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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
For starters, I found this book to be almost deceiving. When I first looked at the cover I would have assumed there was a FMC. But at the same time after reading the synopsis it was refreshing to have a MMC. The story itself was interesting but as a whole I found it to be very slow. The characters I felt were ok, I wish I had felt more of a connection to them. The world building was also something I wanted more of. Mainly, I wish there was a map. Though the climax was a shock, it didn’t sway my feelings about the other parts of the book.
The story instantly draws you in. I especially liked the small details strewn about throughout the story. The characters had adequate depth considering the length of the book and felt very human. Great read
This was a lot more light-hearted than I expected from the title and the cover, but it was an enjoyable story. It reads like a cozy mystery but with higher stakes and set in the middle ages. I'm a sucker for good characters, and Cas and Lena were just so much fun to hang out with. My only gripe was the major conflict wrapped up a little too easily. Overall though, I had a great time reading this. 10/10 would recommend!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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:
No
Around the Year in 52 Books 2023: 42. A book related to a ghost, spirit, phantom, or specter
This is a book about a young man returning home in a plague year. Cass was taken prisoner and held for three years by a country with which his homeland is now at peace because of a political marriage. He's been through a lot and is quite changed. One of the changes is that he can now see ghosts, who sometimes want things from him if they realize that he can see them so he pretends that he doesn't have this ability.
This book has palace intrigue, an enjoyable romance with two likable characters, a vivid setting and high stakes. Cass has struggles with his responsibilities but is instinctively honorable. His love interest Lena is smart, resourceful, kind and feisty. The book is a bit YA but doesn't have any of the pitfalls I sometimes expect from that genre. This book exceeded my expectations and I'd like to read more by this author.
This is a book about a young man returning home in a plague year. Cass was taken prisoner and held for three years by a country with which his homeland is now at peace because of a political marriage. He's been through a lot and is quite changed. One of the changes is that he can now see ghosts, who sometimes want things from him if they realize that he can see them so he pretends that he doesn't have this ability.
This book has palace intrigue, an enjoyable romance with two likable characters, a vivid setting and high stakes. Cass has struggles with his responsibilities but is instinctively honorable. His love interest Lena is smart, resourceful, kind and feisty. The book is a bit YA but doesn't have any of the pitfalls I sometimes expect from that genre. This book exceeded my expectations and I'd like to read more by this author.
Lord Cassia has returned after disappear three years ago in the midst of war... and the kingdom will never be the same. He has been tortured, beaten, and held captive by the enemy kingdom....a kingdom that belongs to the new queen. Queen Jehan has married King Rayan and with their marriage comes a peace treaty between the two kingdoms and yet upon Cassia’s return things start to test this peace. Cassia only wants to return to his family, to his brother and his friends, to live a peaceful life after enduring three painful years of imprisonment and seeing his friends die. However after an assassination attempt against the King and Queen’s new born son and new strange events threaten the royals, Cassia takes it upon himself to figure out who is behind this and why they are targeting them. He is joined by a beautiful and lively historian who he meet on his way home.... since she stole his horse. Soon Cassia and Lena (the historian) are steeped in dark royal family secrets, a mystery that keeps opening doors to more questions, and a secret that could shatter the peace between the two kingdoms. This was a wonderful read! I enjoyed the twist and turns in the mystery and the ultimate reveal by the end. Having Cassia be the main protagonist was great, you could see how he is still recovering and how he struggles with his new freedom. This was a thrilling read with a great mystery at the heart of it.
*Thanks Netgalley and Clarion Books (formerly HMH Children's Books), Clarion Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
*Thanks Netgalley and Clarion Books (formerly HMH Children's Books), Clarion Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Medical trauma
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
INCREDIBLE. STUNNING. I CAN'T SHUT UP ABOUT THIS. When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it and telling people about it. When I was reading it, I stayed way too late reading it and had to put my Kindle in another room otherwise I would just pick it up and read. Makiia Lucier after this and Dragonfruit my life is yours!!!!!!!!!
Actual rating: 4,5 stars.
Since last year, my relationship with YA books has been… complicated. And I even started to lose hope of finding good and original(!!) ones. But this book arrived in a beautiful Fairyloot box, and I regained hope.
We follow our main character, Cas, on his way home after being held prisoner for 3 years. On the way he met a daring young lady, Lena, who will become, no doubt, the love interest. But again, this book is not like any other YA and for once the romance was not overwhelming. It was sweet, slow burn and simply perfect.
As you can tell, I loved how unique and unusual the plot and world were. It was all very well structured and full of plot twists I did not see coming. I also loved the mystery aspect of the story. I know this book will only be a standalone and it’s sufficient on its own. But the things I would trade to have more of this story, more of these characters, is insane!
Year of the Reaper deserves so much more recognition, so please, do yourself a favour and go read it, you won’t regret it!
Since last year, my relationship with YA books has been… complicated. And I even started to lose hope of finding good and original(!!) ones. But this book arrived in a beautiful Fairyloot box, and I regained hope.
We follow our main character, Cas, on his way home after being held prisoner for 3 years. On the way he met a daring young lady, Lena, who will become, no doubt, the love interest. But again, this book is not like any other YA and for once the romance was not overwhelming. It was sweet, slow burn and simply perfect.
As you can tell, I loved how unique and unusual the plot and world were. It was all very well structured and full of plot twists I did not see coming. I also loved the mystery aspect of the story. I know this book will only be a standalone and it’s sufficient on its own. But the things I would trade to have more of this story, more of these characters, is insane!
Year of the Reaper deserves so much more recognition, so please, do yourself a favour and go read it, you won’t regret it!