Nine Lives

~ by J.D. Ellison

One ababacu

Nine stones.

One life per stone.

When the last stone fades, death comes to collect.

Death, renamed Abacus by Aunt Clare, is the keeper of lives. He carries a golden abacus threaded with nine stones, each one marking borrowed time. When they’re gone, so are you. Most people never know how close they are to the end. But some do. Those with certain abilities can feel Abacus when he’s nearby. And according to legend, a rare bloodline can deny him altogether, even defeat him.

Aunt Clare was one of those gifted souls. Aware of the cost, she chose never to have children, unwilling to pass the burden on. Fate, however, has other plans. Her nephew Cian inherits the same power, and after a terrifying encounter in Clare’s home, he somehow manages the impossible: he drives Abacus away and saves her life.

Determined to prepare Cian for what lies ahead, Aunt Clare begins training him in secret, insisting he never tell anyone, not even his parents. He does tell. The lessons stop. And not long after, Abacus returns to claim Aunt Clare for good.

Years later, Cian comes home from the Marines trying to bury his past and deny the power that once defined him. But when he connects with a disparate group of others who carry abilities of their own, denial is no longer an option. He’s forced to confront impossible choices. Do you bend death to buy more time? Do you challenge it outright? And how much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice to do what’s right?

Ellison delivers a richly diverse cast and develops each with care and intention. Every character feels distinct, layered, and necessary. Aunt Clare is eccentric, nurturing, and quietly resolute. Cian is beautifully complex, guarded and awkward on the surface, yet deeply human in moments of intimacy. Inara is grounded, open, and unafraid to speak truth. Vale is fierce, expressive, loyal, and magnetic. Even beyond these, the supporting cast adds weight and texture without ever feeling disposable.

The atmosphere is equally compelling. Ellison’s prose is vivid and immersive, pulling readers fully into the world of Nine Lives. You don’t just see the scenes, you feel them, the scents, the tension, the emotional gravity of every choice. His writing carries a cinematic quality that unfolds effortlessly, scene by scene.

Nine Lives is the first installment in the Out of Time series, and it is absolutely one worth your time. I’m honored to have been asked to read and review this novel post-publication, and I can confidently say it’s a journey you won’t want to miss. I, for one, will be waiting in line for the second book to hit the shelves!

I would like to thank J.D. Ellison for requesting me to read Nine Lives. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation, current or future by the author for a fair and honest review.

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