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The Death-Cursed Wizard #2
Death's Baby Sister - 3rd Edition: A Dark and Funny Fantasy Adventure With Swords and Sorcery
A debt to the heavens. A mouthy teenaged trainee. A sorcerer-slaying cult that might be his fault. Bib’s semi-retirement from killing for the gods isn’t going so well. So when he’s asked to help an angry twelve-year-old girl with out-of-control powers, he embarks on a quest hoping for some redemption. But as Bib takes his sassy young charge under his wing, a voyage to the temple almost ends in disaster after a deadly ambush. With reports of other sorcerers going mad and the kid wreaking magical mayhem whenever she opens her mouth, Bib struggles to resist strangling the brat. And after the girl triggers a series of lethal attacks, Bib fears the only way out of this mess will be a return to his murderous ways… Can the embattled anti-hero single-handedly take on the gods and stop the growing bloodshed? Death’s Baby Sister is the second book in the witty-but-dark Death-Cursed Wizard fantasy series. If you like reluctant champions, twisted conflict, and plenty of sword-slashing action, then you’ll love Bill McCurry’s wild adventure.
- GenresFantasy
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 18, 2023
70 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Bill McCurry
21 books83 followersBill McCurry was born in Fort Worth, Texas and now lives thirty-five miles away in Dallas, Texas. That short distance produces more divergence than one might think. If both cities were apples, Dallas would be sliced and resting on a bed of arugula and kale with some nice vinaigrette, while Fort Worth would be sitting in a bin at the Farmer’s Market behind a sign that reads, “These are good old apples. If you’re looking for kale, Dallas is over there.”
In childhood Bill came to love fiction late, preferring history and science books instead. In his mid-teens he discovered science fiction and fantasy novels, particularly Roger Zelazny, Ursula Le Guin, Robert Heinlein, J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, Harry Harrison, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Richard Brautigan, Robert Saberhagen, Piers Anthony, and Gordon R. Dickson. Michael Moorcock was also a favorite. Bill inhaled all five Elric books in one day while home with a bad cold. More recently he has particularly enjoyed the work of Christopher Moore, Orson Scott Card, Neil Gaiman, John Steakley, and Sir Terry Pratchett.
Death’s Collector is Bill’s first published novel, to be followed by Wee Piggies of Radiant Might and Death’s Book of Tricks, all part of “The Death-Cursed Wizard” series. Three unpublished novels preceded Death’s Collector, all of which he loves like children despite their irredeemable flaws.
Bill earned a M.A. in Sociology from the University of Texas at Arlington. (Arlington lies halfway between Fort Worth and Dallas. The implications may best be imagined.) The most important thing he learned in college is that nobody is under any obligation to teach him anything, including professors. Especially professors, since they’ve attended classes on how to look down upon the uneducated. That detail may be fabricated, but the principle stands.
People have paid Bill to do an odd variety of things, including construction, market research, acting, and managing software projects. He lives with his four cats, who are aspiring internet celebrities, and his lovely wife, a woman so keenly determined that she would always be able to kill him if it came to a knife fight.
In childhood Bill came to love fiction late, preferring history and science books instead. In his mid-teens he discovered science fiction and fantasy novels, particularly Roger Zelazny, Ursula Le Guin, Robert Heinlein, J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, Harry Harrison, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Richard Brautigan, Robert Saberhagen, Piers Anthony, and Gordon R. Dickson. Michael Moorcock was also a favorite. Bill inhaled all five Elric books in one day while home with a bad cold. More recently he has particularly enjoyed the work of Christopher Moore, Orson Scott Card, Neil Gaiman, John Steakley, and Sir Terry Pratchett.
Death’s Collector is Bill’s first published novel, to be followed by Wee Piggies of Radiant Might and Death’s Book of Tricks, all part of “The Death-Cursed Wizard” series. Three unpublished novels preceded Death’s Collector, all of which he loves like children despite their irredeemable flaws.
Bill earned a M.A. in Sociology from the University of Texas at Arlington. (Arlington lies halfway between Fort Worth and Dallas. The implications may best be imagined.) The most important thing he learned in college is that nobody is under any obligation to teach him anything, including professors. Especially professors, since they’ve attended classes on how to look down upon the uneducated. That detail may be fabricated, but the principle stands.
People have paid Bill to do an odd variety of things, including construction, market research, acting, and managing software projects. He lives with his four cats, who are aspiring internet celebrities, and his lovely wife, a woman so keenly determined that she would always be able to kill him if it came to a knife fight.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 9, 2024
I think of Bibb as something like a medieval Deadpool. He has the same kind of snark and a somewhat prickly personality. Of course, he does work for the god of death to whom he is indebted for any magical power he needs. And dealing with gods never turns out well. Bibb may be fated to lose anyone he comes to care about. If the gods have their way, that will include the woman he loves and the child-wizard he comes to see as a daughter. Bibb is not a heroic character. He tends to lie and is far too good at his job as murderer for the gods. He does have a certain moral code, however, such as not killing children and generally trying to kill people who mostly deserve it. He even has some loyalty to his comrades at arms. This book is dark, and filled with humor and tragedy. Even with all of his faults, I can't help but like Bibb
January 20, 2020
Better than the first book
Often sequels yield diminishing returns. The irony is they should improve the story or never be written. For the first 80% I thought this was another in a long line of unnecessary sequels. Then the end happened! I no longer cared that Ella was still annoying. I looked past the jagged right edge of every page (justify, man). I simply enjoyed a spectacular finish. Manon was a great character. Her arc was the highlight. The banter between Bib and the gods was once again magnificent. I could read a whole book on nothing but magic square negotiations. I can't wait for book three to be released.
Often sequels yield diminishing returns. The irony is they should improve the story or never be written. For the first 80% I thought this was another in a long line of unnecessary sequels. Then the end happened! I no longer cared that Ella was still annoying. I looked past the jagged right edge of every page (justify, man). I simply enjoyed a spectacular finish. Manon was a great character. Her arc was the highlight. The banter between Bib and the gods was once again magnificent. I could read a whole book on nothing but magic square negotiations. I can't wait for book three to be released.
August 3, 2024
A very nice follow-up to Death's Collector, which expands the world, particularly the process and nature of sorcery, as well as the inner relationships and motivations of the gods. As seen in the previous book, McCurry delivers on complex psychological themes and moral dilemmas that, although fantastical in nature, still strike as poignant and relatable somehow.
This story focused less on the interplay between the protagonist and the villain, and more on the relationships between the team of protagonists. The main tension was less between the protagonist and a rival (though this was still present) and more between the protagonist and the gods, as well as between the protagonist and his friends.
The style of the ending of this one was much unlike the style of the first book's ending, though I get the sense that this book is more closely linked with the books after it, so perhaps it's less of an ending and more of a transition to the next book.
I think I would rate the appropriateness of this book at 16+ for language and adult themes, but would more recommend the book for an adult audience who I think would get more out of it.
This story focused less on the interplay between the protagonist and the villain, and more on the relationships between the team of protagonists. The main tension was less between the protagonist and a rival (though this was still present) and more between the protagonist and the gods, as well as between the protagonist and his friends.
The style of the ending of this one was much unlike the style of the first book's ending, though I get the sense that this book is more closely linked with the books after it, so perhaps it's less of an ending and more of a transition to the next book.
I think I would rate the appropriateness of this book at 16+ for language and adult themes, but would more recommend the book for an adult audience who I think would get more out of it.
February 16, 2024
This review is for my own memory purposes. If you think you might be interested in this book do not let my review influence you one way or the other; read the book yourself and form your own opinions.
The book is more of a 3.5 star book, rather than four stars; but I am setting it at four out of politeness to the author.
The book covers a lot of ground, both literally and in regards to sub storylines. The main character,Bib, continues to be interesting and relatable. It was a bit odd how many times he gets manipulated in this story by more than just the gods.
Some of the new and transient characters felt like they could have been fleshed out more. At the same time, Bib would not have cared enough about them to have learned more so the level of detail likely makes sense.
I think my main issue with this book was that it never really felt like Bib was doing any thinking; almost everything felt reactionary which was not how I remembered his character from the first book.
The book is more of a 3.5 star book, rather than four stars; but I am setting it at four out of politeness to the author.
The book covers a lot of ground, both literally and in regards to sub storylines. The main character,Bib, continues to be interesting and relatable. It was a bit odd how many times he gets manipulated in this story by more than just the gods.
Some of the new and transient characters felt like they could have been fleshed out more. At the same time, Bib would not have cared enough about them to have learned more so the level of detail likely makes sense.
I think my main issue with this book was that it never really felt like Bib was doing any thinking; almost everything felt reactionary which was not how I remembered his character from the first book.
June 1, 2025
I still find Bib entertaining, but I didn't quite enjoy this book as much as the first. Book 1 had more likeable secondary characters. This time around, I was hoping Big would just wash his hands of the whole lot of them and go his own way. I found Manon especially irritating and since the plot focused mainly on her, it didn't hold my interest as much. I find myself skimming over the trades with the gods too. It's just a bunch of name calling and some weird offers that don't seem to fall into any sort of pattern that I've found. Overall I ended up enjoying it, just not as much.
April 19, 2022
Very dark... there is no reprieve..
Some lines are crossed.
I'm going to read to the end of this series to find out what happens, but.. this will not be a series I will want to revisit. The darkness and death doesn't settle well within my soul.
Some lines are crossed.
I'm going to read to the end of this series to find out what happens, but.. this will not be a series I will want to revisit. The darkness and death doesn't settle well within my soul.
July 28, 2024
I loved this sequel better than book 1! I loved the first one enough to read the second but the sarcasm, wit and surprises are pushed up a couple of notches in this one. Going to jump right into book three and let you know after, what I think.
October 2, 2025
Love the second book in the series. He has me laughing and crying. The plot twists, the dripping sarcasm, and the characters that are so well developed all work together to make this a wonderful book and a great part of this series. On to book #
May 20, 2021
This twisted and turned in a way I didn't expect with a huge plot twist. More characters, more snark, more battles and some surprising world building. Lots of fun.
March 25, 2024
Read a few chapters at a time which is why it took so long. A good sequel to the first book.
April 6, 2024
There are humorous moments, lots of bizarre moments... But something about this series. A melancholy seems to lend them all a sepia tone.
March 31, 2025
Gotta love it
What can I say? It was a good fantasy book, interesting storyline, and interesting characters. This will definitely not bore you!
What can I say? It was a good fantasy book, interesting storyline, and interesting characters. This will definitely not bore you!
August 15, 2025
I am enjoying this series very much! Sorcery, murder, mayhem--and fast action!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews