Graveyard Shift by Angela Roquet

   This book is no doubt a mishmash of different religions and faiths all brought together in a rather sacrilegious story about a three-hundred-year-old girl named Lana that is a reaper of souls.  She is low on the totem pole in Limbo City and has no aspirations of greatness.  She doesn't want the lime light or extra responsibility.  Her boss, Grim (the original reaper), has other plans for her.  He doesn't trust Lana, that's for sure, but someone has recommended her for a certain task because of her unique ability to see more into a soul than the other reapers do.  It's the reason why she bends the rules so often for them.  It turns out that Maalik is the one who has gotten her this new job she didn't ask for in the first place.  Maalik likes Lana a lot, and few could resist his looks and charm.  However, Lana keeps him at arms length and does her best to keep it that way.  But it's hard to do with him popping up so often and now being on the council with Grim.  Not to mention, her life is starting to spiral out of control now with this new job.  She and the others on her team are looking for a soul to replace a thousand-year-old woman named Khadija.  She is very powerful.  In fact, she is the one that created Lana and made sure that she had the unique ability she does so that one day there would be someone to find a replacement for her.  If they don't find the replacement, Hell is going to break loose.  And unfortunately it's starting to slowly happen already.  Lana's team is repeatedly attacked by demons when they go out to harvest the souls on their list.  It seems like they always know when and where they will be, which makes Lana think there's an inside man spilling secrets.  Still, she must finish the job and try to stay alive in the process, which could prove tricky.

   My first thought when I started reading this book was one word: weird.  And it is definitely weird.  But mainly because it introduces ideas and a story that are new to me as a reader.  It's a unique look at the after life, and although I don't harbor the belief that it will be anything like this when we die, it was a very entertaining and different read.  I really liked the story line and the uniqueness of the book really does go a long way.  It pushes your thoughts and imagination to stretch beyond the normal box of our minds.  If you are looking for something new and different, then this is it!

4.5 out of 5 stars!!