Member Reviews
Death is My Ride or Die is the second installment of the Death Chronicles and it brings more banter and higher stakes after the cliffhanger of Death is My Bff. It is a fast paced read and nostalgia points were there for the OG Wattpad readers! Faith and Death are begrudgingly working together to stop Malphas and his scheme but the romance between them definitely heats up from where we were in DiMBFF. What I liked about this installment is that we got to see more character development and growth with both Faith and Death, we got to meet some great new characters with the 7, and there was so much action, I could not put it down. These books are delicious brain candy and will have you flipping the pages so fast to see what happens next. We end again on a cliff hanger again, but have *faith*, because it’s worth it! I love how crudely funny death is and him and Faith foil each other so wonderfully, Tonks has created a world that is tension filled and addictive and I am itching to read the next!
I was a big fan of this series when it was in Wattpad, and I never expected that I’d encounter it again by chance as an adult.
I’m so pleased that I did!
The first book was exceptional, and the second has been almost equally as good. Everything about the book, from the pacing, to the banter, to the twists and turns, kept me gripped from beginning to end.
I’m excited to see where the rest of the series goes, and indeed where this author goes!
I was gifted an ARC in return for an honest review.
📔: Death is My Ride or Die-The Death Chronicles Book #2
✍️ By: Katarina E. Tonks-read [book: Death Is My BFF|123229391] and gave it 4⭐
📃 Page Count: 456 e-book
🗓️ Publication Date:9-17-24 | Read: 9-16-24
🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group| Wattpad Books for this ARC 💜! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, YA
🌏Setting: Pleasant Valley and NYC
Tropes:
😇good vs evil
😇enemies to lovers
😇forced proximity
😇touch her and die vibes
😇angels
👿demons
👿cliffhanger
👿grumpy/sunshine
👿morally grey characters
👿supernatural
POV: 1st person, dual
💭 Summary 💭 Faith is back home but Death is trapped in Limbo/Purgatory without his scythe by Malphas. Faith can read The Book of the Dead and all the evil forces are after her. She has to learn about her emerging powers while her and Death continue fighting each other.
Heroine: Faith Williams-spared by Death 10 years ago marking her soul to him.
Hero: Death/The Grim Reaper/David Star/Alexandru-over 2000 years old
Side cast:
✓Malphas-Death's father
✓Ahrimad-Death's enemy
✓Marcy-Faith's friend
✓Romeo+Leo-reapers
✓Devin Star-Lucifer
✓Sarah Pierce-Faith's aunt hooking up w/ Devin
✓Ace/Kalace- an old friend now nemesis of Death
TW: h is a virgin, SA mentioned-not H/h
My Thoughts: Another good installation from Tonks. I felt the push/pull of Faith and Death's relationship. He treated her badly but kept thinking "touch her and die." They were forced to work together to stop the "big bad" from creating an army and save the mortal realm.
Range of emotions: 😬🤔🙄
🌶️: Spice 2/5
😭: Emotion 3/5
❤️: Couple 3/5
⭐️: Rating 4/5
Thanks, wattpadbooks, for the arc!
Happy pub day, Katarina E. Tonks, on DEATH IS MY RIDE OR DIE, the second book in THE DEATH CHRONICLES! This is an excellent follow-up to the first book in the series, DEATH IS MY BFF. I was already hooked on the situationship between Death and Faith and their fantastic banter. Not to mention their extreme love/hate and enemies-to-lovers relationship is so entertaining to read.
I thought things in Faith’s life couldn’t get more twisted than in book one, but Katarina E. Tonks was like here is book two. This book is fantastic with its twists, turns, and jaw-dropping moments. At least I can reread these first two books while trying to recover and wait for book three because this book’s cliffhanger was an omg moment!
I’ve concluded that when Death is written as a hot, snarky character with good abs and tattoos, I get a crush on him. It’s fine. Katarina E. Tonks has written Death with every aspect I like in a guy, and then, you know, he’s Death, so he’s morally grey that it’s pretty much Katie catnip in a book.
Faith is one of my favorite female characters. I want to think I’m quippy like her, snapping right back at Death and other immortals fearlessly with snarky comments. But I’m the girl thinking of the comment after I overthought it hours later, lol.
I love this series and definitely recommend it. It’s unexpected and witty, and I laughed out loud a lot!
Content warnings: (per the author in the book) blood, violence, mention of death, swearing
Thank you for the ARC of Death is My Ride or Die.
Just like the first book, we follow the adventures of Faith Williams and Death.
Faith is still pissed at Death for deceiving her, which is understandable. He acted like he cared for her and she's not sure if there was any truth to it. On the other hand, she also betrayed him, so we can see their mutual dislike.
Death, however, takes that to a new level. That scene where he tells her to kneel when she asks for help, it's plain humiliation. You don't do that to someone you love. Which is one of the criticisms I have of Death. He claims to love Faith. And in some moments he does and he shows it, but then he goes and does something awful. I'm honestly not sure how this relationship can progress the way it is now.
Aunt Sarah apparently had an affair with the Devil and now he keeps her in his tower. Do they feel something for each other? Is she a prisioner? I have a lot of questions about it.
Lucifer being so worried that Faith keeps her virginity because it might affect her power is so gross. Women can have sex. Or not. It's a personal choice and no one's business. I hate the trope where virginity, which is a social construct, biologically it just doesn't matter, is related to the purity of power. It's a trope always used just for women and that is based on misogynistic ideals. This is also mentioned when Faith once mentions that "the hymen is the barrier that tears when you loose your virginity". This is mostly false and to be honest, as a biologist, I thought this misinformation was mostly gone by now. The hymen can tear from many different causes. Also, you may have sex and the hymen may not rip. Like I stated, virginity is purely a social construct with no medical or biological legitimacy.
Some parts, especially in dialogue can be quite cringey and fanfic like, though that makes sense considering this used to be a fanfic, I just think it could be more polished.
Sometimes during very tense and serious moments, the characters just say something random to try to be funny, but it doesn't work. Serious fight scenes are meant to be serious, not comedic.
Ace is objectively the best character. He keeps up the stakes and he ends up being one of the only rational characters in this book. I like him a lot.
Malphas is not as bad as he seems... I'm interested in seeing where this character goes.
The ending is promissor. They're both journeing through the Unknown, which will certainly make the next book very tense, while allowing us to further explore the fantasy elements of this series.
Two: torture, death, alcohol, mentions of sex.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this book! I enjoyed the first book in this series, but this one stole my heart! Death and Faith are just *chef’s kiss*. The banter between them is superb and their chemistry is off the charts. Honestly the banter between all the characters was fantastic!
I don’t want to spoil anything, but all the revelations that came about in this book were so good! I loved watching Faith grow into her powers and watching Death open up more.
Sometimes the book could be a little cheesy, but it’s super endearing and somehow it just works! I got very attached to all of these characters.
The end practically had me sobbing. Of course the book was left on a cliffhanger which is my only complaint about it and I’m only complaining because I need to know what’s going to happen and I don’t want to have to wait a year again to find out! Do yourself a favor and read this series! It’s the best grim reaper romantasy series I’ve read!
I am just going to do what we teachers call a sandwich. The cover looks great! The wording and grammar make me want to rage enough that I would have written a seriously different review had I not taken a deep breath. The story idea is original.
THIS. WAS. AMAZING!!!!
I read this series years ago when it was on Wattpad. I am so happy that we are getting a newer version in print. This boom starts where book 1 left off. Faith and Death. Ugh! I love them so much. We have new characters being added. The roller coaster ride is insane. Everything that we thought we knew was wrong. So many things get revealed. That ending...... ugh. Be prepared for a cliffhanger! I need book 3 stat.
This book is nonstop. There's always something happening, and the story progression is so well done. I loved the banter between Faith and Death, and how their relationship continues to change and grow as the story goes on. The author did a great job at making me/the reader in general feel the same as Faith at times toward Death, conflicted and wondering off and on if I really do like him. He's a raging, cursed, red flag, but there's something so likeable about a morally grey man who deep down has a heart of gold for the ones he cares about.
I also loved the lore and culmination of different religious mythos. Choosing to make our main character's name Faith and having her walk hand in hand with, and at times against, Death, even running into the Devil himself, was such a chef kiss touch of symbolism. I definitely recommend this book, but with the caution that it's for mature audiences. There's a lot of sexual themes and instances that might be a bit triggering or inappropriate for younger audiences. Keep that in mind before diving into the book. Seriously looking forward to the next one in the series. Dying to see what comes next for our feisty protagonist and broody love interest.
This series is super fun! I loved reading this one Wattpad many years ago and I am loving these published versions. Such a fun an easy read!
The plot, the character development.. wow I’m so happy with this! I’m not a fan of cliffhangers and man did this have a big one! Lol so I’m now lost on what to do with myself while I wait.
I laughed way more than I thought I would, the wing thing had me DYING😂 I’ll be waiting for book 3, and I’m excited to get this for my shelf!
Death is My Ride or Die just gave me one hell of a ride! It was such an exhilarating journey from start to finish and kept me hooked with every turning events.
Death and Faith scenes are definitely spicier and you guys should look forward to!! It was a rollercoaster of emotions and took me through every possible feeling.
This one must be on your shelves!!
I struggled to put into words how impressed I am to be honest.. everything from the plot to the development of the characters has been phenomenal. I have been a long to reader of Katarina Tonks from Wattpad and followed this story for many years and I am so happy with how the published version has turned out! The tension and chemistry between Death and Faith just pulls you in on another level. I also enjoyed more inclusion of other characters that just tied it all together and added so much more to the story line.
Thank you to Wattpad Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Death is My Ride or Die by Katarina E. Tonks is the 2nd book in The Death Chronicles. The story revolves around Faith Williams, who has a love-hate relationship with Death, the Grim Reaper of lore. In the previous book, their relationship went through the gamut, and it continues developing in this book. Faith has to deal with saving her friend Marcy and learning about how her powers have expanded. Sinister forces are also nearby, hoping to have Faith all to themselves. With the balance between the light and dark hanging in the balance, will Faith be able to figure out her complicated feelings for Death?
Here is an atmospheric excerpt from Chapter 1:
"Tick. Tick. When I opened my eyes, the illusion that I was safe evaporated.
Across the way, Malphas, dressed in silk, lounged on a Victorian style red velvet couch. His raven-black hair was woven together in warrior brais and neatly tied back. Bathed in soft lighting, the room was bare except for a large Persian rug, a rather ornate coffee table, and the couches where we sat opposite each other.
Moments before, I had been in the corn maze in Pleasant Valley fighting for my life against hell hounds and demons. Malphas had grabbed me, and now we were... here."
Overall, Death is My Ride or Die is an action-packed romantasy that will appeal to fans of Phantasma by Kaylie Smith or the Supernatural TV show from the CW. One highlight is the original premise. When I first picked up this series, I loved reading about how Death, the Grim Reaper, was now in the modern-day world. I liked reading about modern-day things like record companies mixed with the supernatural mystery of Death and the other beings in hell. While reading the sequel, I still felt the sense of wonder that I did in the first book.
I did take off 1 star because I felt like Faith and Death's relationship just kept getting worse and worse. I thought that they were going from friends to lovers, but in this book, they annoy each other, hurt each other, lie to each other, etc. I have no idea what Faith sees in Death anymore, like what she could possibly be attracted to, and in many moments in this book, I don't think Faith found anything attractive about Death anymore. Based on the synopsis, I thought this would be a standard romantasy, but their on-again, off-again relationship got on my nerves. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of YA fantasy in general, I recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in September!
Wow! Let's start with wow! I mean this book felt like it had everything from romance to comedy to badass action scenes. I found myself actually laughing out loud on a couple parts.
I was absolutely obsessed with the tension between Faith and Death. (Can't lie though I wish a little more happened between them) Literally could not put the book down and finished it in about 24 hours.
The character development is chefs kiss! 🤌
I absolutely loved seeing the change in Faith to becoming a stronger character and seeing (rarely) a softer side to Death.
Thank you thank you thank you to the author for letting me read this book early on NetGalley! I've never reviewed a book like this before and I felt honored to get the opportunity. Especially for a book I've loved from the very beginning.
I cannot wait for the third book to come out!!! 🙌
Thank you NetGalley, Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group, and Wattpad Books for a digital ARC of Death is My Ride or Die!
This is the second book of the Death Chronicles. I absolutely recommend this series, because they are everything you want in a romance fantasy. This book was filled with humor, enemies-to-lovers, and suspense. I really enjoyed reading about the characters from the first book as well as the new ones introduced in this book. If you want a good young adult fantasy romance book, this is the one to read. It will have you dying from laughter, blushing at the romance, and enthralled with the plot.
All the YES! This book was FANTASTIC! Faith's unique relationship is written so intriguing. I think this is going to be a fantastic PNR fans read, not just for teens but for adults too.
“Death is My Ride or Die" by Katarina E. Tonks is a fantastic sequel that surpassed my expectations in every way. As a fan of “Death is My BFF,” I was so excited to dive back into this complex world with its witty dialogue, multi-layered characters, and mysterious storyline. This book takes all those elements to the next level with incredible world-building, hilarious banter, non-stop action, and palpable tension between the two leads!
In this installment, I was delighted to see that the romance takes center stage as Faith discovers more about herself and the Grim Reaper. Both intriguing and heart-wrenching, the fiery connection Faith feels for Death is questioned, and she sets out to understand if what she feels between them is real. Meanwhile, Faith fights for her life against powerful forces, making crucial decisions about whom she can trust and what direction to take when faced with life-threatening choices. The romance is significantly intensified, allowing us to understand the characters on a much deeper level.
For those of us who love enemies-to-lovers, hate/love, grumpy/sunshine, and forced-proximity tropes, this book is the jackpot. Death remains a true villain, yet one we can't help but love him. Unlike many other books, where authors backtrack on the villainous ways of the lead (a pet peeve of mine), this story maintains Death’s complex, morally gray nature, yet balanced in a way where he is still a worthy love interest for the protagonist.
My favorite part of the book was the laugh-out-loud, hilarious one-liners throughout. The back-and-forth between Death and Faith is next-level, showcasing Faith’s strong-willed nature and determination to fight whatever comes her way. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. It felt like anything could happen at any moment and that was awesome. I was completely engrossed in the story and am eagerly waiting for Book 3!!
If you love villains, fierce female characters, fantasy/magic, and humor, this epic story is a must-read!
Death is My Ride or Die is a great example of a sequel done right. All the things that made Death is My BFF an enjoyable read are here, improved, and in abundance. The comedic back and forth between characters is where this series shines, and every chapter is able to fit in some laughs. The romance is where this book improved the most from Death is My BFF. There are a lot more romance scenes and the more intimate moments are fleshed out and feel a lot deeper. Many awesome new characters with their own unique powers and abilities are introduced in this book and older ones are given the time that they deserve. After reading this book, I think most people will have a new favorite character of the series. Overall Death is My Ride or Die knows what made Death is My BFF great and is a bigger and better sequel because of it.
The first book was a mixture of nostalgia and new excitement and I loved every second of it from beginning to end, so to say I had high expectations for the second book in the series is an understatement. I came out of this book feeling so many emotions. I was feeling joy, sadness, anger, betrayal, and disbelief and it only left me wanting more after that cliffhanger ending. The slow burn of the romance between Death and Faith is so magnetic and electrifying that the tension feels like it's about to snap at any second. Katarina Tonks does such a wonderful job at making sure that you get immersed in the story that she's trying to tell. I felt like I was pulled into the scene as I was reading and it was playing like a movie inside my head. The character development that both male and female protagonists go through while trying to work together as well as juggle their attraction together had me screaming every few pages. I loved seeing the beginnings of vulnerability in Death as he spends more time with Faith. He is forced to recognize that fire in her and learns to admire her stubborn streak, even though it's usually used against him. The fact that he, on some level, holds a lot of respect for her but puts a wall between them to protect not only himself but her as well had me in a puddle of fluff. In regards to Faith's journey, she is the strong-willed, compassionate female I wish to be. She's terrified of her situation but is determined to make the most of it to get to the next day. The amount of patience, open empathy, and compassion she has for the Grim Reaper is such a juxtaposition to Death, but it works so well. We see her go from this scared, clueless eighteen-year-old to this strong, independent, determined young woman who just wants to save those she holds dear. In addition, the Seven being introduced in the second installment was one of my favorite parts. Their funny banter, individual personality, and brotherhood were something I just wanted more and more of. Every character introduced had me on the edge of my seat. This book had me dropping it every so often to comprehend the plot twists, squealing at all the interactions between characters, and sometimes making me want to cry and throw the book across the room. It was such an amazing read, I can't wait for more.