Death's Academy by Michael Bast Pages: 249
Published by CEDAR FORT Incorporated on January 14, 2014
Genres: Adolescence, Dragons, Unicorns & Mythical, Fantasy & Magic, Humor, Middle Grade
Source: Paperback from Author
The Death’s Academy entrance exam for Midnight Smith is quickly approaching. There’s just one problem: Midnight is the worst exam taker the academy has ever seen. If Midnight wants to ever step foot inside the school, he’ll have to join forces with the hated Guardian Angels, and together face the deadliest creatures in the world—the dreaded Unicorns. Becoming a Grim Reaper has never been more hilarious!
Death’s Academy is a middle grade book that is just so much fun. I don’t read many middle grade books for my blog, but every once in a while one comes my way that I just can’t let slip by me. And Death’s Academy looked like some magical fun. And it was all that and more. Death’s Academy is a school for “hoodies” aka reapers and “halos” aka angels.
Midnight or Night for short is a reaper, who is scared of not passing his entrance exam to get into school. It doesn’t help matters that his dad is famous for something- and not in a good way, and Night has no idea what it even is. I loved Night and his awesome tech savvy friend, Mal. The two of them made a great team.
The world that Michael Bast created in Death’s Academy will appeal to readers young and old alike. It was hilarious to see some of his references and drawings in the book. The reaper families each had their own hellhounds and they were dachshunds!! How adorable. There are plenty of magical creatures in this book to hold any readers interest, and it was cool to see unicorns as the bad guys. Michael Bast does a great job of flipping the world on its’ head and changing things up. I loved figuring out just what it was that happened with his dad all those years ago and along the way Night goes on quite the adventure himself to rescue his friend.
Death’s Academy is a quick and enjoyable read. I think younger readers will really enjoy this funny and quirky book about reapers. The ending stops before school at Death’s Academy even starts, so I hope that means there will be a second book where we can see Night at school. I think that this series is going to be an easy hit among younger readers, and even older readers will appreciate this book. It was a great read.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
kindlemom1
This even looks like it would be a lot of fun, I am loving that cover!
Holly U
I don’t read a lot of middle grade books, but this sounds like so much fun! Halos and Hoodies? So cute! And Night and his friend sound adorable! I’m adding this one to the TBR list. 🙂
Christina R.
LOVE it when MG appeals to all age groups by being so fun and unique.
Love the friendship aspect 🙂
Lovely review 🙂