School of Deaths

The Scythe Wielder's Secret

By: Christopher Mannino

Narrated by: 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.

Such an awesone world! :)

She was wasting away to skin and bones no matter what she ate. I love that the book started this way, and was instantly interested. The story started right away without a lot of set up. I like when a book can do this, but still manage to get enough world building in along the way. This book was able to accomplish that. As others have said, it brings Harry Potter to mind but is certainly it's very own story. The main character is only thirteen, however I kept forgeting that. I think it would have been better if she was a little older, but that's a very minor issue. With all the action, and the amazing world, this book was so awesome! The narrator of the audiobook was perfect as well. I really enjoyed this book and hope to get my hands on the next one soon!
** I was provided this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Very creative and original.

Suzie Sarnio is a regular 13 year old girl, with regular 13 year old girl problems. Lately, she has developed a new one though. She has begun dropping weight at an alarming rate, no matter how much she eats. Her parents are convinced she either has an eating disorder or a disease, so she see's doctors for both. Unknown to them all, The cause of the weight loss isnt anorexia, it's her body preparing for a new life. That life starts when a man in a black cloak carrying a huge scythe comes to he house one day, grabs her, and disappears with her, only to appear a second later with her in a field next to a pond. It seems Suzie has been chosen to be a new Death! She will start at the school for Deaths, and cant go home unitl she passes her test in one years time. If she fails, she must remain a Death until she fades of old age or is killed on duty as a Death. Oh, and one more thing. She is the first female Death in a million years, the last one being a crazy traitor that colluded with the Dragon's to fight the Deaths.
As you can imagine, it would be really easy to slide into a Harry Potter type knockoff pretty easily. Instead, Christopher Mannino goes very much his own way, creating a likeable cast of characters, with some truly nasty looks at how a closed society can treat outsiders. Suzie goes through the usual hazing rituals and more, taking it all in stride, even though she is lonely and afraid at times, and desperately want to go back to her family. If she doesnt pass her test, she will never see her family again. On top of that, she has come across a conspiracy that can effect the entire world of the Deaths, possibly hurting or killing those friends she has come to love. WIll Suzie and her friends be able to overcome such huge odds? Well, you'll have to listen to find out, although it is definitely worth your time.
I was really impressed with Joel Froomkin's narration. He did an outstanding job, especially considering the disparity in voices, ages and accents he had to handle. He really helped bring this story to life.
Any fan of Harry Potter or similar books should really enjoy this book, as will fans of fantasy in general.

I was given a copy of this book at no charge by the author in exchange for an honest review through Audiobook Boom.

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.

Original and Exciting YA Tale.

What made the experience of listening to School of Deaths the most enjoyable?

The narration is excellent. I loved the variety of characters. Considering the leading character is a female he does a remarkable job and it was always clear which character was speaking... it's supposed to be a fantastical world filled with Deaths from all over the globe and the narrator did a great job really giving that flavor to the story.

What did you like best about this story?

It was an original story that really fits into the girl-power dystopian genre very nicely. It has magical elements that feel kind of like you're following Hermione Granger sometimes (the crusade for the Mentals), with a completely fresh world and a clean romance with a nuanced and engaging love interest. I was expecting it to be a kind of re-hash of Dead Like Me - but it's nothing at all in that vein.

What about Joel Froomkin’s performance did you like?

Great variety and wonderful characterizations. The different voices for the teachers are fantastic and he does a great job voicing Suzie without it ever being that grating problem of a male narrator handling a female.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No - but I certainly was always looking forward to my next listen.

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to book 2!

This was different then expected and fun

What did you love best about School of Deaths?

I don't give away plots in my reviews. This is a different twist on what goes on behind the scenes in the world of soul reaping with some great plot twists, entertaining characters and colorful background.

Any additional comments?

Narrator does a good job with the characters and voices.

This is a great Book - Can't wait to read the 2nd

What did you like best about this story?

I love the fact that the college smells like strawberries and the reason why it smells that way. I think the different skills the elementals have and how they revolted against the Deaths is interesting. This is a great Fantasy book filled with unusual uses of the scythe, detailed scenes of Between and the games with 4 teams.The crush/romance that Suzie has with one of the students is cute and will probably develop into a nice love story. I like reason she is a Death.

Which scene was your favorite?

It is a tie between Suzie meeting the Elementals and the revolt and the end of the book where she takes her final test.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I really enjoyed this story. The second book SWORD OF DEATHS is not in audiobook form right now. I like this story so much that I am going to purchase the Kindle version and read it soon.

Any additional comments?

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