Managing Death [Mass Market Paperback]

I thought the first book in Jamison's Death series, was ok but had the potential to be so much better. His second book in the series, Managing Death, proved me right.

I was impressed with the way that Jamison continued the series. I felt the first book in the series, Death Most Definite, was really more of a snapshot of an action packed sequence that happens rolls into Managing Death, instead of a complete novel. That said, yes I do feel it's important to read Death Most Definite before Managing Death but luckily it's neither a bad book nor expensive.

Managing Death begins three months after the events in Death Most Definite, and things still are not back to where they're supposed to be. Steven is still unsure what to do in his new job as Regional Manager (or Death of Australia), unwilling to take on the true aspects of the job, and while they've recruited more pomps into the company, there still aren't enough to put an end to the ever increasing number of stirrers (reanimated bodies) coming into existence. Of course with the Death Moot just around the corner those problems mentioned are just the tip of the iceberg of chaos that's about to ensue. To top it all off there's someone out there who's trying to put an end to the death system, and with Steven's lack of seniority, he's just been marked as the perfect first target.

Readers who either liked or were hesitant on just writing off Death Most Definite should definitely give Managing Death a shot. Like Death Most Definite, Managing Death is filled with both action and an interesting spin on the myths on death. Of course, readers are also introduced to a number of other interesting aspects of the job, as well as to the other Regional Managers. But most importantly Jamison does a fantastic job creating an exciting ending filled with twists and turns that will lead to new a fun new fantasy series.

That said, Managing Death has some flaws. Some of the characters are a little whiny, I felt like it took a little bit too long to get to the action, and some of the supporting characters were a little weak. But it is a very good book that has improved from the first book in the series, and shows even more promise for the next installment in the series. Not only that, but the premise isn't something that's been done a thousand times, and with the lack of originality that's been flying about, this book promises to bring an unusual and entertaining read for readers of all ages.

[...]

The unendingly creative, and hilarious Jamieson brings us the second book in his Death Works series. Fantastic and fun, Managing Death feels a bit like reading Harry Potter for Grownups, while riding Mr Toad's Wild Ride, and listening to Aerosmith (maybe just a little drunk on booze). The writing is superb, featuring tight plots, boundless imagination and witty charm. He gives us sterling characters woven through a wonder of new mythologies, which they navigate with perfect pacing. The book manages to be at times funny, at times scary and over-all profound. He counts among a handful of living fantasy writers who can do all that so well.

The whole idea of Death being managed in modern times by a multi-national conglomerate was genius. It takes the back-stabbing of office politics to a whole new level. One of the most fun things about the book was that I never knew who to trust. And Steven de Selby, our main character who is finding his feet in his new position as Regional Death for Australia, is just as unsure.

"So I rule the land and the sea around Australia as Death, because once there were warriors and they killed Death itself."

"No, you cannot kill Death, only shape it's form. And no, you do not rule the sea."

Harry Potter for Grownups? Really?

Really. I was in a state of childlike wonder reading most of the book at not only the humor with which it was told, but the sheer magic of the thing. Self-healing buildings and magical powers aside, The whole underworld and death mythology that Jamieson has created is so well-built up, so layered, so deep. He takes us to an entirely new, incredibly creative world in which nothing is quite what you expect. He takes known mythologies like the character of Death and the classical underworld concept and bends and twists them in the most fascinating ways. His writing also reminded me a bit of Neil Gaiman, especially his Anansi Boys for the dark, timeless myth. Throw in some Zombies, more than a little magic and a stellar cast of characters and you've got something really great.

Bedtime Stories?

Err...No. It is indeed something I would consider an adult book. I do think it's a touch too scary for the younger set. There's a bit of adult humor and language, which serve to really hammer in the humanity of the main character. It's also on the gorier side of my reading list. Without giving away too much about the book, I'll just say that it does contain a fair amount of blood. But one of the things I appreciated about it is that it didn't feel at all gratuitous. It was mostly essential to the storyline, to the job description, to the pain & growth of the characters. I never felt like it was just there for shock value. There are, though some very creative ways that people manage to die in this book. We'll just leave it at that. The twelve-year-old me would have had plenty of nightmares.

"Sometimes I would like a job that involved less stabbing."

Scones in Brisbane

Most of the characters in this book were so well-developed. I know it was a sequel so a few of them carry over from the first book, but there were plenty of new additions, and each one was interesting, complex and intriguing. I especially liked some of the more fantastic creatures that he created like the fatally flawed Aunt Neti, spidery guardian of the Underworld, who bakes the best damn scones around. I also enjoyed the morally ambiguous other RM's who made up the Orcus. Trying to figure out what they were after was great fun. They all pulled at my imagination.

I would have liked to have seen a bit more from the love interest Lissa in this book, because I felt I didn't get to know her that well...but I suppose that is my fault for not having read the first book, where I get the idea she has more than her share of page-space.

The setting of the story was fun for me too. Not only have I never been to Brisbane, I've never read a single book set there. (Crazy!) So, it was fun for me to get to know a bit about that city (and the Underworld below)
The Series

I was a bit afraid I would be lost in this book, by once again jumping in mid-series. I wasn't. Simply because Jamieson writes a series as a series truly should be, each book is capable of standing alone, and yet together they form an epic arc. Having finished Managing Death, I can't wait to get my hands on Death Most Definite, the first book in the series and am happily awaiting the September US release of The Business of Death (book #3). I'd still suggest reading them in order, simply because some of the necessary back story that seeps into Managing, gives away what are I'm sure major plot points of Definite.

Review Copy Obtained: courtesy of Publisher (Orbit)

Please note that this a bit spoilery for the first book in the series.

I am totally in love with this series. I enjoyed the first book Death Most Definite, but Trent Jamieson has raised it up more than a notch for, Managing Death. Steven de Selby is a now Regional Manager (RM) for Mortmax Industries meaning that he is Death for his part of the world. He became RM after a Regional Apocalypse in his area, which seems to be a normal way to change RMs. de Selby does not have a handle on his job at the start of Managing Death. He's relying heavily on his Ankou (2nd in command), Tim, and his head psychopomp (Pomp), Lissa, who is also his girlfriend. The Pomps send the souls of the dead to the Underworld. They also stall Stirrers who are not good for the world at all. The Death Moot he's to host is coming up. A Death Moot is a gathering of the worldwide RMs and is very important. The Stirrer god is coming. Bad things keep happening. Things are just not going well for Steven de Selby.

Managing Death is a terrific book. Steven de Selby is an incredibly interesting flawed character. The interactions between de Selby, Lissa, and Tim ring true. I like the Underworld construct in this series a lot. Both primary and secondary characters are well developed. The story kept me completely engaged from start to finish. There is, of course, plenty of dark humor. We are reading about Death after all. I did not see the end of this story coming though I knew something was coming. I was completely surprised by the exact events at the end. I had a definite "Wow" moment followed quickly by an "I can't wait to read the next book" moment. Managing Death is a book I will read again.