Stephanie

I just finished listening to the audiobook read by Allan Corduner. He does an amazing job at portraying the different voice that I still can't believe it is the same person. Though I do have a physical copy of the book, so I know for the audiobook you miss out on some of the drawings within, but I think the narration makes up for that.

I love Death as the narrator. It really does give the book a unique style with being gimmicky. This is a character-driven story even though there is a plot there is not much action. It is really getting to know these characters.

The one thing that I find that complain about is that Death will often say what will happen before it does and people have complained that this “spoiled” the book for them. For me, I didn't have a problem with it. Death explains the reason why he does this is that everyone will die, that it is not a secret so he doesn't bother to keep it hidden. What Death does reveal usually is not too specific, so for me the question is not “What will happen?” but “How will it happen?” which is fascinating to have it slowly unfold.

Literal fish out of waters story. Three mermaid decide to turn into human so they can get alcohol. Honestly that seem like the only good reason for wanting to become human. Unfortunately, they don't know how to turn back into mermaids, so until they can figure how to change back they are stuck as humans. Luckily for them one of the bartenders takes pity on then and lets them stay at her place, help them find jobs, and kind of just roll with the whole they are mermaids. And of course hilarity and misunderstands ensue.
The artwork it not really my style, but I do appreciate the different body types. The whole trope of the “fish out of water” can get really annoying quickly. Luckily in this there are spins on most of the tropes so there is something new. The funniest thing is how gross and prevented these mermaids are, as apposed to what we usually see mermaids as young, thin, and beautiful. But overall this story is just a fun romp, with a bit of world building.

I knew what was going to happen, but how it happen was interesting. Connor (main character) acts like a real kid and so I can sympathies for him. I don't want to say any more without spoiling a lot. So the last think I'll say is that even knowing the ending I was still crying at the end.

Mean Girls/Heather but they turn into werewolves. This was just okay. The concept is great and there is some interesting things that happen. It could have been longer especially going into the lore of werewolves in this world. Though I liked the two girls getting together at the end (because everything could be gayer) but it felt kind of forced. It started about as friendship with one of them being in the closet, then all of sudden they are dating. That needed more time to develop.

3.5 stars. Through out this book I just kept saying to myself “I wish there was more.” Leslie always keeps that audience arms length away. The stories that he tells leave out details. One example, more than halfway through is when he first mentions that there had been some difficulties with his father. Or how as a kid he said that he had trouble is school, but that only reason he gives is that he was just rowdy as a kid. As a result it just don't feel a connection. It feels like I'm reading “This happen and then this happened and here is the lesson.”There are moments when he does get a more personal and those are the best parts. Like when he talks about being typed casted in Hollywood as the ‘token black character' and how he chose to no longer take those parts. Overall it does has some good lessons and advice. For someone who just graduated high school and/or is about to start college this would be probably get more out of this book.