Absolutely brilliant and so original! I couldn’t stop reading Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

I haven't read many books within the fantasy / supernatural genre, but I am keen to broaden my. horizons, This book, traverses the human, upstairs world of London and the downstairs supernatural one. It took me to places I know well and have visited, but obviously not in the way described in The Reaper.

Amy an Empath with the ability to read people's auras and Gerald, a newly transformed Reaper are drawn together after she witnesses his awakening in Camden Town. They quickly become partners in Geralds work as the Grim Reaper and more drawn together by a shared loneliness and isolation from those around them in their everyday lives.

This fast moving story gripped me from the beginning, it really is a page turner. I had to pause to look up definitions of some of the terminology and creatures within the book, but this was no chore. Gerald, with Amy's help is tasked with discovering the whereabouts and capturing two dangerous fugitives and their gang. The world of magic makes this no easy task even when they are aided by a wide range of supernatural creatures.

Should a human, even a special one with super empathic skills be working with the grim reaper? Many think not but Amy. wins most over and I think she and Gerald make for a powerful team. Even a reaper, whose job is to kill can learn to care for others. I hope more books like this will follow.

The Reaper" by Jackson P. Brown is 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 side of London, and Gerald, a Grim Reaper Assassin. Their paths intertwine in a narrative that is both thrilling and deeply human. From the outset, I shared Amy's reaction to Gerald's name—seriously, you're the GRIM REAPERR, and your name is Gerald? This unexpected choice added a touch of humour and relatability to his character, making him more than just a supernatural assassin.

A side storyline that I enjoyed is Gerald's relationship with his parents. it's refreshing to see a a character with a supportive and loving family, especially in a genre that often leans towards tragic backstories. Also the fact that his parents are happily married and the warmth of their interactions provided a comforting counterbalance to the darker elements of the plot. As someone who doesn't usually gravitate towards contemporary settings, I was surprised by how immersive this book was. Being a Londoner, the vivid descriptions of the cityscape and the authentic portrayal of its diverse culture resonated deeply with me. The story has a distinct Black British feel, enriching the story with layers of authenticity and depth.

The only reason I'm not awarding this a full five stars is because of the structure of Part 5. The sudden introduction of multiple new points of view felt a bit jarring and, in my opinion, might have been better suited as a separate book or as part of book 2. This shift momentarily disrupted the flow of the narrative.

Overall, "The Reaper" is a masterfully executed novel that skilfully blends elements of fantasy and contemporary life. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fresh and engaging read.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

I first saw this book on TikTok thanks to one of the authors posts and I immediately ran to NetGalley to request it! I had the highest hopes and this book met almost all of them.

I did find the first 5-10% a bit slow going, the world set up felt a little heavy handed at first but as soon as the plot started to progress I forgot that it was ever an issue!

The magic system in this book is really interesting and I’m really looking forward to further development of this in subsequent books. I found the protagonist easy to like and support - and I’m loving the POC representation in an urban fantasy, though granted, the world feels far more fantastical than regular London!


Cannot wait to buy this and put it in the library for my KS4 kids - they’re going to eat it up!!

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley from the publisher (thank you!) but my opinions are my own.

I started this book in the first 5% not sure that I was going to be a fan - it seemed to overly explain things to me and info dump a bit. Plus I think I was a little weirded out by the setting being right where I work and hang out in London (so that pulled me out of the story a little, just because I'm not used to it). My company even used to give out discounts to stay in the St. Pancras hotel including the tower room where Gerald lives in the book!

But as soon as we get into the plot this issue disappeared, so I think this might have been only an issue at the start, when the author is trying to find a way into the story.

Then, the slight issue became just the fact that the story plot was sometimes a bit hard to follow, lots of twists and turns and new names. But this was a minor issue only for me and didn't stop me from enjoying the book.

I started to zip through it at speed I was enjoying it so much from then on - I loved the characters and their backstory and genuinely even cried a little when anything bad happened to Amy I felt so connected to her.

Even though there are quite a few characters in the story too, the single chapters in different perspectives didn't annoy me like they usually do in this set up. Normally I've gotten close to the two main characters so much that I'm either bored or fully annoyed when a single chapter takes me away from them and into someone who I don't know as much and don't care about. But in this case it was really refreshing and the side characters had such unique personalities that I loved being in their heads for the short time I was. It added a new dimension to the story, and a third party outsider perspective on the relationship/partnership I'd been growing to love between Amy and Gerald.

I loved the action and drama, and the descriptions of the unique magic system! I genuinely can't wait for a sequel to this book (which I hope is coming) to learn even more about the Reapers and Amy's backstory and so much that they just couldn't fit in this book. Bring it on.

I really enjoyed Amy's character and the writer's representation of her powers, heritage and personhood. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the book and think that the writing and plot are well thought out and realised throughout the novel. I really enjoyed it and recommend it for fans of urban fantasy and great empath and POC characters!

I was immediately drawn to this book by the cover, and then I was pleasantly surprised when I read the blurb—it sounded like quite a bit of fun! I love the idea of Reapers and Empaths, and how the characters grapple with their responsibilities/powers. I though the Downers was an interesting concept and that the characters were well done.

I felt like I needed to know a bit more about the universe and the secondary characters, but I'm hoping that will be fleshed out in book two!
re well developed. I sense the plot is lacking closure in the hopes of a second book, and if there were one I would probably read it.

Thanks to NetGalley, Del Rey and Jackson P. Brown for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

In a world where monsters walk among humans mostly undetected, Amy can see their auras - and what they are. Enter a mysterious encounter with a mysterious man of a species unknown to Amy, suspicion from both parties, and now we have an unlikely partnership - a Grim Reaper and an empath against the evil plaguing both their worlds.

Despite being set in our world, this resembles High much more than Urban Fantasy. Jackson P. Brown excels at creating intricate and believable magical and political systems, joining these with timely topics such as immigration. It isn't just a fun, fantasy novel, but a social commentary. It weaves itself around the plot, questions the morality of multiple characters, and creates a beautiful, well-developed universe filled with people who could be real.

However, the writing has made this confusing at times, rushing in places where I could've used a breather from all the action. Amy's character could've been developed more, as it felt like her existence was solely tied to the monster's. We learn very little about her life aside from the fact she works at a library and has a dead grandmother, whereas Gerald's life prior to the events of the novel are explored enough.

Despite everything, it's still an enjoyable read, one I was struggling to put down. If you like political fantasy or action, you will love this.

I was initially really intrigued about this books, particularly when I saw the cover and read the blurb. The beginning was quite convoluted but I managed to get into the story. The FMC Amy was generally easy to root for and I liked her story and discovery of what it means to be an empath. I liked the setting and the references to different places in London.

I found this novel very challenging at the start. The scene-setting descriptions were, in my opinion, overly elaborate. However, as I kept going, I managed to pace myself, often re-reading sentences to ensure I understood the nuances. Then I understood.. It is a magical novel woven in the upstairs and downstairs of this world with nary a bulter sight. The blend between the world as we know it and the fairytale world underground.

Suspend disbelief and you will love this story. Highly recommend.

If I could give this 3.5 stars I would.

Reaper follows Empath Amy as she tunes into Gerald’s incredible and strange power on the night of his Awakening. Gerald is a Reaper who has Awakened into, well more power it seems but at the end of the novel I realise we haven’t satisfactorily circled back to the “who cares” part of this great power. There’s also a big trauma in Gerald’s past that is literally shrouded in ice and mystery.

Amy and Gerald’s lives quickly become intwined when Amy uses her powers of empathy to track the auras of Gerald’s two big targets - which is weird because it’s clear Amy feels both good helping and bad about the killing. Her feelings aren’t resolved by the end, as she and Gerald walk into the sunset holding hands (not romantically but not not romantically??).

The world of the Downers, or those of supernatural inclination, is interesting and the characters are well written with subtle and clear markers of race that go beyond just naming skin tone. Amy and Gerald are well developed. I sense the plot is lacking closure in the hopes of a second book, and if there were one I would probably read it.

I don’t usually read, fantasy novels but I was intrigued by the blur of this book, and I thought that this would be up my street.
I really liked the first part of this story and liked the character of Amy and discovering of what it is like to be an Empath and meeting Gerald the Reaper and the bond between them. Then it went into a type of political drama that I was not expecting at all. And because of that I got lost and couldn’t really decipher what was going on and I felt quite confused with it all. 3 stars from me.

This urban fantasy/thriller is such an enjoyable read and is an excellent debut novel. It's a reimagining of the reaper as I'm sure we have never seen before. This reaper is from an African tribe of assassins who now lives in King's Cross, London. He is rich, charming and deadly. His partner is a Jamaican empath from Streatham. I live in London and I really like the way the author has used so many familiar locations to bring the story to life. I think the world-building is done well. It is a fast-paced story with well-developed characters. The main story line and sub plots are interesting, and the author uses different themes to keep you invested in the story and the characters.

Brown’s craft is solid in this book about The Reaper, Gerald, and an empath, Amy. Set in London, with modern crime scene in the backdrop, this is an interesting take on the supernatural crosses crime and the unlikely duo are interesting.

A real mix of genres - supernatural, crime fighting, political drama.

I liked that it was set in London and they went to places we know! Amy's personality was likeable and you had empathy for her.

I was just very confused by all the characters and viewpoints.

I thought this book was about Jack the reaper
I enjoyed this book though it was not what I was expecting to be

Loved this book soooo much 5 stars

Gerald was such a strong character and slowly seeing him understand himself was so satisfying. I also fell in love with Amy and the world itself. All the magical beings were so fun and I loved learning about each one!

The Reaper by Jackson P. Brown is a gripping and atmospheric fantasy thriller that explores the dark undercurrents of human nature, morality, and justice. Set against a backdrop of suspense and mystery, Brown’s novel delves into the complexities of crime, vengeance, and the consequences of one’s actions. With masterful pacing and a tight narrative, the book captures readers from the first page and captivates them until its thrilling conclusion. Multiple supernatural beings appear in this novel such as wraiths, witches, warlocks, werewolves, vampires, etc.
The story follows a protagonist, known as “The Grim Reaper,” a seasoned hitman with a dark past. As the protagonist becomes entangled in a web of betrayal, secrets, and power struggles, the plot unfurls with an intensity that escalates throughout the novel. Brown’s writing is sharp, evocative, and deeply immersive, making it difficult to put the book down once you start.
The Reaper becomes known to Amy, an extraordinary empath, at his Awakening, where he is given unmatchable powers to kill. After meeting a few times, Amy decides to become his partner to track down bad supernatural beings.
The character development in The Reaper is one of the novel’s standout features. Brown intricately layers the protagonist’s psyche, balancing their cold and calculating nature with flashes of vulnerability and humanity. This duality makes the character both compelling and morally ambiguous, inviting readers to wrestle with questions of right and wrong. As the story progresses, the reader is drawn deeper into the complex ethical dilemmas faced by the Reaper, whose sense of justice often clashes with the brutal world around him.
Brown’s exploration of moral ambiguity is nuanced and thought-provoking. The narrative challenges readers to question the true nature of justice, revenge, and redemption. The tension between right and wrong, and the consequences of choices, is a consistent theme that runs throughout the novel. Brown expertly weaves these themes into the plot, creating a work that is thrilling and intellectually engaging.
The pacing of The Reaper is relentless, with Brown skillfully building suspense and keeping the reader on edge. Each chapter introduces new twists and turns, ensuring that the story never feels stagnant. The writing style is clean and precise, allowing the reader to follow the fast-moving action without becoming overwhelmed by unnecessary details. The dialogue is sharp and often loaded with subtext, adding layers of intrigue to the characters’ interactions.
However, while the novel excels in many areas, its darker themes and violent content may be difficult for some readers. The graphic nature of some of the scenes can be unsettling, but they are integral to the story's exploration of the grim realities of the world in which the characters live. For fans of gritty crime thrillers, this book will be a satisfying and thought-provoking read.
In conclusion, The Reaper by Jackson P. Brown is a riveting thriller that blends action, suspense, and philosophical depth. It is a testament to the author’s talent for crafting complex characters and exploring the moral intricacies of their decisions. For those who enjoy a dark and intense narrative that examines the human condition under extreme circumstances, this book is an unmissable read. Brown’s ability to keep readers on the edge of their seats while challenging their views on justice and morality marks The Reaper as a standout in the thriller/fantasy genre.

"The Reaper" is an exciting, fast-paced urban fantasy that pulls you into a world where the supernatural exists just beneath the surface. Amy, an empath struggling with her own limitations, and Gerald, a brooding Reaper on the cusp of discovering his true power, make for a dynamic and compelling duo. Their unlikely partnership is filled with tension, intrigue, and mystery, and the mission to find a missing girl adds an engaging layer of suspense. The world-building is rich, the characters are relatable, and the stakes are high. A fantastic read for fans of supernatural thrillers!