Book reviewed by Chris J Kenworthy, for Armadillo magazine.
‘Year of the Reaper‘ is a fantasy novel about Cas, an engineer’s apprentice on a mission entrusted by the King. Following a war, a plague leaves countless dead and devastates the kingdom.
Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, lots of young adult fantasy novels this year have been based around deadly plagues, but ‘Year of the Reaper’ instead concentrates on the aftermath of a war, plague, and death – and answers the question of ‘what next?’
Having been ambushed by a band of enemy soldiers while on his mission, Cas spends three years in a prison cell, after which he wants to return home and forget the past. “The past never forgets” – the phrase imprinted on the front cover of the novel – couldn’t be more true.
Cas is a multi-dimensional character, and although he suffers from PTSD, he appears to be fairly level-headed and extremely mature for his age. His emotional journey is captivating, as he reconnects with the past whilst acquainting himself with his current world. As Cas recovers from the effects of the plague, it also becomes clear that he’s able to talk to the ghosts of the dead.
Subtle elements of the paranormal help with the world-building in an easy to read and well-structured plot. As well as Cas, ‘Year of the Reaper’ has a diverse ensemble of characters, and their intertwined relationships make this book a page-turner – as does a major plot twist in the second half of the novel.
Makiia Lucier’s ‘Year of the Reaper‘ is a standalone novel, and is not part of a series. It’s a lost art in the world of Young Adult fantasy novels, and as a benefit it means its 321 pages (including the Prologue) serve up a beginning, middle and ending in one book.
That said, the book’s form also feels like it’s weakness. Some of the plot points are not thoroughly explored as they serve only to help with world-building, and the ending feels a bit rushed. An Epilogue would be very welcome, although it might have been better to split the book into two shorter novels.
That said, author Makiia Lucier seems to have struck the right balance between detail and readability, and the fast-paced narrative means that ‘Year of the Reaper’ is a page-turner that should be on everyone’s reading list this winter.
Stowmarket Reporter 