The Keeper of Night by Kylie Lee Baker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Ren Scarborough has never felt like she belonged. Even though she has been collecting souls from the London streets for over two centuries, she nevertheless feels like an outcast among the Reapers.
As half British Reaper, half Japanese Shinigami, Ren has been treated very poorly by the other Reapers with whom she frequently needs to associate.
Because of this, the only person she has ever felt really connected to is her half-brother, Neven.
When Ren has an altercation with some fellow Reapers who are bullying her, yet again, her Shinigami powers come through in a way she shouldn’t have let them. Now she needs to flee to save herself.
Against her better judgement, Neven insists on going with her. Sacrificing the life he has known for a very unknown future. A sacrifice he is more than willing to make.
Their destination: Japan, where Ren hopes she can learn more about her Mother and her Shinigami roots.
Arriving in Japan, Ren discovers she isn’t necessarily accepted there either! It’s so frustrating. She’s out of place no matter where she goes.
In order to try to gain acceptance at last, Ren takes on a difficult quest from the Goddess of Death. She must find and eliminate three extremely dangerous Yokai demons, each one more frightening than the last.
This novel is absolutely enchanting. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Rebecca Yeo, completely drew me into the story. I was transfixed.
I immediately felt attached to Ren and Neven. Even though Ren feels out of place due to her mixed-race, Neven also feels out of place due to his general personality. He just wasn’t cut out for death work. Both of them are outcasts and you can’t help but feel invested in and protective of them.
After their arrival in Japan, they meet a man named Hiro. He was also extremely intriguing. A bit mysterious, is a he a rogue, or is he a charmer?
I was on the fence about him, but loved having him along for the quest. It added an interesting dynamic amonst the group that would have been missing otherwise.
The quest was fast-paced, high-stakes and absolutely steeped in stunning imagery from Japanese folklore, which I generally love to read.
I definitely recommend this to anyone who may be a fan of series such as Shadow of the Fox or Death Note. Also, highly recommend the audiobook as a format ot take in this story. It’s really well done.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Dreamscape Media, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I had a great time reading this. It was deep, dark, haunting and heart-breaking; a stellar combination, if I do say so myself!