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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
Honestly, I don’t even really know how to describe this book, but I loved it. It was so poignant and well-written, and I expect it to stick with me for years to come.
The descriptions of the post-apocalyptic US were stunning. I also thoroughly enjoyed how “southern” the characters, story, and landscape of this book felt. Being from the US south, this book felt familiar and frightening in a way I never expected, but wholly loved.
The only reason I gave it 4 Stars is because I found the ending a little disappointing.
The descriptions of the post-apocalyptic US were stunning. I also thoroughly enjoyed how “southern” the characters, story, and landscape of this book felt. Being from the US south, this book felt familiar and frightening in a way I never expected, but wholly loved.
The only reason I gave it 4 Stars is because I found the ending a little disappointing.
The Reapers Are the Angels utterly surprised me. Most post-apocalyptic books follow a tirelessly predictable pattern: loner hero goes on a journey that somehow enables him or her to bring the world back from destruction. I picked up this book thinking it would be a quick and easy read.I was only partially right. It was a fast read, but mostly because I was engrossed in the story and the language. The Reapers Are The Angels is not what I would call an easy read. For most of the novel, I was at the uneasy place that is the crossroads between disturbed and intrigued. Alden Bell captures the nature of a dystopia and the the people in it. You'll like Temple, even as you struggle to figure out her motives. The language Bell chooses fits perfectly if you're trying to explain God in such a dark and distressing place.
There are zombies, but its not a zombie novel - it's a compelling story of a human journey to reconcile faith, life, and ever-present tragedy and danger.
There are zombies, but its not a zombie novel - it's a compelling story of a human journey to reconcile faith, life, and ever-present tragedy and danger.
A surprise, how good this one is. One of the blurbs calls it "Flanner O'Connor with zombies," and that's totally accurate, only somehow doesn't put enough emphasis on the O'Connor part of the equation. It's Southern Gothic and it's great.
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
A beautifully written dystopian horror story about a young woman surviver during a zombie plague and the burdens she carries through her travels. Bell creates a grim, deadly United States were people are locked in a battle with, or fleeing from, the "slugs" as the zombies are called. Temple ends up on the wrong side of a battle worn man with an Old Testament eye-for-an-eye code and is forced to run through the country with a mentally challenged man whom she saves from the slugs along the way. The ending may or may not be satisfying, depending on your preference for happy or sad endings. It didn't quite meet with mine, hence the four stars. Nevertheless, it is a great read.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This book is beautiful, gross, disturbing, thoughtful, heartbreaking, and sweet. There are zombies and they’ve ruined the world, but the real dangers are, as usual, the people who are still alive. Love the main character. She will stick with the reader long after the end of the book.
I just want one apocalyptic novel without a graphic attempted rape or rape scene. Please.
dark
sad
slow-paced
To echo what other people have said this is a zombie book that is really nothing like a zombie book. The writing is reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy and very poetic. The protagonist, Temple is the enigmatic warrior. Although she is supposed to be 15 years old, this book certainly doesn't read like YA lit. It has very adult themes. It is the kind of book that wants to you to think. I didn't like the ending, in fact I hated the end, but at the same time I'm not sure it could have ended any other way.