The second in a new series, EARLY TO DEATH, EARLY TO RISE documents what happens when a dark timekeeper -- controller of the dark reapers, those whose job it is to cull human lives in order to save their souls -- decides that the power of choice overrules the power of fate.

The light timekeeper -- controller of the light reapers, whose job it is to put a guardian angel over beings to ensure they live out their natural lifespan, no matter how many people their choices hurt -- takes malicious delight in hounding the new dark timekeeper, Madison. The seraphs are watching to see if Madison's new way of doing things can change human potential, as well as light and dark reaper potential, for the better. Madison may be dead, but with ditching school, sneaking out when her dad is asleep and trying to figure out the next "mark" one step ahead of the light timekeeper, she has a heck of a life!

One probably ought to read ONCE DEAD, TWICE SHY first in order to get all the background and a more thorough exposition to EARLY TO DEATH, EARLY TO RISE, but the work is enjoyable and shows a lot of room for interesting developments throughout the series.