A Date with Death

Deviant Magic #1

by Scott Colby

When twenty-something Kevin Felton loses his job and moves back in with his mother, he assumes life can't possibly get any worse. He used to be somebody at a big time company—now he's just another nobody with no direction and nothing to do but get drunk and fantasize over the strange blue woman that lives in his dreams. Little does he know, there’s more to his world than he ever imagined, and he’s about to be thrown headfirst into a particularly deadly kind of fantasy.

Things start to look up when Kevin stumbles into a wild romance with the woman he thought was just a dream, a water nymph with a magical and mysterious past. There's just one his new lover left a fiancé at the altar, and that man just happens to be Death himself. In a desperate attempt to save his own life, Kevin—alongside Driff, an elven secret agent with questionable loyalties, and Ren, a longtime friend who knows more than he's letting on—befriends the reaper and must find a way to hook Death up with someone new before his own role in events comes to light.

270 pages, ebook

Published February 12, 2015

About the author

I’m Scott Colby, an author based in Somerville, MA. I write fantasy and science fiction stories.

My Deviant Magic contemporary fantasy series is an extended saga about breaking free from oppressive power structures. Set in a world much like ours, but with magic and fairy creatures hidden in the shadows of society, the series features strong themes of found family, anti-establishment misfits, and dark humor. It’s about flawed people standing up for themselves, the values they believe in, and the people they love. There are currently five books in the series, and the first three (A Date with Death, Shotgun, and Diary of a Fairy Princess) are standalone enough that they could be read in any order. Stranger Than Fiction and Vengeance Squad should be read last, and in that order.

The Black Yonnix series, meanwhile, is a swashbuckling pirate adventure set in a unique high fantasy world where music is magic. These novels are part of Outland Entertainment’s World of Pileaus. They’re light and fun, with plenty of banter, heroic shenanigans, and crazy creatures.

I’m also a freelance editor, a terrible softball player, a decent runner, and a solid cook. For more about me and my work or to sign up for my newsletter, visit www.devantmagic.com.

Reviews

[Robin (Bridge Four) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Date With Death has a really cool premise. Kevin has lost his job and moved home to his small town to figure things out. A girl he thought was just a fantasy, someone he saw in his dreams, he discovers is real. Nella used to be engaged to Death and she left him at the alter once she realized Kevin was back in town. A depressed Death has stopped taking souls and is on Strike. Kevin is tasked by the magic community to fix this issue.

Let’s talk about the cool stuff in the book:

There is an interesting dynamic in the world. A magical community that includes elves, demons, pixies, water nymphs, grim reapers and much more. There seems to be some hierarchy and structure to it and general rules for that community.

The town Kevin lives in, has some quirky characters and Kevin’s mom is a trip. She was a holy roller that at one point sprays some of the people in town with a super soaker filled with holy water. Later she has something of a midlife crisis and well, goes on a bender of sorts.

The idea of finding Death a new girl so he isn’t so bummed about losing Nella and will get back on the soul reaping train so that the people in the sleepy little community start to die again.

What the book could have done better in my opinion:

Sometimes this felt a little all over the place. There is a lot of competing things happening. Kevin’s best friend being part of the reason that he may have lost his job. Kevin’s ex-girlfriend showing up in his town. The entire demon angle and being kidnapped by a magical creature. It seemed like there could have been 2 separate stories that both could have been perhaps streamlined a little better.

The love story is a bit rushed. Kevin and Nella might be a good match but it is difficult to connect to them since she is just the girl he thought was a dream. We meet her, find out she is real and then he spends a lot of the book speaking of how much he cares about her. They really didn’t get much page time together. I think that the reader might have benefitted from a few flashbacks to their time together and how they fell in love.

Overall:

It tool me awhile to finish the book and that could have just been because I was distracted by both the holidays and current events, but my engagement level definitely wasn’t as engaged as I normally am. I might give the next book in this series a try to see if some of the set ups from this book pay off.

[Joni (livebythemoon7) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook. It is solo narration. The narrator did a great job bringing this story to life. There were definitely laugh out loud moments, and I found the plot very interesting. The ending wrapped up the whole book nicely, and I would recommend the audio.

I received an audio code. This review is honest and voluntary.

[Ashley Dang · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and unique story about a guy who finds out the girl he’s been seeing (in his dreams) is actually real and that, oh her ex is a reaper and he’s in deep trouble if he can’t solve this. Kevin is sort of just lazing around as he has lost his job, moved back in with his mom, and the only relationship he has is with a gorgeous blue woman who only appears in his dreams..... until now. Kevin get’s pulled into the world of magic and is tasked with fixing the reaper who his (dream) girlfriend turned real life nymph left at the altar, since the reaper is out to kill him. Lots of fun shenanigans and a nice romance between Kevin and Nella. Overall, a fun read that wraps up nicely! The magic world in the book was fun to read about and I enjoyed it.

*Thanks Netgalley and Outland Entertainment for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[Rayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is rich with description that really put you in the head and shoes of our main character, Kevin. Usually there is the drag of needing to suspend disbelief as the characters in a story just accept what's happening to them, especially in the supernatural genres. Kevin circumvents much of this by remaining skeptical and maintaining an observant eye to make sure he isn't falling victim to someone pulling a fast one. While there were a few elements that felt clunky, the environment never lacked and the pacing was solid. I enjoyed this immensely, if for no other reason than the familiarity with boonie squalor that Colby's writing evoked. Actually, scratch that, it was for far more than his writing descriptions that kept me invested, but you'll have to read it yourself to find out more.

[Kittin · Rating 1 out of 5]

6% DNF stupid

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars
I liked the story. My main issue is with the tone of the book. The writing was immature at times.

[B · Rating 1 out of 5]

So I initially wanted to read 'Vengence Sqad' because of the cover, but it is the fifth book in this series, so naturally, I've made it my goal to read the entire series.

Positives:
•super quick fantasy read
•there isn't any hard lore to keep track of
•it has made me curious how the rest of the series will go

Negatives:
•the book could have benefited from more editing
•some dialogue scenes just feel kinda icky because of multiple reasons. 1) Everyone was getting called a 🐱 because they weren't being 'brave', and I feel that we left that behind in 2014. 2) Most of the humour seems to relate to secs or the lack thereof, and I just don't see the appeal for the same jokes to be made so frequently
•it was also hard to root for the main character cause he was annoying, but I think he was supposed to be

[Paz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny and interesting story, it shows a new point of view on Fae that has the flavor of actual Celtic fairy tales, even with its dark places. The main characters are well described and very believable (even if they're magical beings) and secondary characters make the story funny and grounded at the same time. Recommended.

[Lavender Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook review.

I loved this book. I loved the hilarious story, the unique characters, the awesome worldbuilding, and Jason L. Bishop’s brilliant narration. Totally recommended!

A review copy of this book was sent to me by the narrator. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Jason Franks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hollywood sex comedy meets not-so-urban fantasy romp. Blokey, well-drawn characters, a terrific sense of place, and clear intimation of a world that extends far beyond the small town locale.

[Aaron Eichler · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting that a man back from college got into some real scrapes because he slept with Death's girl, and Death was pissed. I did not care for all the f-bombs. It was still a good book.