Death, the Gardener

by Daniel T. Dodaro

The Grim Reaper is not at all like legends describe. In reality, he is a debonair gardener by the name of Mot. Every person’s life is bound to a rose in his garden, and every person’s death occurs when their rose is snipped. Every person but one .

When Cloth wakes up in Mot’s garden, she quickly learns that she has broken all sorts of rules by returning as the first-ever ghost. Her rose was snipped, yet she has surprisingly not passed on. And, to make matters worse, the shock of dying has caused her to lose all the memories of her life.

In desperate need of an assassin, Mot decides to look past Cloth’s mysterious predicament and make her an he’ll help her pass on, but, in exchange, she must hunt and kill three thieves for him. However, these are no ordinary thieves; each of them has stolen a rose from Mot’s garden and, in doing so, has gained immortality.

If Cloth stands any chance of succeeding, she must don Mot’s fabled cloak and shears to become a true emissary of Death. Can she assassinate her three targets without losing sight of who she was while alive?

Genres: Fantasy

423 pages, Paperback

Published March 17, 2023

About the author

Daniel T. Dodaro grew up in New Jersey with his parents, older brother, and younger sister. He has a J.D. from Seton Hall Law School and a B.S. from Rutgers University in Finance and Accounting. Besides drawing, reading, and writing, he spends most of his free time wandering aimlessly, drinking Dunkin’ coffee, and dancing in the woods at night (spiritually, not literally). Death, the Gardener is his first novel.

Reviews

[Rosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: A commendable debut fantasy combining folklore and myth in a fantastical setting. Enjoyed the story but the writing style, not so much. Might work better for YA lovers.

Story Synopsis:

You might know Death by many names, but in this book, he's a debonair gardener named Mot. Every person and creature has a rose in Death's garden, and when he snips a rose off, it ends that being's life.
When Cloth (there's a reason why she's named thus) wakes up in Death's abode, she learns that she's the first ever person not to pass on even after her rose has been snipped. But the cutting has resulted in her losing all her memories.
Mot offers her relief, promising her that he'll help her move on, but only if she helps him by hunting and killing three thieves who've stolen their life roses from his garden.
Can Cloth trust Death? Will she be able to kill just to be set free? Why is she the only soul who hasn't passed into what's beyond death?
The story comes to us in a limited third person perspective mostly of Mot and Cloth.

While the book isn't tagged as a YA work, I feel that the theme and the writing style will definitely click better with the younger audience. The book worked much better for me when I realigned myself to its being a YA Fantasy. That said, the fantasy includes adventure, romance (not spicy), and mystery as well.

The story is quite intricate and best discovered for yourself. There were a few scenes that felt odd to me, and some writing choices (the abundant use of "my darling", for instance) that were slightly annoying. But to my pleasant surprise, many of these get clarified as we progress with the book.

Mot, Cloth and most of the other major characters are well-sketched with a layered personality. Seeing Death's character as a gardener stuck on some distant planet with only his rose garden and Santiago (who happens to be the embodiment of Memory in the avatar of a koi fish) was a whimsical but enjoyable experience. I also loved Chitra, Mot's sentient cape. She reminded me of Doctor Strange's Cloak of Levitation as they both had the same attitude. (Chitra means ‘painting’ in many Indian languages, and is also a common girl’s name. I'm not sure if the author chose this name intentionally, but because of this nomenclature, Chitra the cape was feminine in my head, and her personality certainly matched this gender. It broke my heart to see *her* referenced as “it” by the characters.) The only characters who were more or less clichéd in portrayal were the negative ones. The motivation of the main villain ought to have been explained better to create a more believable scenario.

Many a time, the life choices the characters face were such that I couldn't help putting myself in the same situation and wondering what I would have done in their place. Courtesy these difficult situations, there are some beautiful quotes and philosophical ponderings in the content. (When you see me praising the philosophical aspects of a plot, you know that it was written without sounding too abstract or incomprehensible.) This makes the story somewhat slower in paced but it doesn't drag.

Fantasy relies greatly on worldbuilding and this novel certainly creates a beautiful picture of the various settings. My imagination kept wandering to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as many scenes became easier to visualise when connected to some or the other location in the movies. But this isn't to take away from the author's skills. His vivid imagination makes every location shine brighter, even when it's gloomy or morbid.

Of course, there are a few areas in which the book could have done better.

⚠ MAJOR COMPLAINT: The one thing that irked me the most was the use of contemporary language for the characters. Considering that Mot was an Eternal and Cloth was... well, can't tell you much but she was certainly not from the contemporary time frame... it was annoying to see them use vernacular such as "freak out" or "gaslighting." I can understand why the dialogues weren't made more historical, but at least such terms that are so clearly modern could have been avoided.

⚠ MAJOR COMPLAINT: I would have liked fewer references to physical beauty and its appeal or lack thereof, though one of the ending scenes attempts to repair the damage caused. The constant body-shaming that Santiago undergoes was not funny but offensive. Even Cloth is ridiculed multiple times by referencing her flat chest. Sorry to say this, but whenever any anatomical references came up, my mind chimed, “Male author alert!”

⚠ MINOR COMPLAINT: I could have done without the cigarette smoking. Seeing a fantastical entity such as Death smoke was way too revolutionary a writing choice for me, though some might like this quirky character trait.

All in all, though the modern lingo and the writing style didn't enthral me, the intriguing plot and the interesting characters kept me reading till the end. For a debut novel, this is surprisingly nuanced and doesn't succumb to the usual "kitchen sink syndrome" of overloading themes.

While this is tagged as general SFF, the language, the writing and themes make me recommend it more to YA lovers.

3.75 stars.


My thanks to Red Pants Press, LLC and NetGalley for the DRC of “Death, the Gardener”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.




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[Charley Stiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wit and sorrow follow Death on mission to put right a wrong. With thought provoking moments on par with Mitch Albom and Matt Haig, this story enables readers to relate to every single character with compassion and love.

Full of love in its purest form, this book had me hooked from the very beginning. Wonderful descriptions of the garden as well as the characters, thoughts and feelings they had for each other left me looking at the world around me in a different light.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was more of a 3.75 for me but I rounded it up to a 4. I liked the worldbuilding and the traveling between planets and worlds. The characters were fun and the whole plot was interesting. I liked discovering the world through Cloth's eyes at first, it felt like I was her, waking up in a strange place and trying to understand how it all worked. Death/Mot was an interesting character, not really what you'd expect of him. There are 2 things I disliked: the first one being too much description. That's really a matter of personal taste, I think this could've been a little shorter because it was too descriptive for me, but some people like it this way. The second one is the vocabulary choice. We're talking about centuries old characters that say "ghosting" and "weirdo" even though they've been living alone on a very small planet for ages. If you like lots of description, then this might be for you !

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly thankyou to Netgalley and Red Pants Press for the arc..

What a phenomenal read this was! And for a debut novel too? My goodness. This was an emotional rollercoaster in the best possible way I felt everything from joy to rage to sadness in equal measure. I could not put it down I just kept having to go back and read just a bit more even if was sneaking in reading a page at work.

Our story follows a young woman who finds herself in Deaths garden with absolutely no memory of who she is. This is, as Death informs her because she is dead and she is definitely not supposed to be here. Death, here personified as a dashing and suave gentleman gardener is a gracious host to the girl, who he gives the name Cloth after her clothes and eventually the pair settle on a deal that benefits both of them.

The story that follows is beautiful, heart-breaking and yet hopeful, full of love, loss and the beauty of self discovery as Cloth attempts to find her place in the universe all whilst tackling difficult moral choices, trying to decide whether to trust Death or not and unravelling his many mysteries. This makes Cloth a compelling and relatable protagonist that you are always rooting for. She is tough, determined and resourceful and it was a pleasure to see this world through her eyes.

Each of the other characters in this book are delightful and and engaging to read about. Each of them is colourful and distinct, perhaps a bit over the top for some but I loved that about them, and you definitely get very emotionally attached to them.

Overall I adored this book, brilliantly written and very impressive for a debut novel.

[Jordan Charlesworth AKA Book Brilliance Xo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review 📚

Death, The Gardener by Daniel Dodaro 4.5/5 ⭐

I'm still shook by this book. I cannot express in enough words how amazing it was. It is a fascinating fantasy that is utterly beautiful. I was torn between crying, between laughing, being happy or angry? Honestly, so many emotions in such a small amount of time. The book took me 2 days to finish. If I didn't have to do adult life (work) I'd definitely have finished it in a day.

The characters offer such a variety of personalities, no one is the same. They're unmatched and the author wrote them all phenomenally. Again, with a mixture of emotions, you just felt a connection to every one of them. The author has such a vivid imagination that takes you through the book in a way that makes you feel you are right there. I feel like this review, or any review for that matter, just does not do this book justice.

This is a solid 4.5 ⭐ for me. And in my 20 years of reading I've only given 3 books a 5 ⭐.

Thank you to NetGalley and Red Pants Press for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.

[thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the the premise of this , as I am really drawn to books with Death as the main character, but sadly I found this to be slow, too much telling when the author needed to show, the grammar needs more editing work, as it can so easily change the meaning, sadly not for me

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Maaike Bateson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to Red Pants Press and Daniel T. Dodaro for the advanced copy of Death, the Gardener via NetGalley, in return for my honest and unbiased review. Quick note: I don’t recap plots in my reviews, as it’s easy enough to read the book’s synopsis and blurbs, I purely focus on my feelings & opinions of how the books makes me feel.

What an absolute gem of a book. Wonderfully imagined and beautifully written, Death, the Gardener is unlike any other story featuring Death as a character I have ever come across.

Many of the elements found within the story will be familiar to those who, like me, read a lot of fantasy, myths, legends, and fairy tales. However, the way Dodaro has repurposed them and woven them into his own imagined tale is masterful and truly unique.

Out of this comes what is, at its core, a love story, but one that is surrounded by a fantastical universe and a dramatic, mysterious story. Not everyone and everything is as it seems.

The book really hits its stride around the 45-50% mark, when the world- and character-building is established.

Have a tissue ready, I needed one by the end.

Moods: adventurous, emotional, hopeful, mysterious, sad, tense
Tropes: forbidden love/star-crossed lovers
Pace: medium
Character development: medium
Plot or character driven: 50/50
Diversity: high
Spice: 1/5
Trigger warnings: Death, Grief, Physical illness, Torture, Violence

Rating 5/5

[Pete Samaras · Rating 5 out of 5]

The high aim of fiction, particularly of the fantastic variety, is to transcend into mythic proportion. To reveal through character, suspension of disbelief, setting, and time to reveal a universal truth or moral that holds true outside the confines of the text itself. Daniel Dodaro’s debut novel, Death, the Gardener achieves this in spades- and at no qualitative cost to the aforementioned pillars of story either.

The author brings a depth and character to his worldbuilding that is unfathomable for a debut novel. Precise deliberation is noticeable in every last crevice- particularly in the nomenclature of each character and the tools, and worlds they live on. It is so easy to appreciate the clear devotion and studiousness to linguistics and myth when carefully creating the language and names that bind the world he weaves into reality. As for the world itself, the narrative is steeped in part literal description with the precision of a photograph; and in other parts deep, unique metaphor that dares the reader to trance across multiple universes beyond the magical world of Nyx.

I would be remiss not to note the tall order of the subject matter. To tackle and describe Death as subject matter is Biblical enough in its proportion and demand, but to characterize and humanize a concept as anachronistic and devilish as death is far more daring. Mot, the Reaper, King Yama is sure to be a fan favorite for his wit and charm, but even moreso for his heartbeat. From Mot and Cloth to the rest of the colourful cast, Dodaro tactfully toes a line between creating eclectic, unique, and relatable characters that the reader can laugh and bleed with; and never once denying or discounting their role as beings of divine and cosmic import.

Perhaps what I am left most awestruck with is the novel’s immense and far-reaching meaning. The story, in just over 400 pages, encompasses so many truths of life by way of adventure, of being lost and found, love and loss, death and rebirth. It is rare that a story can be so much fun, so unique and fresh, and yet be so deep all at once. If you have lived, if you have loved, if you have lost- you can find a lesson and a companion in these pages. 10/10

[Steph Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story begins as an allegorical after-life journey, that reminded me of classic morality tales like The Pilgrim’s Progress, but then develops into a combination of star-crossed love story, Stardust-esque fantasy adventure and philosophical treatise on life, death and morality.

I was utterly entranced until the big climactic scene, then slightly disappointed, as the ending I had thought we were building to didn’t materialise. While the actual ending here is touching and reasonable, it didn’t involve any consequences for a certain entity who deserved them, so I felt like they learnt nothing from events and were free to continue being awful for the rest of eternity! (Booooo!)

Still, I loved the other characters – Cloth, San, Mot, Oz, Chitra Icarus… even Balthazar! – and the story gave me lots to think about, as well as plenty of entertainment, so I would definitely read more from this author in future. And Grendal was so ridiculously, deliciously, irredeemably evil, which made an ironic foil to Eternity’s spoilt, tantrumming toddler attitude. It’s rare to find such clearcut ‘baddies’ in modern fiction and I quite enjoyed loathing them without any complicating sympathies!

Beautifully written, this slowly unfolding modern myth would be ideal for YA readers upward looking for a thought-provoking but still easy-to-read story.

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

Death, the Gardener has an aesthetic and it is sticking to it - and that is, I think, the best part about this book. This book knows its tropes and aesthetics and it sticks to them well, while also providing an interesting story. Occasionally the metaphors and turns of phrase the author experiments with don't quite hit the mark, and come off as strange, and at times characters - especially villains - end up spouting dialogue that sounds like it was ripped from a children's cartoon. But the world created in this book, with its blend of fantasy and sci-fi elements, is really interesting, and the author has built the characters, especially the leads, with complexity, and I liked seeing how their struggles with mental health were portrayed. The prose also manages to describe the various different settings in a way that leaves you with a very clear image in mind, but without being long-winded or boring. Overall this book had a few ups and downs, but was a worthwhile and fun read.

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story that's about Cloth was much more than I thought it would be. I thought this would be a backhanded retelling of Hades and Persephone romance story, but it's not. The complex characters were intriguing as Cloth is assigned by Death/Mot to kill three thieves who stole their rose bush and achieved immortality which unraveled the balance of life and death. Cloth woke up in Mot's rose garden and walks toward the abortorium following a musical song and meets Death/Mot. Ghost-like with no memories she asks where she is, and Mot tells her she's dead on the planet Nyx. Mot tells her he needs her to kill three thieves. Weeks later she's still stumbling to find herself but a part of her is not trusting Mot, so she demands a contract to do what he asked. What ensues was an engaging story as Cloth begins her journey of discovery with Mot's help. This does have touches of angst, romance, fantasy and action as the hunt begins. Loved the characters and the story was well written as the answers are reveled in this copy I'd received via Hidden Gems and volunteered to read and review.

[Francesca Garry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death, The Gardener is one of the most touching novels I have read. Not only is the plot enriching and fascinating, but this book might be the best fantasy novel I have read to date. With genres involving romance, adventure, mystery, and many more, the story really does have it all. I was laughing at some points, crying at others, but fascinated the entire time. The characters are not only lovable, but they are so different from each other in the best way possible. This novel not only reignited my love for reading, but especially for the fantasy I have been craving since finishing books like The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss and The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson; dare I say this book should sit on shelves next to the fantastical king, J.R.R Tolkien, himself. I can’t recommend Death, The Gardener enough and what a journey it took me on, and what a journey many readers have yet to embark upon.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if Death wore a cloak of mystery and tended to a garden of souls? With colorful storytelling and heartfelt emotions, Dodaro cultivates a world that is equal parts intriguing and mysterious. The story introduces us to Mot, who turns out to be Death himself, a suave gardener responsible for snipping roses that represent people's lives. However, when Cloth, the first-ever ghost, wakes up in Mot's garden without any memory of her past life, the narrative takes a thrilling turn. In a desperate attempt to find her way to the afterlife, Cloth strikes a deal with Mot, embarking on a quest to hunt down and eliminate three thieves who have stolen roses from his garden, granting them immortality. Dodaro's masterful storytelling keeps readers on the edge of their seats as Cloth navigates this perilous journey, wielding Mot's legendary cloak and shears. An enchanting and gripping tale that explores themes of life, death, and identity, leaving readers captivated until the very last page.

[Billy Fetzner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mesmerizing Read

Death, The Gardener by Daniel T. Dodaro is a captivating and mesmerizing read that will keep readers enchanted from start to finish. I was enthralled from the first page and felt a strong connection to the characters, particularly Cloth's unique return as a ghost. I was especially impressed by the author's use of vocabulary, which was spot on, using the perfect words in the perfect spots without making the book hard to read. I enjoyed the philosophical depth of this fairytale, which covered topics of death, companionship, and the conflict relating upon those two themes. The author does a great job of blending fantasy, myth, and fairy tale elements to create a unique and compelling narrative. I found it thought-provoking and enjoyed exploring the complexities of living and dying. I would highly recommend this enchanting book to anyone looking for a spellbinding story with a modern edifice built on the bones of antiquity.

[James B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Dodaro did an excellent job telling a beautiful story that was unlike anything I have ever read. Having Life, death, eternity, and memory as the main characters was incredibly creative and well thought out. It was filled with vivid imagery, metaphors, and a tasteful amount of humor for a serious novel. This novel does an incredible job of letting the reader take out of it what you want. There is no obvious message that is crammed down your throat. When I finished it, I was left with a sense of contentment seeing these big concepts that are hard to wrap your head around as relatable characters. The characters weren’t gods puppeteering the world, but rather relatable characters given tools to fulfill their jobs. They had to deal with their own trials and tribulations just like everyone else. I look forward to reading the next work by this author!

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly, my new absolute favorite book.

Seriously. It is simply that wonderful.

A friend of mine lent me this book and I am SO glad she did! WOW! I am completely blown away. “Death, The Gardener” is unlike any other novel that I have ever read. It was mesmerizing. Stunning prose. The descriptions of the worlds and environments were ever so detailed. The characters were so developed and grew so much over the course of the book.

If I had one word to describe this book, it would be “atmospheric.” You’ll see!

I absolutely loved this book and am so excited to read it a second time from a different point of view! I am completely blown away that this is the author’s first published novel.

Instant follow on Goodreads as any other book Dodaro writes
will be an automatic must read for me!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Lisbet Whiteside · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death the Gardener is a wonderfully written novel about life itself and how we view both life and death - how they're similar and yet wholly opposites. I utterly loved this book, the uniqueness of the plot line really drew me in and the characterisation of Death reminded me of Magnus Bane which was so fun to read!
The descriptions and world building in this book were fantastic, beautifully written and transported me to the places it was set. This books plot and characters were so individual, a girl wakes up the the garden of Death, supposedly the first person ever to die and yet remain; and the lore that's uncovered and explained about her arriving to the garden and the tasks she's set by Mot (Death) was so intriguing

[Molly's Book Trolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I had difficulty finding more information about this book other than the initial blurb. So without spoilers, know that this book is exactly what it says on the back, and then the twists begin. It is a romance but much more in the epic, find you through any universe, love transcending the stars kind of way. It leans more towards adults than YA but is pretty clean. (sorry TikTok)

I wanted so so desperately to ADORE this book. I wanted to soak up its poetic and artful prose and colorful multi-layered characters. I wanted to fully invest in the ending the author was so craftily weaving with the strands of faraway celestial bodies and individual stories and lifetimes that were all as engaging and important as the next. But I couldn't; it may have more to do with me than the book itself.

I had been stuck in such a book slump lately. It felt like everything I tried to read was just terrible or almost OK. So when I started reading this book the skilled, beautiful writing and excellent world-building drew me in immediately. Dodaro's imagination truly knows no bounds and it's pretty incredible what he was able to create through this book.

SPOILERS: This was my problem with the book. It is very much a "magic of life and loss" kind of book. It was just so melancholy. The whole book is bittersweet, every scene is joy and sorrow woven together. While it created a beautiful tapestry. I don't like looking at sad tapestries. So I found myself dreading going back to the book and almost avoiding reading. Unthinkable! Even though this book wasn't for me, I really enjoyed the writing style and the author has immense talent. I hope those who like these kinds of stories enjoy it!

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautifully written, thought provoking book, especially a debit novel! I was intrigued by the blurb that I read so I knew that it was something I wanted to try. It was an amazing blend of myth, fairy tale, fantasy and fiction. The characters are wonderfully written, densely fashioned and so detailed that you feel as if you know them. The author created an interesting plot, with lovely little subplots along the way. I fell into this book so easily that I stayed up way too late not wanting to put it down. After finishing it, I have a difficult time figuring out which character I was most drawn to. A lovely read.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since reading The Book Thief as a young adult, I have thoroughly enjoyed searching for books that are told with Death as a character or influence on the story being told. Rarely does one actually end up being one I enjoy. This book was!

I really have no explanation for why this comparison comes to mind but it does. This book, to me, feels like a slightly more somber and bittersweet Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen. Very different plots but I had similar feelings reading this book. It’s not too serious even though it involves death and dying. It’s touching and sad in just the right amount of ways.

I received a digital copy of this title for review.

[kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a a modernized retelling/exploration of folktales and themes. This story examines Death in a new way and for a debut, I think it was successful! The themes explored and plot points woven in felt well thought out and purposeful, not just "oh I want to include this particular scene, let me force it in just because" which I appreciate with a fantasy novel. So often, scenes feel written for the sole purpose of including a particular trope and I didnt get that feeling with this story. Cant wait to see what the author writes next!

[Silje · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave this a 🌟🌟, just because I don't think it is the book's fault I couldn't read it further than 9%... Poor book. It just wasn't the writing style I wanted right now. I found the writing rather flat and uninspiring, and also the characters a bit dead (heeeh). I have clearly gone from being the person who compulsively reads every book from start to finish, to a person who abandones books. Great.

[Syd Gilmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strongly Recommend

In my opinion, "Death, the Gardener" ranks among the most creative books I've ever read. The characters are all wonderfully distinct from one another. Fantasy, with a touch of science fiction and some judiciously placed action, is used to reimagine the meaning of life-and-death. I'm eager to read more works by this author. Strongly recommended.

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a quirky title to a book. Yet I never quite imagined how unique it truly was. The Grim Reaper or Death being a gardener makes sense in ways I'd not thought of before. The author did a fabulous job of writing Death's characteristics and character. I may reread this book at some point in the future. I can honestly say I enjoyed the book. Until next time Happy Reading!

[Lottie Ly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story. Went into it thinking it'd be a cute story about a gardener and maybe some memories of the lives Death would prune, but it turned out to be a full blown whirlwind of adventure. A few times, I found the pacing a little too slow for me, and I would skip a few paragraphs every now and then. I ended up really enjoying a lot of the characters in this story as well.

Overall, I'd recommend this for someone looking for something adventurous with a side of romance.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book had a lot of potential and the world building in the first part was amazing and very interesting. however, as the book continued the writing declined in complexity and richness, and it felt like there were many overlooked plot holes/logic issues. overall, a very interesting premise and i would be curious to read the author’s next book
3.25 stars

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is death but not as people expect him to be, he is a gardener and each rose he tends is a person soul. He is about to get an unexpected surprise when she appears in his garden as the first ghost. Now she needs to get three thieves souls so see where it will lo go
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a wonderful read

[Iesha (In east shade house at...) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I discovered this book, I knew right away that I would adore it. Death The Gardener is a book I connected with in a sincere kind of way. The story is morbid and yet hopeful. Love and Hate. Light and Dark. All are themes that are explored in this tragic story with the added twist of a romance dancing between its words. I do recommend this one fully.

[Blue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death also known as Mot is surrounded by the most beautiful roses. He meets a woman and names her Cloth. Later, Death will give her a dangerous assignment. Daniel T. Dodaro's description of roses took my heart. Still, I did not feel that special moment when you know this is the book for you.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written, multilayered, complex mix of fantasy and speculative fiction. The author is an excellent storyteller and this is an excellent book
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine