Don't Fear the Reaper

by Michelle Muto

• ISBN10: 1466441828
• ISBN13: 9781466441828
• Publish Date: 17 November 2011
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 264
• Language: English

Reviews

[littleread1]

I've never been able to read a story that includes suicide as it's focus. However in Don't Fear the Reaper it is done with such tact and compassion that you can't help but hurt for Keely. My heart broke for her over and over. Starting with her death by her own hand and her coming to terms with it. I can't imagine life being so hopeless that you think death is your only way out; but then again I don't have a murdered twin sister either.

Keely's death is only the beginning of her journey. She almost instantly realizes the impact her choice will have for her parents and the rest of her family, as because she was a suicide she must remain earthbound for a period of time while her soul is basically on trial. To determine where she will end up. Fortunately for her, she doesn't have to go through this alone, as she has a reaper and a demon to keep her company. At first they do not sound like the most ideal companions, but I knew that would change.

This is not a happy story. It is also not an overly sad story, though the themes throughout (death, suicide, self sacrifice, and eventually forgiveness) make you FEEL. There wasn't a moment while reading that I didn't feel something. Or a character I didn't feel something for. It is an intense emotional roller coaster that I was hesitant to get on, but once I was strapped in I didn't want it to end.

I am not going to lie to you; this book is not for everyone. If you don't like deep books, or stories that make you feel some of the more unpleasant emotions, I don't recommend it. However, if you like when an author can weave a story so well that you become invested in the good and bad choices a character makes, then pick this one up. You won't be disappointed in the range of emotions Muto forces you to face.

[sstaley]

Don't Fear the Reaper has a beautiful cover that pulls you in.The first chapter of this book is one of the most haunting, breath-taking and heart stopping I have read. In fact, the first paragraph quickly shows Michelle's awesome,descriptive writing style.



"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for they are with me. I repeated my version of the psalm as I watched the ribbon of blood drift from my wrist. I’d hoped it would be a distraction—something to stop me from wondering what my sister’s dying thoughts had been. Exhaling slowly, I let the emptiness consume me."

-Michelle Muto. Don't Fear the Reaper (Kindle Locations 53-57).


(Spoiler Alert!!)






I will be honest and tell you exactly what happens; Keely commits suicide in the first chapter of this book, because she thinks that she was responsible for her twin sister, Jordan's death. When I said that this book is breath taking, I meant it. There are some graphic scenes as she does the deed, but not so gruesome to make you sick. You literally hold your breath waiting to see if she follows through, and then to see if she is really dead. I do want you to know though, suicide is NOT glorified in this novel, in fact, it is exactly the opposite. Author Michelle Muto, does a marvelous job of showing the great remorse that Keely has about what she has done. She shows how much Keely wishes she could be alive again. She especially shows the sorrow she is enduring, seeing how much she hurt her parents, by killing herself.


To read the rest of my review please go to my blog at:
http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/2011/11/review-of-dont-fear-reaper-by-michelle.html

[Amanda]

Original review: http://onabookbender.com/2011/10/31/review-giveaway-dont-fear-the-reaper-by-michelle-muto/

This book is not for the faint of heart. And it is tough. Keely, the main character, does not spend much of her story alive. Instead, we are first launched into her suicide in grim detail from the very beginning, and then into her utter disbelief and denial about being dead. I have long since wondered if people who commit suicide think of the consequences of their actions on other people, and that thought is explored in detail in Don’t Fear the Reaper. I didn’t always agree with Keely’s actions or decisions, but I wanted her to find the peace she was searching for.

Though I have never lost a sibling like Keely, I have lost loved ones, and the exploration into the afterlife was of particular interest to me. There are scenes in Reaper that dredge up old memories of mine — of my grandmother, of my dog — that wreaked havoc on my emotions, forcing me to relive my grief right along with Keely. This is one of those books that transcend the words that are written, and burrow into your own experiences, making it difficult to disconnect the two. More than a story about death, Don’t Fear the Reaper is a story about love — but not just any kind of love; it is the kind of love that does not end with death, but simply changes and morphs into something different.

While I was able to somewhat guess at what would have to happen at the end, Don’t Fear the Reaper was a suspenseful read that left me questioning everyone’s motives and trying to figure out how the story could conclude as happily as possible. I especially enjoyed Banning and Daniel as characters — Daniel perhaps the most — because there was so much more to both of them than it first appears, and I love a little mystery. I look forward to future books.