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I, Death
Peter O’Mallick isn’t just having a bad day; he’s having a bad life.
It’s bad enough when your girlfriend suddenly casts you a cold shoulder, your grades are slipping and those around you no longer understand what it’s like to walk in your shoes; but walking around with the innate power to end lives – something Peter begins to realize he has had since birth – takes the angst to a whole new level.
And Hamlet thought he had it bad.
Encouraged by his guidance counsellor, the suicidal seventeen year old begins to blog about his experiences in order to try to understand this power and himself. The self-directed therapy helps, and strangers who follow his online story virtually befriend him, as it appears that his curse is mostly limited to those he is in close contact with.
However, there is one stranger secretly following his story who isn’t there to understand, help or cheer him on; just as Peter begins to understand that being born as a harbinger for death might actually be a blessing rather than a curse, this stranger is intent on finding a way to use Peter’s power for nefarious purposes.
due to following the life of a 17-year-old male, including his dream fantasies, there is coarse language, graphic sexual content, drug use, and depiction of sexual assault.
It’s bad enough when your girlfriend suddenly casts you a cold shoulder, your grades are slipping and those around you no longer understand what it’s like to walk in your shoes; but walking around with the innate power to end lives – something Peter begins to realize he has had since birth – takes the angst to a whole new level.
And Hamlet thought he had it bad.
Encouraged by his guidance counsellor, the suicidal seventeen year old begins to blog about his experiences in order to try to understand this power and himself. The self-directed therapy helps, and strangers who follow his online story virtually befriend him, as it appears that his curse is mostly limited to those he is in close contact with.
However, there is one stranger secretly following his story who isn’t there to understand, help or cheer him on; just as Peter begins to understand that being born as a harbinger for death might actually be a blessing rather than a curse, this stranger is intent on finding a way to use Peter’s power for nefarious purposes.
due to following the life of a 17-year-old male, including his dream fantasies, there is coarse language, graphic sexual content, drug use, and depiction of sexual assault.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 11, 2014
4 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Mark Leslie
125 books179 followersMark is a writer, editor and bookseller who was born and grew up in Sudbury, spent many years in Ottawa and Hamilton and currently lives in Waterloo, Ontario.
When he is not writing, he tacks "Lefebvre" back onto his name and works as a book industry consultant, having been a bookseller since the 1992, the same year his first short story was published.
Apart from publishing novels and non-fiction paranormal explorations under the name Mark Leslie, having works occasionally appearing on his mother's refrigerator door under the name Mark Lefebvre, and podcasting and consulting about the book industry under the name Mark Leslie Lefebvre for his Stark Publishing/Stark Reflections brand, Mark is a lover of craft beer.
When he's not enjoying craft beer or playing around with his three given names, he can usually be found wandering, awestruck through bookstores or libraries.
When he is not writing, he tacks "Lefebvre" back onto his name and works as a book industry consultant, having been a bookseller since the 1992, the same year his first short story was published.
Apart from publishing novels and non-fiction paranormal explorations under the name Mark Leslie, having works occasionally appearing on his mother's refrigerator door under the name Mark Lefebvre, and podcasting and consulting about the book industry under the name Mark Leslie Lefebvre for his Stark Publishing/Stark Reflections brand, Mark is a lover of craft beer.
When he's not enjoying craft beer or playing around with his three given names, he can usually be found wandering, awestruck through bookstores or libraries.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 1, 2014
As quoted from I, Death’s beautifully written and imaginative foreword by author Steve Vernon, “Mark delivers, every time…”
Having stepped out of my comfort zone to take on another of Mark Leslie’s books, I was pleasantly surprised, and yanked into this page turner from the start.
I, Death, follows troubled teenager, Peter O’Mallick, who carries with him a deadly curse. With the encouragement of a teacher (a nod to that one unforgettable educator most of us had, who somehow made learning fun) Peter starts a blog and relives the tragedies of his life, using cyberspace as a newly found therapeutic outlet. Peter tries to make sense of heartbreak, pain, and the fact that everyone he cares about eventually ends up dead. Only once Peter learns to control his gift (as best as one can when a simple look, and well placed thoughts, tends to kill) he’s pulled into a scene where his curse, might actually allow him to finally fit in. Only the intentions of his new found ‘family’ escalate from bad to worse, where Peter continues to struggle with both his past and his future.
Full of realistic teenage angst, slightly disconcerting situations, a bit of a lesson in some of the greatest literature ever written, and hilariously well placed shameless self-promotion (A ballsy move, I’m sure only Leslie can pull off) this book has it all, evening managing to come around full circle with a twisted ending you honestly don’t see coming.
If you’re looking for an easy, yet uniquely written, fast-paced read, I, Death is a thrill with comedic undertones that will leave you both satisfied and disturbed, but in the greatest way possible.
Mark Leslie is, without a doubt, an author I will keep coming back to, having won me over with his chilling short stories, well written poetry, and spooky non-fiction, and now, I, Death. With a flair for the macabre, Leslie manages to put a refreshing spin on anything he creates, probably making him one of many underrated Canadian storytellers.
I did receive a copy of I, Death from the author, however, that does not make my review any less honest.
Having stepped out of my comfort zone to take on another of Mark Leslie’s books, I was pleasantly surprised, and yanked into this page turner from the start.
I, Death, follows troubled teenager, Peter O’Mallick, who carries with him a deadly curse. With the encouragement of a teacher (a nod to that one unforgettable educator most of us had, who somehow made learning fun) Peter starts a blog and relives the tragedies of his life, using cyberspace as a newly found therapeutic outlet. Peter tries to make sense of heartbreak, pain, and the fact that everyone he cares about eventually ends up dead. Only once Peter learns to control his gift (as best as one can when a simple look, and well placed thoughts, tends to kill) he’s pulled into a scene where his curse, might actually allow him to finally fit in. Only the intentions of his new found ‘family’ escalate from bad to worse, where Peter continues to struggle with both his past and his future.
Full of realistic teenage angst, slightly disconcerting situations, a bit of a lesson in some of the greatest literature ever written, and hilariously well placed shameless self-promotion (A ballsy move, I’m sure only Leslie can pull off) this book has it all, evening managing to come around full circle with a twisted ending you honestly don’t see coming.
If you’re looking for an easy, yet uniquely written, fast-paced read, I, Death is a thrill with comedic undertones that will leave you both satisfied and disturbed, but in the greatest way possible.
Mark Leslie is, without a doubt, an author I will keep coming back to, having won me over with his chilling short stories, well written poetry, and spooky non-fiction, and now, I, Death. With a flair for the macabre, Leslie manages to put a refreshing spin on anything he creates, probably making him one of many underrated Canadian storytellers.
I did receive a copy of I, Death from the author, however, that does not make my review any less honest.
February 11, 2015
Loved this book! A wickedly original concept by a fiercely passionate writer. Mark has an impressive body of work and knows how to spin a great yarn. Can't recommend him highly enough. Thanks, Mark!
November 30, 2016
What if your thoughts caused misfortune to others?
http://nicolewbrown.blogspot.com/2016...
But he never hated the old man for his actions. On the contrary, the slaps and punches and spankings were virtually the only physical contact Brecht had with anyone, and he’d grown to look forward to them as a sign that the old man loved him.
-Mark Leslie (I, Death p 179)
http://nicolewbrown.blogspot.com/2016...
But he never hated the old man for his actions. On the contrary, the slaps and punches and spankings were virtually the only physical contact Brecht had with anyone, and he’d grown to look forward to them as a sign that the old man loved him.
-Mark Leslie (I, Death p 179)
March 18, 2015
Loved it! Written primarily as if you are reading the main character's blog, this is a great little horror story. We follow the character through his senior year of highschool and beyond as he begins to believe he carries a death curse...since I don't like spoilers I'll just say I didn't see the ending coming, which is the way a good horror story should be!
December 15, 2017
This was an interesting read. I really enjoyed the story and the idea behind it, but I couldn't get invested in the first 3/4 of the book because of how it was told.
The novelty of having a book written as a blog wore off quickly for me.
Read more here: http://www.anniewalls.com/review-i-de...
The novelty of having a book written as a blog wore off quickly for me.
Read more here: http://www.anniewalls.com/review-i-de...
October 20, 2021
I really enjoyed the fast pace of this book. The blog style for a large portion of the read was an interesting and refreshing change to more traditional styles. Mark Leslie’s writing flowed really well from one page to the next and I tore through this book in no time. It was a very entertaining read.
October 8, 2021
I wish I could give this a 0 star review
July 26, 2015
Won this book through a goodreads giveaway.
I'm really torn on this book. It's basically set from three different characters points of view but all relating to the same situation. The first two thirds of the book are written in the style of a blog written by a teenage boy trying to work through his issues. Though I can say it was truly written in what would seem to be a real blog posting style, the character being a teenage boy is rather unlikable, obnoxious, and too often very boring. It was a pretty real struggle to get through it. As for the last third, both of the final sections are written third person about two terrible people. This section, though still not consisting of like-able characters, had a lot more action and substance to it and I enjoyed these last two sections very much. Throughout the book I was amused by the plugs the author was giving himself throughout the story.
So in conclusion, I believe Mark Leslie appears to be a talented author and I believe I would really enjoy his other writing, and if the first two thirds was as good as the last third I would have really enjoyed this too.
I'm really torn on this book. It's basically set from three different characters points of view but all relating to the same situation. The first two thirds of the book are written in the style of a blog written by a teenage boy trying to work through his issues. Though I can say it was truly written in what would seem to be a real blog posting style, the character being a teenage boy is rather unlikable, obnoxious, and too often very boring. It was a pretty real struggle to get through it. As for the last third, both of the final sections are written third person about two terrible people. This section, though still not consisting of like-able characters, had a lot more action and substance to it and I enjoyed these last two sections very much. Throughout the book I was amused by the plugs the author was giving himself throughout the story.
So in conclusion, I believe Mark Leslie appears to be a talented author and I believe I would really enjoy his other writing, and if the first two thirds was as good as the last third I would have really enjoyed this too.
December 8, 2020
When I started reading it reminded me of the style of jPod, another favourite Canadian novel. The second part of this novel has a more traditional style. This is a story with a very awesome twist. It’s about life and death and finding true love along the way.
March 20, 2015
I received a free copy of this book from the GoodReads First Reads Program in exchange for an honest review. Unique and original writing style, great story, loved it.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews