Review Detail

Signa Farrow has been an orphan all her life. She isn't able to die but others around her have the unfortunate tendency to do just that. She's shuffled from guardian to guardian until after the death of one of her aunts, she's sent to Thorn Hall. Once there she finds out her relative Lillian has died under mysterious circumstances and her daughter is seriously ill with the same condition. Signa once more has Death around her and they make an agreement to figure out who is behind her relative's death.

What worked: Intriguing Gothic fantasy with elements of mystery. What's unique about this fantasy though has to be the depiction of Death and a protagonist who at first seems to have Death under her finger. Death is unlike most other characters I've read. In this novel, he's seductive and is under Signa's spell. There's romantic elements that grow stronger between these two which have almost a Wuthering Heights feel though Death is much more appealing than Heathcliff. No, Death wants to help Signa and at first, seems almost infatuated with her.

The mystery behind the death of Lillian is one that Signa is determined to solve with the help of not only Death but other spirits that haunt the manor. Another unique twist in this story is how Signa is able to call on Death by eating the deadly belladonna berries. Signa is able to see between the veil separating Earth from the Afterlife.

The chemistry between Signa and Death is very strong. It's so strong that the ending is totally plausible. But this isn't the end of Signa's crime-solving! I'm excited to see how she fares with Fate.

Great pacing, engaging dialogue set in a spooky manor where Death isn't who readers might think and the girl who will do anything to help those around her. Even if that means succumbing to death herself.