Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt

Keturah is a remarkable storyteller, hoping for true love and a modest future in her small, poor village. When one day she finds herself deep in the nearby woods, near death, she avoids the enigmatic and severe Lord Death by doing what she knows best—telling him a story. Lord Death allows Keturah one day—to either say goodbye to her family and friends and die, or find and marry her true love and live.

Keturah and Lord Death is a lovely, dark, and enticing tale. The mood of the book is finely tuned; Leavitt handles the issue of death and the character of Lord Death very well, balancing the darker subjects and complicated emotions with every day levity and romance. The best part about this book is the cast of characters; each one is developed and lovable, and Leavitt is sure to make sure that they each get their own happy ending, apart from Keturah's fate. The world-building is magical, and the story unfolds so seamlessly that it's easy to get lost in Keturah's world and her search for true love. But this book is about much for than just Keturah and death, it's about love, loyalty, the power of friendship, and the cycles of life. This is a remarkable book to be read again and again.

Cover Comments: I feel like the darkness of the cover is very appropriate, given the setting and the tone of the book. It almost borders on frightening, which I feel might give the wrong impression. It's not as romantic as the hardcover cover, but I do like it a lot.

Review copy borrowed!