With or Without

by SM Erickson

What if you had the chance to know the exact day you would die? Would you want to know? The Withouts think they do. But I’m a With. I know when I’m going to die. The day is tattooed on the inside of my arm, so I can never escape it. Rarity Expires 11.11.2186. I’ll be eighteen years old, four months, and nine days. When my best friend, Jace Brown, outlives the date on his arm, the world loses its mind. They’re afraid of him, like he’s some kind of superhuman monster. It would be funny if they weren’t keeping him under lock and key, doing creepy experiments on him. Somehow, they got the idea that he’s the key to immortality. It’s ridiculous, right? I mean, he’s just Jace. Jace, who’s the only person to ever outlive the date on their arm, but that’s beside the point. With less than two weeks left until I meet my own maker, I’m not sure how to help him. But when I wake up eighteen years old, four months, and ten days old, I just might need more help than him…

285 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 2, 2020

Reviews

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this fascinating, well-written story, which explores the ideas of immortality and the fears of those without it.

It's a complex issue but very well done in a first-person narrative concerning Rarity and Jace, the two main characters. Their relationship is brilliant with well-developed personalities.

There are also villains - scary and despicable - whose aim is to take and control.

What is the truth? What is really going on?

Although there must be more books in this series to come, this story was satisfying with plenty of action, thoughts, feelings, tension and suspense.

Highly recommended.

[Tacey Endsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time keeps on ticking.

This book is classic Stephanie Erickson! Long awaited.
I love the time-based theme. If you could know the day you were going to die, would you want to? Jace and Rarity (love that name) are well developed and easy to like. The world is well-developed and easy to "fall in to". Lol. I only gave it 4 stars because a few of the situations seemed a bit of a stretch, but in all fairness, it is based quite a bit in the future. I really enjoyed the book though. It keeps you on your toes all the way through! Easy to totally immerse yourself in their world.

[Laura Haslett · Rating 4 out of 5]

warning: unfinished series

While this was a fun storyline, fun premise, this is an unfinished series. I detest starting unfinished series but with it being published in 2020 and the second one supposed to come out summer of 2020 I thought it was safe to start. That the author just never updated the publishing info. NOPE! It’s just incomplete.

So read this at your own risk if you prefer a finished series. It’s good otherwise

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apocalyptic like you've never read before!

When you're supposed to be dead and running for your life, at least you have your best friend to keep you company. A page-turner!!! Stephanie never disappoints and this is no exception!!!

[Hallie Wedding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting concept, enjoyable read

I enjoyed this book quite a bit and will definitely read the series. I gave it 4 stars because there are some places where it falls a little flat and feels a bit rushed. It's also a bit cliche in places. It's definitely worth a read though!

[Mark P. Downey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept but would have been much better if written in third person.

[_Heather_ · Rating 2 out of 5]

May work well as a YA read, especially at the younger ages.

[Kim Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is soo good but EXTREMELY disappointed that books 2 & 3 were never produced/published. I even appealed to the author. SO SAD it wasn't a finished trilogy.