Editorial Content for It's a Wonderful Death
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
Rowena Joy Jones (better known as RJ) is a self-absorbed princess who only cares about herself. But one day, when visiting a fair with her friends, RJ’s soul is accidentally collected by a mistaken grim reaper and she’s whisked onto a train with all of the other newly deceased souls. However, RJ is a fighter --- she refuses to accept her own death and constantly pushes for her case to be heard. As her life --- or death --- as she knows it is changed, can RJ prove that her life is worthy of the mortal plane?
The author’s snarky, whimsical tone makes this book impossible to put down.
IT’S A WONDERFUL DEATH by debut novelist Sarah J. Schmitt is an inspiring book about startling changes and new beginnings. The author’s snarky, whimsical tone makes this book impossible to put down, and I loved how RJ was so smart and cynical. I also found it fascinating to witness her almost-magical metamorphosis, and the way she develops relationships with the other characters throughout the book. Each scene was full of surprise and vividly described emotion, and overall, the story teaches readers to enjoy life before it’s too late.
Unfortunately, though, the plot itself seemed a bit bland to me. It may be a bit of a personal bias, as I prefer books with multifaceted plots that intertwine with each other, and this book has a singular plotline with a slightly disappointing, marginally predictable climax. The book also had a plethora of expectations to live up to, as the title reminded me of a movie It’s A Wonderful Life and I’d just finished reading another wonderful book.
To sum up, I would recommend IT’S A WONDERFUL DEATH to anyone who enjoys books with a strong, sarcastic, snarky female lead. If you are a person who fancies a single plot with a few twists and turns and an amazingly sweet ending, this book is definitely for you!
Teaser
Seventeen-year-old RJ always gets what she wants. So when her soul is accidentally collected by a distracted Grim Reaper, somebody in the afterlife better figure out a way to send her back from the dead or heads will roll. But in her quest for mortality, she becomes a pawn in a power struggle between an overzealous archangel and Death Himself.
Promo
Seventeen-year-old RJ always gets what she wants. So when her soul is accidentally collected by a distracted Grim Reaper, somebody in the afterlife better figure out a way to send her back from the dead or heads will roll. But in her quest for mortality, she becomes a pawn in a power struggle between an overzealous archangel and Death Himself.
About the Book
Seventeen-year-old RJ always gets what she wants. So when her soul is accidentally collected by a distracted Grim Reaper, somebody in the afterlife better figure out a way to send her back from the dead or heads will roll. But in her quest for mortality, she becomes a pawn in a power struggle between an overzealous archangel and Death Himself. The tribunal presents her with two options: she can remain in the lobby, where souls wait to be processed, until her original lifeline expires, or she can replay three moments in her life in an effort to make choices that will result in a future deemed worthy of being saved. It sounds like a no-brainer. She’ll take a walk down memory lane. How hard can changing her future be?
But with each changing moment, RJ’s life begins to unravel, until this self-proclaimed queen bee is a social pariah. She begins to wonder if walking among the living is worth it if she has to spend the next sixty years as an outcast. Too quickly, RJ finds herself back in limbo, her time on Earth once again up for debate.
RJ is a snarky, unapologetic, almost unredeemable, very real girl. Her story is funny and moving, and teens will easily connect with her plight. Prepare to meet the Grim Reaper, who’s cuter than you’d expect; Hawaiian shirt–wearing Death Himself; Saint Peter (who likes to play Cornhole); and Al, the handler for the three-headed hound that guards the gates of Hell. This cast of characters accompanies RJ through her time in the afterlife and will do their best to gently shove her in the right direction.
