REVIEW: A Reaper at the Gates

I don't usually pick up unfinished series. It can sometimes be years between books and my mind doesn't do well keeping track of storylines over that extensive amount of time (especially since I'll have read other things in between). Then, when the next book finally comes out, I have to remember what happened before and find myself not as engaged with the characters as I used to be. That being said, I made an exception for Sabaa Tahir's Ember series since the 4th and final book is due out later this year.

I'm glad I did, don't get me wrong. This has been an entertaining series that kept me engaged, but I am much more of a character-driven reader than a plot-driven one and I struggled to bond with Tahir's characters. In Reaper, Laia (who had grated on my nerves the last two books) finally starts to become more likeable, but at the same time Elias (previously my favorite) loses the jaded humanity that made him so appealing.

But this book (at least to me) wasn't about Laia or Elias. Reaper is about Helene. And I fucking love Helene. Okay, okay, unprofessional to swear in a review, but guys. Her arc is so good. I could read this whole series just from her POV, especially since Harper showed up and added a new level of depth to her internal conflict. The Blood Shrike shows an immense amount of growth in this volume, learning from her mistakes and outwitting her enemies, not to mention unleashing a god-level beat-down on the battlefield. Still, the odds are so stacked against her that it keeps the reader on the edge of their seat throughout. I can't wait to see what happens to her in the final installment.

As for the rest, I enjoyed finally learning the backstories of the Soul Catcher, the Nightbringer, and the jinn. Cook's big reveal was kind of obvious ever since book 2 and the Aquilla warhammer felt a little like a 'sword of destiny' but I didn't honestly mind either one too much. As always, Tahir's prose is economical without being boring, colorful without needing translation. The plot moves along at a nice pace throughout. Reaper is definitely better than Torch in that aspect, and I look forward to reading the finale when it comes out at the end of 2020.