Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Abounds with originality and introduces us to rich characters…is sure to introduce [Harrison] to a whole new generation of readers.
Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
An amusing and entertaining jaunt of an urban fantasy.
School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up—In this sequel to Once Dead, Twice Shy (HarperCollins, 2009), purple-haired Goth Madison is adjusting to life at her new high school—and to the fact that she is recently dead. She is the newest dark timekeeper put in charge of reapers of death. Her ideals clash with tradition—she believes in choice over fate: people with the potential to do evil might still be able to change in time to save their souls. Madison and her two reapers, (mostly) light Barnabas and dark Nakita, set out to alter the fate of a teen with a computer virus set to wreak havoc on the local hospital and cause several deaths. Madison's adversarial light timekeeper, Ron, and his apprentice are positioned to prevent them from succeeding. Amulets with hidden forces and an occasional visit from a limerick-spouting guardian angel add to the complex hierarchy of fate and supernatural power. Sharp-dressed Nakita, who can "scythe" (kill) mortals is still concerned with fitting in at school and is an engaging sidekick to Madison, yet other characters are portrayed sketchily at best. This fast-paced tale delivers some uniquely amusing moments but does not stand alone. Fans of Lauren Kate's Fallen (Delacorte, 2009) and those who enjoyed the first book may be drawn into Harrison's world of heaven and earth, but new readers will be left confused by undeveloped characters and overly complex rules and guidelines.—Tara Kehoe, Plainsboro Public Library, NJ
Kirkus Reviews
Madison Avery is still trying to come to terms with her death and her role as the dark timekeeper (Once Dead, Twice Shy, 2009). With dark reaper Nakita and her mostly light counterpart Barnabas at her side, Madison is determined to prove that, given the choice, those who might be doomed in the afterlife due to their bad choices can in fact be convinced to see the error of their ways in time to save their souls. Her test case involves two teen boys and a computer virus that she knows will be responsible for deaths in a hospital. As she races against time and her nemesis, Ron, she develops new, frightening powers. The complexities of Madison's supernatural world are not very well explained here, so readers would do best to start with this book's predecessor. Harrison builds an interesting world rife with politics and tradition, but Madison does a poor job of clarifying the roles she and her co-workers play in moving people from life to the afterlife. (Paranormal. YA)
