Neither my middle schooler nor high schooler could get into this one, and I actually couldn’t finish it either. Though I found the story interesting, it just wasn’t a writing style that drew me in. If you read the first few chapters and aren’t won over, just know that it will continue in that same tone and style throughout. It’s told from the perspective of “Death,” using sort of philosophical, almost poetic language —which was actually a source of confusion for all of us when we started the story.

My middle schooler and I both read this recently. We enjoyed it, but maybe not as much as I thought we would given the hype. I'd say this is firmly "Young Adult" (mostly for language, but also for some adult themes) and would recommend it for more mature middle school readers.