Like the previous books in this series, this installment takes the reader on a wild ride. Of course, the name of the book is a dead giveaway when it comes to the plot.

But the rest is an action-packed blur where Artemis — a boy thief with a girl’s name — learns to accept that he has friends who might need his help — regardless of his previously mercenary leanings.

There is humor and there are lessons to be learned along the way.

The next book in the series is calling my name.

The story within the story is that of the girl, Keturah, who meets Death in the woods. Much like the classic, One Thousand and One Nights, she begins telling him a story so he would spare her life. But she leaves off the ending and promises to tell it the very next day. Things happen and Death relents a bit each day, which is how she manages to stay alive. 

So, this might have been more of a romance than anything else. But I liked it for the beautiful language. It had a lyrical quality to it. 

Examples:

The ending was very much expected — Death gets the girl — but I wouldn’t have liked it any other way. Maybe I should try out the other books by this author. What do you think?

This one was part of the Death Personified shelf-full of novels that I downloaded once upon a time. And I am so glad I did. It had flavors of Pratchett and Douglas Adams that made me laugh out loud. The goldfish had a surprisingly big part to play in the grand scheme of things. And the poor Devil was so put upon by God and Death both. 

Like all novels involving the Devil, this one too started when he hatched a plot to take over the world. Pity that things didn’t go as well as he’d thought they would.

A funny

 

Another single novel by the author. Yum!

 

A series with a hirsute teenager that I can read? Count me in!

The world-building in this novel is good for a first novel. I also liked that the protagonist is a different kind of witch, i.e., she raises shades from dead bodies so she can solve murders. The whole part about raising one so it could give her testimony in court was fabulous and tastefully done.

What I don’t like is the main character. I don’t know I find her annoying. Again, I think I would have enjoyed this book more had I read it a few years ago.

A funny line.

Since there was a cliffhanger, I will try the next book in the series.

In which Death decides to take an apprentice and introduces us to his adopted daughter. There is a wizard who isn’t very good at being a wizard — no, not Rincewind, the other one — and a princess who is dead but is very much alive. Hilarity and beautiful language are the two trademarks of all Pratchetty novels and this one was no different.