Laugh Your Ass Off... Denton Little's Deathdate by Lance Rubin

Denton Little's Deathdate Denton Little Book One
Written by Lance Rubin
Contemporary, Science Fiction, Humour
Published March 2015
352 Pages
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Australia
Add to Goodreads
RATING ★★★★
Denton Little's Deathdate takes place in a world exactly like our own except that everyone knows the day they will die. For seventeen year old Denton Little, that's tomorrow, the day of his senior prom.

Despite his early deathdate, Denton has always wanted to live a normal life, but his final days are filled with dramatic firsts. First hangover. First sex. First love triangle, as the first sex seems to have happened not with his adoring girlfriend, but with his best friend's hostile sister. His anxiety builds when he discovers a strange purple rash making its way up his body. Is this what will kill him? And then a strange man shows up at his funeral, claiming to have known Denton's long deceased mother, and warning him to beware of suspicious government characters… Suddenly Denton's life is filled with mysterious questions and precious little time to find the answers.

Debut author Lance Rubin takes us on a fast, furious, and outrageously funny ride through the last hours of a teenager's life as he searches for love, meaning, answers, and, just maybe, a way to live on.
Denton Little lives in a world dying isn't left to fate, genetic testing is now able to diagnose when you will die. Denton is classed as an Early, his Deathdate strikes before the seventeen year old can experience life... But that is about to change. On the day of his wake, in which Denton is the guest of honour, he wakes up with not only a hangover, but in his best friends sister's bed. He can vaguely remember his girlfriend breaking up with him the night before, or can he?

He may have known since he was only five years old, when his father and step mother decided to tell Denton that he would never become an adult, but nothing could prepare you for your life ending and how. It could be the strange purple rash that is rapidly spreading on his leg, the school dope smoker than insists on trying to plow him down with his car or girlfriend Taryn's former boyfriend, who is clearly crazy enough to take the dying boy out. 

But when a strange man at Denton's funeral warns of government conspiracies and once knowing his deceased mother, Denton needs answers that his gruff father is unable to provide. The clock is ticking and Denton's life could expire at any moment. Who would want to kill an already dying boy... Unless Denton plans on living.

MY THOUGHTS

Denton Little's Deathdate is a hilarious story of dying, living and what you do with the in between. Denton isn't popular, nor is he a ladies man. He's intelligent, conforming and a teen that parents would be proud of. But in a society where at birth your date of death is determined, Denton realises that he's never truly lived his life. He's never had a hangover, he's never felt a wild abandonment and he's certainly never had sex. But when Denton wakes up after a night of drunken sex, he can cross two more achievements off his list and a girlfriend that is none the wiser.

With his best friend and partner in crime Pablo, Denton is in for forty eight hours of fast living and mayhem, all before he kicks the bucket. An elderly police officer who is ready to strike, a gun toting former boyfriend of his current but not for much longer girlfriend, slowly turning purple and now a stranger who claims to have known his late mother, warns him of government conspiracies.

It was a strange of blend of contemporary and science fiction elements, Denton Little's Deathdate is nothing short of incredible. Denton is not only likable, but the cast of secondary characters inject personality and a lightheartedness throughout the storyline. Lance Rubin should be applauded for creating a brilliantly unique debut novel.

THE VERDICT

I laughed, I sniggered and snorted my way through reading Denton's story. It's fun, it's hilarious and never guilty of taking itself too seriously. It's the perfect release for those who enjoy the sillier side of fiction, myself included.

40 comments

  1. Sounds fun, another for the wishlist:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really was! I was snorting with laughter. Definitely a book that doesn't take itself too seriously.

      Delete
  2. I've heard lots of mixed things about this one but I'm so glad you liked it! I might pick it up! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's brilliant Frannie, really funny and will have you snorting throughout. It's a lighthearted take on dying, so I can imagine it wont be for everyone. But if you like dark comedy, you'll adore it.

      Delete
  3. You had me at "laughing your ass off" aha. Anyway, this just looks like a FUN book. I think I'll save it for the day where I need some cheering up. ^_^

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's one of those titles that is perfect for pulling yourself out of a book slump too. We need more comedy in young adult and this is the perfect example. So incredibly funny. Definitely don't save it for a rainy day grab a copy and enjoy it!

      Delete
  4. I started reading this and then my sister stole it off me -_- Well, I'm just glad that she doesn't hate my taste in books for once. Can't wait to actually read this :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't wait to see what you think of it! Just so funny, and I love that it doesn't take itself too seriously either, considering it's about dying. The science fiction twist was a little out there, but loved it nonetheless.

      Delete
  5. Hahaha what the heck, such an odd and silly book - but I really want to read it! It would definitely suck ass to know your own death date, so I'm really impressed with how Denton handles it. :P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really is, but so wonderfully written and really quirky. I haven't read anything like it and probably won't for a long time to come Joy. Denton is adorable, but wait until you meet Pablo, you'll want to take him home.

      Delete
  6. Please don't tell me he actually does die in the end? That would make me not want to read the book if that's the case, because, I would get attached to the character and having him die on me in the end would be too much of a torture!

    Faye at The Social Potato

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Without spoiling it, I can safely say that you can read this one without worrying about anything other than enjoying it. It's brilliant, quirky, super funny and had me snorting all night. Read it Faye, it's one that definitely doesn't disappoint.

      Delete
  7. Honestly, this story sounds so adorable and like a ton of fun. Something you just need something easy and breezy to read inbetween those dark, gritty books, and this book seems like a fast read I'd love to pick up! Dante sounds like an awesome character, and I'm definitely interested to see his character growth throughout the novel. Plus, the events in the novel- the rash, the government conspiracy, the girlfriend thing- seem to be completely random events, so I want to see how the author managed to weave them together! I'm so glad that you enjoyed it. :D

    Lovely review! <33 I'm definitely going to have to pick this book up!

    -Aneeqah @ My Not So Real Life

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are Aneeqah, but woven together they make a brilliantly funny and adventurous read. It's not only Denton, but the cast of characters are all incredible. I can't wait to see what you think of it Aneeqah.

      Delete
  8. I don't think I recognise anything about the title or cover of this book, but it sounds interesting! (I think, generally speaking, I'm fairly ignorant of Simon & Schuster titles...?) Lovely review - I'm definitely going to try to get my hands on this one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's brilliant! Simon and Schuster are releasing some incredible young adult titles this year, and this is just but of one my instant favourites so far. Grab a copy Sophie, you'll laugh your ass off.

      Delete
  9. I'm currently reading this and it's so fun! Such a creative, unique story and so far, it's been a blast to read. Look forward to seeing how things end... Glad you enjoyed it, Kelly!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooh, glad to hear you're enjoying it too poppet, it's laugh your ass off funny isn't it. I can't wait to see what you think of it!

      Delete
  10. I've got it my TBR :-) :-) looking forward to reading it (hopefully soon) :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope soon too Sarah. You'll absolutely love this one, the humour is so incredibly funny, really dark and witty.

      Delete
  11. I feel like I'm with Faye. Did he die in the end, Kelly?? DID HE? I'm about to read this too and I'm so excited because I've been looking for a novel that will make me laugh. But KELLY WHAT IF HE DIESSSS? *clutches heart * Great review as always K! <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well where's the fun in that if I tell you what happens Paula, naughty naughty. This will definitely make you laugh, it's a dark, morbid kind of humour that is just so incredibly funny. I loved his best friend Pablo, LOVED him. He had a kind of naive lovability that you'll completely fall in love with, READ IT! You'll love it Paula.

      Delete
  12. There seem to be a collection of books with tropes similar to this one: The realities surrounding life & death and how to find joy in the midst of it all. I’m reminded of the books, “The Fault in Our Stars” as well as,“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.” Have you read them? I don’t mind books that take on these analogies at all, but I definitely have to be in the mood for contemporary (I'm obsessed with dystopia; help me!) :P

    This one sounds fascinating though, since it entails elements found within the science fiction genre! I may have to recommend this one to my a few bookish friends of mine that are hardcore contemporary fanatics. Great review Kelly :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It holds the same type of premise, but unlike books like The Fault in Our Stars, it's actually a fun and lighthearted take on death. It sounds pretty morbid, but it's more an adventure comedy with a smidgen of science fiction woven in. But it really works. I was killing myself laughing throughout, pardon the pun. It's such an entertaining read Claudia, and don't let that premise fool you, it's not sad or emotional at all, but really, really funny.

      Delete
  13. I don't usually read science fiction, but I think I'd like this one!

    Deb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's more contemporary, but has a science fiction twist in that technology can now determine the precise day when you're due to die. That's the only real science fiction element in there. So if you enjoy fun and adventurous young adult contemporaries, you'll absolutely love this one.

      Delete
  14. First of all, I love that cover. I didn't really check the synopsis much further though, and I'm glad that it's actually as humorous and bright as that cover is portraying. But oh Kelly, I can see I'm not the only one who wants to know if Denton is going to die. XD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh no, my lips are sealed. But without giving too much away, there's sequel coming out so that might be a fair indication to what happens at the end. I actually really love the cover, it's so bright and is a great indication to how fun and witty this book actually is. Grab a copy and get ready to laugh yourself silly.

      Delete
  15. I WANT TO READ THIS JUST TO SEE IF HE DIES IN THE END. I'm with Faye and Paula on this one hahaha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My lips are completely sealed poppet, apart from the evil villain laugh that is escaping me. You'll have to read it for yourself. Mwahahaha.

      Delete
  16. Aw this actually sounds like a cute and adorable novel - this is actually the first time I'm even hearing about this novel, it's all news to me. I added this to my TBR now :) I like the sound of the contemporary and science fiction aspects, wonderful review as always. <3 Benish| Feminist Reflections

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Benish. And it really is, fun, funny and adventurous. I love the silliness and I flew through the pages, it was just THAT entertaining. Really looking forward to seeing what you think of it.

      Delete
  17. We all need a hilarious book like this once in a while - and even though this book hadn't been on my radar before, it certainly is now! Great to hear you loved it Kelly, fantastic review as always :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We do. All those fantasy and dystopian releases can get a bit depressing can't they, and there aren't many really funny contemporaries out there for your adults. This book was utterly brilliant, that sarcastic and dry humour that I end up snorting my behind off while reading. Grab a copy, it's incredible!

      Delete
  18. I have this one to read and it sounds like a hilarious and interesting concept. I'm interested in the living, dying and the inbetween and what's real and whatnot. Glad to hear you enjoyed this one Kelly!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so funny Jeann, a dry sarcastic humour that actually had me snorting. I think you'll really enjoy this one too, especially Pablo. Wait until you meet him. Super cute.

      Delete
  19. MY REACTION EXACTLY. I think I snorted rather ungraciously several times. But come now. Even we world ruler's can't be totally cool calm and collected at all times. I actually shut my eyes I was giggling so hard, but that sucks for reading. BUT STILL. I never have that kind of reaction to books!! XD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. See. See. It WAS funny, even the unflappable smushie thought so too. I was snorting too, that really unattractive laughing that makes you look ridiculous. I loved the dry sarcasm, so incredibly funny.

      Delete
  20. Great review Kelly! :) I wasn't too sure about this one, but I think I'm going to add it to my TBR now. I love a good book that makes me laugh, and could always do with more of those!

    - Wattle @ Whimsical Nature

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too Wattle. And there aren't too many around in young adult sadly. But this one is just so, so funny. Laugh out loud kind of funny. Really looking forward to seeing what you think of it.

      Delete

© Diva Booknerd. Design by Fearne.