Elijah Dart: Angel of Death

by Jonathan L. Ferrara

The next Angel of Death has been chosen...

Before his fourteenth birthday, ordinary Elijah Dart would have never gone snooping around in a graveyard, joined an old ghost for tea, or battled Hellhounds with a scythe. If only he hadn’t followed the Reapers through the graveyard on All Hallows Eve, he would have never been in training to take his father’s place as the next Angel of Death.

Genres: Fantasy

198 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 29, 2014

About the author

Hello there! My name is Jonathan L. Ferrara, author of THE GHOST OF BUXTON MANOR, a YA LGBT Paranormal romance based off of the real life inspiration of Peter Pan. I live in Los Angeles with my husband, a cartoonist and creator of our comic "Husband & Husband", updating weekly at http://www.tapastic.com/series/husban.... I love making new friends and spreading positivity within the community, so put a smile on! :)

BRAND NEW, YA LGBT Paranormal book releases 10/12/2016!

Reviews

[⚓Dan⚓ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Really, realy like it. When I needed to take a break I found myself saying Ok just one more chapter.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Elijah Dart: Angel of Death by Jonathan L. Ferrara is a delightful story about an ordinary boy, bored with life, who realizes that the world is not as it seems and his family is anything but ordinary - him least of all.

I loved the setting. It began as a humdrum scene that reminded me of a long, quiet wait at the bus stop or a slowly dripping faucet - this is Elijah's world before everything changes on All Hallow's Eve. Before you know it, this world comes alive and Elijah begins experiencing the impossible! This is a wonderfully quirky tale that takes on the macabre topic of reaping souls while keeping the story relatively light and very respectful.

My favorite character was definitely Grim. He was endearingly grumpy, loyal and practical - everything I began hoping he'd be the moment he was introduced. It was "the boy and his dog", Elijah Dart style.

"Grim..." Elijah drew his sheets up to his torso in fear. "Can you understand me?" He gulped. "Can you speak?"

The two of them stared hard at each other, without as much as a blink from either of them. Elijah waited. It seemed to go on forever. Just as Elijah felt he was able to relax again, Grim opened his mouth, further confirming that Elijah's "nightmare" had not yet ended.

"I'm not going to bark if that's what you're asking me."

A quick side note about Myra slipping Grim some cake: shouldn't someone tell her that chocolate is very bad for dogs? If Helena's cooking weren't so dreadful, I'd recommend slipping him something else, instead.

The one thing that kept me from giving this story a higher rating was that I felt it needed a bit more of a polish. There were sentences, here and there, that I had to read twice to fully understand, as well as occasional short side tracks that seemed out of place. This interrupted my focus and distracted me from the excitement of the Elijah's adventure.

Overall, this was a fun, quirky story, and I'm curious to see how Elijah's adventure will continue in the next installment, Carnival of Bones.

Note: I received a e-copy of Elijah Dart: Angel of Death from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Angel of Death
Author: Jonathan L. Ferrara
Publisher: Puppet Strings Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-99093-420-2
Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/Elijah-Dart-Ang...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Elijah Dart 1
The next Angel of Death has been chosen...

Before his fourteenth birthday, ordinary Elijah Dart would have never gone snooping around in a graveyard, joined an old ghost for tea, or battled Hellhounds with a scythe. If only he hadn’t followed the Reapers through the graveyard on All Hallows Eve, he would have never been in training to take his father’s place as the next Angel of Death.


Summary:

This story was an unexpected delight with characters who took command of the plot from the very start. Elijah appeared to be an unassuming teenager whose biggest problem was his family. It didn't help that his father owned and lived in a graveyard, but even that wasn't strange. Things are not always what they seem and this Halloween Elijah's biggest problem for the first time wasn't that they were not allowed to go trick-or treating. Elijah's world was about to change in strange and unknown ways that I for one never expected. Elijah's twin brothers were unique in their manipulative and confrontational ways. Myra, Elijah's sister, was both loving and mysterious with her imaginary friend who might not be as imaginary as everyone thought. But most of all, Elijah's father had secrets were unbelievable and for Elijah made some sense of all the strange things in his life.. This was a wonderful and imaginative beginning of what could become the next great YA series.

[Pallavi Sareen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got an ARC of this book from the author im exchange of an Honest review.

Elijah Dart is a scrawny little boy who has no friends, a messed up family and laziness. I can relate to this character soo much.
This book was so captivating. There are Angels, Demons, Goblins, imaginary friends and talking dogs. There are so many interesting elements in this.
Elijah just turned fourteen and has been set on the path of his destiny. He has to learn the secrets of his family and fulfill the task he's meant to do.
One word. Brilliant.
The plot building was amazing and the characters were so vivid and nicely written. And the illustrations, let's not forget the illustrations in the beginning of every chapter.
They're beautiful.
The premise is an old creepy cemetery. Yeah, they live close to the cemetery. Who would've thought?
I was so excited while reading this. Like whoa, it's Halloween! Gee, the twins are nasty. Ha! An imaginary friend. No no no... Don't go in there! You see, I actually said those things while reading it. I yelled at the book, I teased it and I also enjoyed it. It was so much FUN.
The only complaint I have is that this was really short. Like I could easily read at least 100 or 150 more pages of this. I'm just going to hope that the next book is longer, better and comes out sooner. And that's expecting a lot since even this book isn't out yet. So, what are you guys waiting for? Pre-order it. Grab your copies. Start reading it!
P. S- I like Grim, even with his snippy attitude.

[The Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was fourteen, my mom wouldn't even let me have a Nerf gun. Apparently they're too violent.

Elijah Dart got a scythe for his fourteenth birthday (SO UNFAIR!!).

He also got some crazy extra responsibilities, like, oh, ferrying souls to Heaven. Elijah was Chosen to be a Reaper, one of the people who transports these souls. As you can imagine, this was quite the shock to a fourteen year old kid. Unfortunately, discovering that you can summon a scythe at will and travel through shadows doesn't really solve your problems. In fact, the Reapers are having some issues of their own. One of their major problems is the issue of the souls that seem to have disappeared/been stolen.

In the opening of the book, Elijah is hiding behind a gravestone, terrified of the...thing...that's about to kill him. Then we jump back in time to find out how Elijah ended up in this mess.

I really enjoyed this book and I definitely recommend it. I liked all the characters and I can't wait to see how they develop in the next book.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a version of a review previously posted on my blog. See the original review here http://bookreviews77.com/2015/06/15/e...

[H. Givens · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5, bumped up to 4 because I found myself really wanting to read the sequel!

I really enjoyed the worldbuilding. This would be a great choice for any young gothic/supernatural fans who aren't quite old enough for something like the show Supernatural or YA horror. It's relatively simple, but decently creepy and it feels all-encompassing -- that "veil has been lifted" feeling rather than just a few add-ons to our own world. I also LOVED Grim the old dog and Bertha the ghost. I could read a whole book about Grim. It's got a good ending that promises more expansion of the world and the addition of more characters for the sequel.

I did feel like the writing was a little "writing-y," too declarative or aware of itself, so that kept the book from being super immersive for me. For younger readers that may all be part of the atmosphere.

Book received from the author in exchange for honest review.

[Dara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't keep reading this... The premise is interesting and I want to know what happens but I just can't get past the terrible, terrible writing! There are many words used incorrectly - the author may have heard them before but clearly had no idea what they actually mean. This story could be so much better once it goes past an editor.
The hyperbolic style and frequent grammatical errors keep taking me out of the story and I just can't immerse myself in it.
This is a great first draft but it's certainly not ready for publication in its current form.

[Tony Williamson,jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!

This is my first book from Mr. Ferrara and I must say it was highly enjoyed. I am hoping for a 2nd book as this one, while not ending with a true cliffhanger, does leave one with questions and wanting more.

[Tony Jacobo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book. Would definitely recommend to friends.

[Lauren Hester · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review from the author, Jonathan Ferrara.

See more reviews on my blog

Meet Elijah Dart, fourteen. He leads a fairly ordinary life, in the shadow of his older twin brothers, a mother who can’t cook and a younger sister with an imaginary friend she won’t stop talking to. Then on All Hallows Eve, everything changes. He learns that creatures called Reapers carry the souls of the dead into heaven, and that there are those powers most sinister who wish to prevent them from fulfilling their mission. And not only this, but his family is one in a long and distinguished line of Reapers, and he is selected to join their ranks.

Overnight, Elijah’s life is turned upside down. His talking dog Grim becomes his guide to the world of Reaping, and ghosts, goblins and the undead become a part of his new reality. When Elijah is accosted by a shadowy being and branded with the mark of the beast, Elijah is in a race against time to save his soul from the clutches of the Devil.

Ferrara’s strength lies in his dialogue and characters. They are both inventive and believable, while also being relatable. I especially enjoyed the characters of Bertha the ghost and Grim the dog, and liked the relationships they formed with Elijah. The twist on Reapers -- while still being harbingers of death, their characterization was that of doing a noble and necessary duty -- was surprising to me, and delightfully so. While the storyline is solid, and the chain of events kept me reading all the way through, it could use a strong editor to make it flow more smoothly, and make descriptions seem less stilted.

My only real reservation lies in the tussle between magic and religion. I was honestly surprised to see them pitted against each other in a junior/YA fiction genre. At times, religion is hinted at in the genre, or is used as a framework for establishing the rules and reach of magic in a story, but it was explicitly stated that magic was the work of the devil, and that the Reaping of souls was the work of God. I found this to be distracting, and potentially limiting. While I’m still fascinated by the idea of zombies and religion operating side by side in the same world, the limits imposed by the tropes of Christian religion take away from the more fantastical elements that I expect from this genre.

An enjoyable read - I give it 3.5 stars out of 5, and look forward to the next installment.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review also available on my blog The Shameful Narcissist Speaks.

This novel is by the author of The Ghost of Buxton Manor, and it contains the same sweet charm. It's an earlier work, and there are some editing issues in terms of grammar, punctuation, and a few sentence structure foibles.

The story is cute. Elijah is kind of a precious, cinnamon bun, so there's an adorable incongruence with him being the new Grim Reaper/Angel of Death, which is the role he'll eventually take over from his father in a sort of morbid passing down of the family business. The Darts have their own personal cemetery (not suspicious AT ALL), and a groundskeeper/butler who reminds me of Dampé from Ocarina of Time. Elijah stumbles upon a reaper reunion (which I'm pretty sure I could make into a triple entendre if I thought about it hard enough) in said graveyard prior to finding this out on his birthday, which also happens to be Halloween. Things escalate or rather descend from there.

I will usually finish a book if I’ve read more than half of it, but I decided I’d set this one aside today even though I was slightly over that threshold. I adore Mr. Ferrera's whimsical writing style, but it was a little too heavy handed in the religious aspect for me. I prefer my angels of death to reap more and proselytize less. I was also a little put off by the “magic is evil” motif. I'd recommend it to the mid-grade crowd with the hope they'd have the curiosity to question the magic issue and whomever they asked had the wherewithal to quell such notions. We are living in the post Harry Potter age now, so I'm far less concerned.

I normally don't rate DNF books, because I don't want to give a bad rating to something that just may not be my cup of tea. If I have major issues with the work and/or didn't finish it because I didn't like it for a legitimate reason, I will give it the appropriate rating (see my review of City of Bones). Since I think this is a good mid-grade novel that I'd recommend to the appropriate demographic, I feel comfortable giving it a rating.

[Kristi | Hidden Staircase | · Rating 4 out of 5]

When we meet Elijah Dart, he is celebrating his 14th birthday, which also happens to be Halloween. Throughout the day strange things begin to happen to Elijah, and he starts to realize that his family may not just be your typical “normal” California clan. (Especially when you realize you’ve got a talking dog and find that your father isn’t who you thought he was.)

This was a nice entry to a new series. There are lovely illustrations at the beginning of each chapter, which just add to the story. While the majority of this first installment is Elijah discovering who he truly is, there is also the set-up going on for a big good-versus-evil battle. At the beginning of the book, Elijah and his cousin Hayden are playing a game of chess. It felt to me throughout the book like the evil side was setting up their own chess game against Elijah, moving their pieces into position for battle.

From an adult perspective, I enjoyed the story and Elijah’s coming of age and learning of his family responsibilities, of which up to this point, he had been completely in the dark. I found the father-son moments to be especially touching.

For my full review, please visit Hidden Staircase.

Many thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Brandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As the description states, this novel follows a boy (turning 14) as he learns about the supernatural aspects of his family. As with many novels of this type, Elijah is a misfit with nearly no friends. He makes mistakes as he comes into his knowledge / power and suffers the resulting consequences. The story is humorous, but also dark. This novel establishes the basis for follow-on novels covering Elijah's rise. I felt like it was a good start, but that it wasn't quite finished. There are some good characters introduced but not really fleshed-out (on both the good and evil sides of the equation). Some of the text is a little rough, and the copy I received needs to be edited for typos and grammatical mistakes. That said, it was a cute story, and I think it could be an interesting series.

[Katarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite books this year, and since I've read 132 books YTD, that means something. Yeah, I know....last year I read a lot more, and this year I'm slacking.

Now about the book. I seriously loved it. It's the perfect blend of coming-of-age, suspense and mystery. Throw in some spookiness, magical creatures and excellent writing, and it sure looks to me like Jonathan Ferrara has a winning combo.

I thought this book is perfect for the intended age group. It's spooky, but not scary. There's suspense, but kids won't get nightmares. The story is entirely unique, unlike anything I've ever read. I was already very impressed by Jonathan and Aaron, but after reading this and seeing the illustrations, I am in awe of their creativity, positivity and zest for life.

Hats off, this is a winner and I highly recommend it.

[Umbreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an electronic copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.

Excerpt from my full review: Overall, I feel that the novel has a wealth of potential, but it still needs to be cleaned up. While reading it, I couldn’t think of it as a finished novel; I kept reading it as a work in progress, and that kept me from fully enjoying it. Having said that, I think the storyline is great, and I can see it going places after a bit of fixing up.

Full review can be found here.