Call Me Grim

The Grim Trilogy #1

by Elizabeth Holloway

The truck should have turned Libbi Piper into a Libbi Pancake—and it would have, too, if Aaron hadn't shown up and saved her life. The problem? Aaron's the local Grim Reaper . . . and he only saved Libbi's life because he needs someone to take over his job. Now, Libbi has two days to choose between dying like she was supposed to, or living a lonely life as Death Incarnate. Talk about a rock and a hard place. And the choice goes from hard to sucktastic when her best friend shows up marked: condemned as a future murderer. Libbi could have an extra week to stop the murder and fix the mark . . . but only if she accepts Aaron's job as Reaper, trapping herself in her crappy town forever, invisible and inaudible to everyone except the newly dead. But, if she refuses? Her best friend is headed straight for Hell.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult, Romance, Supernatural, Audiobook, High School

262 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 9, 2014

About the author

Elizabeth Holloway is a writer of young adult fiction living in Southern Pennsylvania with her two teen children and their growing number of pets.

In addition to writing, she is a registered nurse, an avid reader, an out-of-practice artist, a karaoke singer, and music lover. She is still trying to decide what she wants to be when she grows up.

Reviews

[Paula M · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can also read my review HERE

I don't think you understand how much I love this book.



Another grim reaper story you might say, but I'm gonna stop you right there. With fully developed characters and well thought out plot, Call Me Grim stands out!

First of all, you guys know I'm picky about heroines. They're very important in a book and it sucks big time when you really want to like the book but the heroine keeps ruining it for you. Right? Am I the only one? So imagine my relief when I found myself liking Libby so much. She's... real. Funny, smart, not flawless at all and practical. GUYS. This girl knows how to say 'I DON'T CARE HOW CUTE YOU ARE YOU HAVE TO STOP STALKING ME!' Finally!



Aaron is not an exception, as a former reaper who entrusted Libby for the new position, he admits his shortcomings. He's not perfect and he knows that. Though he's hard to read sometimes, the reader (me) will also feel for him. I felt sorry for him because of his backstory and though the author provided that bit of Aaron's side.. I want more. So expect me to line up first for the sequel. But I'm not talking about the two main characters only, all of them were great. No one was wasted and everyone was authentic. You'll get this feeling like you're really connected to them as well. The romance aspect is downright adorable and very much intense, I cannot wait for what's gonna happen. HOW MUCH MORE DO I HAVE TO STRESS THAT OUT.

Which brings me to my next point, the author's fantastic, simple yet very compelling way of writing. For me, it's not about the use of deep or grand words. It's about the construction. How everything makes sense and made me sail easily through out my reading experience. Holloway aced that. She's manged to write a novel with dark premise with a touch of humor and sassiness. Yes, I AM BIG FAN.

Overall, Call Me Grim is humor, brilliance and a success altogether. Friendship, love and sacrifice, for a book that deals with death, the characters are alive and the book is nothing but vibrant!

[Monty Cupcake ☠ Queen of Bloodshed ☠ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. I expected more grim reaping.

[Rachelann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 Wonderful Stars

I was scheduled to die, and there was no avoiding my fate.
My soul belonged to the gateway. After Aaron saved my life not once, but twice... I either faced death, or a life condemned as a Grim Reaper.
I've been told there is no way to escape, but I am stubborn.
I don't often take no for an answer.
(^^Not actually from the book. It is my Summary in the main character's point of view^^).

I FRIGGEN LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I read it in a couple of hours. I knew it had good reviews, but I didn't know I would love it so much. The story line itself deserved 5 STARS... there were just a couple of reasons the overall rating wasn't rounded up.
The pace of the book wasn't bad. The beginning was a bit of a drag. But it picked up really fast. There were only a few parts in the story where I felt like more should be said. Some things happened too fast with not enough information. Like... some interactions between characters for example. Whether it be Libbi and her best friends, or Aaron the Grim Reaper. Some things that took place just didn't flow.
AND THAT ENDING. Whew. Cliffhanger. There's so many things I could say about that.

Characters: I LOVED THEM. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. Their personalities were described wonderfully. They could of been described better though. I felt like the only clear image I got for a character was Aaron. I wanted to know more about Libbi other than her big boobs. And I LOVE her little brother Max.. I know everyone will.
And Aaron... Well let's just say that if the Grim Reaper looks like him, I'm ready to move on to the next life. ;)

Imagery: Like I said, character imagery wasn't the best... but everything else was awesome! Whether it was scenery or something that was happening, the descriptions of what we were supposed to see were on point.

The Writing SUCH A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. I love it when writers know how to capture us. I loooovveee it when they know how to make us want more. I DON'T KNOW HOW I'M SUPPOSED TO WAIT FOR BOOK 2!

Okay, just the story line over all was GENIUS. I have NEVER EVER read a book like this before. It was just so original and plain awesome. MEGA props to the author. I'm still grinning from what I've read. I highly recommend this book. I will be adding a physical copy to my shelf.
ABSOLUTELY LOVELY

[Jennifer Eaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a pretty, signed copy of this book after winning a contest. When I flipped it over and read the back cover blurb I thought: “What was I thinking? Who wants to read about The Grim Reaper?”

But okay, I had a book in my hands, and I’d just finished another book, so why not?

Let me say that I was pretty happy I gave this book a chance.

I have never read a Grim Reaper story before. Apparently this is a genre in itself, because I received two more Grim Reaper books by another author from the same contest. The whole idea of the Grim Reaper is kind of weird. I mean, how the heck do you come up with a story about the guy who collects your soul when you die? And make it a romance, no less?????

Somehow or another, this author pulled it off— and in doing so created a world that I was easily pulled in to. I felt for the Reaper, and I felt for this poor girl that had to make a horrible decision.

Great Great Great characters. Easy to believe and easy to relate to, in a story that really moved and kept me turning pages.

So why did I give it four stars and not five?

Well, Five stars I would consider the perfect book. There were two things at the end that bothered me.

Niggle #1 I didn’t believe the one character in the end would do what he did. Even though the “why” was explained, and we were given a little safety net to make it more believable, I just didn’t buy it. This character was too good and too “on the right path” to do what he did. It was a little off-putting when all the other characters were so solid and real. (Including him until the last chapters)
Niggle #2 If there were one, maybe two more lines in the book, I would have been happy. I am not a fan of an ending that leaves you hanging mid-scene. I understand there is a book two, but book one should have closure. I should not have to read book two to read the ending of book one.

So I’m subtracting half a star for each of those little nit picks, but overall, I was really delighted with this story. It was well written enough that I will absolutely be reaching for the next book… not just to find out what happens, but because the author weaves such a nice tale that I know I will enjoy the next book.

In a world where there is so much poop being published, it’s nice to find a little bright and shining star like this. Even if it is all wrapped up in a scary-old Grim Reaper costume.

[Sristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine you are at the top of the world because you won something, and then this weird guy shows up. And you haven't seen him before, he tells you that "something bad's going to happen to you tomorrow." How will you react?

And this is what happened to Libbi.

But instead of making me swoon with his stalker prowess, he’s caused me to fail my final, piss
off my best friend, and he’s given me a bloody nose. Smooth. And now he wants me to use his nasty
snot rag? Gross.

Libbi Piper meets Aaron only to find out that she's going to die the next day. Aaron was the local grim reaper of Caroll, and he choose to save Libbi. Only to appoint her the next grim reaper, if she defy's it, she will die. She has to go through a grim reaper's training. Basically her life turns into a huge mess in two weeks. Her best friend Haley isn't talking with her anymore and Haley's twin brother, Kyle, who is almost like brother/best friend to Libbi, is acting weird. Plus she only have a week before she would be the official grim reaper.

Maybe it’s the “tall, dark, and dangerous” thing.

Libbi and Aaron had a very slow and steady chemistry. I liked that she was trying to get rid of him before he tells him who he is. They wanted to kiss each other but they didn't. Twice. It pissed me off, but at the same moment I liked the intensity of their feelings towards each other. Then they also kissed (by the end) twice. I liked how Libbi took some time to trust him and wasn't scared of him. The romance in this book is nice and cute.

This book is funny, mainly because of Libbi. I expected it to be funny after reading the synopsis in Goodreads. But was ready to be disappointed too. But it didn't.

I think after reading The Twilight Saga and The Complete Hush, Hush Saga: Hush, Hush; Crescendo; Silence; Finale, I developed a slight dislike towards a fantasy set on a high school background. This book proved me wrong. This isn't corny or anything. And I wouldn't call the main lead an "Alpha male", but he seems like a pretty normal guy with good looks, and is sweet and sometimes funny.

I loved all of the characters, in this book. The lead pair was charming, and really brought my attention. The other characters were nice. I liked how the story was going, neither too fast nor too slow. I liked Libbi's stubbornness and her actions were very much reasonable throughout the book. I was kind of a bit shocked to see Hayley react so calmly after knowing what Kyle has done for Aaron and Libbi.

The ending was really good, although left with a cliffhanger, which we shall come to know in Living Grim. The second half of the book is filled with twists. Aaron's secrets got revealed.

It is a really good book. I liked the writing. I can't wait for the second book.

4.5 stars

[BookLoversLife · Rating 5 out of 5]

What drew me to this at first was the awesome cover, then when I read the blurb, well I knew I'd read it!! Even better though, I got the chance to listen to the audio of this instead of reading!

What would you do if faced with the choice of dying or becoming the local Grim Reaper? Well that's the choice Libby is given. She is supposed to die but someone saves her. It's the same guy she has been seeing around for the last few days. This boy tells her that she can either die or take over from him as Grim Reaper. He tells her that he has a job to do then he will die and she will be the Reaper.

It may seem an easy choice but could you live forever and see everyone you love die, with no way to help them. Could you live forever where no one can see you until they die? Libby doesn't think she can but when her BFF turns up with a tear in his soul, Libby has no choice but to accept and hopefully find some time to help him.

I loved Libby! She has such spunk and is a well rounded character. She was a no nonsense kind of girl. She is offered the choice to die or live forever and chooses to die, but when she see where her BFF is headed she immediately takes the offer and tries to do what she can to help. She is also so level headed, she doesn't just fall for the hot guy but thinks everything through.

Aaron is so mysterious and aloof at first but it's still hard not to like him. Finding out his story was heartbreaking!! I loved his loyalty too. He hates that he has to get someone else to take his job but he knows he doesn't have any other choice. I loved seeing Aaron and Libbys friendship grow.

Anyway, Call Me Grim was such an awesome read. It was a fun yet grim read. The choices we make can not only affect you but everyone else too. It was fascinating learning about the splits in the soul and how and why they were there :) I loved that spin on the Grim Reaper story, I also found it intriguing when Aaron was showing Libby how to take the soul and what happens at the gateway. This isn't just a story of the Grim Reaper, it's about loyalty, friendship, hard choices, right or wrong choices and consequences.

Overall, I loved Call Me Grim. Its such an intriguing and captivating read. From it's lovable characters to it's enthralling world, Call Me Grim is a must read. I can not wait to see what happens next!!

I listened to the audio of this and Kelly Collins Lintz did an amazing job. She really brought Libby to life and had her spunk and fun spirit down perfect. She delivered some of Libbys sassy lines perfectly. I will definitely check out more narrated by her.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm always looking for a great "reaper" story similar to that show "Dead Like Me" which I LOVED. Call Me Grim started off great but then began to lose me. I felt like there were a bunch of unnecessary plot twists and weird character personality shifts, especially closer to the end, to the point that it pretty much ruined the story for me. The first half was definitely entertaining but it began to fall apart in the second half and completely disintegrated into a convoluted mess by the end.

[Lepp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I apologize if this review seems all over the place but I thought this book was great! First off, I was instantly intrigued by the synopsis – a Grim Reaper PNR of sorts? Sign me up!

This story follows 17 year-old Libbi who is soon to be embarking on that time period in life where everything is geared towards your future: scholarships, getting into college, etc. And Libbi is definitely looking forward to it. Until one day when she meets Aaron. Aaron mysteriously shows up at her art show exhibit and Libbi can’t help but be a little creeped out by him…especially when he starts saying some rather ominous things to her.

The cold feeling I got when I first saw this guy never really went away, but now ice blasts through me like my blood has been replaced with Freon. How does he know my name?

"Something bad is going to happen to you tomorrow," he says.

Libbi brushes off the strange encounter until the boy comes looking for her in school the very next day. She tries to avoid him, but he’s insists that she speak with him. She insists that he piss off.

“I’m really not in the mood to talk right now. Why don’t you go be crazy with someone else? Okay?"

"I’m trying to stop something bad from happening to you." He spreads his hands in frustration, palms to the sky. The sunlight glints off the silver ring on his thumb.



Aaron tells her that he wants to save her life and asks Libbi not to cross the street. While arguing with him, two cars collide exactly where Libbi was about to cross. Long story short- Aaron explains that he is a Grim Reaper and since he saved Libbi’s life, she has to make a choice: take over for him as a Reaper and be invisible to the living for the rest of her life…or die at the exact same time tomorrow.




I know a book is good when I feel genuinely conflicted as a reader as to what I would decide if I were to switch places with Libbi. I had that feeling quite a bit throughout the story. Would I choose to die? Or would I watch over my family/friend but never be able to reach out or talk to them again?



And can we talk about Kyle (for those of you who have read the book)?! I can’t even figure out my feelings on Kyle.

First I found him sweet.



Then he his actions shocked the hell out of me.



Then he was an asshole that I want to smack!



And then I went back to liking him again. It was all so tragically romantic…



This story was completely different for me. I’ve never read a book with this kind of premise before and it was very well done. The characters read like high school characters, but they weren’t annoying or overly immature. I liked them all! The writing was done well and the plot was unique and clever.



4 stars! I really enjoyed this story! I can’t wait to read the next book when it comes out!

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished this and all I can say is wow, just wow.

Call Me Grim is the story of Libbi, a young talented artist. Libbi lives in a small town and has a lot going for her. She is a talented artist who has a piece in a big competition. She loves her Mother and little brother, Max (even if he does annoy her from time to time). She has her best friends, the twins Haley and Kyle. Life might not be that exciting but its full of things that she loves - and its hers. All of that changes when she meets Aaron. Aaron both creeps Libbi out and yet she cannot help but feel drawn to him. His creep factor takes a major upturn however when he tells her why he’s been following her for the past day. Aaron is a grim reaper. Surprisingly he wants to save Libbi who is scheduled to die. Now Libbi has a choice, become the town’s next grim reaper or die like she was scheduled to the next day.

Call Me Grim is one of those books that you do not want to put down. At the same time there is something about it that makes you just want to savor it - you want to know what is going to happen next but at the same time you do not want it to end. At first I was not sure how I would feel about the book. I was worried about my attachment to Libbi. There was a wall at the beginning of the book, a distancing. I was not really sure how she felt about the other characters in her life and that made me unsure how I felt about her. But after the first 20 pages or so I realized that part of the beauty of this book and of Libbi is that you have to earn her trust so to speak. The more you read the more you begin to see her, the more you fall in love.

And I was absolutely captivated. Utterly captivated. Whenever I would look up (usually after an hour had passed) at the local coffee shop where I was reading this gem, the barista would comment on how absorbed I was reading, how intent I was and how you could just see every emotion I was feeling. And I believe them because there were so many times that I was blown away - unsure what I felt, unsure where this was going and more importantly how unsure I would feel at the ending of this. This is such an amazing world that is created here. So intense. You cannot help but be blown away by it, swept up in the emotions. I absolutely adore Libbi and Aaron. They are both so tortured in their own ways. (And Max brings such warmth and humor to this book!!) The ending is a little ambiguous and I for one cannot help but hope that this story continues. There is so much more to be told here. At the same time if it does not continue I know that this is world I will definitely revisit much like you go to look at your favorite painting - just to live in that world again even if it is only for a brief time….

[Michelle (Scarborg) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this review and more at Classy Cat Books.

Rating: 4/5

I was really quite impressed with this novel. Holloway has something rather unique going with Call Me Grim, and I was pleased with the direction she took. I’ve read just a couple of books with grim reapers as the central supernatural being, but this is one of my favorites.

The characters were great—right from the very beginning I had a good feel for Libbi. I loved her little brother Max from the moment we met him. And, you know, Aaron’s great too. Kyle and Haley, two of the supporting characters, took a little while for me to get my bearings with simply because they weren’t as present quite as much, and for good reason. It didn’t matter, because Libbi gave us the context we needed to understand them.

One of the reasons I didn’t give this an even higher rating is because some of the rules of the world don’t quite sit well with me. I spotted some potential holes that were appropriately patched and elegantly explained away, but nothing overbearing—certainly nothing a frequent fantasy reader should have a problem with suspending disbelief for. I’m still a little uncomfortable with the whole “being marked” thing (as alluded to in the description)—it seemed a bit messy to me, but it worked out well in the end. Otherwise, Holloway clearly knows how her magic works and has a good understanding for the nuance of the reaper community she’s established. She’s made sure there aren’t any holes, and she effectively communicates all of the necessary tidbits to the reader without being overwhelmig about it.

All in all, Holloway did a great job with the pacing in this one—the slower moments came where they needed to, and there wasn’t any excessive fluff. This book is very comfortably positioned to be the intro of a multi-book plot, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more—I’m super intrigued to find out what happens next in the series.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a pleasant surprise. I went into it thinking it would be an angsty YA read. There was a bit of angsty, but it fit into the story. Everything else about this book drew me in and kept me on edge the whole time.

The whole book comes from Libbi's POV, have sole control of the narrative it is important she is like-able. She is actually rather fabulous for a teen character. Thankfully, she is not boy obsessed like so many heroines in YA. She does have a bit of crushing going on, but it is not her whole world. I love her sass and snark. She is remarkably mature for a 16 year old.

I love the supporting characters as well. They are complex and yet simple at heart. Everyone in the story helps to draw you in and make you wish things could work out. It is difficult, especially when you know what Libbi faces. Fortunately, the story is beautifully crafted and flows, keeping the reader engaged the whole time.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Kelly Collins Lintz, who was lovely. Her pace was spot on, moving with the story and keeping the action flowing. She has a wonderful youthful quality to her voice that fit the main character, while still keeping her mature. She has a real gift for adding the natural sass of a teenager into the read. I will definitely be looking for more of her work!

The end of this book leave you at a but of a cliff hanger. It is an unexpected turn of events and I have no idea where the story is headed from here. That is kind of refreshing. It is rare for an author to surprise me. I can not wait for the next book, really hope it will be in audio!

Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

[MeaganC. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm excited by so many things in this book. As one of my first ARCs of the new year, I can definitely say that 2015 has good things in store! Call Me Grim was a well written young adult read. It doesn't suffer from unnecessary love triangles and teen drama. It's just a good story with a quirky plot. Libbi is a great teen narrator. She didn't read too old for me or too whiny. She's snarky, funny, and has an extreme inner dialogue that anyone past the age of The Babysitter's Club but younger than Bridget Jones can relate to. Aaron is not hunky hunk material, but he's lovable so he grows on the reader rather quickly. I liked their little romance. I could have done with more creativity around the idea of reapers, more innovation in terms of magic, etc. There is a lot here considering that there aren't a ton of books featuring Grim Reapers so I just thought the author could have done a little bit more world building.

Most books about death or the afterlife get a little maudlin after the first few pages, but this reminded me a lot of Meg Cabot's Mediator series. I don't know if there is enough material to span a ton of books like Mediator, but this particular book is good. Well-deserving of 4 stars for a first time read of an author and if the next book builds off of the momentum of this book, it will definitely be a hit.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Thoughts - 4 out of 5 Unicorns - I really liked it!!
***Received the ebook from Month9Books for an honest review

The cover is pretty especially her green eyes, and I like the soul glow effect on the title :)

Okay when I started reading the book, it was a little slow. This changed, and it was kind of mysterious with all the intrigues and things Libbi was trying to figure out and fix. Of course, I won’t go into detail because that would spoil your adventure, but Libbi is an awesome teen lead in the story.

Aaron is mysterious, and you aren’t sure what to make of him until the end of the book :) Of course, there is all sorts of drama and action going on to keep your attention especially the last half of the book.

This is the first book in the series, and while there is an ending, it also leaves you hanging and wanting book 2 like now. This is a great start to a new series, and I didn’t realize until the end how much I liked it and can’t wait to read more. Elizabeth does a great job with details where you can imagine the story in your head while reading. This would be a great book to add to my classroom library when I can afford to :)

I recommend this series to YA fans who want a Grim Reaper story that is new and has all sorts of things going on in the story :)

[Dominique · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for my honest review.

Call me grim is about teenager Libby who almost gets hit by a truck but is saved by mysterious guy named Aaron. He saved her for a reason, he's a Grimm and he wants her to take her place.She doesn't believe him but starts to see glowing light aroung people and after witnessing Aaron take the soul of an elderly woman she starts to believe what he says is true.

She only has two days to decide if she will take his place or she will die. She doesn't want to but something happens, her best friend Kyle is marked and will commit a crime. Now she has a difficult decision to make: take the job and try to save Kyle or refuse and die in two days.

This is Ms. Holloway's debut novel and it's good. This paranormal story is original and well written. You do not get bored reading this book, it's a fast paced book. All the characters were well developped and interesting.

There is some romance but it's so minimal and it doesn't get in the way of the main story. I loved her concept of what happens when we die and the purpose of having Grim reapers when that happens.

Original, action-packed can't wait for the sequel. Amazing job from Ms. Holloway!

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

*MINOR SPOILERS
THIS BOOK WAS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! It is not very often that I am in mourning about a book and how far away the sequel's release date is but guess who just rolled on her floor for 20 minutes about how far away the day is. This book is for one extremely unique I have not heard of nor read any book that incorporates the aspect of a Grim Reaper. It was an epic story about a girl name Libbi Piper's fight for survival.

Libbi overall was a strong character. I like the fact that she isn't dumb for lack of a better word. Too often the female protagonist is a shy girl who "breaks out of her shell". This book is unlike that. In this novel, Libbi is strong from the start and it's not about deciphering whether she is going to persevere it's about rooting her on WHEN she preserves.

In conclusion, this book of course had some minor flaws in its characters(for example Kyle in his jump from love to murderer). Overall it was not a read that I will ever regret and I am looking forward to the sequel!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

What a amazing story! I'm always a little excited for a grim reaper tale and I'm very happy with this one! Libby should be dead but right when she's about to meet her maker someone saves her. What is even better is finding out her "knight in shining armor" is actually a grim reaper! A seriously sexy one, I might add. Aaron mainly saved Libby because he wants her to take over his Grim Reaping job. She has a short time to decide if she wants to take the job or not.

This book is author Elizabeth Holloway's debut novel and can't wait to get my hands on its sequel! Libby is a strong willed heroine. She is faced with serious issues and doesn't take them lightly. Aaron is mysterious and I couldn't wait to find out his secrets. All the characters were written perfectly. I can't find one thing wrong with this book. Read it....you'll be happy you did!

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been offered a free copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.

ACTUAL RATING: 4.75 STARS

When it comes to YA –and probably any- novels, there are subjects that will instantly have me adding it to my TBR list: Dreamscapes or dreams and Reapers and anything about an afterlife operation. In the case of Call Me Grim, it is about dreams. KIDDING! Of course it’s about the Grim Reaper. Well, not thee Grim Reaper, but reapers in general. And I must gush and say that I absolutely loved this book! But, hence the 4 stars instead of 5, there were some things that kept me from 5-star loving it.

(ut I'm sure that's just me being picky, thus you can take it as a 5-star rating if you totally cannot see my points of what I did not like about it)


WHY I LOVED IT

1. The world of reaping and reapers is so well thought out. Every time I thought there would be something left unexplained or something that contradicted something from earlier, it was always well explained and usually at the right time. As a reaper, your sole (haha, pun intended) purpose is to collect the soul so that it can go on for judgment. That’s it. You don’t judge them, you don’t even know whether or not the soul is good or bad. The power that comes with being a reaper makes sense and aids the job rather than being used for basic everyday things or making them too powerful.

Along with being able to know the Death Plan, you can see when someone is marked, those who will commit murder or some type of violent crime, or suicide. This adds a whole other layer to the book.

2. The characters are likable. Along with that, they all have a purpose and aren’t just fillers. They have separate goals that intertwine with the overall story arc, and even when they are minor characters, their being helps move the story arc of the MC along in a way that isn’t forced; as I read, I had instances of, “oh! I remember when so-and-so said/did that. It makes sense now!” Also, the choices that the characters have to make are some tough ones and they have to choose what they believe is the lesser evil instead of having some easy cop-out that doesn't do much for the story.

The MC, Libbi, is a smart cookie. She recognizes that this guy, Aaron, is a major creep. She asks questions and refuses to do what he tells her to do just because he claims to know things. A lot of readers on here mention their dislike with FMCs who let a cute guy fog their good judgment, so if you are one of these readers, you’ll like Libbi.

The MMC, or main supporting character, Aaron has his own motives and he, too, doesn’t let any growing affections between he and Libbi deter him from his mission. And he is so dedicated to his reaper oath. That alone makes for great build up and struggle.

3. The book can easily be read in one sitting. It is greatly paced and structured well so that each event and decision leads into the next. It puts you immediately in the way of the overall story arc, so time isn’t wasted by info-dumping and backstory within the first few chapters. By the time chapter one is up, you have an idea of who the “antagonist” could be. We learn the type of person our MC is, and she’s not a bad POV to be in.

There are many twists that you don’t see coming; you can try to figure it out, but I’d bet you get something wrong that make you switch up your entire theory. The fact that it isn’t as predictable as it may seems is what make it an easy read; you want to know if what you are predicting is right, so you keep reading only to add more things that you have to consider when trying to figure things out

4. It’s about REAPERS! Soul collectors! Abaddon (sp?), who is the big boss and not the Devil or the Grim Reaper. That alone should have you picking this book up, because it is definitely worth it!


WHAT I DID NOT LIKE

1. I’m one of those people who like to read low-rating reviews, and what I’ve noticed is that a lot of those reviews mention stalkerish guys and girls who think that said guy is romantic and how, basically, this has made the MC unlikeable for them. Well, I feel like Libbi was created to be the exact opposite of these MCs, which is made clear within the first few pages over and over again. And it's annoying.

Many times does Libbi say things like, “I know he’s cute, but he’s creepy and stalkerish and nuts” and “I know he says he’s a reaper, and I believe him, but I am not going anywhere with him; he’s creepy” (apologies; the PDF I have doesn’t allow me to make notes, so I don’t have direct quotes). I just got tired of reading how freakin obviously aware she was of how stupid it would be to go anywhere with this dude, or how his words and actions were creepy and stalkerish. It was like she was wagging a finger to young readers saying, "No! this is bad. You do not do this! You should not like guys who do this; it makes him a stalker, not romantic, no matter how cute he is."

She also did things that didn't make much sense to me at times. When she first meets him and he says something like, “you’re going to die tomorrow,” she doesn’t run screaming to the nearest person. She stays and agrees to let him explain what he means. Even when her mom shows up, she doesn’t tell her mom what he says. If that were me, I would have taken his words as a threat and turned him in or something. Then he shows up at her school, and she’s willing to talk to him (referring to this boy she’s never seen in her life as a “boy with a silly crush:), until she’s not willing anymore (for whatever reason) and she wants him out of her face. She’s seeing weird lights and has accepted that he has successfully predicted her death so he must be some kind of supernatural being, but now she refuses to meet him so that he can explain what’s happening to her. She finds out he’s about 40 years older than he looks and is known for skipping town for murdering his parents –all this after accepting the job as reaper- yet she is still trying to act cautious as if he's going to kill her, after saving her life like twice. Again, it’s just my opinion that it’s a little to late or too extra for her to be still asking all these questions. Then they end up falling in love anyway!

2. I wasn’t a fan of the romance that developed because I had a slightly different romance play out in my mind. I thought that Aaron would somehow end up with Mrs. Lutz (Margie), the girl he used to date back when they were of the same time era and the one who he basically tricked into helping hi commit a murder (which he feels guilty for).. I just found that his attraction to Libbi was weird and creepy and wasn't technically needed for the part of the story that it supposedly aids. I think my issue with it is because there are people still living that knew him, which just makes it weird because, ew, he used to be the boyfriend of your very old teacher.

I’ve noticed that I’m quite judgey of the old-guys-who-are-stuck-in-young-looking-bodies love interests. I don’t mind if they’re multiple years older than the teen love interest. As long as they are 1) stuck in a body that is the same or near the same age as said love interest, AND 2) there is no one left alive that the young-but-really-old person knows. I’m sure this list will continue to grow as I continue to read YA PNR books.

3. It makes zero sense to me that Abaddon would use teenagers to be reapers for him. That reasoning was never explained because even Aaron had no clue. This seemed to be only so that the two MC’s could have an attraction for one another, which I didn’t like anyway.

4. The ending was a tad confusing, the way the reaper power worked out. Without spoiling it, and not feeling like putting a spoiler tag around it, it jut seemed so convenient and not at all something that would happen with a boss like Abaddon.


Besides the title –which I do not like because it makes it seem as if this book is a little comical, which it is not- and the small things that bugged me, I freaking love this book! I recommend it to those of you who are looking for a smart and logical MC who doesn’t let how cute a guy is cloud her judgment, characters who have a real purpose, and a believable story with great reaper mythology. I will definitely be continuing this series and cannot wait for book two!

[Hannah (Hannah, Fully) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fully admit I signed up for the blog tour because of the way the synopsis is written – it speaks to me! Of course I'm excited! Except there's a big problem: what if I don't like it? What if I hate it, or, or, want to throw it out the window because it was just that terrible?

Hint: I didn't throw it out the window. Holloway's debut novel is one you don't want to bypass simply. A girl nearly gets killed, gets saved and offered a job yet has 48 hours to choose. Add the fact a best friend is marked for murder and time is tick tocking (certainly not slowly) – what more could you ask for? The idea oozes awesomeness all around.

BUT... there's just a few things. I feel that Holloway focused more on the plot and the action rather than the character building. I completely get that the fast pace might be an emphasis for how fast time is running out for Libbi. And as much as I just love Libbi Piper as a character and her personality, I don't feel as though I know her. Libbi and I are still strangers – there's hardly anything about her past aside from a life of taking care of her brother when her mom is working in a hospital. Her dad just upped and left once upon a time. Well, at least until she was supposedly killed. But I'm quite sure Libbi has a much more interesting life than always taking care of her little brother – even I have one (and my life is quite similar to Libbi's. Just lots of family drama.)!

Aside from all of that, there's barely anything else about Libbi, and she's the main character. You would expect more than a life of taking care of her brother and having a couple of besties since childhood – I feel like I know Grimmy Aaron more now. I'm quite disappointed.

Second, the love triangle. It was extremely obvious the romance isn't going to go well (please, don't tell me the best friend never wins. I know that. That's beside the point.). If there's one thing that's obvious from day one, it's the fact Libbi is going to be no doubt jumping between two corners of the triangle so said corners wouldn't murder each other. LITERALLY.

(I personally predict that will be the near future of the Lux series.)

Despite the couple of problems, I loved Call Me Grim – the building of the Grim Reaper world, Libbi's humor and making light of the entire situation even though it was likely she wouldn't get out of the situation "alive". Elizabeth Holloway is an author you'll want to watch out for in this particular genre.
-------------------
Advanced copy provided by Month9Books for the blog tour
Original Review posted at Bookwyrming Thoughts

[Liliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed on Lili Lost in a Book

When I first came across this book and saw that it was about reapers, I knew I had to read it! Call me morbid (see what I did there? lol), but I LOVE reapers! And this book did not disappoint! It was awesome!

Libbi was a very likable character, and I really felt for her! She was very easy to connect to, which was great! Libbi's little brother Max was the BEST! He's just your average sweet but annoying little brother. But oh my gods did I love him! There was this one part where he was saying that Aaron was Libbi's boyfriend and, like any other annoying little brother, he started being embarrassing and started "making out" with himself not knowing Aaron was right there! It was the funniest thing EVER! I could not stop laughing!

And Aaron, Holy WOW! I swear he was swoon-worthy from the start! He was very sweet and a huge goofball, which I loved! He also has a deep dark secret, and it made me sad not only to find out what he had to do, but also every time he was morose when he thought about it. I just wanted to give him a big hug! I adored him, to say the least!

As for the story itself, it was great! It seemed like things would end bad for Libbi one way or another: she would either die or become a reluctant reaper. I honestly had no idea how things would end. But when the book did end I just felt like crying! Maybe it was because I just thought things would end badly for Libbi, Aaron, and Kyle, when things actually seemed to work out. Or maybe it was because the solution wasn't the most ideal. I don't know! But overall I really did love it! The romance, all the crazy things going on with the murderer-to-be, and Libbi's impending death or lack of... all the crazy twists were just great! I really loved the authors take on reapers and the the cool powers that she gave them. Definitely a great paranormal read!

[Dannie JO · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Thoughts...

Oh my cheese puffs, Currently a minute a go I've just finished this book and I'm still feeling the crazy after effects of this book. I'm going to have a book hangover when I wake up. It's only 11:29 pm and I have no idea how to collect my thoughts. I want to start out by saying honestly that I didn't expect this to be a good read. When I read the synopsis from the author I was interested but clueless to how it was going to unfold . I've never heard of a female protagonist that is suppose to die and has a choice of becoming an invisible Grim Reaper or disappear into to the void like fate had planned out for her. At the start of the read I assumed that it wasn't going to be a strong plot and I was going to hate it. But boy was I wrong. In the beginning of the book I wasn't to fond of Libbi at all. I have no idea but I wasn't getting a good vibe and found her annoying. But as I read I grew to like her and see how she progressed to a semi weak character into a strong one at the end. Her struggle to choose between becoming a Grim or dying was an endless battle for her and the Reader. Both choices she had sucked and gives no one happiness. Who would have thought at the end that there would be a plot twist because I didn't see it coming.

Lastly the romance was actually good , I wished we had more time to dwell on the love triangle that Libbi was a part of but then again there was no time. This was a race to find out if she was going to be a Grim or die by the end of the seven day mark. There were many parts that had me groaning, laughing and a little bit of anger towards Aaron and Kyle. I wanted so badly to know about his past but he was always stayed to himself and then Kyle, he had the mark of an unplanned death , I wanted to know so badly if it was for suicide or murder. The last part by the bridge had me so scared and gripping my blanket tightly because I thought Kyle was off his bonkers when he stole Max, Libbi's little brother and planned to kill him if Libbi didn't kill Aaron. But it was all a hoax to get Libbi to change her mind about dying. Overall I love this book and I wished I had the actual physical copy but sadly though I can't because this ebook was given to me by the author for the exchange of writing an honest review. It was awesome and I can't wait to find out more what happens because this book can not end in a cliff hanger, I need to know what happens to every one. Please do not make this into " An imperial Affliction" book from TFIOS. I give this book 4 stars because of the cliff hanger ! I can't wait for the Sequel "Death Becomes Me" to come out on November of 2015.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a digital copy of this book from Chapter by Chapter when I signed up for its blog tour in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. All are my own opinion and is not compensated by any individual, organization, or company.

Call Me Grim is about Libbi Piper who was saved by Grim Reaper Aaron. But due to Aaron’s action, she was forced to choose between dying and living alone invisible to everyone except the newly dead. She was ready to turn down Aaron’s offer not until her best friend, Kyle, showed up marked. He was marked to either commit suicide or murder, whichever of the two will lead Kyle to go straight to Hell, Libbi would not allow it. She accepted Grim Reaper Aaron’s offer… but can she really do it? Can she be a good Grim Reaper? Can she help lift Kyle’s ‘mark’? When she realizes that things are not that easy and an unexpected love has been involved, will she back out of becoming Grim Reaper and abandon her self-proclaimed mission?

I really like the world building of Call Me Grim; it is set in the modern time. The paranormal abilities of the Grim Reapers are so befitting; I like how there’s only one Grim Reaper in an area and how they are bound to their appointed place. All the pieces are nicely glued together that makes my read an enjoying one. The characters are so cool in their own different ways. Max, Libbi’s younger brother, is my favourite character. He brings humour to the story and it is so nice. Especially, when he teases Libbi about her ‘imaginary’ suitor; it is very funny and refreshing. I am connected to all of the characters immediately at the first chapter; they are likeable.

I got confused with a few Grim Reaping rules; took me a while to fully grasp them. I am just not satisfied with the ending. I do not fancy open endings and I am not sure if Call Me Grim would have second book. If there is one, I will happily read it. I need to know what happen after!

Call Me Grim is a very good Grim Reaper to read. It deserves to be put in everyone’s shelves. Packaged with good romance and amazing twists, one will surely get hooked to this. The author hides the full cover of each character’s story without ruining the main storyline. It is great and well-written. Most definitely a good read. I recommend it to everyone.

You can also find this review here:

[Stephanie Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Call Me Grim' is a fun young adult paranormal novel that tells the story of our main character - Libbi - who is told one day that she's going to die if she crosses the road at a certain time. The creepy (yet cute) stalker guy who saves her life is Aaron - and there's definitely something weird and wrong about him, but Libbi can't put her finger on it. After Aaron saves Libbi's life, she is given a choice: take over Aaron's job as resident Grim Reaper of the town; or die like she was supposed to. Libbi has a huge decision to make and things get even worse when she sees her best friend is marked, which means that they will commit murder sometime in the future. If Libbi accepts Aaron's offer to become the next Reaper, she will have time to stop the murder from happening and fix the mark - or, if she declines, her friend will go to Hell and she'll end up dead herself. Which choice is Libbi going to make - Grim Reaper stuck in her town, invisible to everyone except dead people - or dying herself and condemning her best friend to Hell?

I was immediately drawn to this book after reading the description. There's been quite a few books about reapers lately, but this one stands out from the rest. The author gives it a fast pace, detailed descriptions, and a main character who is realistic and easy to identify with. The plot may not be the most original, but it has it's own unique charm. I loved the inner dialogue and comments that Libbi makes throughout the story. She is the epitome of the average teenage girl with her character and attitude, along with the everyday issues she deals with - school, family, friends, her love of art, dreams, and fears. I easily connected with Libbi from the beginning of the story and it felt like I was experiencing everything right beside her throughout the book. The rest of the characters were a bit flat, but since they weren't really a big focus in the book, it didn't really make much difference. The story had a conversational tone which made it easy to immerse myself into and I flew threw it in one sitting. It's both fun and tragic - dealing with serious and troubling issues like death with a light hearted and witty flare. I found it hard to believe that this was the author's debut novel - it was incredibly well written with fantastic attention to detail on all levels. Overall, this is a imaginative YA paranormal story that fans of the genre will definitely want to get their hands on!

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

AudioBook Review:
Stars: Overall 4 Narration 4 Story 4

Starting off a bit slowly, Holloway uses the narration and point of view from Libbi to great effect: giving readers a solid sense of her character before the real action and tension start. I was curious about a Grim Reaper as a main character, this could easily have gone very dark and dreary, yet the story holds a hopeful, even positive feel despite the rather heavier content.

Told in Libbi’s point of view, the first person narration (a difficult task to master) gives a true sense of the teenaged Libbi, her choices, her concerns and her heart. With a nice mix of interactions, interior thoughts and some terrific supporting characters, readers are drawn into the story as Libbi has to decide if she will help Aaron shed the mantle of Reaper by assuming it herself, dying as she should have in that accident.

Aaron is wonderfully built, with his own set of conflicts and grief that he willingly shares: add in Libbi’s younger brother Max who is instantly engaging and Haley and Kyle who slowly grow into characters to appreciate. A full cast to fill out the story in this character-driven work. I had a few moments where suspension of disbelief just didn’t work- some plotting holes that were explained away, almost. And, I had some difficulty reconciling one character’s final actions with the personality and development of them to this point, which wasn’t so easily forgotten. I was hoping for some solid conclusions and end, yet that was just out of grasp with an ending that is mid-scene and high in tension. I’m not usually a huge complainer about cliffhangers, but this story, in and of itself deserved a solid conclusion.

Narration in this story is provided by Kelly Collins Lintz, and this was my first encounter with this narrator. Her performance was spot-on, each character has a unique and distinct voice that fits their imagined selves, with delivery, pitch and pacing adjusted fractionally for each; making this an easy to follow narration and adding the right amount of emotional inflection to keep readers aware and interested.

If you are looking for a natural-feeling, teen appropriate Grim Reaper tale, Elizabeth Holloway has created a story that, if you are patient and read through the slow start will provide many readers with a new favorite.

I received an AudioBook copy of the title via AudioBook Jukebox for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

[Emma Star Crossed Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The truck should have turned Libbi Piper into a Libbi Pancake — and it would have, too, if Aaron hadn’t shown up and saved her life. The problem? Aaron’s the local Grim Reaper… and he only saved Libbi’s life because he needs someone to take over his job. Now, Libbi has two days to choose between dying like she was supposed to, or living a lonely life as Death Incarnate. Talk about a rock and a hard place.

And the choice goes from hard to sucktastic when her best friend shows up marked: condemned as a future murderer. Libbi could have an extra week to stop the murder and fix the mark… but only if she accepts Aaron’s job as Reaper, trapping herself in her crappy town forever, invisible and inaudible to everyone except the newly dead. But, if she refuses? Her best friend is headed straight for Hell.

Thank you to Maryann at Chapter by Chapter for letting me take part in this blog tour.

I enjoyed this book but I'm not sure the pace was quite right. It seemed to really drag in the lead up and then the last few chapters with all the action seemed to be over very quickly.

Libbi Piper is scheduled to die at 3:12, squished between a Honda and a truck, but Aaron shows up and saves her life. Aaron gives Libbi a choice die or take over as his replacement as the Grim Reaper. Not a bad choice right as a Grim Reaper she'd still be around until Aaron tells her that no one will be able to see or hear her. It was really difficult to read the scenes where Libbi was trying to make her decision and say her goodbyes. I was choking up quite a bit.

When her bestie Kyle shows up marked it makes Libbi's decision even harder. If she dies she won't be able to heal Kyle's mark. I really liked Kyle he obviously really cared about Libbi but he also seemed to have a wild side that he's been hiding. Kyle's twin sister, Haley was pretty cool too.

I felt awful for Aaron. especially when we finally found out what happened to him. I wanted to fix it all for him. Also he sounds pretty hot. like swoonworthy HOT.

I didn't really know how this book was going to end but I definitely didn't predict how it did end. I did not see that one coming. Some of the reviews I've read have said this is the beginning of a series and I hope they are right because I would love to see where this goes next. When I got to the end I felt sad it was over already.

[Katherine Paschal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libbi is being followed by a strange boy. He may be attractive, but it still freaks her out. When he saves her life and gives her the option to either take over his position as a Grim reaper or to complete her fate and die the next day, Libbi is torn. If she chooses to accept his job offer, then she has a week to say goodbye to her family while training, but will ultimately be alone forever after. Libbi is torn by her choices, until her best friend’s fate is revealed, sealing Libbi’s future, whatever is remaining.
This was a teen drama mixed with death, supernatural powers, tons of mystery, and just a hint of forbidden romance. I absolutely loved the mystery aspect of the book, trying to figure out the real deal with Aaron the Grim Reaper as well as the motivation for her friend to be marked. The story dealt with some very dark topics like murder and rape, as well as watching people die from all sorts of reasons, but what can one expect from a book about a Grim Reaper.
A good majority of the book deals with Libbi learning how to be a reaper, be it flying, speed, invisibility, to removing a soul from a body. It was interesting to see the structure of the reapers as well as the world and rules the author built. I really liked how ghosts were explained in the book, as souls that get trapped in a dead body and end up tearing themselves apart to escape, leaving only fragments of them behind, such as a smell or glimpse. It adds a whole new creepy factor to the traditional ghost story.
At times I rooted for Libbi and her strength, and other times she frustrated the begeebies out of me with how dense she could be. It was so obvious how her best friend really felt, yet Libbi never even considered it to be a possibility. Not even for a second. It made me what to palm smack my forehead in her general direction. And then the making out with another guy when she had confessed her love that same day to previously mentioned friend. Total bonehead move for a fairly smart practical girl.
The ending of the story took a surprising twist that I never would have predicted, keeping me on my toes. I look forward to what has to be more to come because now I am dying to see how everything plays out and what kind of trouble will follow Libbi.
I received this book form the author in exchange for my honest review.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

From my blog, The Paisley Reader.

From the first page I was hooked on this book as Libbi deals with a quasi-stalker at her school. So rather than go straight home from school she detours to throw him off her trail, but it nearly costs her her life. Libbi’s savior is Aaron, her would-be stalker, and she learns some stunning news. Aaron has been following her because he knew she was going to die…he’s the Grim Reaper, or at least the one for her area.

I liked Libbi almost immediately as she was extremely easy to identify with. She's a relatively normal teenager: she has two very close friends, a set of twins, Kyle and Hayley; school seems to be a bit of a struggle; she watches her younger brother after school. See? Normal. I also liked Aaron once I learned that he wasn’t some creepy stalker. He’s extremely multifaceted once you get to know him and find out why he was so hooked on getting Libbi to be the next Grim Reaper. To add to it, he’s rather attractive in Libbi’s eyes. He wasn’t particularly my type, I’d be more likely to go for the best friend Kyle, but overall, Aaron is a great character that some of you will absolutely go for in the book boyfriend category.

There were a lot of neat elements to this book that I think elevate it from others featuring Grim Reapers, one being the idea of area Grim Reapers that I mentioned towards the beginning of the review. There are others, mostly pertaining to the abilities one gets upon becoming a Grim Reaper, but I don’t want to spoil things by giving those away.

This book moves at a fast pace, and with every page I was propelled to keep reading. I enjoyed every twist and turn of the story, and did not see the ending coming in the way it did. I was left feeling very satisfied with the conclusion.

Well done, Elizabeth Holloway, you have a new fan for sure. This one is definitely in the running as one of my favorite reads of the year.

*Thank you to Month9 Books for an Advanced Reading Copy of Into the Fire in exchange for an honest review.*

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

“If signing up as the fourth horsewoman of the apocalypse buys me time, then hand me a scythe and call me Grim.”

After reading the blurb for this book I was immediately intrigued, and I’m glad to say I wasn’t disappointed upon full investigation.

If you’re a giant urban fantasy fan like me but are looking for a change of pace from the oh so frequent vampires, werewolves, angels, and fairies this could very well be your book. As the title, cover, and blurb of this book suggest, the supernatural force we’re dealing with here is none other than Death himself (or, at least one of his lackeys – the resident Grim Reaper of a small Pennsylvania town, who’s all set to hang up his scythe).

The thing I really enjoyed about this book was its sincerity. That may sound strange when we’re dealing with a premise as far flung as a retiring Grim Reaper training his apprentice, but the characters had depth and the subplots, if not relatable to every single reader, invoked a strong sense of empathy.

On that same note, I found Libbi’s initial reaction to Aaron’s appearance in her life and the subsequent events to be both amusing and realistic. Unlike many Urban Fantasy novels where a main character newly introduced to some kind of supernatural creature or phenomenon seems to just roll with it, or even find it cool, Libbi’s mistrust of Aaron and her fear of her predicament seem to be a natural, human reaction.

The only thing that contradicts this – something that was of course necessary and inevitable in a young adult novel – is the insta-love that springs up between Libbi and Aaron. It might take half the book, but in the book’s timeline it only takes Libbi about three days to change from loathing to loving. Ms. Holloway could have countered this by extending the book’s timeline.

All in all I found this to be an enjoyable read, one that I finished within a day – I’d like to congratulate Ms. Holloway on her debut; I’m looking forward to the next installment.

Review copy provided in exchange for honest review

Review also published at www.allaboutuf.wordpress.com

[Bkd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If you want to get technical, I'd give it 2.75 stars but I rounded up (and the book sort of deserves that).

A decent bit of humor, a good lump of Supernatural and an adorable romance.

The premise got me because who doesn't love a supernatural romance?!

The book itself was probably a little disappointing, though. If you're going to go with the Reaper shtick, go all the way, man. Holloway didn't delve too deeply into the actual world of Grim Reapers and it feels like such a wasted opportunity. It's the bones of the story and while Holloway gives us the 'Grim basics' it's not enough and not going into more detail makes the book feel a little flat - would have loved to meet some more Reapers, find out a bit more of the history and the lore. Maybe (hopefully) she's saving it for the sequel (which if she is, is clever but frustrating).

Holloway's Reaper is nice enough, as far as male leads go. I couldn't really get on board with anyone else though. While they seem real enough they just weren't likeable - but what teenager is, really? Libbi, the protagonist, came across as mean, right from the start. I respect her 'strength' but her narrative, the descriptions and preconceptions she has about other people are just far too judgmental for me to like her.

The writing style was nice and simple - not nearly as long winded and embellished as this review - and I loved that. Sometimes it's nice, y'know? To just read and enjoy the actual story itself without getting lost in poetry and elaborate description.

That being said, I won't be coming back for the sequel. Mainly because I can't stand the protagonist. There have been worse, much, much worse, but Libbi is just not my cup of tea (not to say she's not someone else's). The premise drew me in but the plot of the story and the world Holloway's created (which seems a little too shallow and underdeveloped) haven't kept me.

[a_tiffyfit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review as follows.

3.5 stars. Rounded up on amazon for the "liked it" tag. 3 here for the "liked it" tag.

I was delighted to be offered a chance to read this book in exchange for a review. I've recently found a few books here and there that deal with reapers and have become more and more interested in this kind of storyline. Morbid? Perhaps. But I like that justice you see displayed and the compassion that often comes with it.

This book is no different when you're at the reaping part. Aaron displays great compassion for the recently deceased and there is fear for those who have to go to the Darkness. But the main storyline focuses around the new soon-to-be reaper and all that she discovers about the current Grim Reaper, her best friend, etc.

I think I am too old for this book and its demographic. While I enjoyed reading the novel, I tended to roll my eyes a lot especially when it came to one of her best friends and the fight ("If you don't know why I'm mad, then you're stupid!" etc.) or how Libbi's idea of fixing her best friend is to lie to him and tell him what he wants to hear or how, even after he causes her to get stitches from a display of violent temper, that violence is swept under the rug, especially when she learns about Aaron's past. (Did you love that run-on? :D) I think I'm at the stage of my life where my tolerance for this is just absolutely gone.

I am not a fan of Kyle: I found him manipulative, I disliked his tendency towards violence (doesn't matter he didn't mean to hurt HER, he meant to hurt someone), and disliked his woe-is-me crap.

The ending could be termed a cliffhanger, but you could also read this as a standalone and fill in the "after" with your own imagination. If there's a second book for the "after", then hey! It was a cliffhanger! If not, then your imagination can take over.

Thanks to Month9Books for the read!

[jodiel86 · Rating 3 out of 5]

See more reviews at Words Read & Written

Why I picked it up:

I read this book as part of the Call Me Grim blog tour.



What I didn’t like about it:

This book is about Grim Reapers and the “magic” involved was a little… unbelievable at times. “Reapers” seem to have a lot of powers and I would have liked to know a little more on the mechanics of where they come from. There wasn't a lot of world building and rules when it came to the magic.

Most of the time when I rate a book as average, I don’t really know what was missing to give the book a better rating. I enjoy the plot, the characters, the writing, the pace, the setting, but I don’t LOVE anything about it. It’s all good, but not excellent.

What I liked about it:

I really enjoyed the writing style. This is the sort of writing that I enjoy – simple, to the point, and filled with personality. I love it when a character leaps off a page and Libbi really did that for me. I think that’s how the author drew me into the story. She focused on character, then setting, then plot. So I felt connected from the beginning. I really appreciated Libbi’s struggle in the first half of the story.

I also liked the Grim Reaper subject matter. I’ve never read a novel about Grim Reaper’s before. I liked what Libbi had to give up to become one. The only thing worse was literally death, so I really believed the stakes and her indecision.

Call Me Grim follows the themes of fate, redemption, friendship, and family. The ending was a little too dramatic for my tastes, but overall, I enjoyed this.

My Verdict - 3 Stars