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A review by pansy_ass
A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir
3.0
I want to make something very clear: I am reading the next book solely to find out what the fuck happens to Helene at this point.
The plot is good, sure, though I honestly think it would have been a better book if it did not rely on supernatural elements as much (the most compelling parts of the plot, in my opinion, have been the political subterfuge and the cruelty of man, not the fantastical creatures or superpowers). If the supernatural elements were better fleshed out, more cohesive, and legitimately explained, perhaps I’d feel differently. And there is no room in this plot for the characters to breathe. To interact in full and meaningful ways. Even Laia’s realization of Cook’s true identity was treated with little emotional significance, just as the reveal of Keenan’s was. There is no room for me to feel these characters and fully grow attached to them. Elias and Laia frustrate me to no end. Perhaps that’s partially due to the supernatural elements that dominate their chapters, the fickle nature of their love story, Elias’ bungling of literally everything, or Laia’s unrealistically diplomatic and moral outlook. It’s probably due to all of it.
These characters? I do not ~vibe~ with them. The ~vibes~ are wrong.
So now I’m too deep in and I have to finish the story and I PRAY that Helene does not fail the vibe check in this final instalment. Please, Tahir, please.
The plot is good, sure, though I honestly think it would have been a better book if it did not rely on supernatural elements as much (the most compelling parts of the plot, in my opinion, have been the political subterfuge and the cruelty of man, not the fantastical creatures or superpowers). If the supernatural elements were better fleshed out, more cohesive, and legitimately explained, perhaps I’d feel differently. And there is no room in this plot for the characters to breathe. To interact in full and meaningful ways. Even Laia’s realization of Cook’s true identity was treated with little emotional significance, just as the reveal of Keenan’s was. There is no room for me to feel these characters and fully grow attached to them. Elias and Laia frustrate me to no end. Perhaps that’s partially due to the supernatural elements that dominate their chapters, the fickle nature of their love story, Elias’ bungling of literally everything, or Laia’s unrealistically diplomatic and moral outlook. It’s probably due to all of it.
These characters? I do not ~vibe~ with them. The ~vibes~ are wrong.
So now I’m too deep in and I have to finish the story and I PRAY that Helene does not fail the vibe check in this final instalment. Please, Tahir, please.