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anniereads221's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Racism, Torture, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
annegoodreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The dark fantasy/horror/thriller is set in 1890s Britain and Japan. But the story gives insight into worldwide folklore surrounding death and the idea of Death personified. Death is one thing every single person in this world has in common. Half British Reaper, half Japanese Shinigami, Ren Scarborough is a tormented girl. She’s unloved by her father and stepmother. She’s bullied for being biracial. And she’s harboring her secret magical powers. She does know the amazing true love of her stepbrother Neven. For all the torment and darkness in the story, Neven is hopeful, loving, and empathetic. Ren flees Britain to go to Japan to find her mother. Neven goes with her just because he loves her. The venture to Yokohama. They meet the Goddess of Death Izanami. To try to find her purpose and place of belonging Ren must defeat the Yokai. Neven is so nice and trusting, he doesn’t stand a chance in the underworld.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Racism, Torture, Violence, Grief, and Abandonment
katisreading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book got DARK and I’ve gone back and forth about how I feel about it. Once I really got into it, I found it harder to put down, but I really didn’t like Ren in the last third of the book. It was cool to learn more about Japanese mythology though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Racism
kylieqrada's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Um ok, but, Kylie???? There is no way that this is your debut!!!!!!! I was absolutely just enthralled by this one. Like, couldn't put it down, ignoring all phone notifications, my left hip hurts from sitting badly on the couch, super hungry past time for lunch, enthralled. If you like morally gray characters, biracial bad-asses, Japanese folklore, and/or action-packed journeys to find oneself, you will like this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Racism, and Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Child death, and Death of parent
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ooo this was dark! And full of Japanese mythology. If you're looking for a book that has a morally gray main character who does some questionable things, this is the book for you. Baker does an excellent job creating this world and pulling you in with these characters. The entire book is atmospheric and engaging.
I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator absolutely helped make the story for me. She pulled me into Ren's story and helped with the world building and enchanting nature of the story. With that ending, I can't wait for the second book!
I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator absolutely helped make the story for me. She pulled me into Ren's story and helped with the world building and enchanting nature of the story. With that ending, I can't wait for the second book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Racism, and Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Child death, and Death of parent
kilic's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Death, Gore, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Blood
maya_reads_books's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Racism, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content
samschub214's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Racism and Sexism
shadesofkate26's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Really enjoyed the sibling relationship. Liked the mythology and historical setting. Overall enjoyed this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, and Racism
yamoksauce's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Well. That was an absolute banger. I need the sequel immediately.
Seriously: The Keeper of Night is excellent. The writing is both enchantingly beautiful and nauseatingly gruesome. THE BODY HORROR IS REAL. The characters are legitimately morally gray: they mess up, they mess up bad, they mess up and they're okay with it. The story moves quickly, but never rushes; and it had that moment where I was like, Ok, I'm calling off the rest of tonight's plans, because I NEED TO FINISH THIS BOOK.
Most importantly: this book is a powerful, heartbreaking examination of the unique racism that biracial people face and the extent to which people will go to feel like they belong. Even in the fantastic realm of Reapers and Shinigami and other Gods-of-Death, the analogy is crystal clear. Kylie Lee Baker pours her heart and soul into this novel and I am so lucky to have read it.
Seriously: The Keeper of Night is excellent. The writing is both enchantingly beautiful and nauseatingly gruesome. THE BODY HORROR IS REAL. The characters are legitimately morally gray: they mess up, they mess up bad, they mess up and they're okay with it. The story moves quickly, but never rushes; and it had that moment where I was like, Ok, I'm calling off the rest of tonight's plans, because I NEED TO FINISH THIS BOOK.
Most importantly: this book is a powerful, heartbreaking examination of the unique racism that biracial people face and the extent to which people will go to feel like they belong. Even in the fantastic realm of Reapers and Shinigami and other Gods-of-Death, the analogy is crystal clear. Kylie Lee Baker pours her heart and soul into this novel and I am so lucky to have read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Racism, and Violence