Amy is an empath who after her nan's death has been able to sense supernatural auras. She never believed her nan when she told her these creatures existed, but now she investigates them as a way to feel closer to her. One night, she feels an aura that she has never felt before, so she decides to track down the being with the powerful aura. Not her smartest idea, but it brings her to Gerald, the reaper. His family is known for taking on assassinations, and his first bog mission since his awakening is to track down a couple of gang leaders. However, the leaders have been escaping justice for years now, and they are not easy to find. So Gerald and Amy team up—Gerald will use Amy's gift to track down the criminals and Amy will find out more about the supernatural world that exist right underneath London.

I enjoyed how the author gave the characters both strength and weaknesses, which they were able to talk about with each other. Both Amy's and Gerald's pasts are complicated and shaped them in a way that left them lonely as they couldn't enjoy the presence of other people easily. I'm glad they found each other, and I hope that romance will blossom the two of them. I shipped them from the beginning, but to know for sure, we'll need to wait for book 2!

Thanks you DelRey and NetGalley for an eARC of the book.

I'm truly gutted about this situation. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of the book and I was so excited for it but unfortunately, this just didn't land for me. Firstly, it reads a little bit like a YA that got bumped up to adult for some reason. Secondly, it's slow, like really slow. Everything is overly described. There's an entire chapter (4 full pages) of Amy waking up and making porridge, that's it. 4 whole pages to make porridge. I found myself repeatedly picking my phone up completely distracted and when I read the paragraph about her buying, a beef and patty, eating said patty and then buying a Rubicon, I just couldn't continue.

"After work, she bought a beef and cheese patty from the Caribbean shop and nibbled away at it as she walked. It was her first meal of the day, and as her anxiety sunk into the souls of her feet, her appitite steadily returned. After her patty, she bought a carton of mango Rubicon from he shop a few yards down, finishing it soon afterwards."

A lot of telling and not showing. And like I say, this isn't the first instance.

I really am gutted about this one, I was so excited for the empath, vampires and reaper. But alas, it was not meant to b

I loved this book!

This debut is a masterpiece and follows The Grim Reaper reimagined as a charming, tea-loving assassin and Amy St Clair, a Jamaican-born empath who stumbles into the underworld beneath the streets of Camden.

I loved discovering ‘Downstairs’ through Amy’s eyes. It’s layered, secretive and yet still deeply rooted in reality. The descriptions of ‘Downstairs’ are so vivid that you get a sense this hidden world has been there all along and Jackson’s just opened our eyes to it.

I also loved how the characters complemented each other. Amy, as an empath, feels everything and Gerald has been taught to feel nothing. Amy’s journey from bystander to partner is exciting and her dynamic with Gerald is funny and increasingly intimate.

The plot itself is intriguing with plenty of action, political intrigue, suspense and revelations. Alongside this, Jackson highlights systemic inequalities, exploitation of refugees and corruption. Access to magic and the underworld is used as a weapon and a currency hoarded and abused by those in power.

This is everything urban fantasy should be, it’s gritty and magical. and I can’t wait for book 2!

An unputdownable supernatural urban thriller, meet Amy who sees Gerald who is starting to become a grim reader. This is a fast paced read that had me hooked from the start. I loved the interaction between the two main characters. Over all an enjoyable read and I will look forward to this authors next book. Thanks to Random House UK/Cornerstone and Netgalley for this review copy.

The Reaper by Jackson P. Brown is one of the most enjoyable dark urban fantasy novels I’ve read in a long time. Set in a shadowy version of London teeming with supernatural creatures, this book delivers sharp wit, immersive world-building, and two unforgettable characters: Amy, a 29-year-old empath, and Gerald, a newly awakened Grim Reaper.

From the very start, the chemistry between Amy and Gerald leaps off the page. She’s curious, compassionate, and determined to uncover the truth about her abilities. He’s a powerful, emotionally complex assassin who drinks tea, avoids clichés, and unintentionally charms everyone around him. Together, they form a chaotic yet compelling team drawn together by trauma, isolation, and a shared sense of justice.

What sets The Reaper apart is how seamlessly it blends fast-paced supernatural action with deeper themes like identity, political corruption, and the treatment of refugees. It’s a smart, funny, and unflinchingly honest take on the genre. The secret underground city beneath London is populated by vampires, wraiths, witches, and werewolves. It feels both magical and grounded, a reflection of modern society through a fantastical lens.

Amy’s powers are fascinating, and her relatability anchors the story. I have seen others complimenting how it is refreshing to see an older female lead in fantasy especially one still learning, growing, and defining her place in a complex world. Gerald, meanwhile, is the exact opposite of what you’d expect from a Grim Reaper: quiet, thoughtful, emotionally sincere, and deeply human.

If you love rich world-building, gritty urban fantasy with heart, and a duo you’ll immediately root for, The Reaper absolutely deserves a spot on your reading list. A brilliant debut with so much promise and I cant wait to see if we get a second book.

What a fantastic read and a great take on the story of the Grim Reaper and other magical beings.

Amy, an empath, stumbles upon Gerald, a reaper, during his awakening and joins him on an unexpected journey into a new world.

It was refreshing for a fantasy book to have an older female main character. While it's fantastic for teens to have an FMC around their age and read their coming of age - what about us older readers? So I am thrilled that our protagonist, Amy, is 29.

The urban setting for this was fantastic and it was great to have such a familiar setting - while I'm not a London native, I do visit often so it was nice to have that familiarity of the areas I knew, it helped it feel more real to me.

I loved the venture into the magical realm - the Downstairs - as a copy of the city above, with so many means of access within London - to those in the know at least! With this, I really enjoyed the variety of magical beings - their skills and powers were a great mix, but based on that which I was already familiar with. I enjoyed how some powers mirrored our own human technology (but no spoilers as to what!)

The banter between all the characters was fantastic and felt natural. Everything flowed well and felt so much more casual than some fantasies can often feel. It really helped me connect with the characters and become attached to them. I enjoyed that later within the books we got chapters from new characters as we met them and became familiar with them.

Amy's powers were fantastic and one I haven't seen within a book before. I also enjoyed the fact that rather than being a full-on magical being, she's more like an "enhanced" human. Alongside that, I enjoyed the take on the Reapers, with it being a curse and leaving them unable to touch anything with their bare hands without killing them. I also liked the aspect of them being from their own tribe, rather than just some "mystical beings" and they just look like normal humans (aside from the skeleton hands.

The only thing I didn't get on with so much was the conversation between Blythe & Gerald - it all felt very forced and stilted compared to everyone else, but that may well just be down to Blythe's personality.

Overall, an absolutely fantastic read, especially for older readers, and I can't wait to see what becomes of this series - I'll definitely be picking up the other books! I'd love to see more backstory for everyone within the wider cast of characters.

A new staple of the genre, this was an action packed, energetic adventure that will leave you thinking about it for days on end once it is finished.

#QOTD  Would you rather have skeleton hands that unalive whoever you touch (but gloves protect you) or be able to feel everyone's emotional aura around you?

Title: The Reaper
Author: Jackson P. Brown
Pages: 400
Rating: 5/5
Spice/Romance level: 🩷 - there is talk of relationships but not relevant to main characters nor main plot
#Arc eCopy ( #gifted ) - review left voluntarily
UK publish date - 10th July 2025

This was just a perfect urban fantasy read. If you like authors such as benedict jacka and Ben aaronvitch, you'll enjoy this. The descriptions of Camden had me smiling. It was just *chefs kiss* the plot had me guessing and I was just excited to get back to this book.

I loved the interactions between each character. The wardens were bad ass and the down below was so well described.

I loved Amy. An empath navigating the world. And Grim. They both build an unlikely partnership investigating murders.

I was gripped with the plot. The team. Even the sentient house!

This was a refreshing read of 2 people creating a friendship.


You'll love this book if you like
- found family
- urban fantasy
- friendship, no romance
- urban UK grime fantasy
- mythical creatures
- secret underworld
- POC MC representation
- supernatural thriller

A fantasy tale set in London. Amy is an empath, who senses much more about people and supernatural beings than an ordinary person. She comes across an intriguing aura, and while following it she finds Gerald. Who it turns out has come into new powers as a Grim Reaper. Someone charged to kill on request. Amy is at once intrigued to find out more, yet finds Gerald’s world dangerous and distasteful. Although Amy is useful to Gerald in tracking those he is charged to kill, she comes to mean more to him than just being a sidekick. More than just a moral compass as well. Can he keep her and himself safe in an underworld full of deadly supernatural creatures as corruption leaks down from the top. Thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

<i>ARC Review</i>
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🫑/5

TW - alcohol consumption, death of a grandparent (past, recounted, Parkinson’s, infection), drugs (mentioned incl weed), parental abandonment (past, mentioned), breaking and entering, stalking, serial killers (past, mentioned), murder, blood, smoking (scs), human trafficking incl physical abuse and murder, (illegal) immigration, parricide (scs, mentioned, knife violence), paedophilia and grooming (scs, mentioned), domestic violence (scs, mentioned and some on page), physical violence, drug addicts (sc’s parents, crack, past, mentioned), rehab (mentioned), vaping (sc, mentioned), supernatural sickness (scs, mentioned), house fire (FMC’s home, arson), grief, nightmares, xenophobia (supernaturals and non supernaturals), racism (incl past use of the n word towards a sc, mentioned), suicide (sc, mentioned), parental neglect (scs, past, implied), parental abuse (scs, past, recounted), animal sacrifice (mentioned as an example), imprisonment (scs), kidnapping, captivity, animal killing (scs, rat, for food), gun violence, blood and blood drinking, organised crime, extortion, gore, knife violence

Tropes - urban fantasy / paranormal

Representation - Black MCs, queer scs

I would like to preface this review with this book is <b>outside</b> of my chosen genre. I wanted to give it a try because of the cover, Black MCs and the fact that the FMC is from South London, like me 🤪.

I was immediately intrigued by the setting of this story and the world building. As a London girlie, I was really happy with the London setting, especially the South London setting on page. Often, in my experience, books set in London are subject to "central London" and describe the city through a tourist's lens, usually because the author writing it isn't from here. The setting in the descriptions allowed me to feel more immersed into the story as someone that is familiar with the city however, I think it could go either way if the reader isn't. They could either very immersed due to the detailed descriptions or feel like they're reading filler.

While I enjoyed the setting as well as the bones of the story and yes, I did just rave about the descriptions of London, I do feel like some things were <i>overly</i> described. Like there was just... so much of it. In a way that is unfamiliar to me. I don't know if that's a genre thing but for me, it was a lot and, at times, had me feeling like I was wading through the book.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and the characters.

Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪

🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see [book:Poison|51968938] / [book:Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek|60900058]/ [book:The Naughty List|202940416] / [book:The Naughtier List|215498039]
<i>TW/CW not to be repurposed by authors / publishers for website / book / content use without permission</i>

This is an urban fantasy book set in London with paranormal elements. Being from London, I loved reading this and seeing what secrets could be found.

I liked the characters of Amy and Gerald and how they worked together, I thought they were very well written. It was so interesting to read about a reaper and how they deal with those powers and responsibilities. Getting to know them and their motives was interesting.

It was fast paced and I found it an easy read. I thought the world building was good with lots of detail. I would definitely recommend.

This wasn’t for me unfortunately. I really wanted to like this but I just struggled with it. I got to 30% before I had to put it away, it could be my mood so I would try it again at a later date. But the first chapter wasn’t the best beginning and it just didn’t get any better for me.

This book has a captivating blend of urban fantasy and contemporary fiction that had me hooked from the very beginning. The story introduces us to Amy, an empath navigating the supernatural underworld of London, and Gerald, a reaper on the verge of his awakening. Together they embark on a mission that delves into the darker corners of magic and morality.
What truly stood out to me was Brown's ability to weave a rich tapestry of myth and legend into a modern setting, creating a world that's both familiar and fantastical. The characters are well developed, each with their own complexities and growth throughout the story. The pacing is tight, which kept me engaged from start to finish.

This is not to be dismissed as simply YA fiction. I loved it from the first page. It’s urban fantasy of the highest standard. The mix of modern London and African mythology is handled masterfully. It’s what used to be called a rip roaring adventure through the streets of present day London into the London below we all dare to dream is there. However it is more than that again, the relationship between the two main characters is beautiful and the window into the lives, experiences and hardships facing young people cannot be praised enough. I do not not imagine I am the original target audience for this book, as a ww in her late 40s but I will be forever grateful it crossed my path. If you’re a fan of urban fantasy with a mythological twist, think Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Ben Aaronovitch and Nevin Jones I am confident you will enjoy this. I will be buying the book when it comes out and gifting a few copies too. I already can’t wait for the next one!

I thoroughly enjoyed this urban fantasy that had a genuinely compelling duo of characters sitting front and centre.

The world building is superb, vibrant and involving, the story itself rocks along, some political undertones but mostly a whole lot of fun.

Hope there's more.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars rounded to 4.

A supernatural thriller set in a London with a secret Downstairs filled with Otherwordly creatures, this urban fantasy is more focused on political machinations than the blurb might suggest.

While it starts out as any regular supernatural offering, it quickly ups the stakes with this complex political plot, so if that's not your jam then you may find yourself not enjoying it as much.

Brown's writing is descriptive and familiar. If you've spent time in London, the prose brings it to life on the page, traversing the streets of Camden Town and Covent Garden. This is in a way a love letter to the city - it feels alive, the pulse of its streets palpable and as if it's a character in its own right. The intertwining of non-eurocentric mythology adds levels to the plot and creates an intriguing world.

if you haven't spent any time in London, a lot of the location name drops may go over your head.

And while I felt some of the wording and description was clunky and overdone, overall I really enjoyed the story and especially liked how well written Amy was as an empath. I whizzed through it in just a few hours, and will absolutely be looking out for more from the author in the future.

A unique fantasy novel, best gone into blind.

I will say, I found this linguistically complex in a way which frequently disguised clear meaning, and detailed to such a degree that the story lulled. I'm not sure Brown is the author for me, but this is nevertheless a unique take on urban fantasy, and aura-reading.

DNF @ 10%. There was an entire chapter at the start of this book where all that happened was the character made a meal? It was just so dense, and also the Reaper jerking off to come into his power... literally. The MC kept putting herself in dangerous situations with no real reasoning of having an effect on it at all. She literally follows a Vampire into a bathroom knowing she's going to feed on someone and then just does nothing about it? I don't know it just didn't work for me at all.

The Reaper - Jackson P. Brown

I was lucky enough to get an eARC of this through Netgalley. It caught my eye, then I saw that Samantha Shannon had loved it and I was sold, so I was thrilled for the notification that I was allowed to read it early!

An Urban Fantasy, set in London (we love a London setting) with heavy BIPOC rep and some queer rep too (this is more subtle.) I really enjoyed the premise of this book. The Grim Reaper finds a human empath with extraordinarily refined abilities and they team up for a mission.

We have the supernatural world, witches, warlock, vampires, werewolves, basilisks. We have corruption and politics. We have characters who feel isolated due to their abilities. This was a fun book to read.

I felt like it could have done with more depth to it. London felt like a setting rather than a mercurial character. I liked our characters, rooted for them, but didn’t emotionally connect with them, they didn’t quite leap of the page for me.

That said, I enjoyed this book, I think many of you would enjoy this book when it releases on 10th July. It’s a strong debut by Jackson P Brown and I look forward to their future works!

3.5/5

3.5 stars

I have mixed feelings about The Reaper, but I enjoyed my reading experience overall. I think the premise is excellent, and I was very excited when I started reading because the plot and characters felt new. I also loved that the characters were in their mid to late 20s and beyond. It is always nice to read about people closer to my own age! I am absolutely picking up the next book because this series has a lot of potential.

By the end of the book, I felt attached to the characters. Everyone had their own problems and motivations, making their actions more realistic. The different genres interwoven into the story meant that the characters encountered many challenges, from the magical to the political. I personally enjoyed the political elements because they added another layer of interest to the story. Again, this felt like something different and inventive, which I appreciate.

There were a few pacing issues throughout that took away from my overall enjoyment. Some parts felt much too fast for the gravity of the situation, and other parts were slightly too slow. However, this is a debut and the first book in the series, so there is room for growth. I can't wait to see what happens in book 2.