DENTON LITTLE'S DEATHDATE

Narrator and first-time author Lance Rubin shines as the voice of Denton Little, an "early" in a world in which AstroThanatoGenetics determines the exact date of people's deaths. As Denton's date of death approaches, strange and ominous things begin to happen. He and his best friend must navigate his funeral, prom, and love triangles, as well as threatening secrets that surround his family. Rubin's pacing and tone capture the suspense of a mounting mystery, and his bold, idiosyncratic delivery beautifully illustrates Denton's thoughts. His characterizations of family members and Denton's peers add wry humor and poignance to each scene. This is a refreshingly bizarre premise, well grounded in the realities of high school and family life, and Rubin's dynamic, offbeat charm stands out as he performs his debut novel. K.S.B. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2015]