Death's Door

Immortal Descendants: Baltimore Mysteries #1

by April White

2020 Next Generation Indie Book Grand Prize Winner
2020 Foreword Reviews Indie Awards Finalist

In the fall of 1849, Edgar Allan Poe disappeared. He was missing for five days, and was then found wandering near Gunnar's Hall in Baltimore, delirious and possibly drunk, wearing strange clothes and carrying a cane. Poe died four days later in a Baltimore hospital, never having regained proper consciousness except to call out for a mysterious person by the name of “Reynolds.”

Of course Poe was a Clocker, and I knew I would write that story someday. What I hadn't expected was who would find Poe when he stumbled into the 21st Century.

Her name is Alexandra "Ren" Reynolds, and she has a secret too.

Genres: Fantasy, Time Travel, Mystery, Fiction, Science Fiction, Ebooks, Novella

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 26, 2020

About the author

APRIL WHITE has been a film producer, private investigator, bouncer, teacher and screenwriter. She has climbed in the Himalayas, survived a shipwreck, and lived on a gold mine in the Yukon. She and her husband share their home in Southern California with two extraordinary boys and a lifetime collection of books.

Her first novel, Marking Time is the 2016 winner of the Library Journal Indie E-Book Award for YA Literature, and all five books in the Immortal Descendants series are on the Amazon Top 100 lists in Time Travel Romance and Historical Fantasy. Code of Conduct is an RWA Vivian Award finalist for romantic suspense, a Next Generation Award finalist for romance, and RONE Award finalist for suspense. And Death's Door is a Grand Prize winner of the Next Generation Award, and a Foreword Reviews Award finalist. More information and her blog can be found at www.aprilwhitebooks.com.

Reviews

[Wendy'sThoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Making It Feel So Real Stars
June 23, 2021-OMG, OMG, SO WELL DESERVED: Death's Door was the WINNER of the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Award, Best Novella, AND Wait For It: Grand Prize WINNER For OVERALL FICTION!!! April White, You Are The Woman!!! ❤️❤️❤️ ❤️❤️❤️ ❤️❤️❤️
May 29, 2020
WOW, A Foreword Indies Award Finalist For Science Fiction AND
RONE Award Consideration For Best Novella
IF You Read Anything Right Now- Please Read This- It's FREE and IMPORTANT
* * * * * Spoiler Free
I promise not to go on and on about how much I love April White's past books...Instead, I will go on and on about how much I love THIS book. Before I do, I will direct you to a few reviews that are the most perfect of perfect for Death's Door. One was done by Nicole Emerald Book Reviews McCurdy (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) and the other was by Curlyhairlass19 (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...).

I highly recommend these two reviews because of the way they expressed everything I wanted to say but in a way, I never could. Each of these reviewers touches on exactly why this very special author is able to take the reader to where they need to go and does it with humility, expertise, conviction, grace, and when necessary tongue in cheek. Read these words by them and you will know everything you need to make the smart decision to read this.

Now I am just going to add, this book is perfect for these times. There is much happening today and the roots of it go as far back as the beginning of this country. Through the detailed, researched, and incredible weaving of Edgar Allen Poe's life with our main character, Ren, we are able to experience a well-crafted tale, rich and full as is Ms. White's way...a learning lesson to carry us long after we have finished the book.

Carrying the story with you after you read it is what all authors want, I would think. The idea of learning something, changing perception, or becoming aware of something unknown powerful.

April White's way of mixing authentic history with a consuming story is a gift and we should take every chance we get to receive it.

Please, take a moment, click on the title and you will be better for it, I promise.

P.S. Since the title has the number #1 attached to it, I think there will be more to come with intrigue and the ways of Baltimore, with Immortal Descendants and others telling the tales. I cannot wait.

Death's Door (Immortal Descendants: Baltimore Mysteries #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Series that Started It All:
Marking Time (The Immortal Descendants, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Tempting Fate(The Immortal Descendants, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Changing Nature (The Immortal Descendants, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Gift (The Immortal Descendants #3.5)
Waging War (The Immortal Descendants #4)
Cheating Death (The Immortal Descendants, #5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
This Is Something Very Special...
❤️❤️❤️ ❤️❤️❤️ ❤️❤️❤️ ❤️❤️❤️
What Can You Say...
April White, the Creator of The Immortal Descendants...
Has a New Release Coming...
Be Still My Heart...

It Has Alexandra “Ren” Reynolds...
Meeting Edgar Allan Poe...
Ohhhhhh...
This is Going to Be Amazing!
I Am Ready And...
Willing To Stand At...

Death's Door: An Edgar Allan Poe Time Travel Story (The Immortal Descendants, Baltimore Mysteries #1)-May 30, 2020


A gifted copy was provided by author for an honest review.

For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[Just A Girl With Spirit · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5-5 stars for this stellar tale!

I was asked to be a sensitivity reader of Death’s Door, and Immortal Descendants prequel novella due to the main heroine, Alexandra “Ren” Reynolds, being a woman of color. What I didn’t count on was being sucked into this whole mysterious world of time travel, clockers, and Edgar Allen Poe!! Did you know that he was a time traveler?

I immediately fell hard for Ren, and her fierce bravery in this mysterious story. Reading this book I felt like I received an education of sorts, and I love the intricate details of rich history that was woven into this book. I love that April wrote her heart, and wasn’t afraid to dive into slavery, and the rippling effect from it long after it ended. I kept feeling the famous quote, “be the change” everytime I was reading Ren’s parts to the story, and then when she added “if not me, then who?” Those are the very words that I try to keep in the forefront of my mind daily, and reading these words from Ren’s lips just made them extra special.

This book was an adrenaline rush in just a few short chapters, and I truly can’t wait to see all the places that April delves into in the upcoming books. What a magnificent series this will be!

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death's Door is a Grand Prize winner of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, and a Foreword Reviews finalist. The ebook is currently free, the paperback is on sale for its one-year anniversary, and the audiobook, narrated by the superlative Cassaundra Freeman, is available on Audible.

Death's Door is available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2xk4f46

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It was a night like any other, and a night like no other of my experience when I stumbled through Death’s Door”

I am a huge April White fan so straight off I’m biased.

This was just brilliant, a new Immortal Descendants but in Baltimore. You don’t necessarily have to read the other books but I would (see biased) why because it gives you more depth and background to this book here.

Alexandra “Ren” Reynolds leads a normal life or not as Edgar Allan Poe has just worked into her bar straight from 1849 into the 21st Century. It is for Ren to help him get back to his time.

The author writes her tales with such ease and sucks me in every time. She is a history buff and has taken things that have happened in history and made them her own which isn’t easy.

Poe is quite a character.
“It offends me to have a woman conduct my business for me.”
“Funny,” I said with a raised eyebrow, “it offends me to have a bigot in my house. Here’s hoping we both find tolerance.”

We have a love interest and I can’t wait to read more!

[Nicole Emerald Book Reviews McCurdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death’s Door: An Edgar Allan Poe Time Travel Novella (The Immortal Descendants: Baltimore Mysteries Book 1) by April White

‘“Be sure to mention the traveler who learned to see the world through new eyes.”

“Ah, but the traveler is the storyteller, and the woman is the heroine who set his heart and mind free to explore the richness of a world his narrow view had denied him.”’


Author April White has this quirky little talent, wherein she is able to enthrall, educate and entice, by sprinkling these absolutely fascinating tidbits of information throughout her clever plot and dazzling dialogue, like tempting little morsels of bread, leading us down a very compelling road to adventure, the unimaginable and the sensational. So that, something that should never be, that should not be within the realm of possibilities, suddenly becomes believable and inspiring.

‘Quirky little talent’ is definitely underselling it here but I’ve never read a writer who is more capable of producing pieces of work that immediately grab you right from that very first astonishing line, in this instance, ‘The first time I met Edgar Allan Poe was the night he walked into my bar.’


Death’s Door is an ode to mystery, to positive change. It’s an epic love story to heroines the world over, but in particular to those heroines that suffered in slavery, and those that suffered the echoing ramifications and heartbreak, even generations after it was abolished. It’s ugly, raw and real, but more than that this book is a testament of courage, intelligence and love.


Our utterly amazing heroine Alexandra “Ren” Reynolds, is a multifaceted, complex and magical character, in all ways. Even though she harbours many secrets and wears the mantle of ‘lone wolf’ as protection for the world around her, Ren is also beautifully mysterious, lonely and remarkably tender-hearted. There’s an arresting element to her personality, even though she tries to be indifferent and standoffish, she doesn’t quite pull it off because she cares too much and too deep. Her heart is a huge and wonderful organ. And this comes into play over and over within the story, particularly where the character of George is concerned. The shortest but most profound statement in Death’s Door, comes from Ren, “If not me, then who?” When you read this book yourself and you approach that line, I guarantee you’ll have an overwhelming urge to look inside yourself and ask that very same question. April White’s words hold immeasurable power and that is the kind of fantasy adventure I can get behind.


‘“You know you’re handsome. But my life is complicated, and I don’t make that anyone else’s problem.”

He was standing too close in the small hallway, and I wanted to push him out the back door. “But who do you get hugs from, Ren?” he said quietly as he looked down into my eyes.’


I adored the inclusion of Baltimore cop Nick. There is a beautiful romance element blossoming there, or at least I hope there is, however it’s Nick and Ren’s solid but reluctant friendship that really made it more interesting. For once, it really worked to have the flirtation as a background piece and have the complicated relationship between Ren and out-of-his-element Poe be the main focus. The disagreements and discourse between them. It felt powerful, real and necessary to the whole story. It was incredibly well written.


Death’s Door is the phenomenal beginning of what is certainly going to be an entirely exhilarating, addictive, refreshing and extraordinary new series from writer April White. I’m incredibly excited for the continuation of this brilliant new series.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5.0

The main aspect that stands out from this book is how it mirrors the events of the COVID pandemic without being based on the actual event.

Read full review in the 2020 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Jes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being back in the world of the Immortal Descendants felt like coming home to a warm embrace. April White weaves a special kind of magic with her words to create a world that to me is so effortlessly realistic, that I desperately wish I could stumble into my own adventures with the characters she writes. Until I perfect the art of inserting myself into someone else’s brain, the next best thing is savoring stories like Death’s Door where I can get whisked away in an instant. Ren (Alexandra Reynolds) is a Fierce Woman, who absolutely deserves the title with capital letters. Poe is equally entertaining as a character, and the mystery of Poe being a man out of time is truly fun. More like this, April!

[M.E. Carter]

Absolutely fascinating. I knew it would be but it still went beyond my expectations.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not recommended if you haven't read the Immortal Descendants series.

This is a short novella, written in the COVID period, based on the strange disappearance of the author Edgar Allan Poe for five days just before he died. April White imagines that Poe was a Clocker, although he didn't know it, who travels to present day Baltimore where he meets an extraordinary woman called Alexandra Reynolds aka Ren.

I'll be honest, I have the memory of a goldfish and I have no idea if Ren is a character from the Immortal Descendants or not. If not, then there is a lot of reading between the lines about Ren's history but I kind of like that. Being British I am not as familiar with Poe's work and life story as US readers might be, and I enjoyed learning about him in the novella and in April White's author's notes at the end.

I am definitely looking forward to reading more of the Baltimore Mysteries.

[Eros Lovess rosethebookgriot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soooo where to start?
Short version: Death's door: I read it, loved it and recommend it!

Now for the longer version:
This series is set in the Immortal Descendants world, April's time travel series. And as usual with April's stories, you find a kickass heroine, epic adventures, and friends in people you never suspected! As a Black woman, I also really like seeing how people with my skin tone and POC in general are depicted and April does it in a beautiful way. She gives enough details to show how deeply she cares about her characters' depiction and their cultural background, which make them relatable. I mean every black person knows the consequences of not sleeping with "a silk scrunchie". I think what I like the most with her POC characters is that even though they face real problems that real POC face, these characters are not solely defined by their complexion. Their personality and their adventures are what truly drive the plot forward.

What's all that to do with Edgar Allan Poe? easy, unbeknown to him, he time-traveled to 21st century Baltimore only to find himself face to face with a lady who won't have any of his crap. Said lady's name is Ren and she is the owner of the bar where Poe landed. She will hide him and help him go back to his time. In the short span they spend together, they will both learn to become friends despite their initial diverging positions. They are both helped by two characters George- the homeless who lives in front of the bar and Nick- the handsome police officer who is very interested in Ren. I am a sucker for romance so I am keeping my fingers crossed that Ren and Nick will become more than friends but still... They form a good pair and I cannot wait to read their next adventures (Death's Door being the 1st instalment).

When reading April's stories, I am as exited to read the story as I am about the author's note. They are delightful and after reading this one, I swear I just laid awake trying to determine if time travelers really existed!! In Death's Door, I also learned about Poe's opinion on Black people, the Underground railroad and Baltimore's history. This is another aspect I really love in April's stories. It is just how she spins stories from real facts. She will take you back in sometimes a really gloomy part of History as a starting point but at the same time, she will take you on a journey during which you will be educated without eclipsing the story she wants to tell.

[maggieandteddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update 11/6/20 listened to the audio (audible). I loved this even more. I love finding new details.
The narrator is perfectly cast as Alexandra (Ren). I listened at 1.10x and that was plenty.
This was the perfect time to listen to this! Well Done April White !!
I love history. I love time travel.
++++++++++++++++++++
I love this! Such a well written Novella. I'm so hooked. I love Ren.
Every word counts in this gem.
I love the Baltimore setting, so mysterious, but not creepy. There's some sweetness, heart and Ren is one major league badass heroine with a heart of gold. Freaking smart. She has a LIBRARY in her house! I like Nick, George and Poe.
Edgar Allen Poe! He's one of the reasons that I loved being "forced" into taking a 2nd semester of American Lit. Just read this and you'll see how this unfolds.
1st person POV (Ren).
Now I need to go back to read the ID trilogy! Why did I wait so long?

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just re-listened to Death's Door (I was cleaning and needed something to take my mind off the contents of my kitchen cabinets). Cassaundra Freeman's narration is pure genius. She plucked Ren's voice directly out of my head, then breathed life and love and truth into it.

If you picked the ebook up for free (yes, it's still free), consider grabbing the audiobook from the library or Audible for a completely different experience of the story.

[Yvonne (It's All About Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished reading: May 13th 2023

“Believing in something is easy enough - it is anonymous, and can be done from a distance. But change requires more - it needs voices and faces, people to say the words and do the deeds.”

I was browsing books to read for the kindle challenge, and I couldn't resist adding Death's Door after reading the blurb. This novella had me as soon as it mentioned time travel and Edgar Allan Poe; while sci-fi isn't my usual genre, I tend to enjoy books with a historical angle and time travel element. I'm so glad I stumbled across this novella now, because I ended up having a fantastic time with this kindle freebie! I didn't realize that this was actually a spin off series set in the same world as the Immortal Descendants series, but thankfully it was quite easy to get the general idea of this world. In fact, it only made me more curious to return and try that series as well! The focus in Death's Door is on Edgar Allan Poe and Alexandra Reynolds, and they are part of the reason this story works so well. I loved the incorporation of historical facts about Edgar Allan Poe; they felt natural and really took the story to the next level for me. Ren makes for such a fascinating character as well, and I loved spending time with her as she tries to help Edgar return to his own time. There is also some hint at romance, but thankfully the main focus is on the time travel, Descendants world, Edgar Allan Poe and other themes including slavery/racism/misogyny. I literally flew through this novella, and I will be looking forward to read more of April White's work.


P.S. Find more of my reviews here.

[Karen Leeds · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those, started at night before bed...couldn’t stop until I finished. The sirens and helicopters adorning the protests and riots of NYC ironically made this read even more magical with each page I turned. This is book full of love. Love of words, love of ideas, love of humanity. There is also a good clean start to a possible romantic relationship built on friendship, which doesn’t usurp the plot line but weaves itself into the empty spaces to hold together the tapestry that is this book. Ren is a beautifully smooth complex character, with layers of history, intellect, philosophy and human frailty. The use of Edgar Allen Poe allows for a depth of thought and experience that layers and deepens the simple plot, line turning this book into beautiful exchange of heart within an exciting adventure. Every character introduced in this book is compelling, every conversation contemplative. One of the things that stayed with me as I drank my coffee this morning was, the use of communication as an agent of change. Each time a character spoke, they were heard...and each exchange was smoothly crafted into action. This is a much needed skill during these emotional times rife with anger and betrayal. This is the perfect book to read right now. It is the perfect short introduction into a world I cannot wait to see more of. That is the only criticism I have...it is too short! I want more NOW!

[One Man Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out my blog, One Man Book Club

The Value of a Star: Ratings Explained

April White writes the stories I want to read!

I hope you'll check out her Immortal Descendants series. It's time travel, shape-shifters, and vampires (who don't sparkle). It brings to life the people and places we only know from history books and gives them color and personality we didn't know we needed. In these stories we walk the streets of Jack the Ripper's London, climb the Tower of London with Queen Elizabeth, fight along side Joan of Arc, and crack Nazi codes in 1940 France. Sounds fun, right?

That's because it is.

Death's Door was an unexpected trip back into the world of the Immortal Descendants. It's a bite-sized story full of exactly those things that make April White's books such a treat. This time there's a twist: the historical figure we get to rub shoulders with IS the time traveler, and he travels forward in time to meet us instead of us traveling back to meet him!

Did you know Edgar Allan Poe could travel through time?

Death's Door kicks off a new series of stories set in the world of the Immortal Descendants where there are new characters to meet and new adventures to find. Strong HERo's with morals and a message have become April's calling card, so you can be sure that's what you'll find here as well. All signs point to some future romance, too.

The Immortal Descendants are packed full of the stuff I love to read, and Death's Door is a very, very welcome addition.

I bet you're going to love it too.

No content concerns. Best for 14 and up.

Happy Reading!

[This Literary Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know where to start. This story comes at a time when so many of us, not least of all myself, needed it. With all that is occurring in our country at this time, I found myself unable to stop reading and rereading the words over and over again absorbing their truth and meaning. There is so much depth in this story, so much light shown where shadows have been. Thank you April, I needed to hear many of these things as much as Poe did.

On a lighter note, I absolutely loved the conversations between Poe and Ren. They were rich, enlightening and at times perfectly snarky. Ms. White has a gift at bringing history to life, and once again she’s woven it into a finely tuned mystery. The touches in the book that give hints to the immortal descendant world give me much hope that I may again read about that world once again very soon! So much promise for the future of Ren, and maybe even officer Nick 😉

Read this book. Hopefully you will find yourself better for it when you are done as I have.

[Dana Faulkner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book - a wonderful story

The best books are set in a world we love, have wonderful characters, a great storyline and makes us interested in things that appear in the book. This book was ticks every box. Ren is a wonderful new character, clocking is part of a great world built by April, the storyline is wonderful and now I want to know more about Edgar Allan Poe. I just wish it had been longer so I could have enjoyed it for longer.

[JenniferFour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this. I haven’t read any books in this series (or by this author). This novella was a quick read and very satisfying. Characters were interesting and the writing was good.

[Erica Testa · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Believing in something is easy enough- it is anonymous, and can be done from a distance. But change requires more- it needs voices and faces, people to say the words and do the deeds.”

As a woman of Faith, I don’t think it’s coincidence that this book came out the week it did. I know that April White could never have anticipated that her planned release would occur on a week when our country has been rocked yet again by racism, yet here we are.

The relationship between Edgar Allen Poe and “Ren” was enlightening and open and in the end absolutely moving. My heart smiled and ached. This novella was difficult to put down, and yet there were multiple moments where I realized I was highlighting passage after passage. I knew I needed to force myself to take a break and gather my thoughts before proceeding, even though all I really wanted to do was see what happened next so my heart rate could slow down. I was intrigued by the side characters who care wholeheartedly about our heroine and I hope to see more of these relationships in the future.

I’ll be honest. I’m a romance reader and I rarely deviate. April White has previously pulled me in with her romantic suspenses, and this is even further from my norm, and I loved every moment. My eyes are being opened slowly but surely that there are more things to read and love if I only will give them the chance. “Death’s Door” was thought provoking and obviously thoroughly researched. It also had just enough of a hint at a possible romance, (maybe, one day) to give me the giddy feeling I love and read romance for.

“Choice doesn’t seem like much of a power.”
“No? He asked as his eyebrows rose in challenge. “Tell that to the person with none.”
More wisdom, I felt was timely.

I leave this 5 star review with this- For anyone else who has been hiding out escaping in stories during this season or any season... I understand you, I am too... but let us not forget:
“The Challenge, when one is as enamored of the lives one can lead in books as you and I are, is to find our way off the shelves so as to experience our lives first-hand.”-
Reading this, I felt alternately seen and convicted, but nonetheless moved.

[Maria Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

**4.5 stars**

Really enjoyed this short story.
April manages to make me connect with her characters (and enjoy their journey) in a very smooth way. In this case, also adding some interesting historical facts to the mix and, as it tends to be her usual, meaningful conversations about very relevant topics.
I am missing the Immortal Descendants universe more than ever. It might be a good time for a re-read of the series.

PS: is not necessary to read the ID series before this book...

[Kathy Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all that have been written so far 6/2020

It started with a post I read on a fan group of Darynda Jones. The poster had a list of odd things to say when it seems the most interesting time to say it, “— and then the wolves came,” or “as it was written so shall it be,” and was kind enough to list the author, Penny Reid.

After I read all the books she had written, so far, I found that she had created a world in which other authors could create. I liked the world and kept on reading. I came across two books that were written by April White, Code of Conduct and Code of Honor. I loved them. The storytelling was stellar.

And then, like a girl following a curiously dressed rabbit, I went down the rabbit hole into another world of cleverly connected stories. I love the voice of her main characters. They feel very real to me with emotional depth and grounding foibles. I find I would follow her characters right through a spiral — hopefully into the future where I would have the next book queued up to read.

If there is one thing you can take away from this review, it is that these aren’t your average adventure fantasy books, they’re windows into the past where outrageous and sometimes horrifying things happen. An opportunity to see how far we have come and consider just how far we have to go.
We can’t change the past as much as it needed changed, but we can learn from its lessons good and evil and evolve to an enlightened species.

Thank you, April, for your clever stories. I eagerly await the next.

Thank you, Penny Reid, for creating a world where other writers can find each other and readers can follow a lot of different curiously dressed rabbits down so many interesting and exciting rabbit holes.

~Teleute

[Monika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a novella that is a continuation of the Immortal Descendants series. Like all stories written by Ms. White, it is thoroughly researched. I learned a lot about the History of Baltimore and the struggle of slaves during that era. The book is extremely thought-provoking and the writing is incredibly powerful. It made me, for the first time, understand the real problems that existed then and still exist to a certain degree today. It also made me want to read Edgar Allen Poe. Why haven't I read Poe, yet? I grew up reading Goethe, Schiller, and Lessing. Now, I think it's time to expand my literary horizon. And I can't wait to read about Ren's next adventure.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved meeting Edgar Allan Poe and I can't wait for more stories with Ren and Nick!

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baltimore bar owner April White isn’t as shocked as she should be when Edgar Allan Poe staggers into her bar one night, roaring drunk. Poe died 170 years ago, but since April is an immortal, she knows something that most people don’t. Time travelling is real. April has to figure out how Poe got here and how to return him to his own time without anyone knowing. It’s not easy because the cop, Nick, who’s enamoured with her is always hanging around. And then there’s the homeless guy George, who makes it his business to watch over her bar.

April’s an intriguing character with quite a history. The author doesn’t delve into it in great detail but provides just enough key details. April’s unique ability makes for an isolated life. Having suffered a lot of pain in her life, she doesn’t get involved with people, although Nick’s making harder for her. The language Poe uses reflects the time he lived in, along with his racism. He’s capable of learning, though, which makes him a more likable character. Although the book isn’t long, the pacing is terrific and had me eagerly turning pages. Death’s Door is the first in what I’m sure is a terrific series.

[Roo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully, delicious.

It's short, too short for this greedy reader but oh did I enjoy it. Death's Door is a novella set in the Immortal Descendants' world and is a step into a new series.

I loved the Immortal Descendants' series and have both read and listened to the books many times.

April's writing is a delight, I am pulled into the story but also learn as I go, and gain a thirst for knowledge and understanding. This book taught me bits about the slave trade and some of the history of America without feeling I was being 'preached at' or 'educated'. I love this skill April has of guiding fiction with facts that makes it so real.

It's a good job April doesn't live near me, I'd be sat on her doorstep asking for more like Oliver. I'd forgotten what a delight it was to read one of these books for the first time. I feel like a dog with two tails, the delight wriggled out of me.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a jam-packed quick read novella that left me wanting more. I'm not sure if I should have read the Immortal Descendants series before this--maybe I would have understood a little more of what was going on. But even without having read the other series--I still understood enough of this element of time-traveling special people, while leaving me hungry for more. There was mystery, character development, beginnings of romance, action, history, life-altering questions posed...so much! I'm excited to try out the first in the ID series-Marking Time.

[Maggie Welsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

April White has yet again taken strands of history, woven them in with some fantasy, created characters with depth, heart, and wisdom and gifted us with a beautiful story.

This book is timely and beautiful. It gave me things to think about, as April's books do, gave me some hope when it was desperately needed.

This book gets all the stars as I will be reading it again, and again, and telling all my friends.

[Shirra · Rating 5 out of 5]

April White has yet again taken strands of history, woven them in with some fantasy, created characters with depth, heart, and wisdom and gifted us with a beautiful story.

This book is timely and beautiful. It gave me things to think about, as April's books do, gave me some hope when it was desperately needed.

This book gets all the stars as I will be reading it again, and again, and telling all my friends.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fanciful What-If story set in the Immortal Descendants universe, where Edgar Allen Poe is a Clocker (time traveller, Descendant of Time) who clocks forward to 21st century Baltimore for 5 days, purely by accident

[Leslee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book! I really enjoyed it, it pulled me right in. I loved the characters, loved how they were introduced and the little “mysteries” that kept popping up. They weren’t hard to figure, but they kept the mind working just enough. It was nice to get lost in a book again!