Book Review: The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch, Volume One: At the Edge of Empire by Daniel Kraus

---

At The Edge of Empire
The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch (Volume One)
Author: Daniel Kraus
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Released: October 27, 2015
Review Source: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

May 7, 1896. Dusk. A swaggering seventeen-year-old gangster named Zebulon Finch is gunned down on the shores of Lake Michigan. But after mere minutes in the void, he is mysteriously resurrected. His second life will be nothing like his first.

Zebulon's new existence begins as a sideshow attraction in a traveling medicine show. From there, he will be poked and prodded by a scientist obsessed with mastering the secrets of death. He will fight in the trenches of World War I. He will run from his nightmares—and from poverty—in Depression-era New York City. And he will become the companion of the most beautiful woman in Hollywood. Love, hate, hope, and horror—Zebulon finds them. But will he ever find redemption?

Ambitious and heartbreaking, The Death & Life of Zebulon Finch, Volume 1: At the Edge of Empire is the epic saga of what it means to be human in a world so often lacking in humanity.

I won't lie, I was a bit intimidated by this book. 642 pages can do that to someone. Luckily this book pulled me in straight away and kept me hooked the entire time! To say that was a relief is an understatement. You always want a big book to be good!

Zebulon, our narrator, is telling us his story. That is one of my favorite things about this book: the writing style Daniel Kraus went for. It definitely helps in keeping you interested. The characters each stood out on their own and in their own ways. Zeblon's character arc throughout the book was amazing. The book summary tells you that in itself, really. Zebulon's life is full of amazement and wonder with so many things that he goes through. You'll stay entertained!

There was SO MUCH content! Which is a great thing, don't get me wrong, but you have to keep up with it so it doesn't boggle your mind at times. I found myself kind of taking moments to rethink about what happened, but it didn't slow me down at all!

At the Edge of Empire is definitely something you should add to your book shelves. It's so different and amazing. Truly unlike anything I've ever read before and I can't wait for volume two!