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The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Reapers
When a 3,000-year-old demon grim reaper discovers someone's killing witches, he'll do whatever it takes to stop them—but everyone knows you can't cheat Death.
3,000-year-old demon grim reaper, Aiden Finn has been in trouble with Management before. Back in 79 A.D., he did some serious time in Hell for disobeying the orders of his boss. He just wants to do his job and stay off of Management's radar, but all that's about to change when he tries to get his latest Charge, Carol, to board the ferry and cross the River Styx after she becomes the latest victim of a serial killer targeting witches.
When Carol refuses to go, Finn promises to find her beloved cat a new home so she'll cooperate. His plan to drop the cat off at a local shelter takes an unexpected turn, however, when he arrives at her apartment and meets Chloe, the stunning red-headed witch who lives across the hall. Hoping to see her again, Finn decides to pet sit instead.
As the number of murdered witches grows, Finn must figure out who is behind the murders before Chloe becomes the next victim. He'll do whatever it takes to stop them. Of course, if he does find a way to stop the killer—even a grim reaper knows you can't cheat death.
3,000-year-old demon grim reaper, Aiden Finn has been in trouble with Management before. Back in 79 A.D., he did some serious time in Hell for disobeying the orders of his boss. He just wants to do his job and stay off of Management's radar, but all that's about to change when he tries to get his latest Charge, Carol, to board the ferry and cross the River Styx after she becomes the latest victim of a serial killer targeting witches.
When Carol refuses to go, Finn promises to find her beloved cat a new home so she'll cooperate. His plan to drop the cat off at a local shelter takes an unexpected turn, however, when he arrives at her apartment and meets Chloe, the stunning red-headed witch who lives across the hall. Hoping to see her again, Finn decides to pet sit instead.
As the number of murdered witches grows, Finn must figure out who is behind the murders before Chloe becomes the next victim. He'll do whatever it takes to stop them. Of course, if he does find a way to stop the killer—even a grim reaper knows you can't cheat death.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2024
34 people want to read
About the author
C.A. Kennedy
1 book2 followersC.A. Kennedy is a fantasy romance and mystery author with a propensity for quirky characters and good stories with a ‘gotcha’ twist. Although she always considered herself a mystery writer, when a snarky demon grim reaper kept bugging her to tell his story, she knew she couldn’t refuse. When she isn’t writing or channeling her inner demon, you can find her spending time outdoors with her Golden Retriever, Murphy, and trying to stay in the good graces of her two cats, McGee and Tobias.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 15, 2024
I read this one hot on the heels of Casket Case continuing on my Death-and-reapers trail and, while this one was better, that's not really saying much. 2.5 stars overall, rounding down to 2 because I was annoyed much of the time I was reading it. This is another one of those debut novels that feels like it was released too soon, and could probably have benefitted from another revision or two.
Finn, the protagonist, reads as a bit of an edgelord, and that turned me off of him almost immediately. He's rich, dresses all in black, doesn't have any friends, and has never had a girlfriend in his 3000 years of existence. Red flag! I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want to date anyone who's never fallen in love in literally thousands of years. Like, what's your damage?
That doesn't prevent him from falling in insta-love with a pretty witch the moment he meets her, though. They are head over heels for one another after a month of knowing each other, which is out of character for Finn, yet we never find out why Chloe is so special. She's sweet and has red hair. That's about it. Her being a witch is also pretty irrelevant to her character since she does about two spells in the entirety of the book, and her witch-ness doesn't contribute to her persona at all.
It does contribute to the plot, which is part murder-mystery, part romcom. Someone's killing witches and Finn is somehow the only one who notices that something is afoot. However, the murder mystery largely takes a backseat to the romcom for most of the book until the end. The romance is pretty surface, and the spice is very male-centric. There's no foreplay to speak of; you'd think someone who's been alive for three thousand literal years would know their way around a female body, but it's very wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am, not to mention unrealistic since the vast majority of women don't climax from penetration alone. I guess that's why Chloe is so special? I expected better spice from a woman author.
I did like the Reaper and Angel of Death lore, especially how they operate in the present day. Clever, and pretty well fleshed-out. I wish the same had been done for the murder mystery aspect of the book.
The mystery is resolved in an explosive climax, a bit predictably, and everything's coming up Finn. The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but I'm not sure I'll be picking up the next one. Hopefully Kennedy grows as an author and her sophomore effort improves.
Thanks to LibraryThing for the eArC.
Finn, the protagonist, reads as a bit of an edgelord, and that turned me off of him almost immediately. He's rich, dresses all in black, doesn't have any friends, and has never had a girlfriend in his 3000 years of existence. Red flag! I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want to date anyone who's never fallen in love in literally thousands of years. Like, what's your damage?
That doesn't prevent him from falling in insta-love with a pretty witch the moment he meets her, though. They are head over heels for one another after a month of knowing each other, which is out of character for Finn, yet we never find out why Chloe is so special. She's sweet and has red hair. That's about it. Her being a witch is also pretty irrelevant to her character since she does about two spells in the entirety of the book, and her witch-ness doesn't contribute to her persona at all.
It does contribute to the plot, which is part murder-mystery, part romcom. Someone's killing witches and Finn is somehow the only one who notices that something is afoot. However, the murder mystery largely takes a backseat to the romcom for most of the book until the end. The romance is pretty surface, and the spice is very male-centric. There's no foreplay to speak of; you'd think someone who's been alive for three thousand literal years would know their way around a female body, but it's very wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am, not to mention unrealistic since the vast majority of women don't climax from penetration alone. I guess that's why Chloe is so special? I expected better spice from a woman author.
I did like the Reaper and Angel of Death lore, especially how they operate in the present day. Clever, and pretty well fleshed-out. I wish the same had been done for the murder mystery aspect of the book.
The mystery is resolved in an explosive climax, a bit predictably, and everything's coming up Finn. The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but I'm not sure I'll be picking up the next one. Hopefully Kennedy grows as an author and her sophomore effort improves.
Thanks to LibraryThing for the eArC.
August 7, 2024
~I received this book through LibaryThing Early Reviewers.~
TLDR : 2.5 ★s While the ideas are cute and clever at times, it feels like maybe this read needed one or two more drafts before going out. Great concepts and story, but the writing can’t quite keep up with it.
With promises of some spicy romance, mystery, murder, grim reapers, and witches, I was undoubtedly intrigued… Until I got to reading… Which is where things fell apart a tad, and then more, and then a little more. Unfortunately by the turn of the last page I was very ready for this read to be over and to move onto something else.
The reader is quickly introduced to the idea that Grim Reapers and Angels of Death are walking among us, working their jobs like any other person. Our main character Finn (Aiden Finn, much to his dismay but to my utter confusion. Is there something wrong with the name Aiden that I don’t know about??) is a Grim Reaper. Daily he checks the grim reaper app on his phone, where he is presented with his “charges” for the day, aka the souls he will deliver to a ferry which crosses them over to a presumed heaven or hell.
Like, come on, that’s a cute idea right? Especially when we learn that the ferry is crossing the River Styx. I love the blends of concepts going on here! And the idea that grim reapers, actual demons, have to use an app in modern times is just silly enough to make me laugh until the end of the book about it.
Unfortunately, that’s where my love list ends. From here on out we’re entering spoiler territory and some minor rantings. Buckle up.
Finn. Mr. Aiden Finn. I just don’t get him. 3000 years old and not a girlfriend in sight. Now, I’m not sure about you, but that doesn’t scream eligible bachelor… A good contender for a therapy appointment, but a date? Maybe not.
I’m not saying I don’t also love the idea of an untouchable, unavailable, bad boy making time for me specifically… I just don’t know if Finn is that man. I mean, he’s a demon for starts, something that is reminded to us time and time again throughout the book, but not often shown to really mean anything. Then there’s the whole “unsavory past”, once again, reminded to us often but never really delved into. His sense of fashion kind of makes me want to cry. I’m sorry. I mean, he also continuously claims to not have any friends. Cats don’t like him. Then there’s the whole trying to kill his old boss thing, though that ends up being the most reasonable thing about him in the end.
But, for all his faults (and in my opinion there are many, ones not even previously mentioned), he still finds love in an instant. Literally. An instant. One second he’s waxing poetic about his job and being a bad boy who does occasionally good things, next thing you know he’s desperate for a woman he’s met for five seconds and lied to for all of those five seconds.
But Chloe's a witch, so she’s cool and special. Right? Or… Maybe not. She really doesn’t do much witchcraft at all. Twice, total. Near the end of the book. She uses a spell or something of the sort to repair an item at the museum she works at. The other time, you ask? Right, yeah, she just kind of badabing badaboom magic poofs an angel out of existence and it’s not really described nor talked about in any depth as soon as it happens.
For all this talk of witches and their importance to the story, I wish we got more lore. Especially when there's this kind of forced underlying “forbidden romance” aspect, that it’s so outlandish that a demon would be attracted to a witch, but it’s never reasoned out why. We just know that it's weird? Maybe? Kind of? To be honest I still don’t really know.
Now, let’s talk spice. There are some saucy scenes, nothing is too in depth (which is not a bad thing!) What I don’t like about these scenes is that they’re reliant on Finn’s pleasure. Every single time we, the reader, are present for an intimate moment it feels like it’s about Finn getting off under the guise of it being their shared pleasure… And not to drop statistics but….. 70-90% of women are unable to achieve the big o by penetration alone. Sadly, the finger does seem to point to Finn being a one and done kind of lover with how quickly he reaches for the “foil”.
MOVING ON FROM THAT THOUGH, the actual plot! Let’s discuss! Personally, I’m on team “I liked it until I didn’t like it”, which translates to, it was all corny but fun until the end. There were so, so, and I mean so many threads left untied. This cheese was full of holes, and a little stinky.
Unless I genuinely misunderstood and misread half of the final chapters, we truly did not get a conclusion for a lot of people, things, and moments brought up in previous chapters. What happened to Tommy the cat? Why and how is this hellhound here? What happened to Andrea’s boyfriend and Chloe's ex fiancé? What did it mean when Finn was told to not forget his demon side? I felt like there was some fraying happening at the end, as if it were a tad rushed. I wanted to know more, not more of Finn waking and falling into unconsciousness again, but more on what the actual hell is going on.
Where did the hellhounds even come from? Why didn’t they attack Finn? What happens to souls that literally get ripped to shreds? HOW DID CHLOE MAGICALLY DISAPPEAR AN ANGEL?
I did find the plot predictable, the mystery just wasn’t very mysterious. It was clear who was seemingly “in on it” from the beginning.
As for the writing, it was okay. Funny at times, sweet at others. The prose isn’t overly poetic, leaning itself closer to corny, but I personally think with a book about grim reapers working a 9 to 5 it needs to be corny. It did seem like it just needed to be edited more (much like this review I’m sure). There was repetition of things we just simply didn’t need repetition of. Example: The magistratus are not the smartest of demons. This is said several times, but the last time I was ready to just accept that maybe they are the smartest and Finn just has a complex about it.
All in all, it’s a short read. Fun at times, frustrating and slow at others. Do I recommend it? If you’re like me and can never get enough of the whole magical beings have to work 9 to 5’s trope, then give it a go! If you’re looking for either a romantasy or mystery specifically, I’d say pass on this one.
TLDR : 2.5 ★s While the ideas are cute and clever at times, it feels like maybe this read needed one or two more drafts before going out. Great concepts and story, but the writing can’t quite keep up with it.
With promises of some spicy romance, mystery, murder, grim reapers, and witches, I was undoubtedly intrigued… Until I got to reading… Which is where things fell apart a tad, and then more, and then a little more. Unfortunately by the turn of the last page I was very ready for this read to be over and to move onto something else.
The reader is quickly introduced to the idea that Grim Reapers and Angels of Death are walking among us, working their jobs like any other person. Our main character Finn (Aiden Finn, much to his dismay but to my utter confusion. Is there something wrong with the name Aiden that I don’t know about??) is a Grim Reaper. Daily he checks the grim reaper app on his phone, where he is presented with his “charges” for the day, aka the souls he will deliver to a ferry which crosses them over to a presumed heaven or hell.
Like, come on, that’s a cute idea right? Especially when we learn that the ferry is crossing the River Styx. I love the blends of concepts going on here! And the idea that grim reapers, actual demons, have to use an app in modern times is just silly enough to make me laugh until the end of the book about it.
Unfortunately, that’s where my love list ends. From here on out we’re entering spoiler territory and some minor rantings. Buckle up.
Finn. Mr. Aiden Finn. I just don’t get him. 3000 years old and not a girlfriend in sight. Now, I’m not sure about you, but that doesn’t scream eligible bachelor… A good contender for a therapy appointment, but a date? Maybe not.
I’m not saying I don’t also love the idea of an untouchable, unavailable, bad boy making time for me specifically… I just don’t know if Finn is that man. I mean, he’s a demon for starts, something that is reminded to us time and time again throughout the book, but not often shown to really mean anything. Then there’s the whole “unsavory past”, once again, reminded to us often but never really delved into. His sense of fashion kind of makes me want to cry. I’m sorry. I mean, he also continuously claims to not have any friends. Cats don’t like him. Then there’s the whole trying to kill his old boss thing, though that ends up being the most reasonable thing about him in the end.
But, for all his faults (and in my opinion there are many, ones not even previously mentioned), he still finds love in an instant. Literally. An instant. One second he’s waxing poetic about his job and being a bad boy who does occasionally good things, next thing you know he’s desperate for a woman he’s met for five seconds and lied to for all of those five seconds.
But Chloe's a witch, so she’s cool and special. Right? Or… Maybe not. She really doesn’t do much witchcraft at all. Twice, total. Near the end of the book. She uses a spell or something of the sort to repair an item at the museum she works at. The other time, you ask? Right, yeah, she just kind of badabing badaboom magic poofs an angel out of existence and it’s not really described nor talked about in any depth as soon as it happens.
For all this talk of witches and their importance to the story, I wish we got more lore. Especially when there's this kind of forced underlying “forbidden romance” aspect, that it’s so outlandish that a demon would be attracted to a witch, but it’s never reasoned out why. We just know that it's weird? Maybe? Kind of? To be honest I still don’t really know.
Now, let’s talk spice. There are some saucy scenes, nothing is too in depth (which is not a bad thing!) What I don’t like about these scenes is that they’re reliant on Finn’s pleasure. Every single time we, the reader, are present for an intimate moment it feels like it’s about Finn getting off under the guise of it being their shared pleasure… And not to drop statistics but….. 70-90% of women are unable to achieve the big o by penetration alone. Sadly, the finger does seem to point to Finn being a one and done kind of lover with how quickly he reaches for the “foil”.
MOVING ON FROM THAT THOUGH, the actual plot! Let’s discuss! Personally, I’m on team “I liked it until I didn’t like it”, which translates to, it was all corny but fun until the end. There were so, so, and I mean so many threads left untied. This cheese was full of holes, and a little stinky.
Unless I genuinely misunderstood and misread half of the final chapters, we truly did not get a conclusion for a lot of people, things, and moments brought up in previous chapters. What happened to Tommy the cat? Why and how is this hellhound here? What happened to Andrea’s boyfriend and Chloe's ex fiancé? What did it mean when Finn was told to not forget his demon side? I felt like there was some fraying happening at the end, as if it were a tad rushed. I wanted to know more, not more of Finn waking and falling into unconsciousness again, but more on what the actual hell is going on.
Where did the hellhounds even come from? Why didn’t they attack Finn? What happens to souls that literally get ripped to shreds? HOW DID CHLOE MAGICALLY DISAPPEAR AN ANGEL?
I did find the plot predictable, the mystery just wasn’t very mysterious. It was clear who was seemingly “in on it” from the beginning.
As for the writing, it was okay. Funny at times, sweet at others. The prose isn’t overly poetic, leaning itself closer to corny, but I personally think with a book about grim reapers working a 9 to 5 it needs to be corny. It did seem like it just needed to be edited more (much like this review I’m sure). There was repetition of things we just simply didn’t need repetition of. Example: The magistratus are not the smartest of demons. This is said several times, but the last time I was ready to just accept that maybe they are the smartest and Finn just has a complex about it.
All in all, it’s a short read. Fun at times, frustrating and slow at others. Do I recommend it? If you’re like me and can never get enough of the whole magical beings have to work 9 to 5’s trope, then give it a go! If you’re looking for either a romantasy or mystery specifically, I’d say pass on this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2024
I was very intrigued by both the title and the blurb, so I requested this. It didn’t take long for me to get immersed in the story, and I really liked Finn. He might be a little too self-absorbed at first, but once he meets Chloe, he changes. I thought this would be more of a mystery than it was; the book focuses on the romance aspects more than the mystery, and I was a little disappointed about that. However, I still enjoyed this from the beginning to the end. With that ending, I am hoping there will be more, and maybe the next one will have more of the mystery in it. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
September 18, 2024
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Dark Humor
Series: Yes, it is Book One of The Grim Reaper Chronicles.
"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Reapers" is a captivating mix of humor, heart, and the supernatural that will leave readers contemplating life, death, and everything in between. It’s a must-read for fans of urban fantasy who enjoy stories with depth, humor, and endearing characters.
I would recommend this book to readers who like urban fantasy, especially the kind that has dark humor combined with deeper and heavier emotional topics. Most likely, it will appeal to those who have read Jim Butcher's "The Dresden Files" or fans of Neil Gaiman. It is truly an original and intriguing tale.
It involves Aiden Finn, a demon, Grim Reaper, and residences talent in Boston for 3,000 years. He ushers the souls of the dead into the afterlife, ready or not. Pulled into the mystery of a series of murders among the witches, Aiden has been thrust wide open from his routine-not just that, but into the personal lives of the souls he reaps. Meanwhile, the smoldering relationship he develops with side characters-like Carol, a stubborn witch, and her ever-so-loving cat Tommy-builds up a deeper rapport with his neighbor Chloe, a witch who actually manages to draw out the human side of him. Professional struggle, emotional growth, and larger supernatural forces entwine in this plot.
Aiden Finn: His character provides the hub of the story, wherein lies a balance of demonic nature, astoundingly combined with an ability to show empathy. At the beginning, Aiden was just a cynical reaper who completed his job, but soon his emotional arc paces the novel as his motives change from fulfilling his obligations to protecting those he inadvertently cares for. This turmoil between professional detachment and personal involvement makes him hugely complex and flawed, which is great. Also brilliant is the development of Aiden when he gets chiseled through his interaction with Chloe, Carol, and Tommy, starting to raise questions about the meaning of his existence.
Chloe: Whereas Aiden holds a very jaded view of the world, Chloe is a witch with an immediate sense of warmth and kindness. Her relationship with Aiden is, really, very, very slow in its development and hence brings tension into his world, along with some vulnerability. In fact, it is through her that we really do see the protective instincts of Aiden rise to the surface. Independent yet subtle in meaning within the story, Chloe connects the themes of love, redemption, and trust in End.
The witch Carol and her cat Tommy were not peripheral characters but rather active participants in Aiden's emotional awakening. Carol's refusal to cross over till Tommy was taken care of made Aiden reflect on his aloofness.
Roz, his fellow Grim Reaper, brought insight into the pecking order of the reapers-further iterating bureaucracy and duty.
That's where Angels of Death and other reapers constantly challenge Aiden's approach to things and cause tension-as a show of authority within the supernatural community.
Death and the Afterlife: It is about the dying process, which most definitely is letting go-the story of both the dead and those that have to stay behind. Aiden's work puts him face to face with how souls deal with the concept of death and what crossing over entails.
Empathy and detachment, however, appear to be the biggest problem in the role of Aiden-with his duty of detachment toward souls he reaps and a growing attachment, in particular to Chloe and Tommy. He is bang in the middle of this emotional journey, attached to questioning what it costs to care.
Power and Control: It is a book, essentially pointing the accusing finger at the different hierarchies existing within the management systems of the reapers and angels, relating mainly to issues of control and autonomy from the perspective of both reapers themselves and souls they guide.
This novel takes on a theme often left to fantasy novels, including the redemption through love even for one like Aiden, who viewed himself as beyond saving for such a long period of time. His writing is humorous and engaging; the dark humor does not eradicate the true moments of emotion. First-person point of view really lets the reader feel the angst of Aiden's inner turmoil. Realism within the context of dialogue gives a realistic air to the work and also provides much humor in the story. The pacing is good; likewise, there are well-placed shifts between action, introspection, and character development. Kennedy uses effective figurative language with regards to creating vivid pictures of a supernatural world instilled with a contemporary setting.
His tone is light yet reflective; hence, deeper themes can be considered without weighing the readers down with heaviness about the theme. The point of view dives deep into Aiden's world and just makes his emotional growth so real and relatable.
"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Reapers" is a deeply charming urban fantasy that tells yet another story about the afterlife, love, and duty. C.A. Kennedy weaves the thread of humor and heart into the story for the most part, regarding personal redemption as much as the supernatural nature of it. Complex in character, in his relationships, and in the moral dilemmas he finds himself in, Aiden stands out as one of those exceptional stories told not so frequently within this genre.
Weightier with humor, heavier with heart, than most novels of its ilk in the urban fantasy genre, this reads like Neil Gaiman, but a little lighter, a little more personal.
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Writing Style: ★★★★☆
Characters: ★★★★☆
World-Building: ★★★★☆
Fave Quote
“Crap. I might lie, but I don’t break promises.”
Series: Yes, it is Book One of The Grim Reaper Chronicles.
"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Reapers" is a captivating mix of humor, heart, and the supernatural that will leave readers contemplating life, death, and everything in between. It’s a must-read for fans of urban fantasy who enjoy stories with depth, humor, and endearing characters.
I would recommend this book to readers who like urban fantasy, especially the kind that has dark humor combined with deeper and heavier emotional topics. Most likely, it will appeal to those who have read Jim Butcher's "The Dresden Files" or fans of Neil Gaiman. It is truly an original and intriguing tale.
It involves Aiden Finn, a demon, Grim Reaper, and residences talent in Boston for 3,000 years. He ushers the souls of the dead into the afterlife, ready or not. Pulled into the mystery of a series of murders among the witches, Aiden has been thrust wide open from his routine-not just that, but into the personal lives of the souls he reaps. Meanwhile, the smoldering relationship he develops with side characters-like Carol, a stubborn witch, and her ever-so-loving cat Tommy-builds up a deeper rapport with his neighbor Chloe, a witch who actually manages to draw out the human side of him. Professional struggle, emotional growth, and larger supernatural forces entwine in this plot.
Aiden Finn: His character provides the hub of the story, wherein lies a balance of demonic nature, astoundingly combined with an ability to show empathy. At the beginning, Aiden was just a cynical reaper who completed his job, but soon his emotional arc paces the novel as his motives change from fulfilling his obligations to protecting those he inadvertently cares for. This turmoil between professional detachment and personal involvement makes him hugely complex and flawed, which is great. Also brilliant is the development of Aiden when he gets chiseled through his interaction with Chloe, Carol, and Tommy, starting to raise questions about the meaning of his existence.
Chloe: Whereas Aiden holds a very jaded view of the world, Chloe is a witch with an immediate sense of warmth and kindness. Her relationship with Aiden is, really, very, very slow in its development and hence brings tension into his world, along with some vulnerability. In fact, it is through her that we really do see the protective instincts of Aiden rise to the surface. Independent yet subtle in meaning within the story, Chloe connects the themes of love, redemption, and trust in End.
The witch Carol and her cat Tommy were not peripheral characters but rather active participants in Aiden's emotional awakening. Carol's refusal to cross over till Tommy was taken care of made Aiden reflect on his aloofness.
Roz, his fellow Grim Reaper, brought insight into the pecking order of the reapers-further iterating bureaucracy and duty.
That's where Angels of Death and other reapers constantly challenge Aiden's approach to things and cause tension-as a show of authority within the supernatural community.
Death and the Afterlife: It is about the dying process, which most definitely is letting go-the story of both the dead and those that have to stay behind. Aiden's work puts him face to face with how souls deal with the concept of death and what crossing over entails.
Empathy and detachment, however, appear to be the biggest problem in the role of Aiden-with his duty of detachment toward souls he reaps and a growing attachment, in particular to Chloe and Tommy. He is bang in the middle of this emotional journey, attached to questioning what it costs to care.
Power and Control: It is a book, essentially pointing the accusing finger at the different hierarchies existing within the management systems of the reapers and angels, relating mainly to issues of control and autonomy from the perspective of both reapers themselves and souls they guide.
This novel takes on a theme often left to fantasy novels, including the redemption through love even for one like Aiden, who viewed himself as beyond saving for such a long period of time. His writing is humorous and engaging; the dark humor does not eradicate the true moments of emotion. First-person point of view really lets the reader feel the angst of Aiden's inner turmoil. Realism within the context of dialogue gives a realistic air to the work and also provides much humor in the story. The pacing is good; likewise, there are well-placed shifts between action, introspection, and character development. Kennedy uses effective figurative language with regards to creating vivid pictures of a supernatural world instilled with a contemporary setting.
His tone is light yet reflective; hence, deeper themes can be considered without weighing the readers down with heaviness about the theme. The point of view dives deep into Aiden's world and just makes his emotional growth so real and relatable.
"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Reapers" is a deeply charming urban fantasy that tells yet another story about the afterlife, love, and duty. C.A. Kennedy weaves the thread of humor and heart into the story for the most part, regarding personal redemption as much as the supernatural nature of it. Complex in character, in his relationships, and in the moral dilemmas he finds himself in, Aiden stands out as one of those exceptional stories told not so frequently within this genre.
Weightier with humor, heavier with heart, than most novels of its ilk in the urban fantasy genre, this reads like Neil Gaiman, but a little lighter, a little more personal.
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Writing Style: ★★★★☆
Characters: ★★★★☆
World-Building: ★★★★☆
Fave Quote
“Crap. I might lie, but I don’t break promises.”
September 11, 2024
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**🖤📚 THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE REAPERS by C.A. Kennedy 📚🖤**
**⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)**
C.A. Kennedy’s *The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Reapers* is a wild ride of dark humor, paranormal mysteries, and a grim reaper with a soft spot for cats! Aiden Finn, our 3,000-year-old demon reaper, tries to balance his centuries-old job with the moral dilemmas that come with navigating a human world full of witches, serial killers, and... adorable felines.
Finn is a reaper with an antihero charm. He’s done his time in Hell and just wants to keep his head down and do his job. But when a string of witch murders starts ramping up, things get personal. Throw in Carol, a witch ghost unwilling to cross the River Styx until her cat finds a good home, and you’ve got a mix of wit and action that keeps you invested.
Chloe, the fiery red-headed witch from across the hall, adds a spicy romantic subplot that complements the book’s mystery. As Finn battles to protect her, their chemistry and witty banter provide some much-needed levity in a world that’s growing increasingly dark.
The book’s unique twist on the paranormal reaper genre is fun, and Finn’s dry, sarcastic inner monologue will keep you laughing. But what really sets this story apart is how the author weaves together quirky humor with real stakes. Death may be inevitable, but Finn is more than willing to bend the rules for the right reasons.
**💬 Favorite Quote:**
*"I’ve seen plenty of souls cross over, but none with as much of a fuss as this cat-loving witch. Figures the one thing standing between me and peace would be fur and claws."* – Aiden Finn
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**⚡️ Highlights:**
- **Witty, Dark Humor**: Finn’s sarcastic wit is a huge highlight of the story.
- **Paranormal Whodunit**: The witch serial killer mystery keeps you on your toes.
- **Relatable Reaper**: Aiden Finn may be ancient, but his struggles with duty and personal desires are all too human.
- **Cat Lovers Unite**: Honestly, any book featuring a reaper saving a cat has our heart.
---
For fans of *The Sandman*, *Good Omens*, and quirky paranormal mysteries, *The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Reapers* is a fast-paced, witty, and darkly entertaining read. Finn may be Death, but he’s also surprisingly... relatable.
See more reviews at:
Casla Reads
*I received this book through NetGalley as an ARC reader. This will not in any way affect my thoughts or opinions on the book.*
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**🖤📚 THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE REAPERS by C.A. Kennedy 📚🖤**
**⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)**
C.A. Kennedy’s *The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Reapers* is a wild ride of dark humor, paranormal mysteries, and a grim reaper with a soft spot for cats! Aiden Finn, our 3,000-year-old demon reaper, tries to balance his centuries-old job with the moral dilemmas that come with navigating a human world full of witches, serial killers, and... adorable felines.
Finn is a reaper with an antihero charm. He’s done his time in Hell and just wants to keep his head down and do his job. But when a string of witch murders starts ramping up, things get personal. Throw in Carol, a witch ghost unwilling to cross the River Styx until her cat finds a good home, and you’ve got a mix of wit and action that keeps you invested.
Chloe, the fiery red-headed witch from across the hall, adds a spicy romantic subplot that complements the book’s mystery. As Finn battles to protect her, their chemistry and witty banter provide some much-needed levity in a world that’s growing increasingly dark.
The book’s unique twist on the paranormal reaper genre is fun, and Finn’s dry, sarcastic inner monologue will keep you laughing. But what really sets this story apart is how the author weaves together quirky humor with real stakes. Death may be inevitable, but Finn is more than willing to bend the rules for the right reasons.
**💬 Favorite Quote:**
*"I’ve seen plenty of souls cross over, but none with as much of a fuss as this cat-loving witch. Figures the one thing standing between me and peace would be fur and claws."* – Aiden Finn
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**⚡️ Highlights:**
- **Witty, Dark Humor**: Finn’s sarcastic wit is a huge highlight of the story.
- **Paranormal Whodunit**: The witch serial killer mystery keeps you on your toes.
- **Relatable Reaper**: Aiden Finn may be ancient, but his struggles with duty and personal desires are all too human.
- **Cat Lovers Unite**: Honestly, any book featuring a reaper saving a cat has our heart.
---
For fans of *The Sandman*, *Good Omens*, and quirky paranormal mysteries, *The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Reapers* is a fast-paced, witty, and darkly entertaining read. Finn may be Death, but he’s also surprisingly... relatable.
See more reviews at:
Casla Reads
*I received this book through NetGalley as an ARC reader. This will not in any way affect my thoughts or opinions on the book.*
---
September 18, 2024
I am reviewing this book as a LibraryThing Early Reviewer, what follows is my objective opinion. Finn is a demon and Grim Reaper Level 7, he's several thousand years old and is the child of fallen angels. Chloe, a human, is a modern-day young witch and lives next door to a witch murder victim who Finn was sent to reap. Finn starts to notice something odd with his recent assigned reaps of witches who have been gruesomely murdered, and his investigation takes some twists and turns. I think the premise was good but it lacked a bit in execution, and I had trouble especially connecting with Chloe (she seemed bland). Finn was a more developed character but even so he didn't feel all that deep. The story is written in 1st-person POV from Finn's perspective, I would have liked to have gotten Chloe's POV as well but I see why it wasn't included as this is really Finn's story. This insta-lust age gap open-door romance stretched my ability to suspend disbelief just a bit, and it felt shallowly written at times. Tone-wise it's a little dry overall, although there are some nice touches of humor. The serial killer investigation was much more interesting than the romance and the writing had more depth when focusing on the murders. I felt that the insta-lust relationship was really more of a sub-plot, mainly existing to drive the main story. The story ended stronger than it started, I was engaged enough to read through to the somewhat satisfying end. It's the first in a series and a new-to-me author, I would probably read the next one; it's hard to tell from the ending whether the next in the series is going to be another character's story or if it's going to be a continuation focusing on Finn.
August 20, 2024
Aiden Finn is a demon; not only that, he’s a Grim Reaper, whose job it is to take the souls of newly deceased people to the ferry on the River Styx. He does not determine who goes to heaven and who goes to hell, nor indeed do his heavenly counterparts, the Angels of Death. When a witch is killed, the soul refuses to move on until Finn promises to look after her cat Tommy, which he reluctantly agrees to do. At the witch’s apartment building, however, he meets two other witches, Chloe and her roommate Andrea, and Finn immediately falls in love with Chloe. He will do anything to protect her, but when he realizes that witches are being murdered for a specific reason, he appeals to his sort-of friend, the demon Corsun, and his boss Jack, but nobody seems interested in the patterns that he is seeing…. I liked the premise of this book, thinking it would be a fun satire of corporate life, and there *is* some of that, but mostly it’s a romantasy, with a fair number of graphic sex scenes and little explanation of how Finn and Chloe are different from humans or why they fall in love (it seems to me to be sheer lust, but even that is a bit dicey considering their separate species). I wanted to like this book, but while the writing is serviceable there was really no compelling reason to find out “what happens next,” at least not for me. The ending is clearly setting up a second volume (if not an entire series), but I won’t be looking for it. I received this e-book from LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program. 2 1/2 stars
December 2, 2024
Overall, I’d rate this at a solid three star reading for me. There wasn’t a lot about it that really stood out, but I kept reading it to the end because there was something that I just kept coming back to. The writing was good, the characters likable, it just felt like the story fell a little flat sometimes. There was nothing there that stopped me from putting the book down, nothing there that made me power through it because I just needed to know what happened.
The characters were likable. I liked Finn and Chloe. Corsun was amusing too. I didn’t really connect with any of them, but I wasn’t annoyed when any of them showed up, so that’s a good thing. I am curious to know what happened to the cat, we never really got an answer to that one.
Whenever a book is the first in a series or whatever this may be, I’m always a little willing to give the author wiggle room for world building, setting the scene for things and all of the things that have to be done in the first book. This book was a little slow though, in my opinion. Not boring, just slow. I got to the end and realized that not a lot had actually happened throughout the book. Everything seemed to happen towards the end of the book.
I took a guess at what would happen at the end (no spoilers here, don’t worry) and was correct in my guess. It did leave me curious to see what the next book could be like. There was enough of a foundation there to have me willing to read the next book, just to see where things go.
The characters were likable. I liked Finn and Chloe. Corsun was amusing too. I didn’t really connect with any of them, but I wasn’t annoyed when any of them showed up, so that’s a good thing. I am curious to know what happened to the cat, we never really got an answer to that one.
Whenever a book is the first in a series or whatever this may be, I’m always a little willing to give the author wiggle room for world building, setting the scene for things and all of the things that have to be done in the first book. This book was a little slow though, in my opinion. Not boring, just slow. I got to the end and realized that not a lot had actually happened throughout the book. Everything seemed to happen towards the end of the book.
I took a guess at what would happen at the end (no spoilers here, don’t worry) and was correct in my guess. It did leave me curious to see what the next book could be like. There was enough of a foundation there to have me willing to read the next book, just to see where things go.
October 4, 2024
The next time you're frustrated by your job, just remember it could always be worse. You could be a demon who works as a grim reaper. Aiden Finn has been doing this job for 3000 years, so he's seen a lot and not much phases him any more. He tries to simply collect the soul, take it to the ferry over the river Styx, and move on to the next assignment. Aiden tries to avoid drawing the attention of management until the day he reaps a murdered witch who refuses to leave this plane until she knows someone to take care of her cat. While he usually doesn't break the rules like this (especially after the incident back in 79 AD that had him serving time in Hell) he agrees to help. That's when he meets Chloe, the witch's neighbor. Aiden feels an immediate attraction to her and the two start dating. After an incident at a multi-vehicle accident gets him in front a grim reaper investigation team for possible misconduct, Aiden starts questioning a series of witch murders that are mysteriously being added to his jobs list each day. While the romance blooms with Chloe, Aiden starts digging deeper into the murders, including having tea with a Catholic priest, and uncovers a plot to overthrow Lucifer. When his investigation seems to be closing in on the killer, Chloe is nearly killed. Aiden realizing even a trip back to Hell is worth it to save Chloe's life. A really fun romantic mystery.
August 28, 2024
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Reapers by C.A. Kennedy is the fun, and funny, first book in the Grim Reaper Chronicles.
The main character, Finn, is a demon and grim reaper. I was never quite clear if all grim reapers are demons, but they may be. During his daily rounds of reaping, he meets and falls in love with Chloe, a witch. This seems a bit forbidden, but I’m not sure why. There is a mystery that surrounds several witch deaths, and some corporate office tomfoolery between Upper Management with the angels and Lower Management with the demons.
There are some fun and unusual elements in this world, but several things didn’t make much sense or were mentioned and abandoned. As others have pointed out, the hellhound really came out of nowhere. Despite some issues, the story and characters really were charming, and I enjoyed the quick, light read and very funny moments that happened throughout. It’s definitely fluff, but it is entertaining fluff, and I had a good time.
Thank you to Librarything for the Early Reviewer copy.
3.5 rounded to 4 stars
The main character, Finn, is a demon and grim reaper. I was never quite clear if all grim reapers are demons, but they may be. During his daily rounds of reaping, he meets and falls in love with Chloe, a witch. This seems a bit forbidden, but I’m not sure why. There is a mystery that surrounds several witch deaths, and some corporate office tomfoolery between Upper Management with the angels and Lower Management with the demons.
There are some fun and unusual elements in this world, but several things didn’t make much sense or were mentioned and abandoned. As others have pointed out, the hellhound really came out of nowhere. Despite some issues, the story and characters really were charming, and I enjoyed the quick, light read and very funny moments that happened throughout. It’s definitely fluff, but it is entertaining fluff, and I had a good time.
Thank you to Librarything for the Early Reviewer copy.
3.5 rounded to 4 stars
October 9, 2024
2.5 ⭐️
.5🌶️
"Life’s too short to follow the rules, especially when you’re already dead."
I was really excited about The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Reapers. The idea of the office structure to heaven/hell sounded like it would be a funny read with a hint of spice! I thought it would be similar to the The Assistant to the Villain series, which is a great palate cleanser between dark romances or long reads!
But honestly, it just didn’t get there for me. There were a few plot holes that had me confused, and can someone please tell me what happened to Tommy the cat? We spent so much time talking about witches, but where was the magic? I was also missing the spice🌶️. The highlights were really some of his reaps and their comical behaviours.
I really wanted to love it, but I found myself having to push through to finish. But I think with a little more fleshing out, this could be a really idea for another book.
Tropes:
⭐️ Workplace Afterlife
⭐️Witches
⭐️Supernatural Bureaucracy
⭐️Humour in the Macabre
Thank you to NetGalley and C.A. Kennedy for allowing me to have an ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review.
.5🌶️
"Life’s too short to follow the rules, especially when you’re already dead."
I was really excited about The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Reapers. The idea of the office structure to heaven/hell sounded like it would be a funny read with a hint of spice! I thought it would be similar to the The Assistant to the Villain series, which is a great palate cleanser between dark romances or long reads!
But honestly, it just didn’t get there for me. There were a few plot holes that had me confused, and can someone please tell me what happened to Tommy the cat? We spent so much time talking about witches, but where was the magic? I was also missing the spice🌶️. The highlights were really some of his reaps and their comical behaviours.
I really wanted to love it, but I found myself having to push through to finish. But I think with a little more fleshing out, this could be a really idea for another book.
Tropes:
⭐️ Workplace Afterlife
⭐️Witches
⭐️Supernatural Bureaucracy
⭐️Humour in the Macabre
Thank you to NetGalley and C.A. Kennedy for allowing me to have an ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2024
Ambivalence Achieved
I fell for the title, cover, and blurb. They completely hooked me and drew me right in. I just wish the story had sustained it. There wasn’t anything wrong with the book per se. There wasn’t anything right either.
The humorous parts never quite got the chuckle. The plot twist didn’t boggle or even twist. The ending was abrupt and expected. There were numerous loose threads left. Those made the ending feel even more abrupt.
The concept was amazing. If there end up being more books in this series, I would probably read them to see if things this book just left hanging get resolved. If they didn’t, I would not stick with the series.
I did receive an ARC of this book and in my optimism, I purchased a copy as well.
I fell for the title, cover, and blurb. They completely hooked me and drew me right in. I just wish the story had sustained it. There wasn’t anything wrong with the book per se. There wasn’t anything right either.
The humorous parts never quite got the chuckle. The plot twist didn’t boggle or even twist. The ending was abrupt and expected. There were numerous loose threads left. Those made the ending feel even more abrupt.
The concept was amazing. If there end up being more books in this series, I would probably read them to see if things this book just left hanging get resolved. If they didn’t, I would not stick with the series.
I did receive an ARC of this book and in my optimism, I purchased a copy as well.
November 16, 2024
A truly enjoyable read and, hopefully, the first book in a just as enjoyable series.
While touching on a subject and genre seemingly done to death (joke not intended) in modern time, I found this book a refeshingly original look at it all. Original, witty, likable characters, good pace. My only "complaint" is there is no book two to immediately start reading. So I've added C. A. Kennedy to my "authors to look out for" list and must now politely wait.
Book nerd side of things: There was a couple of typos and such, but I was reading an ARC so found that perfectly fine and didn't affect my rating. Perfectly formatted to be a Kindle book (huge tick, as so few books are) and all in all a well thought out and produced book.
Would highly recommend.
While touching on a subject and genre seemingly done to death (joke not intended) in modern time, I found this book a refeshingly original look at it all. Original, witty, likable characters, good pace. My only "complaint" is there is no book two to immediately start reading. So I've added C. A. Kennedy to my "authors to look out for" list and must now politely wait.
Book nerd side of things: There was a couple of typos and such, but I was reading an ARC so found that perfectly fine and didn't affect my rating. Perfectly formatted to be a Kindle book (huge tick, as so few books are) and all in all a well thought out and produced book.
Would highly recommend.
August 10, 2024
I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard out loud while reading a book. Or the last time a character surprised me by breaking the fourth wall! Needless to say I very much enjoyed this book and I would love if this world turned into a series. The writing and banter was funny and full of wit. The characters had great chemistry and the magic building is fantastic. Finn is the biggest cinnamon roll of a grim reaper but he would totally deny it. Chloe knows what she wants but sometimes needs to show it better! I would love to read more about these two in their new roles! Highly entertaining story. I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
August 14, 2024
Overall it was a enjoyable read with a well thought out plot and main character. Personally, I would change the title and book cover as it seems slightly targeted at younger readers (ages 12-16), but the some content was obviously not for them. Another negative comment is the main character, Finn, sounded more like a 17 year old speaking, rather than a guy that has been alive for a long time. Other than that, it was a good book, and I would definitively read the sequel after the cliffhanger.
I have reviewed this voluntarily after receiving a free copy.
I have reviewed this voluntarily after receiving a free copy.
October 16, 2024
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Reapers by C.A. Kennedy is a clever and engaging exploration of the afterlife through a humorous lens. Kennedy’s unique premise combines wit and insight, offering readers a fresh perspective on the roles of reapers and the human condition. Each habit outlined is both entertaining and thought-provoking, blending light-hearted moments with deeper philosophical themes. This book is a delightful read that will leave you chuckling while also reflecting on life and death in a whole new way.
January 4, 2025
I was rather disappointed because the title of this book was really intriguing but it was more like the 7 stages of grief more than the 7 habits of highly effective reapers. Most of this book was like reading a boring diary. I'm really sorry but if it hadn't been for the mystery aspect there would have been very little substance in this book. The only redeeming factor was the ending.
Big thanks to NetGalley, Harbor Lane Books and CA Kennedy for a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.
Big thanks to NetGalley, Harbor Lane Books and CA Kennedy for a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.
November 19, 2025
Reading this book was like unwinding with a favorite TV show. A slacker demon with a secret caring side, grim reaper Finn also brings one hell of a sense of humor. The world-building is both fun and believable (obviously, demons work at the DMV), focused on the murky middle where angel and demon jurisdiction butt heads over transporting souls to the afterlife. I never felt like any plot developments were ever off the table, and I really enjoyed the ride. I can’t wait for book 2, and I highly recommend this entertaining read!
October 17, 2024
Thank you Netgalley and Harbor Lane Books for the chance to read The 7 habits of highly effective reapers by C.A. Kennedy. This is the first book in the Grim Reaper chronicles, and I thought it would be a great humorous read for Halloween. It was an ok read for me, but I found myself putting it down constantly as I just couldn't get into the story and found the writing style was not to my liking. 21/2 stars rounded up.
September 13, 2024
3.5 stars
I was looking forward to this book; I love a spooky read for the fall! The plot is original, and the characters are great. I like Finn and Chloe's chemistry. The dialogue and pacing in this book were excellent. My issue with this book is that some loose ends took away from the reading experience.
Thank NetGalley and C.A. Kennedy for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I was looking forward to this book; I love a spooky read for the fall! The plot is original, and the characters are great. I like Finn and Chloe's chemistry. The dialogue and pacing in this book were excellent. My issue with this book is that some loose ends took away from the reading experience.
Thank NetGalley and C.A. Kennedy for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 17, 2024
A fun premise and a light tone. Despite the rather bland cover, this book turned out to be an engaging read. It is fast paced with plenty of action and intrigue, as well as good moments of humor. It even gave me chills towards the end.
I was thoroughly invested throughout.
I was thoroughly invested throughout.
September 30, 2024
3.5 upped to 4
More paranormal romance than urban fantasy. It's a funny and entertaining story with a well done world building.
The characters would need some more depth but I liked them
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
More paranormal romance than urban fantasy. It's a funny and entertaining story with a well done world building.
The characters would need some more depth but I liked them
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
October 9, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this! It’s a quick, fun read. In tone it reminds me of the Daniel Faust books, and Finn is a bit like Daniel in his navigation of otherworldly bureaucracy. Looking forward to seeing more of this author!
August 6, 2024
Really enjoyed reading this. Has just the right amount of romance, humor, and mystery. Has quite a few plot twists and things I wasn't expecting. Can't wait to read the next one.
October 22, 2024
Fun little book! Simple and fun writing. Ends with some questions but overall I enjoyed the experience and it was exactly what it promised to be
December 23, 2024
I just really enjoyed this read from cover to cover. I noticed it says book one so I'm looking forward to book two. The ending had me kicking my feet in excitement.
July 8, 2025
This is very obviously Charmed fan-fiction. it's a quick and ok read, but the characters fell a bit flat and could have benefitted with a bit more detail.
November 10, 2024
This is a funny, entertaining paranormal romance/urban fantasy with a murder mystery twist. The side characters contributed well to the plot, and the world was unique. Cliffhanger beware! The last page is a jaw dropper. That said, I have several lingering questions that I really hope are answered in the next book rather than left as loose ends. The book released this week, and I recommend you add it to your spooky season TBR!
Character Rating
This is the first book I’ve read in a while that is told from the MMC’s POV. Finn is charming, funny, and a great deal of fun. I would have loved more of his background, but perhaps that will come in the next book. The FMC, Chloe, is sweet, and although she seems meek, she has a quiet strength. I am also hoping we get more backstory/information for her in the next book.
Relationships Rating
There were several side characters to enjoy. Andrea, Chloe’s roommate, and Corsun, Finn’s colleague, are two of my favorites. They are quite different from each other, but equally entertaining. Along with the two of them, there are a number of other characters that give the world depth. I particularly enjoyed the dynamics between the Demons and Angels.
Emotional Impact Rating
Most of the book is quirky and humorous, with mystery, intrigue, and romance thrown in. The premise of modern day Grim Reapers and Angels of Death is entertaining on its own. There was a truly heartbreaking moment and twist that threw me off entirely, and the ending had my jaw dropping. There is a cliffhanger, and there are a number of questions I hope are answered in the next book.
Writing Style Rating
It was nearly impossible to put this book down. The humor was right up my alley, and the world building was interesting. With some of the characters and some of the plot, there are lingering questions. I don’t mind them when there is a cliffhanger, but I am hoping they are resolved in the future rather than left as loose ends. Overall, it was a fun read.
Spice Rating
This is an open door romance with two explicit scenes, one each in chapters five and nine. There are a few other scenes that describe some heavy kissing/touching, nudity/seduction, and fade to black/references to sex after the fact. The romance did not overtake the plot, nor are the scenes drawn out.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are honest and my own.
Character Rating
This is the first book I’ve read in a while that is told from the MMC’s POV. Finn is charming, funny, and a great deal of fun. I would have loved more of his background, but perhaps that will come in the next book. The FMC, Chloe, is sweet, and although she seems meek, she has a quiet strength. I am also hoping we get more backstory/information for her in the next book.
Relationships Rating
There were several side characters to enjoy. Andrea, Chloe’s roommate, and Corsun, Finn’s colleague, are two of my favorites. They are quite different from each other, but equally entertaining. Along with the two of them, there are a number of other characters that give the world depth. I particularly enjoyed the dynamics between the Demons and Angels.
Emotional Impact Rating
Most of the book is quirky and humorous, with mystery, intrigue, and romance thrown in. The premise of modern day Grim Reapers and Angels of Death is entertaining on its own. There was a truly heartbreaking moment and twist that threw me off entirely, and the ending had my jaw dropping. There is a cliffhanger, and there are a number of questions I hope are answered in the next book.
Writing Style Rating
It was nearly impossible to put this book down. The humor was right up my alley, and the world building was interesting. With some of the characters and some of the plot, there are lingering questions. I don’t mind them when there is a cliffhanger, but I am hoping they are resolved in the future rather than left as loose ends. Overall, it was a fun read.
Spice Rating
This is an open door romance with two explicit scenes, one each in chapters five and nine. There are a few other scenes that describe some heavy kissing/touching, nudity/seduction, and fade to black/references to sex after the fact. The romance did not overtake the plot, nor are the scenes drawn out.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are honest and my own.
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