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Death Date: A YA Dystopian Romance Novel: Book One of The Rageblight Duology
Few resources. Limited time. One girl to change everything.
In a world that nears human extinction lies a place called Ashville, where the government formed the World Inhabitance Group to save their people. The Group initiated a assign each eighteen-year-old a death date. Each mistake costs you time. Every move is watched. And only the select are immune to the rules.
For seventeen-year-old Nova James that’s the way it’s always been. But when a rebellion forms and her city is destroyed, Nova is forced to do a forbidden seek answers outside the city walls.
She’s on the run, but she’s not alone. Alex, a mysterious boy, joins her cause. Along the way, they discover a government secret so sinister, they may not survive. And the farther they go, the more they confirm the truth...in this world, it kills to be less than perfect.
Please Death Date (Chapters 1-40) first appeared in the Kindle Vella Program under the same name.
In a world that nears human extinction lies a place called Ashville, where the government formed the World Inhabitance Group to save their people. The Group initiated a assign each eighteen-year-old a death date. Each mistake costs you time. Every move is watched. And only the select are immune to the rules.
For seventeen-year-old Nova James that’s the way it’s always been. But when a rebellion forms and her city is destroyed, Nova is forced to do a forbidden seek answers outside the city walls.
She’s on the run, but she’s not alone. Alex, a mysterious boy, joins her cause. Along the way, they discover a government secret so sinister, they may not survive. And the farther they go, the more they confirm the truth...in this world, it kills to be less than perfect.
Please Death Date (Chapters 1-40) first appeared in the Kindle Vella Program under the same name.
283 pages, Paperback
Published August 16, 2023
10 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
B.Y. Simpson
2 books12 followersB.Y. Simpson hails from a small town in Tennessee. Growing up, time spent at the library or at the book fair far outweighed any other activity. But, one day she decided to trade in her bookmarks for a pen and wrote her first story. It was written in a journal during lunch breaks and it took two years to complete. Having completed her first novel, she decided to keep writing to develop her current book, Hades Sent.
In her downtime, she can be found with her children, watching murder mystery shows, and trying out new recipes. Just don't ask her to cook an omelet. She's never been able to get those right.
In her downtime, she can be found with her children, watching murder mystery shows, and trying out new recipes. Just don't ask her to cook an omelet. She's never been able to get those right.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 2, 2023
4.5! This reminds me of the movie In Time and Hunger Games Mockingjay a little bit but so much better! 18 year olds get assigned a death date and mistakes take time off.. except those few who are immune. Wow I could completely see this happening if the world came to human extinction. This was a GREAT story and kept me HOOKED.
I received this ARC for an honest review, all thoughts/opinions above are completely my own.
I received this ARC for an honest review, all thoughts/opinions above are completely my own.
September 5, 2023
When I head the premise of Death Date, I was instantly intrigued. A society that assigns a death date to each member on their eighteenth birthday and the fight to stop them before time runs out is the kind of action packed novel I love to read. Death Date didn’t disappoint.
The story follows strong female lead, Nova, as she approaches her eighteenth birthday. As the assigning of her death date looms, she is forced to consider that those around her might not be as trustworthy as she would like to believe. A chance encounter one night forces Nova into action as she pairs up with Alex, a young adult from the wrong side of town, to escape their city and try to stop the World Inhabitance Group once and for all.
I really enjoyed this book! I felt the plot was well paced and there were enough challenges to keep me interested in the story. Each new problem Nova came up against kept me turning pages well past when I intended to stop. The author clearly sets up the next book in the series and I’m interested to see what what will happen to Nova and Alex in the upcoming installment.
In the pages, you will find:
✨A strong FMC
✨Your fate is in your own hands
✨Complicated family dynamics
✨Not everyone is what they seem
✨Oppressive ruling society
✨Fight for your life
✨The chosen one
If you loved The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth, you’ll love this dystopian novel! Swipe above to read the official Goodreads synopsis!
* Please know that there are a few scenes that depict violence, death, blood, and gore. No one is safe from the World Inhabitance Group in this novel.
Will you be picking up Death Date today? Let me know in the comments!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
The story follows strong female lead, Nova, as she approaches her eighteenth birthday. As the assigning of her death date looms, she is forced to consider that those around her might not be as trustworthy as she would like to believe. A chance encounter one night forces Nova into action as she pairs up with Alex, a young adult from the wrong side of town, to escape their city and try to stop the World Inhabitance Group once and for all.
I really enjoyed this book! I felt the plot was well paced and there were enough challenges to keep me interested in the story. Each new problem Nova came up against kept me turning pages well past when I intended to stop. The author clearly sets up the next book in the series and I’m interested to see what what will happen to Nova and Alex in the upcoming installment.
In the pages, you will find:
✨A strong FMC
✨Your fate is in your own hands
✨Complicated family dynamics
✨Not everyone is what they seem
✨Oppressive ruling society
✨Fight for your life
✨The chosen one
If you loved The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth, you’ll love this dystopian novel! Swipe above to read the official Goodreads synopsis!
* Please know that there are a few scenes that depict violence, death, blood, and gore. No one is safe from the World Inhabitance Group in this novel.
Will you be picking up Death Date today? Let me know in the comments!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
November 20, 2023
Good concept but the execution could be better. Everything feels too surface-level.
World Building
The majority of the world-building aspects of this story are in the beginning. It started out well with the description of the death dates, the atmosphere that separates Nova's privileged upbringing as she blends in at school, the heavy military presence, the explanation of the mirrors, and the mystery of the deaths. However, after that, you're left with generic dystopian locations one after another that, although provide a logical pattern, aren't really tethered well enough to immerse yourself truly in that world.
This part of the review is hidden due to spoilers. Check out my blog post to view.
I feel like the world-building did not go as deep as I wish it had. I think the tricky thing about dystopian books is that you constantly have to walk a line between it being a believable alternate or future version of the state of the world we live in and yet different enough for it to feel like its own entity. I could feel that attempt at the beginning and in between switching locations but that was the problem - each location felt separate from the other and nothing but the generic knowledge that it was a dystopian sci-fi novel tied them together.
Plot
Keeping with the theme of almost everything in this story feels surface-level, the execution of the plot is really in the same vein. In theory, the plot elements of this book should've worked. That's what hooked me in the first place. We have a society where an organization that controls the population emerges. We have a strange string of deaths pointing to a corrupt and/or evil governing body. We have a main character who shows signs of home trouble, with strong convictions on her principles that go against the norm, and is being pointed at to be someone special. Her world turns upside down as she finds herself caught in a resistance and she's given a reason to start a journey. However, again, these are all great individual puzzle pieces that just didn't piece together seamlessly.
I have more questions the more I progress.
This part of the review is hidden due to spoilers. Check out my blog post to view.
There are just too many conflicts and inconsistencies. To be fair, there is a sequel. Maybe the questions will be answered there but it still doesn't remove the frustration that the whole plot in this book is incohesive and shallow.
Characters
The characters, I felt like, are all over the place. Their personalities, dialogue, actions, motivations. They feel like these aspects of themselves have been emulated by stereotypical YA dystopian characters and they manifest depending on what the plot and the scene call for.
This part of the review is hidden due to spoilers. Check out my blog post to view.
Recommendation
To be honest, this wasn't the book for me. I had too many questions and frustrations about the plot, I wasn't invested in any of the characters due to the lack of depth and awkward dialogues, and there weren't any real and satisfying consequences for the 'villains.' But the main conflict of the story still holds up after the first book so there's a possibility that reading this plus its sequel can be a good experience.
I would recommend this to readers looking for a YA dystopian sci-fi read that's not into too heavy world-building. The plot's premise is intriguing and the plot moves quickly. Each location creates a distinct atmosphere and it's centered more around the action rather than the romance.
World Building
The majority of the world-building aspects of this story are in the beginning. It started out well with the description of the death dates, the atmosphere that separates Nova's privileged upbringing as she blends in at school, the heavy military presence, the explanation of the mirrors, and the mystery of the deaths. However, after that, you're left with generic dystopian locations one after another that, although provide a logical pattern, aren't really tethered well enough to immerse yourself truly in that world.
This part of the review is hidden due to spoilers. Check out my blog post to view.
I feel like the world-building did not go as deep as I wish it had. I think the tricky thing about dystopian books is that you constantly have to walk a line between it being a believable alternate or future version of the state of the world we live in and yet different enough for it to feel like its own entity. I could feel that attempt at the beginning and in between switching locations but that was the problem - each location felt separate from the other and nothing but the generic knowledge that it was a dystopian sci-fi novel tied them together.
Plot
Keeping with the theme of almost everything in this story feels surface-level, the execution of the plot is really in the same vein. In theory, the plot elements of this book should've worked. That's what hooked me in the first place. We have a society where an organization that controls the population emerges. We have a strange string of deaths pointing to a corrupt and/or evil governing body. We have a main character who shows signs of home trouble, with strong convictions on her principles that go against the norm, and is being pointed at to be someone special. Her world turns upside down as she finds herself caught in a resistance and she's given a reason to start a journey. However, again, these are all great individual puzzle pieces that just didn't piece together seamlessly.
I have more questions the more I progress.
This part of the review is hidden due to spoilers. Check out my blog post to view.
There are just too many conflicts and inconsistencies. To be fair, there is a sequel. Maybe the questions will be answered there but it still doesn't remove the frustration that the whole plot in this book is incohesive and shallow.
Characters
The characters, I felt like, are all over the place. Their personalities, dialogue, actions, motivations. They feel like these aspects of themselves have been emulated by stereotypical YA dystopian characters and they manifest depending on what the plot and the scene call for.
This part of the review is hidden due to spoilers. Check out my blog post to view.
Recommendation
To be honest, this wasn't the book for me. I had too many questions and frustrations about the plot, I wasn't invested in any of the characters due to the lack of depth and awkward dialogues, and there weren't any real and satisfying consequences for the 'villains.' But the main conflict of the story still holds up after the first book so there's a possibility that reading this plus its sequel can be a good experience.
I would recommend this to readers looking for a YA dystopian sci-fi read that's not into too heavy world-building. The plot's premise is intriguing and the plot moves quickly. Each location creates a distinct atmosphere and it's centered more around the action rather than the romance.
October 5, 2023
It's a world where our main character, Nova James, resides where the world has gotten so bad environmentally and people-wise that a new world order has risen up to mark people for an ending death day they get when they're 18 and bad behavior takes time away. A Hunger Games meets In Time.
Well, except you never really see anything that is described about the world. I'm usually a person who complains about too much world-building and not enough plot. Here, I don't see anything of the world other than the Death Dealer Squads who seem to be immune to a death countdown. What does the world look like to get to the point where the entire world population allowed for this Death Day program to be implemented? No clue. How is bad behavior cataloged and accounted for and how does this affect people's interactions out in public or even in private? There doesn't seem to be any change at all. Certain people are in open rebellion and hiding from hit squads, parents can be awful to their children, there isn't a blight of false kindness or people breaking under the pressure of knowing exactly when they'll die. There seems to be some enforcement at the schools but without being 18 yet there aren't really any reprocussions for acting out. In this world, people kind of just act the exact same as now. That is, until you get outside the main city, then it's a wasteland of destruction for some unknown reason.
Our main character receives survival training from her grandfather who is part of the elite but doesn't really show off any of these skills until the very end of the story. She's rescued by the mysterious boy character who she's crushing on after being betrayed by other boy character who seems to be up to something. After falling into a rebellion meeting on accident, Nova is very loosely in control of what her goal is. After several hospital visits, which also seems weird in a world where death for a large portion of the world should be welcomed, she needs to leave the city and find the rebellion. From there, stumbling upon revelations by happenstance seems to be the plot unfold method. Our handsome rogue, Alex, seems to be angry with a dark backstory and tough except but he seems to mostly be the hero of the story. There is some slight romance with awkward looks and too close talking in a will-they-won't-they arc. Our characters never really have an arc either. The people who they started off as is really who they finish as and the revelation and how they get there just kind of happens. Alex and the grandfather are the biggest key players in the story minus one boss battle and being a key to cure the effects of the death day and disease. It's not really clear exactly who either.
The world has no grounding in what it claims to be. The characters just exist. The YA typical love story with almost a love triangle is bland. The plot does move forward however. The action is mostly chase scenes with a few short fights. Other people who have read it seem to like it. I will not be continuing the series. Final Grade - D
Well, except you never really see anything that is described about the world. I'm usually a person who complains about too much world-building and not enough plot. Here, I don't see anything of the world other than the Death Dealer Squads who seem to be immune to a death countdown. What does the world look like to get to the point where the entire world population allowed for this Death Day program to be implemented? No clue. How is bad behavior cataloged and accounted for and how does this affect people's interactions out in public or even in private? There doesn't seem to be any change at all. Certain people are in open rebellion and hiding from hit squads, parents can be awful to their children, there isn't a blight of false kindness or people breaking under the pressure of knowing exactly when they'll die. There seems to be some enforcement at the schools but without being 18 yet there aren't really any reprocussions for acting out. In this world, people kind of just act the exact same as now. That is, until you get outside the main city, then it's a wasteland of destruction for some unknown reason.
Our main character receives survival training from her grandfather who is part of the elite but doesn't really show off any of these skills until the very end of the story. She's rescued by the mysterious boy character who she's crushing on after being betrayed by other boy character who seems to be up to something. After falling into a rebellion meeting on accident, Nova is very loosely in control of what her goal is. After several hospital visits, which also seems weird in a world where death for a large portion of the world should be welcomed, she needs to leave the city and find the rebellion. From there, stumbling upon revelations by happenstance seems to be the plot unfold method. Our handsome rogue, Alex, seems to be angry with a dark backstory and tough except but he seems to mostly be the hero of the story. There is some slight romance with awkward looks and too close talking in a will-they-won't-they arc. Our characters never really have an arc either. The people who they started off as is really who they finish as and the revelation and how they get there just kind of happens. Alex and the grandfather are the biggest key players in the story minus one boss battle and being a key to cure the effects of the death day and disease. It's not really clear exactly who either.
The world has no grounding in what it claims to be. The characters just exist. The YA typical love story with almost a love triangle is bland. The plot does move forward however. The action is mostly chase scenes with a few short fights. Other people who have read it seem to like it. I will not be continuing the series. Final Grade - D
October 28, 2023
3.5 Stars is more accurate.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This year 2023 has been great for me in terms of sci-fi and dystopian adventures and over the last few months I have had the pleasure of reading some fabulous stories that have stimulated me intellectually and also entertained me. Sci-fi is a genre that I love but read sparingly and from a very select pool of authors. This year I have let myself go in experimenting especially reading books from new and/or debuting authors. I thank BookSirens because some of the best books have come from their curated stable.
More hits than misses for me and this story Death Date falls somewhere in the lower side of that range.
Nevertheless despite comparative stories available in the young adult universe this story resonated with me.
Simpson gives us a fresh take on the coming of age exercise that several YA and adventure books, series and movies have taken.
In the near future the world hangs on the brink of extinction and resources are low. An autocratic group has taken charge of the metropolis named Ashville (seems aptly named and reminded me tongue-in-cheek of Ash from the evil dead series). The rule sets the future of youngsters past their 18th birthday and we have a quirk that seems mildly inspired from Justin Timberlake's movie In Time. They get a time tattoo on their wrist stating their death date.
But nothing is kosher in this Shangri-la and Death Squads implement rules forcibly.
This is a highly intriguing story that somehow falls short for me because the context setting needed to be more detailed and our protagonist Nova needed more than just pluck. The world set in a future does not hold too much interest and does not seem any different from the outskirts of any of the large American cities.
The story flows at a brisk pace and the action sequences are numerous. For a person in such a dark time, Nova seems too naïve and gullible for an 18 year old when compared to teenagers that I see and talk to at the current time. She seems to trust almost everybody and has no inkling about the secret prevalent in her own house and has noticed nothing off, butt its fiction and at the pace it has been written it entertains enough.
I expected greater things from the book, having read the book blurb but will check out Simpson's other offerings because she seems to have the spark.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This year 2023 has been great for me in terms of sci-fi and dystopian adventures and over the last few months I have had the pleasure of reading some fabulous stories that have stimulated me intellectually and also entertained me. Sci-fi is a genre that I love but read sparingly and from a very select pool of authors. This year I have let myself go in experimenting especially reading books from new and/or debuting authors. I thank BookSirens because some of the best books have come from their curated stable.
More hits than misses for me and this story Death Date falls somewhere in the lower side of that range.
Nevertheless despite comparative stories available in the young adult universe this story resonated with me.
Simpson gives us a fresh take on the coming of age exercise that several YA and adventure books, series and movies have taken.
In the near future the world hangs on the brink of extinction and resources are low. An autocratic group has taken charge of the metropolis named Ashville (seems aptly named and reminded me tongue-in-cheek of Ash from the evil dead series). The rule sets the future of youngsters past their 18th birthday and we have a quirk that seems mildly inspired from Justin Timberlake's movie In Time. They get a time tattoo on their wrist stating their death date.
But nothing is kosher in this Shangri-la and Death Squads implement rules forcibly.
This is a highly intriguing story that somehow falls short for me because the context setting needed to be more detailed and our protagonist Nova needed more than just pluck. The world set in a future does not hold too much interest and does not seem any different from the outskirts of any of the large American cities.
The story flows at a brisk pace and the action sequences are numerous. For a person in such a dark time, Nova seems too naïve and gullible for an 18 year old when compared to teenagers that I see and talk to at the current time. She seems to trust almost everybody and has no inkling about the secret prevalent in her own house and has noticed nothing off, butt its fiction and at the pace it has been written it entertains enough.
I expected greater things from the book, having read the book blurb but will check out Simpson's other offerings because she seems to have the spark.
October 6, 2023
"Death Date" by B.Y. Simpson invites readers into the heart of Ashville, a dystopian world on the brink of human extinction. The World Inhabitance Group's desperate plan assigns each eighteen-year-old a death date, creating a society where every move is scrutinized, mistakes come at a cost, and only a select few are exempt from these stringent rules.
The story follows seventeen-year-old Nova James, a brave and rebellious soul, whose world is shattered when her city is destroyed in a rebellion. Faced with the unimaginable, Nova defies the norm and ventures beyond the city walls, embarking on a forbidden quest for answers. The pace is relentless, with non-stop action propelling Nova forward, but this unyielding momentum leaves room for both exhilaration and exhaustion.
One of the strengths lies in Nova's character — she's not your typical protagonist. Her courage is evident, but so too are her self-destructive tendencies, adding layers of complexity to her persona. She takes risks, sometimes seemingly unnecessary, and the narrative walks a fine line between showcasing her bravery and highlighting the potential consequences of her impulsive choices.
The plot unfolds with a series of revelations, and Nova is joined by Alex, a mysterious ally. Together, they uncover a government secret so sinister that survival becomes uncertain. The narrative's strength lies in its ability to keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover the next twist.
However, the breakneck pace has its drawbacks. The story feels rushed, and the constant chaos might leave readers yearning for moments of introspection or deeper exploration of the dystopian world. Some scenes seem superfluous, contributing to a sense of jumbled storytelling.
"Death Date" offers a cocktail of action-packed excitement and a dash of rebellion, but it might leave readers hoping for a bit more cohesion and nuance in the narrative. Strap in for a wild ride, but be prepared for a few bumps along the way!
The story follows seventeen-year-old Nova James, a brave and rebellious soul, whose world is shattered when her city is destroyed in a rebellion. Faced with the unimaginable, Nova defies the norm and ventures beyond the city walls, embarking on a forbidden quest for answers. The pace is relentless, with non-stop action propelling Nova forward, but this unyielding momentum leaves room for both exhilaration and exhaustion.
One of the strengths lies in Nova's character — she's not your typical protagonist. Her courage is evident, but so too are her self-destructive tendencies, adding layers of complexity to her persona. She takes risks, sometimes seemingly unnecessary, and the narrative walks a fine line between showcasing her bravery and highlighting the potential consequences of her impulsive choices.
The plot unfolds with a series of revelations, and Nova is joined by Alex, a mysterious ally. Together, they uncover a government secret so sinister that survival becomes uncertain. The narrative's strength lies in its ability to keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover the next twist.
However, the breakneck pace has its drawbacks. The story feels rushed, and the constant chaos might leave readers yearning for moments of introspection or deeper exploration of the dystopian world. Some scenes seem superfluous, contributing to a sense of jumbled storytelling.
"Death Date" offers a cocktail of action-packed excitement and a dash of rebellion, but it might leave readers hoping for a bit more cohesion and nuance in the narrative. Strap in for a wild ride, but be prepared for a few bumps along the way!
September 3, 2023
Death Date by B.Y. Simpson is a rapid-fire page turner of a YA dystopian novel. The character and world development are intricate and lend to a fascinating story. I received an ARC, and pretty soon, you'll be able to order it for yourself and dive in.
Nova James is brought up in a world where you receive your death date on your 18th birthday. Any of your previous actions up until that birthday can have an adverse or positive effect on the date's proximity. As Nova's 18th birthday approaches, the structured world she's known and strived to understand her whole life changes, and chaos ensues. The novel follows Nova's dangerous journey to find answers against all odds. Along the way, she suffers loss, makes new allies, explores her world, and finds that she is much stronger than she ever imagined.
What would you do to try to save the world if you only had some of the answers, and having those answers wasn't always the blessing you thought it would be? Would you push forward or accept your fate? Death Date shows us the heroine's struggle as she deals with just those questions. Death Date ends on a cliffhanger, leaving the reader itching to know how the rest of Nova's journey will continue.
Nova James is brought up in a world where you receive your death date on your 18th birthday. Any of your previous actions up until that birthday can have an adverse or positive effect on the date's proximity. As Nova's 18th birthday approaches, the structured world she's known and strived to understand her whole life changes, and chaos ensues. The novel follows Nova's dangerous journey to find answers against all odds. Along the way, she suffers loss, makes new allies, explores her world, and finds that she is much stronger than she ever imagined.
What would you do to try to save the world if you only had some of the answers, and having those answers wasn't always the blessing you thought it would be? Would you push forward or accept your fate? Death Date shows us the heroine's struggle as she deals with just those questions. Death Date ends on a cliffhanger, leaving the reader itching to know how the rest of Nova's journey will continue.
August 31, 2023
Many thanks to the author for an ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
I am already pining for the sequel.
Every 18-year-old is assigned a death date by the World Inhabitance Group, due to population control. And how a person acts determines whether time is given or taken away. So what happens when some people are not assigned a date? Then what?
This story moves fast. And for good reason - everything does change for Nova, in the blink of an eye. And now, she doesn't know who she could trust, and is on the run. Nowhere is safe and with her potential death date looming, it wouldn't even matter.
Everyone compares this story to the Hunger Games/Divergent, but it really reminded me of "The Bar Code Tattoo" series. Both are compelling and wonderfully written.
Death Date is mysterious, action-packed, and full of detail without being overbearing. And I have to shout-out the main character for being realistic! In these teen dystopian novels, they are somehow always super fit, but Nova is the first to admit that she needs to work out more, and I loved it!
I cannot wait for book two :)
I am already pining for the sequel.
Every 18-year-old is assigned a death date by the World Inhabitance Group, due to population control. And how a person acts determines whether time is given or taken away. So what happens when some people are not assigned a date? Then what?
This story moves fast. And for good reason - everything does change for Nova, in the blink of an eye. And now, she doesn't know who she could trust, and is on the run. Nowhere is safe and with her potential death date looming, it wouldn't even matter.
Everyone compares this story to the Hunger Games/Divergent, but it really reminded me of "The Bar Code Tattoo" series. Both are compelling and wonderfully written.
Death Date is mysterious, action-packed, and full of detail without being overbearing. And I have to shout-out the main character for being realistic! In these teen dystopian novels, they are somehow always super fit, but Nova is the first to admit that she needs to work out more, and I loved it!
I cannot wait for book two :)
June 24, 2024
If you love action with a little romance mixed in, you will definitely want to read this book by B.Y. Simpson.
This book had me on the edge of my seat: at times in fear for Nova and other times in annoyance at some of the characters. I couldn't put it down.
In Death Date, join Nova as she races the clock (literally) to figure out what is happening to her city as a rebellion breaks out and mysterious deaths begin.
Cue Alex, a mysterious bad boy who jumps in to help figure out what the government is hiding and what Nova's family has to do with it.
Will they figure out what's? After all, everyone has a death date, and it waits for no one.
I love books that have a little bit of everything, and this book did. I got my romance, mystery, thrills, sheer irritation and hoping a few characters got what was coming to them, and just an overall good read that I can't put down. Simpson delivered with this one. I highly recommend if you enjoy dystopian fiction. This one will suck you in immediately and you will be wishing the second book was out already. I immediately went in search of book 2, and I snagged another book of hers while searching. 😃
This book had me on the edge of my seat: at times in fear for Nova and other times in annoyance at some of the characters. I couldn't put it down.
In Death Date, join Nova as she races the clock (literally) to figure out what is happening to her city as a rebellion breaks out and mysterious deaths begin.
Cue Alex, a mysterious bad boy who jumps in to help figure out what the government is hiding and what Nova's family has to do with it.
Will they figure out what's? After all, everyone has a death date, and it waits for no one.
I love books that have a little bit of everything, and this book did. I got my romance, mystery, thrills, sheer irritation and hoping a few characters got what was coming to them, and just an overall good read that I can't put down. Simpson delivered with this one. I highly recommend if you enjoy dystopian fiction. This one will suck you in immediately and you will be wishing the second book was out already. I immediately went in search of book 2, and I snagged another book of hers while searching. 😃
June 21, 2024
“Death Date” is worth a read! 📚🌟
“Death Date” by B.Y. Simpson:
"In a world that nears human extinction lies a place called Ashville, where the government formed the World Inhabitance Group to save their people. The Group initiated a plan: assign each eighteen-year-old a death date. Each mistake costs you time. Every move is watched. And only the select are immune to the rules."1
“Death Date” is a rapid-fire page-turner of a YA dystopian novel. The character and world development are intricate, lending to a fascinating story. Nova James, the protagonist, grows up in a world where individuals receive their death date on their 18th birthday. As she navigates rebellion, secrets, and survival, the sinister truth about this world unfolds, revealing that in this dystopian reality, it kills to be less than perfect. The novel keeps readers engaged with its suspenseful plot and well-crafted world-building. If you enjoy dystopian romance with a twist, “Death Date” is worth a read! 📚🌟
“Death Date” by B.Y. Simpson:
"In a world that nears human extinction lies a place called Ashville, where the government formed the World Inhabitance Group to save their people. The Group initiated a plan: assign each eighteen-year-old a death date. Each mistake costs you time. Every move is watched. And only the select are immune to the rules."1
“Death Date” is a rapid-fire page-turner of a YA dystopian novel. The character and world development are intricate, lending to a fascinating story. Nova James, the protagonist, grows up in a world where individuals receive their death date on their 18th birthday. As she navigates rebellion, secrets, and survival, the sinister truth about this world unfolds, revealing that in this dystopian reality, it kills to be less than perfect. The novel keeps readers engaged with its suspenseful plot and well-crafted world-building. If you enjoy dystopian romance with a twist, “Death Date” is worth a read! 📚🌟
October 8, 2023
Death Date is a YA dystopian novel that is a thrilling mashup of The Hunger Games and the movie In Time, will still managing to be its own original work. 17 year old Nova James lives in a society that is so desolate, it assigns all 18 year olds a death date. Perceived bad behavior take time away from their assigned life span in an effort to give resources to those deemed more worthy of survival.
This book has a lot of potential! Nova is a complex character, coming to terms with her approaching birthday and what that means. After her city is destroyed, she walks a fine line between bravery and recklessness, which is befitting of someone her age. I do wish there had been more backstory and world building however. What was there was good, but there was a lot of unanswered questions about death dates that made the concept mildly confusing/too open for my tastes. The plot was good and definitely reads as a YA novel.
This book has a lot of potential! Nova is a complex character, coming to terms with her approaching birthday and what that means. After her city is destroyed, she walks a fine line between bravery and recklessness, which is befitting of someone her age. I do wish there had been more backstory and world building however. What was there was good, but there was a lot of unanswered questions about death dates that made the concept mildly confusing/too open for my tastes. The plot was good and definitely reads as a YA novel.
May 13, 2025
You know a book is gonna be fire when the first line is "Youve got to k!ll them,Nova." It immediately takes off from there and stays consistently riveting from there!
Nova is living in a time where, by 18, they learn their date of de@th. They are also monitored by their behavior. Each wrongdoing lessens their life span. They are pumped with enhancements to correct them.
However, that's not how things pan out for her. She starts noticing people unaliving themselves and learns of a certain Rage light disease, but there's something much more cynical to it, and she soon learns she doesn't have a de@th date. What makes her so different from everyone.
Running from everything ,she meets Alex and they form a kind of revolution to get to the bottom of things. Towards the end of the book the twists keep coming. I was so shocked and would've never guessed who or what was behind everything. I loved the dystopian and mystery elements. This is definitely one you don't want to miss!
Nova is living in a time where, by 18, they learn their date of de@th. They are also monitored by their behavior. Each wrongdoing lessens their life span. They are pumped with enhancements to correct them.
However, that's not how things pan out for her. She starts noticing people unaliving themselves and learns of a certain Rage light disease, but there's something much more cynical to it, and she soon learns she doesn't have a de@th date. What makes her so different from everyone.
Running from everything ,she meets Alex and they form a kind of revolution to get to the bottom of things. Towards the end of the book the twists keep coming. I was so shocked and would've never guessed who or what was behind everything. I loved the dystopian and mystery elements. This is definitely one you don't want to miss!
August 22, 2023
This is a dystopian lovers dream. The writing is descriptive but it’s not drawn out. If you are a lover of Divergent, The Hunger Games, or The Maze Runner, you will LOVE this book. The plot of this book is like nothing I’ve ever read before, but I could totally see how she got this idea because the world is definitely overpopulated. I enjoyed immersing myself into the world she created and going on this crazy adventure with the characters. I can’t wait for book 2!
September 11, 2023
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked this story though it took a bit to get into it. The beginning was pretty confusing and it takes a while to get enough info to start piecing together what is going on. I feel like a lot of big things happened in such a short amount of time, but nothing was really fleshed out or explained. We needed more background and details so I am hoping that will come with the second book. I did like the characters and plot and can’t wait to see how this is wrapped up.
I really liked this story though it took a bit to get into it. The beginning was pretty confusing and it takes a while to get enough info to start piecing together what is going on. I feel like a lot of big things happened in such a short amount of time, but nothing was really fleshed out or explained. We needed more background and details so I am hoping that will come with the second book. I did like the characters and plot and can’t wait to see how this is wrapped up.
September 14, 2023
Death date
Do you want to know when you die? or the government control when you die?
This novel is a dystopian young adult novel.
A mix of the hunger games and divergent.
I was hooked by chapter 1 and could not put this book down. I recommend reading this book if you love YA and dystopian novels.
Will continue if the author writes more books in this series.,
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Do you want to know when you die? or the government control when you die?
This novel is a dystopian young adult novel.
A mix of the hunger games and divergent.
I was hooked by chapter 1 and could not put this book down. I recommend reading this book if you love YA and dystopian novels.
Will continue if the author writes more books in this series.,
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 27, 2023
This book was a nice quick Young Adult read. Good storyline, left me wanting for a little more world building. It did have some predictable story components that I definitely saw coming. However it was able to keep me interested and was able to surprise me with some plot twists that I did not expect. Overall a great read and something I suggest to add to your TBR if you are looking for a dystopian novel.
June 13, 2025
An amazing dystopian book about a girl’s journey to find a cure ~ only to be faced with an idea that no one was expecting. I loved Nova so much. She’s such a strong character, and I’m so glad that she found Alex. He was her savior through everything, and I’m glad that he stayed with her. I want to fight her family and ex boyfriend though. They are all terrible people. If you enjoyed Hungry Games, you’ll enjoy this!^^
November 17, 2023
This book was very easy to understand and had an amazing plot! Super action-packed and fast-paced. You're going to be left wanting more from the next book. Highly recommend for people who like dystopian novels that are fast-moving. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 9, 2023
Outstanding dystopian... amazing writing and storytelling. This ya dystopian is unstoppable, unpredictable, and on the edge of your seat. A family secret.. a rebellion and a crazy twist. Huge cliffhanger that will have you begging for more.
December 23, 2023
I really enjoyed the storyline of this book - definitely reminded me of The Hunger Games as others have said. I liked the characters and can’t wait for another book in the series to come out - I really want to know how the characters fare in the next chapter of their lives.
June 4, 2025
LOVED this book so much. The plot was perfect, the characters were amazing. Just the whole thing. Except maybe Graham, not his biggest fan 🤣. Shock, tears, edge of my seat, laughing, hoping alllllll the emotions. I now need to very impatiently wait for the next book. Highly recommend!
August 29, 2023
This story was such a RUSH! Non stop adventure that kept me hooked from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed this read, I only wish there was more!
August 30, 2023
What a ride!! This story had a very interesting take on the dystopian genre and I cannot wait for book 2 to see how Nova's story continuess
September 7, 2023
I love dystopian stories and this one did not disappoint! It was a quick read as I couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait for the second in the duology to come out!
September 10, 2023
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Fans of Divergent and The Maze Runner will enjoy the first book in this dystopian duology!
I really enjoyed this fast paced dystopian where everyone is assigned a death date on their eighteenth birthday.
Up to this point every misstep can cost you the rest of your life. "It kills to be less than perfect." Nova James has never been perfect a day in her life. When people start dying before their death date, she is caught between the grandfather who works for the very organization that assigns death dates and the rebel group that wants everyone to be free to live their lives. Can Nova figure out what is happening and how to stop it before time runs out?
This is a duology so the first book does end on a cliffhanger.
Trigger warning: depictions of murder and violence.
Fans of Divergent and The Maze Runner will enjoy the first book in this dystopian duology!
I really enjoyed this fast paced dystopian where everyone is assigned a death date on their eighteenth birthday.
Up to this point every misstep can cost you the rest of your life. "It kills to be less than perfect." Nova James has never been perfect a day in her life. When people start dying before their death date, she is caught between the grandfather who works for the very organization that assigns death dates and the rebel group that wants everyone to be free to live their lives. Can Nova figure out what is happening and how to stop it before time runs out?
This is a duology so the first book does end on a cliffhanger.
Trigger warning: depictions of murder and violence.
September 19, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I really enjoyed this book as it reminds me of how I got into reading in the first place with a really well written young adult dystopian book. It had fantastic world building and great characters that you expect in this kind of story. It hooked me from the beginning and made me think about if I would want to know my death date if I had the chance and to be honest, I’m still not 100% sure. Overall, it was a bit of a nostalgic read even though I hadn’t read it before, that I really enjoyed and I think you will as well if you like YA dystopian books.
September 6, 2023
This was such a fun book to read. It kept the action going and held my interest throughout. I never knew when another twist was going to happen. I am really looking forward to the next book!
September 6, 2023
This novel shocked me. Between the mystery, plot twists, main characters and setting, I quickly fell in love with this book. Think of a mix between Divergent and Hunger games. That's the setting this book portrayed for me. I only rated it 3 stars because I hate cliff hangers and I think there could have been some more imagery throughout. However, I was STOKED to know that there is a second book coming and I was in love with the female character. She represents us woman well and doesn't go down without a fight.
July 11, 2025
4.5 Rounded Up!
Death Date, written B. Y. Simpson, is a truly excellent dystopian novel that will have readers hooked from start to finish.
In a genre that sometimes feels overdone, Simpson crafts a society that feels original and uniquely terrifying. In Nova’s world, everyone is assigned a death date on their eighteenth birthday. She grows up questioning every move she makes, being told that misbehaving will directly result in shortening her lifespan. Leading up to her most important birthday, strange things seem to be happening, leading to a series of shocking events that will cause Nova to question everything she has ever known about the world she lives in, and the people she loves the most.
Filled with shocking twists, Death Date is compelling and unpredictable until the last chapter. The book is very well paced and I was truly flying through it. By the end of the book, any reader will be so shocked that they will want to pick up the sequel immediately, making Death Date the perfect start to this duology!
Nova is such an interesting character to follow, and her arc is wonderfully written and truly thought provoking. I can’t wait to see how her character continues to develop in the sequel!
There were also so many complex supporting characters. I found myself attached to everyone Nova became attached to, and I truly cared about everything that happened to all these beloved characters. This book truly has a phenomenal cast!
Overall, Death Date is a masterfully written novel that creates a unique world that will captivate any reader. I truly can’t wait to read the next installment!
Thank you so much to BookSirens for providing me with an advanced copy to review!
Major Content Warnings
violence, mild gore, death, murder, gun use/violence, death of a parent, death of a family member, disease
Moderate Content Warnings
bombing/explosion, child abuse, medical procedures
Minor Content Warnings
suicide, self-harm, body image issues, fire
Death Date, written B. Y. Simpson, is a truly excellent dystopian novel that will have readers hooked from start to finish.
In a genre that sometimes feels overdone, Simpson crafts a society that feels original and uniquely terrifying. In Nova’s world, everyone is assigned a death date on their eighteenth birthday. She grows up questioning every move she makes, being told that misbehaving will directly result in shortening her lifespan. Leading up to her most important birthday, strange things seem to be happening, leading to a series of shocking events that will cause Nova to question everything she has ever known about the world she lives in, and the people she loves the most.
Filled with shocking twists, Death Date is compelling and unpredictable until the last chapter. The book is very well paced and I was truly flying through it. By the end of the book, any reader will be so shocked that they will want to pick up the sequel immediately, making Death Date the perfect start to this duology!
Nova is such an interesting character to follow, and her arc is wonderfully written and truly thought provoking. I can’t wait to see how her character continues to develop in the sequel!
There were also so many complex supporting characters. I found myself attached to everyone Nova became attached to, and I truly cared about everything that happened to all these beloved characters. This book truly has a phenomenal cast!
Overall, Death Date is a masterfully written novel that creates a unique world that will captivate any reader. I truly can’t wait to read the next installment!
Thank you so much to BookSirens for providing me with an advanced copy to review!
Major Content Warnings
violence, mild gore, death, murder, gun use/violence, death of a parent, death of a family member, disease
Moderate Content Warnings
bombing/explosion, child abuse, medical procedures
Minor Content Warnings
suicide, self-harm, body image issues, fire
November 5, 2023
This novel gripped me from the beginning. I was expecting something along the lines of ‘Happy Death Day’, however I was wrong. This has a very interesting premise. Once you turn 18, you get the date you are going to die… but what is the story behind the date. What is the why?
Simpson manages to create a very unique and unfortunately, plausible dystopian fiction. You will have some Maze Runner mets Hunger Games vibes.
I am very interested to see what happens in the continuation of this series.
Simpson manages to create a very unique and unfortunately, plausible dystopian fiction. You will have some Maze Runner mets Hunger Games vibes.
I am very interested to see what happens in the continuation of this series.
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