Until His Beginning Ends

Scythe #0.5

by Kiki Clark

When Death is your soulmate, finding love has never been so heart-stopping.

Enzo has only had time to focus on one thing for the last few years--his thesis. He’s less than six months away from finally finishing when his whole world gets flipped upside down.

By a guy dressed like a fifties greaser.

Learning truths about himself and his family leaves Enzo feeling shaken, but there is just something about Theo that keeps drawing him back in.

A connection between them that feels vast and infinite.

Destined.

Until His Beginning Ends is a novella set in the world of the Scythe series, co-written by Kiki Clark and EM Lindsey. Every story has a guaranteed HEA.

Genres: Paranormal, M M Romance, Romance, Fantasy, Novella, Urban Fantasy, Magic

79 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Mariah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love me some Kiki Clark but this read like purely as an info dump and set up for the first book in the series - yes, I am aware that the only reason this free novella exists is to market the actual series, thanks.

Still, this should have been able to to stand on its own.
I liked the characters well enough but at no point did they feel like main characters of their own story.

[Alex (HEABookNerd) · Rating 4 out of 5]

UNTIL HIS BEGINNING ENDS really has me excited for this new series! I love the concept of Reapers falling in love with their soul mates and the added bonus of characters coming from all different backgrounds and centuries. Theo has been a Reaper for about 70 years when he first sees graduate student Enzo, but the crazy thing is that Enzo can see Theo back. These two were really cute together and while their relationship moves really fast since this is a novella, I still enjoyed it.

Content Warning: on page death of the MC in a car accident before he becomes a Reaper; references to Theo's dad being homophobic.

[Renée · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Rin (indefinite hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun read! I’m really looking forward to this series. I wish there was a little more steam, but I also recognize the massive amount of world building that was necessary.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like what this added to the world from Lindsey’s novella and the different development of magic and the relationship between Enzo and Theo. Definitely looking forward to Elias and Tristian’s story, and I have a very strong suspicion that Santiago is going to have a second chance after all because there’s been a lot of focus on his lost love between the two novellas.

[Lyndsay TC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enzo and Theo

I'm still loving this series. I love novella's and I think starting a series with two is perfect because it gets you ready for the full length books and provides the perfect teaser. Enzo and Theo were fun, I liked how their relationship panned out. I'm excited to read the first full length book in this series next!

[J.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A paranormal romance in which one of the lovers is Death sounds like a total recipe for angst. However, Clark tempers the inherent conflict of star-crossed lovers Theo and Enzo by infusing the emotions of their relationship arc with poignancy rather than actual pain. The narrative does not shy away from acknowledging that Theo’s position as a reaper is a major hurdle toward their happily ever after. Still, it also recognizes that Theo and Enzo’s lifetimes would never have intersected the way they do here without it. Often, the soul bond element goes hand-in-hand with the fated mates/instant love trope that doesn’t interest me. For this story, the attraction that exists between these two men is obvious even without the magical elements that make their connection possible.

This novella prequel is the perfect length for satisfying the needs of the romance arc between the characters and the worldbuilding necessary to support the scope of the story. I wasn’t left with questions about the how and why, but with plenty of curiosity to learn more. That curiosity also extends to the companion novella by E.M. Lindsey and the full-length book that follows, both of which I look forward to reading next.

[ILoveReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect reading for a lazy day. I am usually not into insta-love, but I didn't mind it in this book. The ending was a little abrupt, but other than that, I really liked this. The worldbuilding is amazing, I have never read anything liked it and I am so looking forward to the other books.

Ps. My heart breaks for Santiago. Please give him a soulmate or something!

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

3.75 stars

Until His Beginning Ends was my introduction to this world and I picked up the book knowing nothing about the story or the series. Clark does a nice job with the set up to the world building here and I was able to easily follow along as Theo becomes a reaper and we are introduced to what that means and the various lore surrounding them. We learn that humans should not be able to see reapers, so there is some exploration here of why Enzo can interact with Theo, and that part got a little bit confusing for me. But overall, I felt like Clark set things up nicely here to understand Theo’s background, his past as a reaper, and what type of future could be possible for him and Enzo.

Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.

[Tim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this prequel novella does no favors to making the rest of the series sound intriguing. The concept of Reapers existing in a world where there are magicians, fate, and other supernatural creatures is not a bad one. Unfortunately with the high incidence of grammar and editing errors in this short story pretty much derailed any interest in exploring that world. Also, the characters were very flat and undeveloped, and the ending was predictably bad.

1 star, do not recommend.

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Series: Scythe #0.5
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it

This was a very good introduction to this paranormal world with reapers, fates, and who knows what other supernaturals. Theo and Enzo’s story was quick and sweet. These two have a very fast paced relationship but were still really cute together. I really am interested in learning more about the Reapers and this world.

Trigger Warnings: homophobic parent; car accident;

[Stephanie W · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this is a short standalone, there is potential for this book to be a little longer. Enzo and Theo were so sweet together. It was amazing to see how accepting Enzo was to who and what Theo really was. In the process, Enzo learned a lot about his own family's past.

Nice window into the new series and what we may expect from the co-author team.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theo has his life cut short and offered the opportunity to turn into a reaper, someone that guide souls to the other life. Years later he finds life more completed when he meets Enzo, a stressed student finishing his doctoral thesis and who somehow can see Theo. They have an instant connection and maybe the rest of their forever to be happy with each other <3

[Elyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t found a good ‘Death’ story since On a Pale Horse by Piers Anthony. This came pretty close. I definitely enjoyed what a Reaper is in this story, and all the ways they create their own realms and long for love just like any human does. I also loved the intermingling with Fate. It was some great world building. Looking forward to the next one.

[SFBookReviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Until His Beginning Ends follows the story of Theo and Enzo. It is a prequel novella to the Scythe series that is filled with magic, reapers, and fates. Good world-building and a well-written book. Overall a good short story filled with adventure and romance. Looking forward to reading more books in the series.

[Nix Buttons · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice short story, can be read as a standalone. I do think there is potential with the Collective, the Fates and other supernatural beings we don't know about yet. I will read the first instalment once it is published.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this introduction into a new world. Though I would have liked a little more info on how certain things worked - like do the humans know witches are a thing? However, it was a sweet story either a happy ending.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series and I can´t wait to read the first book.

This is a little bit different but I like it. It´s relationships between a Grim Reaper and a human. In this Book it´s about Theo and Enzo. I really like it.

[Jessica Bardo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually love Kiki Clark but this one missed the mark for me. It was an original idea, human falls for a reaper. But it felt rushed, even for a novella. The characters were like able enough and the side characters were fine it just felt like it could have been better.

[CB]

This is a short story and of of 2 that begin the series, with 1 novel length book that follows this one out now. It's a fun, entertaining series with sweet, sexy MC's. I am hoping Sebastian gets the next book as he has been a main secondary character and deserves a HEA.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good lead into the new series, I liked how Enzo and Theo got together. I also liked the idea of fate being involved with a human. Ready to read the second prologue. Recommend reading if you want to read the main book.

[Suzanne]

Not a fan. Not bad, just not for me. The two prequels are chronological weird. In the first prequel, the couples from book .06 and book 1 are shown.

Interesting premise, quick read, not sure why I wasn’t impressed.

[Jessie H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh! This was intriguing! The worldbuilding and the magic system is really unique and not like anything I've read before. I can't wait to read more in this series!

[Sadie Forsythe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet story. I enjoyed the characters, the writing, and the world it introduces. I'll be interested in following the series.

[Ericka Walden · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5***

[Raven and Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I am a huge fan of this author and this is a prequel to a joint series with EM Lindsey about Scythes or grim reapers. Such a unique idea and I was quickly hooked!

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sets up the Scythe series. It has potential.

[J]

https://claims.prolificworks.com/free...?

[Shannon Shameh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Im really excited to start reading this series of books the enjoyment I got form this short glimpse was fun and full of feels I expect from one of Kiki books.