The Sandman

The Reaper Chronicles #6

by Apryl Baker

Every child knows the story of the Sandman…a creature who visits you at night and blows sand in your eyes so you drift off to dreamland. It’s a familiar story, and one that is near and dear to us.

But all stories and legends are steeped in truth in some form or fashion. And the Sandman is no different…

In the town of Jacob’s Fork, WV, the townspeople are falling into deep sleeps from which they cannot be awakened. Sleep comas, the doctors are calling them.

People are dying, and Ella Banks was asked to use her reaping abilities to try to connect with the dead to find answers. What she finds is a monster so terrifying she’s unsure if it can be stopped.

But the little boy she found there needs her help, and she won’t abandon him, even if it puts her own life in jeopardy.

But can she face not only her own nightmares, but those of a five-year-old as well, and manage to survive without losing her sanity

186 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 30, 2024

About the author

So who am I? Well, I'm the crazy girl with an imagination that never shuts up. I LOVE scary movies. My friends laugh at me when I scare myself watching them and tell me to stop watching them, but who doesn't love to get scared? I grew up in a small town nestled in the southern mountains of West Virginia where I spent days roaming around in the woods, climbing trees, and causing general mayhem. Nights I would stay up reading Nancy Drew by flashlight under the covers until my parents yelled at me to go to sleep.

Growing up in a small town, I learned a lot of values and morals, I also learned parents have spies everywhere and there's always someone to tell your mama on you. So when you get grounded, what is there left to do? Read! My Aunt Jo gave me my first real romance novel. It was a romance titled "Lord Margrave's Deception." I remember it fondly. But I also learned I had a deep and abiding love of mysteries and anything paranormal. As I grew up, I started to write just that and would entertain my friends with stories featuring them as main characters.

Now, I live Huntersville, NC where I entertain my family and watch the cats get teased by the birds and laugh myself silly when they swoop down and then dive back up just out of reach. The cats start yelling something fierce...lol.

I love books, I love writing books, and I love entertaining people with my silly stories.

You can reach me at any of these places:
Blog: http://apryl-baker.blogspot.com/
Twitter:@AprylBaker
The Promise Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO2zTi...

PS: DO NOT GET IN MY WAY IF THERE IS A SALE ON AT TARGET - my home away from home!

Reviews

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sandman was a great book. I love how the author used something we thought we knew 'The Sandman' and it become something a bit different in this book. I enjoyed catching up with all the characters and following along on the adventure. Ella is such a great person and all her friends and family have a special bond. I know I plan to keep following Apryl Baker anywhere she wants to go with these series! I love the living reapers Ella and Mattie/Emma Rose and I think all the series including these two great characters, their friends and family is a must read. I hope Apryl Baker has as much fun writing these books as I have reading them!

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've really enjoyed this series!

The Sandman is something everyone is familiar with, but Apryl's original take on it makes this an extremely interesting read.

I'm glad we got to see Ella take more of a lead in this book!

I'm intrigued to see how the new characters introduced will be a part of the over all community as well as part of Ella and Eli's lives.

It was a good book, don't get me wrong, it just didn't quite live up to the rest of the books in this series.

****Updated. I just wanted to add something after reading some of the other reviews.
I don't see a problem with Ella's diabetes being mentioned as it is. We are following this girl throughout her life. It's a significant part of her daily life.
Also a reminder SHE IS HUMAN!!! I thought it added another layer to the character.

[Deeds · Rating 5 out of 5]

PHENOMENAL Story☺️🤗

This story was just plain WOW!!!. It was so moving, exciting, entertaining and again just WOW!!!. I was so excited and happy that he got some of his life back!!. Just a little goes a long way!!. Apryl is a PHENOMENAL writer and storyteller!!. SO GOOD😘😍.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found parts to be really repetitve. She focuses on her diabetes a lot. Several paragraphs through out this series are all about that, and often the same things are repeated. This is book #6 and Ella has yet to defeat any foe put before her. At least in this one she confronts him. But again, does not win for herself. She is always the damsil in distress and never the strong female character we are hoping to see. And just like in the Crane Diaries series, the all-powerful Gods/desses are always defying all the odds. Decide you want to defy death? sure no problem, there's someone powerful enough for that. Want to change the set rules or parameters? no problem, got ways around those too. It's a little comical now to see what's coming next. Reminds me of kids playing super heroes. There's no end to the infinite powers when they one-up each other.
I did give it 4 stars because I was hooked and did like the many facets of the story-line. Having the bad guys in different levels; her dad, 'uncle', the sandman, the abusive parents, and many nightmare monsters. The new characters introduced, like the little boy and now being able to add Elis' previous/real family back into their lives.
Also, I love that Cole and his friends are briefly mentioned. I am seriously jonesing for more of the WolfPack U series that started almost 5+ yrs ago. (only book 1 'Initiation' ever came out and is still one of my top 5 books of all time!) I follow the author herself on FB and etc and can see she has used a lot of her own life issues and struggles in this series, so I am curious to see how that goes as well..

****SPOILERS!!!****



It starts out with Ella having no memories from being taken by the deranged soliders in the last book. None of what they did to her or how she basically died before Eli was able to revive her. Which means when her 'uncle' Tony comes to stay with them she doesn't remember him being a part of it all. All she does know is that her dad chose to go away with the ones that hurt her, supposedly to protect her from that end ever happening again. But while dealing with this Sheriff Ethan asks her to help with mysterious deaths in the area. People falling asleep mysteriously and dying while in the comas. While seeking help from anyone that may have answers, our favorite demon grandpa shows and gives Ella a little gift of his own. Blessing her with her tormented memories. Which leads to the family confronting Mr. Banks and tossing him out of their lives. He makes his choice and takes his brother Tony with him. Now they offically live with Eli and his gramps. Taking far too long then it should have to realize they are dealing with the Sandman, Ella sacrafices herself to save young boy Jamie, whom her mom, pressured by Ella, later adopts. They don't defeat him, more like the Sandman ditracts her while he gets what he wants and moves on. And at the end the Almighty Rhea appears to bless Eli for him saving her daughter so many times; blessing him with being able to be open and honest with his real family, the Malones. We end with Eli, Ella, and the others going to his families place to tell them the truth and see them for the first time since his death, years ago...

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apryl Baker’s The Sandman takes readers on a heart-pounding journey through a nightmare that blurs the line between myth and reality. This sixth installment in The Reaper Chronicles plunges into the eerie and unsettling world of Jacob’s Fork, WV, where the legend of the Sandman is all too real and deadly.

Ella Banks, our resilient and courageous heroine, is thrust into a chilling mystery when the townspeople fall into unending, deadly sleep comas. With her unique reaping abilities, she’s called upon to connect with the deceased in a desperate bid for answers. What she discovers is nothing short of harrowing—a monstrous entity linked to the Sandman legend, a creature so terrifying it threatens to engulf her very sanity.

Baker expertly crafts a tense, atmospheric narrative that draws readers deep into the dark underbelly of Jacob’s Fork. The juxtaposition of folklore with a modern-day crisis adds layers of intrigue, making the Sandman more than just a bedtime story but a tangible threat that looms over the town.

What truly shines in this story is Ella’s determination and bravery. Her quest is not just to save the townspeople but also to help a vulnerable five-year-old caught in the web of terror. This personal stake adds emotional depth to the suspense, as Ella’s struggle becomes as much about confronting her own fears as it is about saving others.

The Sandman is a gripping read that combines psychological horror with supernatural elements, making it a perfect choice for fans of dark, suspenseful urban fantasy. Baker’s vivid descriptions and relentless pacing keep readers on edge, ensuring that they’re fully immersed in this chilling tale. If you enjoy stories where legends come to life and heroes face their deepest fears, this book is a must-read.

Prepare for a rollercoaster of suspense, emotion, and dark magic as Ella Banks faces the monsters of the night and the demons within. The Sandman is a powerful addition to The Reaper Chronicles, delivering a haunting and memorable experience that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this enthralling series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tam · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Ella Grace Banks” -it knows my name

Something in the town is causing people to fall into sleep comas and some of these people are dying.
When Ella tries to find the cause of this, she finds herself in another realm where she meets a little boy Jamie, who is stuck there and hiding from the thing that hunts them. Ella promises to save him but is cast out of the realm. Determined to save Jamie, Ella must find what it is that is hunting him and figure out how to save him before it is too late.

This story is amazing. This is the first of the series that I have read and it drew me in so much. The author has done an amazing of job of filling the reader in on backstory, while keeping the story flowing so that it did not matter that I had yet to read the rest of the series. This story is amazing and I read it one go, I couldn’t put it down. I definitely recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great continuation of Ella and Eli’s adventures. I, like other reviewers, really enjoyed seeing Ella really come into her own and see that she is really strong. (Especially after her experience in the previous story!!).
The only thing that stopped this from being 5 stars for me is that it seemed really rushed at the end. I would have loved more, but then again, maybe Apryl plans on bringing the Sandman back in the future so we can see if the “new Prison will work?!?!!! I wanted to see if the dreamwalker could really find Ella and Jamie. And I wanted to see if Eli could find her as well. Hmmm??!?!?!!

Anywho, this is another great look into the life of Ella Grace Banks. 💕 (And we do get to see Eli find some happiness of his own with his family! Now we just need to see Eli see Ella as more than a “sister”…hahaha). 😉

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It continues to amaze me how great Ella is. Always trying to help.

It was amazing to read that add on parts of Ella being a little more out there. The way she is more involved and how she tries to figure out what is happening. We can’t forget about Eli who is always there.

I felt this book brought a lot together.

It has been written really good. You do get a bit of that human side when some get diabetes and i thought it added more to her human form.

I can hardly wait to read more. This series is pretty exciting with everything that happens and I’m still rooting for Ella and Eli. Just waiting for that perfect moment.

[Andra Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sandman is the sixth book in the Reaper Chronicles series. Like the previous books, it is a page-turner, and the storyline is an action-packed, high-drama mix of the supernatural and paranormal. The characters are wonderfully realistic and keep you engaged. The books should be read in order.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vanessa Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 6 of the reaper chronicles and a standalone story. The story is a page turning, suspenseful, continuation of Ella the living reaper. It picks up where the last book left off. Ella is dealing with the loss of memories over her torture and her father's not protecting her. I was glad for the happy ending.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ella Banks: Book 6 of The Reaper Chronicles: This is a tame and suspenseful paranormal young adult romance. The series is best read in order, and is comprised of quick read novellas. I love Apryl Baker’s writing style, and the world and character development she has created with this series. They are fun and entertaining.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this Author and I went to read the first five books in this series. I enjoyed the storyline and read with my teenagers.
It is intriguing and suspenseful with just the right paranormal elements.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book keeps you engaged with the paranormal drama. The characters are well written with a realistic feel. You will be drawn in until the end.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LizJ. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sandman is book 6 of the Reaper Chronicles series and is an original take on an old story. It's a definite page turner and held my attention. The ending was very satisfying.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Werewolves, shifters and ghosts!!

I feel sorry for little Jamie! His dad is so mean!

Jamie is this little boy who has a fear of clowns and his father keeps scaring him with a jack-in-the-box.

This was an interesting story!

[Hanna Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! What a fun and creepy and wonderful take on the Sandman legend. Highly recommend this and other books in this series.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok but six books in the author really needs to stop with the constant PSA on diabetes. She mentioned it multiple times nearly every chapter and it was annoying.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow loved it

Creepy. So much happens in this book. Surprise characters from other series, huge changes for both Ella and her family and Eli.