Year of the Reaper: a romantic and mysterious historically inspired fantasy standalone

by Makiia Lucier

'I devoured it in one sitting!' KRISTIN CASHORE
'Beautifully crafted' JULIET MARILLIER

In the aftermath of a devastating plague, a young lord is determined to discover the truth behind a mysterious attempt to assassinate the young queen in this historical fantasy standalone, inspired by the Black Plague.

Three years ago, Lord Cassia was entrusted with a mission by the king - and disappeared. Now, having survived a prison cell and a merciless illness, Cas wants only to return to home and forget past horrors.

But home is not what he remembers. His castle has become a refuge for the royal court. And they have brought their enemies with them.

When an assassin targets those closest to the queen, Cas is drawn into a search for a killer . . . one that leads him to form an unexpected bond with Lena, a brilliant historian. Cas and Lena soon realize that who is behind the attacks is far less important than why.

They must look to the past, following the trail of a terrible secret - one that could threaten the kingdom's newfound peace and plunge it back into war.

'This is the perfect book to pick up if you are looking for a historical kingdom story that is a little more adult, but still love the YA fantasy tropes' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I loved it so much. I need more main characters like Cas. I would have read another 500 pages of this book' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Just how I like my fantasy novels: bold, fierce and bloody. Grabs you by the horns and doesn't let go' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'But this book was so damn good written. I loved the story so damn much, AND THE CHARACTERS. I freaking love Cas and Lena. I love them as characters but also together, their dynamic was so much fun to read. ALL THE FEELS' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Year of the Reaper quickly made its way into my heart. I adored the characters and the prose, and the plot was so intriguing' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• ISBN10: 152938754X
• ISBN13: 9781529387544
• Publish Date: 9 November 2021
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 6 September 2024
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
• Imprint: Hodderscape
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 336
• Language: English
• URL: https://hachette.co.uk/titles/makiia-lucier/year-of-the-reaper/9781529387544/

Reviews

[mvk]

Sometimes, a book doesn't need to be revolutionary or groundbreaking to be exceptional. And this one is precisely that kind of book - it's simply and undeniably good in all the right ways.

What makes this novel stand out is its perfect sense of balance. The fantasy worldbuilding is neither overwhelming nor sparse - it's just enough to immerse you entirely in the story. The cast of characters is perfectly sized for the narrative, and while the author doesn't dive excessively into their backgrounds, each character feels remarkably ... whole. You understand their emotions, and motivations with clarity. They feel real without requiring hundreds of pages of backstory or inner thoughts.

While not reinventing the wheel, the plot is crafted with exceptional skill. Every element feels meticulously placed, creating a story that flows naturally dynamic and keeps you thoroughly engaged. This careful calibration of elements - worldbuilding, character development, and plot progression - makes the book compelling. Nothing feels excessive or lacking; everything serves the story precisely as it should.

What truly elevates this book is how effortlessly it pulls you in. The journey with these characters feels natural and engaging, making it impossible to put down. It's like finding a perfectly comfortable reading spot - everything feels right.

I LIKED IT ... MUCH!

[ambiancereads]

I love this one! What a great stand-alone too! I loved the slow burn relationship and the mystery as well. The plot was great and fast paced. I loved the depth of Cas as a character. Overall a great book!