Review: Reaper a Novella by Rachel Vincent

On average how much thought do you give to the notion of a grim reaper? Reaping as an occupation is the intriguing but not all encompassing premise of this easy rolling read. In fact this novella's most attractive feature is that it allows you to see yourself and your family in the story while allowing for a little escapism.

I thoroughly enjoyed the quipping dialogue between the characters. My favorite bit is when the mom tells her youngest son despite her eminent departure for the night shift he is still grounded and not to leave the house under any circumstance. Of course she gets the time honored response of "What if the house is on fire?" The response is one I wish could have been mine: "Roast marshmallows. And if it floods, you'll go down with the ship. If there's a tornado, I'll meet both you and this house in Oz, after my shift. Got it?"

The sibling relationship is acutely portrayed in this novella as older brother Tod tells younger brother Nash, "I'm confiscating your hair dryer - you've fried your brain." His nearly two years of additional life experience finds him enlightened in areas of rebellion and relationships. Nash mounts arguments full of conviction attempting to convince Tod that his plan has merit but Tod's not buying; ""You're simple." I leaned back on the couch and crossed my arms over my chest, trying to figure out how to explain the problem so that even an impulsive, lovesick idiot twenty-two months my junior could understand.

"Fifteen is too young to drive, too young to get a legal job, too young to sign a lease, and obviously too young to pick a boyfriend with half a brain."

Nash's confidence crumbled and fell apart, exposing blind desperation and pain so intense I could hardly wrap my mind around them. And while I wanted to believe this was all drama and hormones, he obviously believed it was more than that."

This passage not only displays the strength of the writing and the depth of the relationships portrayed but a firm grasp of what is going on with teens today. There is a touch of sexual frustration, underage drinking, and a knowing of who you can count on when it comes right down to it. All things that happen every day to everyone laid out in a way that is accessible and entertaining.

Most stunning was a description of the car accident that is the pivot point of the story. You actually catch your breath as you read it and you can feel the seat belt tighten around you and hold you in place as the world crumbles around you. After the accident life and death decisions, unconditional love and guilt all become central topics that are obviously not going to be fully realized or resolved in the span of this book. While it is meant to be read by the teen set with its angst, hormonally charged interludes, and immortal bent the author is able to weave in bigger subject matter that even the mature reader can appreciate.

It speaks to positions of power that can be analogous to politicians, time marching on without us as we die, love so powerful that even death won't stand in its way, and the everyday presence you do or don't exert. I found it to be well rounded and enjoyable and I am hooked. I guess that's the intent since it was a free download for my Kindle, in that light I guess you can not only consider it to be a triumph of writing but also of advertising.