The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
ronjaorsomething's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Gore, Racism, and Murder
aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
Also didn't really like the kind of random make out session in the middle of one of the quests. Really threw me out of the whole thing for that little bit.
I did really enjoy the world though, I'm a sucker for yokai, and I hope Ren will find what she is searching for in the next book because what she is searching for deserves much better. I will still be planning on reading the sequel just for the hope that things turn out positively and some reconciliation will be there.
I also love that this was written by a mixed race author so of course I'm biased to support. Overall liked the writing and story so I hope Ren is less agitating in the sequel.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Ableism, Blood, Body horror, Death, Bullying, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content
thenovelbookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
When she loses control of her Shinigami powers while being beaten and bullied for being a 'foreigner', she decides to flee everything that she has known, accompanied by her full reaper brother.
Ren must accept an impossible task to become accepted as a Shinigami by the Japanese Goddess of Death, along the way she must find out who she is and what she wants most.
A thrilling story that takes you on Ren's journey on Earth as well as the underworld. Beautiful and strong world building sets the scene for a fast paced fantasy filled with myths and legends of death around the world.
Moderate: Murder, Death, and Bullying
Minor: Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Grief, Genocide, Torture, Physical abuse, and Violence
quillreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Body horror, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment and Animal death
bittennailbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Keeper of Night is a beautiful retelling of the diasporic Reaper Ren who will do almost anything to stay out of the high Reapers criticizing gaze or abusive reach. Being half British and half Japanese, Ren is consistently kicked down by other Reapers for her "half-breed" status and dreams of running away with her best friend/half-brother in tow.
A reaping night like any other, Ren finally fights back against the other Reapers who torment her, unleashing her long hidden Shinigami powers and thus sealing her fate. She now must flee to a home in Japan she's never known in hopes of finding her birth mother and hopefully, a way to control her Shinigami magic.
I finished this book in one sitting due to its fast paced writing but it sort of felt a little bit empty when I closed in on the big twist. I wish I would have been taken a bit more into the adventure to Japan or that Hiro's advances didn't feel so out left field later on. However, I would definitely continue on with the series as it stands and hats off to Baker for her raw examination of bi-racial experiences.
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Racism
Moderate: Violence and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abandonment
carolined314's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse and Violence
woelkchen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Racism, Murder, and Violence
brichneyfloss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Racism
Moderate: Sexual content
kayladaila's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Bullying, Animal death, Death, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Racism, Gore, Sexual violence, Child abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent and Suicidal thoughts
kkmillsaps1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Racism, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Blood, Death, Bullying, Gore, Violence, Body horror, and Cannibalism