School of Deaths

The Scythe Wielder's Secret

De: Christopher Mannino

Narrado por: Joel Froomkin

Thirteen-year-old Suzie Sarnio always believed the Grim Reaper was a fairy tale image of a skeleton with a scythe. Now, forced to enter the College of Deaths, she finds herself training to bring souls from the Living World to the Hereafter. The task is demanding enough, but as the only female in the all-male College, she quickly becomes a target. Attacked by both classmates and strangers, Suzie is alone in a world where even her teachers want her to fail. Scythes hungry for souls, Deaths who enslave a race of mysterious magicians, and echoes of an ancient war with Dragons. Caught in the middle of a plot to overthrow the World of Deaths, Suzie must uncover the reason she's been brought there: the first female Death in a million years.

©2015 Christopher T. Mannino (P)2016 Christopher T. Mannino

Nice twist on Magic School + likeable protag

SERIES INFO: This is Book #1 of 2 (so far) in the “Scythe Wielder’s Secrets” trilogy. According to the author, “the audiobook for Sword of Deaths (book 2) should be available by the end of April, or at least the beginning of May.” Book #3, Daughter of Deaths is expected to be published some time in 2017.

CHARACTERS:
Suzie: She was really fun to spend time with. She was quite level headed and has all the necessary heroine traits without being a Mary Sue.

The minor characters (such as Cronk & Athanasius) were really interesting; strangely more interesting than Suzie’s gang, who only started to really become individuals in my mind towards the end.

STORY:
Right from the beginning, we were able to quickly grasp what was happening to Suzie and the impact it had had on her and her family. The explanations when she was taken to the world between were skillfully handled.

I have to give bonus points to a story that includes a library as a significant setting. And it's nice that she chooses (and does well in) Art class.

None of the twists were real surprises, except one. The book ends with significant changes, but leaves much still to be resolved. I am looking forward to meeting the Dragons.

NARRATION:
I am not sure why a male narrator was chosen for a book who’s main character is a middle grade girl. That said, he did a really good job. I felt that his reading matched the tone of the story. / I appreciate the way he handled things such as a “whiny voice” or stammer without making them irritable. / I listened on my usual 1.25 speed.

FAVORITE PART(S):
Joe - I wish there was more of him in the book (and I think cinnamon gum stinks too Suzie) / Suzie interrupting boskery try-outs / The two reaping scenes (especially Suzie’s compassion) / Suzie’s visit to the Doctor (for *gasp* female issues)

I COULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT: Occasional use of the Lord’s name in vain

MY RATINGS:
--Narration: ABOVE AVERAGE
--Enjoyment: ABOVE AVERAGE
--Re-readability: ABOVE AVERAGE

I received this book free in return for an honest review.

Intriguing World and Story

I really enjoyed this book, and I found the whole world with Deaths and the school they belong to really intriguing. I didn't find it too creepy either, which I thought might be the case with reaping dead souls and bringing them to the "hereafter", whatever that really is (we never find out). I liked the main characters, especially Suzie and Frank. I loved their determination and was rooting for Suzie from page one, as well as her time in the world of Deaths, where she is the only female. The idea of a school for people in between the worlds of the living and dead was really interesting, and the story was captivating with a unique mystery to unfold. All the details about the Deaths and their world really brought the story to life, such as their classes, using a scythe blade and reaping souls, the elementals, and their peculiar food that can take on any taste.
However, one of the main thing I wasn't too keen on was the similarities to Harry Potter. Ok, so this was good because I love Harry Potter, but when they played the Boscarry (spelling? I listened to the audio) game, the only thing I could think of was Quidditch. Also the bullying was dwelled on a bit too much, but I know that it's written for a younger audience so that's probably just me.
So I would recommend this book to fantasy and adventure lovers, and I look forward to reading the next book, especially to learn about who these dragons really are.

Unique

I was initially drawn to this book because the description sounded like something out of an Anime. Pretty unique concept. Loved the world and mythology created, it's beautiful and well done. It was easy to get sucked in and enjoy. I quickly fell in love with Suzie. I enjoyed how strong her character was, though she was far more adult than any 13 year old I've ever known.

The narrator was good, but I have few observations that annoyed me. He tends to narrate everything is if it was a super intense scene, which quickly sent me on edge. As I got into the book he seemed to calm down a little and it was easier to listen to. Also he seemed to voice all of the adults as if they were freaking ancient. Which was annoying. But overall he did very well and I enjoyed the performance.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.

an unusual take on the Grim Reaper

What did you like best about School of Deaths? What did you like least?

I liked the surprising worldbuilding for this story. The Grim Reapers aren't actually dead, just abducted kids. That's weird.

Would you be willing to try another book from Christopher Mannino? Why or why not?

I would like to know what the other groups in this universe want, and what the "living" scythes really do when they reap someone.

What about Joel Froomkin’s performance did you like?

I thought the performance was pretty good. There were a couple occasions where I missed a change from dialog to narration or vice versa.

Was School of Deaths worth the listening time?

I think the mysteries are intriguing, and I liked the strong female protagonist.

Any additional comments?

I got a little tired of the torments and callousness of the school staff and activities, which seemed unnecessary during most the story, but were a little more understandable when the school's background was explained at the end.

School of Deaths

I gave this book an honest go despite the fact I couldn't stand the narrator. I am very open to any and all genre's of books, but when the narrator doesn't mesh with the book it's just hard for me to trudge on til the end. I personally didn't like this book only because of that, the book itself might be better read by myself.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.