Reviews

A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir

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gayusbooks's review against another edition

3.0

I really loved reading 'An Ember in the Ashes’. That one was a beautiful read with a smooth flowing plot and complex characters. 'A Torch Against The Night’ continued the intensity and ended on a really high note. So it was only natural that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on 'A Reaper at the Gates’. But this one disappointed me. Strong characters and the multilayered relationships between them, which was the highlight of the first two books is sadly missing in this one. And some new characters and plot points are introduced out of the blue that only serves to drag the book. And one of the twists that included a surprise revelation fell flat for me because I think that particular point was better left alone.

Spoiler

The cook being Laias mother !!!! Like Seriously???!! So she cared for Izzy but not her own daughter. She was better alive as The Lioness in people's memory. Bringing her back did nothing for the plot and ruined her legacy. I wouldn't have minded if Cook was Laia's elder sister. Her disfiguration could have prevented people from knowing her young age.

I was not a fan of the way the romantic relationships were developed in the first two books - physical attraction that springs at the most inopportune moments being the main thing, and that continues here too. But the book does have its moments and I’m hoping that the last one will bring back the magic of the series. Because, 'An Ember in the Ashes’ will always remain one of my all time favourites.