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The Reaper Chronicles #1
The Reaper's Quota
Meet Grim Reaper #2497. Behind on his work, he must complete his quota of thirty Random Deaths or face termination in the worst way. Faced with an insurmountable task and very little time to complete it, Reaper #2497 struggles to hang on to the one thing he's not supposed to have - his humanity.
Finalist - Book Blogger's Novel of the Year Award 2022
Finalist - Next Generation Indie Book Awards First Novel Category 2023
Finalist - The Authors' Zone 2023
Finalist - Book Blogger's Novel of the Year Award 2022
Finalist - Next Generation Indie Book Awards First Novel Category 2023
Finalist - The Authors' Zone 2023
199 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2021
4 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Sarah McKnight
16 books55 followersSarah McKnight is an award-winning multi-genre author with an interest in contemporary young adult, coming-of-age, and horror fiction. After spending two years teaching English to middle schoolers in Shimane Prefecture, Japan, she came back to the US to pursue her next dream – to finish writing all of the books taking up valuable space on her hard drive.
Her most popular book by far, The Reaper’s Quota, has placed in several awards, including the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and the Book Blogger’s Novel of the Year Award. While some of her books lean more toward the fantastical, she always incorporates elements of realism and mental health, hoping that everyone can find something they relate to.
Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature with a minor in creative writing. She currently lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and five cats.
You can find her on:
Twitter/X @mcknight_writes
Instagram @sarahmcknightwrites
TikTok @sarahmcknightwrites
Her most popular book by far, The Reaper’s Quota, has placed in several awards, including the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and the Book Blogger’s Novel of the Year Award. While some of her books lean more toward the fantastical, she always incorporates elements of realism and mental health, hoping that everyone can find something they relate to.
Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature with a minor in creative writing. She currently lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and five cats.
You can find her on:
Twitter/X @mcknight_writes
Instagram @sarahmcknightwrites
TikTok @sarahmcknightwrites
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
June 29, 2022
Well that was fun. Who knew a grim reaper could have such a sense of humour!
Grim Reaper #2497, who feels like his name was Steve when he was human, is behind on his quota of 30 random deaths. Failure to complete the required number of terminations will probably result in his own termination. He has also been warned to stop thinking about whether it would be possible to revert to human.
This was an enjoyable change of pace and I chuckled quite a bit, especially when reading Steve's Random Death reports. The story is really well told and you can almost hear the reapers' bones clicking and clacking as they bustle about headquarters. The book ends in a cliffhanger and I'm looking forward to reading Book 2. This book was published in November 2021 and Book 2, Chasing the Reaper, was released recently.
My thanks to BooksGoSocial via Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Grim Reaper #2497, who feels like his name was Steve when he was human, is behind on his quota of 30 random deaths. Failure to complete the required number of terminations will probably result in his own termination. He has also been warned to stop thinking about whether it would be possible to revert to human.
This was an enjoyable change of pace and I chuckled quite a bit, especially when reading Steve's Random Death reports. The story is really well told and you can almost hear the reapers' bones clicking and clacking as they bustle about headquarters. The book ends in a cliffhanger and I'm looking forward to reading Book 2. This book was published in November 2021 and Book 2, Chasing the Reaper, was released recently.
My thanks to BooksGoSocial via Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 6, 2022
Grim Reaper # 2497 has completed all of his Assigned Deaths, but not his Random Death quota for the month. He has three days to perform 30 random killings, or be fired executed. So, 2497 becomes something of an avenging angel, shortening the lives of the abusive, the unpleasant, and the annoying. You may actually cheer when some of these jerks are dispatched.
It's fairly obvious that 2497 does not particularly like killing, and is hoping for nothing more than a do-over as a human. And, he may just get a crack at that, though not quite in the way he expects . . .
This fun and funny novel would be a treat for fans of dark humor, and for faithful viewers of HBO's Six Feet Under.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the chance to cackle at a Reaper's misfortune.
It's fairly obvious that 2497 does not particularly like killing, and is hoping for nothing more than a do-over as a human. And, he may just get a crack at that, though not quite in the way he expects . . .
This fun and funny novel would be a treat for fans of dark humor, and for faithful viewers of HBO's Six Feet Under.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the chance to cackle at a Reaper's misfortune.
July 10, 2022
Grim Reaper #2497 (or Steve as he prefers to be called) is struggling to make his monthly quota again. He has no trouble ending the lives of those who are dying from accidents, disease or famine but it’s the random lives he has to take every month that cause him problems. He knows the Reapers must harvest extra lives to help keep population growth under control, but it’s choosing who to take that he finds difficult. He’s already been warned by the Big Boss that his days as a Reaper may be limited if he can’t overcome his human feelings (which Reapers shouldn’t have) about which lives to take.
Darkly humorous, this novella is a delightfully fun read as Reaper #2497 goes looking for those most worthy of dying early and in inventive ways. He knows he is being watched by the Big Boss but can’t help letting his human feelings influence his choices. Just be warned – after finishing this, you’ll be left wanting to immediately read the sequel.
With thanks to Books Go Social via Netgalley for a copy to read
Darkly humorous, this novella is a delightfully fun read as Reaper #2497 goes looking for those most worthy of dying early and in inventive ways. He knows he is being watched by the Big Boss but can’t help letting his human feelings influence his choices. Just be warned – after finishing this, you’ll be left wanting to immediately read the sequel.
With thanks to Books Go Social via Netgalley for a copy to read
July 16, 2022
The Reaper’s Quota is the first book in the Reaper Chronicles series by American author, Sarah McKnight. Grim Reaper #2497 is being pulled up by the Big Boss for not meeting his quota of Random Deaths. He’s completed his Assigned Deaths (old, sick, fatal accidents or suicides) but, with three days left in the month, still has thirty Random Deaths to do. He is solemnly reminded that Random Deaths are necessary to prevent the world from overpopulating.
Trouble is, #2497, or Steve (the name that just feels right to him), is troubled by very human feelings that seem to be absent in other Reapers. Whereas some Reapers take great pleasure in their job, Steve doesn’t enjoy taking lives at all. When he can’t avoid killing Randoms, he tries to find those that deserve it, or have only a short time left anyway. But the official warning means he has to get busy or he will be exterminated.
Being exterminated would mean he wouldn’t have to snuff out lives, but then he wouldn’t exist anymore; what he’d really like is go back to being human, to get another chance, to do it better this time. Because he thinks that last time, his wasn’t a good life, and killing his cheating business partner in a fit of anger was what made him a Reaper in the first place.
So he takes his scythe and reluctantly gets started on his quota of Randoms. During a break, another Reaper warns him that his thoughts and deeds are being monitored by the higher-ups, and a sneak peek at the files tells him he has been flagged as a problematic Reaper.
Then, while out looking for suitable Randoms, he encounters a human who can actually see him. After they each get over the shock, the chat they have is revelatory for both, and it makes Steve even more determined to find out how he can return to being human.
But then Steve breaks a Reaper Rule, intervening when another Reaper is carrying out Assigned Death tasks, something punishable by immediate extermination. But the result is totally unexpected, and has him challenging the Big Boss about their role. The Big Boss doesn’t appreciate criticism, and his next instruction reflects this.
It’s always fun to read a story with a quirky protagonist, and a Grim Reaper is certainly that. Despite being a murderer, Steve is the sort of guy you can’t help liking, or sympathising with his plight. McKnight gives him some wise words and insightful observations and, because he’s just bones, has him thinking things like “I think about biting my tongue to stop myself from saying anything more. Since I don’t have one, the words continue to spill out.”
Needless to say, the premise of the story dictates that the body count is high, with some very creative manners of death, and the cliff-hanger ending will have the reader appreciating that the sequel, Chasing The Reaper has already been published. Very entertaining!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Books Go Social.
Trouble is, #2497, or Steve (the name that just feels right to him), is troubled by very human feelings that seem to be absent in other Reapers. Whereas some Reapers take great pleasure in their job, Steve doesn’t enjoy taking lives at all. When he can’t avoid killing Randoms, he tries to find those that deserve it, or have only a short time left anyway. But the official warning means he has to get busy or he will be exterminated.
Being exterminated would mean he wouldn’t have to snuff out lives, but then he wouldn’t exist anymore; what he’d really like is go back to being human, to get another chance, to do it better this time. Because he thinks that last time, his wasn’t a good life, and killing his cheating business partner in a fit of anger was what made him a Reaper in the first place.
So he takes his scythe and reluctantly gets started on his quota of Randoms. During a break, another Reaper warns him that his thoughts and deeds are being monitored by the higher-ups, and a sneak peek at the files tells him he has been flagged as a problematic Reaper.
Then, while out looking for suitable Randoms, he encounters a human who can actually see him. After they each get over the shock, the chat they have is revelatory for both, and it makes Steve even more determined to find out how he can return to being human.
But then Steve breaks a Reaper Rule, intervening when another Reaper is carrying out Assigned Death tasks, something punishable by immediate extermination. But the result is totally unexpected, and has him challenging the Big Boss about their role. The Big Boss doesn’t appreciate criticism, and his next instruction reflects this.
It’s always fun to read a story with a quirky protagonist, and a Grim Reaper is certainly that. Despite being a murderer, Steve is the sort of guy you can’t help liking, or sympathising with his plight. McKnight gives him some wise words and insightful observations and, because he’s just bones, has him thinking things like “I think about biting my tongue to stop myself from saying anything more. Since I don’t have one, the words continue to spill out.”
Needless to say, the premise of the story dictates that the body count is high, with some very creative manners of death, and the cliff-hanger ending will have the reader appreciating that the sequel, Chasing The Reaper has already been published. Very entertaining!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Books Go Social.
November 12, 2022
A dark read but packed with dark humour and so original. Reaper#2497 is slacking and is at risk of permanent execution. To put it bluntly he is too empathetic with his victims. He often apologises before dispatching them. This was such a fun read with a twisty ending that has definitely left me wanting more.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
August 24, 2022
Although many deaths occur in this novella, it is not a thriller, nor a horror story, but a humorous fantasy. I loved it.
Grim Reaper #2497 (who thinks that his name may have been Steve when he was alive) is challenged to meet his monthly total of 30 random deaths. He has no problem taking the lives of those who are destined to die—from disease, old age, and suicide—but he has difficulty taking the lives of those who were supposed to live longer, accidental deaths. His random quota.
He tries to choose those who deserve to die, but he just can’t find them quickly enough, and if he doesn’t meet his quota, he’ll be terminated.
His random deaths reports get wilder and crazier as he tries to meet that quota.
While reading this, I was reminded of one of my favourite movies—Beetlejuice—not the plot, but the spirit of looking at death and laughing. Joyful instead of sad. I’m glad so many of my friends recommended it. I recommend it too as a well-written, comedy fantasy. It’s short, and can easily be read in a day.
Grim Reaper #2497 (who thinks that his name may have been Steve when he was alive) is challenged to meet his monthly total of 30 random deaths. He has no problem taking the lives of those who are destined to die—from disease, old age, and suicide—but he has difficulty taking the lives of those who were supposed to live longer, accidental deaths. His random quota.
He tries to choose those who deserve to die, but he just can’t find them quickly enough, and if he doesn’t meet his quota, he’ll be terminated.
His random deaths reports get wilder and crazier as he tries to meet that quota.
While reading this, I was reminded of one of my favourite movies—Beetlejuice—not the plot, but the spirit of looking at death and laughing. Joyful instead of sad. I’m glad so many of my friends recommended it. I recommend it too as a well-written, comedy fantasy. It’s short, and can easily be read in a day.
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December 23, 2022Congratulations for placing 5th in the 2022 BBNYA Competition!
April 26, 2023
The Reaper’s Quota tells the story of Reaper #2497, one of thousands of grim reapers, who happens to be suffering from existential dread. He wants to know what happens to reapers who cease to exist. They can be executed by their Big Boss at any time if their behaviour becomes suspicious and they fail to follow the all-important rules. #2497, or Steve as he thinks he was once called, is remembering things from his human life and wants a second chance at humanity.
In order to become a reaper you have to have killed someone during your life – and then you are destined to be a reaper until your skeleton crumbles to dust – hundreds or thousands of years killing humans every day. A reaper is given a daily assignment of people to finish off, but on top of that they must fulfil a monthly quota of 30 random deaths. These are the ones that Steve struggles with. He is a compassionate reaper and tries to find victims who are elderly or terminally ill or with despicable personalities.
“Some humans die paralyzed with fear. I always thought that was just a saying, but I’ve learned as a Reaper that it’s true. Humans are so fragile; so afraid of the unknown.”
The Big Boss is aware of his increasing curiosity about his humanity and is watching him closely.
There really isn’t much of a plot to this short book (under 200 pages), but its charm lies in the comical ways in which Steve chooses to finish off his assignments. He has a wry sense of humour and hopes his death descriptions on the paperwork he has to complete will amuse someone stuck in an office somewhere. Like I said he is a compassionate chap!
The Reaper’s Quota is an easy, quick and thoroughly enjoyable YA read with an unexpected cliffhanger at the end. Steve’s story continues in the sequel, Chasing the Reaper.
I was given a complimentary digital copy of this book by the BBNYA team in exchange for an honest review.
In order to become a reaper you have to have killed someone during your life – and then you are destined to be a reaper until your skeleton crumbles to dust – hundreds or thousands of years killing humans every day. A reaper is given a daily assignment of people to finish off, but on top of that they must fulfil a monthly quota of 30 random deaths. These are the ones that Steve struggles with. He is a compassionate reaper and tries to find victims who are elderly or terminally ill or with despicable personalities.
“Some humans die paralyzed with fear. I always thought that was just a saying, but I’ve learned as a Reaper that it’s true. Humans are so fragile; so afraid of the unknown.”
The Big Boss is aware of his increasing curiosity about his humanity and is watching him closely.
There really isn’t much of a plot to this short book (under 200 pages), but its charm lies in the comical ways in which Steve chooses to finish off his assignments. He has a wry sense of humour and hopes his death descriptions on the paperwork he has to complete will amuse someone stuck in an office somewhere. Like I said he is a compassionate chap!
The Reaper’s Quota is an easy, quick and thoroughly enjoyable YA read with an unexpected cliffhanger at the end. Steve’s story continues in the sequel, Chasing the Reaper.
I was given a complimentary digital copy of this book by the BBNYA team in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2023
This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: The Reaper's Quota
Reaper #2497 remembers his name was once Steve. He also remembers the unfortunate circumstances where he killed a man and sealed his fate to become a reaper. But unlike some of the other reapers, he hates his job. While his daily assignments may help him bring mercy to those near the end of their life, the thirty random people each month weigh heavily on him. This month he’s pushing the limit. He doesn’t start his quota until he’s threatened with extermination and he has three days left to eliminate thirty people. But there has to be something he can do to restart his life. Or at the least, make something better in his reaper unlife. With three days left, Steve sets out to find a different path.
The Reaper’s Quota is steeped in dark humor and has a protagonist who tries to make the best out of his situation. Readers will travel alongside Steve as he fulfills his daily assignments and slowly but surely takes out his monthly quota. But in between reaping, readers will see Steve struggle to remember emotions and how to be human.
The story did grow repetitive at times. While this added to Steve’s experience as he struggled with his day to day reaping, adding a few extra days to Steve’s plight would have helped bring balance to the plot. With a little extra time, readers would have been able to see a more elaborate version of Steve searching for a different way and trying to experience “life” even though he was a reaper. The connection to him as a character would have been solidified and the ending would have definitely brought out a stronger emotional response.
But the little things are what I really enjoyed about The Reaper’s Quota. All the details and effort Sarah McKnight put into Steve contemplating what he would be feeling or thinking if he were still human. Even though it was all done through telling, as Steve could not experience it, it was so well written and added to the impact readers felt with his struggle.
The Reaper’s Quota contemplates life, death, and the choices people make and their final paths because of them. If you enjoy dark humor and the search for a second chance give this a read. And with the way it ends, you’ll definitely want to jump straight to book two.
Reaper #2497 remembers his name was once Steve. He also remembers the unfortunate circumstances where he killed a man and sealed his fate to become a reaper. But unlike some of the other reapers, he hates his job. While his daily assignments may help him bring mercy to those near the end of their life, the thirty random people each month weigh heavily on him. This month he’s pushing the limit. He doesn’t start his quota until he’s threatened with extermination and he has three days left to eliminate thirty people. But there has to be something he can do to restart his life. Or at the least, make something better in his reaper unlife. With three days left, Steve sets out to find a different path.
The Reaper’s Quota is steeped in dark humor and has a protagonist who tries to make the best out of his situation. Readers will travel alongside Steve as he fulfills his daily assignments and slowly but surely takes out his monthly quota. But in between reaping, readers will see Steve struggle to remember emotions and how to be human.
The story did grow repetitive at times. While this added to Steve’s experience as he struggled with his day to day reaping, adding a few extra days to Steve’s plight would have helped bring balance to the plot. With a little extra time, readers would have been able to see a more elaborate version of Steve searching for a different way and trying to experience “life” even though he was a reaper. The connection to him as a character would have been solidified and the ending would have definitely brought out a stronger emotional response.
But the little things are what I really enjoyed about The Reaper’s Quota. All the details and effort Sarah McKnight put into Steve contemplating what he would be feeling or thinking if he were still human. Even though it was all done through telling, as Steve could not experience it, it was so well written and added to the impact readers felt with his struggle.
The Reaper’s Quota contemplates life, death, and the choices people make and their final paths because of them. If you enjoy dark humor and the search for a second chance give this a read. And with the way it ends, you’ll definitely want to jump straight to book two.
May 20, 2022
The Reaper’s Quota by Sarah McKnight
This is a hilarious and fast story to read. It was nothing like what I was expecting and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book.
Reaper # 2497 (a.k.a. Steve) is tasked with a set amount of deaths he has to complete or he will be executed. This story is about the Random Death quota he has to complete. He is torn between his humanity and his need for survival. While completing his tasks, he is struggling with the right and wrong of being a Reaper.
My only issue with this book is the ending. It ends on a cliffhanger. I am, however, going to be looking for the second in this series.
Thank you to #Netgalley and author Sarah McKnight for a copy of this book for an honest review. #TheReapersQuota
This is a hilarious and fast story to read. It was nothing like what I was expecting and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book.
Reaper # 2497 (a.k.a. Steve) is tasked with a set amount of deaths he has to complete or he will be executed. This story is about the Random Death quota he has to complete. He is torn between his humanity and his need for survival. While completing his tasks, he is struggling with the right and wrong of being a Reaper.
My only issue with this book is the ending. It ends on a cliffhanger. I am, however, going to be looking for the second in this series.
Thank you to #Netgalley and author Sarah McKnight for a copy of this book for an honest review. #TheReapersQuota
April 24, 2023
Full review: https://jamreads.com/reviews/the-reap...
The Reaper's Quota is a unique fiction book, halfway between horror and humour, written by Sarah McKnight, and which placed 5th among the BBNYA 2022 finalists. In this novella, we will be spectators on how the life of a Reaper is, and how Reaper#2497's will change.
Reaper#2497, who somehow remembers he was called Steve when he was a human, has fulfilled his Assigned Deaths, but is still missing the 30 Random Deaths he needs to complete each month to not be terminated. This task is becoming increasingly more difficult each month, and he can't stop thinking if becoming human is possible, something that he has been talked against.
With this premise, Sarah McKnight creates a unique story, showing how the life of Grim Reapers is; painting it as a sort of office focused on bringing death. With a twist of humour, we have a light novella, which can be perfectly read in one sit, around the struggles of this particular Reaper.
How our character will deal with them will have some consequences for the world; and will progressively become more different from what a Reaper is supposed to be, the source of all his problems.
I found the pacing to be a little bit weird, probably due to the length of the story; as we need to conclude it relatively soon, some of the Random Deaths get summarized at the end of the chapters. Said that, you never feel it as too slow, it lands in a sweet spot once you get accustomed to the structure of the story.
If you want something different, and you don't mind some dark humour, I can totally recommend it to you. It will make you think, and at the same time, it will be a fun read, showing why it finished as 5th in BBNYA 2022.
The Reaper's Quota is a unique fiction book, halfway between horror and humour, written by Sarah McKnight, and which placed 5th among the BBNYA 2022 finalists. In this novella, we will be spectators on how the life of a Reaper is, and how Reaper#2497's will change.
Reaper#2497, who somehow remembers he was called Steve when he was a human, has fulfilled his Assigned Deaths, but is still missing the 30 Random Deaths he needs to complete each month to not be terminated. This task is becoming increasingly more difficult each month, and he can't stop thinking if becoming human is possible, something that he has been talked against.
With this premise, Sarah McKnight creates a unique story, showing how the life of Grim Reapers is; painting it as a sort of office focused on bringing death. With a twist of humour, we have a light novella, which can be perfectly read in one sit, around the struggles of this particular Reaper.
How our character will deal with them will have some consequences for the world; and will progressively become more different from what a Reaper is supposed to be, the source of all his problems.
I found the pacing to be a little bit weird, probably due to the length of the story; as we need to conclude it relatively soon, some of the Random Deaths get summarized at the end of the chapters. Said that, you never feel it as too slow, it lands in a sweet spot once you get accustomed to the structure of the story.
If you want something different, and you don't mind some dark humour, I can totally recommend it to you. It will make you think, and at the same time, it will be a fun read, showing why it finished as 5th in BBNYA 2022.
April 17, 2023
What a superb story. It's got such dark humour: I loved Steve's reports!
I was so taken by the random deaths quota. Amazing.
I was so taken by the random deaths quota. Amazing.
July 19, 2022
The Reaper's Quota is brillant!
Who thought that a Reaper would have a quota? Well they do!
This novel is a great take on what happens when death is at your door, but also, what and who is a Reaper.
A Reaper is a person who committed murder while still living. Upon their death they become Reapers. All memory of who they were before death is erased, or is it?
Reapers have rules they have to abide by and meet their quotas or else.... Oh and they also have a boss!
This novel follows Steve, a Reaper on his quest to meet his quota or meet his demise. Steve doesn't enjoy taking life and has to make the decision to kill or be killed.
A very heart felt novel focusing on the anguish of whose life to take while judging yourself doing it. A down to earth novel that will have you turning the pages and the ending will leaving you hanging!
Ready for book 2
A creative, well written novel that had me laughing and tearing up. The cliff hangar at the end had me wanting more! Genius!
Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for making this review possible!
Who thought that a Reaper would have a quota? Well they do!
This novel is a great take on what happens when death is at your door, but also, what and who is a Reaper.
A Reaper is a person who committed murder while still living. Upon their death they become Reapers. All memory of who they were before death is erased, or is it?
Reapers have rules they have to abide by and meet their quotas or else.... Oh and they also have a boss!
This novel follows Steve, a Reaper on his quest to meet his quota or meet his demise. Steve doesn't enjoy taking life and has to make the decision to kill or be killed.
A very heart felt novel focusing on the anguish of whose life to take while judging yourself doing it. A down to earth novel that will have you turning the pages and the ending will leaving you hanging!
Ready for book 2
A creative, well written novel that had me laughing and tearing up. The cliff hangar at the end had me wanting more! Genius!
Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for making this review possible!
March 22, 2022
Steve, the Reluctant Grim Reaper
Being in the mind of Steve the Reaper for a couple of days as I read this unique and darkly humorous story was something I won't soon forget. I loved the moments of insight into the human condition of living and dying, and was moved by some lovely, relatable scenes when Steve gets a vision of the lives of each of his victims before he swings his scythe. But Steve isn't really cut out for this life, or his former human life. What he wants is to be human again, and do better next time.
Being in the mind of Steve the Reaper for a couple of days as I read this unique and darkly humorous story was something I won't soon forget. I loved the moments of insight into the human condition of living and dying, and was moved by some lovely, relatable scenes when Steve gets a vision of the lives of each of his victims before he swings his scythe. But Steve isn't really cut out for this life, or his former human life. What he wants is to be human again, and do better next time.
March 6, 2022
For a book with dozens of deaths, this was hilarious. I loved Steve and his attitude. The concept was creative and endlessly interesting.
I did feel like the character development was a little inconsistent and I would have liked a little more certainty from the ending. But overall a great story.
I did feel like the character development was a little inconsistent and I would have liked a little more certainty from the ending. But overall a great story.
January 3, 2022
Couldn’t put it down! Love the grim (pun intended) humor and the original story. Can’t wait for the next one!
June 16, 2022
The Reaper's Quota by Sarah McKnight is a quick humorous horror read. I couldn't put this book down! I actually would rate this book over 5 stars if I could! The main character is Reaper 2497 or Steve in his human life. He struggles with having human feelings which reapers are not supposed to have. All he wants is another chance to be human again. He has fulfilled his assigned deaths but struggles with his 30 random death quota. This book follows him as he tries to meet his quota in three days or face execution by the big boss. The ending leaves us with a cliffhanger. I can't wait for the second book to find out what happens! If you are looking for a humorous paranormal book, I highly recommend this book to be added to your read list!
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 4, 2022
A dark humor fiction story about a reaper who wants to become human again. The story ends on a cliffhanger and boy, is if a deep one! This was a really quick read. It feels like a case study into peoples lives, almost voyeuristic. Our reaper main character is given a number but somehow remembers his name when he was human, which he isn’t supposed to. He remembers being human and gets in trouble for not filling his quota of accidental death reapings. The main reaper character has an interesting, dark and sarcastic humor. I loved reading about how peoples bodies would be found after they were reaped, and the way he filled out paperwork after the reapings. I can’t wait for the next book!
June 6, 2022
Reaper #2497 (or Steve) has a job to do: complete 30 Random Deaths or face execution. But there's one thing getting in his way, one thing he shouldn't have as a Reaper - his humanity.
This was such an enjoyable read! McKnight does a wonderful job of getting the reader to connect with Reaper #2497 and have you rooting for him. The story is also filled with a lot of dark humour and had me laughing out loud! I loved the idea that the Reapers' job is like any other mundane job, with quotas to fill and deadlines to meet.
This was a brilliant short story and would definitely recommend to readers who are a fan of dark humour.
This was such an enjoyable read! McKnight does a wonderful job of getting the reader to connect with Reaper #2497 and have you rooting for him. The story is also filled with a lot of dark humour and had me laughing out loud! I loved the idea that the Reapers' job is like any other mundane job, with quotas to fill and deadlines to meet.
This was a brilliant short story and would definitely recommend to readers who are a fan of dark humour.
May 4, 2022
Grim Reaper #2497 is slacking on his Random Deaths monthly quota and at risk of permanent execution. He is slacking because he is struggling to hold back his humanity whilst having to complete his Grim Reaper duties.
Reaper #2497 is sarcastic and funny and it bought lightness to the death scenes. I found myself smirking at some of the execution reports. I am very excited to see where #2497 / Steve goes from here and will definitely be reading the next book!
Reaper #2497 is sarcastic and funny and it bought lightness to the death scenes. I found myself smirking at some of the execution reports. I am very excited to see where #2497 / Steve goes from here and will definitely be reading the next book!
June 28, 2023
Reaper #2497 is all of us when we have a task to do, but don’t want to do it. This book is the perfect amount of dark humor. I laughed out loud and enjoyed following “Steve” around, especially during his death reports.
I plan on reading the next book since The Reaper’s Quota ended on a cliff hanger. Thank you again to Netgalley for the ARC.
I plan on reading the next book since The Reaper’s Quota ended on a cliff hanger. Thank you again to Netgalley for the ARC.
April 25, 2023
I was given The Reaper’s Quota as one of my BBNYA round 2 books (10,000 words excerpt) and loved it so much, so I was super excited when I was then allocated it for the final round and got to read the whole book!
From the very beginning of this book, I was hooked. It’s such a unique and intriguing storyline, certainly like nothing I’ve read before. Obviously we have all heard of the Grim Reaper, but this was a very interesting take on the character, and I loved the backstory of how one becomes a Reaper, and that the Reaper wasn’t just a single entity.
Reaper #2497 seems to be completely different to the other Reaper’s, and I absolutely loved this character. Unlike the others, he seemed to have a conscience, and didn’t enjoy his work at all. But he definitely had a great sense of humour. As we make our way through #2497 attempting to complete his quota, we witness some hilarious death methods, some of which had me laughing out loud. But there were equally some rather sad deaths too. I think including the victims stories, past and potential future, was a fantastic addition to the story, and an aspect that I really enjoyed.
We also get snippets of #2497’s backstory too, as he slowly seems to be remembering his human life (something that Reaper’s are not supposed to be able to do), and this leads us perfectly to the story’s climax. The ending of the book was not exactly what I expected, but it was fantastic, and it also sets the story up perfectly for the second book of the series.
This ended up being one of my favourite books that I read in 2022, and I loved it so much that I bought myself a physical copy, and I bought a physical copy of Chasing The Reaper (book 2) too! I have now read both books, and can not recommend them highly enough. I can’t wait to read everything that the author writes in the future!
I give The Reaper’s Quota a 5 star rating!
From the very beginning of this book, I was hooked. It’s such a unique and intriguing storyline, certainly like nothing I’ve read before. Obviously we have all heard of the Grim Reaper, but this was a very interesting take on the character, and I loved the backstory of how one becomes a Reaper, and that the Reaper wasn’t just a single entity.
Reaper #2497 seems to be completely different to the other Reaper’s, and I absolutely loved this character. Unlike the others, he seemed to have a conscience, and didn’t enjoy his work at all. But he definitely had a great sense of humour. As we make our way through #2497 attempting to complete his quota, we witness some hilarious death methods, some of which had me laughing out loud. But there were equally some rather sad deaths too. I think including the victims stories, past and potential future, was a fantastic addition to the story, and an aspect that I really enjoyed.
We also get snippets of #2497’s backstory too, as he slowly seems to be remembering his human life (something that Reaper’s are not supposed to be able to do), and this leads us perfectly to the story’s climax. The ending of the book was not exactly what I expected, but it was fantastic, and it also sets the story up perfectly for the second book of the series.
This ended up being one of my favourite books that I read in 2022, and I loved it so much that I bought myself a physical copy, and I bought a physical copy of Chasing The Reaper (book 2) too! I have now read both books, and can not recommend them highly enough. I can’t wait to read everything that the author writes in the future!
I give The Reaper’s Quota a 5 star rating!
April 9, 2023
What happens to a Reaper who disobeys their calling? I went into this story completely blind, picking it up during a promotion I stumbled by and finding the promise of Death as a central character intriguing. This has the air of Pratchett about it, as you’d perhaps expect from a witty adventure following a particularly grim reaper, and although Sarah McKnight certainly writes with her own unique voice, I’d certainly say this would be an easy recommendation for anyone who found “the Death Collection” to be the highlight of the Discworld series.The ending is a particular highlight, and has already sold me on picking up the second entry to see what new possibilities it has opened up for Steve the Reaper!
April 27, 2023
4.5
Book source ~ BBNYA2022
You’d think being a Grim Reaper would have some leeway over how the job is done. Not in this world. There are many Grim Reapers. And they all have to answer to a boss. And that boss answers to a boss and it’s basically just like a large corporation who doesn’t give a shit about its employees. Do the job or be gone. Except when a Grim Reaper is gone, they’re gone for good. Right? That’s one question that Grim Reaper #2497 wants an answer for.
This is a slightly horrifying tale about death and the million ways to die with a snarky main character and dark humor. But it’s also got a lot of heart. And questions. So many questions. I love this book. Maybe you will, too.
Book source ~ BBNYA2022
You’d think being a Grim Reaper would have some leeway over how the job is done. Not in this world. There are many Grim Reapers. And they all have to answer to a boss. And that boss answers to a boss and it’s basically just like a large corporation who doesn’t give a shit about its employees. Do the job or be gone. Except when a Grim Reaper is gone, they’re gone for good. Right? That’s one question that Grim Reaper #2497 wants an answer for.
This is a slightly horrifying tale about death and the million ways to die with a snarky main character and dark humor. But it’s also got a lot of heart. And questions. So many questions. I love this book. Maybe you will, too.
April 24, 2023
As one of the panellists for the Book Bloggers Novel of the Year Award 2022, I was delighted when I was asked to read this book. The book was a finalist and came in at number five, and deservedly so.
If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:
https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...
If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:
https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...
November 18, 2024
Steve is reaper #2497, doomed to take on death assignments and the pesky 30 random deaths/month because he killed his business partner while living. Everyone who kills another person while living becomes a reaper in the afterlife.
But Steve is different than his fellow reapers. Unlike the rest of them, who take a rather sadistic pleasure in ending human lives, Steve struggles. He doesn’t want to kill people and does his best to find those who will die soon already or are horrible humans.
The story is largely the reader following Steve around as he fulfills his daily assigned deaths, and tackles his random death quota as he struggles with his humanity. Steve is one of the few reapers who even remembers his name, and is gaining back some of his human memories, which is a problem that may get him executed. No one knows what happens to a reaper after they die, and Steve isn’t eager to find out. What Steve does want is to find a way to be human again, but information on that is even more scarce than on what happens to a reaper when they die.
As Steve approaches the humans he must kill, he gets detailed glimpses of their past, and their future, or lack thereof. Some of the descriptions of the lives he takes are so haunting and real, it is like reading a love letter to grief. Mothers losing sick kids, old people whose time has come, lonely people who will die lonely, and youths just being youthful and dumb. A lump rose in my throat more than once, so kudos to McKnight for her incisive handle on the bittersweet moments death often creates.
You can forgive Steve for most of the deaths. He does his best to pick those who are on their way out already, won’t be missed, or will end up having tragedy strike and ruin their lives, or are deserving of death because they are abusers of others in some capacity. It is particularly hard to read about the random deaths where the humans seem to have a long life stretching out in front of them, but hey, Steve is on a deadline, and he can’t always be choosy.
My main issue with this is that if Steve hates to take those who are young, or undeserving, then why does he wait so long to fulfill his quota? It seems like if he chipped away at it here and there he’d have the chance to be a lot more choosy and be able to leave the unnecessary deaths alone. Of course, as a reader, that would be less compelling, so we’ll let that go for the sake of a more exciting story.
Steve is a guy that likes to amuse himself. If he has to do a random death and fill out a report (because it wouldn’t be a shitty afterlife job if you don’t have to fill out meaningless reports) he’s going to get creative doing it. A lot of the humour in the book comes from these creative deaths and the wording on the death reports. If you like dark humour, you’ll enjoy these parts.
Others have commented that the story starts to feel repetitive as you go on, and I can see their point. It does seem like we get the idea of the job and the struggle Steve has in carrying it out and after a few chapters of that we might not need quite so many details and could move on to the other, honestly more compelling, story arc: If Steve can ever become human again.
Especially once Steve meets Heather and discovers a big secret about her and a fellow reaper, it feels like we should really be following that thread instead of spending so much time on the random deaths.
But I’m going to give this book a free pass because the deaths are so well-written, and the characterization of the victims is so succinct yet full that, as a reader, you empathize with them at once, despite spending only a few paragraphs with them. This turns what could be a trudge through a list of deaths into an enjoyable exploration of life in general. Plus we do have to believe in Steve’s plight, and these deaths are a big part of it.
I thought it was very clever of McKnight to give the reader sensory details by having Steve either imagine, or remember the smells, feelings, and emotions he could no longer enjoy as a reaper. It gives the reader something to grab onto instead of the void of nothingness Steve experiences, and it forces us to empathize with Steve. It’s the simple things in life which are so precious, and Steve’s lack of them reminds us of this.
The other part of the story arc unravels fairly quickly near the end and sets up book two wonderfully. If you enjoy book one, you’ll likely be like me and begin book two right away.
As I was reading I wrote down “Good Place Vibes.” And I think this fits. There is something wrong with the afterlife, and only Steve knows it. Steve is looking for a second chance and is going to have to cheat the current rules in order to do it. Plus it’s witty.
I also wrote down “Ricky Gervais vibes” because this book is equal parts entertaining humour and grief-ridden beauty, in a way I’ve only encountered by watching Ricky Gervais shine.
So if you’re looking for a darkly humorous The Good Place meets After Life, grab this book.
But Steve is different than his fellow reapers. Unlike the rest of them, who take a rather sadistic pleasure in ending human lives, Steve struggles. He doesn’t want to kill people and does his best to find those who will die soon already or are horrible humans.
The story is largely the reader following Steve around as he fulfills his daily assigned deaths, and tackles his random death quota as he struggles with his humanity. Steve is one of the few reapers who even remembers his name, and is gaining back some of his human memories, which is a problem that may get him executed. No one knows what happens to a reaper after they die, and Steve isn’t eager to find out. What Steve does want is to find a way to be human again, but information on that is even more scarce than on what happens to a reaper when they die.
As Steve approaches the humans he must kill, he gets detailed glimpses of their past, and their future, or lack thereof. Some of the descriptions of the lives he takes are so haunting and real, it is like reading a love letter to grief. Mothers losing sick kids, old people whose time has come, lonely people who will die lonely, and youths just being youthful and dumb. A lump rose in my throat more than once, so kudos to McKnight for her incisive handle on the bittersweet moments death often creates.
You can forgive Steve for most of the deaths. He does his best to pick those who are on their way out already, won’t be missed, or will end up having tragedy strike and ruin their lives, or are deserving of death because they are abusers of others in some capacity. It is particularly hard to read about the random deaths where the humans seem to have a long life stretching out in front of them, but hey, Steve is on a deadline, and he can’t always be choosy.
My main issue with this is that if Steve hates to take those who are young, or undeserving, then why does he wait so long to fulfill his quota? It seems like if he chipped away at it here and there he’d have the chance to be a lot more choosy and be able to leave the unnecessary deaths alone. Of course, as a reader, that would be less compelling, so we’ll let that go for the sake of a more exciting story.
Steve is a guy that likes to amuse himself. If he has to do a random death and fill out a report (because it wouldn’t be a shitty afterlife job if you don’t have to fill out meaningless reports) he’s going to get creative doing it. A lot of the humour in the book comes from these creative deaths and the wording on the death reports. If you like dark humour, you’ll enjoy these parts.
Others have commented that the story starts to feel repetitive as you go on, and I can see their point. It does seem like we get the idea of the job and the struggle Steve has in carrying it out and after a few chapters of that we might not need quite so many details and could move on to the other, honestly more compelling, story arc: If Steve can ever become human again.
Especially once Steve meets Heather and discovers a big secret about her and a fellow reaper, it feels like we should really be following that thread instead of spending so much time on the random deaths.
But I’m going to give this book a free pass because the deaths are so well-written, and the characterization of the victims is so succinct yet full that, as a reader, you empathize with them at once, despite spending only a few paragraphs with them. This turns what could be a trudge through a list of deaths into an enjoyable exploration of life in general. Plus we do have to believe in Steve’s plight, and these deaths are a big part of it.
I thought it was very clever of McKnight to give the reader sensory details by having Steve either imagine, or remember the smells, feelings, and emotions he could no longer enjoy as a reaper. It gives the reader something to grab onto instead of the void of nothingness Steve experiences, and it forces us to empathize with Steve. It’s the simple things in life which are so precious, and Steve’s lack of them reminds us of this.
The other part of the story arc unravels fairly quickly near the end and sets up book two wonderfully. If you enjoy book one, you’ll likely be like me and begin book two right away.
As I was reading I wrote down “Good Place Vibes.” And I think this fits. There is something wrong with the afterlife, and only Steve knows it. Steve is looking for a second chance and is going to have to cheat the current rules in order to do it. Plus it’s witty.
I also wrote down “Ricky Gervais vibes” because this book is equal parts entertaining humour and grief-ridden beauty, in a way I’ve only encountered by watching Ricky Gervais shine.
So if you’re looking for a darkly humorous The Good Place meets After Life, grab this book.
December 27, 2024
This is such a fun and different story which I enjoyed from the first page! Reaper #2497 is one of many grim reapers who exist in the afterlife. Every day he’s given a list of assigned deaths he must perform in the world. Ending people’s lives is a thankless job and Reaper #2497, or Steve as he prefers to be called, is fed up with his job. And he soon faces trouble when he hasn’t performed the number of random deaths he’s supposed to for that month. Facing possible permanent execution, Steve has to kill thirty random people in the next three days. As a grim reaper it shouldn’t be too hard, but Steve is more than just a reaper, he’s beginning to feel human emotions too.
This is such a brilliant and creative story. Steve is one of many grim reapers who exist to perform the task of ending people’s lives. But there is more to the life of a grim reaper than we first realise and you soon discover that the reapers all used to be humans in a former life. I like how this story goes and how things are explained so well with how the reapers end up taking the lives of people. Unlike the rest of the reapers though, Steve is fed up with his job and doesn’t really want to take the lives of humans, especially random ones and finds interesting ways of deciding who he will kill. I liked this story from the start, it’s such a creative idea, the fact that being a reaper is like an office job, and one that this particular reaper, Steve, hates doing.
I like all the funny details in this story and the tale itself has a good amount of humour in places. The strange office set up that everyone has, the reasons Steve has for executing some people, this book definitely had me laughing in a few places out loud! While the story is interesting and funny it’s also a deeper story too, with Steve beginning to feel more and more of his former human emotions and I like what happens later when he sees a woman called Heather and has a conversation with another reaper about what is happening. The story has a good build up to the ending and I like what happens overall.
The ending is good, but unfortunately for me, although the build up is good, and the ending is interesting, I did feel a bit cheated out of a proper ending when I finished reading this. There is an interesting build up to something you think will happen and I couldn’t wait to see what would become of Steve in his situation near the end. But the last scene finishes with something happening that leaves you with a bit of a cliff-hanger ending and you have to read the next book in the series to find out what actually happens to the character. I found this disappointing as while I don’t mind a book which leaves you with questions as to what will happen next, this book felt like it had no decent ending and you’re not really satisfied in finishing this without having to buy book two to find out what happens.
The book has only a few uses of the f and s swear words and obviously mentions of various types of deaths with a few slightly more gruesome descriptions, though nothing too gory. Overall the story was good, there was nothing I disliked about this book while reading it. It was funny, interesting, Steve’s constant Random Death Reports were funny to read, but the ending was just not satisfying enough for me hence the reason I’m taking one strawberry off what would have been a full rating. If the ending had given us a glimpse into what happens to one character but asked us to read book two for more, then I would have enjoyed this more, but I feel a bit cheated out of a better ending which is a shame as up until the end I found this book so brilliant.
-Thanks to BBNYA and The Write reads for a free copy.
This is such a brilliant and creative story. Steve is one of many grim reapers who exist to perform the task of ending people’s lives. But there is more to the life of a grim reaper than we first realise and you soon discover that the reapers all used to be humans in a former life. I like how this story goes and how things are explained so well with how the reapers end up taking the lives of people. Unlike the rest of the reapers though, Steve is fed up with his job and doesn’t really want to take the lives of humans, especially random ones and finds interesting ways of deciding who he will kill. I liked this story from the start, it’s such a creative idea, the fact that being a reaper is like an office job, and one that this particular reaper, Steve, hates doing.
I like all the funny details in this story and the tale itself has a good amount of humour in places. The strange office set up that everyone has, the reasons Steve has for executing some people, this book definitely had me laughing in a few places out loud! While the story is interesting and funny it’s also a deeper story too, with Steve beginning to feel more and more of his former human emotions and I like what happens later when he sees a woman called Heather and has a conversation with another reaper about what is happening. The story has a good build up to the ending and I like what happens overall.
The ending is good, but unfortunately for me, although the build up is good, and the ending is interesting, I did feel a bit cheated out of a proper ending when I finished reading this. There is an interesting build up to something you think will happen and I couldn’t wait to see what would become of Steve in his situation near the end. But the last scene finishes with something happening that leaves you with a bit of a cliff-hanger ending and you have to read the next book in the series to find out what actually happens to the character. I found this disappointing as while I don’t mind a book which leaves you with questions as to what will happen next, this book felt like it had no decent ending and you’re not really satisfied in finishing this without having to buy book two to find out what happens.
The book has only a few uses of the f and s swear words and obviously mentions of various types of deaths with a few slightly more gruesome descriptions, though nothing too gory. Overall the story was good, there was nothing I disliked about this book while reading it. It was funny, interesting, Steve’s constant Random Death Reports were funny to read, but the ending was just not satisfying enough for me hence the reason I’m taking one strawberry off what would have been a full rating. If the ending had given us a glimpse into what happens to one character but asked us to read book two for more, then I would have enjoyed this more, but I feel a bit cheated out of a better ending which is a shame as up until the end I found this book so brilliant.
-Thanks to BBNYA and The Write reads for a free copy.
May 10, 2023
I love humour in fiction because I myself am a silly human being. Humour, especially dark humour, is often used by silly humans when facing difficult times. We can hide our exasperation of the world behind humour, and also the bleak parts of our lives, and nothing is surely more bleak than death. Humans have been looking death in the eye and cracking jokes since the dawn of time. Naturally, I was always going to be drawn to a book built on gallows humour and dry wit, especially when combined with death, or in this case, the grim reaper themself.
The Reaper’s Quota by Sarah McKnight isn’t about THE grim reaper, but rather several reapers which serve the greater good (or bad?) by taking on the job that no human would ever want; collecting the souls of mortals when their time is up. It makes sense that, with so many humans being born and dying each day, that you’d need more than one reaper harvesting their souls. And it also makes sense that this process would be run through pure bureaucracy. To apply for the job, a mortal only needs to kill another person during their lifetime, and POOF, a new reaper is born in death. With the fancy cloak and everything.
This story is thus centered around Reaper #2497. Reaping souls is an average day’s work. He receives Assigned Deaths, which involves sending humans through to the great beyond, but he’s also assigned a quota of random souls he must also pluck from life in order to help keep the population numbers down. These random deaths can be performed whenever, with rules to avoid killing sprees where possible, but the quota must be met each month. Problem is, #2497 is behind on his quota. In fact, he’s often behind. And what happens to a reaper if they get fired? Well, it can’t be good! What’s worse, is that while reapers lose their memories at death and can’t remember why they’d become a reaper in the first place – who they may have killed for the privilege – #2497 is starting to have a lot of human thoughts and feelings and he’d rather like to keep his undeath. Not just that, he’d like to find a way out of death altogether.
#2497, or Steve as he remembers his name, thus attempts to find a way out of the job from hell while attempting to keep his boss happy and fulfil his quota. This is a short story at only 200 pages, and those pages fly by at a quick pace. Steve has a lot of deaths to get through, and while some of them are detailed, many are summarised by a quick sarcastic report that Steve must fill in for each of these deaths – and since I too have a tendency to leave sarcastic notes for my bosses, I relate to Steve’s struggles, albeit without the murder. However, Steve isn’t a bloodthirsty character as he cares about the humans he’s unfortunately forced to damn.
For me, this was a fun read and an interesting way of approaching death and the grim reaper as a concept. The only thing I wasn’t keen on was the ending, which ends on a cliffhanger and doesn’t neatly resolve enough for me, but the sequel is available and is one I’ll be picking up to find out what happens to poor Steve, and what horrors happened in his past to make him a reaper.
The Reaper’s Quota is a fun, quick read with dark humour and a dash of heart.
The Reaper’s Quota by Sarah McKnight isn’t about THE grim reaper, but rather several reapers which serve the greater good (or bad?) by taking on the job that no human would ever want; collecting the souls of mortals when their time is up. It makes sense that, with so many humans being born and dying each day, that you’d need more than one reaper harvesting their souls. And it also makes sense that this process would be run through pure bureaucracy. To apply for the job, a mortal only needs to kill another person during their lifetime, and POOF, a new reaper is born in death. With the fancy cloak and everything.
This story is thus centered around Reaper #2497. Reaping souls is an average day’s work. He receives Assigned Deaths, which involves sending humans through to the great beyond, but he’s also assigned a quota of random souls he must also pluck from life in order to help keep the population numbers down. These random deaths can be performed whenever, with rules to avoid killing sprees where possible, but the quota must be met each month. Problem is, #2497 is behind on his quota. In fact, he’s often behind. And what happens to a reaper if they get fired? Well, it can’t be good! What’s worse, is that while reapers lose their memories at death and can’t remember why they’d become a reaper in the first place – who they may have killed for the privilege – #2497 is starting to have a lot of human thoughts and feelings and he’d rather like to keep his undeath. Not just that, he’d like to find a way out of death altogether.
#2497, or Steve as he remembers his name, thus attempts to find a way out of the job from hell while attempting to keep his boss happy and fulfil his quota. This is a short story at only 200 pages, and those pages fly by at a quick pace. Steve has a lot of deaths to get through, and while some of them are detailed, many are summarised by a quick sarcastic report that Steve must fill in for each of these deaths – and since I too have a tendency to leave sarcastic notes for my bosses, I relate to Steve’s struggles, albeit without the murder. However, Steve isn’t a bloodthirsty character as he cares about the humans he’s unfortunately forced to damn.
For me, this was a fun read and an interesting way of approaching death and the grim reaper as a concept. The only thing I wasn’t keen on was the ending, which ends on a cliffhanger and doesn’t neatly resolve enough for me, but the sequel is available and is one I’ll be picking up to find out what happens to poor Steve, and what horrors happened in his past to make him a reaper.
The Reaper’s Quota is a fun, quick read with dark humour and a dash of heart.
August 24, 2024
Read Full & Detailed review: https://cynthology.blogspot.com/2024/...
Grim Reaper #2497, or Steve as he likes to think of himself, is in big trouble. He is summoned by the Big Boss because he has not been meeting his quota of 30 Random Deaths each month. The Big Boss threatens him with dire consequences, complete annihilation, if he does not kill 30 random people over the next three days.
The premise seemed interesting at the beginning. People who have killed someone during their lifetimes become Grim Reapers after their death. But the premise was arbitrary; there was no explanation for why murderers were chosen to do this task. Steve doesn’t have an answer to the question, and thinking about it too much gives him a headache, he tells us. This lack of information causes us to lose the sense of novelty soon enough. The plot wasn’t particularly well thought out and the pace palled after a while.
There was a slapstick quality to the humour and the author steered clear of talking about deep philosophical questions or even themes like immortality, regret etc, which are inextricably bound with death.
An abysmal lack of diversity plagued the book. Considering that the Grim Reapers are supposed to work throughout the world, #2497 spends all his time killing people in America, mostly in Nevada, where he is based. Even the names of those who are selected to die are mostly of Anglo origin and parentage.
Granted the killings are supposed to be random, but the reasons should at least make sense. #2497 kills an African man because ‘Green is so not his colour’. Rude and racist.
Each random act of killing is preceded by a longish vignette on the basic nature and character of the chosen victim and how #2497 puts them to death in order to meet his quota. This is the only place where the author has put effort into researching various ways in which people have died. The methods of execution are not repeated, not once. #2497 is truly a death artist. He tells us that he likes to express his creativity through the manner in which he executes each Random Death.
Of course, the individual vignettes are interesting. But on the flip side, the exercise seems pointless because we are given details about people’s lives, causing us to see them as human and to relate with them, only for #2497 to sweep in and cut off their wicks.
Additionally, after a point, the story began to seem tiresome, because of the repetition involved. There were no real challenges that the protagonist faced, other than the threat of disappearance if he failed to meet his target. All he had to do, and even in the afterlife, despite being a skeleton, he was unmistakably a ‘he’, was kill people.
I found the whole deal about Heather, the only person to have had an encounter with a Grim Reaper and to have survived, a non-issue. There was a hint of romance that wasn’t called for. #2497’s final act was unconvincing. The twist at the end of the tale was totally unimpressive.
The author seems to have taken the idea of the Grim Reaper and run with it. There was no attempt to build an original world around it. The setting lacked lustre.
Grim Reaper #2497, or Steve as he likes to think of himself, is in big trouble. He is summoned by the Big Boss because he has not been meeting his quota of 30 Random Deaths each month. The Big Boss threatens him with dire consequences, complete annihilation, if he does not kill 30 random people over the next three days.
The premise seemed interesting at the beginning. People who have killed someone during their lifetimes become Grim Reapers after their death. But the premise was arbitrary; there was no explanation for why murderers were chosen to do this task. Steve doesn’t have an answer to the question, and thinking about it too much gives him a headache, he tells us. This lack of information causes us to lose the sense of novelty soon enough. The plot wasn’t particularly well thought out and the pace palled after a while.
There was a slapstick quality to the humour and the author steered clear of talking about deep philosophical questions or even themes like immortality, regret etc, which are inextricably bound with death.
An abysmal lack of diversity plagued the book. Considering that the Grim Reapers are supposed to work throughout the world, #2497 spends all his time killing people in America, mostly in Nevada, where he is based. Even the names of those who are selected to die are mostly of Anglo origin and parentage.
Granted the killings are supposed to be random, but the reasons should at least make sense. #2497 kills an African man because ‘Green is so not his colour’. Rude and racist.
Each random act of killing is preceded by a longish vignette on the basic nature and character of the chosen victim and how #2497 puts them to death in order to meet his quota. This is the only place where the author has put effort into researching various ways in which people have died. The methods of execution are not repeated, not once. #2497 is truly a death artist. He tells us that he likes to express his creativity through the manner in which he executes each Random Death.
Of course, the individual vignettes are interesting. But on the flip side, the exercise seems pointless because we are given details about people’s lives, causing us to see them as human and to relate with them, only for #2497 to sweep in and cut off their wicks.
Additionally, after a point, the story began to seem tiresome, because of the repetition involved. There were no real challenges that the protagonist faced, other than the threat of disappearance if he failed to meet his target. All he had to do, and even in the afterlife, despite being a skeleton, he was unmistakably a ‘he’, was kill people.
I found the whole deal about Heather, the only person to have had an encounter with a Grim Reaper and to have survived, a non-issue. There was a hint of romance that wasn’t called for. #2497’s final act was unconvincing. The twist at the end of the tale was totally unimpressive.
The author seems to have taken the idea of the Grim Reaper and run with it. There was no attempt to build an original world around it. The setting lacked lustre.
May 14, 2022
This book is not your typical Grim Reaper story, where mostly Grim Reapers find some unexpected lover and fall in love. No, the author broke the conventional story for the Grim Reapers. I found that this book is the most realistic story of Grim Reapers. They're not some tall, dark-haired, broody, handsome men; they're skeletons with hollow eye sockets. They are literally skeletons covered in a black cloak with their scythes slung over their shoulders. This is the description I've known since I was a teenager, broken only by the creative imaginations of other people's perceptions of Grim Reapers.
The book can be funny at times, with Steve, our main character, who was sassy and witty. He made the story come alive, and I laughed at his witty and sarcastic internal monologue, especially the reference to The Pirates of the Caribbean. The author did a refreshing take on the story of Grim Reapers, and this is one of the unique and most creative stories I've read so far. Hilarity aside, the story delves more profound into the topic of regret and hope. I found Steve to be relatable in a way. He hopes for a second chance but doesn't really voice it because it might be jinxed, and it would be gone in an instant. He hopes secretly, and his internal monologue made me sympathize with him. He's full of regrets, wanting to have a once-over in life and right his wrongs.
This story tackles how humans' lives are fragile being comparable to delicate china. The backstories of every person he'd taken were also realistic because somewhere, it's happening in every different person. The theme of life and death here is riveting because it's spot-on! This is one of those books I'd never get tired of recommending to friends and strangers. Everything about this is well-written, the characters are likeable, and even in death, the Reaper Headquarters captured the perfect reflection of humans' lives in the realm of the living. The routine of people going to work, eat, sleep, and vice versa.
BUT.
WHEN I REACHED THE LAST PAGE OF THE BOOK. DUDE. I WAS LYING DOWN ON MY BED WHEN I TURNED TO THE NEXT PAGE AND READ "WONDERING WHAT'S NEXT FOR STEVE?" COME ON!!!!!!! I BOLTED UPRIGHT FROM MY POSITION AND BEGAN THROWING THE PILLOW ON THE BED AGAIN AND AGAIN. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A STAND-ALONE, BUT I WAS LED TO BELIEVE IN A LIE. THE CLIFFHANGER --- I CANNOT. WHEN IS MID-2022?????!!! BECAUSE NEED BOOK 2 NOW!!!!
But I still love the book but I hate the cliffhanger, but it's a good thing, right??? RIGHT???!!!!!????!! I NEED BOOK TWO. NOW.
MASSIVE MASSIVE MASSIVE THANK YOU THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY FOR THIS E-ARC!!!!!!!!! I OWE YOU BIG TIME!!!!
The book can be funny at times, with Steve, our main character, who was sassy and witty. He made the story come alive, and I laughed at his witty and sarcastic internal monologue, especially the reference to The Pirates of the Caribbean. The author did a refreshing take on the story of Grim Reapers, and this is one of the unique and most creative stories I've read so far. Hilarity aside, the story delves more profound into the topic of regret and hope. I found Steve to be relatable in a way. He hopes for a second chance but doesn't really voice it because it might be jinxed, and it would be gone in an instant. He hopes secretly, and his internal monologue made me sympathize with him. He's full of regrets, wanting to have a once-over in life and right his wrongs.
This story tackles how humans' lives are fragile being comparable to delicate china. The backstories of every person he'd taken were also realistic because somewhere, it's happening in every different person. The theme of life and death here is riveting because it's spot-on! This is one of those books I'd never get tired of recommending to friends and strangers. Everything about this is well-written, the characters are likeable, and even in death, the Reaper Headquarters captured the perfect reflection of humans' lives in the realm of the living. The routine of people going to work, eat, sleep, and vice versa.
BUT.
WHEN I REACHED THE LAST PAGE OF THE BOOK. DUDE. I WAS LYING DOWN ON MY BED WHEN I TURNED TO THE NEXT PAGE AND READ "WONDERING WHAT'S NEXT FOR STEVE?" COME ON!!!!!!! I BOLTED UPRIGHT FROM MY POSITION AND BEGAN THROWING THE PILLOW ON THE BED AGAIN AND AGAIN. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A STAND-ALONE, BUT I WAS LED TO BELIEVE IN A LIE. THE CLIFFHANGER --- I CANNOT. WHEN IS MID-2022?????!!! BECAUSE NEED BOOK 2 NOW!!!!
But I still love the book but I hate the cliffhanger, but it's a good thing, right??? RIGHT???!!!!!????!! I NEED BOOK TWO. NOW.
MASSIVE MASSIVE MASSIVE THANK YOU THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY FOR THIS E-ARC!!!!!!!!! I OWE YOU BIG TIME!!!!
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