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Always Carry Your Scythe
Trixie D’Vita didn’t scythe. That was Mom’s gig.Then the Angel Investigative Bureau (AIB) turned up at Aunt Harry’s bar. Seemed the hottest afterlife gameshow in the Mystical Realms was misappropriating newly-departed souls. And Death was a person of interest. When the AIB can’t find Death, they come looking for Trixie, Death’s estranged daughter.Soon Trixie's best friend is in dire peril. An AIB trainee is traipsing towards trouble. And Trixie, armed with nothing but a pocket-scythe, is plunging headfirst into the gaping maw of a trans-dimensional vortex. So not the evening she’d planned.Skittle-colored demons. Werewolf drag queens. Hellhound-doodle puppies. Lots of scythe. All in this rollicking, whimsical, empowering adventure.
231 pages, ebook
Published September 30, 2023
263 people are currently reading
365 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
June 28, 2024
4.5★s
Always Carry Your Scythe is the first novel by British author, Pip Paisley. While her mother carries a scythe and is known to all as Death, Trixie d’Vita has been, since the age of seven, in the care of her Aunt Harry and his husband, Dave. For years she has been rejecting overtures from her mother to follow in her footsteps and take up her scythe. Trixie is quite happy waitressing at Harry’s Chanters Pub, Quandars, watching the antics of the witches, demons, zombies, vampires, were-people, gorgons, dryads, dragon-herders, golems, imps, and humans who gather there.
One night, two agents from the Angel Investigative Bureau turn up at the pub wanting Trixie to help them locate her mother. There’s some suspicion that Death is involved in a soul reaping scam associated with the multiverse-popular TV game show, To The Wheel run by the King of Hell. When Trixie catches up with her mother, Death sidesteps her questions and gives her a gift for her twenty-second birthday: a mini-scythe hanging off a keyring. She makes Trixie promise to always carry it.
And then Zuzi, the bartender at Quandars and Trixie’s best friend, is fatally mugged and Trixie suddenly finds herself getting very involved with that game show. It’s the only way she will be able to save her friend’s soul. Somehow or other, AIB Agent-in-Training, Maybell Mayhew joins her as they leap into the Hell Vortex. A number of Hellscape Challenges follow, all of which Trixie needs to win, with a large audience cheering her every fail, if she is to search Hell for her friend.
But when Death gets wind of where her daughter is, she of course sweeps in with her minions, Gary the gargoyle and Blu the pixie in her wake…
Before Trixie and Zuzi see each other again, there’s a long ladder, a pack of Hellhounds, the King of Hell’s palace, and a visit from the Higher Authority. Paisley’s depiction of Hell and Hell’s Officiant and the tangle of red tape and paperwork involved in getting in, or out, will resonate with some as a Hell they daily face. A very entertaining debut!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and the author.
Always Carry Your Scythe is the first novel by British author, Pip Paisley. While her mother carries a scythe and is known to all as Death, Trixie d’Vita has been, since the age of seven, in the care of her Aunt Harry and his husband, Dave. For years she has been rejecting overtures from her mother to follow in her footsteps and take up her scythe. Trixie is quite happy waitressing at Harry’s Chanters Pub, Quandars, watching the antics of the witches, demons, zombies, vampires, were-people, gorgons, dryads, dragon-herders, golems, imps, and humans who gather there.
One night, two agents from the Angel Investigative Bureau turn up at the pub wanting Trixie to help them locate her mother. There’s some suspicion that Death is involved in a soul reaping scam associated with the multiverse-popular TV game show, To The Wheel run by the King of Hell. When Trixie catches up with her mother, Death sidesteps her questions and gives her a gift for her twenty-second birthday: a mini-scythe hanging off a keyring. She makes Trixie promise to always carry it.
And then Zuzi, the bartender at Quandars and Trixie’s best friend, is fatally mugged and Trixie suddenly finds herself getting very involved with that game show. It’s the only way she will be able to save her friend’s soul. Somehow or other, AIB Agent-in-Training, Maybell Mayhew joins her as they leap into the Hell Vortex. A number of Hellscape Challenges follow, all of which Trixie needs to win, with a large audience cheering her every fail, if she is to search Hell for her friend.
But when Death gets wind of where her daughter is, she of course sweeps in with her minions, Gary the gargoyle and Blu the pixie in her wake…
Before Trixie and Zuzi see each other again, there’s a long ladder, a pack of Hellhounds, the King of Hell’s palace, and a visit from the Higher Authority. Paisley’s depiction of Hell and Hell’s Officiant and the tangle of red tape and paperwork involved in getting in, or out, will resonate with some as a Hell they daily face. A very entertaining debut!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and the author.
July 22, 2024
3.75⭐️
This was such a fun, light, and quick read. All the supernatural beings were so cute and I got serious True Blood meets Soul Eater vibes from this book. I loved this take on Death as a character. The representation in this book is next level! The absolute level of LGBTQIA+ rep in this novel made me feel all kinds of warm and fuzzy inside. And it wasn’t done in a way that would overly draw attention to the characters like “hey I’m an author including these groups praise me!” the rep is natural and it was one of my favorite things about this story.
This novel could benefit from an editor looking over it, nothing to where it made things unreadable for me but it’s just one of those things that could make it so much better and really enhance it.
I wish we could’ve gotten more from this. It was a short and easy read but I’m selfish and wish that it could’ve been just a little bit longer even though everything was wrapped up nicely for the most part.
Can’t forget the Hellhound-doodle that we get introduced to later on. 🥰
Thank you to Netgalley the author and the publisher for sending me a copy of this eARC in exchange for my review all thoughts are my own!
This was such a fun, light, and quick read. All the supernatural beings were so cute and I got serious True Blood meets Soul Eater vibes from this book. I loved this take on Death as a character. The representation in this book is next level! The absolute level of LGBTQIA+ rep in this novel made me feel all kinds of warm and fuzzy inside. And it wasn’t done in a way that would overly draw attention to the characters like “hey I’m an author including these groups praise me!” the rep is natural and it was one of my favorite things about this story.
This novel could benefit from an editor looking over it, nothing to where it made things unreadable for me but it’s just one of those things that could make it so much better and really enhance it.
I wish we could’ve gotten more from this. It was a short and easy read but I’m selfish and wish that it could’ve been just a little bit longer even though everything was wrapped up nicely for the most part.
Can’t forget the Hellhound-doodle that we get introduced to later on. 🥰
Thank you to Netgalley the author and the publisher for sending me a copy of this eARC in exchange for my review all thoughts are my own!
Want to read
October 10, 2024*******
Pre-review - how could I not nab this for FREE from amazon.com on 10/10/24. Thanks to the Fussy Librarian email blast putting it on my radar 🙃
Part of their blurb that caught my eye:
Afterlife gameshows. Skittle-colored demons. Werewolf drag queens. Hellhound-doodle puppies. And lots of scythe.
This cover is also adorbs...but check out the fab b&w paperback editions 🤩
Pre-review - how could I not nab this for FREE from amazon.com on 10/10/24. Thanks to the Fussy Librarian email blast putting it on my radar 🙃
Part of their blurb that caught my eye:
Afterlife gameshows. Skittle-colored demons. Werewolf drag queens. Hellhound-doodle puppies. And lots of scythe.
This cover is also adorbs...but check out the fab b&w paperback editions 🤩
March 22, 2024
Always Carry Your Scythe by Pip Paisley is a riotous bundle of demonic fun and to cap it all, there is a Hellhound-Doodle. A Hellhound-doodle! If you don't know I am a sucker for any incornation of a pet Cerberus by now then I don't know what else to tell you. A hellhound-doodle. GENIUS!
Favourite quote (one of a great many); "Trixie, can you pass the hot sauce?" Death asked
Call my gast well and truly flabbered at just how much fun this book is. The cocncept and storyline goes beyond quirky (a very good thing), the characters are absolutely bonkers, the pace is screaming and I am all over it. If you have a day where you want a quick read that glows sunshine claws and happy hellfire with lots of sparkles and mayhem from the minute you begin, welp, tadaa!
Absolutely brilliant!
Thank you to Netgalley, and Pip Paisley for this screamer of an ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
Favourite quote (one of a great many); "Trixie, can you pass the hot sauce?" Death asked
Call my gast well and truly flabbered at just how much fun this book is. The cocncept and storyline goes beyond quirky (a very good thing), the characters are absolutely bonkers, the pace is screaming and I am all over it. If you have a day where you want a quick read that glows sunshine claws and happy hellfire with lots of sparkles and mayhem from the minute you begin, welp, tadaa!
Absolutely brilliant!
Thank you to Netgalley, and Pip Paisley for this screamer of an ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
April 2, 2024
so much fun
I hope Pip Paisely has many more books. This is perfect for me. Plenty of humor juxtaposed with plenty of death defying excitement. I don’t want to give anything away, but if you enjoy roller coasters and authors with exuberant imaginations, this is for you. I’m very hard to please, and I couldn’t put this book down.
I hope Pip Paisely has many more books. This is perfect for me. Plenty of humor juxtaposed with plenty of death defying excitement. I don’t want to give anything away, but if you enjoy roller coasters and authors with exuberant imaginations, this is for you. I’m very hard to please, and I couldn’t put this book down.
October 7, 2024
Welcome, October!
Is it time for you to get a little weird and freaky in your book choices in anticipation of Halloween? If so, "Always Carry Your Scythe" could provide a light, funny, and not so scary starting point.
Have you ever wondered what the wild child of say...DEATH... and oh, maybe...another well known immortal being might be like?? No? Well, too bad!
"Always Carry Your Scythe" is author Pip Paisley's (PIP PAISLEY!! Is that a perfect name or what?!) answer to that very question.
Meet Trixie D'Vita, a fiercely independent twenty-something gal who just wants to live a *good life* in a strangely blended human and supernatural being kind of world! Mix in some very human and some very unhuman high-jinxs, and you may be ready to follow Miss Trixie on any and all crazy adventures. (Think storylines that might play well on the iconic TV shows "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Supernatural," or the newer "Lucifer."
This is not by any stretch of the imagination a serious read, but it will entertain you for a few hours of light, escapist reading.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this campy, funny, supernatural romp of a book!
Is it time for you to get a little weird and freaky in your book choices in anticipation of Halloween? If so, "Always Carry Your Scythe" could provide a light, funny, and not so scary starting point.
Have you ever wondered what the wild child of say...DEATH... and oh, maybe...another well known immortal being might be like?? No? Well, too bad!
"Always Carry Your Scythe" is author Pip Paisley's (PIP PAISLEY!! Is that a perfect name or what?!) answer to that very question.
Meet Trixie D'Vita, a fiercely independent twenty-something gal who just wants to live a *good life* in a strangely blended human and supernatural being kind of world! Mix in some very human and some very unhuman high-jinxs, and you may be ready to follow Miss Trixie on any and all crazy adventures. (Think storylines that might play well on the iconic TV shows "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Supernatural," or the newer "Lucifer."
This is not by any stretch of the imagination a serious read, but it will entertain you for a few hours of light, escapist reading.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this campy, funny, supernatural romp of a book!
April 27, 2024
This Young/New Adult supernatural romp through Hell was a fun read! Trixie doesn't want to go into the family business - her mom is Death - but finds herself navigating Hell anyways, specifically a demonic game show under investigation by the Angel Investigation Bureau (AIB). The author has populated the story with descriptive settings and recognizeable supernatural fantasy characters: vampires, demons, angels, sorcerors, werewolf drag queens and fan favourite...Hellhound doodle puppies - all with a humourous slant.
The plot at times is a bit ridiculous and the ending is a bity tidy, but while the text could use a quick copyedit and sometimes the balance between telling and showing is off, the writing is easy to read and accessible. Overall, this is a fun(ny) adventure following sassy supernatural characters that centres on friendship and family, and I'd definitely read more if this turns out to be a series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author Pip Paisley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The plot at times is a bit ridiculous and the ending is a bity tidy, but while the text could use a quick copyedit and sometimes the balance between telling and showing is off, the writing is easy to read and accessible. Overall, this is a fun(ny) adventure following sassy supernatural characters that centres on friendship and family, and I'd definitely read more if this turns out to be a series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author Pip Paisley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 31, 2024
A true delight!
I read this book in one sitting on a Sunday afternoon. As indicated in the title, it was delightful! Wonderful characters, an interesting story that moved along nicely, a fun world in which humans and supernaturals coexist naturally, and the occasional fun parody to bring a chuckle.... ("Vainna Blanc"? really?) Reminiscent of some of H. Claire Taylor's great satire & fantasy blended with "Good Omens", " Always Carry..." provides a wonderful escape!
I read this book in one sitting on a Sunday afternoon. As indicated in the title, it was delightful! Wonderful characters, an interesting story that moved along nicely, a fun world in which humans and supernaturals coexist naturally, and the occasional fun parody to bring a chuckle.... ("Vainna Blanc"? really?) Reminiscent of some of H. Claire Taylor's great satire & fantasy blended with "Good Omens", " Always Carry..." provides a wonderful escape!
July 13, 2025
It was hilarious and dramatic. Full of crazy stuff and emotional moments, and it's good the Hell trials finally stopped because it was feeling a tiny bit redundant at some point. However, I enjoyed this a lot, the whole "angels are FBI here" got me from the beginning. a deadly funny read.
July 18, 2024
3.75 stars
Amusing light read
Amusing light read
April 27, 2024
Holy shit, we’re in Hell.
I don't know what it is about the past year, but I seem to have read an uncanny amount of books that either star Death as a main character or involve Heaven and/or Hell plus Angels and Demons in some way and more (see waaaaaay below). This is not even counting the multitude of urban fantasy I tend to devour like the creatures featured within. And just imagine: I've managed to do this without reading even one of Sir Terry Pratchett's Discworld books, mostly because I've read them all at least twice in English and often that many times in German, too (beats learning via the on-line courses, trust me!). Now I can also add " Always Carry Your Scythe" by Pip Paisley to my list as it certainly checks off on just about every box I've mentioned so far.
Death is a frustrating, annoying, somewhat-flakey, super-being who happens to be my mom.
ACYS is a cute tail, oops, tale featuring the fiery Trixie D'Vita. When we meet Trixie, she is busy doing a shift in Quandors, a pub somewhere in Seattle that serves both living people as we know them and non-living as I hope at least most of us don't. Apparently, which we eventually learn, there was an event called the, again oops, I mean, The Wake in 1943 that killed off about 1/3 of humanity along the way. No, there's no mention of Nazis or anything of that ilk being responsible so it seems we are indeed chugging along in an alternate reality. What happens then is that because of said catastrophic events is that all the non-human critters one could think of now exist with us, having joined the party to make sure there was still a party left to join. It seems all very kumbaya-esque and groovy to me, but hey, as long as the rules say "no chewing on each other without permission", it seems to work.
Basically, I was avoiding Death.
But Trixie's life is even more interesting than just serving drinks and barfood to vamps, were-things, ghouls and more. No, you see, she happens to be the daughter of Death, a fact that I guess I spoiled pretty much above. Yeppers, another one of those Capital-D "I am your Destiny" embodiments of the Grim Reaper like I started talking about at, um, the start here! Trixie and Mama D aren't all that close it seems but a lot of reasons and very human emotions pop up in the following chapters until we are even face to face with the King of Hell and HA. No, I'm not laughing but the "joke" here (pardon me while I cross myself a few times) is that HA is short for Higher Authority or I guess that should be Highest Authority. If you want to be technical about it. And preferrably also not get struck by lightning, too.
But that’s not all! One of tonight’s contestants could win a life of drudgery and disease!
A rash of craziness then ensues as we go from our plane of existence to other(s), facing doom, torture and even the opportunity to win big prizes on a hellish version of "Wheel of Fortune". Sadly the contestants do NOT get the chance to buy vowels and face all kinds of often cruel "prizes" in their rush for the ultimate jackpot. Needless to say it's a lot of fun for the demons in the studio and "those entities out there watching at home", but not so much so for the souls having to deal with the shenanigans. Yes, naturally shenanigans are afoot which definitely requires getting the Angel Investigative Bureau involved. Oh and along the way we run into fairy tale folks and a rendition of The Wizard of Oz that makes doing acid - under supervised medical observation only! - kind of unnecessary. Yeah, gets weird for a while!
Flying by monkey was oddly peaceful.
So what is set up by Paisley is an interesting reality for sure. However, I felt like the story never reached its potential, not with everything we see and everything/one we meet. It's a nice story, yes, with a lot of sweet moments and even a cute dog to enjoy along the way (no, this was not part of the Oz bit, sorry). But I would have definitely loved to hear more about The Wake and how it led us to this point. And just the sheer possibilities that we could have enjoyed beyond just seeing all these delicious cryptids, critters and creatures in a bar setting can't be understated. And just teasing us like that at the end with the new news that Trixie has. Why you gotta do us like that? Definitely one of those "I would love to see the Director's Cut version" kind of instances!
No exceptions. No second chances. No mercy.
I think in the end I'd be a lot happier if we could have stretched some bits out, even insinuating that maybe more sequels or even prequels were on the way. Death for example. Very cool, very hot, very… oh my, let me stop there, I'm getting all hot and bothered. An enticing player to be sure. Zuzi's "travels" from A to B to I guess Z would have also been interesting to learn and see more about. Plus, how was Maybell even there in the first place? There's got to be something worth honorably mentioning in all that, no? As it is, rather than getting really into it all, we're done far too quickly. I wanted to invest more in these characters, but that's all she wrote. Still, a fun read - noting the editing needs quite a bit of work! - but as I've already hinted rather strongly at, I'd love to see more! Enjoy!
Seeing my intestines dangling from a spike wasn’t something I could unsee.
As just a few examples:
"How To Be Dead" series by Dave Turner = BRILLIANT!! What a great group of wild books!
"Death Gets A Book" by Frank Edler = HILARIOUS!!
"PolterGary" by Lee Richmond = ONE OF MY FAVORITES!!
"The Driver of Serpents" by Jay Requard = Interesting series starter!
"The Demon Hunter's Wife" by C.J. Powell = Genius with a capital GEE!!! One of my favorite reads of the past several months in ANY genre!
I don't know what it is about the past year, but I seem to have read an uncanny amount of books that either star Death as a main character or involve Heaven and/or Hell plus Angels and Demons in some way and more (see waaaaaay below). This is not even counting the multitude of urban fantasy I tend to devour like the creatures featured within. And just imagine: I've managed to do this without reading even one of Sir Terry Pratchett's Discworld books, mostly because I've read them all at least twice in English and often that many times in German, too (beats learning via the on-line courses, trust me!). Now I can also add " Always Carry Your Scythe" by Pip Paisley to my list as it certainly checks off on just about every box I've mentioned so far.
Death is a frustrating, annoying, somewhat-flakey, super-being who happens to be my mom.
ACYS is a cute tail, oops, tale featuring the fiery Trixie D'Vita. When we meet Trixie, she is busy doing a shift in Quandors, a pub somewhere in Seattle that serves both living people as we know them and non-living as I hope at least most of us don't. Apparently, which we eventually learn, there was an event called the, again oops, I mean, The Wake in 1943 that killed off about 1/3 of humanity along the way. No, there's no mention of Nazis or anything of that ilk being responsible so it seems we are indeed chugging along in an alternate reality. What happens then is that because of said catastrophic events is that all the non-human critters one could think of now exist with us, having joined the party to make sure there was still a party left to join. It seems all very kumbaya-esque and groovy to me, but hey, as long as the rules say "no chewing on each other without permission", it seems to work.
Basically, I was avoiding Death.
But Trixie's life is even more interesting than just serving drinks and barfood to vamps, were-things, ghouls and more. No, you see, she happens to be the daughter of Death, a fact that I guess I spoiled pretty much above. Yeppers, another one of those Capital-D "I am your Destiny" embodiments of the Grim Reaper like I started talking about at, um, the start here! Trixie and Mama D aren't all that close it seems but a lot of reasons and very human emotions pop up in the following chapters until we are even face to face with the King of Hell and HA. No, I'm not laughing but the "joke" here (pardon me while I cross myself a few times) is that HA is short for Higher Authority or I guess that should be Highest Authority. If you want to be technical about it. And preferrably also not get struck by lightning, too.
But that’s not all! One of tonight’s contestants could win a life of drudgery and disease!
A rash of craziness then ensues as we go from our plane of existence to other(s), facing doom, torture and even the opportunity to win big prizes on a hellish version of "Wheel of Fortune". Sadly the contestants do NOT get the chance to buy vowels and face all kinds of often cruel "prizes" in their rush for the ultimate jackpot. Needless to say it's a lot of fun for the demons in the studio and "those entities out there watching at home", but not so much so for the souls having to deal with the shenanigans. Yes, naturally shenanigans are afoot which definitely requires getting the Angel Investigative Bureau involved. Oh and along the way we run into fairy tale folks and a rendition of The Wizard of Oz that makes doing acid - under supervised medical observation only! - kind of unnecessary. Yeah, gets weird for a while!
Flying by monkey was oddly peaceful.
So what is set up by Paisley is an interesting reality for sure. However, I felt like the story never reached its potential, not with everything we see and everything/one we meet. It's a nice story, yes, with a lot of sweet moments and even a cute dog to enjoy along the way (no, this was not part of the Oz bit, sorry). But I would have definitely loved to hear more about The Wake and how it led us to this point. And just the sheer possibilities that we could have enjoyed beyond just seeing all these delicious cryptids, critters and creatures in a bar setting can't be understated. And just teasing us like that at the end with the new news that Trixie has. Why you gotta do us like that? Definitely one of those "I would love to see the Director's Cut version" kind of instances!
No exceptions. No second chances. No mercy.
I think in the end I'd be a lot happier if we could have stretched some bits out, even insinuating that maybe more sequels or even prequels were on the way. Death for example. Very cool, very hot, very… oh my, let me stop there, I'm getting all hot and bothered. An enticing player to be sure. Zuzi's "travels" from A to B to I guess Z would have also been interesting to learn and see more about. Plus, how was Maybell even there in the first place? There's got to be something worth honorably mentioning in all that, no? As it is, rather than getting really into it all, we're done far too quickly. I wanted to invest more in these characters, but that's all she wrote. Still, a fun read - noting the editing needs quite a bit of work! - but as I've already hinted rather strongly at, I'd love to see more! Enjoy!
Seeing my intestines dangling from a spike wasn’t something I could unsee.
As just a few examples:
"How To Be Dead" series by Dave Turner = BRILLIANT!! What a great group of wild books!
"Death Gets A Book" by Frank Edler = HILARIOUS!!
"PolterGary" by Lee Richmond = ONE OF MY FAVORITES!!
"The Driver of Serpents" by Jay Requard = Interesting series starter!
"The Demon Hunter's Wife" by C.J. Powell = Genius with a capital GEE!!! One of my favorite reads of the past several months in ANY genre!
April 27, 2024
I wanted to have a blast reading this, but it was just ok for me personally. It had a great premise and characters, but the plot didn't really get fleshed out in the way I was hoping for, and I could have used WAY more Hellhound-Doodle.
While the story started out strong, I would have liked a bit more detail in the hell section (which strangely didn't seem quite hellish enough. Though I lOVED the American Gladiators style challenge --more of that, please!)
I guess I felt like the world building was a little shallow across the board. I wanted to spend more time getting to know about these people and their lives, while the book seemed more into following the "save someone from hell" plot line.
The nice thing about this book is it seems to be a set up for a series, so there is potential to dive deeper into these topics in the future. (I would be interested in stories about interning for Death. Actually, I'd be interested in more stories about Death, period!)
This isn't a bad book by any means, just not a match with my expectations. Although there are ingredients in here to do some cool stuff in the future.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
While the story started out strong, I would have liked a bit more detail in the hell section (which strangely didn't seem quite hellish enough. Though I lOVED the American Gladiators style challenge --more of that, please!)
I guess I felt like the world building was a little shallow across the board. I wanted to spend more time getting to know about these people and their lives, while the book seemed more into following the "save someone from hell" plot line.
The nice thing about this book is it seems to be a set up for a series, so there is potential to dive deeper into these topics in the future. (I would be interested in stories about interning for Death. Actually, I'd be interested in more stories about Death, period!)
This isn't a bad book by any means, just not a match with my expectations. Although there are ingredients in here to do some cool stuff in the future.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2024
Who knew Death -- or rather, Death's daughter -- could be so funny.
The basic premise of this easy-to-read tale centers on Trixie (aka "Death's daughter") needs to rescue someone from Hell. But that simply doesn't sum up all the clever scenarios Paisley throws her character into. From an otherworldly form of Wheel of Fortune to the underworld's version of American Ninja Warrior, Trixie faces it all with pure grit, determination, and smart aleck-y retorts.
The spot-on humor of this book quickly sucked me in, but Paisley's wonderful creativity and fun she obviously had with her characters is what really stuck with me. From a stony gargoyle butler to drinking-game-playing vampires, I couldn't wait to see what was going to come onto the scene next.
But it's not all about the laughs. There's some true emotion and soul-searching (literally and figuratively because, well... Hell) that goes on in this little gem of a story.
Definitely recommended if you're looking for a quick read that has plenty of fun with Death.
The basic premise of this easy-to-read tale centers on Trixie (aka "Death's daughter") needs to rescue someone from Hell. But that simply doesn't sum up all the clever scenarios Paisley throws her character into. From an otherworldly form of Wheel of Fortune to the underworld's version of American Ninja Warrior, Trixie faces it all with pure grit, determination, and smart aleck-y retorts.
The spot-on humor of this book quickly sucked me in, but Paisley's wonderful creativity and fun she obviously had with her characters is what really stuck with me. From a stony gargoyle butler to drinking-game-playing vampires, I couldn't wait to see what was going to come onto the scene next.
But it's not all about the laughs. There's some true emotion and soul-searching (literally and figuratively because, well... Hell) that goes on in this little gem of a story.
Definitely recommended if you're looking for a quick read that has plenty of fun with Death.
May 11, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Pip Paisley for providing this book, with my honest review below.
Always Carry Your Scythe looked like a fun book and I was so glad that I enjoyed reading it as much as I thought I would from the premise.
Trixie is the daughter of death and in the world of this book creates like vampires and werewolves are common place along with the idea of demons in hell and angels in heaven. When Trixie’s best friend Zuzi dies and decides to go on a shady game show that promises to give contestants a chance at heaven, another life, or hell - but usually delivers on a torturous alternative life or hell - Trixie goes on a quest with an Angel operative, Maybell, to find her.
The world of Always Carry Your Scythe is colorful and was half the fun. The adventure was of course the other half but this book is able to have equally satisfying characters that keep you laughing and as intrigued as the plot itself. I’d recommend it to those who like books that are a little different and a lot of fun.
Always Carry Your Scythe looked like a fun book and I was so glad that I enjoyed reading it as much as I thought I would from the premise.
Trixie is the daughter of death and in the world of this book creates like vampires and werewolves are common place along with the idea of demons in hell and angels in heaven. When Trixie’s best friend Zuzi dies and decides to go on a shady game show that promises to give contestants a chance at heaven, another life, or hell - but usually delivers on a torturous alternative life or hell - Trixie goes on a quest with an Angel operative, Maybell, to find her.
The world of Always Carry Your Scythe is colorful and was half the fun. The adventure was of course the other half but this book is able to have equally satisfying characters that keep you laughing and as intrigued as the plot itself. I’d recommend it to those who like books that are a little different and a lot of fun.
August 5, 2024
I love when I run across a book that makes me smile and this book did exactly that. When I saw the title of this book, I didn't even feel the need to read the summary because I knew it would be what I was looking for in an easy summer read.
Trixie is the estranged daughter of Death, with a capital D. However, Trixie does not want to follow in her mom's reaping footsteps and forges her own path in her Aunt Harry's bar as a waitress while she tries to figure it out. However, things take a turn for the worse when the Angel Investigation Bureau show up looking for a way to contact Death and Trixie won't give them any details.
Things snowball and soon Trixie finds herself running a demon warrior ninja gauntlet in hell to try and save someone she loves. It's a bit of an emotional rollercoaster at times but it's fun, witty, whimsical, and sassy. These characters are fierce in the best of ways and I hope Pip Paisley explores more story options with these characters. I can certainly see where a lot of fun and ridiculous adventures could be had with a hellhound labradoodle.
Trixie is the estranged daughter of Death, with a capital D. However, Trixie does not want to follow in her mom's reaping footsteps and forges her own path in her Aunt Harry's bar as a waitress while she tries to figure it out. However, things take a turn for the worse when the Angel Investigation Bureau show up looking for a way to contact Death and Trixie won't give them any details.
Things snowball and soon Trixie finds herself running a demon warrior ninja gauntlet in hell to try and save someone she loves. It's a bit of an emotional rollercoaster at times but it's fun, witty, whimsical, and sassy. These characters are fierce in the best of ways and I hope Pip Paisley explores more story options with these characters. I can certainly see where a lot of fun and ridiculous adventures could be had with a hellhound labradoodle.
April 3, 2024
This could have really been something. Filed under humor on NetGalley I expected to laugh or giggle. There was no giggling. Most of the book is narrated by Trixie, daughter of Death.
So many fantasy characters (death, devils, vampires etc), and all seemed so close to humans, men and women. I just feel like one of the mystical beings could just be non binary.
I’m not sure why but I wasn’t really rooting for anyone in the book besides the dog. Nothing was that surprising, new or described in an interesting way. I feel like the show “the Good Place”, had much more interesting hell scapes.
Death can be any shape or form and this is how they dress “She was dressed in her usual work uniform of black leather bustier, leather pants and thigh-high stiletto boots.”.
I just feel like Death would be shaped and dressed more amorphous like Barba Papa.
I was definitely not the audience of this book. Others might like it.
So many fantasy characters (death, devils, vampires etc), and all seemed so close to humans, men and women. I just feel like one of the mystical beings could just be non binary.
I’m not sure why but I wasn’t really rooting for anyone in the book besides the dog. Nothing was that surprising, new or described in an interesting way. I feel like the show “the Good Place”, had much more interesting hell scapes.
Death can be any shape or form and this is how they dress “She was dressed in her usual work uniform of black leather bustier, leather pants and thigh-high stiletto boots.”.
I just feel like Death would be shaped and dressed more amorphous like Barba Papa.
I was definitely not the audience of this book. Others might like it.
April 23, 2024
Oh my goodness! What a heap of supernatural/demonic fun! Trixie D'Vita's mom is Death. Yes, that Death. Capital D Death. Mom wants Trixie to go into the family business, but Trixie is not keen on that idea. She works at Aunt Harry's bar and is happy with that for now. Mom is still trying to convince Trixie to apprentice for Death and gives Trixie a mini-scythe and tells her to carry with her always. This gift will eventually come in pretty handy. Unfortunately, one night Trixie sees something terrible happen to a friend and can't prevent it. Don't want to put any spoilers out, but suffice to say she goes to Hell to get her friend back. Demonic game shows, the King of Hell, an agent in training for the Angel Investigation Bureau and a Hellhound-doodle are all part of the quest Trixie is on. Loved that this is a different take on the afterlife and it's a really fun read! Hoping there will be a book 2!
May 7, 2024
Always Carry Your Scythe by Pip Paisley is a quick, fun read featuring Trixie, the daughter of Death. She isn’t thrilled by the thought of following in her mother’s professional footsteps and hasn’t really forgiven Mom for leaving her with Aunt Harry as a child. Trixie will go to any length, though, to help her best friend Zuzi, including playing the King of Hell’s gameshow, To the Wheel.
I liked Trixie quite a bit, she is fun-loving, open-minded, persistent, but still struggles with vulnerability. Most of the other characters need a little more fleshing out but since this seems like the beginning of a series, that will probably come
.
The plot moves very quickly and has lots of amusing parts, as well as some serious for balance. For the characters, the stakes were quite high, but the story was told in such an entertaining way.
I’ll be looking for more in this series. Recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley and Pip Paisley for providing a free digital ARC.
I liked Trixie quite a bit, she is fun-loving, open-minded, persistent, but still struggles with vulnerability. Most of the other characters need a little more fleshing out but since this seems like the beginning of a series, that will probably come
.
The plot moves very quickly and has lots of amusing parts, as well as some serious for balance. For the characters, the stakes were quite high, but the story was told in such an entertaining way.
I’ll be looking for more in this series. Recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley and Pip Paisley for providing a free digital ARC.
May 13, 2024
This book is highly imaginative. I loved that Death had a daughter. I loved that all sorts of creatures were all together in a bar. I thought it was a great story.
When Zuzi goes to Hell, and then her best friend Trixie follows her, due to a game show. WOW! How creative. I loved the many different levels of Hell. Especially the Demon Warriors Challenge.
However, some of the book was downright boring. Like the Demon Warriors Challenge, It went on too long. I knew that Trixie would get out of it. I had to skim the pages because it was so boring and insipid.
Then the book turned when HA came and it was interesting again. WE find out who Trixie's dad is and the world is made right. Of course, anyone reading the book would know who her daddy is.
Overall, a great creative book that just needed a little bit more surprises thrown in to be great.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.
When Zuzi goes to Hell, and then her best friend Trixie follows her, due to a game show. WOW! How creative. I loved the many different levels of Hell. Especially the Demon Warriors Challenge.
However, some of the book was downright boring. Like the Demon Warriors Challenge, It went on too long. I knew that Trixie would get out of it. I had to skim the pages because it was so boring and insipid.
Then the book turned when HA came and it was interesting again. WE find out who Trixie's dad is and the world is made right. Of course, anyone reading the book would know who her daddy is.
Overall, a great creative book that just needed a little bit more surprises thrown in to be great.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.
May 15, 2024
Interesting, Fun & Unique!
It's a quick read, different from most & mostly fun. Female late teen hating the fact her mother was Death & never around. Angry that her mother wouldn't tell her who her father was and a variety of of the usual, but different family issues, was a waitress in a bar/grill for otherworldly folk when her best friend is killed. She followed her to he'll, to rescue her as she was supposed to go to heaven but was talked into trying out a hellish game show.
Intriguing, right? She loses, goes to hell with our heroine following to rescue her. All kinds of adventures follow!
Didn't notice misspelled words, wrong words used or out of place or misplaced punctuation, so a very nice read for that alone; the editing was excellent and the story different from the usual supernatural beings type.
Enjoy!
It's a quick read, different from most & mostly fun. Female late teen hating the fact her mother was Death & never around. Angry that her mother wouldn't tell her who her father was and a variety of of the usual, but different family issues, was a waitress in a bar/grill for otherworldly folk when her best friend is killed. She followed her to he'll, to rescue her as she was supposed to go to heaven but was talked into trying out a hellish game show.
Intriguing, right? She loses, goes to hell with our heroine following to rescue her. All kinds of adventures follow!
Didn't notice misspelled words, wrong words used or out of place or misplaced punctuation, so a very nice read for that alone; the editing was excellent and the story different from the usual supernatural beings type.
Enjoy!
December 31, 2023
Once I started Always Carry Your Scythe I couldn't put it down! In fact I've read it twice and continue to wonder what the Team is up to next! This was the most fun and imaginative read I've had in a long time. Death, Death's Daughter Trixie & the whole gang are irresistible! Pip's storytelling moves fast, but also takes its time, giving us the reader a chance to step right into this fantastical world. Before we know it, we ourselves are hanging out a Quandors, traveling through the Mystical Realms, cheering our heroine and her team on! Always Carry Your Scythe is spirited, unpredictable, heartwarming. I cannot wait for Trixie & co's next adventure!
May 3, 2024
I saw this book, and I was intrigued by both the cover and the blurb. I thought, “what the heck,” and I requested it. It looked to be a fun romp, and it really delivered. I found the main character to be really sympathetic and fun, and she doesn’t back down from a fight. Trixie is a faithful friend to Zuzi, and I love how she goes about showing that. While there were a couple of things that weren’t perfect, I found this book so well-written and fun, I didn’t care a bit about that. I’d love to see Trixie, Maybelle, and Zuzi again, even the minor characters. This book is a fun way to spend an afternoon. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
October 27, 2025
Such a cute quirky story that was fun and entertaining. Trixie is the daughter of Death. She is working at her Aunt Harry's bar with her bestie, Zuzi, when things go haywire. After Zuzi chooses a different path, Trixie chases after her and ends up in Hell. Trixie has to navigate through to get her friend back.
I had a good time reading about Trixie's friends and family and journey with her during her challenges to get out of Hell. The descriptions in some areas could have been slightly more vivid, but overall, the book took me on a fun adventure. There was comedy, mythology, family issues, and a Hell Doodle! I look forward to reading more of this author's work in the future.
I had a good time reading about Trixie's friends and family and journey with her during her challenges to get out of Hell. The descriptions in some areas could have been slightly more vivid, but overall, the book took me on a fun adventure. There was comedy, mythology, family issues, and a Hell Doodle! I look forward to reading more of this author's work in the future.
April 9, 2024
Can a Novel about Death and Hell Possibly be Charming?
Writing about two such seemingly gruesome topics as is they are everyday happenings -- come to think of it, they are -- is indeed challenging! Making them less than depressing is even more complicated. Somehow Ms. Paisley manages to navigate Death's daughter, Trixie, through the most harrowing of hellscapes to retrieve her best friend, Zuzi, from an undeserved eternity in "the bad place," where she was sent from -- of all places ‐- a diabolical quiz show!
Writing about two such seemingly gruesome topics as is they are everyday happenings -- come to think of it, they are -- is indeed challenging! Making them less than depressing is even more complicated. Somehow Ms. Paisley manages to navigate Death's daughter, Trixie, through the most harrowing of hellscapes to retrieve her best friend, Zuzi, from an undeserved eternity in "the bad place," where she was sent from -- of all places ‐- a diabolical quiz show!
August 29, 2024
This is a delightfully fun read, full of good humour, lovely friendships, some really nastily hilarious versions of hell, and a Hell-doodle, which ... I want one. The story zips along at a good pace, always pulling you into the next chapter, and the cast of characters are diverse, believable, and simply loads of fun. I'm now waiting impatiently/hopefully for book two, as while this story tied up beautifully and is a fully self-contained read, I want to know what happens next!
Especially with Darcy the Hell-doodle ...
Especially with Darcy the Hell-doodle ...
November 16, 2024
Actual rating 3.5 stars.
This book was slow to start but once it got going it was a phenomenal thrill seeking ride. I enjoyed the characterization, the plot the development but the slow and character heavy beginning nearly put me off reading further. A book needs to grab you in the beginning or it becomes a dnf. Thankfully on this occasion I didn't give up I ended up really enjoying the book.
I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book was slow to start but once it got going it was a phenomenal thrill seeking ride. I enjoyed the characterization, the plot the development but the slow and character heavy beginning nearly put me off reading further. A book needs to grab you in the beginning or it becomes a dnf. Thankfully on this occasion I didn't give up I ended up really enjoying the book.
I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 27, 2024
It was the cover that got me, then the blurb sucked me in. Deaths daughter? Angel agents? Vamps, witches, were-queens, demons, a Hellhound-Doodle and other wordly bureaucracy?
Plus Death is sexy as heck!
There was no way I was going to say no to reading this! but I still had no idea what to expect.
It was a super easy read, fun & funny, with some nice touches of real people (not just human) connection.
I thoroughly loved the story, but I did find the pace a bit odd, not bad, just odd.
And I was left needing MORE, including more information about certain family members.... IYKYK.
Plus Death is sexy as heck!
There was no way I was going to say no to reading this! but I still had no idea what to expect.
It was a super easy read, fun & funny, with some nice touches of real people (not just human) connection.
I thoroughly loved the story, but I did find the pace a bit odd, not bad, just odd.
And I was left needing MORE, including more information about certain family members.... IYKYK.
October 25, 2025
Another book I couldn’t put down! This story gives the supernatural world a whole new twist.
When the Angel Investigative Bureau can’t find Death, they come for her daughter(Trixie D’Vita). Soon she’s caught in a dangerous afterlife game show where one spin decides if you’re headed to heaven or hell.
With her best friend in danger, family secrets unraveling, and chaos around every corner, Trixie’s adventure is funny, fast-paced, and full of heart.
A wildly original read with skittle-colored demons, werewolf drag queens, and even hellhound-doodle puppies. What’s not to love?
When the Angel Investigative Bureau can’t find Death, they come for her daughter(Trixie D’Vita). Soon she’s caught in a dangerous afterlife game show where one spin decides if you’re headed to heaven or hell.
With her best friend in danger, family secrets unraveling, and chaos around every corner, Trixie’s adventure is funny, fast-paced, and full of heart.
A wildly original read with skittle-colored demons, werewolf drag queens, and even hellhound-doodle puppies. What’s not to love?
October 21, 2023
This was a warm hug of a story I really needed. Trixie and friends effortlessly drew me into their adventures and before I knew it I was laughing, crying and cheering them on. Pip has created a magical world grounded in a familiar and relatable way that is a masterful balance of humor and tension with a satisfying ending. And it features the sweetest hellhound ever. Oh, and fair warning: sudden need to seek out cinnamon rolls may result. Eagerly awaiting the next Death’s daughter adventure.
May 12, 2024
I liked this urban-fantasy book. The characters are well developed and the world-building is good. I also liked the magic system and thought it was consistent throughout the book. The story itself was fun and well-paced. I loved the shot it takes at game shows. I would definitely read another book in what I hope will be a long-lasting series. Thank you to Netgalley and Pip Paisley for the digital review copy.
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