Review of Messenger of Fear by Michael Grant

Advance Review of Michael Grant's Messenger of Fear

Release Date: September 23rd, 2014

Synopsis as found on GoodReads.com:

I remembered my name – Mara. But, standing in that ghostly place, faced with the solemn young man in the black coat with silver skulls for buttons, I could recall nothing else about myself.

And then the games began.

The Messenger sees the darkness in young hearts, and the damage it inflicts upon the world. If they go unpunished, he offers the wicked a game. Win, and they can go free. Lose, and they will live out their greatest fear.

But what does any of this have to do with Mara? She is about to find out . . .

Snippet from book as found on MichaelGrantBooks.co.uk:

“Who are you?”

That was the first question I asked the boy in front of me. The pale, solemn young man in the black coat with small silver skulls for buttons.

But he didn’t answer it. Instead he answered the question I never asked, but which was nevertheless what I really wanted to know.

Am I dead?

No, not dead, he told me.

But surely not quite alive, either. How could I be?
I remembered my name – Mara. But, standing in that ghostly place, still shuddering at the memory of the creeping yellow mist that had awoken me in that strange, silent land, I could recall nothing else about myself.

The Messenger sees the darkness in young hearts. If they go unpunished, he offers the wicked a game. Win, and they can go free. Lose, and they will live out their greatest fear.

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4 or so years ago, I read the first book in the Gone Series. I enjoyed it, but never got around to continue the series. All I can really remember from it (beyond the plot) is the length. I remember how long it was (at almost 600 pages), which is almost unheard of in YA books. So it was a big shock for me when I realized that this book is less than 300 pages.

I am happy that I actually enjoyed this book. The plot is something I have not seen before. Mixing together Mythology, the Grim Reaper, & a Fear Demon to make a mysterious male protagonist who is training his replacement in the female character, Mara. He is known only as the Messenger.

I can't say too much without ruining the story for you, so I will say this: If you want a good quick read with interesting characters & an innovative plot, check out Michael Grant's new series, Messenger of Fear!