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Christopher Mannino
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School of Deaths (The Scythe Wielder's Secret) Paperback – April 16, 2015

by Christopher Mannino (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 206 ratings
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Thirteen-year-old Suzie Sarnio always believed the Grim Reaper was a fairy tale image of a skeleton with a scythe. Now, forced to enter the College of Deaths, she finds herself training to bring souls from the Living World to the Hereafter. The task is demanding enough, but as the only female in the all-male College, she quickly becomes a target. Attacked by both classmates and strangers, Suzie is alone in a world where even her teachers want her to fail. Scythes hungry for souls, Deaths who enslave a race of mysterious magicians, and echoes of an ancient war with Dragons. Caught in the middle of a plot to overthrow the World of Deaths, Suzie must uncover the reason she's been brought there: the first female Death in a million years.
Book One of The Scythe Wielder's Secret Trilogy
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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 3
    The Scythe Wielder's Secret
  2. Print length
    252 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    MuseItUp Publishing
  5. Publication date
    April 16, 2015
  6. Dimensions
    5.98 x 0.57 x 9.02 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1771276835
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1771276832
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"If I could, I'd give it 10 out of 5 stars!" - Angeline's Books Booktube Channel
"Not just a book for young adults, but an imaginative read for everyone who likes something a little bit different. 5 Stars!" - Reader's Favorite
"If you loved Harry Potter, you'll love School of Deaths." - A Book Utopia Booktube Channel
"Excellent for young adults who search for new creative plots, relatable characters, motivational messages & themes, and finally a great enjoyable read." -OnlineBookClub
"With strong characters, a fairly fast moving plot, and snappy dialogue, this novel should keep readers engaged from the beginning to the end. Five Stars." -Book Breeze Magazine
"Agripping tale like no other, School of Deaths is sure to have readers turning pages with bated breath." - Red City Reviews
"I loved this book. I was so engrossed in the story with all its mysteries and conspiracies, I couldn't put down my e-reader." - Dinara Tengri Reviews

From the Back Cover

Book One of The Scythe Wielder's Secret Trilogy

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ MuseItUp Publishing (April 16, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 252 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1771276835
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1771276832
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.98 x 0.57 x 9.02 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 206 ratings

About the author

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Christopher Mannino

Christopher Mannino

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Christopher Mannino has spent a liftetime dreaming and reading. He studied mythology and literature both in America and at Oxford. Growing up with adventure and fantasy stories filled with magic and imagination fueled him to create stories of his own.

Mannino's first novel, School of Deaths, began with a semester abroad at Oxford. On one side-trip, he became stranded on the Cornish coast, by Tintagel, the legendary birthplace of King Arthur. Following a sleepless night above a noisy pub he climbed to a rocky peninsula to watch the dawn. Feeling completely alone, and attacked by winds from every direction as he clung to a cliff, Mannino imagined a character isolated in a strange world, attacked and bullied.

The Scythe Wielder's Secret is a series of Young Adult fantasy novels, which address issues of bullying, sexism, and social justice, all in a rich epic fantasy adventure world. For adults, he has released Pillars of Chaos, a science fiction thriller perfect for fans of Dan Brown. He is currently working on several new fantasy novels.

Learn more about Mannino and his books at www.ChristopherMannino.com

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
206 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Gladys #XOXOtheNerdGirl
5.0 out of 5 stars Magical
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2016
Verified Purchase
*This book was provided to me by the author/publisher for an honest review*

I am so into middle grade/YA fantasy right now and this book was right up there with my recent reads! It transports you into the heroine’s mind and leaves you dangling with anticipation. This is truly and riveting story! The premise is wonderful and the character development was on point!!

In School of Death, we have thirteen-year-old Suzie Sarnio, who just happens to be the first female death in a million years. Talk about pressure! She didn’t even think grim reapers existed much less there be a school for them with JUST HER AS THE ONLY GIRL!! Like being a girl during your early teenage years is enough to pull your hair out.

This book provided the reader the privy of looking inside of her and her struggles with being different. Although a fiction story, young readers can gain a lot from understanding Suzie’s struggle to with being different. I don’t think Mr. Mannino anticipated a lesson within is pages but if he did, Congrats. I think all young tweens should read this! It provides them with a determined and head strong heroine to look up to.

5 Stars and a tip of my Nerd Girl hat!!!

*This book was done in conjunction with Nerd Girl.
One person found this helpful
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Got My Book
4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting twist on the "Magic School" tale and a likeable protagonist.
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2016
Verified Purchase
SERIES INFO: This is Book #1 of 2 (so far) in the “Scythe Wielder’s Secrets” trilogy. According to the author, “the audiobook for Sword of Deaths (book 2) should be available by the end of April, or at least the beginning of May.” Book #3, Daughter of Deaths is expected to be published some time in 2017.

CHARACTERS:
Suzie: She was really fun to spend time with. She was quite level headed and has all the necessary heroine traits without being a Mary Sue.

The minor characters (such as Cronk & Athanasius) were really interesting; strangely more interesting than Suzie’s gang, who only started to really become individuals in my mind towards the end.

STORY:
Right from the beginning, we were able to quickly grasp what was happening to Suzie and the impact it had had on her and her family. The explanations when she was taken to the world between were skillfully handled.

I have to give bonus points to a story that includes a library as a significant setting. And it's nice that she chooses (and does well in) Art class.

None of the twists were real surprises, except one. The book ends with significant changes, but leaves much still to be resolved. I am looking forward to meeting the Dragons.

NARRATION:
I am not sure why a male narrator was chosen for a book who’s main character is a middle grade girl. That said, he did a really good job. I felt that his reading matched the tone of the story. / I appreciate the way he handled things such as a “whiny voice” or stammer without making them irritable. / I listened on my usual 1.25 speed.

FAVORITE PART(S):
Joe - I wish there was more of him in the book (and I think cinnamon gum stinks too Suzie) / Suzie interrupting boskery try-outs / The two reaping scenes (especially Suzie’s compassion) / Suzie’s visit to the Doctor (for *gasp* female issues)

I COULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT: Occasional use of the Lord’s name in vain

MY RATINGS:
--Narration: ABOVE AVERAGE
--Enjoyment: ABOVE AVERAGE
--Re-readability: ABOVE AVERAGE

I received this book free in return for an honest review.
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The Bookwyrm Speaks
5.0 out of 5 stars Creative and Original!
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2016
Verified Purchase
Suzie Sarnio is a regular 13 year old girl, with regular 13 year old girl problems. Lately, she has developed a new one though. She has begun dropping weight at an alarming rate, no matter how much she eats. Her parents are convinced she either has an eating disorder or a disease, so she see's doctors for both. Unknown to them all, The cause of the weight loss isnt anorexia, it's her body preparing for a new life. That life starts when a man in a black cloak carrying a huge scythe comes to he house one day, grabs her, and disappears with her, only to appear a second later with her in a field next to a pond. It seems Suzie has been chosen to be a new Death! She will start at the school for Deaths, and cant go home unitl she passes her test in one years time. If she fails, she must remain a Death until she fades of old age or is killed on duty as a Death. Oh, and one more thing. She is the first female Death in a million years, the last one being a crazy traitor that colluded with the Dragon's to fight the Deaths.
As you can imagine, it would be really easy to slide into a Harry Potter type knockoff pretty easily. Instead, Christopher Mannino goes very much his own way, creating a likeable cast of characters, with some truly nasty looks at how a closed society can treat outsiders. Suzie goes through the usual hazing rituals and more, taking it all in stride, even though she is lonely and afraid at times, and desperately want to go back to her family. If she doesnt pass her test, she will never see her family again. On top of that, she has come across a conspiracy that can effect the entire world of the Deaths, possibly hurting or killing those friends she has come to love. Will Suzie and her friends be able to overcome such huge odds? Well, you'll have to listen to find out, although it is definitely worth your time.
I was really impressed with Joel Froomkin's narration. He did an outstanding job, especially considering the disparity in voices, ages and accents he had to handle. He really helped bring this story to life.
Any fan of Harry Potter or similar books should really enjoy this book, as will fans of fantasy in general.

I was given a copy of this book at no charge by the author in exchange for an honest review through Audiobook Boom.
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Top reviews from other countries

Neil Drought
5.0 out of 5 stars You Are Strong
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 23, 2022
Verified Purchase
Great idea of the book, switching the narrative from the normal. There was a lot going on that kept you wondering all the way until the end of the book, but it has left enough unknowns in place to keep me wanting to read the next book. All in all an enjoyable read.
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Anne Stenhouse
5.0 out of 5 stars This classic Young Adult novel is a page turning delight. Suzie Sarnio is losing weight and no amount ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2016
Verified Purchase
This classic Young Adult novel is a page turning delight. Suzie Sarnio is losing weight and no amount of medical help will reverse that trend. The reason is not straightforward - what kind of mystery would that make? - and Mannino takes his readers on a roller-coaster ride of teenage angst, bullying, prejudice, fear and growing pains. His insights about what worries youngsters and what makes them happy strike chords of recognition even though it's a while since I was a teenager. Suzie stays true to her warm and strong personality throughout the trials that punctuate her year. Maybe I'd rather she didn't slap quite so many of her friends, but it's a small point.
One person found this helpful
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