Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Keeper of Night by Kylie Lee Baker

44 reviews

kkuesters's review against another edition

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adventurous dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I kept flip flopping how I felt about the story. I didn’t really care for the first 70 pages then I really liked the middle 200 pages but hated the last 100. I think what got me is that I really liked the mythology bits but I did not like Ren's actions at the end. Which would have been fine if they were justified but they just seemed very out of the blue to me. Overall, I liked it and would still recommend it but I’m hesitant about picking up the second book unless the description pulls me in. 
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ladevonne's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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annegoodreads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

The dark fantasy/horror/thriller is set in 1890s Britain and Japan.  But the story gives insight into worldwide folklore surrounding death and the idea of Death personified.  Death is one thing every single person in this world has in common.  Half British Reaper, half Japanese Shinigami, Ren Scarborough is a tormented girl.  She’s unloved by her father and stepmother.  She’s bullied for being biracial.  And she’s harboring her secret magical powers.  She does know the amazing true love of her stepbrother Neven.  For all the torment and darkness in the story, Neven is hopeful, loving, and empathetic.  Ren flees Britain to go to Japan to find her mother.  Neven goes with her just because he loves her.  The venture to Yokohama.  They meet the Goddess of Death Izanami.  To try to find her purpose and place of belonging Ren must defeat the Yokai.  Neven is so nice and trusting, he doesn’t stand a chance in the underworld.  
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kylieqrada's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Um ok, but, Kylie???? There is no way that this is your debut!!!!!!! I was absolutely just enthralled by this one. Like, couldn't put it down, ignoring all phone notifications, my left hip hurts from sitting badly on the couch, super hungry past time for lunch, enthralled. If you like morally gray characters, biracial bad-asses, Japanese folklore, and/or action-packed journeys to find oneself, you will like this. 

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betweentheshelves's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Ooo this was dark! And full of Japanese mythology. If you're looking for a book that has a morally gray main character who does some questionable things, this is the book for you. Baker does an excellent job creating this world and pulling you in with these characters. The entire book is atmospheric and engaging.

I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator absolutely helped make the story for me. She pulled me into Ren's story and helped with the world building and enchanting nature of the story. With that ending, I can't wait for the second book!
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rachelwierick's review against another edition

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I’m in the middle of an important action scene and I FELL ASLEEP. 
But for real…there is a totally unnecessary animal death scene, and yes I dnf’d the book, but as far as I can tell it didn’t add anything to the plot other than to be upsetting. After the protagonist gets to Japan, the book just seemed repetitive and slow, and I got so bored I started falling asleep during important scenes.  
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kilic's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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yamoksauce's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Well. That was an absolute banger. I need the sequel immediately.

Seriously: The Keeper of Night is excellent. The writing is both enchantingly beautiful and nauseatingly gruesome. THE BODY HORROR IS REAL. The characters are legitimately morally gray: they mess up, they mess up bad, they mess up and they're okay with it. The story moves quickly, but never rushes; and it had that moment where I was like, Ok, I'm calling off the rest of tonight's plans, because I NEED TO FINISH THIS BOOK.

Most importantly: this book is a powerful, heartbreaking examination of the unique racism that biracial people face and the extent to which people will go to feel like they belong. Even in the fantastic realm of Reapers and Shinigami and other Gods-of-Death, the analogy is crystal clear. Kylie Lee Baker pours her heart and soul into this novel and I am so lucky to have read it. 
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mariahkindareads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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wai's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I really enjoyed this novel. My mom is half Japanese and half white and has talked about facing issues of racism/xenophobia in both America and Japan because of it, yet it's still relatively rare to see representation of that. Plus I love the mythology of this world and I want to know more - I want to know about all the different cultures versions of reapers. 

I know a lot of people have mentioned not liking Ren, but personally I like that she's difficult and cold. It's interesting to see the discrepancies in what she said she was like vs her actions and reactions to things. And I've read books with male characters who were far more unlikable who we're supposed to sympathize with. But I do feel bad for Neven and think he deserves much better as well. 

I'm really interested in this as a duology and am not sure where the second book would go from here. I'll definitely be picking up a copy when it comes out.
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