A review by gnomepatronus
Reaper's Wish by S.A. Burd

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.5

I have mixed feelings about this book, so buckle up because this review is going to be all over the place.

The only thing I knew going in was that it was MM and that a friend recommended it. I saw the cover, knew the title, and for some reason assumed it had a steampunk vibe. (Spoiler alert: I was so wrong.)

What I actually got was a world filled with gods, goddesses, witches, soothsayers, reapers, genies, werewolves, vampires, brownies, and probably a bunch of other creatures I’m forgetting.

Let’s talk about the start: it opens with a bit of an info dump to explain the gods and their connections to the story. Personally, that’s not my jam, and I found myself skimming after my eyes glazed over. BUT if you’re someone who loves having all the background info upfront, this might work better for you.

Now, onto the good stuff: Jamie. I absolutely adored him. He’s a Djinn (think genie) who becomes completely smitten after someone kisses his knuckles—a sweet gesture that makes your heart melt for him immediately. As you learn why that tiny moment means so much to him, your heart will break. Jamie has spent his life being used for his magic, with no say over how it’s wielded (cue the tears). Watching him let down his walls and trust someone so deeply and quickly is both terrifying and beautiful.

Then there’s Dumah, our older, confident, protective reaper. From the moment he meets Jamie, he knows there’s something different about him. The knuckle kiss? Dumah initiated it (swoon). When they cross paths again, Dumah can’t resist testing the connection he feels with Jamie. He’s immediately protective and sweet in a way that’s completely unexpected, and his sole focus becomes Jamie. Without spoiling anything, the complications thrown at Dumah are deliciously intense.

Here’s where I struggled: this standalone fantasy is short, and it shows. The pacing felt rushed, and I would have loved more depth—especially with Jamie’s trauma. Dumah handled things so beautifully that I understand Jamie’s instant trust, but I wish there had been more space for Jamie to process and heal. The resolution came so quickly after all the buildup that I felt a little let down.

That said, I loved the plot and characters. If the author ever decided to expand the story, I’d 100% do a full reread.

If you’re into standalone fantasy/paranormal books with a contemporary romance story structure, (don’t worry, no third-act breakup here), this could be a great fit. If you’re a hardcore fantasy fan, you might find it a bit rushed, but I promise it’s still worth the read.