Review of Just Die
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Meenakshi Girish
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Review of Just Die
[Following is a volunteer review of "Just Die" by E Alan Fleischauer.]
The new year began with a mixture of romance and horror books for me. To shake things up, I thought of reading a paranormal thriller and ended up with Just Die by E. Alan Fleischauer. Let’s just say it was not at all what I expected or hoped for…
The book revolves around a financial planner, Jake Silver. The story opens with him at the hospital owing to a mild stroke. He then realizes that every time he points at someone or something and utters the words “Just Die”, they drop dead. The action begins on page one and the first deaths occur within the first ten pages!
Yes, it was a brilliantly fast-paced thriller with twists and turns on every page. Despite there being several characters and parallel storylines, it was easy to follow what was going on. Readers can understand the story from various perspectives and the short chapters will help finish the book in a day or so.
But that brings me to the end of the positives. Unfortunately, this book just didn’t hit the right spots for me despite being relatable and witty. I found the content and descriptions of death to be very underwhelming without due respect given to the situation. The gravity of the situation never settled in for me as the deaths would happen in a mere two sentences at most!
Jake is pointing his finger at animals and people to make them drop dead - the entire story is as simple as this one line. There is no tension, build-up, or shock afterward. The lead characters simply move on and plan their next move with ease. Nobody questions how Jake got this power and how to handle it. I also didn’t like how everyone was so open about it and kept narrating Jake’s power to everyone on the street.
I ended up giving the book 2 out of 5 stars as I didn’t like the way people reacted to the deaths and Jake’s power. Realistically speaking, I don’t think I would behave so carelessly and go on with my life if I woke up with such power one day. The topic is brought up but then dismissed and ignored for several pages. For example, Jake kills a man, and then everyone goes out for pizza. Several chapters later, he kills someone else and then everyone heads out to the patio to have beers.
This book might be a good read for fans of paranormal fiction who don’t question much while reading. I guess this was more of a “me” problem as I read about six thrillers per month. Owing to the author having won several awards previously, I went into this book with high hopes.
I recommend readers begin reading without expectations and with an open mind. Be warned about certain racist instances against black people (often treated as big, black, and menacing) as well as conscious criticism of the Saudis and Iranians. It might sound offensive to some readers who don’t take such comments lightly.
******
Just Die
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The new year began with a mixture of romance and horror books for me. To shake things up, I thought of reading a paranormal thriller and ended up with Just Die by E. Alan Fleischauer. Let’s just say it was not at all what I expected or hoped for…
The book revolves around a financial planner, Jake Silver. The story opens with him at the hospital owing to a mild stroke. He then realizes that every time he points at someone or something and utters the words “Just Die”, they drop dead. The action begins on page one and the first deaths occur within the first ten pages!
Yes, it was a brilliantly fast-paced thriller with twists and turns on every page. Despite there being several characters and parallel storylines, it was easy to follow what was going on. Readers can understand the story from various perspectives and the short chapters will help finish the book in a day or so.
But that brings me to the end of the positives. Unfortunately, this book just didn’t hit the right spots for me despite being relatable and witty. I found the content and descriptions of death to be very underwhelming without due respect given to the situation. The gravity of the situation never settled in for me as the deaths would happen in a mere two sentences at most!
Jake is pointing his finger at animals and people to make them drop dead - the entire story is as simple as this one line. There is no tension, build-up, or shock afterward. The lead characters simply move on and plan their next move with ease. Nobody questions how Jake got this power and how to handle it. I also didn’t like how everyone was so open about it and kept narrating Jake’s power to everyone on the street.
I ended up giving the book 2 out of 5 stars as I didn’t like the way people reacted to the deaths and Jake’s power. Realistically speaking, I don’t think I would behave so carelessly and go on with my life if I woke up with such power one day. The topic is brought up but then dismissed and ignored for several pages. For example, Jake kills a man, and then everyone goes out for pizza. Several chapters later, he kills someone else and then everyone heads out to the patio to have beers.
This book might be a good read for fans of paranormal fiction who don’t question much while reading. I guess this was more of a “me” problem as I read about six thrillers per month. Owing to the author having won several awards previously, I went into this book with high hopes.
I recommend readers begin reading without expectations and with an open mind. Be warned about certain racist instances against black people (often treated as big, black, and menacing) as well as conscious criticism of the Saudis and Iranians. It might sound offensive to some readers who don’t take such comments lightly.
******
Just Die
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: How To Be Successful by M. Curtis McCoy
