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willrefuge's review against another edition
2.0
2 / 5 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2021/12/14/a-dead-end-job-by-justin-alcala-review/
A somewhat novel take on the Grim Reaper trope—where Death is replaced by a mortal for whatever reason—A Dead-End Job isn’t exactly generic, but it’s certainly not new either. I’d call it unique, if only because I’ve never read anything quite like it. It does try a lot of things, but.. well, you'll see.
Death is hurting—he needs a vacation. Badly. Thanks to automation, the job pretty much takes care of itself nowadays. People die, the souls turn over, and march their own way through to the afterlife. But Death’s job isn’t so simple as it used to be. Because where there is a system in place with rules and regulations, there will always people trying to cheat the system. It’s those that cause Death most of his headaches, and take up most of his time.
So in order to go on holiday, Death must find someone to take up his mantle for just a little while. So he hires a hitman to do it.
And not just any hitman—the best there is. Okay, well, maybe not her. Instead he picks Buck Palasinksia, the most recent hitman to take a bullet through the skull. Buck wasn’t a bad shot in his day, and feels reasonably certain he can do the job. Plus, he’s dead, which makes him perfect for the job.
Now all he has to do is take out Public Enemy #1, John Dillinger, and all the other would-be cheaters while Death is off sipping Coronas on the beach.
When the author first started writing A Dead-End Job in 2019, it was nothing more than the idea of a hard-boiled hitman working for a comical Grim Reaper. What came out the other side was a former vet, working as a hitman to support the kid he picked up off the street, throwing humor around to help him make it through the day. Now, in practice I honestly think this sounds like a decent book. In reality however… it just didn’t work for me. Now there’s a lot to love about this book—really, there is—I just didn’t love it.
My objection to it began in the prologue (which is never good), a prologue which I nearly didn’t finish. I’ve never enjoyed the “Grim Reaper in a cubicle” depiction, and it just isn’t ever likely to work on me. Now, that’s a pretty important part of this book, but it wasn’t in the blurb so how was I to know? I felt that Dead-End Job tried a lot of things—none of which worked much better than the setting for me. Buck is a former vet turned hitman, something that was never adequately explained. The kid he picks up along the way joins the picture only after he was killed, so it had nothing to do with supporting her. The references, puns, catch-phrases, and comedic one-liners pretty much define Buck as a character. And were the only depth I ever saw from him. The hitman/thief with a heart of gold is something that I’ve seen too often, and yet another thing I’ve never bought into. This combined with the world and Buck’s brand of cheap 90’s humor pretty much ruined it for me.
Thus A Dead-End Job pretty much follows in a straightforward manner until just before the end, where it does turn an impressive twist. The trouble was that by that point I was just too far gone to care. The ending itself wasn’t bad, but after 250 pages of bad puns and one-liners, it didn’t manage to awaken any sort of enjoyment from me. Like I said before, this may be a good book; it tries a lot of different things, combines death and comedy with the weight of responsibility. I just didn’t feel like it did any of these particularly well, and wasn’t for me regardless.
TL;DR
A Dead-End Job might not be the most interesting take on a mortal replacing the Grim Reaper, nor the most humorous. It’s not the most thrilling, nor the most mysterious. But it might just be… the newest? I really don’t have a lot to say about this book, other than that it didn’t work for me. It definitely didn’t work. It tries a lot of things: combining the weight of parenting with the seriousness of mortality, joins a hard-boiled hitman with an almost comedically disarming Death, and cobbles the whole thing together with puns, catch-phrases, and references fresh out of the 90’s. While I didn’t feel like it managed any of these particularly well, it also didn’t ruin them. Not exactly. I mean, most of these things have already been ruined for me, so the whole thing was pretty much doomed from the start. Maybe you’ll like it better, though. If you’re the kinda person that enjoys any two of the above tropes, maybe give it a shot. Otherwise, maybe don’t. It’s definitely a no-go from me.
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2021/12/14/a-dead-end-job-by-justin-alcala-review/
A somewhat novel take on the Grim Reaper trope—where Death is replaced by a mortal for whatever reason—A Dead-End Job isn’t exactly generic, but it’s certainly not new either. I’d call it unique, if only because I’ve never read anything quite like it. It does try a lot of things, but.. well, you'll see.
Death is hurting—he needs a vacation. Badly. Thanks to automation, the job pretty much takes care of itself nowadays. People die, the souls turn over, and march their own way through to the afterlife. But Death’s job isn’t so simple as it used to be. Because where there is a system in place with rules and regulations, there will always people trying to cheat the system. It’s those that cause Death most of his headaches, and take up most of his time.
So in order to go on holiday, Death must find someone to take up his mantle for just a little while. So he hires a hitman to do it.
And not just any hitman—the best there is. Okay, well, maybe not her. Instead he picks Buck Palasinksia, the most recent hitman to take a bullet through the skull. Buck wasn’t a bad shot in his day, and feels reasonably certain he can do the job. Plus, he’s dead, which makes him perfect for the job.
Now all he has to do is take out Public Enemy #1, John Dillinger, and all the other would-be cheaters while Death is off sipping Coronas on the beach.
When the author first started writing A Dead-End Job in 2019, it was nothing more than the idea of a hard-boiled hitman working for a comical Grim Reaper. What came out the other side was a former vet, working as a hitman to support the kid he picked up off the street, throwing humor around to help him make it through the day. Now, in practice I honestly think this sounds like a decent book. In reality however… it just didn’t work for me. Now there’s a lot to love about this book—really, there is—I just didn’t love it.
My objection to it began in the prologue (which is never good), a prologue which I nearly didn’t finish. I’ve never enjoyed the “Grim Reaper in a cubicle” depiction, and it just isn’t ever likely to work on me. Now, that’s a pretty important part of this book, but it wasn’t in the blurb so how was I to know? I felt that Dead-End Job tried a lot of things—none of which worked much better than the setting for me. Buck is a former vet turned hitman, something that was never adequately explained. The kid he picks up along the way joins the picture only after he was killed, so it had nothing to do with supporting her. The references, puns, catch-phrases, and comedic one-liners pretty much define Buck as a character. And were the only depth I ever saw from him. The hitman/thief with a heart of gold is something that I’ve seen too often, and yet another thing I’ve never bought into. This combined with the world and Buck’s brand of cheap 90’s humor pretty much ruined it for me.
Thus A Dead-End Job pretty much follows in a straightforward manner until just before the end, where it does turn an impressive twist. The trouble was that by that point I was just too far gone to care. The ending itself wasn’t bad, but after 250 pages of bad puns and one-liners, it didn’t manage to awaken any sort of enjoyment from me. Like I said before, this may be a good book; it tries a lot of different things, combines death and comedy with the weight of responsibility. I just didn’t feel like it did any of these particularly well, and wasn’t for me regardless.
TL;DR
A Dead-End Job might not be the most interesting take on a mortal replacing the Grim Reaper, nor the most humorous. It’s not the most thrilling, nor the most mysterious. But it might just be… the newest? I really don’t have a lot to say about this book, other than that it didn’t work for me. It definitely didn’t work. It tries a lot of things: combining the weight of parenting with the seriousness of mortality, joins a hard-boiled hitman with an almost comedically disarming Death, and cobbles the whole thing together with puns, catch-phrases, and references fresh out of the 90’s. While I didn’t feel like it managed any of these particularly well, it also didn’t ruin them. Not exactly. I mean, most of these things have already been ruined for me, so the whole thing was pretty much doomed from the start. Maybe you’ll like it better, though. If you’re the kinda person that enjoys any two of the above tropes, maybe give it a shot. Otherwise, maybe don’t. It’s definitely a no-go from me.
serlinarose's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
"Life can be brutal. Life can be strange. Hell, sometimes, there’s just no way to describe it. Sometimes a good laugh fixes everything. Anyone can be, given the right opportunites, changed for the better."
A Dead End Job was an entertaining read from the very start to the end. Though a paranomal thriller, I felt that the story was unique and engaging with the witty banters and dialogue with the characters. The characters, each in their unique way brought out the story to life. The MMC was a bit naive when he'd taken the job from a stranger to assasinate a target to only be played in the end. He also wised up when later he got the same target to get rid off from a different boss, but things stood out to him. Glad he made the right call in the end.
His sensitive and sentimental sides were well touched on and made him likeable. Especially when he met and saved the little wolf. He finally got someone to make him feel human again, someone to bring direction to his life despite his odd NEW job.
Nicely written and presented.
Definitely recommend to those who love a good thriller, fantasy thriller, a paranormal thriller or just looking for a unique mystery thriller story.
A Dead End Job was an entertaining read from the very start to the end. Though a paranomal thriller, I felt that the story was unique and engaging with the witty banters and dialogue with the characters. The characters, each in their unique way brought out the story to life. The MMC was a bit naive when he'd taken the job from a stranger to assasinate a target to only be played in the end. He also wised up when later he got the same target to get rid off from a different boss, but things stood out to him. Glad he made the right call in the end.
His sensitive and sentimental sides were well touched on and made him likeable. Especially when he met and saved the little wolf. He finally got someone to make him feel human again, someone to bring direction to his life despite his odd NEW job.
Nicely written and presented.
Definitely recommend to those who love a good thriller, fantasy thriller, a paranormal thriller or just looking for a unique mystery thriller story.
ames599's review
3.0
If you're looking a for a fun and quick urban fantasy read this is it. A Dead End Job mixes a bunch of supernatural characters that aren't exactly what you expect them to be with a nerdy veteran hitman turned intern for Death, and as a result gives you an entertaining story that sets up the possibility for many more adventures to come.
**I received a copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
**I received a copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
achillea's review against another edition
you know that scene in parks & recreation where ben is eating soup alone on a bench when donna suddenly pulls him to his feet, throws his soup away, shoves him into her car and drives away? that's this book
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Kidnapping, Gore, and Violence
Minor: Child abuse
brancrisp's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sashavolesky's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
This isn’t my normal read however I feel in love with the book and concept right from the start.
I loved the integration of the supernatural into the everyday life, most people unaware but it’s there all around them. The concept itself of death having an IT guy and needing a holiday was very enjoyable and original.
Making the main character a hitman makes him facinating, Buck has a well written backstory and his character arc was delightful to follow.
Good diversity and had every day problems shown without making it the whole plot point.
Overal an extremely enjoyable read and I’d recommend it to anyone who finds any of the above interesting.
I loved the integration of the supernatural into the everyday life, most people unaware but it’s there all around them. The concept itself of death having an IT guy and needing a holiday was very enjoyable and original.
Making the main character a hitman makes him facinating, Buck has a well written backstory and his character arc was delightful to follow.
Good diversity and had every day problems shown without making it the whole plot point.
Overal an extremely enjoyable read and I’d recommend it to anyone who finds any of the above interesting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Addiction, Death, War, and Kidnapping
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