[Spotlight Post] Amber Benson and the Calliope Reaper-Jones Novel Series
This week’s spotlight is on an author whose work I admire-whether it’s her written work or her performances. She is a very talented entertainer, and I look forward to meeting her one day. Today, I spotlight Amber Benson and her Calliope Reaper-Jones series.
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Some authors don’t read books that are similar in tone or subject as something they write. I get the concept. I just don’t follow it. If I did, I would’ve have discovered this wonderful series. Calliope Reaper-Jones is rapidly becoming my second favorite Death character. Pushing Terry Pratchett to third (sorry Sir Terry).
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Benson’s series a different take on Death than what we do in Redheads of the Apocalypse (which isn’t any stretch of the imagination). She has Death set up as a corporation run by a family but with a Board of Directors. Calliope is the daughter of the current Death and has fought her family “Tradition” her whole life…until life, the universe, and everything conspire to bring her back-kicking and screaming- into the family business.
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Calliope is a “reluctant” hero, but she does step up-like all good heroes-but she does with her own style, plenty of snarky attitude, and some long-suffering companions. Her secondary characters are vibrant and important (I love Jarvis and Runt!) And she lets Calliope have some very HUMAN characteristics and foibles. She’s is very definitely NOT a “perfect” heroine. She is allowed to make mistakes (lots of mistakes) but she also learns from them and when push comes to shove, Calliope does the right thing.
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Since I’ve got plenty of ‘Tude and Snark in my personality, I actually enjoy it in my reading. And Amber Benson does it very well. I love this whole series. This series now consists of four books with plenty of adventure left. I wish Amber Benson a lot of luck with this series and anything else she might write, because I’ll read it.