There is a Reaper

by Michael Lynes

Indie B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree - January 2017
SILVER MEDAL WINNER - 2016 Readers Favorite International Book Awards - Memoir
MEDALIST - 2015 New Apple Book Awards for Best Memoir
WINNER of the 2015 TISBA Award
FINALIST Independent Author Network 2015 BOOK of the YEAR
FINALIST Beverly Hills Book Awards 2015

"...it gave me chills...made me weep" JoeS #amazon

"...you will need a box of tissues!" BMQ #goodreads

"...I laughed and cried out loud..." Arlene P #amazon


FIVE-YEAR-OLD CHRISTOPHER AARON has always been a whirlwind of heroic action, leading his brothers into all sorts of youthful mischief. A mysterious illness suddenly plunges him and his family into a frightening nightmare of hospitals and doctors and extreme therapies far from his small-town home. Can his doctors diagnose his strange disease? How will he and his family adapt to a bizarre new world they have been thrust into?

Heart-wrenching, searing, and powerful, There is a Reaper immerses the reader into Christopher's intense struggle against his pitiless foe as he matures and transforms in the white heat of his epic battle.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography

Audiobook

First published February 1, 2015

About the author

MICHAEL LYNES is the Award-Winning Author of The Blood Series. To date, the series has won the New Apply Literary, Indie BRAG Medallion, Readers Favorite for FANTASY and most recently the IAN Book of the Year Selection for Fantasy.
It begins with the novella "It's in the Blood". Continues with Destroyer's Blood and the NEW release Book Two - FIRST BLOOD is due out on November 1st 2019.

Book One - "Destroyer's Blood"

Reviewed By Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite
Destroyer's Blood: The Adventures of Devcalion is the first entry in The Blood Series by Michael Lynes, a gripping fantasy with strong hints of Greek mythology. Meet Devcalion, "Dev," a demigod, son of Prometheus and nephew of Zeus. He has a telepathic sword and a very close friend called Betrayer, "Tray". When we encounter Dev, he and his friend are climbing up Half Dome. An encounter with Hermes changes everything, driving Dev to the last place he wants to be -- Mt. Olympus. Dev and Tray are pulled into a war they never bargained for, a war against the greatest enemy of Zeus. With the darkest power in the universe bent on wreaking havoc, do they have any chance of surviving?

Destroyer's Blood has been awarded the Silver Medal for Fantasy in the Readers Favorite Awards for 2019 and has won an Indie B.R.A.G. Medallion for Fantasy. It also won the Solo Medalist in the New Apple Summer eBook Awards for 2019. Book Two - "First Blood" will be released in November of 2019.

His short story collection, "The Fat Man Gets Out of Bed", was chosen solo Medalist Winner in the 2017 New Apple Summer Indie Book awards.
His memoir, "There Is A Reaper: Losing a Child to Cancer", was an Indie B.R.A.G. Gold Medallion Honoree in January 2017, a silver-medal winner of the 2016 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards for Memoir, a medalist in the 2015 New Apple Book Awards for Memoir, a winner of the 2015 TISBA (The Indie Spiritual Book Awards), and a finalist in both the Independent Author Network 2015 Book of the Year award and the Beverly Hills Book Awards for 2015.

Most recently Mr. Lynes has been a Contributing Author to the 2019 Ghostly Rites Anthology.

Mr. Lynes was awarded a BSEE degree in Electrical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology and currently works as an embedded software engineer. He has four sons, has been married for over thirty years, and currently lives with his wife and youngest son in the beautiful secluded hills of Sussex County, New Jersey.

Reviews

[Traci Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Some children are much stronger than they should ever have to be!


I have to take a deep breath, in (albeit) futile attempt of controlling the tears that pour from my eyes even now when I recall the details of this story.

Judging by the title and subtitle alone, one could imagine what type of read lies ahead in this book. But the unexpected element for me was the level of beautiful prose that is found within. This author, as he divulges the details of the unfathomably painful journey of losing his young son to an aggressive form of cancer, also cushions the blow for his readers by offering lyrical descriptions of everything else that was happening during that horrific time in his life. He offers the cruel parallels between the beauty of the land he raised his family on, which once brought them seemingly endless joy and adventure, and the ugliness of death and destruction that took up residence and threatened to steal that joy. He makes the readers experience everything alongside him - the scent of the flowers that grew in the spring outside his home, the icy chill of the winter air, and the truly gut-wrenching heartbreak that he and his wife suffered.

Parents always worry that their children will grow up too quickly - perhaps a ten-year-old daughter wanting to try makeup to look older, a sixteen-year-old boy wanting to try smoking to look cool. As parents, we try to shield our children from the woes and dangers that come along with living in an adult world. Too often, children are forced to grow up in abusive or neglectful home settings where they are made to become the "only responsible adult in the house." That's bad enough; but never should a child be forced to mature quickly enough to decide his/her own meeting with death. It's just cruel and unthinkable. Unfortunately, this is the harsh reality for children who are ambushed and dominated by fatal diseases. The strength, maturity, and perseverance that this remarkable young boy exhibits when faced with his own mortality, will leave you speechless in a puddle of your own tears.

I commend this author for sharing his personal story with the world. I hope that it has helped heal the empty space left behind by his young son and aides in the healing of thousands of other parents who have suffered, or are suffering the same heartbreak. I definitely learned way more about cancer than I ever hope to need. I have to admit, I didn't really understand the cover of this book at first sight, but the ending ties the significance of it together in a beautiful way that I never saw coming ... and will most likely never forget!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one to cancer, or any terminal illness. The author's words really touch your soul.

[Mary Timaeus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. Sad, but detailed. How terrible to lose a chid.

It’s two years of sorrow and hope in this family. The child was brave and went through so much suffering but bravey

[Natalie Ducey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christopher Aaron Lynes, November 10, 1986 - September 7, 1994. Eight years old.
“There is a place beyond suffering, beyond hope, beyond despair. It is peaceful and timeless, and it is not death. It is a place of stillness, a place of acceptance, a place of certainty and of clarity.” Michael Lynes

Michael Lynes is a gifted writer, and I feel privileged to meet his family through his words. "There is a Reaper" is a journey of love, hope, faith, loss, and enduring grace. It is a true testament to the power of the human spirit. We witness the mighty strength of a little boy who braves a battle with profound courage and enduring grace wise beyond his years. Eloquently written, Mr. Lynes has created a legacy that honours the fierce and tender soul of his son, Christopher. I cannot fathom what a parent must go through when they learn their child has cancer, and Christopher is diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia for which there is little treatment. The family is guided into vast, uncharted waters. Can you imagine the strength and faith one must have?

We not only witness their journey, we feel it. Every Doctor’s appointment, every test, the jarring diagnosis, and subsequent treatments – we feel it. And then, just as passionately, we celebrate every positive outcome and hold it tenderly.
I highly recommend this memoir, and it deserves every award and accolade it has received. It is a heart-wrenching and poignant journey; one that is indeed worthy of our attention, reflection, and tender embrace.
This is a celebration of family, life, and love in its purest. A celebration of Christopher’s spirit – beautiful, passionate, brave, and enduring.
Thank you, Mr. Lynes, for sharing this precious gift with us. Blessings to you and your family.

[D.L. Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“There is a Reaper” isn’t an easy read, but it is an amazing read. The reader is introduced to the Lynes family, and young Christopher. I was drawn into their world, and then continued on the journey of Christopher’s illness. The interaction of the family was their strength, but it was the wisdom and spirit of Christopher that will continue to linger in my heart. I felt a deep sadness reading about Christopher’s battle with a rare form of Leukemia. Yet, I was inspired by the faith that carried the family through this experience. In addition, this was skillfully written and had poetic descriptions mixed in. “There is a Reaper” is a reminder of what family and love are capable of. I highly recommend this inspiring book for anyone who has experienced tragedy-- or hasn’t.

[Gloria Antypowich · Rating 5 out of 5]

The diagnosis of CANCER is a shocking blow for anyone, at any age. Ideally, children outlive their parents. No matter how old the child or the parent is, the grief of losing the being that you have loved and nurtured is shattering. To lose a seven year old, to watch him fight with everything he had, to see him suffer so much and eventually succumb to the ravages of the disease would be numbingly devastating. Any time Cancer rears its ugly head, everyone close is affected by it. Prolonged suffering from the disease is a test of courage, spirit, love and friendships, and it is not borne well by the faint of heart.

Christopher was a precocious child from the very beginning—strong willed, determined, at times a handful—but those were the things that gave him the fortitude to fight as long as he did—until there were simply no more options. Margaret and Michael faced the challenge with strength that many of us could not imagine having.

There were so many things about this family that I admired. Margret and Christopher became so close in spirit, it was humbling to me. I loved her for the way she gently guided Christopher, the great care she took to always put Christopher’s desires and emotional needs before her own, how she carefully helped him to accept and understand what was happening. She drew on her faith, but she was incredibly strong within herself.

Michael was there for Christopher too, but he also had responsibilities in the outside world. He had be there for Ian and Devon, and he had to continue to work: all the while he was dealing with his own emotional pain, wanting to deny what was happening, wanting and needing to be at the hospital for his son and his wife, yet knowing he couldn’t do both things at once. He did the very best that he could.

I was taken by this book on two levels. First, the recording of Christopher’s illness, the way this courageous family dealt with it, gripped my heart.

Secondly, I was captivated by Michaels writing skills. His descriptive process of everyday things, aside from the tragedy they were living through, had me stopping to reread and think how wonderfully he had done it. He created a masterpiece out of circumstances that had to be difficult to put on paper. He shared the journey with honesty, but he handled it in such a way that what could have been too painful to read was a thing of beauty.

I’m certain that creating this book was more than a legacy for Christopher. I believe it was cathartic for Michael, but Mr. Lynes has truly emerged as an author. Great job!

[Billy Buttons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: There is a Reaper: Losing a Child to Cancer
Author: Michael Lynes

Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 17 readers:
17 would read another book by this author.
14 thought the cover was good or excellent.
17 felt it was easy to follow.
17 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
Of all the readers, 9 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘subject knowledge’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
17 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.

Readers’ Comments
‘The thought of losing a little boy to cancer is a terrible thing. This is so sensitively written, bringing the reader into the most horrific of family disasters. I was gripped until the very end; and, to be honest, rather upset. A tough book to read for any parent.’ Female reader, aged 43
‘How Christopher is trying to cope with this horrific illness is amazing. He was so very brave. His parents must be so proud of the fight he put up. To put is down on paper and share the story with others is also brave.’ Male reader, aged 65
‘From a medical POV, this is an interesting read. Any parent dealing with cancer in a family would find this helpful. On an
emotional level, it’s a pretty difficult read. It’s not the sort of book you can skip through and then forget about. It’s the story of a very courageous boy and his family, and what they went through. Well-written, insightful and, of course, tragic, this is gem of a book.’ Male reader, aged 62
‘Sorry, I did try to read this book, but I couldn’t. I got too upset. I think books of this nature are so important. They help other people to understand what it would be like to face such a terrible ordeal. Such a brave boy. He’s with the angels now, bless him.’ Female reader, aged 39
‘Intimately written, this is a very emotional story. I was riveted. All I wanted to do when I’d finished it was give Christopher a big cuddle.’ Female reader, aged 71

To Sum It Up:
‘A heartbreaking story written with a gold-tipped pen. A FINALIST and highly recommended. ’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

[Jena Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a memoir, a story of strength, battle and victory.

Early in this book, the author shares the story of how his family came to adopt six tiny kittens. Their neighbor, Farmer Dave had accidentally killed a mama cat in his field with his hay cutter. His grass was so high that he couldn’t see the poor cat. When Farmer Dave realized that her newborn kittens had survived he reached out to the author’s family; they adopted the orphans.

Yes, there a Reaper. With his sickle keen, he reaps the old grain as well as the precious and beautiful. Author Lynes bases his book on the lyrical poem There is a Reaper by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a popular and well-loved American poet of the 1800’s. The poem is presented at the beginning of the book and each chapter is named after a line from the poem.

This memoir is about the birth, life and death of the author’s middle son. We know how the story ends, and we are privileged to share the journey with the author, his wife and their family. Theirs is a tightly-knit family, setting on a foundation of love, faith, nature, tradition, friends, and books and knowledge.

“Daddy,” they cried and came running. I loved coming home each evening to that welcome.

The Author and his wife guide their family, and especially Chris with grace, control, fortitude and bravery. This is a powerful and inspiring story, a remembrance both simple and yet profound. The author writes with a lyrical style that creates a beauty and love that illuminates his thoughts.

They knew from the day that he was born that their son Chris was powerful and fearless. A strong storm blew in on the day of Chris’ baptism and an equally powerful storm hit the day his family prepared for his funeral. Readers, this book will also hit you hard with its sorrow and inspiration.

It was his life, and it was complete, and it was perfect.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a complementary copy of this book from the author via Goodreads Giveaways in exchange for my honest review.

I've written and rewritten reviews for There Is A Reaper so many times that I lost count, but left them all unfinished, overwhelmed by what to say and what not to say, how to balance talking about me and my reactions with talking about the people that make up the book, and other such issues that can leave a perfectionist with a penchant for writing herself feeling inadequate.

It's not an easy book to read due to the seriousness of the subject matter, but at the same time, it's hard to put down. It's beautifully written. It's compelling. It's moving.

I thought that including the line on the cover that says "Losing a child to cancer" under the title was an excellent idea. As the reader, I didn't spend almost the entirety of the book wondering if its hero, Christopher, was going to beat his cancer. I already knew that straight up. That allowed me to concentrate on, savor, and appreciate his life even more.

It's been over ten months since I finished There Is A Reaper. It sticks with me to this very day and I will never forget about brave Christobear, his selfless and patient brothers, and his perfectly normal parents who rallied together in the most horrific of circumstances in the most admirable of ways to protect what is most important in life--family.

It also helped me to understand a little better some of the savage, extreme medical treatments a terminally ill friend is putting herself through in an effort to prolong her life. Thanks to the author for sharing this labor of love, this piece of his warrior son, Christopher.

[Harmony Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a Reaper is a book about a five-year-old boy who develops JCML--an aggressive form of juvenile leukemia. But more than that, it is about his spirit. I discovered this author and this book from a blog tour, and then on a book club website, and from its title I knew this would not be an easy read. However, it was a rewarding one. I am so glad I bought this book and bumped it right up my To Be Read list.

Full of beautiful prose throughout, it offers a deep and insightful look into life, death, and the journey in between. The author is obviously well read, and this shows through wonderfully within his writing. Written mostly from the point of view of the father, the book also includes moving sections written from Mom's perspective. If you're looking for a book about this illness with an A-Z of treatments, you won't find those within these pages; what you will find is a the celebration of a life and the love of a family.

I am humbled and inspired by the way Christopher's brothers and parents handled this crisis, and how it drew them closer together where so many families are torn apart. This is a must read for everyone, but most especially for those who have suffered the pain of loss. The writing is honest and full of rich imagery. This is a book that offers hope, even in the face of defeat. I highly recommend this book.

[Joy Lo-Bamijoko · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an author, I always try to read and review the books of authors who have read and reviewed my books. I don’t have to know them, but I believe that, it is the right thing to do. I get to know them eventually, by reading their books.

This story was well crafted, and beautifully told, if we can refer to a story about life and dead like that. The love, the care that these parents showed, and gave their sick child was beyond measure, and was well appreciated by their sick child. It is never easy to care for the sick, and when the sick is a child, it is heart wrenching. At the end of this story, I could only give a thumb’s up to Christopher and his parents.

A couple of things distracted from this beautiful story. The first is the length. There was so much said that could have been left out to shorten the story. As a reader, I was anxious to get to the end of the story, while the too much details spoiled it for me. The other thing is the too many brackets that truncated the story line in many places. Those asides could have been left out or incorporated into the story for a better flow. Then there were changes in the character voices that happened without warning. I sometimes didn’t know who was speaking, the father or the mother. I struggled to finish this story.

[Robin Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read/reviewed another book by this author, “Merry Ex-mas,” which I’d found to be a delightfully fun Christmas Short Story. I then wanted to see what other books this author has written and found this one.

“There is a Reaper” is a book which is diametrically opposed to the first book I’ve read by Michael Lynes, and definitely shows his capability in writing something which is quite emotional.

While losing any loved one to the BIG C, cancer, is an extremely emotional event, losing a young child is more than traumatic, it’s a heart-wrenching event. The child in this book is the author’s and his wife’s five-year-old son, Christopher Aaron.

The intimate story here, has been writing with none of the author’s apparent pathos being left out. The author and his wife never could have imagined the almost nightmarish journey they’d be facing with the myriad of hospital, specialists, treatments; all in the name of trying to save their son’s life.

Reading about their son’s passionate fight against a merciless enemy, and his bravery which some adults are unable to project, truly pulls at heartstrings of anyone reading this book.

For having shared with his readers an intensely formidable look into an extremely personal family matter; I more than happy to give Mr. Lynes the 5 STARS he’s gotten from this reviewer.

[Julie Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

'There is a Reaper,' takes you on a family's journey when it is discovered their middle son has a rare form of cancer. Told mainly through the father's eyes, with some parts in italics written by the mother, the book takes you through what the family goes through. This includes having to move to three different hospitals and having the youngest son become a bone marrow donor for the sick brother. The dilemma and the emotion poured out with every decision made. The story is told beautifully, descriptively and thoroughly. It is a very long read which I found hard as prefer to read books that move through the story more quickly. I do however understand that the author wrote the book for cathartic reasons and as he says he wrote it for himself. For anyone facing a similar journey, I am sure the book would be very helpful.

[Maria Loeber · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was real... you feel the feelings, the situations, the atmosphere over each scene. I'm not used to reading no fiction, so wasn't sure what to expect of this book, but I really liked it. When reading a story about cancer you get a start thinking it will be a tragic story, but the way Michael writes really makes you feel he is sharing something personal and real. You can really get to know the people involved in the story.. specially Chris... Not perfect, not some kind of martyr.. but someone to admire; as well as Margaret and all the family. It was sad, but it was happy... it is a really good book.

[Marie (UK) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very emotionally powerful book. At the same time it is told with strength of character.

[Rob Gillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brought tears to my eyes
👍

[Gisela Hausmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having lost my husband and my brother at a much too young age, I still think that losing a child must feel worse. This book reinforces that thought.

Though the title and cover of this book give it away, it is a wise move that author Michael Lynes reminds us at the beginning of his book, that Christopher Aaron will die. So much hope is packed into this book and the reader cannot help than fevering along with the parents and brothers, that somehow things will turn around and Christopher Aaron will "make it." Even though I donated for many years to St. Jude's I had no idea how many choices patients (and their parents) have to make, how they have to choose between uncertainty, new experimental treatments, pain, and peace.

Michael Lynes brings his son to life when he writes,

"... He had the personal power of an unbridled, fissionable mass, the energy of refined purpose, the magnetic force of personality of which archangels or demons are made..."

It seems unbelievable that energetic Chris could suffer from any other health problem than broken bones, but he does - Juvenile chronic myelogenous leukemia (JCML)

"... Leukemia. Leukemia is cancer. Cancer is bad.. Bad, bad, bad. No. No, God, no. Not cancer, not Chris, not my boy, my little boy, my baby, my son, no no no no. No, God, no. Please God, no. No, God, no. Not Chris, please God, take me, take me, take me instead— not my son, my son..."

The pain is terrible and it does not want to go away.

This book's strength is that it is so personal. I feel it is Chris' strength that speak through his parents' words, through them he is saying, "I want my story to be heard. I fought the good fight, and for a long time - I succeeded."

The reader learns about the human element of 'living in a hospital" and enduring what Chris, his parents and his siblings live through. Though both brothers, Ian and Devon could be bone marrow donors, it falls upon little brother Devon because whoever is the donor cannot have the slightest, most insignificant infection, which nobody would even notice.

Chris and his mom, Margaret, live in a hospital for months. Chris is an active fighter. He knows that he is fighting for his life and he is "in." He forms friendships with other patients and the nurses. He endures the treatments and sees it all as his fight.

Occasionally, I may have thought of myself as brave, and probably I was brave at that moment, but whatever I did was nothing compared to what Chris did. I'd love to have a "strong angel" like him as a guardian angel but I know I stand no chance. He is watching over Devon and Ian, and Michael and Margaret.

Highly recommended - this book is important. It gives humanity a new dimension.

Gisela Hausmann, author & blogger

[Heather Schaefer, MLS · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book to everyone. It is well written and its story skillfully told so that, even those of us who have not experienced childhood cancer in our own families can be genuinely touched and perhaps, even enlightened.
Michael Lynes’ gentle literary style deftly anchors each scene with imagery and leads readers into the heart of his experience. He is careful with his memories, published now after 20 years, describing them as, “….blurred by my own perspective, softened by time and contaminated by what makes them what I want them to be.” His candor throughout the book ultimately reveals personal emotion beyond those shared by most of us when faced with the specter of disease and death – fear, inadequacy, anger, sadness, guilt and even awe. With love and dedication to the memory and legacy of his son, Chris, he brings us into the uniquely exacting powerlessness and grief of a man who has witnessed his child’s battle with, and death from, cancer. In Chris’ case – a rare form of leukemia.
But this is not a book about despair. At poignant moments, Lynes’ narrative opens onto short powerful interludes in the voice of his wife, Margaret, Chris’ mother. In each, (Many take place during months she lived inpatient with him at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.) we witness her deep commitment to protect her son while honoring his autonomy and guiding him toward an understanding of important values and concepts. Ones that many of us don’t fully grasp well into adulthood. Chris’ deep questions and thoughts are many and Margaret’s approach is humble: “God, give me the words for him.” Within these moments, we are invited into those most intimate of relationships: mother and child; faith-filled heart and Divine.
This is a story filled with relationships: husband and wife; young brothers to young brothers; grandparents, extended family, neighbors, oncologists, nurses, hospital staff and other families and children in treatment at MSK. Separate lives come together like a musical score, each taking the melody in turn and all supporting the clear, bright tones of a child’s devastating and extraordinary journey. Any reader would excuse a jagged dissonance of hopelessness or bitterness within this book. Instead, the pages of, ‘There is a Reaper: Losing a Child to Cancer,’ are filled with love, faith and above all, compassion.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'mIt Came When I Needed It Most

I began reading this book three days before the glorious bubble of joyous retirement burst throwing a torrent of grief upon my entire family. It was not death that darkens our days and sleepless nights. It is grievous pain from the living. A battle to save a beloved beautiful granddaughter who has been grossly misguided and a battle that perhaps may lose me the daughter I have cherished from birth.

As drowning flood waters engulfed our beings, the book was put aside. There came a day, still tormented, after crying out to My Father that He had to save my Mira, I sat down in my chair. The book laid upon it's arm. I opened it and the words broke through the barrier of fog that clouded my mind. I realized it was meant to be this book was The one book I chose to read out of the three thousand on my kindle.

God has been with me for nearly thirty years and He brought to me a enlightening, overwhelming sense of peace the day after the sudden death of my beloved mother jaws I was praying for her. I knew instantaneMously that God was with me in my darkest hour. It was I who held my seven siblings together in their relentless grief.

There are no words to express my gratitude to Micheal and Margaret. The extraordinary beautiful words eloquently spoken would be expected from an experienced gifted author. I am so so sorry that this book had to have come from such a devastating tragic loss.

Chris's story gave confirmation of what I already know. That God is with us and He is waiting to bring us to His Glory. We walk our paths of life there are so many mountains to climb. So many tears to fall. Yet, in the end of our short existence, external peace will our gift. Chris's will to fight enforces my knowledge that I am doing what God means for me to do in our own battle before us. This book will be my classic...my go to book to re-read and gain strength. You know, Chris will be with me...within my heart ...within my mind until I meet him in my FATHER's house. God be with you always....Patricia

[John W. Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A parent’s worst nightmare is the subject of this sensitive, well written, and totally uplifting book, As the title, indicates this is a story about two normal parents with three sons who have to face the possibility that one of their children will succumb to a dreadful rare cancer. Unlike other books with a similar tragic undertone, the intent of the author is not to solicit reader sympathy. The book is written rather with the intention to honor the life a brave little boy who in the end taught a lesson of how to let go to face the inevitable.

The author does a marvelous job of telling the story in a way that makes the final lesson of courage and grace all the more understandable. The point of view changes between Michael and his wife Margaret and by doing so the author gives the reader additional insight into the emotion of the parents and importantly the feelings of Chris Aaron Lynes.

The feelings of Chris remain the most important feature of this book. The reader receives a gift from Chris’ experience. As Chris becomes more aware of his condition, he becomes wiser in building the ultimate rationale for what his future will become. In his struggle to live, Chris demonstrates what we all should think more about our mortality. We should all know that in the end we will die. How we face that death is what Chris’ example points out. The important part of our lives are not the material things, thoughts and feelings we have. The important part is the spirit that Chris, as young as he was, came to know when facing the end. Chris fought hard against his disease but then came to peace and understanding. Approaching death with an acceptance born of knowledge and faith is a lesson we all should take and when our time comes we should think of Chris and face death as he did, a hero.
If there was ever a book that needed to be on every thinking person’s must read list this one is it.

[James Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Michael Lynes says in his Foreword to THERE IS A REAPER: LOSING A CHILD TO CANCER that he didn’t know why he was writing this book, but he was doing so entirely for himself. But I am very glad he has shared this story, which is a very courageous attempt for a loving father to write about his little son who he was losing to cancer. It is a very touching account which comes straight from his heart. It is not over-sentimental, but deals with the traumas parents have to suffer over such a sick, brave and courageous little boy of five-years-old. As the loving parents have to somehow cope with such a tragic situation, the little boy fights bravely through all the procedures he has to endure in an attempt to treat his illness – a rare type of juvenile leukaemia. The author has done his homework on the procedures involved in such things as a bone-marrow transplant, but the book is never heavy or depressing, and there are many lighter moments as his supportive family – particularly his brothers – attempt to celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Christopher, the little sick boy, is also courageous and a fighter, determined to cheat the Reaper, and is always informed of the procedures he has to endure in an attempt to cure him, which he accepts bravely and stoically. The book also speaks well of all the care and support the boy and his parents receive from the medical staff of the various hospitals where he is treated. As to the style of writing, I was a little distracted by the frequent use of parenthesis and there are some flaws in formatting. But once I got used to the writer’s style, these could be easily ignored. A very absorbing and worthwhile read, and I have no hesitation in giving it a 5 star rating which I feel it richly deserves.

[Ulla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A profound read!

In his foreword, Michael Lynes says he doesn’t know why he is writing this; that it likely will never be read by any other person. Somehow, those words made me feel closer to him and more prepared for the story I was about to read.

This emotional memoir about a loving family, filled with compassion, wisdom, and sensitivity is so beautifully written it’s almost like reading poetry. Michael Lynes gives a beautiful rendering of their home, their ‘paradise’, and its breathtaking surroundings. He talks about his and his wife Margaret’s three sons with so much love and pride and humour, I almost wished I was there with them horsing around and having fun.

Then tragedy strikes. They are faced with the cruel reality that their son Christopher has a rare form of deadly cancer. Life as they know it comes to a standstill, and a new reality starts.

Michael Lynes opens his world, invites us in, and brings us along, gently describing how he and his family are facing and dealing with Christopher’s desperate struggle to survive. Even their most heart-wrenching moments with Chris are gently formed and presented by Lynes as a thing of beauty.

Margaret, who lived inpatient with Chris at a cancer center in New York over the course of a few months, wrote regular recollections about her days with Christopher. These recollections, included in the book, show us her immense strength and wisdom as she prepared Chris for what was happening.

Mere words cannot describe the beauty of this book; it needs to be read. I recommend it to anyone.

I wish I could give it a 10.

[Meredith Marple · Rating 5 out of 5]

There Is a Reaper, the title of this memoir, is taken from a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, reproduced in full at the start of the book. The chapter titles then repeat the lines, phrase by phrase, so that at the end, I was reminded to go back to the full poem and read it again. Using this poem as an umbrella piece for the Lynes family’s experience losing their young son to a rare form of leukemia was a brilliant structural decision. The poem underlies and justifies a feeling of hope even while the reader is learning the sad process of a brave little boy’s illness and passing. And that, combined with the straightforward, honest way in which the author shares his fears and grief, made it possible for me to read the story from start to finish without once feeling manipulated or misled.

Never having given birth to or raised a child, I know I’ll never experience the raw emotional impact that losing a child has on a parent, and There Is a Reaper doesn’t try to make me go through it either. The book exists to communicate the courage and love that allows a parent and family to live on during and after such a loss. The book exists to commemorate a dear short life and the family’s spiritual beliefs that continue to give them hope. I highlighted more in this book than I think I’ve ever done before, testimony to tight writing and editing; every chapter counted, and every paragraph counted.

The 5 stars are for honesty, clarity of writing, and ease of reading.

[Joseph Santiago · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an emotional read that starts off with a simple note stating that the author is writing believing no one will read this. This gave the book a more personal feel that brought me with the author through the ups and downs of the story. It was strange to know what was coming when the lump was first discovered just underneath Chris’s ear. The swell of emotion and the conscious shifts to an engineer state of mind to keep calm resonated with me. It is clear that Michael feels some guilt for being helpless to stop the progression of illness in his son. This book had a lot to do with healing and reclaiming a loving connection with Chris for Michael, the author. It is a cruel and terrible thing to have to witness a child going through so much pain. I can’t even say how much more terrible it is when that child is your own. There is no way to quantify loss or memory in such a way.

What Michael Lynes did with this book is create a monument to the life of his son Chris that will not tarnish with time. This book gave me chills and made me weep. Having a chance at closure, forgiveness, and unconditional love through the life and story of another is something that supports the strength in us all. My thoughts and prayers go out to Michael Lynes and his family. This was a good read.

Mr. Joe

[Ellen L. Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and heartfelt


This is a family's true story about their journey through childhood cancer. Most of the book is told through the eyes of the father. There are sections told through the mother's eyes because she was present 24/7 with her son at the hospital.

I am the mother of Michael who was diagnosed with lymphoma at age six. He suffered through cancer and eventually lost his brave fight after three and a half years. The treatments, relapses, experimental therapies, hospital stays, bone marrow transplant, etc WERE very REALISTISTIC in this book. All the emotions described about explaining cancer to the other siblings, relatives and friends, to hardly ever seeing your spouse I could relate to.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has or had a child with cancer. This book will give insight and help you feel you are not alone. It is filled with information, so it can be overwhelming, but remember each child's treatment is individualized. Family and friends of those who know someone who has or had childhood cancer would benefit from this book. It will give you insight of the family dynamics that are going on in their life and everyday struggles. A piece of your heart will stay with this family long after you have finished this book.

[Sammit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've put off writing this review for months now. If you're wondering why, it's because words truly cannot do this story any justice. Knowing this family personally, I thought that I was prepared for what I would find in the pages of this book, but it was such an emotionally powerful experience that I had trouble expressing exactly how I felt to potential readers.

If you want to know how this story really made me feel, look at the book cover. I was commissioned to create it. All of the respect and love I have for this family--for Christopher--can be found in the artwork I had the privilege to create. I hope that it can impart even a fraction of the love and presence this boy's story had. Even though I never met Chris, I feel that after reading this story he will always be with me... and reading this book, you must be prepared to open your heart, because Chris will find it whether you are ready or not.

[Bmquiram · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is not exactly what I expected. I was expecting to read more about how the family dealt with the diagnosis, treatment, and loss which it was. However it was a story filled with hope and celebrating the positive aspects of life instead of focusing and dwelling on the negative aspects of life. There were times when the story seemed educational (medical diagnosis and treatments were explained) but it was interesting and it remained entertaining. Without the explanations the story would not have been as cohesive.

I wish the view point changes between the mother and the father (the author), Michael Lynes would have been designated a little more. I also would have liked a notation of dates more frequently than was provided. There was some time line with some dates and holidays, but a date at the beginning of each chapter for example

I would recommend this book but have a box of tissue near by because you will not finish it without crying.

[Christine Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover for this book does not do it justice. There Is A Reaper: Losing a Child to Cancer is a rare memoir of exquisite beauty. Not only did this true-life story grip my heart and not let go until I’d finished reading the memoir in one sitting, but so too did this family’s sweet, simple Christian faith bless me. The journey of the author and his family, as their middle son lived his short life on earth, only to be transferred to heaven at only 7 years old, is an inspiration. The short life their son lived gives us all hope in our lives, no matter what our suffering. But I have to say that the author, Michael Lynes is a truly gifted author. I highly recommend this book.

[Cathy McGough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having lost a son myself, but through totally different circumstances (a miscarriage) to be honest I was frightened about reading this book. After reading all of the reviews, I decided to buy it and read it in about 24 hours. I laughed and I cried and all of the time I kept singing a song in my head called "Gone Too Soon," by Michael Jackson. A testament to the strength of a family pulling together, trying to fight a battle which in the end cannot be won. Michael's writing is beautiful and oh so brave. More proof of the power of words to heal both the reader and the writer.

[Big Book Theory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I not only cried, I sobbed. A heartfelt story. Can I call it merely a story? The word story almost makes it seems like something written from imagination, when in fact it tells a true story of love and loss. Of Chris' brave fight. It reflects his feelings so clearly of how he battled so bravely against a powerful enemy. I loved the way it was portrayed that he lives on, even though in this life he was here for only a brief moment in time to strengthen and forge his mom's soul into something far greater. "The power of death itself becomes meaningless if you refuse to accept it as a final end."

[Brenda Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

I empasize with anyone going through or witnessing others challenge the ravages of cancer. It is a horrible disease and the treatments are just brutal. That being said, I struggled to really get into this book. The beginning chapters, were just not relevant to the plot of the book. I can liken this part to a really long and potholed runway! I did perservere and am glad I did, the story does actually take on a flight of its own. A very touching story, a very strong little boy and a very real ending.