[Review] Reaper - Kyra Leigh

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Rosie Wolf is sure when you die, you go straight to Paradise, until she wakes to discover she has died in an accident and that Paradise isn’t what she thought it would be.

Rosie Wolf was sure that when her dad died, he went to Paradise. After all, isn’t that where everyone went? But when Rosie wakes up in a strange hospital bed and finds out that she’s died in an accident, she learns things aren’t always what you think they will be.

Now her father feels further away than ever, and Rosie is left to deal with the Grim Reaper, who isn’t a man in a black cloak, but a beautiful woman with a bad attitude. The Grim Reaper tells Rosie that before she can move on to Paradise, she has to go back down to Earth and collect three souls. But Rosie quickly realizes it’s not so simple.

To complicate matters, Rosie meets Kyle, a boy who is different than anyone she’s ever known. He’s cute, smart, and funny. Rosie’s been warned to stay away from the living, but she doesn’t want to. What will happen if she doesn’t? (Pub Date: May 9, 2017)


Review based on an ARC provided by Edelweiss. I also want to thank the publisher for giving me this opportunity.

This is a short novel I managed to read in one sit, which is quite rare for me.

Rosie died in an accident and finds out she needs to fulfill a task in order to go to heaven and meet her father again. This means to reap three souls, as an assistant to Death. Not only is it a job that takes a toll on her but severe rules ensue, including not to connect with any of the living. And of course she'll meet a boy unlike no other she's ever met right during this predicament.

Unfortunately, even though the rules were a very interesting twist to this trope, the story was pretty basic. Despite being an eventful book, I feel the author didn't want to make anything too complicated. Which is a pity, as I found the world building as interesting as it was potentially intricated.

Another interesting feature was Rosie's friendship with Carrie. At first, I just thought the author was going for the bad friend story but it revealed to be much more. I really enjoyed this part because old friendships do tend to acquire that complexity.

I don't usually enjoy the now-and-then chapter intercalation, as used here. One chapter would follow Rosie's after life and the other would be like a flashback, not always in order. For this book, however, I found it very fitting. The style allowed a tender tone to the narrative; it was a good choice, in my opinion. Moreover, despite treating serious themes in a fitting way, the story is still very light, and left me with a good, heartwarming feeling.

This is a more than quick and simple read that will surely leave you wanting more. I think it may also please older readers, even if it is YA fiction. I hope to read more from this author, preferably a longer novel.

Rating: 3 out of 5.