Book Review: Death Leaders
Chris, the central protagonist, navigates his career as a Death Leader and all of the politics that go along with receiving a special assignment coveted by his peers and shrouded in mystery. Readers will find themselves caught up in the intrigue along with him. Things develop quickly and the action carries right along.
Stylistically, the book is approachable and easy to read, an interesting genre hybrid with a wide cast of characters. Sharing the first person perspective of Chris, readers are brought into his internal life and train of thought. He has doubts with regard to living up to his “father’s” legacy (he started and regulated the Great Potato Famine) and his own quest to find and bring about the death of one Tracy Willbourne.
Overall, Death Leaders is an intriguing and entertaining read. However, the variety of influences and characters can leave readers vaguely confused regarding their ideas and understanding of the world and nature of the Death Leaders and the rules of their existence, until the implications of their role in the world solidify. But once that solidification happens, Death Leaders becomes a worthwhile genre jaunt sure to satisfy readers looking for a journey through a Chicago of the near future, populated by mysterious grim reapers.