Review: Death of a Popstar - Volume #1 - Violet Karim

Review: Death of a Pop Star - Volume #1 - Violet Karim - September 2025

You know those seasons of life where work just swallows you whole? That was me these past few weeks , head down, to-do lists multiplying like gremlins, and by the time I'd finally collapse onto the sofa of an evening, I'd pick up a book and read the same paragraph four times without a single word landing. My concentration had practically packed its bags and left. So when this gorgeous physical ARC of Death of a Popstar Volume 1 arrived, I genuinely wasn't sure I'd be in the right headspace for it. Reader, it fixed me.

The premise is wonderfully absurd in the best possible way. Sophie Lim is sitting pretty at number one on the pop charts ,  the whole world adores her  until she takes a tumble down the stairs which I believe she was pushed and, well, that's rather that. Except it isn't, because the Grim Reaper turns out to be her biggest fan. Eli strikes a deal with her: Sophie gets her life back, but there's a catch (there's always a catch, isn't there). She has to navigate the very ordinary, very humbling world of college, all while the universe quietly panics around her because her soul is floating about unclaimed and cosmic balance is hanging by a thread.

What makes this such a perfect pick-me-up for a frazzled, distracted reader is how utterly joyful the storytelling is. The humour is warm and sharp all at once  watching a global superstar fumble through campus life, trying to fit in with classmates who either don't recognise her or definitely do and are acting strange about it, is endlessly entertaining. Sophie is a character you root for immediately. She's not perfect, she's not always likeable, but she's real in all the ways that matter, and watching her begin to rediscover herself outside the glare of the spotlight is genuinely moving.

The art is gorgeous and expressive throughout, perfectly capturing both the comedic beats and the quieter, more tender moments. And Eli , I won't say too much, but the dynamic between Sophie and her surprisingly devoted Grim Reaper is the kind of slow-burn I will absolutely be losing sleep over in future volumes.

Twenty-two episodes in one physical collection made this feel like a proper cosy binge, and honestly, that's exactly what I needed. A warm cup of tea, a blanket, and Death of a Popstar and my reading mojo is officially back.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4rtsKBF