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peculiarly_reading's review against another edition
4.0
Would consider this Fantasy-Lite. Well-written, east to connect with the characters. I was actually really impressed by how much I enjoyed Cass’s perspective. The story was a bit predictable, but still engaging. The ending was apt. World building was something to be desired, but good enough for a stand alone. A good time, I listened to it in like two sittings over the course of a day. I would honestly be really happy with this being a series of novellas, especially because I started to really enjoy the dynamic Cass has with the queen by the end. What do you say we keep these goods vibes going?
10lewis2011's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
niiiiiinja_clem's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
betsy_daniel's review
4.0
There are many things I love about this book:
1. The Pace: I was pleasantly surprised when the book immediately jumped into the plot, avoiding lengthy history lessons and unnecessary details. At first, it shocked me, but then I realized how much I appreciated it! Most fantasy books I’ve read spend nearly half the book setting up the story, but this one dives right in.
2. The Main Character The protagonist being a man was a refreshing change for me. Every other fantasy I’ve read has featured a female main character, so this was a breath of fresh air.
3. The Plot and Writing: The story was captivating and well-written. The plot twist towards the end was so surprising that it made me get out of bed and take a walk. While some aspects could have been explained in more detail like why can Cas see ghosts, how does the plague really work, what happens to Ventillas, do the brothers actually end up reuniting? It leaves me wanting more but overall, it was written exceptionally well.
I do wish the author had spent a few more chapters wrapping things up, as the ending felt a bit rushed. Additionally, I would have liked to see the two main characters spend more time together as a couple, but that’s just the hopeless romantic in me. Overall, it's a really strong standalone fantasy!
1. The Pace: I was pleasantly surprised when the book immediately jumped into the plot, avoiding lengthy history lessons and unnecessary details. At first, it shocked me, but then I realized how much I appreciated it! Most fantasy books I’ve read spend nearly half the book setting up the story, but this one dives right in.
2. The Main Character The protagonist being a man was a refreshing change for me. Every other fantasy I’ve read has featured a female main character, so this was a breath of fresh air.
3. The Plot and Writing: The story was captivating and well-written. The plot twist towards the end was so surprising that it made me get out of bed and take a walk. While some aspects could have been explained in more detail like why can Cas see ghosts, how does the plague really work, what happens to Ventillas, do the brothers actually end up reuniting? It leaves me wanting more but overall, it was written exceptionally well.
I do wish the author had spent a few more chapters wrapping things up, as the ending felt a bit rushed. Additionally, I would have liked to see the two main characters spend more time together as a couple, but that’s just the hopeless romantic in me. Overall, it's a really strong standalone fantasy!
lindsaygiunta's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
rileyreads23's review
4.0
Everything about this book was enjoyable - that's really the only way to put it. I enjoyed the characters, the setting, the plot twists, the writing. I'd definitely recommend checking out this standalone fantasy novel.
My only qualm was that I wanted MORE. These characters were so real and has such strong backstories that I found myself wondering why Lucier didn't expand the novel. Year of the Reaper easily could have been a 400-500 page book with differing POVs, or even flashbacks to the MC's past.
So, long story short, I think this book was great - but could have been incredible with just a pinch more development and length.
My only qualm was that I wanted MORE. These characters were so real and has such strong backstories that I found myself wondering why Lucier didn't expand the novel. Year of the Reaper easily could have been a 400-500 page book with differing POVs, or even flashbacks to the MC's past.
So, long story short, I think this book was great - but could have been incredible with just a pinch more development and length.
triley's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
popthebutterfly's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Disclaimer: I got this book at my library. Support your local library! All opinions are my own.
Book: Year of the Reaper
Author: Makiia Lucier
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, historical fiction, mystery, high fantasy
Publication Date: November 9, 2021
Genre: YA Fantasy
Age Relevance: 13+ (illness, plague, vomit and blood gore, war, PTSD, nonconsensual experimental procedures)
Explanation of Above: The book showcases a plague that just occurred and shows and mentions illness that is still around. There is vomit and blood gore in the book, as well as war mentioned. PTSD is shown in the book. There is also a scene where people are shown to be experimented on without their consent.
Publisher: Clarion Books
Pages: 324
Synopsis: The past never forgets... Before an ambush by enemy soldiers, Lord Cassia was an engineer's apprentice on a mission entrusted by the king. But when plague sweeps over the land, leaving countless dead and devastating the kingdom, even Cas’ title cannot save him from a rotting prison cell and a merciless sickness. Three years later, Cas wants only to return to his home in the mountains and forget past horrors. But home is not what he remembers. His castle has become a refuge for the royal court. And they have brought their enemies with them. When an assassin targets those closest to the queen, Cas is drawn into a search for a killer… one that leads him to form an unexpected bond with a brilliant young historian named Lena. Cas and Lena soon realize that who is behind the attacks is far less important than why. They must look to the past, following the trail of a terrible secret—one that could threaten the kingdom’s newfound peace and plunge it back into war.
Review: This book was really interesting. The book focused on our main character whose name is Cassia. He works for the king as an engineer's apprentice and he is sent on a mission by the King with a whole battalion of people. But then a plague, strikes and some other stuff goes down and anyways he ends up being captured by this other kingdom. Years later he is able to return back to his original Kingdom but his home is not what he remembers it to be. There is also an assassin that is on the loose that is trying to do in the queen and that sends our main character on this mission to figure out why and who. For the most part, I thought that the concept that this book was really interesting and the world building of it was pretty well done. I also liked the characters and I like that there was like a lot of twists and turns to these characters.
However, I wanted more plague in my plague book. For it being this really focal thing that happened it wasn't mentioned a lot nor was it really a thing at play. This book felt a lot more like a book that was a second or a third in a series rather than it being a standalone. And I just feel like there could have been more of just about everything and maybe it would have made the book better.
However, I wanted more plague in my plague book. For it being this really focal thing that happened it wasn't mentioned a lot nor was it really a thing at play. This book felt a lot more like a book that was a second or a third in a series rather than it being a standalone. And I just feel like there could have been more of just about everything and maybe it would have made the book better.
Verdict: It was good, but I wanted more plague.