Year of the Reaper Review: A Tale of Mystery and Redemption

Picture this: a kingdom that's just starting to pick up the pieces after a brutal plague. That's where "Year of the Reaper" kicks off. It's not just about surviving—it's about uncovering all the hidden dangers that come next.

You've got Cas, who has this unique ability to see ghosts. He returns home to find everything in chaos—political plots, mysterious deaths, you name it. He teams up with Lena, who’s smart and resourceful, and together, they start unravelling a web of conspiracies and secrets.

This book isn't just about solving a mystery; it's about exploring themes of love, loyalty, and redemption. Plus, there's a sprinkle of supernatural suspense to keep things interesting.

If you're into stories with a bit of eerie intrigue, this one's worth picking up. Join Cas and Lena as they try to protect the throne and put their world back together again. Now let's unpack my thoughts on this great story.

Year of the Reaper by Makiia Lucier

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Book Details and Content

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What is The Year of the Reaper About?

"Year of the Reaper" is about Cas, who finally makes it back home after being held captive during a brutal plague. But home isn't what he remembers—it’s chaos, filled with political intrigue and threats against the royal family.

Cas finds himself pulled into this mess of secrets and danger. Instead of the quiet life he hoped for, he’s navigating a web of mystery and power plays. As he digs deeper, he’s got to rely on his instincts and intellect to unravel the truth and protect the people he cares about. 

My Spoiler-free review

First up, let’s talk about Cas. He’s easily one of the first male main characters I’ve loved. Even though he’s dealing with trauma, his strength and his readiness to help others make him such a standout.

Then there’s the friendship between Cas and Lena. Watching their unexpected bond grow from strangers to close friends was so genuine—it drew me in. The hint of romance adds a nice touch, but what I loved most is that their relationship doesn’t revolve solely around it.

Lucier’s knack for historical detail, whether it’s the clothing or the food, truly brought the world to life and pulled me right into the story.

I did enjoy the plot twists along the way, although the reveal of the assassin’s identity felt a bit hard to buy. But honestly, it didn’t take away much from the story for me.

If I had one wish, it would be for a map. A bit more world-building and more about Cas’s unique abilities could’ve added even more depth to the narrative.

Overall, "Year of the Reaper" is a solid pick for anyone into historical fantasy. It’s a well-crafted story with characters that engage you.

My Overall Thoughts

This book was one of my top reads of 2024, and I still consider it one of my favorite YA standalone fantasy books of all time. Although I did enjoy this book, I want to share some thoughts on what truly impressed me and a few aspects that could've been better. Here's the lowdown!

What I Liked:

Cas as a Main Character:

Cas is one of those characters you just have to love. He’s been through the wringer—captivity, trauma from the plague—but he’s back and determined to do right by his kingdom. Even when his anxiety kicks in, especially in tense moments, his strength and resolve to figure out what’s going on with the royal threats stand out. He’s one of those resilient characters you just want to root for.

Friendship Between Cas and Lena:

Cas and Lena’s friendship is seriously one of the highlights. They start not knowing each other, but after tackling all sorts of challenges together, their relationship grows into something really solid. The way they work as a team, like when they're in sticky situations, shows their connection is built on trust and mutual respect, not just romance.

Historical Details:

I enjoyed Makiia Lucier's writing of the historical setting. The way she describes the period—from the gritty life during the plague to the detailed clothing—makes everything feel so real. It’s like you can almost see and feel the world they’re living in.

What I Disliked:

Assassin's Identity Reveal:

There are many great twists, but finding out who the assassin was felt a bit off. It didn’t mesh with the story hints, making it feel a little forced. A more natural buildup to that reveal would’ve kept the suspense strong.

World-Building and Cas’s Abilities:

I missed having a map to better picture where everything is happening. More details on the kingdom’s layout would help paint a clearer picture. Plus, diving a bit deeper into Cas’s unique abilities—like how they play out in the story—could’ve added more layers and made everything a bit richer. One aspect of his ability that I did like was that it wasn't a power per se, but rather a gift! To be able to see spirits and remnants of people who have died was cool!

Would I recommend it as a Christian?

Yes, I’d recommend "Year of the Reaper" by Makiia Lucier. It's a great medieval story that could resonate with Christians, and here's why:

Great Themes: The book dives into resilience and forgiveness through Cas, who makes it through tough times like imprisonment and a plague. His journey toward healing lines up with Christian values about redemption and grace.

Cas's Special Ability: Cas can see spirits, but don't worry—it's not magical or mystical. It's actually tied to the trauma he's been through and highlights his personal struggles. This part is more about deepening your understanding of him rather than selling any supernatural beliefs. It’s another way to show his emotional and mental journey.

Relationships: The story gets into some complicated relationships, focusing on forgiveness, trust, and loyalty, which might get you thinking about friendship and making amends.

While it's a Young Adult (YA) book, it paints a vivid picture of medieval times with its political plots and a bit of violence. If you prefer fiction without much violence, just keep this in mind. The medieval setting adds depth, showing the tough realities of that time and helping you get a better grip on what the characters go through.

All in all, "Year of the Reaper" gives a thoughtful look at healing and forgiveness. Just remember the supernatural and historical elements, especially if violence is something you steer clear of, as you dive in.

Summary

Here's a condensed summary to keep this article short. Not all details of the plot are mentioned, only things I felt were important.

The story begins with Princess Jehan going to meet her fiancé, King Rayan. It's supposed to be a happy trip, but the kingdom is having a tough time because of a devastating plague. Jehan is worried the sickness might come back. Her closest friend, Mari, is by her side for comfort.

During the journey, a guard suddenly gets sick and falls from his horse. The wise ambassador tells Jehan and Mari to stay back because the guard has the plague. The ambassador is sick too and urges Jehan to leave with Lord Ventillas to stay safe, even though she doesn't want to leave her people.

A year later, we meet Cas, a young guy who can see ghosts. Cas reconnects with a ghost named Izaro, who gets him to accept this strange ability. Cas agrees to bury Izaro’s body, showing he is a good person. A flashback shows us how Cas cleverly escaped from being a prisoner by using the sickness as a distraction.

In the present, after being robbed, Cas meets Lena, who tries to steal his horse. Despite her actions, Cas helps her when a sick wild cat threatens her. They end up laughing together and traveling to a place called Palmerin Keep.

Cas watches from afar as a baby prince gets his name. He spots someone aiming to hurt the prince and quickly steps in to save him. This brave move brings him back together with his brother, Lord Ventillas, after being missing for three years.

Cas finds out that Faro, Ventillas’s helper, lied about him being safe out of jealousy. Faro is sent away as punishment. Meanwhile, Lena is Lady Analena, secretly working for the King. Cas and Lena grow closer as they face challenges and uncover secrets together.

Later, Cas is in charge of leading the court, including Lena, back to Elvira. On the way, he confronts Ventillas, finding out that Ventillas killed Faro for his betrayal. In a panic, Cas tries to destroy evidence to protect his brother, leading to a clash with Bittor. Cas gets knocked out and chained, but is rescued by Lena, who didn’t know what Bittor had done.

Feeling hurt, Cas tells Lena to stay away, but he regrets saying it. He waits to make sure Lena gets home safe, even though he's upset. Bittor hints at Lena being in danger, but it turns out she's okay.

It's revealed that Queen Jehan is actually Lady Mari. The real Jehan, who everyone thought was dead, had been through terrible times and wanted revenge for losing her life. Ventillas admits he knew this all along.

As they seek shelter in an empty castle, they find a little girl named Clara living alone after her family died from the plague. Cas shows kindness by helping her, and a touching moment follows as he sings to her with her mother’s ghost helping him choose songs.

Cas and the group face trouble from ghosts and learn they've been led off course. The real Jehan, wanting revenge, confronts Mari. Things go crazy, and Jehan’s dress catches fire. Cas and Mari escape with the baby prince to safety.

Cas gets hurt but cleverly leads them to a safe place. Even when things look dark, they find a moment to laugh when the baby prince makes a mess on Cas. Cas's injuries are worse than he let on, but he hopes Lena is safe.

In the end, Lena and Bittor arrive just in time to save Cas. As he recovers, Lena returns to show she forgives him and wants to stay friends. Cas finds out his brother Ventillas will leave for a while to recover from everything that happened.

Cas decides to bury Jehan and the man she loved, understanding why she acted the way she did, even if it wasn’t right. Months later, he goes back to honor Izaro’s wish for a prayer at his grave.

Finally, Lena comes back, wearing Palmerin's colors with her family. Cas had asked for a historian, and Lena, along with her family, takes on the job of writing down Palmerin’s history with Cas. Their friendship remains strong, promising new adventures and shared stories ahead.

Conclusion

If you’re into political mystery, "Year of the Reaper" is a great pick. The setting pulls you in, and even with a couple of small bumps, it’s an compelling story of friendship with a great mix of adventure and history. Worth the read if you love character development driven plots, vivid settings with a dash of a romantic subplot! What are you waiting for?