Cleo and the Death of the Five Realms

by Olivia Faye, Laura Hawk (Illustrator)

Cleo has never played exploding marbles aboard The River Styx. She knows no magic, has never helped solve a riddle by a fire-breathing pansy, and has never read a page from Mythical Creatures of the Veil (to Eden’s shock). All she knows is her quaint life with her mother, Vesta, and behemoth wolfdog, Anik. Cleo has never questioned the costly and beautiful things around her at the Arcadia estate and sees no reason to leave.

But all that is about to change when a reaper appears in her living room, revealing the truth about her father. The Five Realms and the dark world that reapers call home have remained secret until now. Cleo must come to terms with a father she has never known and go on the most dangerous adventure of her life. Magic lurks around every corner and in the wonder of the realms, the impossible is possible. On her travels, she will venture into The Fifth Realm (where few humans ever cross), confront a host of mythical monsters, and face the Grim Reaper himself. Cleo’s quest to challenge her fate and reject the Mother Oracle’s prophecy will not be denied.

CLEO AND THE GRIM REAPER weaves strands of Greek mythology and magical fable together, in the vein of THE GOLDEN COMPASS and THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, expertly interposing very real young adult problems into a make-believe world.

399 pages, Paperback

Published May 21, 2025

Reviews

[Emma Blakeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cleo is the perfect reminder of the joy of YA reading. With all the adventure of favorite childhood stories like Percy Jackson and Harry Potter, this book is a perfect blend of adventure and heart. Each character is uniquely distinct and adds up to a perfect cast of characters. The heart of a truly stubborn 13 year old, Cleo is what every young hero must be. Clever, quick witted, brave, and fiercely loyal. With the last 100 pages being a culmination of anticipation and excitement, it sets the story up beautifully for a promising series. I look forward to the next.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia Faye has a knack for describing characters in an efficient way, so much so that you feel like you have read stories about them before! Cleo and the Death of the Five Realms was so entertaining...I kept picking it up to read more only to set it back down because I didn't want the story to end. One of my favorite parts in the book occurred towards the end of the story when I realized that Cleo's tale would not end in this book and that there might be more books to follow! I cannot wait until the next book arrives!

[Geni Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great world-building novel that brings readers into Cleo’s journey! I enjoyed how the author allowed us to uncover the intricacies of the realms alongside Cleo, letting the world unfold piece by piece as she begins to question everything she thought she knew. It made the story feel personal and immersive, and took the readers on her journey with her. I can’t wait to read the next book and see where Cleo and Anik (her dog) go!

[Pallas · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love coming-of-age fantasy series’ like Percy Jackson and Harry Potter, then this book is right for you. Unique multi-myth magical realism including a magical school and multiple dimensions/worlds, this intriguing universe is full of interesting and diverse characters. Only the first in a trilogy, we all wait impatiently to read the next book.

[allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cleo and the Death of the Five Realms is a wonderful adventure. It’s the perfect mix of cozy & thrilling. The characters are what really stood out to me - their development and growth throughout the book was amazing!
Highly recommend to anyone looking for their next epic journey through a literary world.

[John Chancey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my first dives into YA since reading Harry Potter as a kid, and I really enjoyed it. The sharp dialogue and strong character development kept me hooked from cover to cover. One of my favorite moments comes in the latter half, when Eden finally warms up to Chloe. It’s like that scene in Rocky IV when the Russian crowd starts cheering for Rocky during the Drago fight.