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sandranir's review against another edition
5.0
A Charlie Parker novel focused on Louis and Angel, which is just as gripping as the previous books in this unusual, and addictive series.
"The Reapers" is definitely one of my favorites in one of the best series I've ever read. Although Charlie Parker takes the backseat in this novel and the supernatural element is barely present, the story is still adrenaline-filled, and it gives a better understanding of the people Charlie Parker considers friends.
As the writer has explained it in the introduction - which is really worth reading for each book of the series as it gives priceless insight into Mr. Connolly's thoughts about the story within - "The Reapers" is also about the different types of male friendships, and that gives it another moving aspect of the series.
"The Reapers" is definitely one of my favorites in one of the best series I've ever read. Although Charlie Parker takes the backseat in this novel and the supernatural element is barely present, the story is still adrenaline-filled, and it gives a better understanding of the people Charlie Parker considers friends.
As the writer has explained it in the introduction - which is really worth reading for each book of the series as it gives priceless insight into Mr. Connolly's thoughts about the story within - "The Reapers" is also about the different types of male friendships, and that gives it another moving aspect of the series.
wyvernfriend's review against another edition
3.0
Assassins ahoy peripherally a Charlie Parker story, this is more about Louis and Angel; mostly about Louis and his past and what happens when that catches up with them both.
A wealthy recluse sends Louis and Angel on a mission to a town where things aren't as they seem and where they find themselves in serious danger. Charlie Parker has to come to their rescue but things are quite perilous and survival won't be easy. This will make and break relationships.
Not so much of the supernatural but a lot of assassins and killers being brutal to each other. I liked Willie, the mechanic and his story drew me in (as I'm sure the author intended).
There was a great piece: "When the three men had gone, Brooker sat silently at his kitchen table while his wife rolled dough behind him, and tried to ignore the waves of disapproval that were breaking upon his back." (p. 336 in my edition) I liked the imagery.
There were some very gory parts to this... not for the squeamish, the relish some of the characters had for killing was chilling.
Falls into Murder most foul, probably serial/spree killer (several of those in the story); In the Dark, Dark woods. I intended it for American Horror Story, it's more the horrible things people can do to each other but I'm going to count it.
A wealthy recluse sends Louis and Angel on a mission to a town where things aren't as they seem and where they find themselves in serious danger. Charlie Parker has to come to their rescue but things are quite perilous and survival won't be easy. This will make and break relationships.
Not so much of the supernatural but a lot of assassins and killers being brutal to each other. I liked Willie, the mechanic and his story drew me in (as I'm sure the author intended).
There was a great piece: "When the three men had gone, Brooker sat silently at his kitchen table while his wife rolled dough behind him, and tried to ignore the waves of disapproval that were breaking upon his back." (p. 336 in my edition) I liked the imagery.
There were some very gory parts to this... not for the squeamish, the relish some of the characters had for killing was chilling.
Falls into Murder most foul, probably serial/spree killer (several of those in the story); In the Dark, Dark woods. I intended it for American Horror Story, it's more the horrible things people can do to each other but I'm going to count it.
couriernine's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
georgia_brown's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
octavietullier's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
paulabrandon's review against another edition
1.0
I've read The Killing Kind and The White Road by this author and enjoyed them both. The former, in particular, I remember, was creepy and suspenseful. However, I read those books some 15 years or so ago, and maybe my tastes have changed? I don't know.
Because The Reapers is fucking terrible.
Maybe it's to do with the fact that our protagonists, Louis and Angel, a gay hitman couple, were only supporting characters in the previous books. Here, they take central stage. It is always dangerous to make an interesting side character the main character. It's the reason I won't read Win by Harlan Coben. Sociopathic, self-absorbed Win is entertaining in the Myron Bolitar books, but I'm not interested in a whole book from his point of view.
But the problem here is that Louis (in particular) and Angel never really came to life despite supposedly being the focus of the book. We get flashbacks (whole chapters in an annoying italics font) to Louis growing up and how he became part of a group of assassins known as The Reapers, but no real idea of what makes his relationship with Angel so strong. The idea of two gay men, who are people of colour, working in the world of hitmen, is an interesting concept - and not explored one bit here! Their relationship is so chaste they may well have been life-long buddies, not a romantic partnership. What a wasted opportunity.
The plot is a complete bore. An assassin is out for revenge against Louis for a past wrong. He has teamed up with a dying millionaire who also wants revenge on Louis for the death of his son. After more than 200 pages, Louis and Angel are lured to a town owned by said millionaire, as a familiar tale of assassins and other thugs double-crossing and killing each other transpires.
Not only is it a bad, boring book, but it is actually badly written as well. We get five-page histories of buildings. We get an EIGHT PAGE description of Louis and Angel's apartment - and none of the story even takes place there! What was the fucking point of that? We get life histories for characters that barely hang around. This is still happening 383 pages into a 450 page book! This happens so often that Louis and Angel barely feel like main characters as it is! Point of view will jump from character to character within the same paragraph, sometimes even to a character who isn't even present in the scene! Old tropes like a character describing their appearance while looking into a mirror even pop up.
Basically, a 150 page familiar assassins-killing-each-other tale is padded out beyond belief to more than 450 pages, draining the entire thing of any pacing or suspense.
It's lucky that [b:Following the Wake|1439474|Following the Wake|Gemma O'Connor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309207006l/1439474._SY75_.jpg|1430065] was such a stinker that it's hard for anything to be worse, because there have unfortunately been many contenders for worst book I've read this year, and this would definitely rank right up (down?) there.
Because The Reapers is fucking terrible.
Maybe it's to do with the fact that our protagonists, Louis and Angel, a gay hitman couple, were only supporting characters in the previous books. Here, they take central stage. It is always dangerous to make an interesting side character the main character. It's the reason I won't read Win by Harlan Coben. Sociopathic, self-absorbed Win is entertaining in the Myron Bolitar books, but I'm not interested in a whole book from his point of view.
But the problem here is that Louis (in particular) and Angel never really came to life despite supposedly being the focus of the book. We get flashbacks (whole chapters in an annoying italics font) to Louis growing up and how he became part of a group of assassins known as The Reapers, but no real idea of what makes his relationship with Angel so strong. The idea of two gay men, who are people of colour, working in the world of hitmen, is an interesting concept - and not explored one bit here! Their relationship is so chaste they may well have been life-long buddies, not a romantic partnership. What a wasted opportunity.
The plot is a complete bore. An assassin is out for revenge against Louis for a past wrong. He has teamed up with a dying millionaire who also wants revenge on Louis for the death of his son. After more than 200 pages, Louis and Angel are lured to a town owned by said millionaire, as a familiar tale of assassins and other thugs double-crossing and killing each other transpires.
Not only is it a bad, boring book, but it is actually badly written as well. We get five-page histories of buildings. We get an EIGHT PAGE description of Louis and Angel's apartment - and none of the story even takes place there! What was the fucking point of that? We get life histories for characters that barely hang around. This is still happening 383 pages into a 450 page book! This happens so often that Louis and Angel barely feel like main characters as it is! Point of view will jump from character to character within the same paragraph, sometimes even to a character who isn't even present in the scene! Old tropes like a character describing their appearance while looking into a mirror even pop up.
Basically, a 150 page familiar assassins-killing-each-other tale is padded out beyond belief to more than 450 pages, draining the entire thing of any pacing or suspense.
It's lucky that [b:Following the Wake|1439474|Following the Wake|Gemma O'Connor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309207006l/1439474._SY75_.jpg|1430065] was such a stinker that it's hard for anything to be worse, because there have unfortunately been many contenders for worst book I've read this year, and this would definitely rank right up (down?) there.
bldownunder's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this - a side storyline following Louis and Angel, brilliant and sad and beautifully written
gabmc's review against another edition
3.0
Although this is book 7 of the Charlie Parker series, we only see him intermittently. This book tells a bit more of the back story on Louis, one of Gabriel's 'Reapers' - highly trained and specialised killers for hire. Louis and his partner, Angel, are long-time friends of Charlie Parker and always there for him when he needs them. This time, the tables are a bit turned as Louis and Angel are called in to eliminate a man who is the long time enemy of a new client. One thing I really found interesting about this book was learning more of the history of black Americans in the Deep South - a horrible history but one we should not forget.
lovesresqdogs's review against another edition
Not really my favorite kind of book to read and took me a very long time to finish it.
jimmacsyr's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent book. Connolly’s descriptions make me laugh out loud, and the story keeps me riveted.