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Dying for a Living #2
Dying by the Hour
Fame, fortune, a pulse—you can’t have everything.
Jesse Sullivan and Ally Gallagher are famous thanks to their recent kidnapping and brush with death. They have scars, but they’re breathing, and that’s more than the other victims can say.
Yet while they try to settle back into their routine, saving lives through Jesse’s rare ability, neither can quite shake the feeling that the danger hasn’t truly passed. Then another death replacement agent goes missing, and Jesse may be the only one who can find her.
But is the agent really another victim? Or is she the trap that will get them killed?
Jesse Sullivan and Ally Gallagher are famous thanks to their recent kidnapping and brush with death. They have scars, but they’re breathing, and that’s more than the other victims can say.
Yet while they try to settle back into their routine, saving lives through Jesse’s rare ability, neither can quite shake the feeling that the danger hasn’t truly passed. Then another death replacement agent goes missing, and Jesse may be the only one who can find her.
But is the agent really another victim? Or is she the trap that will get them killed?
443 pages, Paperback
First published September 2, 2014
About the author
Kory M. Shrum
44 books639 followersKory M. Shrum has published over thirty books including the bestselling Shadows in the Water and Dying for a Living series.
She also hosts two podcasts: “Who Killed My Mother?” the true story of her mother’s tragic death. And A Well Cared For Human - a mental health and self-care podcast.
You can listen to these shows for free on YouTube or your favorite podcast app. She also publishes poetry under the name K.B. Marie.
When not writing, eating, reading, podcasting, or indulging in her true calling as a stay-at-home dog mom, she can usually be found under thick blankets with snacks. The kettle is almost always on.
She lives in Michigan with her equally bookish wife, Kim, and their rescue pug, Charley.
She also hosts two podcasts: “Who Killed My Mother?” the true story of her mother’s tragic death. And A Well Cared For Human - a mental health and self-care podcast.
You can listen to these shows for free on YouTube or your favorite podcast app. She also publishes poetry under the name K.B. Marie.
When not writing, eating, reading, podcasting, or indulging in her true calling as a stay-at-home dog mom, she can usually be found under thick blankets with snacks. The kettle is almost always on.
She lives in Michigan with her equally bookish wife, Kim, and their rescue pug, Charley.
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April 13, 2015Well, it's certainly better now than it was when I wrote it the first time ;)
May 31, 2019
3.5 stars. I enjoyed the 1st book more than the 2nd. That being said, this is a good series and worth the read. Like another reviewer said, it's frustrating that Ally and Jesse aren't getting together...maybe that happens in the 3rd book?
July 4, 2015
Just... I'm not sure where to start with one. It has soooo many good parts. Kory's vision of who and what her characters are is seen with each page you turn. The inner struggles between Jesse, Lane and Alice is like watching a puppeteer work the puppets as they struggle with the inner thoughts, hopes and fears.
As usual what life throws them turns their worlds into a tail spin. What was supposed to be a simple replacement and a snatch and grab of vital information turns into a circus. Thankfully Ally was there to help sort through the pieces, keep bystanders calm and make sure everything went as smoothly as possible. Or as possible as they could go.
Jesse did manage to snatch what she needed from the house so she could hand it over to Brinkley. A hard drive. Seems a church member should do a better job at having a security system. Oops.. (laughs) Come to find out the hard drive has a list of names... potential victims of caldwell's. This sets Jesse's mind to rolling when not only is her name #2 on the list but Ally is #8. Even Lane makes the end of the list. Question now is... what is Ally doing to that would put her on the list? Well thats what she aims to find out.
Lane asks Jesse to accompany him on a death replacement. Since he is still working on getting his death replacement license. She agrees, I mean, why not right. If she cant help her boyfriend who can. But, I don't think.she planned on being in the back of a van full of animals. Gerbils, snakes, spiders.... and other creepy crawlies. The things you do for the ones you love. (laughs) The replacement goes.south fast. There's a helluva wreck. Lane can't get the body he is trying to.save to accept him. Jessie has to jump in and use her new found gift to shock the poor fucker and she replaces him in death. Needless to say... that did not go over well with Ally. Though, I don't blame her for being pissed.
She is as much to blame as he is though. Ally has been keeping her distance from Jesse or so it seems. She has spent the last year working (in secret might I add) with a group of individuals who are trying to stop Caldwell, aka Eric Sullivan, aka Jesse's biological father. Of course Jesse knows nothing of this and just thinks Ally is pulling away from her because of her relationship with Lane. And, yes that is part of it but Ally is trying to do anything and everything she can to keep Jesse safe and out of Caldwell's grip. She'll do anything to keep Jesse safe, even if that means putting herself in danger.
As the days pass Jesse and Ally seem to grow further apart. Ally is back to living in her own apartment, again. Jesse is trying to keep her chin up when her world starts to spin out of control. More so than usual. People are disappearing, people that have been saved by replacement agents. So Brinkley sends Jesse and Gloria (the AMP) off to find the #1 girl on Caldwell's list. Jesse is trying to figure out why this girl is so important to Caldwell. As she works on why Ally is on the list. But things go terribly wrong when they find the girl. Seems she is not who or what she seems to be. A rescue mission turns into a fight for their lives. Not only is Jessie in trouble, Gloria is too.
In the heat of battle your mind has to run over and over the things you never got to say to the ones you love. The images of their faces, it would all seem to be too much but Jesse handles death on a normal basis like a champ... until now. Caldwell wants her powers but in order to take them she has to do something she isn't ready for. Well she thinks she isn't ready for. Face to face with her father she has to make a choice. Run or fight. Running is the smart thing to do... only she doesn't make it far enough.
Caldwell shows his true colors as he shows off his powers. Nasty ass man can play with your head like he is picking on a guitar. Jesse is helpless against him. How could her own father do this to her? Well it;s simple. He is batshit crazy with a side of fucked up in the head. Caldwell decides the only way to make her submit and give him what he wants is to make it happen. So, Jesse is locked in a box, buried in the ground and left to die over and over. Her mind starts to go crazy. Though, that was the plan. If Caldwell can make it so she isn't thinking right he can get what he wants. But I don;t think he counted on her people and Ally's new friends to come to her rescue.
When they get her out... all hell breaks lose. Jesse snaps and its like a caged animal has been set free. She runs towards a pull she can feel. What is it? She has no idea until she finds a basement full of people. Some she knows, some she doesn't. They are all people have have been replaced. Snapping into gear she tries to get them out. Even if she has to do it one at a time. Her people catch up to her and between Jesse, Brinkley, Lane, Ally and Gloria they are able to get almost all of them out before Caldwell shows up. Now... Jesse is caught between Caldwell and a choice that could change her life Jesse relies on the one person that has always been there to save her. Even if she didn't know it.
What happens next is nothing more than a showdown of the fittest. Caldwell, Jesse and Ally. What happens? Well you will have to read to find out. Because trust me it is more than worth the read. Awesome is one word to describe this book. It is a page turner. I can't wait for the next. Hopefully Kory won't keep us waiting too long. Though no matter the wait time I will be pacing the floor waiting.
As usual what life throws them turns their worlds into a tail spin. What was supposed to be a simple replacement and a snatch and grab of vital information turns into a circus. Thankfully Ally was there to help sort through the pieces, keep bystanders calm and make sure everything went as smoothly as possible. Or as possible as they could go.
Jesse did manage to snatch what she needed from the house so she could hand it over to Brinkley. A hard drive. Seems a church member should do a better job at having a security system. Oops.. (laughs) Come to find out the hard drive has a list of names... potential victims of caldwell's. This sets Jesse's mind to rolling when not only is her name #2 on the list but Ally is #8. Even Lane makes the end of the list. Question now is... what is Ally doing to that would put her on the list? Well thats what she aims to find out.
Lane asks Jesse to accompany him on a death replacement. Since he is still working on getting his death replacement license. She agrees, I mean, why not right. If she cant help her boyfriend who can. But, I don't think.she planned on being in the back of a van full of animals. Gerbils, snakes, spiders.... and other creepy crawlies. The things you do for the ones you love. (laughs) The replacement goes.south fast. There's a helluva wreck. Lane can't get the body he is trying to.save to accept him. Jessie has to jump in and use her new found gift to shock the poor fucker and she replaces him in death. Needless to say... that did not go over well with Ally. Though, I don't blame her for being pissed.
She is as much to blame as he is though. Ally has been keeping her distance from Jesse or so it seems. She has spent the last year working (in secret might I add) with a group of individuals who are trying to stop Caldwell, aka Eric Sullivan, aka Jesse's biological father. Of course Jesse knows nothing of this and just thinks Ally is pulling away from her because of her relationship with Lane. And, yes that is part of it but Ally is trying to do anything and everything she can to keep Jesse safe and out of Caldwell's grip. She'll do anything to keep Jesse safe, even if that means putting herself in danger.
As the days pass Jesse and Ally seem to grow further apart. Ally is back to living in her own apartment, again. Jesse is trying to keep her chin up when her world starts to spin out of control. More so than usual. People are disappearing, people that have been saved by replacement agents. So Brinkley sends Jesse and Gloria (the AMP) off to find the #1 girl on Caldwell's list. Jesse is trying to figure out why this girl is so important to Caldwell. As she works on why Ally is on the list. But things go terribly wrong when they find the girl. Seems she is not who or what she seems to be. A rescue mission turns into a fight for their lives. Not only is Jessie in trouble, Gloria is too.
In the heat of battle your mind has to run over and over the things you never got to say to the ones you love. The images of their faces, it would all seem to be too much but Jesse handles death on a normal basis like a champ... until now. Caldwell wants her powers but in order to take them she has to do something she isn't ready for. Well she thinks she isn't ready for. Face to face with her father she has to make a choice. Run or fight. Running is the smart thing to do... only she doesn't make it far enough.
Caldwell shows his true colors as he shows off his powers. Nasty ass man can play with your head like he is picking on a guitar. Jesse is helpless against him. How could her own father do this to her? Well it;s simple. He is batshit crazy with a side of fucked up in the head. Caldwell decides the only way to make her submit and give him what he wants is to make it happen. So, Jesse is locked in a box, buried in the ground and left to die over and over. Her mind starts to go crazy. Though, that was the plan. If Caldwell can make it so she isn't thinking right he can get what he wants. But I don;t think he counted on her people and Ally's new friends to come to her rescue.
When they get her out... all hell breaks lose. Jesse snaps and its like a caged animal has been set free. She runs towards a pull she can feel. What is it? She has no idea until she finds a basement full of people. Some she knows, some she doesn't. They are all people have have been replaced. Snapping into gear she tries to get them out. Even if she has to do it one at a time. Her people catch up to her and between Jesse, Brinkley, Lane, Ally and Gloria they are able to get almost all of them out before Caldwell shows up. Now... Jesse is caught between Caldwell and a choice that could change her life Jesse relies on the one person that has always been there to save her. Even if she didn't know it.
What happens next is nothing more than a showdown of the fittest. Caldwell, Jesse and Ally. What happens? Well you will have to read to find out. Because trust me it is more than worth the read. Awesome is one word to describe this book. It is a page turner. I can't wait for the next. Hopefully Kory won't keep us waiting too long. Though no matter the wait time I will be pacing the floor waiting.
August 19, 2016
2 stars.
Okay, there were certain things I liked and didn't like.
This book was narrated from two different POVs: Jesse's and Ally's. I felt it was okay. I would have preferred this book be solely from Jesse's POV. I was a little bored with Ally.
I liked how the author explored character depth in terms of romantic relationships. But, this wasn't what I signed up for. There was too much romantic angst. I was in this story more for the urban fantasy aspect of it. Not so much for such a heavy emphasis on romance. Which is why I liked the fast paced plot. (Okay, but it was very slow for the first half of the book, so I had to push through.)
But...
I didn't like how the author sacrificed character to make this plot happen. Parts of it really didn't feel right.
For example, the villain--Jesse's dad who "died" back when she was 8 years old. We know he went through torture by the military, but the way the author portrayed him was totally black and white. He was EVIL. Really, it made my stomach turn. I can't see his motives. "He wants power." Where does this want stem from? Why does he want power? What does he plan to do once he gets it? Does he even feel remorse for killing 44, 000 people? I didn't see any. And the way he tortured his own daughter... it was sickening. He used to love her. How does this transformation even happen? I need something much more deeper to grasp on to than the weak explanation given by the author. There are degrees of changes. It's not one giant leap to the extreme.
And what about Jesse's character? He used to be her father. She loved him and he loved her. She knows this. So she sees this monster in front of her now. How can she stop loving him? You can't turn it off like that. Yes, he's a monster now, but doesn't she want him to come back? Doesn't she believe her dad is still in there somewhere? She knows he went through physical and mental torture. That changes a person (even though I'm unhappy with the author's portrayal of the change). Jesse isn't stupid. She would understand this on some level. Can't a part of her hate him and love him at the same time? We don't see any of this being explored. All we saw is Jesse's complete acceptance of him being evil and her deciding, "Okay, I totally hate him now. 100%. My father is completely dead to me, so I feel no conflict in engaging war with this "new" person."
Really? Really? A little depth would be much appreciated.
I just don't think the author thought this all the way through.
Furthermore, I'd like to discuss Jesse's powers and why I thought it was cheating just for the sake of plot convenience. Now, I don't know what Gabriel is. A conscious representation of her power? An actual angel or being (seems likely since they all hallucinate an angel)? A separately formed personality her mind conjured to deal with her powers? I don't know. But that doesn't actually matter right now. What bothers me is that as soon as Jesse accepted Come on! I want to see a character train and work to earn that kind of control. That's just cheating.
I'm not too sure the author the author currently has the skills to successfully turn this series around, but I will read book 3. (Update: I gave up on this series. I skimmed through book 3 and never started book 4.)
Okay, there were certain things I liked and didn't like.
This book was narrated from two different POVs: Jesse's and Ally's. I felt it was okay. I would have preferred this book be solely from Jesse's POV. I was a little bored with Ally.
I liked how the author explored character depth in terms of romantic relationships. But, this wasn't what I signed up for. There was too much romantic angst. I was in this story more for the urban fantasy aspect of it. Not so much for such a heavy emphasis on romance. Which is why I liked the fast paced plot. (Okay, but it was very slow for the first half of the book, so I had to push through.)
But...
I didn't like how the author sacrificed character to make this plot happen. Parts of it really didn't feel right.
For example, the villain--Jesse's dad who "died" back when she was 8 years old. We know he went through torture by the military, but the way the author portrayed him was totally black and white. He was EVIL. Really, it made my stomach turn. I can't see his motives. "He wants power." Where does this want stem from? Why does he want power? What does he plan to do once he gets it? Does he even feel remorse for killing 44, 000 people? I didn't see any. And the way he tortured his own daughter... it was sickening. He used to love her. How does this transformation even happen? I need something much more deeper to grasp on to than the weak explanation given by the author. There are degrees of changes. It's not one giant leap to the extreme.
And what about Jesse's character? He used to be her father. She loved him and he loved her. She knows this. So she sees this monster in front of her now. How can she stop loving him? You can't turn it off like that. Yes, he's a monster now, but doesn't she want him to come back? Doesn't she believe her dad is still in there somewhere? She knows he went through physical and mental torture. That changes a person (even though I'm unhappy with the author's portrayal of the change). Jesse isn't stupid. She would understand this on some level. Can't a part of her hate him and love him at the same time? We don't see any of this being explored. All we saw is Jesse's complete acceptance of him being evil and her deciding, "Okay, I totally hate him now. 100%. My father is completely dead to me, so I feel no conflict in engaging war with this "new" person."
Really? Really? A little depth would be much appreciated.
I just don't think the author thought this all the way through.
Furthermore, I'd like to discuss Jesse's powers and why I thought it was cheating just for the sake of plot convenience. Now, I don't know what Gabriel is. A conscious representation of her power? An actual angel or being (seems likely since they all hallucinate an angel)? A separately formed personality her mind conjured to deal with her powers? I don't know. But that doesn't actually matter right now. What bothers me is that as soon as Jesse accepted Come on! I want to see a character train and work to earn that kind of control. That's just cheating.
I'm not too sure the author the author currently has the skills to successfully turn this series around, but I will read book 3. (Update: I gave up on this series. I skimmed through book 3 and never started book 4.)
April 18, 2015
Jesse is now very high profile as a Necronite and Death Replacement Agent – which means she’s also a target for a lot of hatred, especially from the United Church.
But more dangerous than the constant hatred attacks she faces is the dark conspiracy that comes from her own long hidden father that shadows the church’s actions. That conspiracy is still active – people are disappearing, probably dying and Jesse and Alice have to find them… though what they will do and what they will risk to do it may be far too great.
This book continues several of the elements I loved about the first book – the world setting is excellent, the whole concept of Necronites is one I want to really delve into. The whole idea of “death replacement” as a profession is original and something I love to see – I would actually like to see a lot more of it.
The ongoing conflict with the church is also a nice angle – with a combination of grand conspiracy theories from shadowy leaders as well as on the ground prejudice from fanatical members, both willing to pursue their own hatreds and follow orders. I like the extra conflict that comes from what Death Replacement agents can actually do – the choice between hatred and life is very clear. I also think the growing conspiracy and shadowy motive behind the church helps put things like the unification in a more understandable light since there is clearly something guiding their hand behind the scenes. The depiction of prejudice is good and we’re getting some history into the previous military detention and experiment on necronites (which, in turn, provides more motivation for other dubious characters in the book) – but there is some definite appropriation of LGBT issues and comparisons being made which is all the more shady as the Necronites gain new abilities.
Our protagonist is Jesse who is rather flailing in all of this – but in a somewhat good way. In some ways she seems to be trying to pursue a somewhat ordinary life – as much as possible. A lot of that isn’t willing because people are keeping her in the dark (including Brinkley and Alice). I like Jesse, she has a snarky viewpoint, is very over her depth and definitely afraid of what’s happening around her even as she becomes inured about the constant hatred and prejudice she faces. It’s also great to see a bisexual protagonist. She and Alice have an interesting relationship, full of conflict and distance because of Jesse being with Lane and each side trying to protect the other which comes with a lot of work and worry and secrets. I find it interesting in how that in turn relates to Alice’s relationship with Nikki and Jesse with Lane – they’re both with “love interests” who are more casual, who they have less invested in, who isn’t so high stress. I think that could do to be developed more since it is a valid concern and something that would make an important point on their relationships - that for all Alice and Jesse are passionate about each other, they have no fun and it’s all torn with guilt and responsibility and duty. It needed developing.
As it is that leaves Alice being an extremely competent, skilled, intelligent character – and a Lesbian as well – who is excellent to follow; but she also feels a little creepily obsessed with Jesse to a rather unhealthy degree – and Nikki is orbiting Alice on the sidelines in a kind of unhealthy “one day you’ll love me!” kind of way. I do like that it’s clear Nikki knows Alice’s feelings and she isn’t being exploited, but I’m waiting for everything to messily come apart.
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But more dangerous than the constant hatred attacks she faces is the dark conspiracy that comes from her own long hidden father that shadows the church’s actions. That conspiracy is still active – people are disappearing, probably dying and Jesse and Alice have to find them… though what they will do and what they will risk to do it may be far too great.
This book continues several of the elements I loved about the first book – the world setting is excellent, the whole concept of Necronites is one I want to really delve into. The whole idea of “death replacement” as a profession is original and something I love to see – I would actually like to see a lot more of it.
The ongoing conflict with the church is also a nice angle – with a combination of grand conspiracy theories from shadowy leaders as well as on the ground prejudice from fanatical members, both willing to pursue their own hatreds and follow orders. I like the extra conflict that comes from what Death Replacement agents can actually do – the choice between hatred and life is very clear. I also think the growing conspiracy and shadowy motive behind the church helps put things like the unification in a more understandable light since there is clearly something guiding their hand behind the scenes. The depiction of prejudice is good and we’re getting some history into the previous military detention and experiment on necronites (which, in turn, provides more motivation for other dubious characters in the book) – but there is some definite appropriation of LGBT issues and comparisons being made which is all the more shady as the Necronites gain new abilities.
Our protagonist is Jesse who is rather flailing in all of this – but in a somewhat good way. In some ways she seems to be trying to pursue a somewhat ordinary life – as much as possible. A lot of that isn’t willing because people are keeping her in the dark (including Brinkley and Alice). I like Jesse, she has a snarky viewpoint, is very over her depth and definitely afraid of what’s happening around her even as she becomes inured about the constant hatred and prejudice she faces. It’s also great to see a bisexual protagonist. She and Alice have an interesting relationship, full of conflict and distance because of Jesse being with Lane and each side trying to protect the other which comes with a lot of work and worry and secrets. I find it interesting in how that in turn relates to Alice’s relationship with Nikki and Jesse with Lane – they’re both with “love interests” who are more casual, who they have less invested in, who isn’t so high stress. I think that could do to be developed more since it is a valid concern and something that would make an important point on their relationships - that for all Alice and Jesse are passionate about each other, they have no fun and it’s all torn with guilt and responsibility and duty. It needed developing.
As it is that leaves Alice being an extremely competent, skilled, intelligent character – and a Lesbian as well – who is excellent to follow; but she also feels a little creepily obsessed with Jesse to a rather unhealthy degree – and Nikki is orbiting Alice on the sidelines in a kind of unhealthy “one day you’ll love me!” kind of way. I do like that it’s clear Nikki knows Alice’s feelings and she isn’t being exploited, but I’m waiting for everything to messily come apart.
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August 11, 2014
Dying by the Hour is more distracting than Candy Crush.
I took my first hit of Candy Crush a few months ago and have been addicted ever since. I play while waiting in line at the airport, microwaving my lunch, or stopped in traffic at a red light. I’ve even sneaked a few games in-between e-mails at work.
All that changed when I downloaded Dying by the Hour to the Kindle app on my phone. Instead of reaching for the red jelly bean, I was drawn more and more to Jesse, Ally, Lane, and the rest. My eyes were red and watery from staring at glowing text late into the night, and my fingers twitched, itching to scroll to the next page. I was getting my high from Necronites.
Or zombies, as the kids call them these days.
This is Kory Shrum’s second book starring Jesse, your sarcastic-mannered every-day zombie. Jesse can (and has) come back to life after gunshots, car accidents, and downright murder. She can also die on someone else's behalf. Government-created psychics predict the date of your death, Jesse shows up, and boom! You walk away from a 20-story fall, and she wakes up a few hours later with just a touch of rigor mortis. A fun concept and fresh twist on the zombie theme.
The first book Dying for a Living was all about Jesse, but Dying by the Hour is equally split between Jesse and Ally, her assistant and former lover. Jesse’s and Ally’s relationship is... complicated. There is an encyclopedia of history between them, and watching someone die dozens of times (not all of them as part of the job) is hard to endure. I really liked the addition of Ally’s point of view. She was a major character in the first book but really stepped into her own in the second, even overshadowing Jesse at times. Whereas Jesse does not play well with others, Ally is continually trying to save everyone. She seemed more human, both passionate and restrained. Jesse tends to get swept away by events, but Ally is constantly acting and questioning.
This book also ramps up the paranormal elements and the danger. Jesse and other Necronites start developing strange powers (The Walking Dead meets X-men?) and seeing angels. Necronites and the people they’ve saved are vanishing all over the country. The villain is amassing followers and incredible new powers at a staggering rate. There are conspiracies, death threats, attempted and successful murders, and a couple of sex scenes. What more could you want?
The pace could drag sometimes, particularly in the beginning or when Ally was debating her wants and motivations for the tenth time. Also, a lot of the characters introduced in the first book reappeared, and while some took on new dimensions, like Ally and Gloria, others were unneeded cameos. I still don’t quite understand what the angels are trying to do or how the magical powers fit in, but I think that should come out as the series continues.
Despite these complaints, I kept coming back to this book (even when the striped candies were calling me) because of the writing. I really like Kory Shrum’s style. It flows smoothly, straightforward but not simple, dotted with Jesse's sarcastic comments.
Finally, a word of caution: there’s one scene in the book that is pretty shocking. Although my eyebrows flew up, I was able to keep reading, but I could see some readers being disturbed by it. Then again, most over-sensitive souls don't pick up zombie books...
If you like zombies, X-men, rescuing children, or conflicted bisexual romance, give this book a shot.
[I was given a free ARC of the novel in exchange for an honest review.]
I took my first hit of Candy Crush a few months ago and have been addicted ever since. I play while waiting in line at the airport, microwaving my lunch, or stopped in traffic at a red light. I’ve even sneaked a few games in-between e-mails at work.
All that changed when I downloaded Dying by the Hour to the Kindle app on my phone. Instead of reaching for the red jelly bean, I was drawn more and more to Jesse, Ally, Lane, and the rest. My eyes were red and watery from staring at glowing text late into the night, and my fingers twitched, itching to scroll to the next page. I was getting my high from Necronites.
Or zombies, as the kids call them these days.
This is Kory Shrum’s second book starring Jesse, your sarcastic-mannered every-day zombie. Jesse can (and has) come back to life after gunshots, car accidents, and downright murder. She can also die on someone else's behalf. Government-created psychics predict the date of your death, Jesse shows up, and boom! You walk away from a 20-story fall, and she wakes up a few hours later with just a touch of rigor mortis. A fun concept and fresh twist on the zombie theme.
The first book Dying for a Living was all about Jesse, but Dying by the Hour is equally split between Jesse and Ally, her assistant and former lover. Jesse’s and Ally’s relationship is... complicated. There is an encyclopedia of history between them, and watching someone die dozens of times (not all of them as part of the job) is hard to endure. I really liked the addition of Ally’s point of view. She was a major character in the first book but really stepped into her own in the second, even overshadowing Jesse at times. Whereas Jesse does not play well with others, Ally is continually trying to save everyone. She seemed more human, both passionate and restrained. Jesse tends to get swept away by events, but Ally is constantly acting and questioning.
This book also ramps up the paranormal elements and the danger. Jesse and other Necronites start developing strange powers (The Walking Dead meets X-men?) and seeing angels. Necronites and the people they’ve saved are vanishing all over the country. The villain is amassing followers and incredible new powers at a staggering rate. There are conspiracies, death threats, attempted and successful murders, and a couple of sex scenes. What more could you want?
The pace could drag sometimes, particularly in the beginning or when Ally was debating her wants and motivations for the tenth time. Also, a lot of the characters introduced in the first book reappeared, and while some took on new dimensions, like Ally and Gloria, others were unneeded cameos. I still don’t quite understand what the angels are trying to do or how the magical powers fit in, but I think that should come out as the series continues.
Despite these complaints, I kept coming back to this book (even when the striped candies were calling me) because of the writing. I really like Kory Shrum’s style. It flows smoothly, straightforward but not simple, dotted with Jesse's sarcastic comments.
Finally, a word of caution: there’s one scene in the book that is pretty shocking. Although my eyebrows flew up, I was able to keep reading, but I could see some readers being disturbed by it. Then again, most over-sensitive souls don't pick up zombie books...
If you like zombies, X-men, rescuing children, or conflicted bisexual romance, give this book a shot.
[I was given a free ARC of the novel in exchange for an honest review.]
April 17, 2020
I didn't like this as much as the first book. I like the characters so I will probably continue with book #3. I like the 'death recovery' aspect. I didn't care for the 'long game' aspect. Jesse against her dad feels like it could go on and on for multiple books and I don't think that can sustain my interest. I would be more interested if the story was about her job and life as a death replacement agent.
I found it interesting that Jesse can manipulate electricity, but never considers the fact that there are electrical impulses throughout the human body. Therefore it would seem that if someone's life, or that of his or her loved one was threatened it should be possible to stop the perpetrator's heart, or at the very least to consider it
I found it interesting that Jesse can manipulate electricity, but never considers the fact that there are electrical impulses throughout the human body. Therefore it would seem that if someone's life, or that of his or her loved one was threatened it should be possible to stop the perpetrator's heart, or at the very least to consider it
November 18, 2017
This is the second book of the Jesse Sullivan series and it didn't quite hook me as much as the first. It was a lot more serious and fraught with anxiety as the big showdown between Caldwell/Jesse's Father and the Necronites and friends came closer. Jesse's sassiness sort of died a tragic death, although if I had died almost a hundred times I suppose mine would too.
Filled with more conspiracy, treachery, death, tears and heartache than you could poke a stick at, it leaves you chomping at the bit as to what will happen in the next installment of the series. It looks like Jesse has found her sassy pants again and her ass-kicking boots and she's ready for a fight!! Bring on the third book!
Filled with more conspiracy, treachery, death, tears and heartache than you could poke a stick at, it leaves you chomping at the bit as to what will happen in the next installment of the series. It looks like Jesse has found her sassy pants again and her ass-kicking boots and she's ready for a fight!! Bring on the third book!
September 3, 2018
93 points/100 (4 ¾ stars/5)
Alert: LGBT themes
Jesse's life has sort of gotten back to normal after the horrors they experienced in the Church's basement. Now, people are vandalizing her home, taking her things, and threatening her. Plus, the angel has come back. Now, she is taking a job where she is going to die for a little girl of a prominent Church member. Ally is keeping a secret, too.
You know, this isn't at all the way I expected this series to go. I expected a fun little series where the consequences would be high, but not too high. We'd have fun along the way, but we'd do it together, type of story. Nope. Not at all. Not certain how I was so wrong in my expectations.
I honestly expected, when first starting out this series, that Jesse and Caldwell would be having a lot of battles for a few books before the finale. People would get injured, but not too seriously. Jesse would die a few times, but would be fine because that is how these zombies work.
That... No. I really did not expect actual torture to figure into this series. This was a complete 180 departure from what I expected. It makes for a hell of a better story, though. I always like reading the books that make me horrified for the main character, and a bit queasy. I love stories with high stakes trauma.
All of this plays into how the mystery of what Jesse is unfolds. Because Jesse is special. She is fighting it though. She doesn't want to be special, not really. Caldwell is pushing her into it though, in a brutal fashion. We still don't know everything, but we're coming closer.
This was different than the first, because it was dual narration with her best friend and ex-lover Ally. Every other chapter was either Jesse or Ally. At times this felt a bit forced, and it was a bit odd because they were both 1st person though I can live with that. Ally has her own story, where she met someone who is also looking to take down Caldwell named Jeremiah. He desperately wants Jesse on his team, though we don't know why. He is being kind of creepy and dickish about it though. I don't like him. I'm keeping my eye on Jeremiah for him to turn out to be a bad guy.
The love in this book was a bit on the annoying side. A bunch of jealousy, a bunch of hurt feelings. A bunch of feeling inadequate. This is personal for me, as I just don't really like these kind of love triangles. I just dislike when they end up being all about being hurt instead of being in love. (The kind I like the best is when there is a possibility that it'll be a three-way relationship, and that just isn't happening here).
The end was unexpected, to say the least. I have a better idea of where this series is going because of it, but I wasn't expecting those kind of consequences. I'm looking forward to where this is going. This was a really good, fun book. I enjoyed reading it. I had fun reading it. I easily slipped into becoming the characters and living their lives through it.
To read more reviews in this series and others, check out keikii eats books!
Alert: LGBT themes
Jesse's life has sort of gotten back to normal after the horrors they experienced in the Church's basement. Now, people are vandalizing her home, taking her things, and threatening her. Plus, the angel has come back. Now, she is taking a job where she is going to die for a little girl of a prominent Church member. Ally is keeping a secret, too.
You know, this isn't at all the way I expected this series to go. I expected a fun little series where the consequences would be high, but not too high. We'd have fun along the way, but we'd do it together, type of story. Nope. Not at all. Not certain how I was so wrong in my expectations.
I honestly expected, when first starting out this series, that Jesse and Caldwell would be having a lot of battles for a few books before the finale. People would get injured, but not too seriously. Jesse would die a few times, but would be fine because that is how these zombies work.
That... No. I really did not expect actual torture to figure into this series. This was a complete 180 departure from what I expected. It makes for a hell of a better story, though. I always like reading the books that make me horrified for the main character, and a bit queasy. I love stories with high stakes trauma.
All of this plays into how the mystery of what Jesse is unfolds. Because Jesse is special. She is fighting it though. She doesn't want to be special, not really. Caldwell is pushing her into it though, in a brutal fashion. We still don't know everything, but we're coming closer.
This was different than the first, because it was dual narration with her best friend and ex-lover Ally. Every other chapter was either Jesse or Ally. At times this felt a bit forced, and it was a bit odd because they were both 1st person though I can live with that. Ally has her own story, where she met someone who is also looking to take down Caldwell named Jeremiah. He desperately wants Jesse on his team, though we don't know why. He is being kind of creepy and dickish about it though. I don't like him. I'm keeping my eye on Jeremiah for him to turn out to be a bad guy.
The love in this book was a bit on the annoying side. A bunch of jealousy, a bunch of hurt feelings. A bunch of feeling inadequate. This is personal for me, as I just don't really like these kind of love triangles. I just dislike when they end up being all about being hurt instead of being in love. (The kind I like the best is when there is a possibility that it'll be a three-way relationship, and that just isn't happening here).
The end was unexpected, to say the least. I have a better idea of where this series is going because of it, but I wasn't expecting those kind of consequences. I'm looking forward to where this is going. This was a really good, fun book. I enjoyed reading it. I had fun reading it. I easily slipped into becoming the characters and living their lives through it.
To read more reviews in this series and others, check out keikii eats books!
December 19, 2017
Still loving this series! The second book did not disappoint. Keeping in line with the first book and continuing the story with just as much action, mystery, and suspense. I can't wait to read the next one in this series or the ones following. Great series for those who like an original story and lovable characters. Highly recommend!
June 2, 2019
3.5 stars, I also preferred the first book over this one. Although this is a good series so far, I'll be giving the third a shot soon.
June 6, 2020
Brilliant book. Reading until the early hours as the story carried me along. Fast paced, exciting, unpredictable the story develops well. Really great read and would recommend this series with a difference. Not like anything I’ve read before.
August 18, 2019
While I did like this second book in the series, I felt that it's scope was too focused on the pursuit of Caldwell. Hopefully book three will be a little broader.
January 5, 2015
I love the premise of this story, and with all the Urban Fantasy books I read, I haven’t come across one like this. I was engaged all the way through it, and couldn’t put it down.
Jesse Sullivan lives in a world where millions of people have NRD or Necronitic Regenerative Disorder, and Jesse is one of them. She has been a Death Replacement Agent since she was 17 years old. This means she has the ability to die in someone’s place so they don’t have to, and does it regularly to make a living.
This book takes place a year after the first book and Jesse has chosen Lane, leaving Ally out in the cold. And because of that, Ally has been pulling away from Jesse, and their friendship. Ally is obviously keeping secrets from her. It bothers Jesse a lot, but she has a few secrets of her own that she hasn’t been able to tell Ally, however right now she has more important things to worry about, like a crazy psycho father who is looking for all persons with NRD for his own nefarious purposes.
I love the snarkiness of Jesse, even when things are at their scariest, (and things do get intense) but she maintains her snark, just to stay sane. I love a book/character that can make me laugh out-loud one minute and then make me care about them or be scared for them the next…And Jesse certainly did both.
Jesse and Ally are pretty much opposites. Jesse is sassy and headstrong. She’s a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl. Ally is a polite, make-up and pretty clothes wearing, politically correct girl…and is always smoothing things over after Jesse says whatever comes into her head, even if it might upset people. Their friendship is very strong, even though they seem to be growing apart, but it’s still obvious how much they love each other.
I really like this series. It was a little confusing this time since the author alternated narrators between Jesse and Ally, both in the first person. Each chapter started with the name of the character who was speaking but I still had to remind myself who I was reading a few pages into each chapter.
There is a good portion of it shrouded in mystery and you have to keep reading to understand what all has happened in the year between books. New characters are introduced and you wonder who they are, but all is revealed eventually. Yet it still leaves you with the knowledge that there is more to come in the next book.
There is a bit of a social message here too. There is a lot of discrimination of those with NRD. People who think they are freaks or zombies and how they have to fight to be seen as real people. There are so many closed minded people when it comes to those that may be different than themselves. All anyone ever wants is to be happy and treated equally. If you can’t manage acceptance, then at least be tolerant and it applies in the real world too.
The writing is A+ and you’re able to immediately get into it. Jesse is evolving and changing, and in a way growing up a bit throughout this book and we get to see more of what Jesse can do besides just dying for others and coming back to life.
Extremely fun, engrossing read! Can’t wait for the next one.
If you want to read my review of the first book in the series, Dying for a Living, you can go here.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Jesse Sullivan lives in a world where millions of people have NRD or Necronitic Regenerative Disorder, and Jesse is one of them. She has been a Death Replacement Agent since she was 17 years old. This means she has the ability to die in someone’s place so they don’t have to, and does it regularly to make a living.
This book takes place a year after the first book and Jesse has chosen Lane, leaving Ally out in the cold. And because of that, Ally has been pulling away from Jesse, and their friendship. Ally is obviously keeping secrets from her. It bothers Jesse a lot, but she has a few secrets of her own that she hasn’t been able to tell Ally, however right now she has more important things to worry about, like a crazy psycho father who is looking for all persons with NRD for his own nefarious purposes.
I love the snarkiness of Jesse, even when things are at their scariest, (and things do get intense) but she maintains her snark, just to stay sane. I love a book/character that can make me laugh out-loud one minute and then make me care about them or be scared for them the next…And Jesse certainly did both.
Jesse and Ally are pretty much opposites. Jesse is sassy and headstrong. She’s a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl. Ally is a polite, make-up and pretty clothes wearing, politically correct girl…and is always smoothing things over after Jesse says whatever comes into her head, even if it might upset people. Their friendship is very strong, even though they seem to be growing apart, but it’s still obvious how much they love each other.
I really like this series. It was a little confusing this time since the author alternated narrators between Jesse and Ally, both in the first person. Each chapter started with the name of the character who was speaking but I still had to remind myself who I was reading a few pages into each chapter.
There is a good portion of it shrouded in mystery and you have to keep reading to understand what all has happened in the year between books. New characters are introduced and you wonder who they are, but all is revealed eventually. Yet it still leaves you with the knowledge that there is more to come in the next book.
There is a bit of a social message here too. There is a lot of discrimination of those with NRD. People who think they are freaks or zombies and how they have to fight to be seen as real people. There are so many closed minded people when it comes to those that may be different than themselves. All anyone ever wants is to be happy and treated equally. If you can’t manage acceptance, then at least be tolerant and it applies in the real world too.
The writing is A+ and you’re able to immediately get into it. Jesse is evolving and changing, and in a way growing up a bit throughout this book and we get to see more of what Jesse can do besides just dying for others and coming back to life.
Extremely fun, engrossing read! Can’t wait for the next one.
If you want to read my review of the first book in the series, Dying for a Living, you can go here.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 22, 2014
Review to come. Fantastic follow up to DYING FOR A LIVING.
*****************
Edited: for some reason, I hit 4 instead of 5 stars. I meant 5! I really enjoyed this book!
*****************
Full Disclosure: I received an early copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I don't even know how to start my review because a lot of what I want to talk about would spoil the book! Maybe I should just stick to the fact that DYING FOR A LIVING was a brilliant book and this is a fantastic follow up? :D
DYING BY THE HOUR picks up after the events in DYING FOR A LIVING. Jesse chose Lane for her relationship, causing Ally, her BFF and sometimes lover, to close out and back off. But Lane is harboring resentment because Jesse chose Ally in that basement. Sure, Lane has NRD now, but Jesse didn't know that at the time and it burns at him. So while she has to deal with nefarious plans from her father, a boss who is pretending to be dead, and the joys and woes of being a Replacement Agent, Jesse has lost her BFF and gained a BF who is prickly with hurt feelings.
The writing is just as good as the first book: it's well told, well built, and flows nicely. I normally don't like narratives that switch points of view because it can get confusing, but Kory M Shrum does it right and it flows naturally.
Shrum also knows how to make those characters believable. I was highly annoyed with Lane, wanting to punch him at one point, annoyed with Jesse, sympathizing with Ally, and wondering what the heck is all of this coming to. I think good writers are the ones that evoke emotion, even if it's simple loathing for a character and Kory Shrum is one of those writers. You end up caring for her characters and wondering what is going to happen to them around the corner.
If you loved DYING FOR A LIVING, this follow up comes out September 2nd. Not too much longer!
*****************
Edited: for some reason, I hit 4 instead of 5 stars. I meant 5! I really enjoyed this book!
*****************
Full Disclosure: I received an early copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I don't even know how to start my review because a lot of what I want to talk about would spoil the book! Maybe I should just stick to the fact that DYING FOR A LIVING was a brilliant book and this is a fantastic follow up? :D
DYING BY THE HOUR picks up after the events in DYING FOR A LIVING. Jesse chose Lane for her relationship, causing Ally, her BFF and sometimes lover, to close out and back off. But Lane is harboring resentment because Jesse chose Ally in that basement. Sure, Lane has NRD now, but Jesse didn't know that at the time and it burns at him. So while she has to deal with nefarious plans from her father, a boss who is pretending to be dead, and the joys and woes of being a Replacement Agent, Jesse has lost her BFF and gained a BF who is prickly with hurt feelings.
The writing is just as good as the first book: it's well told, well built, and flows nicely. I normally don't like narratives that switch points of view because it can get confusing, but Kory M Shrum does it right and it flows naturally.
Shrum also knows how to make those characters believable. I was highly annoyed with Lane, wanting to punch him at one point, annoyed with Jesse, sympathizing with Ally, and wondering what the heck is all of this coming to. I think good writers are the ones that evoke emotion, even if it's simple loathing for a character and Kory Shrum is one of those writers. You end up caring for her characters and wondering what is going to happen to them around the corner.
If you loved DYING FOR A LIVING, this follow up comes out September 2nd. Not too much longer!
July 5, 2017
Good book, but not as good as the first. The back and forth, from chapter to chapter of Jesse's PoV then Ally's PoV I felt took away from the story instead of enhancing it. This could also be because I'm very tired of reading books with authors using this technique. Also it seemed like at least half of the information presented in this book was repeated information from the first book. I understand the need to re-explain some things in case there are readers who didn't read book one, but it was too much repetition from the first book.
May 20, 2019
I liked the first book so much more that I liked this one. There was just too much angst. This book just jumped around too much and tried too hard to be a "romance". What made the first book clever just got lost in this one. I'll get around to reading the 3rd book, but not soon.
July 5, 2017
Good quick read
This is the second in a series with a neat premise. I'm looking forward to the third already. A great beach series.
This is the second in a series with a neat premise. I'm looking forward to the third already. A great beach series.
February 16, 2018
I thought it was good, not fantastic, but not bad. Its an interesting book concept but I kinda hate the love triangle and the back and forth.
**listened to audiobook**
**listened to audiobook**
Want to read
June 14, 2020🎁 Books 1-5 in the Series are Free on Amazon today (6/14/2020)! 🎁
November 19, 2023
So…. after really enjoying book 1 I am super surprised that I found book 2 irritating. I wasn’t expecting the POV shift every chapter between Jesse and Ally. I was really interested in what was happening with Jesse and found Ally’s chapters were a drag, I just got more frustrated with her the further into the book I got. Ally’s obsessive/possessiveness of Jesse and her “I’m the only one who’s ever really thinking about Jesse” vibe was frustrating. Like, I picked up from the first book that Jesse and Ally were most likely the “endgame” romance but this book has not made me invested in that, I’m not even sure if I want her with Lane. I was also really annoyed when Ally got angry with Lane after Jesse took the death replacement when he couldn’t. My understanding was that Jesse was there to shadow him incase something went wrong, because he’s still in training. So, there was possibility that Jesse would have to step in right?!
Now onto Caldwell, I don’t understand how he’s so black and white evil. I understand that he was tortured/traumatised when he got captured by the army after his first death… but I next more context for how he got where he is now. Like, Jesse is his daughter but he has no problems torturing and violating her. Where did his fatherly love go? And, why is he really doing this?
Finally, Jesse’s powers - for most of the book she is still struggling to learn her electric powers and I enjoyed seeing her trying to improve them. But then she merged with Gabriel and it seems like he now has all the control of her powers. He pushes and sometimes forces the power through her and they work perfectly. She doesn’t need to try or think about using her power anymore, she just says “Gabriel do this” and it happens. Was a bit unsatisfying
☹️
Now onto Caldwell, I don’t understand how he’s so black and white evil. I understand that he was tortured/traumatised when he got captured by the army after his first death… but I next more context for how he got where he is now. Like, Jesse is his daughter but he has no problems torturing and violating her. Where did his fatherly love go? And, why is he really doing this?
Finally, Jesse’s powers - for most of the book she is still struggling to learn her electric powers and I enjoyed seeing her trying to improve them. But then she merged with Gabriel and it seems like he now has all the control of her powers. He pushes and sometimes forces the power through her and they work perfectly. She doesn’t need to try or think about using her power anymore, she just says “Gabriel do this” and it happens. Was a bit unsatisfying
☹️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2017
I love this series so much!!! I listened you this through audible and the first thing I want to mention is who the author chose as the voice narrator, she is able to capture the essence of the story in such an amazing and vibrant way!
I loved the storyline of this book and how addictive it is to read/listen to! I couldn't get enough of this highly imaginative story. The way that this author writes gives you a view into a world with fantasy aspects that are so very unique, like nothing I have ever read before and I think that's why I love this book and this so much, because it is so individual and different! This book brings more questions you the forefront that just makes you want to read more and more of this world to find out what is going to happen next!
I loved having Alice’s point of view in this story and your heart really feels for her and everything she goes through internally and emotionally. She really is a selfless and genuinely good person who always puts herself and her safety second to those that she cares about. There are many revelations about Jesse and you realise just how hard her younger life was, making you see why she makes certain decisions in her adulthood, she is another character that my heart really goes out to! I am so intrigued by Gabriel, who he is and why he is around, what his motivations are, would love to know more about him!!!
I can't recommend this book highly enough, I adored it! Once you start reading you can't stop and it leaves you wanting more! I can't wait you read the next one!!!
I loved the storyline of this book and how addictive it is to read/listen to! I couldn't get enough of this highly imaginative story. The way that this author writes gives you a view into a world with fantasy aspects that are so very unique, like nothing I have ever read before and I think that's why I love this book and this so much, because it is so individual and different! This book brings more questions you the forefront that just makes you want to read more and more of this world to find out what is going to happen next!
I loved having Alice’s point of view in this story and your heart really feels for her and everything she goes through internally and emotionally. She really is a selfless and genuinely good person who always puts herself and her safety second to those that she cares about. There are many revelations about Jesse and you realise just how hard her younger life was, making you see why she makes certain decisions in her adulthood, she is another character that my heart really goes out to! I am so intrigued by Gabriel, who he is and why he is around, what his motivations are, would love to know more about him!!!
I can't recommend this book highly enough, I adored it! Once you start reading you can't stop and it leaves you wanting more! I can't wait you read the next one!!!
October 26, 2017
Dying by the Hour - a review by Rosemary Kenny
In Jesse and Ally's world the Church is not necessarily led by the 'Good Guy'; its enigmatic Grand Leader Caldwell [secretly Jesse's father, with the same NRD powers as her], encourages his followers to eliminate all NRD/death replacements...and Jesse, Ally and their friends and supporters Lane, Brinkley, Gloria, Nikki, Jeremiah et al are at the top of his new death list!
Jesse and Ally are hired to save Julia, the daughter of staunch Church member Gerard Lovett; when he finds out, he has Julia 'kidnapped' by Church supporters and taken to Caldwell for judgement as an 'abomination' - leaving his wife Regina more desperate than before.
Also 'in the mix' are Gabriel, Micah and Raphael...black-winged supernatural beings who support our feisty heroines - at a cost.
How will the battle end? Will Caldwell 'fight fair' or will Jesse have to make a last-minute pact with Gabriel?
Can Jesse and her friends overcome the evil unleashed by Caldwell and his followers on the thousands of innocent NRDs and survive this ordeal?
Who will Jesse choose to be with - current boyfriend Lane (a newbie NRD agent), or Ally - the love she's known and cherished as a soul-mate?
This multi-directional maelstrom of action and emotion, trust given and betrayed, a love that knows no bounds and the ultimate choices to be made between good and evil and more will leave you shaken, stirred and spell-bound...another triumph for Kory M Shrum - I loved it!
In Jesse and Ally's world the Church is not necessarily led by the 'Good Guy'; its enigmatic Grand Leader Caldwell [secretly Jesse's father, with the same NRD powers as her], encourages his followers to eliminate all NRD/death replacements...and Jesse, Ally and their friends and supporters Lane, Brinkley, Gloria, Nikki, Jeremiah et al are at the top of his new death list!
Jesse and Ally are hired to save Julia, the daughter of staunch Church member Gerard Lovett; when he finds out, he has Julia 'kidnapped' by Church supporters and taken to Caldwell for judgement as an 'abomination' - leaving his wife Regina more desperate than before.
Also 'in the mix' are Gabriel, Micah and Raphael...black-winged supernatural beings who support our feisty heroines - at a cost.
How will the battle end? Will Caldwell 'fight fair' or will Jesse have to make a last-minute pact with Gabriel?
Can Jesse and her friends overcome the evil unleashed by Caldwell and his followers on the thousands of innocent NRDs and survive this ordeal?
Who will Jesse choose to be with - current boyfriend Lane (a newbie NRD agent), or Ally - the love she's known and cherished as a soul-mate?
This multi-directional maelstrom of action and emotion, trust given and betrayed, a love that knows no bounds and the ultimate choices to be made between good and evil and more will leave you shaken, stirred and spell-bound...another triumph for Kory M Shrum - I loved it!
September 23, 2018
This is my second read through of the book and although certain scenes had stuck with me (particularly the denouement in the corn field) I was not too surprised that I remembered little of the book. What did surprise me was how much I thoroughly enjoyed the tale - I remember leaving the series right around now feeling unsatisfied by the books and have to now admit how wrong I was about that. Maybe I am just a little more ready to embrace Urban Fantasy now than I was back in 2015, who knows?
Jesse is still a fully infuriating character though and I am pretty sure I would give her a wide berth in real life. She seems to be completely unaware of the emotions and feelings of others and yet obsesses over Lane and Ally continually. That said the descriptions of her interactions with Caldwell and the hallucinatory Gabriel are well grounded and do make me warm to her a little bit. Ally is still my favourite character though, even if she is a bit of a doormat.
The tension ebbs and flows through the book and you do get chance to draw breath between each encounter with The Church and it's acolytes. This book is really all about the action though and although there is some fleshing out of the characters it is still the plot that takes centre stage. It is a little more linear this time and less convoluted than in the first book so you don't waste time flicking back a few pages to find out who this person that has suddenly sprung up is.
Thoroughly enjoyable action with a supernatural twist.
Jesse is still a fully infuriating character though and I am pretty sure I would give her a wide berth in real life. She seems to be completely unaware of the emotions and feelings of others and yet obsesses over Lane and Ally continually. That said the descriptions of her interactions with Caldwell and the hallucinatory Gabriel are well grounded and do make me warm to her a little bit. Ally is still my favourite character though, even if she is a bit of a doormat.
The tension ebbs and flows through the book and you do get chance to draw breath between each encounter with The Church and it's acolytes. This book is really all about the action though and although there is some fleshing out of the characters it is still the plot that takes centre stage. It is a little more linear this time and less convoluted than in the first book so you don't waste time flicking back a few pages to find out who this person that has suddenly sprung up is.
Thoroughly enjoyable action with a supernatural twist.
November 25, 2019
This book was a bit of a slog for me. I really enjoyed the first book so I was excited for another adventure with Jesse, only to find half the book is narrated by someone else. Really, this is a 2.5 out of 5 stars.
What I liked:
1. Some new development with Jesse's power and her relationship with Gabriel.
What I didn't like:
1. Every other chapter was narrated by Ally, and compared to Jesse's light-hearted, sarcastic wit, Ally's "voice" felt too angsty. Also, since most of the book Ally and Jesse are on their own missions, it broke up the flow of the story as I kept having to remember where we left the previous POV. It felt disjointed and prevented me from connecting with the narrative.
2. I don't really understand what the bad guy's plot is. I don't understand what he wants or why he wants it. It also feels odd that considering he is Jesse's father he has no shred of fondness for her or their history. He just felt like a cardboard cut out of a villain, with no substance or dimension to give him any kind of depth.
3. The love triangle. Oh. My. God! Shit is getting crazy, people are dying, and Lane and Ally can't stop whining about their feelings toward the other because they're both in love with Jesse. Are you 14 years old? Grow the fuck up!
4. The general plot of this story left a lot to be desired. I didn't feel like the characters were driving this plot. It just seemed like we were all on the villain's crazy train waiting for it to run off the rails - but not in an exciting way either.
What I liked:
1. Some new development with Jesse's power and her relationship with Gabriel.
What I didn't like:
1. Every other chapter was narrated by Ally, and compared to Jesse's light-hearted, sarcastic wit, Ally's "voice" felt too angsty. Also, since most of the book Ally and Jesse are on their own missions, it broke up the flow of the story as I kept having to remember where we left the previous POV. It felt disjointed and prevented me from connecting with the narrative.
2. I don't really understand what the bad guy's plot is. I don't understand what he wants or why he wants it. It also feels odd that considering he is Jesse's father he has no shred of fondness for her or their history. He just felt like a cardboard cut out of a villain, with no substance or dimension to give him any kind of depth.
3. The love triangle. Oh. My. God! Shit is getting crazy, people are dying, and Lane and Ally can't stop whining about their feelings toward the other because they're both in love with Jesse. Are you 14 years old? Grow the fuck up!
4. The general plot of this story left a lot to be desired. I didn't feel like the characters were driving this plot. It just seemed like we were all on the villain's crazy train waiting for it to run off the rails - but not in an exciting way either.
August 28, 2017
This book just did not let up!
I'm really enjoying this series; I didn't expect to like it as much as I do, but the writing just has such a good flow to it, you can't not get caught up in the story. There is so much going on in this book and yet it never feels overwhelming. It's paced well with things gradually being revealed, with the relationships between the characters being developed at the same time. I think that these two elements of the story are well balanced. There is the right amount of each, so it never feels like the relationship aspect is taking over from the plot, and equally, there is never too much plot development that the relationships feel forgotten. It all works really seamlessly together, and makes for some very believable characters.
I think that all the characters work well together, and I like their different personalities. I think that the dynamic between Jesse, Ally and Lane is an interesting one, and I am curious to see how the relationships between them develop. I also can't wait to find out more about Jeremiah, especially given what is revealed about him at the end of this book.
This is a fun series, that has plenty of substance as well as style, that I would highly recommend reading.
I'm really enjoying this series; I didn't expect to like it as much as I do, but the writing just has such a good flow to it, you can't not get caught up in the story. There is so much going on in this book and yet it never feels overwhelming. It's paced well with things gradually being revealed, with the relationships between the characters being developed at the same time. I think that these two elements of the story are well balanced. There is the right amount of each, so it never feels like the relationship aspect is taking over from the plot, and equally, there is never too much plot development that the relationships feel forgotten. It all works really seamlessly together, and makes for some very believable characters.
I think that all the characters work well together, and I like their different personalities. I think that the dynamic between Jesse, Ally and Lane is an interesting one, and I am curious to see how the relationships between them develop. I also can't wait to find out more about Jeremiah, especially given what is revealed about him at the end of this book.
This is a fun series, that has plenty of substance as well as style, that I would highly recommend reading.
January 22, 2020
The hard drive Jesse recovered from her latest replacement's home contains a list of names. Some are victims of Caldwell's. With her and Ally's names topping the list, Jesse needs to be on her best guard.
Jesse and Gloria sets out to locate the first name on Caldwell's list, but end up getting themselves into a world of trouble. With both of their lives hanging in the balance, they have no choice but to fend for themselves. Gloria makes it out okay, but Jesse has fallen into Caldwell's trap once again. How will she escape this time?
Book two in author Kory M. Shrum's DYING FOR A LIVING series is just as impressive as book one. DYING BY THE HOUR picks up right where DYING FOR A LIVING left off. Jesse is still in a very complicated relationship with Lane and Ally. She has decided to just date Lane, but it's pushing her and Ally apart. Lane is still learning the ropes of being a death replacement agent, and things are not going smoothly for him. Jesse has a scary encounter with Caldwell that leads to some eye-opening truths about herself. DYING BY THE HOUR had it's hooks in me and didn't let go. I cannot wait to read the next installment. I give it a 3.5 star rating.
Jesse and Gloria sets out to locate the first name on Caldwell's list, but end up getting themselves into a world of trouble. With both of their lives hanging in the balance, they have no choice but to fend for themselves. Gloria makes it out okay, but Jesse has fallen into Caldwell's trap once again. How will she escape this time?
Book two in author Kory M. Shrum's DYING FOR A LIVING series is just as impressive as book one. DYING BY THE HOUR picks up right where DYING FOR A LIVING left off. Jesse is still in a very complicated relationship with Lane and Ally. She has decided to just date Lane, but it's pushing her and Ally apart. Lane is still learning the ropes of being a death replacement agent, and things are not going smoothly for him. Jesse has a scary encounter with Caldwell that leads to some eye-opening truths about herself. DYING BY THE HOUR had it's hooks in me and didn't let go. I cannot wait to read the next installment. I give it a 3.5 star rating.
August 26, 2019
I am truly disappointed. The plot of the story and the first one (Dying for a Living) have SO much potential. I overlooked the grammar and spelling errors in the first book, but the ones in this one got distracting and super annoying. It's one thing to miss a period or a comma, it's another to miss an entire word, have jumbled sentences, or repeat the exact sentence twice within a few paragraphs. The story seems to shoot off in so many directions. Enough of the love triangle and the side relationships and the work drama and family drama - it's not put together in a way that makes sense. I want so bad to see Jesse team up with WHOEVER it winds up being and take down the bad guys trying to destroy those with "NRD". I felt dragged. I finished 1/3 of the second book and decided it's not going anywhere for a long time. We hardly get clues and after hundreds of pages there are more questions than answers or direction. Again I think it was a wonderful idea and wish the plot could keep me going...but with the lack of editing and the number of books left in this series, I am not intrigued enough to continue.
July 11, 2020
Into The Fire
•••NOT for the homophobic, transphobic, closedminded or faint of heart!•••
This series must be read in order. The first book is "Dying For A Living". This is the second book. I can't wait to read "Dying For Her"!
Jesse knows who her enemy is but she doesn't want to believe it. How can Caldwell be her doting mother Eric Sullivan? How could he not come back for her? Why did he leave her at the mercies of her abusive stepfather? Living her reality is scary. What kind of father wants his daughter dead? How can she reconcile that? Why would a NDR join the church and preach against his own people? What is his end game? Can she keep herself and her friends and loved ones safe? Who is behind all the NDR deaths and kidnappings? Can they be stopped? What disaster is going to happen next? Can she find any info linking the Church to the disappearances and murders? What is really going on?
•••NOT for the homophobic, transphobic, closedminded or faint of heart!•••
This series must be read in order. The first book is "Dying For A Living". This is the second book. I can't wait to read "Dying For Her"!
Jesse knows who her enemy is but she doesn't want to believe it. How can Caldwell be her doting mother Eric Sullivan? How could he not come back for her? Why did he leave her at the mercies of her abusive stepfather? Living her reality is scary. What kind of father wants his daughter dead? How can she reconcile that? Why would a NDR join the church and preach against his own people? What is his end game? Can she keep herself and her friends and loved ones safe? Who is behind all the NDR deaths and kidnappings? Can they be stopped? What disaster is going to happen next? Can she find any info linking the Church to the disappearances and murders? What is really going on?
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