Don't Fear the Reaper

by Abby Lawson

"Everything is always living and dying, that's just how it is."

Lana lived with her head down. Ever since she started interning at the local Investigative Bureau, her sole focus in life was pursuing knowledge, and helping those she could once she had it. Her life was mechanical. Predictable.

Then the disappearances started, and dead ends started leading to dead people. The only comfort Lana found was by the side of her childhood friend, Callum. But his company was only so much comfort without answers.

Their questions kept multiplying when they discovered their world was much bigger than they had ever imagined, and just a little bit magical. But with their enlightenment came a newfound threat to their realm. And to their families.

With problems still unresolved, and the sinking feeling they were in over their heads, Lana and Callum embarked on a treacherously action-packed journey to get the Two Chances, the only two objects strong enough to kill the Reaper, and save their realm.

Along the way, they realized the line between life and death was foggier than they thought, and it would take everything in their power not to get sucked into its haze.

350 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2023

About the author

Abby Lawson is a current college student and author. She published her first novel, Don't Fear the Reaper, in 2023 and is currently working on her second standalone book. She loves experimenting with different genres, and hopes you love her work as much as she does!

Reviews

[Jordan Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this book in 2 days during college finals season. i COULD NOT stop reading. the use of foreshadowing throughout the book was done so well and kept me locked in. i also have never been so shocked plot twists in my life. a MUST READ. definitely will be rereading this one.

[Reagann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I loved this book!!! I have never read anything like it and I have read my share of fantasy books! It was so amazingly unique and different. The twist throughout and the end were so fun to read and I loved the characters!

[Camden Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of M. Night Shyamalan movies (the good ones, at least. We can all agree everything after Split was awful), then this is the book for you. Suspenseful themes, thrilling scenes, and dialogue that really makes you think. AND THEN YOU GET TO THE END and my goodness….the twists and turns are wild and crazy, yet not too much or irrational, so it all genuinely makes sense. I’m not one to read a book in less than a couple weeks, let alone in 48 hours, but this one had me unable to put the book (or kindle app) down. Amazing read that I’d recommend to anyone who can handle PG-13+ action and intensity.

[Parker Calabro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was truly amazing, I couldn’t put it down! The story line has so many unexpected twists and turns that are perfect for those (like me) trying to get into fantasy. I promise you will fall in love with the characters, and the plot of this book as you sit on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. This book was astonishing, and I need more!

[ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful work. beautiful world building. beautiful character development. beautiful book altogether.

[Miller Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was like nothing I have ever read but I was hooked on the story and the characters just from reading the prologue. Without giving too much away, I've always loved exploring and the excitement of thinking, "what else is out there and what's it like?" so the story itself intrigued me. The characters were also all relatable to me. Their curiosity, their wonder, their fear and their determination were all easy to feel because of the way the author wrote them.
It's hard to see a twist when you're reading about a fantasy you know nothing about and yet, somehow, this story changed lanes multiple times and all were fantastic!
I highly recommend this book. Whether you usually read fantasy or not, it's a good read.

[Ken Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very creative and gripping story! Not my usual genre, but a very fun read and one that I had a hard time putting down every night!

[Anne Lawson]

I was fascinated by this book and the fact that it came from such a promising young writer!! Can’t wait for the next book you write!

[Abby Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this book and I’ve read it more times than I can count. Hope you like it :)

[AC · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great debut esp for such a young writer and super interesting plot! congrats Abby!🥳

[Amy Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have already read this book once and plan to read again very soon.
This book is excellent, thought provoking, different, and you will not be able to put it down!
It is like nothing I have ever read and the way the plot twists are done right up until the end.
You will love it! I highly recommend for ages 12 and up!!

[Rachel Koschatzky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't Fear the Reaper was an absolutely enthralling book; I read it in less than a day because I physically could not stop myself. There were so many twists and turns, and the writing was just phenomenal. I am not one who normally picks a Fantasy book to read, but I do not regret reading this one. I highly highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read!


SPOILER:
In the end, when Zeldix kills the Reaper, and we get the chapter talking about her mindset, meeting her father, and why she did it; I was so completely caught off guard by the whole interaction I had to put down the book and take a step away. I really was not expecting Zeldix to do that, and I was especially not expecting it to have been resonating with her for TWO YEARS. That was just crazy to me.

[agustine archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need therapy now