Our story starts with Sonny, a young teen who's dealing with immense grief following the loss of his father (admittedly his favorite parent) and coping with the aftermath of his death. Moving to a new state, dealing with his mom's actions and seeming distain for him, or more specifically having a kid in general, is really taking a toll on him. Sonny feels as if everything is shitty and it won't get better any time soon. That is until his new normal turns on its head, when he is visited by THE actual Grim Reaper with an offer: to take his place for the next 1000 years. Sonny's got some big shoes to fill and major challenges to face to get there--if he can.

I've been anticipating this book since its release and I'm so happy I finally picked it up. This novel is razor-sharp and succinct, packing a PUNCH; clocking in under 300 pages. Gruesome imagery that characterized the horrors that took place throughout is counterbalanced with interrelationships that are just as much, if not more, of a gut punch than the blood-n-guts depicted. Death being portrayed as a chain-smoking, junk food fiend was truly *perfect*, it felt like the perfect amount of sleaze for the entity that is responsible for the ending of every living being. Sonny and Jess' mom struggles, though very different, added an emotional depth that proved to be just as gripping as Sonny and Grim's storyline. The relationship/mentorship between Sonny and Grim blossomed into more than I could have ever asked for or expected when Death was introduced in the beginning, and that ending--I wouldn't have had it any other way. Please don't sleep on this book. Fritz does an insanely good job at creating an atmosphere where his story exists, keeping the reader fully immersed the whole time. LOVED.