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!

A slightly strange intro starts this book off with someone being "awakened" through ancestors and a voice that was something quite different. As the world returns to "normal" there is a sense of the silken threads of the lives of many people. Amy is a passing bystander to all this and is fascinated. She is an empath and can sense the magic creatures who are around in London but she has never come across an aura like this one. Despite the being having left the area, the next day she returns to the spot and is able to track its aura. She does have an issue with her powers as she doesn't really understand them well. Her grandmother was also an empath but died before she could tell Amy all she knew about the powers.

Amy already recognises, vampires, werewolves and mages/witches. However, the person she saw was Gerald, coming into his full powers as Grim Reaper. There is a question of who is actually stalking who however Gerald and Amy meet up with both very interested in the other. It's fair to say that they both consider the other rather strange! As might be gathered from Gerald's full name he is responsible for taking lives (there's a lot more to it than that!). Given Amy can follow/recognise magical beings who are targets for Gerald, working together might be an idea.

In London there is a realm below. Amy is unusual (and not always approved of) by having access to it and its citizens via Gerald. The book follows their relationship and activities both above and below ground. As the book progresses we learn some of the lore affecting Gerald and his tribe. Amy develops as a person and in her powers.

I found Amy a very good character indeed. I liked her abilities and the person she was. Within the framework of fantasy she felt credible to me and an interesting idea. It's fair to say that she is at odds with Gerald's "work" in the main (and intelligently so). I could understand the idea of them working together however I found it somewhat unconvincing. The fairly light approach to the narrative was fine however the dark parts contrasted starkly with this - assassinations and shopping in Harrods… There was something faintly Potteresque about this at times.

Individually both characters were good enough (Amy more so than that) but I'm not sure they worked together for me. Gerald (and his background) is complex but I found him nothing like as convincing as Amy. I would have really liked to love this but I can't honestly say I did. An interesting book and real credit to the character on Amy but it didn't really work for me.