Review: Reaper by Larissa Ione
He is the Keeper of Souls. Judge, jury, and executioner. He is death personified.
He is the Grim Reaper.
A fallen angel who commands the respect of both Heaven and Hell, Azagoth has presided over his own underworld realm for thousands of years. As the overlord of evil souls, he maintains balance crucial to the existence of life on Earth and beyond. But as all the realms gear up for the prophesied End of Days, the ties that bind him to Sheoul-gra have begun to chafe.
Now, with his beloved mate and unborn child the target of an ancient enemy, Azagoth will stop at nothing to save them, even if it means breaking blood oaths and shattering age-old alliances.
Even if it means destroying himself and setting the world on fire…
OMG...OMG...OMG!!!!
Have you read a book that as you are reading it it's so exciting that you keep putting it down and then picking it back up and continue reading it?
You know those books that get you all worked up and you feel like you are part of the story so much that you both can't stop looking (reading) and must walk away at the same time. That's how this book was for me. I don't often give five stars for a book but Reaper gets five stars and then some. It's a perfect ten!
From the second I started it I wanted no, needed to know what was going to happen. I often talk about not giving away about what happens in the story and think you should read it for yourself. Reaper is one of those cases.
I want to be carefully reviewing this one because there is so much to talk about but until you guys get to enjoy it with me I'm not ruining anything for you. So much happens. Good and bad. A ton of bad. So much of this book will rip your heart out. I do love that about Ione. She makes you feel invested in her characters. You feel like you know them personally.
Some surprises happen too.
This is a wonderful story that totally does a great job of finishing off a series that we've all come to love. I have to say that from the first time Azagoth showed up I knew he was the one to watch out for. Add the love of his life in danger and everyone should run. Why they thought they could mess with him through his wife and child are beyond me. They aren't very bright. But idiots have to learn and their mistakes make for an enjoyable story for us.
As I mentioned, I have so much more to say, but will hold it in until you guys get reading. I will say that for me this series is better read in order. Characters from other books are in this one and it's nice to already know who they are. It will make this story much richer. Do yourself a favor and start reading and don't stop until you hit Reaper. The good news is that each of the stories is great so you'll love them all.
Any of you reading Larissa Ione? If so what's your favorite book or series by her?
“What do you suggest we do then?”
“I can talk to him,” Reaver said. “Hawkyn requested information about a fallen angel named Flail. I’ll use that as an excuse to get to Azagoth.”
A flock of gulls squawked as the birds circled the palace, looking for handouts from Caila’s guests, and Metatron had to raise his voice to be heard. “You said he sealed off Sheoul-gra.”
“Hawkyn will open it to me if I can convince him that I’m not there to destroy his father.”
It shouldn’t be a problem; Hawkyn wouldn’t have contacted Reaver at all if he weren’t sure Reaver could handle the situation without killing anyone.
“And if Azagoth is out of control?” Metatron asked. “Will you destroy him?”
“Isn’t it a little early to be discussing that?”
Metatron rolled his shoulders, probably not even aware he’d done it, but Reaver knew he was testing his wings and his powers, feeling them out at the thought that shit might get really fucking biblical real soon.
“He can’t be allowed to release Satan,” he said, fire in his tone. “And he can’t be allowed to escape Sheoul-gra.”
“Would escaping be such a bad thing?”
Reaver wasn’t Azagoth’s biggest fan, but the guy had been trapped for thousands of years. He’d proven that he was capable of wrangling souls and navigating the politics of both Sheoul and Heaven. He’d chilled out a lot since getting mated, too. Seemed like it wouldn’t be a big deal if he lived where he wanted and commuted to work.
Metatron appeared troubled that Reaver would even ask such an apparently insane question. “Yes, it could be bad.”
“Why?” Reaver asked. “I mean, I get that he’s an asshole, but a lot bigger assholes are running around loose.”
Like the fallen angels who had killed Wraith. He clenched his fists, wishing he was out hunting them right now.
“Azagoth signed contracts,” Metatron said. “Contracts sealed with the powers of Heaven and Sheoul. We don’t know what kind of damage we’d take if he made that big of a breach.”
Sounded kind of minor to Reaver, but he knew well how seriously Heaven took broken rules and breaches of contract. They also weren’t fond of Heaven being damaged, which was why Revenant, while technically welcome here, wasn’t…welcome. His presence destroyed everything around him.
“Okay,” Reaver said. “Let me grab the info on Flail and give Hawkyn a call. I’ll let you know what happens. And, Uncle?”
Metatron inclined his head.
“I want this to stay between us for now.”
Silence stretched. Not even the gulls called out, and Reaver started to sweat. Metatron had always been fair and by-the-book, which was probably part of why Reaver had been such a rule breaker as a youth. And beyond. Hell, he still was, he just wasn’t as reckless about it now.
Responsibility was a bitch. Air Force veteran Larissa Ione traded in a career in meteorology to pursue her passion of writing. She has since published dozens of books, hit several bestseller lists, including the New York Times and USA Today, and has been nominated for a RITA award. She now spends her days in pajamas with her computer, strong coffee, and supernatural worlds. She believes in celebrating everything, and would never be caught without a bottle of Champagne chilling in the fridge…just in case. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her retired U.S. Coast Guard husband, her son, a rescue cat named Vegas, and her very own hellhounds, a King Shepherd named Hexe and a Belgian Malinois named Duvel.
Sounds great.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
It was so good! Had to read it in one sitting.
Delete