Reviewed by Amanda on
This book is not for the faint of heart. And it is tough. Keely, the main character, does not spend much of her story alive. Instead, we are first launched into her suicide in grim detail from the very beginning, and then into her utter disbelief and denial about being dead. I have long since wondered if people who commit suicide think of the consequences of their actions on other people, and that thought is explored in detail in Don’t Fear the Reaper. I didn’t always agree with Keely’s actions or decisions, but I wanted her to find the peace she was searching for.
Though I have never lost a sibling like Keely, I have lost loved ones, and the exploration into the afterlife was of particular interest to me. There are scenes in Reaper that dredge up old memories of mine — of my grandmother, of my dog — that wreaked havoc on my emotions, forcing me to relive my grief right along with Keely. This is one of those books that transcend the words that are written, and burrow into your own experiences, making it difficult to disconnect the two. More than a story about death, Don’t Fear the Reaper is a story about love — but not just any kind of love; it is the kind of love that does not end with death, but simply changes and morphs into something different.
While I was able to somewhat guess at what would have to happen at the end, Don’t Fear the Reaper was a suspenseful read that left me questioning everyone’s motives and trying to figure out how the story could conclude as happily as possible. I especially enjoyed Banning and Daniel as characters — Daniel perhaps the most — because there was so much more to both of them than it first appears, and I love a little mystery. I look forward to future books.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 27 September, 2011: Finished reading
- 27 September, 2011: Reviewed