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Parents' Guide to

Once Dead, Twice Shy: Madison Avery, Book 1

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Supernatural story without too much violence.

Book Kim Harrison Fantasy 2009
Once Dead, Twice Shy: Madison Avery, Book 1 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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What's the Story?

Madison was killed in a car wreck caused by an anti-free-will dark reaper who wanted to prevent something in her future. But \ before she died she grabbed his amulet, which allows her to continue as \ if she is living but draws the wrath of the reaper and his minions who \ want to complete her death and get back the amulet. Protected by a \ Guardian Angel and the light reaper, she struggles to survive and to \ learn to control the amulet. But there's more going on here than any \ of them realize, and Madison may have a role to play in the politics \ of the afterlife.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Author Kim Harrison has a talent for keeping the action flying along without resorting to the kind of grim and gruesome violence typical of teen urban fantasies. She does this with a light touch, original ideas, a complex plot with an even more complex back story, and nearly nonstop action and suspense. In between readers will find a delightfully snarky Guardian Angel, a mix of high school and afterlife politics, and some interesting ideas about the nature of life, death, and reality.

This is another example of a book betrayed by its cover. The picture shows a heavily made-up platinum blonde girl, with an ornate title on a pink background. Take the paper cover off and you find a pink wing embossed on the hardcover. It practically screams, "This book is just for girls!" But the story itself would be enjoyable for anyone who likes a light and exciting fantasy, with plenty of humor and action. It's a shame that probably only half of its potential audience will ever open it up to see what's inside.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the afterlife. Major religions and many stories, including this one, present ideas about the afterlife. What do you think of this one?

  • Is it anything like others you have heard or read about?

  • Is it anything like the way you think it will be? Is there any way to know?

  • The idea of hierarchies of higher and lower beings is not new -- why is that idea so common?

Book Details

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