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Reaper
“Beautifully focused snapshot of Rosie’s final months on Earth. The simplicity of this approach fits perfectly with the seeming randomness of life, death and love.” — Deseret News
“Rosie’s story is a very readable exploration of the bonds that last beyond death, and readers will hang on to see Rosie make her choices.” — Booklist
Fifteen-year-old Rosie Wolf is sure when you die, you go straight to Paradise, until she wakes to discover she has died in an accident and that Paradise isn’t what she thought it would be.
Rosie Wolf was sure that when her dad died, he went to Paradise. After all, isn’t that where everyone went? But when Rosie wakes up in a strange hospital bed and finds out that she’s died in an accident, she learns things aren’t always what you think they will be.
Now her father feels further away than ever, and Rosie is left to deal with the Grim Reaper, who isn’t a man in a black cloak, but a beautiful woman with a bad attitude. The Grim Reaper tells Rosie that before she can move on to Paradise, she has to go back down to Earth and collect three souls. But Rosie quickly realizes it’s not so simple.
To complicate matters, Rosie meets Kyle, a boy who is different than anyone she’s ever known. He’s cute, smart, and funny. Rosie’s been warned to stay away from the living, but she doesn’t want to. What will happen if she doesn’t?
“Rosie’s story is a very readable exploration of the bonds that last beyond death, and readers will hang on to see Rosie make her choices.” — Booklist
Fifteen-year-old Rosie Wolf is sure when you die, you go straight to Paradise, until she wakes to discover she has died in an accident and that Paradise isn’t what she thought it would be.
Rosie Wolf was sure that when her dad died, he went to Paradise. After all, isn’t that where everyone went? But when Rosie wakes up in a strange hospital bed and finds out that she’s died in an accident, she learns things aren’t always what you think they will be.
Now her father feels further away than ever, and Rosie is left to deal with the Grim Reaper, who isn’t a man in a black cloak, but a beautiful woman with a bad attitude. The Grim Reaper tells Rosie that before she can move on to Paradise, she has to go back down to Earth and collect three souls. But Rosie quickly realizes it’s not so simple.
To complicate matters, Rosie meets Kyle, a boy who is different than anyone she’s ever known. He’s cute, smart, and funny. Rosie’s been warned to stay away from the living, but she doesn’t want to. What will happen if she doesn’t?
256 pages, Hardcover
Published May 9, 2017
About the author
Kyra Leigh
2 books50 followersKyra Leigh grew up in Utah playing classical piano. She and her four sisters were homeschooled and spent most of their time reading. She works off and on at the annual Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers (WIFYR.com) workshop. She loves to travel, hike, and talk books with her friends. You can visit Kyra on Facebook, Instagram, and on the blog she shares with her Mom, ThrowingUpWords.Wordpress.com. Reaper is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 12, 2017
Eh. This wasn't a fun read, and for it's purposes I feel like there wasn't enough story or the plot was missing essential elements to make it more engaging. I get it, grieving sucks.
2 stars
2 stars
August 22, 2018
REAPER by Kyra Leigh is a fantastical story about life after death. Rosie Wolfe always believed that after dying came paradise and heaven. However, after her life is ended in a tragic car accident, she wakes up in a strange hospital. She learns that in order to get to paradise, she must become a reaper and bring three souls to the afterlife. In the process she meets many people, from the Grim Reaper, who turns out not to be a hooded black figure, but a woman in a black dress, to Martha, a living woman who assists the Reapers in their task. In this exploration of human morals and emotion, Leigh tells a story of relationships, fate and the power of death.
The novel’s chapters alternate between the present and the past, before Rosie’s death. There are smooth transitions between chapters, which carries the reader in pace with the book. With three souls that she must bring to the afterlife, I noticed that the novel is somewhat like a play. Each character and interaction speaks to Rosie’s life in a different way, giving us insight into our main character.
The snapshots of her life before death are a bit cliché as a teenager, but crystal clear. Rosie’s choices are sometimes debatable, rash and frustrating. She tends to overcomplicate a seemingly simple plot but, as we look into her past, her actions are quite human and understandable. The plot is simple and there is not much of a greater conflict; the obstacles grow as the novel progresses. It is a simple book that settles as a quick read, touching on loss, acceptance and realization. The novel approaches the trauma of death for teens in a unique manner. However, it could have gone deeper and the ending is quite simple and predictable. It felt cut short in many ways. There are some unfinished ends with Rosie’s family; the book could have gone deeper into the psychology of death and how Rosie deals with this pain. Instead, it only touches the surface of what the book could possibly explore.
The concept and structure of the afterlife is only briefly glossed over as exposition. I would have enjoyed reading more about the hospital that she woke up in as well as the training that she had to go through in order to be sent down again. The novel could possibly even use a sequel, with more character, setting and plot development.
It is a clean, well-written attempt at relating to those who have suffered through loss. Although not exactly relatable, it is a simple, interesting story with a devastating climax that made the novel true to itself.
Overall, a sequel that delves into another character’s life could open up the universe of the afterlife and it would be exciting to read other books by Leigh.
Reviewed by Jeremy H., Teen Board Member
The novel’s chapters alternate between the present and the past, before Rosie’s death. There are smooth transitions between chapters, which carries the reader in pace with the book. With three souls that she must bring to the afterlife, I noticed that the novel is somewhat like a play. Each character and interaction speaks to Rosie’s life in a different way, giving us insight into our main character.
The snapshots of her life before death are a bit cliché as a teenager, but crystal clear. Rosie’s choices are sometimes debatable, rash and frustrating. She tends to overcomplicate a seemingly simple plot but, as we look into her past, her actions are quite human and understandable. The plot is simple and there is not much of a greater conflict; the obstacles grow as the novel progresses. It is a simple book that settles as a quick read, touching on loss, acceptance and realization. The novel approaches the trauma of death for teens in a unique manner. However, it could have gone deeper and the ending is quite simple and predictable. It felt cut short in many ways. There are some unfinished ends with Rosie’s family; the book could have gone deeper into the psychology of death and how Rosie deals with this pain. Instead, it only touches the surface of what the book could possibly explore.
The concept and structure of the afterlife is only briefly glossed over as exposition. I would have enjoyed reading more about the hospital that she woke up in as well as the training that she had to go through in order to be sent down again. The novel could possibly even use a sequel, with more character, setting and plot development.
It is a clean, well-written attempt at relating to those who have suffered through loss. Although not exactly relatable, it is a simple, interesting story with a devastating climax that made the novel true to itself.
Overall, a sequel that delves into another character’s life could open up the universe of the afterlife and it would be exciting to read other books by Leigh.
Reviewed by Jeremy H., Teen Board Member
May 18, 2017
Review based on an ARC provided by Edelweiss. I also want to thank the publisher for giving me this opportunity.
This is a short novel I managed to read in one sit, which is quite rare for me.
Rosie died in an accident and finds out she needs to fulfill a task in order to go to heaven and meet her father again. This means to reap three souls, as an assistant to Death. Not only is it a job that takes a toll on her but severe rules ensue, including not to connect with any of the living. And of course she'll meet a boy unlike no other she's ever met right during this predicament.
Unfortunately, even though the rules were a very interesting twist to this trope, the story was pretty basic. Despite being an eventful book, I feel the author didn't want to make anything too complicated. Which is a pity, as I found the world building as interesting as it was potentially intricated.
Another interesting feature was Rosie's friendship with Carrie. At first, I just thought the author was going for the bad friend story but it revealed to be much more. I really enjoyed this part because old friendships do tend to acquire that complexity.
I don't usually enjoy the now-and-then chapter intercalation, as used here. One chapter would follow Rosie's after life and the other would be like a flashback, not always in order. For this book, however, I found it very fitting. The style allowed a tender tone to the narrative; it was a good choice, in my opinion. Moreover, despite treating serious themes in a fitting way, the story is still very light, and left me with a good, heartwarming feeling.
This is a more than quick and simple read that will surely leave you wanting more. I think it may also please older readers, even if it is YA fiction. I hope to read more from this author, preferably a longer novel.
This is a short novel I managed to read in one sit, which is quite rare for me.
Rosie died in an accident and finds out she needs to fulfill a task in order to go to heaven and meet her father again. This means to reap three souls, as an assistant to Death. Not only is it a job that takes a toll on her but severe rules ensue, including not to connect with any of the living. And of course she'll meet a boy unlike no other she's ever met right during this predicament.
Unfortunately, even though the rules were a very interesting twist to this trope, the story was pretty basic. Despite being an eventful book, I feel the author didn't want to make anything too complicated. Which is a pity, as I found the world building as interesting as it was potentially intricated.
Another interesting feature was Rosie's friendship with Carrie. At first, I just thought the author was going for the bad friend story but it revealed to be much more. I really enjoyed this part because old friendships do tend to acquire that complexity.
I don't usually enjoy the now-and-then chapter intercalation, as used here. One chapter would follow Rosie's after life and the other would be like a flashback, not always in order. For this book, however, I found it very fitting. The style allowed a tender tone to the narrative; it was a good choice, in my opinion. Moreover, despite treating serious themes in a fitting way, the story is still very light, and left me with a good, heartwarming feeling.
This is a more than quick and simple read that will surely leave you wanting more. I think it may also please older readers, even if it is YA fiction. I hope to read more from this author, preferably a longer novel.
July 26, 2019
Reaper was a quick read that was very straight forward and easy to fly through. Though it was predictable, that didn’t make it bad. I actually liked it a lot. My only complaint was the back in forth between the past and present. I really didn’t like that. If you want a short easy paranormal YA book that’s easy to read in one sitting. This is it.
May 19, 2018
I was immediately attracted by the cover of this book when the author and the publishing house made the promo. Except that I have been waiting for the paperback for the bought and no regrets the character of Rosie is so moving, endearing it makes me think of Georgia Lass (Elen Muth) in Dead Like Me history too. A captivating, moving story, Kyra Leigh takes us to a parallel world with brilliance. I love this kind of book I wonder what there is after death, this reincarnates you?
Here we find Rosie, a sixteen year old who thought that after death we went to heaven, except that once she died in an accident she would end up in a place she did not even think of going to one day. She will have to mow three souls to be able to go down again on earth under the orders of the mower. But this is not going to be a part of pleasure especially if it does not accept the part of the contract. Meanwhile she meets Kyle.
Look forward to reading another book by this author who has potential.
Here we find Rosie, a sixteen year old who thought that after death we went to heaven, except that once she died in an accident she would end up in a place she did not even think of going to one day. She will have to mow three souls to be able to go down again on earth under the orders of the mower. But this is not going to be a part of pleasure especially if it does not accept the part of the contract. Meanwhile she meets Kyle.
Look forward to reading another book by this author who has potential.
April 26, 2017
Reaper stretches itself too thin and struggles to tell a story.
Plot: Rosie woke up one day to find that she was killed in a car accident. Instead of heading to the pearly gates, she learned that she must return to Earth to take the souls of three people. Basically, she had to be the grim reaper for a few months.
Rosie dealt with a lot of heartache: her father passed away, her best friend wasn't really her friend, and her own demise caused her some trauma. Reaper attempted to explore mortality and highlight the unfairness of death, but it struggled to make a point until the very last page. It didn't help that Reaper was told in the first person present, I felt that Rosie was making general statements instead of letting the reader understand her emotional side and how she dealt with her new situation.
Characters: Rosie was completely 'go with the flow' in her new predicament. When she woke up and met Death, sure she was taken aback at first, but I was surprised by how quickly she accepted her fate. It didn't seem natural and I felt even more removed from Rosie because of her lack of reaction.
The synopsis really played up the love story, and I think that was deceiving. Rosie did meet a boy and they hit it off well (even in Rosie's death state), but this was not a novel that circled around the love of two star-crossed lovers. Each person that Rosie encountered her affected her personally, it wasn't fair to highlight Kyle specifically.
Worldbuilding: The author really missed some great opportunities for worldbuilding. Rosie's "after death" location could have been a great scene, but it was barely given a paragraph of description. I think the author really struggled with helping the reader envision her world.
Short N Sweet: Reaper need more direction, but I appreciate the author's attempt to discuss grief and death.
Plot: Rosie woke up one day to find that she was killed in a car accident. Instead of heading to the pearly gates, she learned that she must return to Earth to take the souls of three people. Basically, she had to be the grim reaper for a few months.
Rosie dealt with a lot of heartache: her father passed away, her best friend wasn't really her friend, and her own demise caused her some trauma. Reaper attempted to explore mortality and highlight the unfairness of death, but it struggled to make a point until the very last page. It didn't help that Reaper was told in the first person present, I felt that Rosie was making general statements instead of letting the reader understand her emotional side and how she dealt with her new situation.
Characters: Rosie was completely 'go with the flow' in her new predicament. When she woke up and met Death, sure she was taken aback at first, but I was surprised by how quickly she accepted her fate. It didn't seem natural and I felt even more removed from Rosie because of her lack of reaction.
The synopsis really played up the love story, and I think that was deceiving. Rosie did meet a boy and they hit it off well (even in Rosie's death state), but this was not a novel that circled around the love of two star-crossed lovers. Each person that Rosie encountered her affected her personally, it wasn't fair to highlight Kyle specifically.
Worldbuilding: The author really missed some great opportunities for worldbuilding. Rosie's "after death" location could have been a great scene, but it was barely given a paragraph of description. I think the author really struggled with helping the reader envision her world.
Short N Sweet: Reaper need more direction, but I appreciate the author's attempt to discuss grief and death.
May 17, 2017
Check out this and other reviews on my young adult book blog, Here's to Happy Endings!
As far as one of a kind, completely original books go, Reaper is probably one of top ones that I have read over the years. It was unexpected, and not at all like how I thought it was going to be. The book was captivating and gripping, and once I started reading, I couldn't stop. In fact, I read it over the course of a single afternoon.
Rosie Wolf always thought that when you die, you go right to a wonderful Paradise like setting where you get to be reunited with your loved ones and spend eternity relaxing and enjoying and reflecting about your time on Earth.
However, when Rosie is killed in an accident, Rosie finds out that Paradise might not be what she was expecting it to be.
Waking up in a hospital room that looks strange compared to other hospitals that she's been in, Rosie is met by a few women who are rude to her and speak to her about confusing things that she doesn't understand. However, Rosie is then sent to the office of another woman, who tells Rosie that she is, in fact, dead, and that in order to move on, she has to go back to Earth and collect three souls as a Reaper. If she doesn't, she will be stuck in this awful hospital-like place for eternity.
Rosie decides that she will do it - but instead of going back as an animal or a bird like the others who come through, Rosie wanted to go back as herself. With a few minor changes, such as skin and hair color, Rosie finds herself prepared and ready to go, back down to Earth, where she will begin collecting the three souls she needs to collect in order to move on to Paradise.
When she is sent back to Earth, she is given instructions for getting to a woman named Martha, who takes in Reapers and helps them collect the souls they are assigned. When she attempts to find Martha, she has a run in with two boys, and she realizes that she might like one of them - Kyle - leading her to already break a rule that could do some serious damage.
Rosie learns this the hard way, and she finds herself getting closer and closer to Kyle and his family, who happens to live right by Martha. During this time, Martha is helping Rosie to collect her souls - the first one is an old man, and while Rosie finds it somewhat difficult, it seems that he has figured out who Rosie is and is ready to go anyway, because he misses his daughter, who had died years before. When Rosie collects her first soul, she and Martha have a few days before she is contacted with information about the second soul, which is infinitely harder, as the situation that person is in is similar to one that she had dealt with when she was alive.
As time goes on and Rosie tries to collect the three souls as quickly as possible without messing up, she can't help but wonder about her mother, and what has become of her. She also finds herself getting more and more involved with Kyle, much to Martha's dismay.
The chapters in Reaper are pretty short, and there are a lot of them - some of them going back into the past from before the accident that took Rosie's life, and some of them taking place in the present. The author did this in such a way that we get a glimpse of Rosie's past, when she was alive, followed by a small amount of time in the present, when she is a Reaper. The story unfolds slowly, and we get a glimpse of what Rosie is dealing with in the before and in the after, giving us a deep appreciation of her as a character.
I like how there are moments before, leading up to the accident, and after the accident all sprinkled throughout the book almost randomly, so that in order to get the entire picture, the reader feels as though they must keep reading to put all of the pieces together. It's an interesting way to write a book, and I thought it was interesting. I liked how we got to view Rosie's life in both the before and after.
Rosie's attitude made her feel real, too - she had an air of humor around her and she was a great narrator for the most part. There were moments that I couldn't help but laugh at things she would say, and also times where I felt like I could almost feel the grief that she was going through, and it was heartbreaking.
I can't say that I really cared for the insta-love that seemed to pop up between Rosie and Kyle, though, but I'm never really a fan of insta-love so I was expecting not to like this part of the book. I felt like, with how short the book was, we didn't really get to know Kyle and he didn't have time to really develop a personality like Rosie and Martha did. It was a bit of a bummer. I think the story could have been a bit longer, with some extra things added in especially about Kyle's life.
The ending of the book was something I was pretty surprised by, honestly, and while I won't say much about it for fear of spoiling it for others, I have to say that I didn't like it at all. I had hoped it would end a bit different, and although I think it was supposed to be a bittersweet ending, it just kind of left me feeling depressed.
Overall, aside from the ending and the lack of personality with Kyle, I really found myself enjoying this book. It was a lot different than I had expected, and it was actually a pretty fun read. It's something that I would definitely read again, and if you're looking for something different from than what you usually read, I highly recommend picking this one up and giving it a go.
Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review - Thank you!
As far as one of a kind, completely original books go, Reaper is probably one of top ones that I have read over the years. It was unexpected, and not at all like how I thought it was going to be. The book was captivating and gripping, and once I started reading, I couldn't stop. In fact, I read it over the course of a single afternoon.
Rosie Wolf always thought that when you die, you go right to a wonderful Paradise like setting where you get to be reunited with your loved ones and spend eternity relaxing and enjoying and reflecting about your time on Earth.
However, when Rosie is killed in an accident, Rosie finds out that Paradise might not be what she was expecting it to be.
Waking up in a hospital room that looks strange compared to other hospitals that she's been in, Rosie is met by a few women who are rude to her and speak to her about confusing things that she doesn't understand. However, Rosie is then sent to the office of another woman, who tells Rosie that she is, in fact, dead, and that in order to move on, she has to go back to Earth and collect three souls as a Reaper. If she doesn't, she will be stuck in this awful hospital-like place for eternity.
Rosie decides that she will do it - but instead of going back as an animal or a bird like the others who come through, Rosie wanted to go back as herself. With a few minor changes, such as skin and hair color, Rosie finds herself prepared and ready to go, back down to Earth, where she will begin collecting the three souls she needs to collect in order to move on to Paradise.
When she is sent back to Earth, she is given instructions for getting to a woman named Martha, who takes in Reapers and helps them collect the souls they are assigned. When she attempts to find Martha, she has a run in with two boys, and she realizes that she might like one of them - Kyle - leading her to already break a rule that could do some serious damage.
"'The consequences for breaking the rules can be very dangerous. Not only for the living, but for the dead, as well.'"
Rosie learns this the hard way, and she finds herself getting closer and closer to Kyle and his family, who happens to live right by Martha. During this time, Martha is helping Rosie to collect her souls - the first one is an old man, and while Rosie finds it somewhat difficult, it seems that he has figured out who Rosie is and is ready to go anyway, because he misses his daughter, who had died years before. When Rosie collects her first soul, she and Martha have a few days before she is contacted with information about the second soul, which is infinitely harder, as the situation that person is in is similar to one that she had dealt with when she was alive.
As time goes on and Rosie tries to collect the three souls as quickly as possible without messing up, she can't help but wonder about her mother, and what has become of her. She also finds herself getting more and more involved with Kyle, much to Martha's dismay.
The chapters in Reaper are pretty short, and there are a lot of them - some of them going back into the past from before the accident that took Rosie's life, and some of them taking place in the present. The author did this in such a way that we get a glimpse of Rosie's past, when she was alive, followed by a small amount of time in the present, when she is a Reaper. The story unfolds slowly, and we get a glimpse of what Rosie is dealing with in the before and in the after, giving us a deep appreciation of her as a character.
I like how there are moments before, leading up to the accident, and after the accident all sprinkled throughout the book almost randomly, so that in order to get the entire picture, the reader feels as though they must keep reading to put all of the pieces together. It's an interesting way to write a book, and I thought it was interesting. I liked how we got to view Rosie's life in both the before and after.
"Every time I look at myself in the mirror I'm surprised. One thing I will never miss is the acne. Being dead has some perks."
Rosie's attitude made her feel real, too - she had an air of humor around her and she was a great narrator for the most part. There were moments that I couldn't help but laugh at things she would say, and also times where I felt like I could almost feel the grief that she was going through, and it was heartbreaking.
I can't say that I really cared for the insta-love that seemed to pop up between Rosie and Kyle, though, but I'm never really a fan of insta-love so I was expecting not to like this part of the book. I felt like, with how short the book was, we didn't really get to know Kyle and he didn't have time to really develop a personality like Rosie and Martha did. It was a bit of a bummer. I think the story could have been a bit longer, with some extra things added in especially about Kyle's life.
The ending of the book was something I was pretty surprised by, honestly, and while I won't say much about it for fear of spoiling it for others, I have to say that I didn't like it at all. I had hoped it would end a bit different, and although I think it was supposed to be a bittersweet ending, it just kind of left me feeling depressed.
Overall, aside from the ending and the lack of personality with Kyle, I really found myself enjoying this book. It was a lot different than I had expected, and it was actually a pretty fun read. It's something that I would definitely read again, and if you're looking for something different from than what you usually read, I highly recommend picking this one up and giving it a go.
Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review - Thank you!
January 5, 2017
If you've ever lost someone and have felt that loss for some time after...this is the book for you. If you have ever wondered what is life after death? This is the book for you. If you want a book that is written so well that you can't help but to keep reading...this is that book.
My father passed 10 years ago in October and I still have trouble thinking about him. This book helped me move on. I didn't cry like A Fault In Our Stars, it was more just a feeling of peace. A sigh of ease knowing that my father is out there waiting for me too. And just a sense of healing from the words and emotions of someone else going through a similar situation, knowing that I'm not alone. Now if that's not a good book, then I don't know what is and shouldn't be a librarian.
My father passed 10 years ago in October and I still have trouble thinking about him. This book helped me move on. I didn't cry like A Fault In Our Stars, it was more just a feeling of peace. A sigh of ease knowing that my father is out there waiting for me too. And just a sense of healing from the words and emotions of someone else going through a similar situation, knowing that I'm not alone. Now if that's not a good book, then I don't know what is and shouldn't be a librarian.
June 19, 2018
Okay I have been thinking about this book A LOT since I finished reading it and I think I can finally put into proper words how I feel about it. I have seen a lot of the reviews on this and from what I can tell they are kind of all over the place, and rightfully so. I was torn for a while on whether to give this book three stars or four, but I decided on three because:
This book had SO MUCH POTENTIAL to be great. I really enjoyed the read, however the plot was a little too straight forward and frankly predictable. There are a lot of different directions that the author could have went, but didn't. The thing is, the story itself was good. It is great even, but just not enough of it. The ending was too abrupt and the most tragic part of the story was not cohesive to the ending. The end did not justify the means of getting there in my opinion and that made it unsatisfying and unable to heal my broken heart because wow oh wow that last death hurt! I will not go into specifics for those who haven't read yet. All I will say is brace yourself.
I read about the author a little bit and this is her first published novel. After reading that I thought the story made a little more sense in its lack of...well I guess story. I really wish Leigh had kept writing and added more twists and had more build. At the end of this book I was just very sad. I felt like I needed more. I needed some better justification and it just was not there.
This book had SO MUCH POTENTIAL to be great. I really enjoyed the read, however the plot was a little too straight forward and frankly predictable. There are a lot of different directions that the author could have went, but didn't. The thing is, the story itself was good. It is great even, but just not enough of it. The ending was too abrupt and the most tragic part of the story was not cohesive to the ending. The end did not justify the means of getting there in my opinion and that made it unsatisfying and unable to heal my broken heart because wow oh wow that last death hurt! I will not go into specifics for those who haven't read yet. All I will say is brace yourself.
I read about the author a little bit and this is her first published novel. After reading that I thought the story made a little more sense in its lack of...well I guess story. I really wish Leigh had kept writing and added more twists and had more build. At the end of this book I was just very sad. I felt like I needed more. I needed some better justification and it just was not there.
June 4, 2017
One of the earliest forms of trauma for most young teens has to deal with the subject of coping with death. Reaper, by Kyra Leigh, follows the story of Rosie Wolfe, which starts with her waking up in the strangest looking hospital-like room. It’s a prelude to the discovery that she no longer inhabits the land of the living. Leigh puts a completely different spin on her examination of death by having her hero dealing with it post-mortem. Not only does the trauma of her father’s death from cancer still haunt her, she now faces some very unsavory tasks in order to win her place in paradise in order to reunite with him. There is a very clear Heaven Can Wait aspect to the story as the after-life has a fully functioning set of rules and procedures governed by the Grim Reaper and her administrative staff.
By alternating flashbacks of Rosie’s life with her current quest, we come to understand how tenuous the bonds of life are and how capricious death can be. They seem both cruel and uncalled for. Leigh is a competent writer who quite deftly tugs, and sometimes wrenches, at your heartstrings.
There was a level of disappointment in that Reaper never delivers a solid resolution except the conclusion that death, in and of itself, leaves loved ones floundering in its wake and that there is never a one-size-fits-all way to deal with it.
By alternating flashbacks of Rosie’s life with her current quest, we come to understand how tenuous the bonds of life are and how capricious death can be. They seem both cruel and uncalled for. Leigh is a competent writer who quite deftly tugs, and sometimes wrenches, at your heartstrings.
There was a level of disappointment in that Reaper never delivers a solid resolution except the conclusion that death, in and of itself, leaves loved ones floundering in its wake and that there is never a one-size-fits-all way to deal with it.
February 7, 2018
First off I just have to say that this cover does not do this story justice.
Yes, I know do not judge a book by the cover but really publishers should at least ask the cover designer to read the freaking book. I look at this cover and I see dark and sinister, this story is so far from that concept. I was actually pleasantly surprised when it did not meet my expectations of the cover.
The story was great, there seems to be a lot of reaper books out lately. I mean “Grim” when I say reaper. At first I was getting a bit miffed with the reaper and her staff I had to think, If I was performing a job day after day for a thousand years I’d might start acting bitchy and cranky too. The story follows Rosie who has died and how she has to perform the tasks of taken souls for the Reaper in order to advance to a more peaceful death. Quiet a concept where you have to do a bit of work after you die and it’s not easy work either. This story made me tear up and even go awhhh, that usually never happens when I read a book.
Yes, I know do not judge a book by the cover but really publishers should at least ask the cover designer to read the freaking book. I look at this cover and I see dark and sinister, this story is so far from that concept. I was actually pleasantly surprised when it did not meet my expectations of the cover.
The story was great, there seems to be a lot of reaper books out lately. I mean “Grim” when I say reaper. At first I was getting a bit miffed with the reaper and her staff I had to think, If I was performing a job day after day for a thousand years I’d might start acting bitchy and cranky too. The story follows Rosie who has died and how she has to perform the tasks of taken souls for the Reaper in order to advance to a more peaceful death. Quiet a concept where you have to do a bit of work after you die and it’s not easy work either. This story made me tear up and even go awhhh, that usually never happens when I read a book.
May 24, 2017
Reaper ~ you know the plot from the back of the book, but it’s so much more than that. If you’ve ever dealt with the loss of someone you loved, this book will touch you. Rosie is young but she’s not a flighty teenager. She’s sensible and knows what she has to do in order to see her father again (and it hurts). You see her dealing with the same insecurities other teenagers have, plus watching someone she loves die. And then of course her own death and then being the cause of others, just so she can move on.
Her life is told in flash backs and present day. Through her journey, you see things thru her eyes (and you remember what your life was like at that age). You connect with Rosie and you like her and if you don’t tear up a little…you must be dead inside? J/k
I thought it was an easy read. The sentence structure and editing was great (I know that’s a pet peeve for some). I’m sure this author has a lot of best sellers in her future. Yeah…it was really that good*
Her life is told in flash backs and present day. Through her journey, you see things thru her eyes (and you remember what your life was like at that age). You connect with Rosie and you like her and if you don’t tear up a little…you must be dead inside? J/k
I thought it was an easy read. The sentence structure and editing was great (I know that’s a pet peeve for some). I’m sure this author has a lot of best sellers in her future. Yeah…it was really that good*
August 21, 2020
Though I have not finished this book quite yet, I do have many opinions about the author’s method(s) of conveying the story of our main character, Rosie Wolfe. To begin, the plot of the story, Reaper, does start with an interesting concept, however, the writing methods of the author, of lack thereof, truly leaves the reader lacking essential substance to the plot to truly allow indulgence into Rosie Wolfe’s world as a Reaper.
Accordingly, in my opinion, the novel truly reads as if an adolescent has written their very first novel, and, as such, does indeed make the plot-line of the story of Reaper difficult to enjoy. Therefore, unfortunately, Reaper is truly a novel I am not sure that I can see myself finishing for I strongly feel the story will leave me as unsatisfied as it did when it began.
Accordingly, in my opinion, the novel truly reads as if an adolescent has written their very first novel, and, as such, does indeed make the plot-line of the story of Reaper difficult to enjoy. Therefore, unfortunately, Reaper is truly a novel I am not sure that I can see myself finishing for I strongly feel the story will leave me as unsatisfied as it did when it began.
May 17, 2017
This one just didn't work out for me. The back and forth in time slowed down the story and I just couldn't connect with Rosie. Rosie's lack of real feeling though the story just didn't seem plausible for someone her age and well that really took away the emotion that should have been in the book. The world building (afterlife) really got a gloss over or a gray over is you ask me. There was no real description on why everything was a washed out gray or even why this are of the afterlife was so doom and gloom. I think the author really missed out on an opportunity to let their creativity shine though.
For a debut this was not the worse that I have read but it sure isn't the best either. It fell far from the mark for me.
For a debut this was not the worse that I have read but it sure isn't the best either. It fell far from the mark for me.
December 29, 2018
3,5/5. I don't read much of what for me is YA contemporary, but I got to say that this one wasn't bad at all. Considering the fact that the author, from her picture on the book, look on her's early twenties she got talent, she knows how to write. The story is nonetheless a bit light but touch the difficult subject of grief in an interesting way, a teenage way, that I think can help some kids to talk about that or make their mind on it. There's love, but not cheap cheesy triangle love, just cute teenage love and even if the main characters is a bit obsess with her skin and about herself (she is a teenagers girls after all...) I liked her. A more then decent first book by a young writer. A surprisingly and honestly good read!
March 26, 2021
Reaper was another one of my books I got at my local Half Priced Books store. I was drawn to it because I love reapers. This book took me on a journey of the afterlife. I’ve often thought about what comes after life and I enjoyed this authors take on it.
It was hard for me to watch as Rosie completed her “reaping duties”. I couldn’t imagine having to take souls, knowing that you were the one that finally ended their life on earth. With each soul Rosie took, her pain became harder and harder to get past. But she needed to finish if she ever wanted to see her dad again.
This story ends happily, but I wish Rosie could have had everything she wanted. I guess I’m just that person that wants the main character to be happy.
I enjoyed reading Reaper and I sure will miss Rosie and her story!
It was hard for me to watch as Rosie completed her “reaping duties”. I couldn’t imagine having to take souls, knowing that you were the one that finally ended their life on earth. With each soul Rosie took, her pain became harder and harder to get past. But she needed to finish if she ever wanted to see her dad again.
This story ends happily, but I wish Rosie could have had everything she wanted. I guess I’m just that person that wants the main character to be happy.
I enjoyed reading Reaper and I sure will miss Rosie and her story!
May 13, 2017
3.75 Stars - A quick read, great for reluctant readers. Rosie dies at the young age of 17 and in order to pass along to the next level of the afterlife, she must reap 3 souls. She's kinda teen-angst, do what I want to do - don't care what happens kind of girl. Her father passed away over a year ago and she just wants to see him again.
The book moves quickly, but I think it could have used more development towards the end of the book. The ending felt rushed and leaves you wondering about Rosie's mother in the aftermath. I think with more character and plot development this would have been a fantastic book. But with that being said, it's good.
The book moves quickly, but I think it could have used more development towards the end of the book. The ending felt rushed and leaves you wondering about Rosie's mother in the aftermath. I think with more character and plot development this would have been a fantastic book. But with that being said, it's good.
February 27, 2018
2.5 stars
I read this book because I myself lost my Dad at a young age. I thought I’d connect with Rosie, I thought I’d understand her. But in fact I found myself almost laughing at how lacking it was in real grief and how disconnected from the characters I felt.
I felt like she was saying everything in a cliche and almost non-genuine way. In fact I felt that about the whole story.
I couldn’t help compare it to other books with similar premises (The Monsters Call for example) and it just lack that lyrical, heartbreaking feel to the words.
That being said I liked it for the simply story that it was and a part of me wishes I could get the ending she got too!
I read this book because I myself lost my Dad at a young age. I thought I’d connect with Rosie, I thought I’d understand her. But in fact I found myself almost laughing at how lacking it was in real grief and how disconnected from the characters I felt.
I felt like she was saying everything in a cliche and almost non-genuine way. In fact I felt that about the whole story.
I couldn’t help compare it to other books with similar premises (The Monsters Call for example) and it just lack that lyrical, heartbreaking feel to the words.
That being said I liked it for the simply story that it was and a part of me wishes I could get the ending she got too!
November 29, 2018
This book was fantastic! It really tugged on heart strings though. I swear I was in tears every few pages. I enjoyed reading this a lot, I couldn't really stop once I started. There were multiple parts where I just wanted to yell at the character for the choices she made. Although if the book had a perfect storyline it wouldn't be as fun to read. Still, this book is really good. I absolutely loved all the characters, and it gave really great background stories. The detail made it very easy to imagine. It also adds in relatable moments making you understand the main character even more.
October 11, 2020
THIS IS THE BEST SO FAR I READ THIS YEAR.
Idk how to rate this book, for it certainly got me.
It raptures.
When that dilemma occurs to you all at once, choosing between what would be the best for others than for your own sake.
"𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱 𝓭𝓸𝓮𝓼𝓷’𝓽 𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝓲𝓽 𝓽𝓪𝓴𝓮𝓼. 𝓓𝓸𝓮𝓼𝓷’𝓽 𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓲𝓯 𝔂𝓸𝓾’𝓻𝓮 𝓪 𝓭𝓪𝓭, 𝓪 𝓵𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓰𝓲𝓻𝓵, 𝓪 𝓽𝓮𝓮𝓷𝓪𝓰𝓮𝓻. 𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱 𝓭𝓸𝓮𝓼𝓷’𝓽 𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓸𝓻 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾’𝓿𝓮 𝓭𝓸𝓷𝓮. 𝓓𝓸𝓮𝓼𝓷’𝓽 𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓱𝓸𝔀 𝓶𝓾𝓬𝓱 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓶𝓮𝓪𝓷 𝓽𝓸 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝓮𝓵𝓼𝓮."
DEATH EVERYWHERE.
DANG.
HATE THIS FOR LIKING IT SO MUCH.
Here's your 4.75 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ KYRA LEIGH. TAKE IT.
Idk how to rate this book, for it certainly got me.
It raptures.
When that dilemma occurs to you all at once, choosing between what would be the best for others than for your own sake.
"𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱 𝓭𝓸𝓮𝓼𝓷’𝓽 𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝓲𝓽 𝓽𝓪𝓴𝓮𝓼. 𝓓𝓸𝓮𝓼𝓷’𝓽 𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓲𝓯 𝔂𝓸𝓾’𝓻𝓮 𝓪 𝓭𝓪𝓭, 𝓪 𝓵𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓰𝓲𝓻𝓵, 𝓪 𝓽𝓮𝓮𝓷𝓪𝓰𝓮𝓻. 𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱 𝓭𝓸𝓮𝓼𝓷’𝓽 𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓸𝓻 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾’𝓿𝓮 𝓭𝓸𝓷𝓮. 𝓓𝓸𝓮𝓼𝓷’𝓽 𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓱𝓸𝔀 𝓶𝓾𝓬𝓱 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓶𝓮𝓪𝓷 𝓽𝓸 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝓮𝓵𝓼𝓮."
DEATH EVERYWHERE.
DANG.
HATE THIS FOR LIKING IT SO MUCH.
Here's your 4.75 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ KYRA LEIGH. TAKE IT.
May 17, 2017
I read an extended excerpt of Reaper by Kyra Leigh on rivetedlit.com, the Riveted website. The story is interesting enough and is definitely written for young adult/middle school age readers. This is a clean read story dealing with relationships and their struggles. Rosie, the main character, is cute but she struggles with self-esteem issues. She develops through the story and learns a lot about herself, her family and her friends. 4 stars for this fun supernatural read!
September 27, 2017
I found this book really interesting. It didn't end at all how I expected it to, but I respect the author a ton for making that choice. I could also really feel what she was feeling. However, I wish she had been able to change something. Even if she couldn't escape the situation, I wish she had maybe been able to change something in the "system." But applause for not doing what your readers expect, and making the hard decision to end the story in a way that felt authentic to itself.
October 23, 2017
I started this one thinking that it would be a quick read that was up my alley. Girl dies and finds out the afterlife is more complicated than expected?
Not here for whatever this was intended to be though. Incoherently complex and no real rules that are clear and people are shitty and fake and wtf is even happening I was just dropped here in this story and I want out.
An unfortunate DNF for one of my random library picks.
Not here for whatever this was intended to be though. Incoherently complex and no real rules that are clear and people are shitty and fake and wtf is even happening I was just dropped here in this story and I want out.
An unfortunate DNF for one of my random library picks.
February 18, 2019
I wanted to love this book but there are so many things missing that could have made the story even better. The basic story line is that the main character, Rosie, dies and has to collect souls to move on to see her dad in the next life/ heaven it’s not really clear. The story is short and lacking details lots of important details it makes me question a lot of the story line. I liked the idea of the story line but I felt like it was more of an outline there wasn’t enough depth to the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2017
Great debut novel! I loved all of the characters so much, especially Rosie. All the yummy descriptions of food made me want to eat - especially cinnamon rolls.
I really liked the secondary characters a lot. I thought her crush/relationship with Kyle felt realistic and had good pacing.
The ending was definitely bittersweet.
I really liked the secondary characters a lot. I thought her crush/relationship with Kyle felt realistic and had good pacing.
The ending was definitely bittersweet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2018
This book was a great read. I read it over 2 days. I liked the storyline. It was interesting that the role played by the reaper was unlikely how we would think naturally. I got upset at the end of the story but I knew something like that was going to happen because she wasn't listening to her guide. I was actually surprised she was allowed to be where she found herself in the end.
September 4, 2018
When Rosie wakes up and is ushered into a very important meeting, she has no idea where she is or what is happening. She has lost her life in an accident and is going into training to be a reaper. She will be sent back to earth to collect three souls before she can move on to paradise. No amount of training can truly prepare Rosie for her new assignment.
October 16, 2017
So it's a YA novel, so bear in mind it's super simple. I loved the concept of the book, and for the most part it was a great read. However, it completely fell apart at the end. Everything wrapped up in about 3 pages, and there were way too many unanswered questions.
December 3, 2018
This book is very emotional to anyone that has lost anyone. I totally recommend it to everyone, but I have to warn you that it hits hard. Many of the characters in this experience death of someone or themselves. This book is a 5/5 and totally recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2019
A great premise but the writing ends up being fairly predictable and unexciting. The protagonist is kinda annoying and there's no depth to the romance. It's suppose to be emotional, but none of the emotions truly caught me. Disappointing, because there was so much potential.
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