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The Severed Fates #1
When Death Is Coming
The “4” tattooed on the back of Corrie’s neck means she’ll die before she turns twenty.
The knowledge of death dates has become available to the world. Now, those with early death dates—the Threes and Fours—are forced to put their short lives to use in a labor camp called the Prime so the long-lived can thrive.
While Corrie tries to focus on using her leadership role to secretly create change in the Prime, her friend’s suspicious death makes her wonder how set in stone fate really is. In a search for the truth, Corrie finds the source of the death dates. She discovers that she has a family outside of the Prime…
…and her own death is even closer than she thought.
Facing rising questions about the world, her family, and her future, Corrie knows the answers lie outside of the Prime’s concrete walls. And if she can uncover them, then life must have a greater purpose—but can she find it before death arrives?
The knowledge of death dates has become available to the world. Now, those with early death dates—the Threes and Fours—are forced to put their short lives to use in a labor camp called the Prime so the long-lived can thrive.
While Corrie tries to focus on using her leadership role to secretly create change in the Prime, her friend’s suspicious death makes her wonder how set in stone fate really is. In a search for the truth, Corrie finds the source of the death dates. She discovers that she has a family outside of the Prime…
…and her own death is even closer than she thought.
Facing rising questions about the world, her family, and her future, Corrie knows the answers lie outside of the Prime’s concrete walls. And if she can uncover them, then life must have a greater purpose—but can she find it before death arrives?
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2023
23 people are currently reading
628 people want to read
About the author
Jen Woodrum
4 books112 followersJen Woodrum, author of The Severed Fates, is a mental health therapist who always dreamed of writing books. She loves sci-fi, mind-bendy stories that explore hard questions, don't give easy answers, and demonstrate real struggles of being human.
In addition to being an avid reader, she loves writing music, crochet (and teasing her cat with the yarn), and getting inspired by video games. She lives in the midwest with her husband. Her first book, When Death Is Coming, won a sci-fi realm award, and her second book, When Death Is Watching, is patiently awaiting a pretty sticker of its own someday.
In addition to being an avid reader, she loves writing music, crochet (and teasing her cat with the yarn), and getting inspired by video games. She lives in the midwest with her husband. Her first book, When Death Is Coming, won a sci-fi realm award, and her second book, When Death Is Watching, is patiently awaiting a pretty sticker of its own someday.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
December 12, 2025
I thought it was fantastic 😆🙌
May 14, 2024
Buying Jen Woodrum's debut novel has been, without a doubt, the best thing I have purchased this year.
The plot settles us in a dystopian world where society is divided into tiers, each tier defined by a number tattooed on the back of the neck that also determines the years you are going to live, meaning that the day of your death is pre-defined. In this way, the rulers of the world are the tier 9 people, who are going to live longer, up to 90 years, while tier 4 people like Carrie, the main female protagonist, are due to serve the rest of the tiers in manufacturing plants and hard work places since their lifespan is merely 20 years. What would you do in such an unfair world?
This amazing premise is just the beginning of an excellent story. Carrie's story will leave you speechless as you read it without stopping; I can tell you that you will devour the episodes without pause. It doesn't matter that the intended audience of this novel is young adult readers; everyone is an audience for this outstanding story that will evoke great stories like The Hunger Games or Divergent. In fact, Carrie will surely be a great heroine like Katniss of The Hunger Games. I will not spoil the story, but the last section of the book is simply a masterclass in how a first book of a series must finish in order to create the perfect hype and make you go and buy the second book instantly, something that I will surely do.
Without a doubt, my recommendation of the year.
The plot settles us in a dystopian world where society is divided into tiers, each tier defined by a number tattooed on the back of the neck that also determines the years you are going to live, meaning that the day of your death is pre-defined. In this way, the rulers of the world are the tier 9 people, who are going to live longer, up to 90 years, while tier 4 people like Carrie, the main female protagonist, are due to serve the rest of the tiers in manufacturing plants and hard work places since their lifespan is merely 20 years. What would you do in such an unfair world?
This amazing premise is just the beginning of an excellent story. Carrie's story will leave you speechless as you read it without stopping; I can tell you that you will devour the episodes without pause. It doesn't matter that the intended audience of this novel is young adult readers; everyone is an audience for this outstanding story that will evoke great stories like The Hunger Games or Divergent. In fact, Carrie will surely be a great heroine like Katniss of The Hunger Games. I will not spoil the story, but the last section of the book is simply a masterclass in how a first book of a series must finish in order to create the perfect hype and make you go and buy the second book instantly, something that I will surely do.
Without a doubt, my recommendation of the year.
December 4, 2024
I’ve read so many incredibly good books lately that initially I was grouchy about this one. Yeah, there were good things about the beginning, but I found it pretty meh.
But once it got its feet off the ground? Woodrun flew, and the story flew too.
I loved these characters. I was so invested in Corrie and Auden by the end. I loved this and I desperately need the second book and the whole rest of the series. If you want the most unique dystopian premise I’ve read in a very long time, read this book.
But once it got its feet off the ground? Woodrun flew, and the story flew too.
I loved these characters. I was so invested in Corrie and Auden by the end. I loved this and I desperately need the second book and the whole rest of the series. If you want the most unique dystopian premise I’ve read in a very long time, read this book.
April 8, 2024
A clean YA treat!
Have you wondered what you do if you knew your time of death? Not exact but, you get the idea. The thought itself will push you closer to death before it arrives.
This book will take you into a dystopian world where the arrival of death is known to a faction of high-class people. The world is divided into numbers and that itself is a clue of the coming. Corrie is our FMC who is young but has an important and commanding role to play in the Prime. She is compassionate and righteous. In her war against the controllers to do the right thing, she loses her best friend Auden, who gives her a valuable loophole around death in their world.
Armed with that, Corrie will embark on a new adventure in the second installment of this thrilling series.
Let's talk about the author's writing style. Oh my! What can say here... her delivery bleeds into dreamy, brings out the paranormal, and is still so simplistic. The storyline was easy to follow because of Jen's uniqueness. Kudos!
I can't wait to read part two.
Have you wondered what you do if you knew your time of death? Not exact but, you get the idea. The thought itself will push you closer to death before it arrives.
This book will take you into a dystopian world where the arrival of death is known to a faction of high-class people. The world is divided into numbers and that itself is a clue of the coming. Corrie is our FMC who is young but has an important and commanding role to play in the Prime. She is compassionate and righteous. In her war against the controllers to do the right thing, she loses her best friend Auden, who gives her a valuable loophole around death in their world.
Armed with that, Corrie will embark on a new adventure in the second installment of this thrilling series.
Let's talk about the author's writing style. Oh my! What can say here... her delivery bleeds into dreamy, brings out the paranormal, and is still so simplistic. The storyline was easy to follow because of Jen's uniqueness. Kudos!
I can't wait to read part two.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2024
**UPDATED REVIEW AFTER REREAD 4/9/24**
5/5 stars!!
This book is still one I can’t stop talking about or recommending to people. I love how this mixes the typical dystopian messy government theme with some fantasy and otherworldly elements. It’s so unique and so much fun to discover this world along with the characters who are figuring things out for themselves at the same time.
The found family theme is one of my favorites to read and is so strong in this story. In a society that separates citizens into working classes based on how young they’ll be when they die, there isn’t an opportunity to know your true family so the found family and protectiveness of the older Unfortunates for the little ones is so heart warming.
It’s hard not to love Corrie of Four, the main character of this story, but along with Corrie I just can’t help but love Auden and his love for Corrie, as well as Bennett and his sense of self and clear view of right and wrong for himself, not to be influenced by the opinions surrounding him.
I’m just so impressed with Jen Woodrum’s storytelling and world building and I neeeeeeeed more people to read this book so I can talk about it with everyone!!
If you’re craving a dystopian series like in the early 2010s with The Hunger Games and Divergent, or the dystopian recent stories like The Grace Year and They Both Die at the End: you HAVE to give this one a try next!
**ORIGINAL REVIEW 2/2/2023**
5/5 stars!!
I have so many thoughts!!!
I will be back soon to write a full review but wow am I glad there are going to be more books in this series.
It feels very Divergent meets They Both Die at the End, with a little bit of The Grace Year. I’m SO thrilled to have found a new dystopian series to get hooked on.
I love the author’s style of writing and you can tell how much she has in store for this world and these characters with how she ends the first book. I can’t wait to see what’s next!
5/5 stars!!
This book is still one I can’t stop talking about or recommending to people. I love how this mixes the typical dystopian messy government theme with some fantasy and otherworldly elements. It’s so unique and so much fun to discover this world along with the characters who are figuring things out for themselves at the same time.
The found family theme is one of my favorites to read and is so strong in this story. In a society that separates citizens into working classes based on how young they’ll be when they die, there isn’t an opportunity to know your true family so the found family and protectiveness of the older Unfortunates for the little ones is so heart warming.
It’s hard not to love Corrie of Four, the main character of this story, but along with Corrie I just can’t help but love Auden and his love for Corrie, as well as Bennett and his sense of self and clear view of right and wrong for himself, not to be influenced by the opinions surrounding him.
I’m just so impressed with Jen Woodrum’s storytelling and world building and I neeeeeeeed more people to read this book so I can talk about it with everyone!!
If you’re craving a dystopian series like in the early 2010s with The Hunger Games and Divergent, or the dystopian recent stories like The Grace Year and They Both Die at the End: you HAVE to give this one a try next!
**ORIGINAL REVIEW 2/2/2023**
5/5 stars!!
I have so many thoughts!!!
I will be back soon to write a full review but wow am I glad there are going to be more books in this series.
It feels very Divergent meets They Both Die at the End, with a little bit of The Grace Year. I’m SO thrilled to have found a new dystopian series to get hooked on.
I love the author’s style of writing and you can tell how much she has in store for this world and these characters with how she ends the first book. I can’t wait to see what’s next!
May 21, 2023
My entire life I’ve been a massive sci-fi fan & as a kid long before I even knew the term dystopian, I was drawn to the storytelling & morale dilemmas presented in them. The concept of the story Jen has gifted us is amazing at presenting us with those classic dilemmas that I find so interesting & best told in sci-fi. Many stories give you a clear right & wrong, but I think the best give you no clear answer but just an idea & you have to weigh what would be the best decision made.
The main character Corrie is a teenager who often must make decisions far bigger than she should have to make at her age, in a society where everyone knows how old they’ll live to be & based on how long they’ll live they are placed into roles to best serve society until they die. The younger you die the less ideal your job will be. In the story I often find Corrie to be the best of humanity, someone that often seems wise far beyond her years in very unrealistic ways. However, growing up I can say I fit that same mold, so I found her very relatable. She at certain moments feels written sloppily & out of character reverting to stupid & more impulsive decisions. This is part of the brilliance of her character, because I think that’s what a real teenager would do. No matter how mature they are, they’re still a teen & at times emotions would cause them to make careless mistakes & miss things they otherwise wouldn’t.
The world & the way it operates are very interesting in this book. I love the story because given the info we are, it can make you wonder who is right & wrong in the layout of society. The characters I found to be very interesting & they pull you into their emotional journey. At times I wish more of the story would’ve been told outside of Corrie’s own thoughts. Perhaps I’m in the minority here because I find lately most new writers keep too much of the story in thought instead of allowing the story to unfold through actions. I like to be shown more than told in things I read.
The story is presented to us that Corrie knows she’s about to die & she must achieve her mission against all odds & with the entire weight of the tier system trying to stop her. This idea feels like it would naturally make for an adrenaline-fueled story, but often I found myself feeling like the characters didn’t live like there was urgency in what they were doing. If I knew I was facing a ticking clock on my life & I had to do something I’d feel like I’d be in a mad rush & filled with anxiety nonstop. I didn’t get that sense of consequences in much of the actions. Sometimes the timeline & actions felt difficult to follow. I don’t want to reveal too much but one point really stood out as strange, in what should be an intense escape & mad dash towards her goal Corrie basically sleeps in the streets. Everyone can respond differently to things but if I’m being chased by police & my life is almost about to run out, I don’t think I could manage to nap.
I know this is a series so this might be explored more in further books, but I wish more would’ve been explained on how the death dates & tiers of society were formed. I’m hoping this is just saved for further in the story, but I felt as an audience a little more knowledge into this would’ve been nice. Overall, I absolutely love the idea & I really enjoyed the characters & epic morale issues of the story, but I wish we could’ve got more of the characters outside of the lead’s thoughts, more detail on the world as a whole, & had the intensity ratcheted up to fit the ticking clock nature of the story. I’d probably rate this 4.5 stars because the characters are so engaging it’s hard not to try to overlook my concerns. I look forward to hopefully getting my lingering questions answered in future books. Thank you for this interesting world, Jen!
The main character Corrie is a teenager who often must make decisions far bigger than she should have to make at her age, in a society where everyone knows how old they’ll live to be & based on how long they’ll live they are placed into roles to best serve society until they die. The younger you die the less ideal your job will be. In the story I often find Corrie to be the best of humanity, someone that often seems wise far beyond her years in very unrealistic ways. However, growing up I can say I fit that same mold, so I found her very relatable. She at certain moments feels written sloppily & out of character reverting to stupid & more impulsive decisions. This is part of the brilliance of her character, because I think that’s what a real teenager would do. No matter how mature they are, they’re still a teen & at times emotions would cause them to make careless mistakes & miss things they otherwise wouldn’t.
The world & the way it operates are very interesting in this book. I love the story because given the info we are, it can make you wonder who is right & wrong in the layout of society. The characters I found to be very interesting & they pull you into their emotional journey. At times I wish more of the story would’ve been told outside of Corrie’s own thoughts. Perhaps I’m in the minority here because I find lately most new writers keep too much of the story in thought instead of allowing the story to unfold through actions. I like to be shown more than told in things I read.
The story is presented to us that Corrie knows she’s about to die & she must achieve her mission against all odds & with the entire weight of the tier system trying to stop her. This idea feels like it would naturally make for an adrenaline-fueled story, but often I found myself feeling like the characters didn’t live like there was urgency in what they were doing. If I knew I was facing a ticking clock on my life & I had to do something I’d feel like I’d be in a mad rush & filled with anxiety nonstop. I didn’t get that sense of consequences in much of the actions. Sometimes the timeline & actions felt difficult to follow. I don’t want to reveal too much but one point really stood out as strange, in what should be an intense escape & mad dash towards her goal Corrie basically sleeps in the streets. Everyone can respond differently to things but if I’m being chased by police & my life is almost about to run out, I don’t think I could manage to nap.
I know this is a series so this might be explored more in further books, but I wish more would’ve been explained on how the death dates & tiers of society were formed. I’m hoping this is just saved for further in the story, but I felt as an audience a little more knowledge into this would’ve been nice. Overall, I absolutely love the idea & I really enjoyed the characters & epic morale issues of the story, but I wish we could’ve got more of the characters outside of the lead’s thoughts, more detail on the world as a whole, & had the intensity ratcheted up to fit the ticking clock nature of the story. I’d probably rate this 4.5 stars because the characters are so engaging it’s hard not to try to overlook my concerns. I look forward to hopefully getting my lingering questions answered in future books. Thank you for this interesting world, Jen!
February 13, 2023
This was such a refreshing take for the dystopian genre! Unique world building, heartwarming moments between characters, and an engaging plot.
This story follows Corrie of Four in a dystopian society who lives in the Prime. Each person when born is given a number tattooed on the back of their neck that is in turn a “death date” and based upon the number, they are either placed in the Prime as an Unfortunate or in the Outside world and considered a Fortunate. Corrie stumbles upon something that gives her her death date, a fact that is not specifically known, and attempts to change things and find her “Fortunate” sister with the help of several others.
The whole idea of death dates and this dystopian society Jen Woodrum creates is so unique. We have the Divergent vibes but the idea is entirely original. I found it very interesting how different life was for those in the Prime versus those not. Such an enticing concept and well executed in the plot.
Jen Woodrum’s writing is flawless. So fluid and descriptive throughout. I was also impressed with Corrie’s growth by the end. Corrie experiences so much from love and loss to betrayal and friendship. The relationship between Corrie and Darian was endearing, especially as their relationship progresses throughout as well. Watching them overcome things in their past, I was touched several times during their interactions. 🥹The betrayal we seen was heartbreaking and quite devastating for Corrie though. And her and Auden’s relationship had me in my feels the entire time. I almost cried over the letter from Auden. 🥺
There were a couple of twists that I was pleasantly surprised with and didn’t see coming. And I loved the ending! While it was emotional and somewhat of a cliffhanger, we still had some closure and I feel it left us at a good place. I’m definitely looking forward to the second book already though. This was one of those books that when I woke up the next morning, it was still on my mind. If you love the dystopian genre, you would definitely enjoy this book!
This story follows Corrie of Four in a dystopian society who lives in the Prime. Each person when born is given a number tattooed on the back of their neck that is in turn a “death date” and based upon the number, they are either placed in the Prime as an Unfortunate or in the Outside world and considered a Fortunate. Corrie stumbles upon something that gives her her death date, a fact that is not specifically known, and attempts to change things and find her “Fortunate” sister with the help of several others.
The whole idea of death dates and this dystopian society Jen Woodrum creates is so unique. We have the Divergent vibes but the idea is entirely original. I found it very interesting how different life was for those in the Prime versus those not. Such an enticing concept and well executed in the plot.
Jen Woodrum’s writing is flawless. So fluid and descriptive throughout. I was also impressed with Corrie’s growth by the end. Corrie experiences so much from love and loss to betrayal and friendship. The relationship between Corrie and Darian was endearing, especially as their relationship progresses throughout as well. Watching them overcome things in their past, I was touched several times during their interactions. 🥹The betrayal we seen was heartbreaking and quite devastating for Corrie though. And her and Auden’s relationship had me in my feels the entire time. I almost cried over the letter from Auden. 🥺
There were a couple of twists that I was pleasantly surprised with and didn’t see coming. And I loved the ending! While it was emotional and somewhat of a cliffhanger, we still had some closure and I feel it left us at a good place. I’m definitely looking forward to the second book already though. This was one of those books that when I woke up the next morning, it was still on my mind. If you love the dystopian genre, you would definitely enjoy this book!
June 28, 2023
I loved the twists towards the end!
February 26, 2023
ARC Review!
4.5/5
When I picked up this book, I had not read a YA dystopian novel since high school. But! Dystopian novels have always fascinated (and tortured me), so much so I actually wrote my college thesis on utopian/dystopian literature. So although this was a brand new story, reading it was exciting because it felt a little bit like coming home.
When Death Is Coming follows the story of Corrie, a teenager living in the Prime who knows she will not live to see age 20. Date deaths are known and create a caste system within this world, set far into our reality’s future. After a series of discoveries and upheavals, Corrie learns new information about life beyond the Prime and details of her own fate. With this new knowledge, Corrie must choose how to navigate the world, while her death date looms ever closer…
When Death Is Coming has sooo many things I love about dystopian literature — and I would like to share using the emotional reactions this book pulled from me. Did I grow so angry at the power dynamic of the dystopian government I needed to step away from the book and walk off the frustration? Did I squeal at the perfect character foils that were Corrie and Darian? Did the suspense as Corrie’s clock ticked down keep me up all night reading because I just HAD to know how it all turned out? Yes, yes yes. And that’s as close to a spoiler as you’ll get from me!
Woodrum weaves a story of strength, perseverance, kindness, and compassion, with a soft, sweet, and realistic portrayal of love — among friends, family, and peers. I am so thankful to have received an ARC, for the opportunity to read this captivating story. I know I will be thinking about it for a long time to come, and I’m already anticipating book two in the series!
4.5/5
When I picked up this book, I had not read a YA dystopian novel since high school. But! Dystopian novels have always fascinated (and tortured me), so much so I actually wrote my college thesis on utopian/dystopian literature. So although this was a brand new story, reading it was exciting because it felt a little bit like coming home.
When Death Is Coming follows the story of Corrie, a teenager living in the Prime who knows she will not live to see age 20. Date deaths are known and create a caste system within this world, set far into our reality’s future. After a series of discoveries and upheavals, Corrie learns new information about life beyond the Prime and details of her own fate. With this new knowledge, Corrie must choose how to navigate the world, while her death date looms ever closer…
When Death Is Coming has sooo many things I love about dystopian literature — and I would like to share using the emotional reactions this book pulled from me. Did I grow so angry at the power dynamic of the dystopian government I needed to step away from the book and walk off the frustration? Did I squeal at the perfect character foils that were Corrie and Darian? Did the suspense as Corrie’s clock ticked down keep me up all night reading because I just HAD to know how it all turned out? Yes, yes yes. And that’s as close to a spoiler as you’ll get from me!
Woodrum weaves a story of strength, perseverance, kindness, and compassion, with a soft, sweet, and realistic portrayal of love — among friends, family, and peers. I am so thankful to have received an ARC, for the opportunity to read this captivating story. I know I will be thinking about it for a long time to come, and I’m already anticipating book two in the series!
February 28, 2023
4.5⭐️
I received an arc of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. This book drew me in from the very first line, it’s a well written dystopian novel that remind me of the good old days when dystopian book were everywhere. The dystopia of this novel is a tier system that defines your life expectancy, I personally loved this. I’ve never read a dystopian novel like this and I was pleasantly surprised at how binge worthy it was. The interactions between the character are wonderful, the characters themselves are complex. A few even have mental powers😱. This world is shrouded in mystery and I’d highly recommend this to anyone who loves the dystopian genre.
I received an arc of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. This book drew me in from the very first line, it’s a well written dystopian novel that remind me of the good old days when dystopian book were everywhere. The dystopia of this novel is a tier system that defines your life expectancy, I personally loved this. I’ve never read a dystopian novel like this and I was pleasantly surprised at how binge worthy it was. The interactions between the character are wonderful, the characters themselves are complex. A few even have mental powers😱. This world is shrouded in mystery and I’d highly recommend this to anyone who loves the dystopian genre.
February 14, 2023
Just the book I needed to get me out of a reading slump. I was gifted this by Jen and by God Jen we have to talk. This is brilliant peace of work. The emotions I had on Corrie's life to try and escape her death day, to live her life to the fullest, had me gripped on the edge of my seat. I could feel her pain, her thoughts, her emotions as if I was her. I was able to visualize it as if it was playing out in front of me. The descriptive narrative of this book makes it easy for the reader to follow the story but to also visualize it. The character building is phenomenal and you really connect with each and every character, even the smallest of ones. It truly was a dystopian piece that I never knew I needed.
I don't want to say to much as I don't want to spoil it. It truly is amazing and I recommend this Dystopian read to anyone and everyone. The only reason I did not rate it 5 stars is I got a sense that kept nagging me that is was similar to Hunger Games in volunteering to take someone's place, and that there was always death. The low end of civilization and a high end. It had a bit of Hunger Games and a little bit of Divergent in a way. 2 amazing series and I am curious where this series is going to go on this dystopian adventure.
I don't want to say to much as I don't want to spoil it. It truly is amazing and I recommend this Dystopian read to anyone and everyone. The only reason I did not rate it 5 stars is I got a sense that kept nagging me that is was similar to Hunger Games in volunteering to take someone's place, and that there was always death. The low end of civilization and a high end. It had a bit of Hunger Games and a little bit of Divergent in a way. 2 amazing series and I am curious where this series is going to go on this dystopian adventure.
December 31, 2024
4.5 stars. Oh my goodness such a unique story! I hit a point pretty early on where I felt like I couldn’t put it down- and goodness do I love that feeling in a story!! Very thought provoking and emotional. That ending?!? I will be thinking about this one for a long time.
Aaaand now to dive face first into book 2!!!
Aaaand now to dive face first into book 2!!!
September 29, 2024
I flew through this book! What a ride! It kept me on my toes while giving me a character I could deeply connect with and care about. Seriously, I wish I could know Corrie because if I did, we would be best friends.
Perfect book for dystopian lovers!
Perfect book for dystopian lovers!
May 18, 2023
I’m so impressed that this is a debut novel. The twists, the constant adventure, the cliff hanger for a second book…. All so good!
You MUST pick this up.
You MUST pick this up.
June 8, 2023
I had the pleasure of meeting Jen at a book signing. She explained the plot, and I was immediately interested in reading this book. It lived up to my expectations! A great dystopian novel and I’ll be looking forward to the next books coming in the series.
May 20, 2023
Wow! I don’t usually reach for dystopian novels but the characters in this book drew me in so deeply. Not many books keep me holding my breath to get through the ending the way this one did.
September 16, 2024
WOW. What a wild ride!
This indie YA dystopian novel was so good! From the first chapter I was hooked and I would often not notice I had breezed through 30-40 pages! Can’t wait to get the second book in this series. Jen Woodrum’s writing is clear, concise, and writes the perfect voice for 16 year old Corrie.
This indie YA dystopian novel was so good! From the first chapter I was hooked and I would often not notice I had breezed through 30-40 pages! Can’t wait to get the second book in this series. Jen Woodrum’s writing is clear, concise, and writes the perfect voice for 16 year old Corrie.
February 5, 2023
Jen... We need to chat. Wow.
I literally could not put this book down. I basically read it in one sitting (not really cause my kindle died on me and I took that opportunity to visit reality for an hour).
Okay my review - my head is still spinning. Corrie is this rule follower, she does what she's supposed to and follows orders (as a former super responsible teen, I feel seen) She lives in Prime which is a work camp for lower tier people, people who lifespans are dictated by the tattoo on the back of their neck. Her's is a 4 which means she won't live past 20.
This whole concept was so incredible interesting. How would the world change if we knew the date that we would die? What would you do with your life if you knew how long or short it would be?
This whole world is described to us in such detail, it could easily be made into a movie, it's that realistic and flushed out. All of the characters are deeply relatable. I was completely engrossed and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book.
Some similar vibes: Divergent/Hunger Games series
Trigger warnings: Death (clearly), caste system, child labour, abandonment, prison
I literally could not put this book down. I basically read it in one sitting (not really cause my kindle died on me and I took that opportunity to visit reality for an hour).
Okay my review - my head is still spinning. Corrie is this rule follower, she does what she's supposed to and follows orders (as a former super responsible teen, I feel seen) She lives in Prime which is a work camp for lower tier people, people who lifespans are dictated by the tattoo on the back of their neck. Her's is a 4 which means she won't live past 20.
This whole concept was so incredible interesting. How would the world change if we knew the date that we would die? What would you do with your life if you knew how long or short it would be?
This whole world is described to us in such detail, it could easily be made into a movie, it's that realistic and flushed out. All of the characters are deeply relatable. I was completely engrossed and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book.
Some similar vibes: Divergent/Hunger Games series
Trigger warnings: Death (clearly), caste system, child labour, abandonment, prison
July 18, 2025
If you are looking for the vibes of Divergent paired with Scythe’s deeper exploration of mortality, this is just the dystopian for you! I had the honor of seeing this story grow from its beta reading stages to its publication. Jen blows me away with her ability to craft characters that feel solid and relatable. I wanted to hug them all. Corrie is not your typical dystopian hero—she’s kind, thoughtful, and rarely reckless. Her foil, Darian, has enough impulsivity and sass for them both. Auden, Corrie’s best friend (and perhaps more 😏), is a cinnamon roll and I hardcore rooted for that tender bond 🙌 Jen, how can you make me so emotional over something as sweet and simple as honey? You brilliantly infused gentle moments of joy and hope into such a dismal world, and I am still touched when I reflect on them. Bravo!
April 10, 2024
Dystopian is so far out of my comfort zone as far as genres, and this is also my first ARC read. (Thank you Jen, I’m forever grateful) I don’t typically re read books but this is a story I will still be buying the physical copy for. The emotion, plots and stories suck you in so hard. I truly felt I was living corries life through her eyes, feeling every raw emotion she had. Spectacular writing and story telling. Don’t miss out, pre-order immediately.
March 21, 2023
In a world where human value is defined by the day you're going to die, Corrie of Tier Four will do everything she can to make a difference to the lives of the kids trapped in the Prime.
The Prime is an institution where they send the kids with early death dates - where they live unaware of the outside world, never even having seen the sky before. They must work under harsh conditions under the command the higher ups. This is how the world works. The Fives are their guards, instilling discipline and force where needed in order to ensure the kind of productivity that the Nine's demand.
Until the day Corrie finds the source of the death dates, a luminous colorful cloud called the pillar. And from the moment she touches it, her life changes. She learns that she has a sister on the outside, a Nine - a Nine that might be able to change things, if she could just meet her. She needs to escape from the Prime and find her sister before it is too late - for her death date is much closer than she realised.
My thoughts:
Jen Woodrum! You. Are. An. Amazing. Writer. 👏
We discussed my fear of dystopia before I went into this book and let me just say, you have exceeded my expectations. The writing style is damn good, the world building was completely on point. I felt drawn into the story, like I needed to take this journey alongside Corrie. The politics, the character dynamics, all of it fit together so well. Every chapter provoked the right emotions from me, I was biting my lip, holding onto my seat, sobbing and everything in between. The plot twists!!!! I loved every second of this book and I highly recommend it to...EVERYONE! I cannot believe this is your debut novel my friend and I cannot wait for the sequel.
The Prime is an institution where they send the kids with early death dates - where they live unaware of the outside world, never even having seen the sky before. They must work under harsh conditions under the command the higher ups. This is how the world works. The Fives are their guards, instilling discipline and force where needed in order to ensure the kind of productivity that the Nine's demand.
Until the day Corrie finds the source of the death dates, a luminous colorful cloud called the pillar. And from the moment she touches it, her life changes. She learns that she has a sister on the outside, a Nine - a Nine that might be able to change things, if she could just meet her. She needs to escape from the Prime and find her sister before it is too late - for her death date is much closer than she realised.
My thoughts:
Jen Woodrum! You. Are. An. Amazing. Writer. 👏
We discussed my fear of dystopia before I went into this book and let me just say, you have exceeded my expectations. The writing style is damn good, the world building was completely on point. I felt drawn into the story, like I needed to take this journey alongside Corrie. The politics, the character dynamics, all of it fit together so well. Every chapter provoked the right emotions from me, I was biting my lip, holding onto my seat, sobbing and everything in between. The plot twists!!!! I loved every second of this book and I highly recommend it to...EVERYONE! I cannot believe this is your debut novel my friend and I cannot wait for the sequel.
May 30, 2023
This book was SUCH a joy to read. Jen's polished writing drove the story with an effortless flow, making it hard to put down.
I loved each character, each of their personalities unique, thus a variety of how each responded to Jen's Dystopian setting—a world in which your Death Date is preset at birth, dictating how you'll live out your life. Are you born "short-lived" or "long-lived"? Will you enjoy the niceties of life, or be forced to reside in the Prime (the building for the Unfortunates), creating the luxuries for the Fortunates to use on the outside? Imagine never being able to visit the outside, the real world, to experience even the simplest of joys like sunsets, chirping birds, and honey. Without spoiling, there was one aspect of what you'd also miss out on, that broke my heart the most. It made me appreciate life and my loved ones that much more.
Jen's descriptions, even when minimal at points, kicked up my imagination to the fullest. The little cottage with the honeybees is so clear in my mind. I cherished the intimate connections and understanding between those who lived in the Prime, vs. those who held higher privileges on the outside. It made me consider those in the world who live with such riches; they really live worlds apart from those who do not. The concept of "tiers" is sadly real, in different ways, in society today. This YA Dystopian magnifies the issues we can turn a blind eye to.
I am so, so excited that this is a series. I can't wait to see more of this world that Jen dives into next! This book has lingered in my mind, and I know it will continue to do so.
I loved each character, each of their personalities unique, thus a variety of how each responded to Jen's Dystopian setting—a world in which your Death Date is preset at birth, dictating how you'll live out your life. Are you born "short-lived" or "long-lived"? Will you enjoy the niceties of life, or be forced to reside in the Prime (the building for the Unfortunates), creating the luxuries for the Fortunates to use on the outside? Imagine never being able to visit the outside, the real world, to experience even the simplest of joys like sunsets, chirping birds, and honey. Without spoiling, there was one aspect of what you'd also miss out on, that broke my heart the most. It made me appreciate life and my loved ones that much more.
Jen's descriptions, even when minimal at points, kicked up my imagination to the fullest. The little cottage with the honeybees is so clear in my mind. I cherished the intimate connections and understanding between those who lived in the Prime, vs. those who held higher privileges on the outside. It made me consider those in the world who live with such riches; they really live worlds apart from those who do not. The concept of "tiers" is sadly real, in different ways, in society today. This YA Dystopian magnifies the issues we can turn a blind eye to.
I am so, so excited that this is a series. I can't wait to see more of this world that Jen dives into next! This book has lingered in my mind, and I know it will continue to do so.
June 29, 2023
Calling all Divergent and Maze Runner fans!
I was excited to read When Death is Coming from the moment I read the blurb and it did not disappoint. I've always enjoyed reading about Dystopian civilizations, and the world-building in this book was phenomenal! The death date concept was so fascinating to me and brought to life in such an exciting way that keeps you guessing throughout the book. Jen has created dimensional characters that feel so authentic like I've known them my whole life... But don't get too comfortable, lol. This book is amazing and I cannot wait for the sequel!!! Crisp, engaging, and such a whirlwind, I need more! When Death is Coming is a must-read!
I was excited to read When Death is Coming from the moment I read the blurb and it did not disappoint. I've always enjoyed reading about Dystopian civilizations, and the world-building in this book was phenomenal! The death date concept was so fascinating to me and brought to life in such an exciting way that keeps you guessing throughout the book. Jen has created dimensional characters that feel so authentic like I've known them my whole life... But don't get too comfortable, lol. This book is amazing and I cannot wait for the sequel!!! Crisp, engaging, and such a whirlwind, I need more! When Death is Coming is a must-read!
July 17, 2023
I enjoyed this book so much! Such an absorbing page turner. I cant wait for the next one!
February 22, 2023
The government knows everyone’s death date. They use this information to build a hierachy of the living. The longer you live, the more privileges and resources you are provided. Corrie has grown up knowing that because she is a “4,” she will die early. She is put to work in a labor camp of sorts and expected to live our her life serving the “fortunate” - 8s & 9s. When she is given the chance to escape with her best friend and challenge everything she knows about her world, will she take it with the knowledge that she will die in 3 days time? Or will she stay to help her fellow 3s and 4s fight for better lives?
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
⇝Power Obsession
⇝Loss of Individualism
⇝Resistance
⇝Childhood Sweethearts
𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬:
⭐️Fast Paced
⭐️MC finds her strength throughout the book and becomes very strong
⭐️Love between MCs is sweet and just right!
𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬:
😒Some of the world building/explaining felt slightly forced into conversations. The main character doesn’t know what something is so someone explains it to her…so on and so forth. This doesn’t happen the entire time, but enough to notice it.
Overall I rated this 4⭐️. The ONLY reason I didn’t rate it 5, is because I probably won’t read it again. It’s one of those books that once you know, you know. You know? I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves dystopian novels and can’t wait for the sequel to come out! I will definitely be reading this entire series!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
⇝Power Obsession
⇝Loss of Individualism
⇝Resistance
⇝Childhood Sweethearts
𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬:
⭐️Fast Paced
⭐️MC finds her strength throughout the book and becomes very strong
⭐️Love between MCs is sweet and just right!
𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬:
😒Some of the world building/explaining felt slightly forced into conversations. The main character doesn’t know what something is so someone explains it to her…so on and so forth. This doesn’t happen the entire time, but enough to notice it.
Overall I rated this 4⭐️. The ONLY reason I didn’t rate it 5, is because I probably won’t read it again. It’s one of those books that once you know, you know. You know? I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves dystopian novels and can’t wait for the sequel to come out! I will definitely be reading this entire series!
November 13, 2023
What a spectacular story! Jen takes us on quite a ride in her debut novel, and I loved every second. It's powerfully written with extensive imagery and character & world building. As a notoriously slow reader, I flew through this as I got hooked early on and couldn't put it down. If you like YA dystopia with masterful twists and clean romance, pick up this book today! Jen is my newest auto buy author, and I can not wait for the second book!
March 13, 2025
Wow! What a fantastic book! I had so many questions that kept me hooked. The adventure was amazing and the characters' motives were fascinating! Overall the book was an awesome read!
Btw, I could see his being an amazing movie too!
Btw, I could see his being an amazing movie too!
September 2, 2024
By chapter 2, it was clear Jen Woodrum has created a special character with Corrie, and a special world with Veil (and beyond?). When Death Is Coming is a non-stop rollercoaster of plot twists and emotions that kept me furiously flipping pages so I could know more. Like Corrie, I found the world and the rules disorienting, in the best way. Too often books are compared to break out hits of the past, but if you loved the agony, grit, and heart of the Hunger Games, I promise you'll love this novel. 5/5 would recommend to anyone who wants to experience what seeing the world for the first time is like through new eyes.
October 24, 2023
Wow, this book is so well written! I love the dystopian world created by Jen Woodrum!
I absolutely love Corrie. I think I would have made the same decisions as her. She is kind and live for the others which is something I relate to a lot ❤️
I love Auden too. I don't want to spoil but ugh the struggle!!! (Everyone who read the book will understand 😂)
The ending and the revelations at the ending are amazing and make you eager to read the next book!
Watch out because Jen Woodrum is a name you'll want to remember. I know her next books will be as good as this one.
I absolutely love Corrie. I think I would have made the same decisions as her. She is kind and live for the others which is something I relate to a lot ❤️
I love Auden too. I don't want to spoil but ugh the struggle!!! (Everyone who read the book will understand 😂)
The ending and the revelations at the ending are amazing and make you eager to read the next book!
Watch out because Jen Woodrum is a name you'll want to remember. I know her next books will be as good as this one.
April 30, 2023
This was an excellent debut novel by Jen Woodrum! It's a YA dystopian fantasy with a minor romantic subplot that I enjoyed.
(Note: My review below will be split into different sections, all spoiler-free. Feel free to skip to the bottom for the TL;DR summary and read the portions most important to you.)
•INTRODUCTION•
The premise of this book intrigued me from the moment I heard of WHEN DEATH IS COMING. In this book, Woodrum answers the question, What could happen in a world where death dates are known?
Every person has a tattoo on the back of their neck placed there soon after birth based on what age they will live to be. Corrie, our main character, is a Four Tier, which means she will die before she turns 20. Her exact death date is unknown to her—but it is known to those in higher power far above her Tier. There are nine Tiers, those above 4 are called “long-lived.”
•PLOT•
WDIC is more plot-driven than character-driven, considering the plot happens to Corrie more than Corrie’s choices driving the plot forward. Of course, any good book is going to have a decent mix of both, which I did find to be the case here. Still, for a YA book, it was more plot-driven than expected—but this is not a bad thing nor a turn off for me.
We spend a lot of time in the beginning of the book getting to know Corrie and understanding the world around her. Some readers may find the beginning to drag, but I thought the author did well not to throw us into the mix of everything too quickly. A basic understanding of the world we are in and Corrie’s specific circumstances were necessary. The book was still interesting enough despite a slow-paced beginning that I wanted to keep reading.
•CHARACTERS•
The POV is singular throughout: Corrie of Four. We get to see this world through her eyes in First Person Present Tense. While I felt like it was done well, I also couldn’t help noticing how much of the story in the beginning is found out much later, while this could’ve been remedied by including a dual POV with Auden (another MC and the love interest). I personally think adding in a few extra chapters in Auden’s POV would have taken the first half of this book to the next level.
Speaking of Auden, he was such a great character, perhaps my favorite. I wish we could’ve known more about his past (again, chapters in his POV would’ve added so much) but we are left in the end with puzzle pieces and hints. I didn’t necessarily mind not knowing certain things, but I’m nosey, lol.
Darian, Bennett, and Talia were some other favorites of mine.
These characters were unique and well-developed. I felt the love, felt the warmth, felt the betrayal. (Still upset about [spoiler]’s absolute crushing betrayal. Pretty sure I called this character an explicit under my breath during a particular scene.)
Regarding the characters, Woodrum overall did a good job with them!
•WORLD BUILDING•
The world-building was fantastic. The author was careful not to info-dump. Some things we found out about the world right along with Corrie, who’d been sheltered from the Outside all her life, working day in and day out in the Prime.
Massive dystopian vibes in the world-building from page one, so if that’s your thing, you’ll love this story.
•THE WRITING•
Woodrum’s writing style is quite simple and to the point. For a debut, it was good! I do believe the author has room to grow, as any author does, and I look forward to seeing the growth in her future works.
Oftentimes it seemed that the author told the reader what was happening instead of allowing the character’s experience or thoughts and feelings to express the story to us. Similar to the classic “show don’t tell” rule. While I don’t have any issues with occasional (and appropriate) use of telling over showing (think: content sensitivity), I believe if the author focuses more on perfecting this in her projects moving forward, she’s going to put out exceptional work.
•CONTENT APPROPRIATENESS•
I found it to be quite appropriate for a young adult audience, perhaps 12+. There is no vulgar language, innuendos, etc. Romantic content includes only a quick kiss scene without description. The only content warnings I’d include is infant mortality, gun violence, and minor descriptions of blood and gore. But, again, this is a dystopian novel; you're going to have violence. The level of violence in this book can be considered akin to The Hunger Games (mild descriptions). The author handles these topics well.
•TL;DR•
Woodrum’s debut kept me reading chapter after chapter. While mostly plot-driven, I appreciated the YA theme of self-discovery. World-building is done well; no info-dumping. Appropriate content for 12+ despite violence and gore. Romance is a subplot. I expect this author’s next books to be even better, and I look forward to the next adventure!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
4.5 out of 5 stars!
————————————
*I received a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
(Note: My review below will be split into different sections, all spoiler-free. Feel free to skip to the bottom for the TL;DR summary and read the portions most important to you.)
•INTRODUCTION•
The premise of this book intrigued me from the moment I heard of WHEN DEATH IS COMING. In this book, Woodrum answers the question, What could happen in a world where death dates are known?
Every person has a tattoo on the back of their neck placed there soon after birth based on what age they will live to be. Corrie, our main character, is a Four Tier, which means she will die before she turns 20. Her exact death date is unknown to her—but it is known to those in higher power far above her Tier. There are nine Tiers, those above 4 are called “long-lived.”
•PLOT•
WDIC is more plot-driven than character-driven, considering the plot happens to Corrie more than Corrie’s choices driving the plot forward. Of course, any good book is going to have a decent mix of both, which I did find to be the case here. Still, for a YA book, it was more plot-driven than expected—but this is not a bad thing nor a turn off for me.
We spend a lot of time in the beginning of the book getting to know Corrie and understanding the world around her. Some readers may find the beginning to drag, but I thought the author did well not to throw us into the mix of everything too quickly. A basic understanding of the world we are in and Corrie’s specific circumstances were necessary. The book was still interesting enough despite a slow-paced beginning that I wanted to keep reading.
•CHARACTERS•
The POV is singular throughout: Corrie of Four. We get to see this world through her eyes in First Person Present Tense. While I felt like it was done well, I also couldn’t help noticing how much of the story in the beginning is found out much later, while this could’ve been remedied by including a dual POV with Auden (another MC and the love interest). I personally think adding in a few extra chapters in Auden’s POV would have taken the first half of this book to the next level.
Speaking of Auden, he was such a great character, perhaps my favorite. I wish we could’ve known more about his past (again, chapters in his POV would’ve added so much) but we are left in the end with puzzle pieces and hints. I didn’t necessarily mind not knowing certain things, but I’m nosey, lol.
Darian, Bennett, and Talia were some other favorites of mine.
These characters were unique and well-developed. I felt the love, felt the warmth, felt the betrayal. (Still upset about [spoiler]’s absolute crushing betrayal. Pretty sure I called this character an explicit under my breath during a particular scene.)
Regarding the characters, Woodrum overall did a good job with them!
•WORLD BUILDING•
The world-building was fantastic. The author was careful not to info-dump. Some things we found out about the world right along with Corrie, who’d been sheltered from the Outside all her life, working day in and day out in the Prime.
Massive dystopian vibes in the world-building from page one, so if that’s your thing, you’ll love this story.
•THE WRITING•
Woodrum’s writing style is quite simple and to the point. For a debut, it was good! I do believe the author has room to grow, as any author does, and I look forward to seeing the growth in her future works.
Oftentimes it seemed that the author told the reader what was happening instead of allowing the character’s experience or thoughts and feelings to express the story to us. Similar to the classic “show don’t tell” rule. While I don’t have any issues with occasional (and appropriate) use of telling over showing (think: content sensitivity), I believe if the author focuses more on perfecting this in her projects moving forward, she’s going to put out exceptional work.
•CONTENT APPROPRIATENESS•
I found it to be quite appropriate for a young adult audience, perhaps 12+. There is no vulgar language, innuendos, etc. Romantic content includes only a quick kiss scene without description. The only content warnings I’d include is infant mortality, gun violence, and minor descriptions of blood and gore. But, again, this is a dystopian novel; you're going to have violence. The level of violence in this book can be considered akin to The Hunger Games (mild descriptions). The author handles these topics well.
•TL;DR•
Woodrum’s debut kept me reading chapter after chapter. While mostly plot-driven, I appreciated the YA theme of self-discovery. World-building is done well; no info-dumping. Appropriate content for 12+ despite violence and gore. Romance is a subplot. I expect this author’s next books to be even better, and I look forward to the next adventure!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
4.5 out of 5 stars!
————————————
*I received a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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