Review: Death’s Daughter by Amber Benson

Death's Daughter by Amber Benson

Death’s Daugher by Amber Benson 
Callipe Reaper-Jones, Book 1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: Paperback, 368 pages
Published: February 24, 2009 by Ace
ISBN: 978-0441016945
Received From: Purchased

Summary from Goodreads:

Calliope Reaper-Jones so just wanted a normal life: buying designer shoes on sale, dating guys from Craig's List, web-surfing for organic dim-sum for her boss...

But when her father—who happens to be Death himself—is kidnapped, and the Devil's Protege embarks on a hostile takeover of the family business, Death, Inc., Callie returns home to assume the CEO mantle— only to discover she must complete three nearly impossible tasks in the realm of the afterlife first.

 
 
 

My Ramblings:

Calliope "Calli" Reaper-Jones has had a Forgotten Charm put on herself so she can lead a normal mortal's life in New York City, trying to break into the world of fashion. The Forgotten Charm has made Calli forget about her family and her past. But Jarvis, a faun and her dad's assistant, shows up one day, breaks the charm's spell, makes her remember everything and tells her that her father, who is also know as Death, has been kidnapped.

A reluctant and unhappy Calli heads to home to fill her father's shoes but finds that she has to complete three seemingly improbable tasks before she can become the head of the family business, Death, Inc. While Calli tries blundering her way through these tasks, she runs into competition for the job with Daniel, who happens to be the Devil's Protege and super model sexy.

For the most part I enjoyed reading Death's Daughter, especially since it had a bit of a Buffy feel to it. There were plenty of fun characters, a lot of snarky and funny dialogue, overall entertaining. I like how Hell and Death, Inc. were run like corporations including a board of executives, definitely not my usual idea of either. Calli was sarcastic and hilariously funny at times, and her speak-before-thinking personality gets her into plenty of jams while trying to complete her three tasks for the job of Death. The downside of this book was as times I found Calli too long winded in her self-dialogues with herself and she had a few misplaced tantrums, especially when the book was a pivoting point. All in all, I like Death's Daughter well enough to read the next book. I just hope some the rambling is toned down and I find a little more grown up Callie in Cat's Claw.

My Rating:  Liked It

Places you can find Amber: Blog | Twitter

Callipe Reaper-Jones Series:

  1. Death’s Daughter
  2. Cat’s Claw

Other Ramblings:

15 comments:

Blodeuedd said...

Nice review.
I do like the concept of this story, and I would like to know more about death inc :)

Tiffany @ KindleVixen said...

Good review. I am intrigued by the concept.... and the hell as a corporation is funny. Reminds me of the last season of Angel :)

I will eventually pick this up. Can't wait to see what you think of book 2!

Donna said...

B - Thanks, I think you would like this one. I actually thought of you at one part because Callie loves to shop and I know how you enjoyed your shopaholic books. :)

KV - Yeah, the book comes across as very Buffyesque in humor and characters, and that worked for me. If your a Buffy (even Angel) fan then you'll appreciate the atmosphere of the book. I'm starting Cat's Claw tonight!

Lola said...

Oooh! This sounds like a fun series! I will definitely put it on my tbr list! Great review Donna! :)

Chris said...

I might not make it through the rambling internal dialogue!

Michelle Greathouse said...

Donna,

Great review. I had the same feelings when I read it - I think I likened Calli to an air head who needs to grow up a little. :)

I would like to read the next book - just to see if Calli has changed.

M

Donna said...

Holly - For the most part it was fun. Hope you like it.

Chris - I wanted to just stop a few times and I did, then I'd go back to the book later. The laughs outweighed the frustration -- thank goodness on that!

Donna said...

Michelle - I'm about to start Cat's Claw, I'll let you know! My finger's are cross because I do like Callie's sense of humor.

A Buckeye Girl Reads said...

This is another new author for me-I don't know how you find them. This does look like a cute series!

Donna said...

Colette - LOL! It's a cute read and as much as I hate using the term "chick lit" urban fantasy is a good description of this book.

VampFanGirl said...

Hey Donna!

Your review for DEATH'S DAUGHTER had me goin' hmmmmm. I like the idea of Death and Hell being corporations. It's different and completely refreshing.

However, I'm really not liking the cover. What kind of dog is that?! Based on the cover, if I saw it at the bookstore, it'd be a no go for me. But now, after reading review, I might be tempted.

Hugs, VFG

Carolyn Crane said...

I am a real sucker for animals on book covers! LOL. Actually, this does sound like such a cute idea for a series. I've been thinking about going for it, too.

Donna said...

VFG - The way I imagined the puppy in book wasn't exactly like the cover. I pictured more of a black lab pup. But I think the pup on the cover is "so ugly it's cute way." ;)

Carolyn - This is a cute read! I should have said in the review but Callie kind of reminds me of Cordelia in Buffy.

Unknown said...

Hi Donna!

Kind of looks like a Shar Pei (not the Disney character from High School Musical, lol) on the cover and it is so ugly it's cute, lol! I like the cover and I love the concepts (I just kind of played with a similar idea, lol.) I'll be wanting to try this one too. I find it's interesting, cute and sexy reaper and you just have to wonder if his protege happened to have a part in the kidnapping.... if he was in cahoots with Hell....

Great review! The only drawback I see are the self reflective dialogues, still going to try it though. Maybe she'll grow up in book two.

((hugs))

Dottie :)

Melissa (My World...in words and pages) said...

I read this book and enjoyed the idea of Callie and Death and the business. I was not all that excited over Callie at times either. I am curious to see where Cat's Claw will go, but I feel bad to admit its not on the top of the list to dive into. But I will eventually get to it.

Another great review!

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