"The air is moist with morning fog. Sunrise is on the horizon, painting the sky colors of pink and orange. Any other time, I’d stop to appreciate its beauty. Today, I’ll appreciate that I’m still alive."

I'm not quite sure how to feel about this one. The concept was such an intriguing one and I really enjoyed the exploration of rageblight. But ultimately, I was left disappointed.

I really enjoyed the start and getting to know the world that the author created. There really are a lot of horrifying aspects and I could see governments implementing these kinds of systems given the mess that the world is hurtling towards. The way the government manipulates children into being a very certain kind of person through threatening a shorter life if they don't conform, for example, is horrifying yet I could see it happening if I look how government is removing freedoms in parts of the world. Towards the middle I started losing interest. Everything is all over the place and things seem to change depending on what the plot needs. I still don't really feel like I know who some of our main characters are since their dialogue, characterisation and actions are all over the place and I struggled to follow who they are meant to be. I felt like this was a bit of a pattern throughout the book. Maybe going a bit more in depth with regards to their thought processes would have helped with this. The book picked up again towards the end and we got to learn more about how the world works which makes me suspect that although I do like the author's worldbuilding and ideas, I just am not a fan of how they write their characters. Of course this is completely subjective and based on other reviews other people feel the complete opposite! ( )

"Death Date" by B.Y. Simpson invites readers into the heart of Ashville, a dystopian world on the brink of human extinction. The World Inhabitance Group's desperate plan assigns each eighteen-year-old a death date, creating a society where every move is scrutinized, mistakes come at a cost, and only a select few are exempt from these stringent rules.
The story follows seventeen-year-old Nova James, a brave and rebellious soul, whose world is shattered when her city is destroyed in a rebellion. Faced with the unimaginable, Nova defies the norm and ventures beyond the city walls, embarking on a forbidden quest for answers. The pace is relentless, with non-stop action propelling Nova forward, but this unyielding momentum leaves room for both exhilaration and exhaustion.
One of the strengths lies in Nova's character — she's not your typical protagonist. Her courage is evident, but so too are her self-destructive tendencies, adding layers of complexity to her persona. She takes risks, sometimes seemingly unnecessary, and the narrative walks a fine line between showcasing her bravery and highlighting the potential consequences of her impulsive choices.
The plot unfolds with a series of revelations, and Nova is joined by Alex, a mysterious ally. Together, they uncover a government secret so sinister that survival becomes uncertain. The narrative's strength lies in its ability to keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover the next twist.
However, the breakneck pace has its drawbacks. The story feels rushed, and the constant chaos might leave readers yearning for moments of introspection or deeper exploration of the dystopian world. Some scenes seem superfluous, contributing to a sense of jumbled storytelling.
"Death Date" offers a cocktail of action-packed excitement and a dash of rebellion, but it might leave readers hoping for a bit more cohesion and nuance in the narrative. Strap in for a wild ride, but be prepared for a few bumps along the way!

It's a world where our main character, Nova James, resides where the world has gotten so bad environmentally and people-wise that a new world order has risen up to mark people for an ending death day they get when they're 18 and bad behavior takes time away. A Hunger Games meets In Time.

Well, except you never really see anything that is described about the world. I'm usually a person who complains about too much world-building and not enough plot. Here, I don't see anything of the world other than the Death Dealer Squads who seem to be immune to a death countdown. What does the world look like to get to the point where the entire world population allowed for this Death Day program to be implemented? No clue. How is bad behavior cataloged and accounted for and how does this affect people's interactions out in public or even in private? There doesn't seem to be any change at all. Certain people are in open rebellion and hiding from hit squads, parents can be awful to their children, there isn't a blight of false kindness or people breaking under the pressure of knowing exactly when they'll die. There seems to be some enforcement at the schools but without being 18 yet there aren't really any reprocussions for acting out. In this world, people kind of just act the exact same as now. That is, until you get outside the main city, then it's a wasteland of destruction for some unknown reason.

Our main character receives survival training from her grandfather who is part of the elite but doesn't really show off any of these skills until the very end of the story. She's rescued by the mysterious boy character who she's crushing on after being betrayed by other boy character who seems to be up to something. After falling into a rebellion meeting on accident, Nova is very loosely in control of what her goal is. After several hospital visits, which also seems weird in a world where death for a large portion of the world should be welcomed, she needs to leave the city and find the rebellion. From there, stumbling upon revelations by happenstance seems to be the plot unfold method. Our handsome rogue, Alex, seems to be angry with a dark backstory and tough except but he seems to mostly be the hero of the story. There is some slight romance with awkward looks and too close talking in a will-they-won't-they arc. Our characters never really have an arc either. The people who they started off as is really who they finish as and the revelation and how they get there just kind of happens. Alex and the grandfather are the biggest key players in the story minus one boss battle and being a key to cure the effects of the death day and disease. It's not really clear exactly who either.

The world has no grounding in what it claims to be. The characters just exist. The YA typical love story with almost a love triangle is bland. The plot does move forward however. The action is mostly chase scenes with a few short fights. Other people who have read it seem to like it. I will not be continuing the series. Final Grade - D ( )

Everyone is assigned a Death Date, but everything they believe about it is a lie.

The story explores a future world where it has been decided to determine when everyone will die to reduce the strain on resources. They receive their Death Date on their 18th birthday, and everyone is told that it is based on how perfect they are. The more perfect you are, the longer you get to live.

Of course, soon after the book starts, this perception is shattered even as Nova, the main character, watches the world as she knows it shatter as well. The revelations beginning to be revealed to her send her on the run with a stranger as she tries to determine the truth from the lies.

The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, and there are definitely questions that need to be answered in the next book. However, this was a decent start to what should be an interesting duology. ( )

"Death Date" by B.Y. Simpson is a chilling narrative that plunges readers into a dystopian world where the price of imperfection is death. Simpson’s storytelling is haunting yet utterly compelling, inviting readers into the oppressive confines of Ashville—a city teetering on the brink of human extinction.

Nova James, a seventeen-year-old girl, stands at the center of this harrowing tale. She’s a product of her environment, conditioned to live by the stringent rules of the World Inhabitance Group. Assigned a death date at eighteen, every misstep Nova takes edges her closer to her demise. Simpson captures the stark reality of this world with raw intensity, painting a bleak, yet mesmerizing picture of a society where perfection is not just sought after—it’s mandatory.

Yet, amidst the oppression and despair, Nova's rebellion ignites a spark of hope. The destruction of her city propels her into the unknown, challenging the very foundations of her existence. Alex, a mysterious companion, accompanies her into a world rife with revelations and clandestine truths.

Simpson excels in weaving a narrative rich in suspense, mystery, and emotional depth. The sinister secrets that unfold as Nova and Alex venture beyond the city walls underscore a poignant commentary on the consequences of unchecked power and the dehumanization that ensues when individuality and imperfection are deemed criminal.

"Death Date" is a riveting exploration of a dystopian world where the cost of imperfection is fatal. Each page is infused with an urgent sense of danger, drawing readers into a dance with destiny that is as terrifying as it is intoxicating. Simpson’s prose is incisive, her characters intricately crafted, and her world-building both magnificent and nightmarish. This novel serves not just as an enthralling narrative, but as a stark reminder of the perils of a world that punishes the imperfect and seeks to quench the indomitable human spirit. ( )