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lou_1440's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I really went into this expecting a fantasy novel, and Year of the Reaper doesn't deliver on that premise at all. The fantasy elements go pretty much completely unexplored and the villain turns out to be fairly uninteresting. I just wanted a little more out of this.
mybooksarenovel's review
4.0
A young man breaks free from his prison, and is trying to make his way home, only to get his horse stolen, kill a rabid lynx, stop the assassination of an infant and thrust headlong into a political mystery. This was a very inventive high fantasy YA story, full of court politics in a medieval plague style setting.
Read if you like: Everything I've stated in my synopsis.
- medieval setting
- plague
- royal politics
- two kingdoms trying to maintain their peace agreement
- adventure
- low and extremely innocent romanace
It had all the right things, but just never fully captured me. I will say, however, I would recommend it to anyone. I would very happily recommend this to my middle graders and young teens. If you have read Jennifer A. Nielsen's Ascendance series, it was very reminiscent of that.
Read if you like: Everything I've stated in my synopsis.
- medieval setting
- plague
- royal politics
- two kingdoms trying to maintain their peace agreement
- adventure
- low and extremely innocent romanace
It had all the right things, but just never fully captured me. I will say, however, I would recommend it to anyone. I would very happily recommend this to my middle graders and young teens. If you have read Jennifer A. Nielsen's Ascendance series, it was very reminiscent of that.
galexandriaw's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 stars
I was really pleased with this book! It was refreshing to read a stand alone fantasy novel instead of a massive series that I have to commit myself to.
I thought the relationships in the story were really thought out and felt genuine. Romantic relationships and platonic alike. I enjoyed the pacing and it had enough world-building for me to understand the stakes of the characters without being overwhelmed with information I have no need for.
I have never gasped out loud while reading like I did when I got to the plot twist. My partner was so surprised I essentially had to give him a breakdown of what happened (which why is it never easy to explain fantasy plot lines in a short way lol.)
The main reason this isn't a five star read for me is I thought the ending was lacking a bit. It didn't feel complete and I was waiting for something else to happen with the main villain. Additionally Cas's supernatural ability is never explained (although I do have an idea of why he has it) and at times it felt like it was just written in to solve some problems they encounter along their adventures rather than a larger plot point (I'm not exactly sure how to explain what I mean). It didn't leave a bad taste in my mouth though, and it definitely could have if they whole story wasn't as good as it was.
Definitely recommend this if you need a change of pace!! It's a pretty quick read and not to exhausting like fantasy novels tend to be.
I was really pleased with this book! It was refreshing to read a stand alone fantasy novel instead of a massive series that I have to commit myself to.
I thought the relationships in the story were really thought out and felt genuine. Romantic relationships and platonic alike. I enjoyed the pacing and it had enough world-building for me to understand the stakes of the characters without being overwhelmed with information I have no need for.
I have never gasped out loud while reading like I did when I got to the plot twist. My partner was so surprised I essentially had to give him a breakdown of what happened (which why is it never easy to explain fantasy plot lines in a short way lol.)
The main reason this isn't a five star read for me is I thought the ending was lacking a bit. It didn't feel complete and I was waiting for something else to happen with the main villain. Additionally Cas's supernatural ability is never explained (although I do have an idea of why he has it) and at times it felt like it was just written in to solve some problems they encounter along their adventures rather than a larger plot point (I'm not exactly sure how to explain what I mean). It didn't leave a bad taste in my mouth though, and it definitely could have if they whole story wasn't as good as it was.
Definitely recommend this if you need a change of pace!! It's a pretty quick read and not to exhausting like fantasy novels tend to be.
ana_315's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 ★
a decent read, I enjoyed it, but there wasn’t anything extremely special or that really stood out to me. the characters were a little bit bland and boring and their dialogues seemed childish most of the time (and I also didn’t get why Cas could see ghosts… I mean it didn’t add up to the story at all). the plot wasn’t that exciting and it felt like nothing REALLY happened and I don’t think there was any event that truly excited me or made me die to read it and see how it ends. i was making up tons of scenarios for the plottwist but I didn’t see the actual one coming and that’s mainly the reason why I gave this book a higher rating than I previously thought I would give it. the worldbuilding was fine I guess, but again, nothing never seen before.
a decent read, I enjoyed it, but there wasn’t anything extremely special or that really stood out to me. the characters were a little bit bland and boring and their dialogues seemed childish most of the time (and I also didn’t get why Cas could see ghosts… I mean it didn’t add up to the story at all). the plot wasn’t that exciting and it felt like nothing REALLY happened and I don’t think there was any event that truly excited me or made me die to read it and see how it ends. i was making up tons of scenarios for the plottwist but I didn’t see the actual one coming and that’s mainly the reason why I gave this book a higher rating than I previously thought I would give it. the worldbuilding was fine I guess, but again, nothing never seen before.
dwinn5's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
This book did not take me on the journey I was expecting, mostly in a good way. It sucked me in right at the beginning but lost some of my attention through the middle due to the slower pace and the central plotline revolving around uncovering a mystery. Honestly, for a minute there I was just trying to finish it, but the big reveal caught me so off guard that it drew me right back in. Seriously, maybe I’m just a little dense, but the reveal was completely unexpected and bumped this book up by at least a half star.
I think one of my more concrete issues was that I wish Cas’s ability to see spirits had more explanation and more consequence. It definitely did impact the story, don’t get me wrong, but I thought it could’ve been a little more tightly tied to both the plot and the world building/lore, which was lacking a little in and of itself. On top of that, the stakes were high, but they didn’t always feel high- I think it would have been improved by a bit more descriptive language and by lingering a little longer on a few of the big scenes. The author had a tendency to cut away to a new scene or chapter when I was hoping for more time spent in the exciting scene, which made it feel a little rushed. Overall, I would have been very happy if the book was 50 pages longer (which is the opposite of what I usually say), assuming that the time was spent with more description to build up the plot. Also, I really enjoyed Cas as a flawed main character, he was very interesting, but the romance was not a real selling point for me. I enjoyed their interactions in the beginning a lot, but I lost some interest as the book progressed, mostly because Lena’s character fell a bit flat.
Overall, would definitely recommend this one to fans of Rebecca Ross and Adrienne Young and I will be reading Dragonfruit as soon as my hold comes in from the library!
heorina13's review
4.0
I really appreciate this is a standalone and the author didn't have the need to stretch the story unnecessary across several books. The pacing was quite fast, and even though some of the characters felt a bit shallow, I still enjoyed it. Especially the ending, when Cas took the time to heal emotionally before starting a romantic relationship - that is so important and broadcasts such a nice message to the world!
everyone_panic's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
alexijai98's review
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
mdlynprsrpn_'s review against another edition
3.75
I wish this book has a map, since it mentions a lot of part of the other city throughout the countries. It's giving me the vibe "ga ngerti tapi keren" somehow. Because this book has a very slow start, at first, I almost couldn't comprehend what is the main problem, it surely doesn't grab my attention right away into the plot. But, as more is revealed, it starts to get intriguing.
As for the main character, I really like the bantering between Cassiapeus and Analena. I like how their relationship developed. However, their tension and chemistry were not that great at the same time. They just be better as partners-in-crime not a lover, so I felt a bit surprised when they ended up together by the end of the story.
In spite of everything, I found myself liking this book as much as my oomfies liking it too as well, since I'm intrigue to read this by only reading her reading thread. Dissssyy, yes, if you see this, yes, I've read this because of you!!^^
As for the main character, I really like the bantering between Cassiapeus and Analena. I like how their relationship developed. However, their tension and chemistry were not that great at the same time. They just be better as partners-in-crime not a lover, so I felt a bit surprised when they ended up together by the end of the story.
In spite of everything, I found myself liking this book as much as my oomfies liking it too as well, since I'm intrigue to read this by only reading her reading thread. Dissssyy, yes, if you see this, yes, I've read this because of you!!^^