BOOK REVIEW – The Girl Who Cheated Death by Alan Baker

I got a free advance readers’ copy in exchange for my honest review.

Imagine being able to see the angel of death. It would be quite horrifying to see your family die before your eyes as it was. Imagine, in addition to that, seeing their souls being taken while you helplessly look on.

The Girl Who Cheated Death is about Alexandra Drummond, Alex to everyone else except her mother. She is a normal teenager. Actually, scratch that, she is actually better than most. At 18, she is still a virgin and is an amazing big sister to her 6 year old baby sister, Bailey Drummond. Her life is shattered by a car accident which takes the lives of her entire family. What makes it even more horrendous is that she was able to see the angel of death, Azrael, take the souls of her parents and sister. Realizing that she could see him, Azrael starts haunting her, popping up unexpectedly everywhere she goes. Fearful for her life, she tells her closest family and friends about what is happening. Eventually she realizes that this can work in her favour and she can actually use what is going on to get her family back.

Alex was quite likable. She was young but had her head on her shoulders. I liked how responsible she was even though her best friend, Kate, was the total opposite. There was a scene where a very attractive boy, Jeremy, learned just how responsible she was and I loved it.

The plot was interesting. However, when I realized just exactly what had to happen to get her family back, I found it unbelievable. Honestly, I felt like it was a bit of a reach to get to that conclusion.

Without giving away too much, I did not like the ending of this book. It felt like I put in so much emotions into this book only to come out feeling dissatisfied. I am sorry that I cannot go into further detail without giving away the surprise. Maybe a different reader will find the conclusion of this story to be suitable but I just found it irritating.

Violence: There is a car crash which is described in detail. It is actually made worse by the fact that there is a young child involved. There is also a scene with attempted sexual assault
Sexual Content: Two scenes with very sexual behavior and other scenes with a lot of kissing.
Profanity: Mild
Religious Themes: The angel of death, Azrael is featured a lot in this book. There is also a lot of talk about the afterlife and spirits.
Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking: A scene with the use of marijuana

A horrific accident introduces a frightening supernatural presence into a young woman’s life, altering both her past and future.
Alexandra Drummond’s life is forever changed by a car wreck that kills her parents and sister. Ironically, recovering from her emotional and physical scars is not her biggest challenge. She is also haunted by Azrael, the angel of death.
On the morning of the accident, Alex watches as Azrael takes the souls of her family. And the visions keep coming. A man with oily black hair in a pinstripe suit appears to Alex in the hospital, outside her high school, and in the woods near her campsite.
She worries that she’s crazy, though Azrael appears to be just as threatened by her ability to see him. She confides in her doctor and friends and, while they appear to believe her, they are unable to help Alex banish death.
Midway through the book, the narrative takes an unexpected twist and Alex’s recovery is overshadowed by the realization that she could bring her family back to life. But Azrael is determined to stop Alex’s meddling and she must enlist the help of her remaining family and friends if there is any hope for success.