What do you think?
Rate this book
Reaper
The Department of Creative Death and Ironic Punishment. This is where writers go when they die.
Oz, an employee of The Department, is mostly content doling out death from his ancient typewriter, until he wins the office lottery. The prize? A new assignment – to return to the world of the living as a Reaper.
At first, Oz sees this new assignment as a blessing. He is given a body and a second chance at life, but then, during a lesson with a surly, seasoned Reaper named Bard, Oz is forced to watch a childhood friend die. Shaken, Oz questions his willingness to do the job he’s won.
With each new lesson, Oz begins to wonder if being a Reaper is really a prize or a punishment.
Oz, an employee of The Department, is mostly content doling out death from his ancient typewriter, until he wins the office lottery. The prize? A new assignment – to return to the world of the living as a Reaper.
At first, Oz sees this new assignment as a blessing. He is given a body and a second chance at life, but then, during a lesson with a surly, seasoned Reaper named Bard, Oz is forced to watch a childhood friend die. Shaken, Oz questions his willingness to do the job he’s won.
With each new lesson, Oz begins to wonder if being a Reaper is really a prize or a punishment.
- GenresUrban FantasyFantasy
172 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 21, 2014
3 people are currently reading
345 people want to read
About the author
Katrina Monroe
11 books394 followersKatrina Monroe is the author of They Drown Our Daughters; Graveyard of Lost Children; and Through the Midnight Door. A private investigator by day, she lives in Minnesota with her wife, two children, and Eddie, the ghost who haunts their bedroom closets.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 21, 2014
This book had me chuckling from the first page. I thoroughly enjoyed the author's clean writing style (no purple anything here, folks) and her witty, sarcastic voice. Oz is a fantastic character, but I have to say my personal favorite was Bard, the reluctant "mentor" and all around asshole (But in a good way). With Reaper, Monroe takes a humorous and fresh look at the age-old tale of "Death" and those who dole it out, but beneath the sass and sarcasm is a deeper, more important message. I look forward to more from this author and possibly a follow-up book featuring Bard.
October 27, 2014
I got this book for free from a facebook for authors and reviews to come together. I know I know I have enough to do with my life why go and seek more pain, but in most cases this pain becomes a pleasure. This is one of those times.
Katrina's book starts off normal enough, you don't really know where it is going, and then oh he is dead.. and what a way to go. Then it jumps to the afterlife, which I must say really would fing suck.
When she got to the "reaper" section I was REALLY surprised by the events and the way that she twisted the plot, I can honestly say that I kinda thought I knew about Jamie, or at least the nagging part of my brain, but the rest of it, no freaking idea, and wow I was BLOWN away by Styk and how she portrayed those things that any good dead/reaper lover feels they know.
Writing - Really solid, only two times did I find words that did not belong, and even then it was spelled right and any good reader can just skip.
Plot really good, and I think that there is the ability to have a second book following Oz, but I also don't think it is necessary.
If you are okay with some frank language, and some frank Reaper action, then this is a good book. Oh and look out for the wolves ;)
Katrina's book starts off normal enough, you don't really know where it is going, and then oh he is dead.. and what a way to go. Then it jumps to the afterlife, which I must say really would fing suck.
When she got to the "reaper" section I was REALLY surprised by the events and the way that she twisted the plot, I can honestly say that I kinda thought I knew about Jamie, or at least the nagging part of my brain, but the rest of it, no freaking idea, and wow I was BLOWN away by Styk and how she portrayed those things that any good dead/reaper lover feels they know.
Writing - Really solid, only two times did I find words that did not belong, and even then it was spelled right and any good reader can just skip.
Plot really good, and I think that there is the ability to have a second book following Oz, but I also don't think it is necessary.
If you are okay with some frank language, and some frank Reaper action, then this is a good book. Oh and look out for the wolves ;)
September 19, 2014
Reaper is an amazing read! The characters seemed to jump off the page and keep me wanting more after it ended! I am not ashamed to admit I was late to work one morning because I couldn't put it down. I've read it twice now, and noticed things I missed the first time around. Definitely some good one-liners I have to remember for future use.
March 16, 2016
Pitch Black Take on the Afterlife
I've seen stories about the bureaucracy of Death before. (Dead Like Me springs to mind.) But while those strive to find a lighter or more comedic tone, this is pitch black. The Reapers are uniformly miserable. Not only do they have to witness death every day, they have to fight to retrieve the souls before horrible Shadow wolves devour them.
While I like the effort to keep the sentimentality at bay, some of the characters are extremely unlikable. Oz, our protagonist, is extremely pathetic. Filled with self loathing and resentment, he hates his new vocation.
Still, this is a minor point. I was impressed by the settings and the premise. It was a very dark and original take on the Afterlife.
I've seen stories about the bureaucracy of Death before. (Dead Like Me springs to mind.) But while those strive to find a lighter or more comedic tone, this is pitch black. The Reapers are uniformly miserable. Not only do they have to witness death every day, they have to fight to retrieve the souls before horrible Shadow wolves devour them.
While I like the effort to keep the sentimentality at bay, some of the characters are extremely unlikable. Oz, our protagonist, is extremely pathetic. Filled with self loathing and resentment, he hates his new vocation.
Still, this is a minor point. I was impressed by the settings and the premise. It was a very dark and original take on the Afterlife.
February 17, 2017
Couldn't put it down
I loved this book from start to finish. It captivates you. I couldn't put it down. I was disappointed that it was over. I want to read more.
I loved this book from start to finish. It captivates you. I couldn't put it down. I was disappointed that it was over. I want to read more.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews