Death's Daughter: A Callipe Reaper-Jones Novel

Buy this book because you liked Amber Benson on "Buffy." Have high hopes for it because you loved the "Ghosts of Albion" novels. But you'll be counting the days till the other two installments come out because it's so good. Well-written supernatural fiction that finds the balance between heavy mythology and one-note bad guys is hard to find, especially one with a heroine instead of a hero. This book is funny, suspenseful, ridiculously engaging, and draws on more mythological and religious points of view that I can count. It's as if a less-caffeinated-than-usual Carrie Fisher wrote a sci-fi book. Read it. You'll thank me later.

"Death's Daughter" can be simply described as a hero's tale. It the story of a journey not dissimilar to that of Odysseus or Luke Skywalker. A hero's journey has a very simple development: (1) the call to adventure; (2) the refusal to the call; (3) supernatural Aid; (4) the crossing of the first threshold; (5) the belly of the whale. Now without ruining the story I can say that the book approaches each of these steps in a pure and classic way. What makes Amber Benson's approach so unique and thoroughly enjoyable is that she has written a character who reacts to these situations as a real person would. There are no self-righteous monologues or impossible character transformations. This is not to say that the main character is not effected by the events that have occurred throughout her journey but that what has taken place over a period of days has not completely overwritten a lifetime of development. Even in the language we see consistency in character and in her general approach to situations. So if that wasn't too vague for you I hope that you find this review helpful and purchase/read/enjoy/worship in a divine idol kind of way "Death's Daughter." I'm on my 4th time through it and can not wait for the next installment in the trilogy.

While the first few pages are a little on the dry side, you really get hooked by the time Jarvis makes his first appearence. I was quite surprised to find myself outright laughing my butt off through most of this book, especially when Kali tumbles out of the closet in a shower curtain. This book is funny, engaging, and somehow snags you into the emotional rollercoster that is Calliope. She's kind of your average and normal girl except when she's not(Then look out!). As much as I laughed, there are also a few places I couldn't help get misty over. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a story that'll twist and turn, make u laugh till you cry, make you cuddle your dog and then call your own little sister to catch up. I can't wait till Amber Benson comes out with another one.

DEATH'S DAUGHTER BY AMBER BENSON: Calliope Reaper-Jones has a simple life in New York, a city she loves. She cares little for her boss and job, but enjoys the fashions and the stores, and is on the lookout for the perfect hunk to marry and spend the rest of her life with. And Calliope thinks she might've found him, when she's all set to go on a first date and finds a monster standing outside her door. The monster isn't in her imagination either, but the first in a series of events, including the meeting of a little faun, that eventually breaks the "forgetting spell" Calliope had cast. It is then that she faces the stark realization and forgotten fact that she is Death's daughter. The reason her perfect little life has been dramatically changed is because her father, CEO of death, as well as the "members of the board" and Calliope's sister who is an assistant to her father, have all been kidnapped. Which mean's there's no death, the life and wealth and immortality afforded the family of death will be voided and they will lose everything. So it's all up to Calliope; she must become Death to save the family. Only this was the one thing she never wanted. She will also have to complete three trials to prove herself to the gods that she can do the job. She meets Woden, Persephone, and Kali who just really has it in for her. And the first of the trials is merely to capture one of Cerberus's puppies, the veritable hellhound of hell. Amber Benson, author of the Albion series with Christopher Golden, and who played the character of Tara on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, does a great job creating some compelling and interesting characters in this original story. Calliope is a strong protagonist that you don't want to mess with, while Kali is a goddess you never want to get on the bad side of. Then there's the Devil's protégé who just turns Calliope to horny mush whenever she sees him. Death's Daughter is a funny, entertaining story that gives you a healthy dose of mythology mixed with some great characters and thrilling plot. A recipe that leaves readers anxiously waiting for the next book of the trilogy due out next year. Check out my interview with the great Amber Benson on my podcast BookBanter: http://bookbanter.podbean.com.

"DEATH" is a corporation and Calliope-Reaper Jones wants no part of it. Her dream job involves Prada bags, Dior shades and sleek ensembles fit for runways and awards shows. Not, to her chagrin, googling organic Dim Sum for her boss, the VP of Sales at House and Yard Inc., who is desperately trying to keep up with the Joneses. (No relation) Thanks to a faun named Jarvis and an enchanted cupcake, a "forget spell" is broken and Callie hears her unwanted destiny calling. The Grim Reaper, AKA Callie's father, has mysteriously disappeared and her entire family is facing certain doom. Callie is persuaded to `temporarily' accept the one job she had spent years happily avoiding: stepping into her father's shoes as President and CEO of DEATH Inc. But, as with most things in life, being the Reaper isn't as easy as it seems. There's a Board of Directors to appease by way of completing three virtually impossible tasks and, among other obstacles, a hunky protégé of the Devil hot on her not-so-stylish heels. What follows is an extraordinary journey into a mystical/magical universe filled with a rich cast of characters pulled from Mythology, Religion and the author's vivid and endearingly goofy imagination. While the premise is -somewhat- familiar, especially to fans of Joss Whedon's, "BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER", this urban fantasy clearly illustrates Benson's own unique, witty perspective on the trials and tribulations of one ordinary girl's typical hopes and dreams getting hijacked by this crazy thing called life -or in Callie's case- death. Amber Benson is no stranger to the world of developing original fantasy adventures. Partnering with author, Christopher Golden, the duo created an award winning web animation series for the BBCi titled, "GHOSTS OF ALBION", and novelized the series for Del Ray books. Like Calliope, Benson has been given three tasks, novels in this case, to prove her worthiness as a solo author. The protagonist and her ever growing posse of misfits are sure to capture hearts and imaginations (as it has mine) and leave readers anxious to devour the complete "Thrill-ogy". Hopefully, this highly entertaining chick lit series will continue well beyond its initial three novels. To the author: Mission accomplished in one go!