Review of Just Die

[Frankie Jette]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Just Die" by E Alan Fleischauer.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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If you woke up with the power to kill someone just by pointing at them and muttering a few words, what would you do? Some people might ignore the ability completely, and others might go on a rampage. Jake Silver, protagonist of Just Die, wakes up from a stroke with this unusual ability, and sets out to use his power for good.
Just Die begins with Jake Silver in the hospital, and follows him through his miraculously quick recovery, discovery of his powers, and the trouble that those powers get him in. Along the way, he makes friends and enemies, and has to decide how he’s going to use this killing gift – or is it a curse? A fun cast of characters is along for the ride, from Jake’s beautiful fiancée, to newfound friends, bumbling detectives, and drug-addled enemies. With a story this full of twists and turns, just one thing is certain: the reader will never guess what’s coming next.
I found Just Die to be a lot of fun; fast-paced, imaginative, and funny. The story was mostly light-hearted, but had a few heavy moments, which helped lend meaning to the story and humanity to its characters. Descriptive language was good, if brief, and the real heart of the story was its constant action and the good nature of its primary characters. It was easy to cheer for Jake and his team, as they were all good-hearted people with the best of intentions. Even some villains were redeemed in the end, and overall, the diverse cast of characters was a big plus.
My main critique is hard to explain without spoiling anything, but suffice to say, there are some points in the book where characters make choices that are truly confusing. In a book where a man gains supernatural killing powers, it feels unfair to use the word “unrealistic,” but there are a few mundane moments where more minor characters go down paths that are unexpected and bizarre. While this helps further the story, it isn’t very convincing.
Overall, I would recommend Just Die to anyone in the mood for a lighthearted, action-packed adventure of a book. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

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Just Die
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