I Call Death Dad

by T.A. Chase

When Death's your dad, you never look at life the same way again. Okay, figuring out you're gay is hard enough, right? I mean I've barely admitted the truth to myself. Forget about telling anyone else about liking guys. I thought it would be the most difficult thing I had to deal with, until my dad showed up to claim me for the summer. Did I mention I hadn't seen him for more than twenty minutes each birthday? Seriously, he couldn't be bothered to visit me any other time, yet now he expects me to welcome him with open arms. Well, did I mention he's Death? And his plans for me will change my life.

Genres: Paranormal, M M Romance, Young Adult, Coming Of Age, Fantasy, LGBT, Contemporary

196 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

There is beauty in every kind of love, so why not live a life without boundaries? Experiencing everything the world offers fascinates me and writing about the things that make each of us unique is how I share those insights. I live in the Midwest with a wonderful partner of thirteen years. When not writing, I’m watching movies, reading and living life to the fullest.

Reviews

[Valentina Heart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This read like a manual about the world the author created. So many facts that kept taking the center of the story. Don't get me wrong, the world is very interesting, the idea fascinating and there are some funny parts. But ever piece of information about the world was repeated at least three times and it felt like they constantly had the same conversations where they tried to explain the new reality to Kyle. I appreciate the fact he wasn't all that interested into belonging to their 'crazy' group, but he also didn't strike me as stupid at the beginning of the book. Still, with every conversation it seemed that the author wasn't sure in which direction to point him. Or other characters as well.

I loved the arguments and the line tossing between Dexter and Kyle. It was fun, interesting and to a point very well done. It seemed like the only real thing in the whole book.

Before starting it, you should know this isn't a romance. Kyle only gets to have a crush almost at the end of the book and a promise to stay in touch. There is no sex because the MC is only 16. Something I found ridiculous in the whole scheme of things. He's thrust into this world where killing is perfectly natural, his father is Death, he can see ghosts and is chased daily by Reapers, but God forbid he should get involved with a guy at 16.

The story is also mostly unfinished with a nonexistent plot. Think of it as a summer spent with dad only he got to train for combat instead of bonding with his father. Nothing really happens, not on the fighting field or the love one, and when the summer is over Kyle goes back home.

It seemed to me like this was only the first book in a series, and the real plot and action will happen in one of the upcoming books. But I have no idea if there is another book in the series.

Another thing that I caught and it seemed wrong, was that at the beginning it's said how everyone calls Dexter - Death. So I figured only Kyle will provoke him by calling him by his actual name. Of course, almost instantly everyone in the asylum called him that and it didn't seem to be that big of a deal. It just seemed wrong to me.

As for recommending this.... I wouldn't really recommend it, but in case there ends up being a sequel I would reconsider that.

[Bubbles Hunty Honest & Direct Opinions · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uh I liked this book but the plot inconsistencies were ridiculous. I know this is a young adult book but still the story needed an editor. Also Kyle was extremely annoying at parts.


It is mentioned that the carnival always comes to down at the same date, Kyle’s Birthday. Then it is mentioned Kyle’s mom hates the carnival because that’s where she met Kyle’s dad and they hooked up conceiving Kyle. Unless the pregnancy was 12 months instead of the normal 9-10 months The Carnival would actually be in town a couple months after Kyle’s birthday. Later Kyle’s dad confirms they just hooked up after meeting at the carnival and never saw each other again until a few months later when the mom was already pregnant.

The Grim Reaper that wants Kyle sees him when he turns 16 at the carnival and just watches. He watches for months and then waits until the day Kyle’s dad is to pick Kyle up before making a move to get Kyle. Like seriously they knew where Kyle was knew he was alone for months then the day the dad is to pick him up they try to get Kyle?

In Chapter nine it says Lindsey’s mom died in a car accident when Lindsey was six. Then in Chapter Ten It says Lindsey’s Mom died during child birth and Lindsey never knew her mom.

The Reaper’s attack the headquarters and everyone mention it was like they were looking for something and it is hinted at that it is Kyle since all the weird stuff started happening when Kyle turned 16. Then this is just never mentioned again

At the end Kyle goes back home to school but if the Reaper’s want him so bad why is it expected just because Dexter agreed not to See Kyle except summers that the Reapers will ignore him while he is at his mom’s for school? Makes no sense

All the reapers look at Kyle weird and recognize his scent as being different. Then when the reapers attack him in the alley they don’t seem to know who he is at all even though he is “special”

[MsMiz (Tina) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great concept, solid characters, repetitive history telling and feels like a big build up to just end. Certainly needs a sequel and I would read it if there was one.

[Book Gremlin Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely amazing!!

Yesterday I posted the blurb for this book to help get the word out there about it, then late last night I bought it, and read it in one sitting!

It might be T.A. Chase's first Young Adult book but there is no way you can tell as it is witty/sarcastic, engaging and entrancing from the very beginning!!

In this book we meet Kyle, a sixteen year old boy, who has barely come to terms with being gay. Everything starts on his 16th birthday when his mom tells him he is going to spend the summer with his dad. A dad he hasn't seen almost all his life.

As if that isn't hard enough, his dad says he is Death.

I would go into more detail, but I don't want to give too much away so I will just say this: This book is amazing and hilarious! It is a definite must read for anyone who loves a good story with mythology mixing into the real world.

Move over Edward and Harry, here comes Kyle!!!

[Cotilla · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's boring, repetitive and inconsistent. The MC changes his opinion constantly (and within the same paragraph), doesn't know things he has been told five minutes earlier, and refuses to see the evident. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

[Bookwatcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some teenagers must deal with acne problems, Kyle with a supernatural family... and he has a lot of problems with his father

The plot
Kyle is a 16 old teenager and his worries are very simple. When he will fall in love? He will pass his algebra test? How will be his first kiss? His mother will freak out when he tell her about his homosexuality? Will his best friends always be there for him?
Unfortunately his normal live will be abrupt interrupted buy his absent father.
Kyle don´t want to know Dexter, his father, but it's his mother decision. He must stay with his father for the summer vacation... why is the mystery of the book. Kyle's just know he must do it, because it´'s the agreement between his parents

The characters

The teens of the book
Kyle is the only narrator. His sense of humor crack me up many times, and I love him!
Dylan and Lindsey are kyle's best friends. Unfortunately they are not the protagonists with Kyle. I love both, and I miss them so much! You will know both at the begin, and read more at the end.
Erik and Panker are two mysterious characters I can't much about. I don't want to spoil the story, but I think you will love too, both as much as I did.

The adults
Kyle´s mother, Hildr, seems so cold! You must read, to know her better and understand why I'm saying she "seems" not she "is" cold.
Kyle's father, Dexter, is still a mystery. I (obviously) already finish the book, but even if I want I can't tell much about him. It's something probably the next book of the serie will tell more.

The next book of the serie? So there is no end?
Well, there is an end, but it's certainly like a end of a chapter, not of the book.
A lot is left to be told, and this book is more an induction to Kyle´s world.

Why not 5 stars?
If you check other reviews I think I´m being repetitive... saying this book is repetitive.

Yeah, it´s a very lame joke, sorry about it


It´s a funny story, interesting and charming. The only problem is the repetition of information to the reader. More than one time the same identical information (about the supernatural origin of Kyle) will be told.
I think I know what the writer was trying to do: show the reader how confused Kyl. But it's not the best choice of strategy (in my modest opinion). Repetition of info, because Kyle ask more than one time about his origins, to different characters, and it was annoying.

I´m looking forward to the next statement of the serie! I certainly recommend it, and I think it´s a 4 star book

[D.H. Starr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t spend enough time reading young adult, a genre I truly love. I Call Death Dad is the first I’ve read in quite some time and a first novel by author T. A. Chase. The story opens with a typical teen. One with a few good friends, but otherwise angsty and morose, with a mother who he considers to be a bit overbearing, and possessing a healthy dose of resentment towards his absentee dad. When his sixteenth birthday arrives, his life changes in ways he never suspected.

Unbeknownst to him, his father is Death and, as a son of such a being, he begins to come into his abilities at sixteen. Wisked away to the headquarters where his father works to protect the world against beings Kyle believed only existed in mythology. Add to the mix that he must spend time with his father who has barely been present throughout his life and the fact he is only just coming to terms with his sexuality and we have all the makings for a great roller-coaster ride of self-discovery and emotional turmoil.

Ms. Chase does not disappoint, keeping us firmly within Kyle’s point of view throughout the story. Written in first person narrative, we experience life as Kyle does, each now experience, reality, and emotion visceral and immediate. Being able to successfully write within first person is a skill which I find to be a challenge, but it seems effortless as the story progresses.

There is also a healthy balance of tension to fill out the story’s many elements. The distance and resentment Kyle feels towards his father, his burgeoning excitement as he meets Erik, his sense of confused identity as he learns new truths about his mother and one of his childhood friends. Kyle handles each of these major obstacles in a believable way which added to my enjoyment of the book.
Where the story fell short for me was how nothing was really resolved by the end of the story. There were so many fantastic story lines going and none of them seemed to come to any final conclusion. We still don’t know how Kyle will relate with his father, whether he and Erik will make things work, or how his role in the mythology-turned-real-life will play out. In fact, it seems as if Ms. Chase has set us up for a perfect lead-in to a second installment in a series.

While I look forward to seeing how Kyle’s story continues, I would have felt a bit more satisfied if this story had focused on one major plot line and followed it through to completion. There is plenty of room to continue exploring Kyle’s relationships with his father, Eric, and his unknown path within the new world we see in this book.

[Matthew Vandrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last thing I wanted was to start reading another series. There should be a warning that this adventure isn't over. And I'll be reading it, because somehow this story captivated me. It was something fresh. Even if the MC is a teenager. But he is by far the least annoying teenager you ever read or heard about.

Too pity this book didn't have an editor, because repetitions, inconsistencies and plot holes were glaring. Such as - Kyle gets attacked in his house, he and his father basically run from the attacker and Kyle learns his life is effectively in danger from now on. At the end of the book Dexter happily drops his son off at the very same house, leaving him on his own devices until next year. Two days ago he wouldn't let him out without two experienced warriors. Excuse me?

Also, we learn Dexter can erase Reapers from existence with slip of his fingers (or whatever). So - why didn't he do it with the first Reaper Kyle met and they both were running away instead?

Anyway, this shows how important the editor is. Hopefully the next installment will get a better treatment!

[Lola · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I was Death, I be so happy. I be like: "BITCH!! You're going to feel the wrath of death!" right before I touch and take their life. Muahahaha!


this book is boring

[Byakuya (White Night) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a few plot issues, but somehow I couldn't put the book down and still enjoyed it tremendously. I would love for it to be a series, even after all the issues with things not quite lining up.

[MyzanM · Rating 2 out of 5]

To YA for me.

[Kimsandara · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2,5 stars*


Synopsis :

When Death's your dad, you never look at life the same way again.

Okay, figuring out you're gay is hard enough, right? I mean I've barely admitted the truth to myself. Forget about telling anyone else about liking guys. I thought it would be the most difficult thing I had to deal with, until my dad showed up to claim me for the summer.

Did I mention I hadn't seen him for more than twenty minutes each birthday? Seriously, he couldn't be bothered to visit me any other time, yet now he expects me to welcome him with open arms.

Well, did I mention he's Death? And his plans for me will change my life.

Review:

Honestly I had a feeling I would not like this book, and I did not.
The only reason why I actually read it is the title.I found and still find it pretty cool.
Other than that,the book was your average blend of "boringness ", teenage angst and super powers (ALL Hail to Norsk mythology) .
My main problem with this book is that it had the potential to be sooo much better and falls short of developing new ideas.

However, there may be some redeeming qualities
This is a fluffy read and rather humourous at that (I mean Daddy Dexter? :) ).
I am also interested in seeing how his parents' non-existent relationship will unfold.Plus, I was intrigued by the hero's love interest and his friends ,so I might give T.A. Chase another chance,if there is ever another volume.

Perhaps it will turn out to be a revelation...

[Sarina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one but not as much as I was expecting to. I liked the Norse mythology aspect of it and could empathize with Kyle and how he wasn't going to blindly go with whatever his dad wanted. My biggest problem is that this is set up like it should be the first book in a series and its a standalone. I mean, it isn't bad as its own book but there were so many questions left unanswered that I feel kind of cheated. I also was interested enough to continue with a series but since I don't have that option my rating was dropped down a bit to make up for the fact that I feel a bit unfulfilled.

[Tj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kyle is a bit spoiled but his parents are very strange. I found that to be a problem in some of the book. Lindsey only has her Dad but he is gone all the time. Dylan is poor so his parents work a lot and he stays with Kyle. Kyle is close to his Mom but never tries to figure out what she does. That is very strange adolescent behavior:( I loved the idea behind the book but there were definite errors in the writing and some of the content didn't have to be repeated so much. Overall I enjoyed the read and would read a sequel.

[Rhoda · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title is I Call Death Dad but I didn't see anything resolved between Death and Kyle. I understand that he's sixteen and so immature but could've given his dad the chance. Didn't even appreciate the fact that even if his dad wasn't allowed to see him until he turned sixteen he still visits every year he celebrates his birthday. And he keeps on blaming his dad when his mom is as much to blame as well. Kyle just annoys me. Such a self-absorbed character.

[Byron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story is a little bit mixed up in the middle but generally a good read. I hope there is more to this than just the one book but can't see anything on the horizon. Has the potential to be a REALLY good YA book series.

Not up to the best of T.A. Chase but with some more work, and another installment would be very close to a 5 star..

[J. Rocci · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I expected more from this book than was delivered, so the rating is more a reflection of my own disappointment. The premise is interesting, the main character is definitely a teenager -- but that's countered by a lot of redundant expository statements and character actions that the author didn't make me *believe* to be in-character.

[Elianara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was awesome!


A perfectly normal teenager gets his world thrown around, when he turns 16 and a whole lot of secrets about his parents comes into light.

A summer spent with a strange dad and his gang, that's on the program. And a totally new way to see life.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was brilliant. For a book aimed at a slightley younger age than myself it kept me riveted and I read in one sitting.

Hope there is a next one to follow.

[Nightcolors · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.
Some of the ideas in the story were interesting, but not a whole lot happened. And as other reviewers mentioned, rather repetitive.

[ReviewerLarissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad read. I enjoyed reading Kyle's story, chaotic as it was.
Here's for hoping there's a sequel that is a little less chaotic in writing and a lot less repetitive.

[Lora · Rating 3 out of 5]

YA, I think. Good read, however.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some inconsistencies as some others have said but putting those aside, I really liked it.

[Esther Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

me quede con las ganas de una segunda parte más adulta :(

[Dallie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some small annoyances that I was able to completely overlook in the face of my enjoyment while reading this book. It was great, and I really wish there was a follow up.

[Roger Hyttinen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Manee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wished this was a series!!!

[Wt Prater · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love YA, and this was one of the best.