australian Regional Manager for the firm whose business is Death, management and facilitating of. As Steven never wanted the job - he just didn't want to die and that seemed the only other option - he is a bit lost. As the reason for Steven getting the job was that there was no one else left alive in the Australian Region to take it, he is rather short staffed. Luckily his new (or at least, newly alive) girl friend is an experienced Pomp and his cousin has re-joined the family business (giving up a career in politics) to help Steven out. The book starts with both these immensely capable people whinging at Steven about how he isn't taking the job seriously and is drinking too much.
That is remarkably similar to how the first book started, actually, people whinging at Steven.
Because books have to do this kind of thing, there is a lot of backstory and explaining the first book. I know, I know, you have to. Plus it was obviously more than three or four hours (about how long it took me to pick ap the second book after finishing the fist) for the author between the publishing of the first and the second. So there was way too much reiteration for me. Still I did not love this book until the last third and the reasons why are all spoilers, so they won't even make sense until you have read it. So read it and see
Loved the caterers! Loved using Kurilpa Bridge as a site for an international Death convention. Love, not like!
In fact there was plenty I loved about this book, it was just that each thing I enjoyed was a discreate bubble suspended in a largely awkward matrix of unenjoyable confusion right up... UNTIL we reached the last third of the book, when everything started coming together (including Steven), the plot went awesome, the events recovered the dynamic pace of the first book and the end was brilliant. I just had to read for a long time before I got there.
To be honest, I could have spent the whole of the second book reading about the world building of the Death and the Underworld and watching Steven grow into his powers (because when he finally starts to, he is a bit chilling, in a good way). Those were the best parts of this book and while I get you need a bad guy and 'diverse alarms and explosions' for me, they mostly distracted from the good parts of the story right up until the last third.
The final part of the book was marvellous, integrated the plot lines magnificently and was well worth the slog to get there, but this is only really a 2 1/2 experience overall.
Now, hopefully I have learned from the experience and can keep my hands of the third book for AT LEAST a couple of weeks before I dive into what happens next.
This book picks up from where the first one ended, Steven has become Australian Regional Manager for the firm whose business is Death, management and facilitating of. As Steven never wanted the job - he just didn't want to die and that seemed the only other option - he is a bit lost. As the reason for Steven getting the job was that there was no one else left alive in the Australian Region to take it, he is rather short staffed. Luckily his new (or at least, newly alive) girl friend is an experienced Pomp and his cousin has re-joined the family business (giving up a career in politics) to help Steven out. The book starts with both these immensely capable people whinging at Steven about how he isn't taking the job seriously and is drinking too much.
That is remarkably similar to how the first book started, actually, people whinging at Steven.
Because books have to do this kind of thing, there is a lot of backstory and explaining the first book. I know, I know, you have to. Plus it was obviously more than three or four hours (about how long it took me to pick ap the second book after finishing the fist) for the author between the publishing of the first and the second. So there was way too much reiteration for me. Still I did not love this book until the last third and the reasons why are all spoilers, so they won't even make sense until you have read it. So read it and see
Loved the caterers! Loved using Kurilpa Bridge as a site for an international Death convention. Love, not like!
In fact there was plenty I loved about this book, it was just that each thing I enjoyed was a discreate bubble suspended in a largely awkward matrix of unenjoyable confusion right up... UNTIL we reached the last third of the book, when everything started coming together (including Steven), the plot went awesome, the events recovered the dynamic pace of the first book and the end was brilliant. I just had to read for a long time before I got there.
To be honest, I could have spent the whole of the second book reading about the world building of the Death and the Underworld and watching Steven grow into his powers (because when he finally starts to, he is a bit chilling, in a good way). Those were the best parts of this book and while I get you need a bad guy and 'diverse alarms and explosions' for me, they mostly distracted from the good parts of the story right up until the last third.
The final part of the book was marvellous, integrated the plot lines magnificently and was well worth the slog to get there, but this is only really a 2 1/2 experience overall.
Now, hopefully I have learned from the experience and can keep my hands of the third book for AT LEAST a couple of weeks before I dive into what happens next.
April 19, 2011
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 because it's set in a city I know so well.
It's definately a worthwhile read.
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 because it's set in a city I know so well.
It's definately a worthwhile read.
January 5, 2011
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.
January 8, 2011
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 wonder of new mythologies, which they navigate with perfect pacing. The book manages to be at times funny, at times scary and over-all profound. He counts among a handful of living fantasy writers who can juggle all that so well.
The Review
I have to confess...I've pretty much stayed away from books that hint that they may involve rituals, demonic gods or blood lust. Why? It's simple. I scare really, really easily. I'm afraid of the stuff seeping into my dreams and taking over. I honestly got creeped out by The Hobbit when I read it in Jr. High, just for an example of how very wussy I really am.
But, in this case the publisher's description seemed too delicious to pass up, and I decided if the book was half as entertaining as the potential the concept offered, I'd chance a few nightmares. After all, surviving Mockingjay relatively unscathed, (ha!) I'm kinda feeling like I can take on the world. So yes, I took a chance on this book on the strength of the publisher's description alone. I knew nothing about the series or the author, but a quick Googling, (google-ing? Am I making up words again? Yes.) took me to his entertaining website complete with funny you-tube vids where he talks to himself whilst shamelessly plugging the book. Encouraged, I dove in.
I'm so glad I did.
Oh, and before we start - let me clear something up; No demons in the book. Not a one. Some other scary fantastical characters...yes, but nothing I would consider truly demonic.
The Concept
The whole idea of Death being managed in modern times by a multi-national conglomerate was genius. It takes the back-stabbing of office politics to a whole new level. One of the most fun things about the book was that I never knew who to trust. And Steven de Selby, our main character who is finding his feet in his new position as Regional Death for Australia, is just as unsure.
“So I rule the land and the sea around Australia as Death, because once there were warriors and they killed Death itself.”
“No, you cannot kill Death, only shape it’s form. And no, you do not rule the sea.”
Harry Potter for Grownups? Really?
Really. I was in a state of childlike wonder reading most of the book at not only the humor with which it was told, but the sheer magic of the thing. Self-healing buildings and magical powers aside, The whole underworld and death mythology that Jamieson has created is so well-built up, so layered, so deep. He takes us to an entirely new, incredibly creative world in which nothing is quite what you expect. He takes known mythologies like the character of Death and the classical underworld concept and bends and twists them in the most fascinating ways. His writing also reminded me a bit of Neil Gaiman, especially his Anansi Boys for the dark, timeless myth. Throw in some Zombies, more than a little magic and a stellar cast of characters and you've got something really great.
Bedtime Stories?
Err...No. It is indeed something I would consider an adult book. I do think it’s a touch too scary for the younger set. There’s a bit of adult humor and language, which serve to really hammer in the humanity of the main character. It’s also on the gorier side of my reading list. Without giving away too much about the book, I’ll just say that it does contain a fair amount of blood. But one of the things I appreciated about it is that it didn’t feel at all gratuitous. It was mostly essential to the storyline, to the job description, to the pain & growth of the characters. I never felt like it was just there for shock value. There are, though some very creative ways that people manage to die in this book. We’ll just leave it at that. The twelve-year-old me would have had plenty of nightmares.
“Sometimes I would like a job that involved less stabbing.”
Scones in Brisbane
Most of the characters in this book were so well-developed. I know it was a sequel so a few of them carry over from the first book, but there were plenty of new additions, and each one was interesting, complex and intriguing. I especially liked some of the more fantastic creatures that he created like the fatally flawed Aunt Neti, spidery guardian of the Underworld, who bakes the best damn scones around. I also enjoyed the morally ambiguous other RM’s who made up the Orcus. Trying to figure out what they were after was great fun. They all pulled at my imagination.
I would have liked to have seen a bit more from the love interest Lissa in this book, because I felt I didn’t get to know her that well...but I suppose that is my fault for not having read the first book, where I get the idea she has more than her share of page-space.
The setting of this story was fun for me too. Not only have I never been to Brisbane, I’ve never read a single book set there. (Crazy!) So, it was fun for me to get to know a bit about that city (and the Underworld below)
The Series
I was slightly afraid I would be lost in this book, by once again jumping in mid-series. I wasn't. Simply because Jamieson writes a series as a series truly should be, each book is capable of standing alone, and yet together they form an epic arc. Having finished Managing Death, I can't wait to get my hands on Death Most Definite, the first book in the series and am happily awaiting the September US release of The Business of Death (book #3). I'd still suggest reading them in order, simply because some of the necessary back story that seeps into Managing, gives away what are I'm sure major plot points of Definite.
The Author
Even though this is only his second novel, Trent Jamieson is hardly new to this fiction thing. He has published over 60 short stories in the past decade, 2 of which were winners of Aurealis Awards. (No, not from us silly!) He also works as a bookseller, fiction editor and creative writing teacher. Now, why am I telling you all of this? Because it absolutely shows. The writing is mad good. It comes across the work of a seasoned pro.
Cover Story: B
The good news is: I just received confirmation from the author that the cover on display on Goodreads and Amazon is wrong. The correct US cover is {{the alternate showing as a foreign here on GR}} Although I do like this version better, I still want something a bit more from a book that’s hitting Best Urban Fantasy lists left and right. Still, it’s kinda growing on me, especially alongside the cover for the first book. It's also the kind of cover you really need to see close up for the detail. Check out the author's website for a closeup view.
Okay, that’s more than enough from me on the subject. Go. Read the book, and I'd love to know what you think of it.
Review Copy Provided Courtesy of Publisher (Orbit) (via NetGalley)
This review originally appeared on Aurelia (http://aurelmedia.wordpress.com) Jan 7, 2011.
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 wonder of new mythologies, which they navigate with perfect pacing. The book manages to be at times funny, at times scary and over-all profound. He counts among a handful of living fantasy writers who can juggle all that so well.
The Review
I have to confess...I've pretty much stayed away from books that hint that they may involve rituals, demonic gods or blood lust. Why? It's simple. I scare really, really easily. I'm afraid of the stuff seeping into my dreams and taking over. I honestly got creeped out by The Hobbit when I read it in Jr. High, just for an example of how very wussy I really am.
But, in this case the publisher's description seemed too delicious to pass up, and I decided if the book was half as entertaining as the potential the concept offered, I'd chance a few nightmares. After all, surviving Mockingjay relatively unscathed, (ha!) I'm kinda feeling like I can take on the world. So yes, I took a chance on this book on the strength of the publisher's description alone. I knew nothing about the series or the author, but a quick Googling, (google-ing? Am I making up words again? Yes.) took me to his entertaining website complete with funny you-tube vids where he talks to himself whilst shamelessly plugging the book. Encouraged, I dove in.
I'm so glad I did.
Oh, and before we start - let me clear something up; No demons in the book. Not a one. Some other scary fantastical characters...yes, but nothing I would consider truly demonic.
The Concept
The whole idea of Death being managed in modern times by a multi-national conglomerate was genius. It takes the back-stabbing of office politics to a whole new level. One of the most fun things about the book was that I never knew who to trust. And Steven de Selby, our main character who is finding his feet in his new position as Regional Death for Australia, is just as unsure.
“So I rule the land and the sea around Australia as Death, because once there were warriors and they killed Death itself.”
“No, you cannot kill Death, only shape it’s form. And no, you do not rule the sea.”
Harry Potter for Grownups? Really?
Really. I was in a state of childlike wonder reading most of the book at not only the humor with which it was told, but the sheer magic of the thing. Self-healing buildings and magical powers aside, The whole underworld and death mythology that Jamieson has created is so well-built up, so layered, so deep. He takes us to an entirely new, incredibly creative world in which nothing is quite what you expect. He takes known mythologies like the character of Death and the classical underworld concept and bends and twists them in the most fascinating ways. His writing also reminded me a bit of Neil Gaiman, especially his Anansi Boys for the dark, timeless myth. Throw in some Zombies, more than a little magic and a stellar cast of characters and you've got something really great.
Bedtime Stories?
Err...No. It is indeed something I would consider an adult book. I do think it’s a touch too scary for the younger set. There’s a bit of adult humor and language, which serve to really hammer in the humanity of the main character. It’s also on the gorier side of my reading list. Without giving away too much about the book, I’ll just say that it does contain a fair amount of blood. But one of the things I appreciated about it is that it didn’t feel at all gratuitous. It was mostly essential to the storyline, to the job description, to the pain & growth of the characters. I never felt like it was just there for shock value. There are, though some very creative ways that people manage to die in this book. We’ll just leave it at that. The twelve-year-old me would have had plenty of nightmares.
“Sometimes I would like a job that involved less stabbing.”
Scones in Brisbane
Most of the characters in this book were so well-developed. I know it was a sequel so a few of them carry over from the first book, but there were plenty of new additions, and each one was interesting, complex and intriguing. I especially liked some of the more fantastic creatures that he created like the fatally flawed Aunt Neti, spidery guardian of the Underworld, who bakes the best damn scones around. I also enjoyed the morally ambiguous other RM’s who made up the Orcus. Trying to figure out what they were after was great fun. They all pulled at my imagination.
I would have liked to have seen a bit more from the love interest Lissa in this book, because I felt I didn’t get to know her that well...but I suppose that is my fault for not having read the first book, where I get the idea she has more than her share of page-space.
The setting of this story was fun for me too. Not only have I never been to Brisbane, I’ve never read a single book set there. (Crazy!) So, it was fun for me to get to know a bit about that city (and the Underworld below)
The Series
I was slightly afraid I would be lost in this book, by once again jumping in mid-series. I wasn't. Simply because Jamieson writes a series as a series truly should be, each book is capable of standing alone, and yet together they form an epic arc. Having finished Managing Death, I can't wait to get my hands on Death Most Definite, the first book in the series and am happily awaiting the September US release of The Business of Death (book #3). I'd still suggest reading them in order, simply because some of the necessary back story that seeps into Managing, gives away what are I'm sure major plot points of Definite.
The Author
Even though this is only his second novel, Trent Jamieson is hardly new to this fiction thing. He has published over 60 short stories in the past decade, 2 of which were winners of Aurealis Awards. (No, not from us silly!) He also works as a bookseller, fiction editor and creative writing teacher. Now, why am I telling you all of this? Because it absolutely shows. The writing is mad good. It comes across the work of a seasoned pro.
Cover Story: B
The good news is: I just received confirmation from the author that the cover on display on Goodreads and Amazon is wrong. The correct US cover is {{the alternate showing as a foreign here on GR}} Although I do like this version better, I still want something a bit more from a book that’s hitting Best Urban Fantasy lists left and right. Still, it’s kinda growing on me, especially alongside the cover for the first book. It's also the kind of cover you really need to see close up for the detail. Check out the author's website for a closeup view.
Okay, that’s more than enough from me on the subject. Go. Read the book, and I'd love to know what you think of it.
Review Copy Provided Courtesy of Publisher (Orbit) (via NetGalley)
This review originally appeared on Aurelia (http://aurelmedia.wordpress.com) Jan 7, 2011.
September 11, 2019
So, how little an effort Selby makes to be better at his job irked me when I was reading the previous book. That doesn't really change in this one either. Another thing that I didn't like was how the author made Hungry Death sound like one big baddie only to have him be thwarted by another baddie. But overall, another great addition to the series. A reviewer likened this book to Harry Potter and I can see what they mean!
Original take on Reapers and the Death Business by an Australian author in an authentic voice of the character. Small series and not-too thick books that are full of action. Read it!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2018
This one was even goofier than the last. It’s kind of frustrating cos there’s some interesting world building going on but nothing ever gets properly explained. These are terrible books but of course I’m going to finish the series.
September 1, 2021
Okay horror comedy sequel, set in Brisbane Australia. Original concept, ie set in an organisation that's purpose is to release/guide souls from the recently dead to the afterlife. They have to stop stalker spirits from taking over the bodies.
August 20, 2021
I liked to see more of Tim and Alex in this book. At times it felt a little slow moving, but it had a nice twist at the end that I didn't see coming, so that is always enjoyable.
December 27, 2021
Good read, not necessarily everyone's cup of tea.
March 21, 2017
Although initially resistant to the lifestyle of the book's characters of alcoholism, rock music and footy (cut a bit close to the bone), the story turned out to be satisfyingly compelling. Having lived in Brisbane for a couple of years, I found it reflected the lifestyle and culture faithfully. Interesting interpretation of all things afterlife. I will keep an eye out for the others in the series at second hand books shops, and charity shops. Actually the copy I got was ex-library.
January 31, 2011
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 ‘stirring’, or breaking through into our world via the recently deceased, with increasing frequency. To help him cope with this, he’s changed several people into Pomps, most of them Black Sheep – those with family connections to the Death business but who had themselves not chosen it. Oh, and he’d also brought back to life the woman with whom he’d fallen in love when she was already dead, and turned her (back) into a Pomp, too.
It’s not really a surprise that Managing Death opens with Steve having a nightmare.
The first few chapters deal largely with Steve being his normal whingy, drinking-too-much self, despite his greatly enlarged powers and the fact that he now actually gets to hold Lissa without fear of sending her to Hell. Through him we get to meet a few new characters – my personal favourite being Aunt Neti, an eight-armed and totally intimidating character who helps guard Hell, usually with a batch of scones served on some awfully nice bone china (heh). Also newly introduced, and getting a significant amount of page-time, is Suzanne, the Regional Manager for America. She’s a fairly standard cutthroat business/vixen type, but she gets some pretty good lines. I think her 2IC (or Ankou, in Jamieson’s terminology), Cerbo, is more interesting, although he gets less space to himself. There are also a number of characters from the first book who reappear, of course, including Lissa, who sadly doesn’t get quite as much of an increased role as I had hoped. While she is important, and is never just a damsel in distress or bed-warmer, I was disappointed by the short shrift I think she got particularly towards the end. Steve’s cousin Tim, now his Ankou, has a fairly significant role, and we also get more Wal. Ah, Wal: the fat cherub tattoo Steve got when drunk one night, who pops off his arm and bad-mouths Steve whenever he’s in Hell. Even more than the fact the story is set in Brisbane, Wal is a sign that this is a very Australian book. That, and a burnt-sausage Christmas lunch.
The plot of Managing Death, on the face of it, is simple. It revolves around Steve (well, Tim) having to organise the Death Moot – a get-together for all the Regional Managers – and Steve trying to convince them that the approaching Stirrer god is a problem they all need to deal with. Along the way there are also business issues that must be resolved: particularly how to recruit more Pomps so that they don’t get overworked (can you imagine trying to write that job advertisement? Or answering it?). Jamieson complicates matters with someone attempting to kill Steve. Although there are several lulls where little seems to actually happen – Steve is a bit too whiny and introspective in this novel for my tastes – it is nonetheless exceptionally page-turn-y. Something always seems to be going wrong.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. The characters are generally likeable or disagreeable, depending on their relationship with Our Hero; they have just enough depth so as to not be completely transparent. The plot largely kept my interest, although I do think Jamieson wrapped everything up a bit too quickly towards the end, and there was one particular solution to a problem that I thought came from far too far out of left-field to be entirely comfortable with. It’s definitely a “Book Two”: Jamieson does a fairly good previously-in-Death-Works wrap-up, but nonetheless I don’t think it would work well without having read Death Most Definite. Similarly, although some problems are tidied up, there are numerous issues left hanging to be resolved (I hope!) in the third book, The Business of Death, which I believe is due in 2011. Despite niggling issues with the book, I am definitely looking forward to the third book. Call me sadistic, but I am looking forward to just what Jamieson does to Steve next. And given the original way in which he has dealt with the idea of Death and the Underworld, I expect that the ultimate resolution will also be appropriately original.
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 ‘stirring’, or breaking through into our world via the recently deceased, with increasing frequency. To help him cope with this, he’s changed several people into Pomps, most of them Black Sheep – those with family connections to the Death business but who had themselves not chosen it. Oh, and he’d also brought back to life the woman with whom he’d fallen in love when she was already dead, and turned her (back) into a Pomp, too.
It’s not really a surprise that Managing Death opens with Steve having a nightmare.
The first few chapters deal largely with Steve being his normal whingy, drinking-too-much self, despite his greatly enlarged powers and the fact that he now actually gets to hold Lissa without fear of sending her to Hell. Through him we get to meet a few new characters – my personal favourite being Aunt Neti, an eight-armed and totally intimidating character who helps guard Hell, usually with a batch of scones served on some awfully nice bone china (heh). Also newly introduced, and getting a significant amount of page-time, is Suzanne, the Regional Manager for America. She’s a fairly standard cutthroat business/vixen type, but she gets some pretty good lines. I think her 2IC (or Ankou, in Jamieson’s terminology), Cerbo, is more interesting, although he gets less space to himself. There are also a number of characters from the first book who reappear, of course, including Lissa, who sadly doesn’t get quite as much of an increased role as I had hoped. While she is important, and is never just a damsel in distress or bed-warmer, I was disappointed by the short shrift I think she got particularly towards the end. Steve’s cousin Tim, now his Ankou, has a fairly significant role, and we also get more Wal. Ah, Wal: the fat cherub tattoo Steve got when drunk one night, who pops off his arm and bad-mouths Steve whenever he’s in Hell. Even more than the fact the story is set in Brisbane, Wal is a sign that this is a very Australian book. That, and a burnt-sausage Christmas lunch.
The plot of Managing Death, on the face of it, is simple. It revolves around Steve (well, Tim) having to organise the Death Moot – a get-together for all the Regional Managers – and Steve trying to convince them that the approaching Stirrer god is a problem they all need to deal with. Along the way there are also business issues that must be resolved: particularly how to recruit more Pomps so that they don’t get overworked (can you imagine trying to write that job advertisement? Or answering it?). Jamieson complicates matters with someone attempting to kill Steve. Although there are several lulls where little seems to actually happen – Steve is a bit too whiny and introspective in this novel for my tastes – it is nonetheless exceptionally page-turn-y. Something always seems to be going wrong.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. The characters are generally likeable or disagreeable, depending on their relationship with Our Hero; they have just enough depth so as to not be completely transparent. The plot largely kept my interest, although I do think Jamieson wrapped everything up a bit too quickly towards the end, and there was one particular solution to a problem that I thought came from far too far out of left-field to be entirely comfortable with. It’s definitely a “Book Two”: Jamieson does a fairly good previously-in-Death-Works wrap-up, but nonetheless I don’t think it would work well without having read Death Most Definite. Similarly, although some problems are tidied up, there are numerous issues left hanging to be resolved (I hope!) in the third book, The Business of Death, which I believe is due in 2011. Despite niggling issues with the book, I am definitely looking forward to the third book. Call me sadistic, but I am looking forward to just what Jamieson does to Steve next. And given the original way in which he has dealt with the idea of Death and the Underworld, I expect that the ultimate resolution will also be appropriately original.
December 5, 2010
** Contains SPOILERS if you haven’t read book #1 **
‘Managing Death’ is the second book in Trent Jamieson’s ‘Death Works’ series.
Steven de Selby is back at his psychopomping best. Except this time around he isn’t middle-management in the business of death. . . in this second book Steven has actual responsibilities as Australia’s Regional Death. Still working for Mortmax Industires, Steven is now a head-honcho with his own (understaffed) team, a conference to plan and a zombie god to destroy and save the world. . . just another day at the office, really.
Jamieson unabashedly jumps helter-skelter into his second ‘Death Works’ novel. There is little page-time given to the magic of this alternate universe and not much ground is revisited from book #1. And the lack of back-tracking actually works, because the book picks up pretty much where ‘Death Most Definite’ left off (and the releases are fairly close together). It means that from the on-set ‘Managing Death’ is quick; balls-to-the-wall, pedal-to-the-metal, take no prisoners summer blockbuster reading – BRILLIANT!
Steven is back and dysfunctional as ever. In the first book he was an aimless slacker, and wholly likable for his ‘average joe’ relatability. In ‘Managing Death’ Steven is still dealing with the fallout from his apocalyptic heroics, and struggling with his new responsibilities up the Mortmax corporate ladder. Steven has turned to drinking away his problems – among which are severe under-staffing and a zombie god hell-bent on destroying the world. It’s no wonder Steven hasn’t been ‘coping’ well. . . I still love Steven as our hero. He’s such a typical Aussie bloke, and it’s that ordinariness that makes his moments of brilliance (far and few though they may be) that much more impressive. I love that Steven is saving the world while dealing with his own neuroses and character flaws.
I read and liked Jamieson’s first book, ‘Death Most Definite’. . . but I had a few BIG issues with the artificial ‘romance’ in that first book. In ‘Definite’ Steven quickly (and against all common sense) fell in love with a ghost called Lissa. Well following the events of the near-miss apocalypse, Steven got the girl and Lissa is back in this second novel. . . even if their relationship isn’t running as smoothly as either of them would like.
Surprisingly what I didn’t like about Lissa and Steven in ‘Definite’, I was able to ignore and enjoy in ‘Managing Death’. It helps that in this second novel the impossibility of Steven’s attraction is just taken as a given. . . it happened, I had to get over it. And in the aftermath of that awkward romance, Steven and Lissa actually have a rather epic and romantic (sometimes tragic) love story to be told in ‘Managing Death’. I especially loved the fact that Jamieson acknowledges the hurdles these two have to overcome if they want to be together. And those hurdles are illuminated by a disgruntled ex-employee called Rillman. . .
I also loved the humour in ‘Managing Death’. It’s that slightly irreverent, Aussie farce. . . a little bit dark and biting, but ultimately hilarious. Jamieson inserts humour into what would be otherwise hum-drum scenes to elevate the tension and drama and I LOVE it!
I kick open the door. And there are my staff having their Christmas party. A big Christmas tree is in one corner, someone is giggling by the photocopying machine. Tim is talking to some bigwigs from the state government. For all this, everything seems so forced; a party going through the motions. The door slams shut behind me.
Everyone, glasses in hand, spins around, and there I am. Me with my blood staining my shirt. Me with a bloody knife in one hand. Me with the torn and gore-stained pants. Me with blood squelching in my shoes with every step.
I walk over to the bar and pour myself a Bundy – a tall glass, neat. My pinkie finger still dangles a little. I down the rum in one gulp. No one has moved, not even Tim.
“Oh, and merry fucking Christmas,” I say, waving the glass in the air.
‘Managing Death’ is definitely summer blockbuster reading. Expect blood and gore, blokey heroics and a dash of romance. . . Jamieson offers up a sizzling Aussie Urban Fantasy and I can’t wait to dive into the third book!
‘Managing Death’ is the second book in Trent Jamieson’s ‘Death Works’ series.
Steven de Selby is back at his psychopomping best. Except this time around he isn’t middle-management in the business of death. . . in this second book Steven has actual responsibilities as Australia’s Regional Death. Still working for Mortmax Industires, Steven is now a head-honcho with his own (understaffed) team, a conference to plan and a zombie god to destroy and save the world. . . just another day at the office, really.
Jamieson unabashedly jumps helter-skelter into his second ‘Death Works’ novel. There is little page-time given to the magic of this alternate universe and not much ground is revisited from book #1. And the lack of back-tracking actually works, because the book picks up pretty much where ‘Death Most Definite’ left off (and the releases are fairly close together). It means that from the on-set ‘Managing Death’ is quick; balls-to-the-wall, pedal-to-the-metal, take no prisoners summer blockbuster reading – BRILLIANT!
Steven is back and dysfunctional as ever. In the first book he was an aimless slacker, and wholly likable for his ‘average joe’ relatability. In ‘Managing Death’ Steven is still dealing with the fallout from his apocalyptic heroics, and struggling with his new responsibilities up the Mortmax corporate ladder. Steven has turned to drinking away his problems – among which are severe under-staffing and a zombie god hell-bent on destroying the world. It’s no wonder Steven hasn’t been ‘coping’ well. . . I still love Steven as our hero. He’s such a typical Aussie bloke, and it’s that ordinariness that makes his moments of brilliance (far and few though they may be) that much more impressive. I love that Steven is saving the world while dealing with his own neuroses and character flaws.
I read and liked Jamieson’s first book, ‘Death Most Definite’. . . but I had a few BIG issues with the artificial ‘romance’ in that first book. In ‘Definite’ Steven quickly (and against all common sense) fell in love with a ghost called Lissa. Well following the events of the near-miss apocalypse, Steven got the girl and Lissa is back in this second novel. . . even if their relationship isn’t running as smoothly as either of them would like.
Surprisingly what I didn’t like about Lissa and Steven in ‘Definite’, I was able to ignore and enjoy in ‘Managing Death’. It helps that in this second novel the impossibility of Steven’s attraction is just taken as a given. . . it happened, I had to get over it. And in the aftermath of that awkward romance, Steven and Lissa actually have a rather epic and romantic (sometimes tragic) love story to be told in ‘Managing Death’. I especially loved the fact that Jamieson acknowledges the hurdles these two have to overcome if they want to be together. And those hurdles are illuminated by a disgruntled ex-employee called Rillman. . .
I also loved the humour in ‘Managing Death’. It’s that slightly irreverent, Aussie farce. . . a little bit dark and biting, but ultimately hilarious. Jamieson inserts humour into what would be otherwise hum-drum scenes to elevate the tension and drama and I LOVE it!
I kick open the door. And there are my staff having their Christmas party. A big Christmas tree is in one corner, someone is giggling by the photocopying machine. Tim is talking to some bigwigs from the state government. For all this, everything seems so forced; a party going through the motions. The door slams shut behind me.
Everyone, glasses in hand, spins around, and there I am. Me with my blood staining my shirt. Me with a bloody knife in one hand. Me with the torn and gore-stained pants. Me with blood squelching in my shoes with every step.
I walk over to the bar and pour myself a Bundy – a tall glass, neat. My pinkie finger still dangles a little. I down the rum in one gulp. No one has moved, not even Tim.
“Oh, and merry fucking Christmas,” I say, waving the glass in the air.
‘Managing Death’ is definitely summer blockbuster reading. Expect blood and gore, blokey heroics and a dash of romance. . . Jamieson offers up a sizzling Aussie Urban Fantasy and I can’t wait to dive into the third book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2017
3½ stars again. A solid continuation from the first. The characters become a little more real & the story steps up a bit, though it's still very much in the action-movie style.
Devoured this one faster than I should have. Highly entertaining.
Devoured this one faster than I should have. Highly entertaining.
April 22, 2014
Following on from the intriguing Death Most Definite, Managing Death once again follows the journey of Steven, Australia's new RM, as he struggles to deal with the new powers at his disposal as well as the job itself.
I have to admit that straight out of the gate I was disappointed with this sequel. Steven has returned to being the lazy layabout he had been at the beginning of the first book and his willful ignorance was proof that he had learned nothing from the events of the previous story. The lack of growth of his character is not only frustrating but robbed the first part of Managing Death of a lot of pace as Steven had to be caught up on the facts of life yet again.
There are a number of new elements in this book that were interesting though. The highly suspect motivations of the other RMs was always intriguing and the looming threat of the stirrer god felt just as exciting as it did in the first novel. The primary villain in this novel was also someone that inspired interest even if he did seem to be quite one sided and his reasons for acting as he did were never properly explained.
The problem with this book remains with one character though, Lissa. In the first book she was little more than a character who constantly highlighted the flaws in the protagonist. In this book, thankfully, that mockery and humiliation has finished. But in its place has risen a sanctimonious and impossibly perfect character (by the book's definition that is, not mine). She is a character that can never be seen to be wrong (even when it is obvious that she is in the wrong), she goes into every argument and comes out of them all without ever losing the moral high ground and basically she once again serves as little more than a convenient plot driver who throws out just the right line at just the right time to force the protagonist to move the story forward.
Not only does she not feel like a real character, the relationship between Lissa and Steven feels even less real. They are constantly professing their love for one another but other than saying the words I get no sense of romance from these two. They rarely ever seem intimate, never share heart warming moments or even have scenes where they talk to each other about anything close to meaningful. Neither are supportive of one another and other than the fact that we read about Steven's continual pining for Lissa it is hard to see them as anything other that strangers who happen to live together.
However, in spite of this the novel ended on a very promising note that offers big things for the next book in the series. There were a few twists that I didn't seem coming and a few plot points that had seemed ridiculous for me throughout the book were nicely cut off in the end and exposed as the idiocy that they were. It is only sad that the characters were stupid enough to fall for these implausible plots all the time.
So all in all this was a very average book. It had a lot of high notes and the premise is still intriguing enough to keep me reading but the characters are doing their best to kill my interest. I would like to see the characters become more fully rounded in the next novel, for relationships to feel real and stop tearing me from the story so that I can enjoy the intriguing tale that Trent Jamieson has been writing.
There is a lot of promise in this series, I just hope that later books can help realise it.
I have to admit that straight out of the gate I was disappointed with this sequel. Steven has returned to being the lazy layabout he had been at the beginning of the first book and his willful ignorance was proof that he had learned nothing from the events of the previous story. The lack of growth of his character is not only frustrating but robbed the first part of Managing Death of a lot of pace as Steven had to be caught up on the facts of life yet again.
There are a number of new elements in this book that were interesting though. The highly suspect motivations of the other RMs was always intriguing and the looming threat of the stirrer god felt just as exciting as it did in the first novel. The primary villain in this novel was also someone that inspired interest even if he did seem to be quite one sided and his reasons for acting as he did were never properly explained.
The problem with this book remains with one character though, Lissa. In the first book she was little more than a character who constantly highlighted the flaws in the protagonist. In this book, thankfully, that mockery and humiliation has finished. But in its place has risen a sanctimonious and impossibly perfect character (by the book's definition that is, not mine). She is a character that can never be seen to be wrong (even when it is obvious that she is in the wrong), she goes into every argument and comes out of them all without ever losing the moral high ground and basically she once again serves as little more than a convenient plot driver who throws out just the right line at just the right time to force the protagonist to move the story forward.
Not only does she not feel like a real character, the relationship between Lissa and Steven feels even less real. They are constantly professing their love for one another but other than saying the words I get no sense of romance from these two. They rarely ever seem intimate, never share heart warming moments or even have scenes where they talk to each other about anything close to meaningful. Neither are supportive of one another and other than the fact that we read about Steven's continual pining for Lissa it is hard to see them as anything other that strangers who happen to live together.
However, in spite of this the novel ended on a very promising note that offers big things for the next book in the series. There were a few twists that I didn't seem coming and a few plot points that had seemed ridiculous for me throughout the book were nicely cut off in the end and exposed as the idiocy that they were. It is only sad that the characters were stupid enough to fall for these implausible plots all the time.
So all in all this was a very average book. It had a lot of high notes and the premise is still intriguing enough to keep me reading but the characters are doing their best to kill my interest. I would like to see the characters become more fully rounded in the next novel, for relationships to feel real and stop tearing me from the story so that I can enjoy the intriguing tale that Trent Jamieson has been writing.
There is a lot of promise in this series, I just hope that later books can help realise it.
May 26, 2012
Steven de Selby is the newest RM of Mortmax industries, member of the Orcus and avatar of death for the whole of Australia.
And that’s not an easy job. It’s especially not an easy job when you have lost as many people as he has and are still reeling from the shock of a near regional apocalypse. Now he has powers he barely understands, duties he understands even less and none of it is something he wanted or asked for. Worse, the other RMs are all ruthless murderers who reached their position by climbing over the bodies of their predecessors and he has to deal with them.
The Stirrer god also draws closer – a being that could herald the end of all life itself; but before he can even think about dealing with it he has to bring all the RMs together in a Death Moot to discuss strategy.
But they’re playing their own game. They have a long term plan that involves him – but he’s not part of it. And as he’s dragged into it by Suzanne, RM for North America, he also learns far more about what it means to be an RM and the Hungry Death that lurks inside all of them; even as the association damages his relationship with Lissa.
And then there’s Rillman an ex-employee of Mr. D’s who left under bad terms. In fact he wants to kill Steven as slowly and painfully as possible, and the other RMs and quite possibly destroy death itself. This could be a Bad thing. Especially since it seems he just might be able to do it.
In the first book Steven spends a lot of time flailing around, lost, confused and utterly overwhelmed
In the second book, Steven spends most of the time flailing around, lost, confused and utterly overwhelmed. Yes, again. The difference is that he’s has been doing this job for 3 months now and he’s still flailing around ineptly. In fact, by the end of the book I still had zero idea what a Regional Manager of death actually DID except exist, have birds spy on his girlfriend and have lots of discussions with other Regional Managers. Lissa and Tim intervention him about slacking off and doing nothing but after that he doesn’t seem to do anything differently.
Yes he has suffered losses – but so have Lissa and Tim. And they’re moving on, putting in double shifts to keep the organisation going while he drowns himself in rum and sleeps in (despite not needing to sleep). He has these new shiny powers but he doesn’t know how to use them. He makes little to no effort to learn about them and no effort to practice the few powers he does know. He has Mr. D to act as guide and advisor but he has to be virtually dragged to his presence to get any advice or training. He knows Aunt Nettie is angry with him but he makes no attempt to reconcile – instead preferring to avoid her. The only reason he learns anything about his job, his powers, the company’s history or anything else is because Suzanne the North American RM pushes him into a deal that forces him to spend time listening to her train him.
Read more
And that’s not an easy job. It’s especially not an easy job when you have lost as many people as he has and are still reeling from the shock of a near regional apocalypse. Now he has powers he barely understands, duties he understands even less and none of it is something he wanted or asked for. Worse, the other RMs are all ruthless murderers who reached their position by climbing over the bodies of their predecessors and he has to deal with them.
The Stirrer god also draws closer – a being that could herald the end of all life itself; but before he can even think about dealing with it he has to bring all the RMs together in a Death Moot to discuss strategy.
But they’re playing their own game. They have a long term plan that involves him – but he’s not part of it. And as he’s dragged into it by Suzanne, RM for North America, he also learns far more about what it means to be an RM and the Hungry Death that lurks inside all of them; even as the association damages his relationship with Lissa.
And then there’s Rillman an ex-employee of Mr. D’s who left under bad terms. In fact he wants to kill Steven as slowly and painfully as possible, and the other RMs and quite possibly destroy death itself. This could be a Bad thing. Especially since it seems he just might be able to do it.
In the first book Steven spends a lot of time flailing around, lost, confused and utterly overwhelmed
In the second book, Steven spends most of the time flailing around, lost, confused and utterly overwhelmed. Yes, again. The difference is that he’s has been doing this job for 3 months now and he’s still flailing around ineptly. In fact, by the end of the book I still had zero idea what a Regional Manager of death actually DID except exist, have birds spy on his girlfriend and have lots of discussions with other Regional Managers. Lissa and Tim intervention him about slacking off and doing nothing but after that he doesn’t seem to do anything differently.
Yes he has suffered losses – but so have Lissa and Tim. And they’re moving on, putting in double shifts to keep the organisation going while he drowns himself in rum and sleeps in (despite not needing to sleep). He has these new shiny powers but he doesn’t know how to use them. He makes little to no effort to learn about them and no effort to practice the few powers he does know. He has Mr. D to act as guide and advisor but he has to be virtually dragged to his presence to get any advice or training. He knows Aunt Nettie is angry with him but he makes no attempt to reconcile – instead preferring to avoid her. The only reason he learns anything about his job, his powers, the company’s history or anything else is because Suzanne the North American RM pushes him into a deal that forces him to spend time listening to her train him.
Read more
December 30, 2010
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 in Brisbane. It's December, and now that Steven is in charge, he has a whole lot of responsibility. He has to recruit new Pomps, rebuild the Australian division of Mortmax Industries, and learn how to use/adapt to his new power/s. All of this while trying to come to terms with what he's become, learn the ropes, and work at his new relationship with Lissa.
Of course, that would be easier if people weren't always trying to kill him...
Now all of his Pomps are being overworked, and he's having trouble sleeping. Well, he does manage to spend a little time lost in nightmares filled with imagery of death, a scythe, and the excitement that comes with it.
Then, there's the Death Moot to organise, because the world's Death (thirteen RMs called the Orcus) are meeting in Brisbane and it's no easy task dealing with the Caterers.
His drinking doesn't help. Steven's life is slowly slipping away from him but with the appearance of an old Mortmax foe and the Stirrer god slowly rising, he's forced to take the role of leadership seriously, which includes accepting an alliance with an unlikely source. One that's guaranteed to drive a deeper wedge in his relationship.
With so much going on, I couldn't help but feel sorry for Steven. It was also great to see Lissa, Tim, Wal, and Alex again. Oh, and I really enjoyed reading about the gradual deteoration of his relationship with Lissa. While she's been worked to the bone and he's adapting, they struggle to keep things together. That their relationship began under such bizarre and fast circumstances, only makes the reality of it all so much easier to come between them.
Managing Death is an amazingly awesome read. It's fast-paced, filled with secrets, double crossing, and a world of Death that keeps expanding. The truths of what the Regional Managers really are/do is gradually revealed, and boy was it awesome. It's unique, very well explained, and leads to an unbelievable (and fantastic) conclusion. I certainly did not see that coming. I love the worldbuilding in this series!
Things might not end on a bright note, but Steven's life (or is that death) will never be the same. Bring on the next book...
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 in Brisbane. It's December, and now that Steven is in charge, he has a whole lot of responsibility. He has to recruit new Pomps, rebuild the Australian division of Mortmax Industries, and learn how to use/adapt to his new power/s. All of this while trying to come to terms with what he's become, learn the ropes, and work at his new relationship with Lissa.
Of course, that would be easier if people weren't always trying to kill him...
Now all of his Pomps are being overworked, and he's having trouble sleeping. Well, he does manage to spend a little time lost in nightmares filled with imagery of death, a scythe, and the excitement that comes with it.
Then, there's the Death Moot to organise, because the world's Death (thirteen RMs called the Orcus) are meeting in Brisbane and it's no easy task dealing with the Caterers.
His drinking doesn't help. Steven's life is slowly slipping away from him but with the appearance of an old Mortmax foe and the Stirrer god slowly rising, he's forced to take the role of leadership seriously, which includes accepting an alliance with an unlikely source. One that's guaranteed to drive a deeper wedge in his relationship.
With so much going on, I couldn't help but feel sorry for Steven. It was also great to see Lissa, Tim, Wal, and Alex again. Oh, and I really enjoyed reading about the gradual deteoration of his relationship with Lissa. While she's been worked to the bone and he's adapting, they struggle to keep things together. That their relationship began under such bizarre and fast circumstances, only makes the reality of it all so much easier to come between them.
Managing Death is an amazingly awesome read. It's fast-paced, filled with secrets, double crossing, and a world of Death that keeps expanding. The truths of what the Regional Managers really are/do is gradually revealed, and boy was it awesome. It's unique, very well explained, and leads to an unbelievable (and fantastic) conclusion. I certainly did not see that coming. I love the worldbuilding in this series!
Things might not end on a bright note, but Steven's life (or is that death) will never be the same. Bring on the next book...
February 19, 2016
Dude has more than nine lives !
After being so excited over the debut of this series, I picked up the next in the franchise with eager hands… Trent Jamieson’s novel approach to the Grim Reaper with this urban fantasy set in the streets of Brisbane, Australia; saw Steven De Selby once again face enemies gunning to knock him off his throne as a General Manager in the Death Business.
While ‘Managing Death’ wasn't as good as the first book, it maintained all the elements I enjoyed in ‘Death Most Definite’ except for the romance between Steven and Lissa. Their relationship is still in the forefront of the story line, but had lack-luster shine in comparison to the first book in the series. I liked the edgy, snarky thing they had going with an undercurrent of true passion – it didn’t have that same feel in this novel. I guess because there was just so much going on. Talk about action and politics… we had it in spades. I’m not alluding world politics, I’m talking Death politics… and that’s a whole other ballgame; and it has to be read to be believed.
With Jamieson’s writing style, it was graphically and gloriously colorful as always, however the exposition dragged in parts. Also it felt like there was a lot of repetition in the narrative in rehashing history or facts... once is enough! (But many sequels suffer this fate, but it was a little too much for me.)
The build-up felt slower, despite there being a lot of action (I blame the unnecessary rehashing). I nearly got fed up with it, but the story managed to keep my interest with its twists and turns.
Still loving the mythology, as I did with the first novel. You get more in ‘Managing Death,’ and deeper into the story behind Death and its origins, plus heaps more of the fantasy aspect. Totally enrapturing.
The climax nearly blew me away, and it’s certainly a compelling reading. I was twitching and tense (and one scene with a razor left me green to the gills - look out for that one).
I have mixed feelings about the next book, I am pining for the tone set out in the first book. Initially the Deathworks series was meant to be a trilogy, but have since found out number 4 is already published and Trent is hard at work on installments 5 & 6… so let’s see where it leads us. I’ve yet to get copies of the next book(s) but will read and review as soon as I do.
Not the outstanding follow-up I was hoping for, but one Hell of a story! (Pun intended) And I can see it’s setting things up for a much more interesting plot… dun, dun, duuuuuuhh!
After being so excited over the debut of this series, I picked up the next in the franchise with eager hands… Trent Jamieson’s novel approach to the Grim Reaper with this urban fantasy set in the streets of Brisbane, Australia; saw Steven De Selby once again face enemies gunning to knock him off his throne as a General Manager in the Death Business.
While ‘Managing Death’ wasn't as good as the first book, it maintained all the elements I enjoyed in ‘Death Most Definite’ except for the romance between Steven and Lissa. Their relationship is still in the forefront of the story line, but had lack-luster shine in comparison to the first book in the series. I liked the edgy, snarky thing they had going with an undercurrent of true passion – it didn’t have that same feel in this novel. I guess because there was just so much going on. Talk about action and politics… we had it in spades. I’m not alluding world politics, I’m talking Death politics… and that’s a whole other ballgame; and it has to be read to be believed.
With Jamieson’s writing style, it was graphically and gloriously colorful as always, however the exposition dragged in parts. Also it felt like there was a lot of repetition in the narrative in rehashing history or facts... once is enough! (But many sequels suffer this fate, but it was a little too much for me.)
The build-up felt slower, despite there being a lot of action (I blame the unnecessary rehashing). I nearly got fed up with it, but the story managed to keep my interest with its twists and turns.
Still loving the mythology, as I did with the first novel. You get more in ‘Managing Death,’ and deeper into the story behind Death and its origins, plus heaps more of the fantasy aspect. Totally enrapturing.
The climax nearly blew me away, and it’s certainly a compelling reading. I was twitching and tense (and one scene with a razor left me green to the gills - look out for that one).
I have mixed feelings about the next book, I am pining for the tone set out in the first book. Initially the Deathworks series was meant to be a trilogy, but have since found out number 4 is already published and Trent is hard at work on installments 5 & 6… so let’s see where it leads us. I’ve yet to get copies of the next book(s) but will read and review as soon as I do.
Not the outstanding follow-up I was hoping for, but one Hell of a story! (Pun intended) And I can see it’s setting things up for a much more interesting plot… dun, dun, duuuuuuhh!
May 13, 2011
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 has to be reminded of his duties by his girlfriend, Lissa, and cousin, former black sheep Tim. This time around, Lissa is out in the field Pomping, stalling stirs and acting as the recruiter for the office, Tim is Steven’s new Ankou and Mr. D is still around, though still dead, and serving as Steven’s mentor, albeit not a very forthcoming one.
Scheming, back-stabbing RMs from other countries are introduced in this book and though many want to form an alliance with Steven, only one is successful. She’s Suzanne Whitman the North American RM, and in return for giving Australia ten of her Pomps, Steven must agree to spend ten hours training with her before the Death Moot. Through their sessions, we learn more about Pomping and the powers of an RM, as well as more about the Hungry Death, the thing that makes RMs what they are.
As if there wasn’t enough for Steven to handle, he’s also got a former Pomp trying to off him, one who has some surprising allies, and is dealing with Stirrers who are becoming bolder by the minute and who are anticipating the arrival of their God.
Everything comes to a head at the Death Moot with surprising twists and an excellent set-up for the storyline of the next book.
Trent Jamieson has created an extremely likeable protagonist in Steven de Selby. He’s hot, funny, self-deprecating (yes, I know he’s not real, maybe the hot part is coming from the cover model) and I love that he’s not some invincible superhero who actually screams like a four-year-old girl with a skinned knee when he’s hurt, admits to being a wimp at times and actually gets embarrassed. Jamieson has also done what many other authors, whose writing I love, can’t do; create a girlfriend of the main character who’s death I’m not praying for on every other page.
The snippet for the next book included at the end of this one has me drooling to read it. Though I’m glad it’s coming out in the last half of the year I don’t even want to have to wait four months for it!
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 has to be reminded of his duties by his girlfriend, Lissa, and cousin, former black sheep Tim. This time around, Lissa is out in the field Pomping, stalling stirs and acting as the recruiter for the office, Tim is Steven’s new Ankou and Mr. D is still around, though still dead, and serving as Steven’s mentor, albeit not a very forthcoming one.
Scheming, back-stabbing RMs from other countries are introduced in this book and though many want to form an alliance with Steven, only one is successful. She’s Suzanne Whitman the North American RM, and in return for giving Australia ten of her Pomps, Steven must agree to spend ten hours training with her before the Death Moot. Through their sessions, we learn more about Pomping and the powers of an RM, as well as more about the Hungry Death, the thing that makes RMs what they are.
As if there wasn’t enough for Steven to handle, he’s also got a former Pomp trying to off him, one who has some surprising allies, and is dealing with Stirrers who are becoming bolder by the minute and who are anticipating the arrival of their God.
Everything comes to a head at the Death Moot with surprising twists and an excellent set-up for the storyline of the next book.
Trent Jamieson has created an extremely likeable protagonist in Steven de Selby. He’s hot, funny, self-deprecating (yes, I know he’s not real, maybe the hot part is coming from the cover model) and I love that he’s not some invincible superhero who actually screams like a four-year-old girl with a skinned knee when he’s hurt, admits to being a wimp at times and actually gets embarrassed. Jamieson has also done what many other authors, whose writing I love, can’t do; create a girlfriend of the main character who’s death I’m not praying for on every other page.
The snippet for the next book included at the end of this one has me drooling to read it. Though I’m glad it’s coming out in the last half of the year I don’t even want to have to wait four months for it!
August 3, 2012
Wow, I have to admit I'm impressed. My plan was to read the first book, then read some other book, then pick up the third. Then I would read another one before finishing the trilogy. Unfortunately, Steve and his misadventures had other plans. I honestly couldn't put it down. It was an intense and captivating story.
After some intense office politics, Steven de Selby is the new boss, regional manager for Mortmax Industries, Australia. Steve and his fellow Regional Managers each contain a piece of Death, and as such empower others to aid the souls of the newly dead to the other side, to the One Tree that process the souls of the dead and sends them...beyond. Oh, and there's a homicidal maniac out to kill him and all that he cares about, and this maniac has a free ticket back from the dead. So no matter how often Steve and his psychopomps send this guy to Hell, the joker just keeps coming back. Did I mention the imminent arrival of an evil god bent on consuming all that is? No, well there...I just did.
To say that this series is suspenseful is a bit of an understatement. I couldn't get enough. Most people reading this will find a by-the-numbers urban fantasy. One of the fun bits, though, is the zombies that aren't the standard shamblers or fast-running zombies but undead monsters, spirits inhabiting the vacated bodies of the recently departed. The action is tight, but the moral subtext is gripping. Most urban fantasy heroes have to decide to either have sex with the nice girl/guy/vampire or the sleazy girl/guy/vampire/insert-fantasy-monster-here. Steve wrestles with some real world problems...ok...he also deals with not-so-real world problems too, but he has to worry about putting his parents deaths behind him and moving on. He has to deal with increased responsibilities and he has to deal with relationship issues (but not the normal urban fantasy relationship issues, no excessive angst-ing here). He has to really worry about how to have a grown up relationship with responsibility, and not just sex.
The action and the plot are icing on a delicious cake. Steven de Selby is a rare character. One that makes the reader really feel like a part of the story. As unreal as his situation becomes, Steve's character seems grounded in reality. He carries us along with him as he evolves, taking us along as his journey wends its way through both the physical and spiritual worlds. It's an enchanting trip.
March 5, 2011
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 sucks, because Steven hates it. He drinks; he avoids; and he basically lets much of the responsibilities fall to those around him.
Unfortunately for Steven, there are two new threats which force him out of slackerdom. One is a giant primordial super-bad God headed toward the realm. And the second is a more tangible, yet mysterious, person who is trying to kill Steven directly. Oh, and Steven has to plan a conference for all the other 12 death-delegates coming to town.
I found this installment of the series a bit darker than the first one. Not that Steven was able to coast through the first book. But now the weight of the world seems heavier on his shoulders. He has lost so much and has to shoulder so much burden. He's crippled by his own ignorance and a revolving door of betrayal by those around him. He still has his cousin Tim and his girlfriend Lissa by his side, but they've lost that us-against-the-world feeling that made me root for them so hard in the last go-around. I love Steven --and I feel sorry for him. And when everyone's machinations are finally revealed, it's like a punch in the gut.
They say it's always darkest before the dawn, and I'm hoping for a little light in poor Steven's future. This was a really good book... but I would strongly advise reading Death Most Definite before you even think about reading this one. It will certainly give you a richer experience. This installment is a little lighter on the love story, and the mood was heavier... but I never wanted to put down. I hope life (and Death) go a little easier on Steve by the time we reach the conclusion of his story. 4 1/2 stars.
Unfortunately for Steven, there are two new threats which force him out of slackerdom. One is a giant primordial super-bad God headed toward the realm. And the second is a more tangible, yet mysterious, person who is trying to kill Steven directly. Oh, and Steven has to plan a conference for all the other 12 death-delegates coming to town.
I found this installment of the series a bit darker than the first one. Not that Steven was able to coast through the first book. But now the weight of the world seems heavier on his shoulders. He has lost so much and has to shoulder so much burden. He's crippled by his own ignorance and a revolving door of betrayal by those around him. He still has his cousin Tim and his girlfriend Lissa by his side, but they've lost that us-against-the-world feeling that made me root for them so hard in the last go-around. I love Steven --and I feel sorry for him. And when everyone's machinations are finally revealed, it's like a punch in the gut.
They say it's always darkest before the dawn, and I'm hoping for a little light in poor Steven's future. This was a really good book... but I would strongly advise reading Death Most Definite before you even think about reading this one. It will certainly give you a richer experience. This installment is a little lighter on the love story, and the mood was heavier... but I never wanted to put down. I hope life (and Death) go a little easier on Steve by the time we reach the conclusion of his story. 4 1/2 stars.
January 14, 2011
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 him.
Not to mention he's trying to organise a Death Moot.
What I liked
This book is perfectly paced and as good an execution of a second book as as your likely to find. You could read this book without having read Death most Definite, or indeed if you can't quite remember what happened(I read them within a week of each other). It can become tiresome when an author has to recount the story of the first or preceding book, but Jamieson manages well the weaving of major action and plot points of the first novel into the telling of this tale.
Managing Death also gives us more information of the workings of the Orcus and the Mechanics of the Underworld. Jameison's vision is distinctly refreshing while having solid ties to the familiar cultural mythology surrounding Death and the Underworld.
There is a lot more action in Managing Death and it slips further away from black humor and urban fantasy and into horror. I think by the final book it will be mayhem and death with a capital D.
Final thoughts
If you liked or enjoyed Death most Definite, I think you would be doing yourself a disserice not to read Managing Death. The humor is diminished and we can begin to feel the ominous approach of a climactic battle in the final book but it's still the reluctant hero de Selby, handling things in a uniquely Australian fashion.
This book was supplied at no cost to myself by Orbit Australia.
January 25, 2011
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 of humour that really works wonderfully in this book.
"Last time we met here I was on the run for my life and Lissa was dead, so things could be much worse. Silver lining, right?"
I don’t know if it’s just the Joss Weadon fan in me coming out, but I’m loving the ‘big-bad’ that is becoming the underlying theme in this series; both the first two books in this series have been complete stories, but leave a few questions unanswered and a sense of anticipation for the next ‘chapter’ in the series.
In Managing Death we get to find a little more about the workings of the ‘high office’ of the Death Regional Managers, and they’re all interesting characters, even the ones that are only glossed over; and of course I do love the fact that New Zealand has its own RM.
Overall Managing Death is a ‘solid’ read, it’s enjoyable and interesting, you want to keep reading but it’s not an all consuming page turner; the settings are an interesting blend of mundane and fantasy, while the characters are well written and I find myself getting more and more attached to them as the story progresses. This is definitely re-readable, and is perfect holiday/weekend enjoyment, just tune the world out and go to hell.
Review first available on Fangrastic.co.nz
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 of humour that really works wonderfully in this book.
"Last time we met here I was on the run for my life and Lissa was dead, so things could be much worse. Silver lining, right?"
I don’t know if it’s just the Joss Weadon fan in me coming out, but I’m loving the ‘big-bad’ that is becoming the underlying theme in this series; both the first two books in this series have been complete stories, but leave a few questions unanswered and a sense of anticipation for the next ‘chapter’ in the series.
In Managing Death we get to find a little more about the workings of the ‘high office’ of the Death Regional Managers, and they’re all interesting characters, even the ones that are only glossed over; and of course I do love the fact that New Zealand has its own RM.
Overall Managing Death is a ‘solid’ read, it’s enjoyable and interesting, you want to keep reading but it’s not an all consuming page turner; the settings are an interesting blend of mundane and fantasy, while the characters are well written and I find myself getting more and more attached to them as the story progresses. This is definitely re-readable, and is perfect holiday/weekend enjoyment, just tune the world out and go to hell.
Review first available on Fangrastic.co.nz
March 13, 2011
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 book in Death Works series is as entertaining as the first. I think Steven is a different type of hero in this urban fantasy genre. I almost want to say that he is sort of incompetent *lol*. But that will be a wrong assessment. Steven is different than the rest of the RMs because he has heart. He is a slacker, definitely, he is reluctant to practice shifting ... but then again, he never wants to be in the position. He doesn't have enough hunger for murder in him. The reason why he gets to be Death is not because he wants it but because he is forced to survive. So, he views the RM position in a different way, and I guess that what makes him survive the assassination plot. I do hope that Steven picks up hi slack soon enough though. Sure, he has Lissa, Tim, and Alex to back him up ... they're loyal to him and cover up for his mistakes, but he needs to step up as a leader.
Having said that about the character, I find the story to be engaging. The assassination plot has a twist that I don't see coming (which has a huge impact on Steven's life by the end of the book). Then, of course, there is a threat of the Stirrers god and that Steven manages to piss off a powerful entity that could actually be a strong ally. Cannot wait to read book three when it is released.
The second book in Death Works series is as entertaining as the first. I think Steven is a different type of hero in this urban fantasy genre. I almost want to say that he is sort of incompetent *lol*. But that will be a wrong assessment. Steven is different than the rest of the RMs because he has heart. He is a slacker, definitely, he is reluctant to practice shifting ... but then again, he never wants to be in the position. He doesn't have enough hunger for murder in him. The reason why he gets to be Death is not because he wants it but because he is forced to survive. So, he views the RM position in a different way, and I guess that what makes him survive the assassination plot. I do hope that Steven picks up hi slack soon enough though. Sure, he has Lissa, Tim, and Alex to back him up ... they're loyal to him and cover up for his mistakes, but he needs to step up as a leader.
Having said that about the character, I find the story to be engaging. The assassination plot has a twist that I don't see coming (which has a huge impact on Steven's life by the end of the book). Then, of course, there is a threat of the Stirrers god and that Steven manages to piss off a powerful entity that could actually be a strong ally. Cannot wait to read book three when it is released.
November 17, 2011
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 the rebuilding of the company that must be done, Steven continues his slacker ways. Though snarky and entertaining at times, I got to the point where I wanted him to start acting a little more responsible. Especially since there are new threats to not only the company but the entire world, plus once again someone is trying to kill Steven. As in the first book, the romantic relationship between Steven and Lissa is somewhat underwhelming, especially since this is supposed to be a death defying love. I’m not sure what these two see in each other… besides the fact that Steven finds Lissa hot. And I have no idea what she sees in him. Which isn’t to say that Steven is hateful; he just doesn’t seem all that bright. He is often amusing though, so he’s got that going for him and I do enjoy Jamieson’s take on the business of death, from its corporate structure to the nuts and bolts of ushering the recently deceased to their final resting place. It’s a flawed but fun and original read. If you haven't read Death Most Definite, start there before reading this book. While this book can work as a stand alone, you'll get much more out of it if you read the proceeding book.
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 the rebuilding of the company that must be done, Steven continues his slacker ways. Though snarky and entertaining at times, I got to the point where I wanted him to start acting a little more responsible. Especially since there are new threats to not only the company but the entire world, plus once again someone is trying to kill Steven. As in the first book, the romantic relationship between Steven and Lissa is somewhat underwhelming, especially since this is supposed to be a death defying love. I’m not sure what these two see in each other… besides the fact that Steven finds Lissa hot. And I have no idea what she sees in him. Which isn’t to say that Steven is hateful; he just doesn’t seem all that bright. He is often amusing though, so he’s got that going for him and I do enjoy Jamieson’s take on the business of death, from its corporate structure to the nuts and bolts of ushering the recently deceased to their final resting place. It’s a flawed but fun and original read. If you haven't read Death Most Definite, start there before reading this book. While this book can work as a stand alone, you'll get much more out of it if you read the proceeding book.
January 12, 2012
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 of HIM? Well, actually quite bad because someone still wants to kill him - what even more dead? - and managing even the thirteenth part of the business of DEATH is rather a nightmare really. Still that doesn't excuse blundering about like a bumbling nitwit; or does it? Managing Death remains as funny as the first instalment and as original and fresh. Beyond that, Trent Jamieson is pulling off a Pratchett in making you feel rather sorry for DEATH ... when you don't want to kick him in the butt, that is. But that's a common feeling for the reader and probably every other character Mr de Selby meets.
April 26, 2012
Unlike a lot of 2nd books in trilogies, “Managing Death” held its own in content and storytelling and I would consider it on par with “Death Most Definite”. Once again, there’s lots of blood involved, and poor Steven got more than he bargained for after his promotion to Regional Manager of Death for Australia. Predictably, problems started cropping up left, right and centre barely three months after his new appointment, and together with Lissa and his cousin Tim, Steven had to struggle to contain Stirrer activity, avoid being assassinated and at the same time, learn more about his new job.
This series has all the hallmarks of its genre – supernatural creatures and events, action-packed scenes, plot twists. But what makes it interesting (as I have mentioned for the first book) is its interesting concept of Death itself – seen as an end to a journey managed only successfully via a corporation of Regional Managers and their pomps. The author managed to build a believable and interesting story around this concept and all I can say at this point is that I’m glad I invested time on this series and I’m definitely going on to the 3rd book. Exact rating : 3.5
This series has all the hallmarks of its genre – supernatural creatures and events, action-packed scenes, plot twists. But what makes it interesting (as I have mentioned for the first book) is its interesting concept of Death itself – seen as an end to a journey managed only successfully via a corporation of Regional Managers and their pomps. The author managed to build a believable and interesting story around this concept and all I can say at this point is that I’m glad I invested time on this series and I’m definitely going on to the 3rd book. Exact rating : 3.5
May 19, 2011
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 when he's screaming or calling Lissa 'darling' - it really, really bugs me in Mills And Boon-style romances when men call women 'honey' or 'darling' because it seems so insincere, but on Steve, it works because it's neither overused or used at the wrong time. Lissa isn't someone who needs saving. There's a respect for the sex scenes; they're succinct, but they're still hot without crossing into graphic paranormal romance territory. The focus is on the story, the problem at hand Steve has to solve. It's refreshing.
I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.
I really think the story benefits from the male POV, and the male author. Steven feels like a man even when he's screaming or calling Lissa 'darling' - it really, really bugs me in Mills And Boon-style romances when men call women 'honey' or 'darling' because it seems so insincere, but on Steve, it works because it's neither overused or used at the wrong time. Lissa isn't someone who needs saving. There's a respect for the sex scenes; they're succinct, but they're still hot without crossing into graphic paranormal romance territory. The focus is on the story, the problem at hand Steve has to solve. It's refreshing.
I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.
September 22, 2011
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 ready or willing to step up to the plate when he should, but not to where you don't like and sympathize with him. There is a lot of dry humor in the books, interesting creations (a cherub tattoo on the hero's arm that comes independently alive only in the Underworld, for example,) and a plot that will keep you guessing. I didn't get as emotionally engaged in this book as some of my favorite 5-star reads, for some reason, but I found it enjoyable, entertaining, and will read the next one.
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