Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Books for Young Readers for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date February 7th, 2017
352 Pages
Synopsis: You only live once–unless you’re Denton Little!
The good news: Denton Little has lived through his deathdate. Yay! The bad news: He’s being chased by the DIA (Death Investigation Agency), he can never see his family again, and he may now die any time. Huh. Cheating death isn’t quite as awesome as Denton would have thought…
Lance Rubin’s debut novel, Deanton Little’s Deathdate, showed readers just how funny and poignant imminent death could be. Now in this sequel, he takes on the big questions about life. How do we cope, knowing we could die at any time? Would you save someone from dying even if they were a horrible person? Is it wrong to kiss the girl you’re best friend is crushing on if she’s really into you instead? What if she’s wearing bacon lip gloss?
I absolutely loved Denton Little’s Deathdate and as it ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, I’ve been anxiously awaiting the sequel in this duology. As soon as it popped up on NetGalley about a month ago, I immediately requested and waited, and waited, and WAITED! Until finally it became clear that my request was frozen in the dreaded “pending” process, which anyone who’s requested eARCS on the site is probably more than familiar with. I was getting extremely depressed until it occurred to me to contact the author on Goodreads and see if he could help. Which I did and much to my surprise he quickly got back to me and within an hour I received a notification from Knopf via NetGalley that I was approved! I’d like to thank Lance Rubin who has proven to me he definitely cares about his readers! So, was this everything I hoped it was going to be? For the most part I give a resounding YES! Denton Little’s Still Not Dead retains much of the light-hearted humor as the first book, but it has a lot more action. Denton is still the same awkwardly endearing teen who’s trying to not only cope with the fact that he survived his deathdate and the mother he was told died in childbirth is alive, but he’s in hiding with a resistance group he knows nothing about and doesn’t really trust. And if that’s not enough, he’s worried about his best friend Paolo whose deathdate is fast approaching, and is determined to save him. As was the case in the first book, the very best part of this story is the friendship between Denton and Paolo. Amidst all the clever banter between these two is one of the most touching relationships I’ve come across in all my years of reading. These two may not be technically related, but they are most definitely brothers. They are so loyal to each other that not even a brief love triangle can permanently break up this dynamic duo. And speaking of love triangles, I know I always grump about them, but this one is such a momentary blip, that it didn’t annoy me at all. Besides. It led to one of my favorite quotes from Paolo:
Wow, I’ve been in the world for eighteen years, and I’ve never been in a love triangle, and now I get to be in one with two of my favorite people in the whole world. How awesome is that?
Trust me. This is classic Paolo! There are several other characters from the first book who also make appearances, which leads to the only criticisms. One of them is Paolo’s sister Veronica, and while I was initially happy to see her, for the most part nothing is done with her character and her inclusion added little to the story. I also was a little disappointed that the relationship between Denton and his brother Felix wasn’t developed more, but honestly, these are just minor complaints. Amidst car chases, and hiding from a secret and nefarious government agency, the story also takes a look at some serious real life lessons. Denton finally meets his birth mother, and learns what the true definition of motherhood is. And then there’s the question of the deathdates themselves. Is it better to know how long you have to live, or is it more important to live every day as if it may be your last? These all lead to Denton’s growth as a character, and makes him even more relatable, especially to teen readers. And finally, I have to admit the ending left me with mixed feelings. While I understand and respect Lance Rubin’s decision to make this a duology, I’m left with a certain sadness at having to say goodbye to characters which I’ve become so attached to. Denton Little’s Deathdate and Denton Little’s Still Not Dead are going on my shortlist of favorite YA novels of all time. They’re a little bit wacky, and some of the situations strain incredulity, but they’re fun-filled science fiction, whose memorable characters will appeal to a wide audience of teens and adults. I can’t wait to see what Lance Rubin comes out with next!
sophiethestark said:
I haven’t read the first book yet but this honestly sounds amazing! The cover is so cute and awesome I probably would have picked it up regardless of plot. But at the same time, it does sound like it will break my heart at some point…
Great review overall 🙂 I will definitely check this one out!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Sophie! Definitely start with Denton Little’s Deathdate. Otherwise you might get a little confused.💁🏻
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sophiethestark said:
I definitely will and I can’t wait 🙂 Thank you so much for the rec, Kim!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
My pleasure!💁🏻
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Lekeisha The Booknerd said:
How the heck did I not know about this book?!! I listened to the audiobook of DLDD and didn’t really love it. I think I need to read it for myself because there are parts that I don’t remember, simply because I zoned out while listening. Everyone loves it though.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Honestly Lekeisha, they’re both worth reading simply for Denton and Paolo alone. BEST. FRIENDSHIP. EVER!😊
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LizScanlon said:
Right, this is going on the ‘to be checked out as soon as review schedule allows’ because this sounds awesome! 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Yay! You’re going to love Denton and Paolo Liz!😊
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LizScanlon said:
I think so, too… sounds totally like my kind of read 🙂
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thesarahdoughty said:
Oh nice! It sounds really interesting!
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Felicia Denise said:
Stop trying to make me read YA again! LMAO! Honestly, this does sound like a fun read – but I’d need to start with book one…curses! 😉 😉
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Sorry Felicia! Mowahaha!😈
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Felicia Denise said:
ROFL! Yeah, right! 😉
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
😏
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Books, Vertigo and Tea said:
Love this review! I have not heard of Denton Little. I definitely need to add the first to my list so that I can remember to give this a read.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Danielle! I think you’ll really enjoy both these books.💁🏻
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YAandWine said:
Oh my gosh, I’m SOOOO excited to read this! I ADORED Denton Little’s Death Date so much. Probably the funniest YA novel that I’ve ever read.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Right?! I’m so sad that this book is it. I’m going to miss Denton and Paolo!😕
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YAandWine said:
Hopefully he’ll write son new soon, because it’s so great!
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beetleypete said:
Sounds like another series you really enjoyed. I don’t know how you manage to read so many books!
Best wishes, Pete.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I have a small book addiction problem Pete.😕
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vinnieh said:
DIA, now that’s pretty memorable naming for an organisation.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Right? I know you don’t read YA Fiction Vinnie, but I actually think you’d like these! I know you’d love the dialogue between Denton and Paolo and after reading both books I could totally see this being made into a movie.💁🏻
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vinnieh said:
I’m a stickler for great back and forth between characters.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I know you like witty banter in your movies.😀
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vinnieh said:
Yes, sassy banter and quick talking are two things that pique my interest.
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Diana said:
Never heard of this series but it sounds quite interesting and I am glad that you got the book.I like the fact that the author helped you get approved.I’ve never thought of doing that but perhaps I’ll try it out when my request for a book I really want to read ends up in the pending requests pile.Great review!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Diana. My contacting the author was really a “Hail Mary” pass, but I loved the first book so much I thought what the heck. 🤷🏻♀️
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Lashaan and Trang (Bookidote) said:
Wow! Pretty cool to hear that the author responded so quickly and made your wish come true! I’m glad that it turned out to be a pretty good sequel. 🙂
– Lashaan
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Yep. He’s a new hero of mine!😊
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