Makiia Lucier

In the aftermath of a devastating plague, a young lord is determined to discover the truth behind a mysterious attempt to assassinate the young queen. Three years ago, young Lord Cassia disappeared in the midst of war. Since then, a devastating illness has swept the land, leaving countless dead and a kingdom forever altered. Having survived war and plague, Cas, now eighteen, wants only to return to his home in the mountains and forget past horrors. But home is not what he remembers. His castle has become a refuge for the royal court. And they have brought their enemies with them. An assassin targets those closest to the queen, drawing Cas into a search for a killer. With the help of a historian-in-training named Lena, he soon realizes that who is behind the attacks is far less important than why. Cas and Lena must look to the past, following the trail of a terrible secret - one that could threaten the kingdom's newfound peace and plunge it back into war.

Year of the Reaper

The past never forgets . . . 'I love the magic Lucier weaves through this dark yet hopeful tale. I devoured it in one sitting!' Kristin Cashore, author of the New York Times bestselling Graceling Realm books Three years ago, Lord Cassia disappeared in the midst of war, on a mission entrusted to him by the king. Since then, a devastating plague has swept the land, leaving countless dead and the kingdom forever altered. Having survived a rotting prison cell and a merciless illness, Cas, now eighteen, wants only to return to his home in the mountains and forget past horrors. But home is not what he remembers. His castle has become a refuge for the royal court. And they have brought their enemies with them. When an assassin targets those closest to the queen, Cas is drawn into a search for a killer... one that leads him to form an unexpected bond with a brilliant young historian named Lena. Cas and Lena soon realize that who is behind the attacks is far less important than why. They must look to the past, following the trail of a terrible secret - one that could threaten the kingdom's newfound peace and plunge it back into war. 'A beautifully crafted novel containing everything I love in an epic fantasy: complex characters and relationships, excellent worldbuilding, and a compelling story full of twists and turns. The central characters, with their strengths and flaws, feel entirely real' Juliet Marillier, author of the Blackthorn & Grim and Warrior Bards series

aica

Sheryl

the conflict wasn't heavy nor complicated, but it was still interesting. i like the characters. the story was fun and it was a page-turner.

i just found this as an enjoyable read, tho i wished there were some things that could've been explained a bit more.

but overall, 3.5/5 🌟

Nina Verhaaff 

1.5
I didn’t dislike the book. I just didn’t understand what I was reading. Didn’t understand the plot .

Nessa Luna

3.5*

I was very intrigued by this book but honestly was left kind of disappointed. The characters were interesting and the writing was really great too, but it's the plot that didn't really do it for me. Maybe if the book had been longer and some things more worked out, maybe I would have enjoyed it a bit more then. Also I was very much missing a map while reading this. All those places and countries being mentioned and I just had no idea what to picture. Petition for all fantasy books to have maps, please. 

(view spoiler)[And also Cas being able to see ghosts was never explained and honestly I was really curious about that? I mean is it because he survived the plague? Or is it because of something else? I need answers! Are there more people in this world that can see ghosts? TELL ME (hide spoiler)]

Teeeeeesha

There was nothing warm about this book and yet it felt like a warm blanket. The transition of the scenes was fluid and the way it's written left nothing to be wanted. A calm adventure to divulge in.

I'm a bit conflicted with this book. I really enjoyed it but also didn't at the same time. The premise, characters, and fantasy world drew me in right away. I was also intrigued by the mystery plot that ran throughout. The part that I didn't love was the plot execution. So many plotlines were resolved or wrapped up extremely quickly. The final confrontation scene only lasted for a few pages. I expected it to be more fleshed out and dramatic. Many moments in this book quickly glossed over what was happening and moved on. Had the plots/scenes been more fleshed out, I would've rated this book higher. By the end, I wasn't completely satisfied, which is why I'm giving it 3.5 stars.

Brandyn

I really loved this book and it was an easy read however I didn’t really understand where the main characters powers came from so it left me a bit confused.

Andreea

I went in knowing nothing about this, and I was hooked right from the start. I thought Lucier did a great job crafting the world and the characters. Cas has been through such abuse and trauma, but he never let it break him. He was brave and didn't flinch from what needed to be done. He did have moments of weakness but let himself learn from them. I loved his relationship with Lena. They had such an ease about them and the way they bantered. I enjoyed how the romance between them was subtle and felt natural. The mystery aspect of who was behind the killings was engaging, and even though I guessed the twist, I was still satisfied by how it played out. I'm not going to say this was without flaws because I did think some phrases were overused, and certain things I wished were explained more regarding Cas and his abilities, but I still loved this. I was entertained the whole time and never wanted to put it down. It's one of those rare times where I almost wish this wasn't a standalone because I want more from these characters and this world, but I'll settle for picking up whatever Lucier comes out with next.

Heather Harrington

“I love the magic Lucier weaves through this dark yet hopeful tale. I devoured it in one sitting!” --Kristin Cashore, author of the New York Times bestselling Graceling Realm books "A beautifully crafted novel containing everything I love in an epic fantasy: complex characters and relationships, excellent world building, and a compelling story full of twists and turns." --Juliet Marillier, author of the Blackthorn & Grim and Warrior Bards series A rich and captivating YA standalone fantasy that's perfect for fans of Brigid Kemmerer, Rachel Hartman, and Naomi Novik, from the writer whose stories have been called “brilliant” (Booklist), “masterful” (Horn Book), and “breathtaking” (School Library Journal), comes a captivating new standalone fantasy. In the aftermath of a devastating plague, a young lord is determined to discover the truth behind a mysterious attempt to assassinate the young queen. Three years ago, young Lord Cassia disappeared in the midst of war. Since then, a devastating illness has swept the land, leaving countless dead and a kingdom forever altered. Having survived war and plague, Cas, now eighteen, wants only to return to his home in the mountains and forget past horrors. But home is not what he remembers. His castle has become a refuge for the royal court. And they have brought their enemies with them. An assassin targets those closest to the queen, drawing Cas into a search for a killer. With the help of a historian-in-training named Lena, he soon realizes that who is behind the attacks is far less important than why. Cas and Lena must look to the past, following the trail of a terrible secret—one that could threaten the kingdom’s newfound peace and plunge it back into war.

Liz Griffin

I love Lucier’s writing so much. It’s all I want from a classic young adult fantasy - compelling characters, incredible worldbuilding, and riveting stakes. The romance is kept to a minimum, which I find way more realistic and gets me to actually care for the characters involved.

For those concerned that this is a “plague novel”, the actual plague is more for backstory in the dynamics of the kingdom and for Cas, and isn’t really present in the day-to-day of the text.

Blayke 

𝑾𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒂 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆, 𝑪𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒂. 𝑱𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆. 𝑻𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏. 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒕.

𝟹.𝟻/𝟻

𝐸𝑁/𝐹𝑅

Year of the Reaper was surprisingly …nice?

Don’t get me wrong, the opposite premise was a total personal presumption as
(1) I don’t like Young Adult Fantasy anymore (2) It was Fairyloot’s pick for the December box, and I didn’t have the best experience with their selection so far.
Year of the Reaper is what I call a “good old Young Adult basis”. Bonus point because It’s a standalone.
We got correct Middle-Age worldbuilding and a good storyline inspired by this period; one based on the Black Plague and its consequence on a kingdom, war and peace only gained through marriage.

It all starts with Cassiapeus (man I hope I spell his name right and yes, one more for the “maybe the parents hated him” name contest), a young Lord who went missing three years ago in the enemy’s land. Imprisoned, tortured, and left dying, Cass barely escaped death and manages to come home. To come back with his demons and the ghosts, literally, I mean he can see them.

On the road, he meets Lena, a young and bold woman who tries to steal his horse.
And once at home, he discovered that his king has married her queen, Lena’s, to achieve peace among their kingdoms, sheltered in his family’s domain where he finally, finally, found his old brother waiting for him.
He also saves the royal child from imminent death and dives into a conspiracy kind of story.

I had a good time, truly! It was an easy and quick read, nothing too complicated if not a bit too simple at some times but I appreciated the background romance that doesn’t take the whole stage and Cass’s personality and point of view.
I may have liked maybe 100 pages more to explain the Plague and some dropped information but It’s okay.



------ 𝐹𝑅 ——

Year of the Reaper a été une lecture étonnement …agréable ? Ne vous méprenez pas, l’inverse était une présomption entièrement personnelle car (1) Je n’aime plus le Young Adult Fantasy (2) C’était le livre du mois pour la boxe Fairyloot de décembre et je n’ai pas eu la meilleure des expérience avec leur sélection pour le moment.
Year of the Reaper est ce que j’appelle un « bon vieux Young Adult basique ». Avec un point bonus car c’est un volume unique, pas de série en vue.
Nous avons un worldbuilding correct, inspiré du Moyen-Age et une bonne histoire tirée de cette période ; une histoire basée sur la Peste Noire et ses conséquences sur un royaume, la guerre et la paix uniquement acquise à travers le mariage.
Tout commence avec Cassiapeus (j’espère vraiment que j’écris son prénom correctement et oui, une nouvelle entrée pour le concours de prénoms « peut-être que ses parents le haïssaient), un jeune Lord qui a disparu il y a trois ans dans les terres ennemies. Emprisonné, torture et laissé pour mort, Cass a échappé à la mort d’un cheveu et a réussi à rentrer chez lui. A rentrer avec ses démons et les fantômes, littéralement je veux dire qu’il les voit.
Sur la route il rencontre Lena, une jeune et impétueuse jeune femme qui essaye de lui voler son cheval.
Et une fois à la maison, il découvre que son roi à épouser sa reine, celle de Lena, pour parvenir à la pays entre leurs royaumes, hébergés dans son domaine familial où il retrouve enfin, enfin, son grand frère qui l’attendait.
Il va aussi sauver l’enfant royal d’une mort imminente et plonger dans une sorte d’histoire de conspiration.
J’ai passé un bon moment, vraiment ! C’était une lecture facile et rapide, rien de trop compliqué si ce n’est trop simple par moment mais j’ai apprécié que la romance en arrière-plan ne prenne pas le devant de la scène ainsi que la personnalité et le point de vue de Cass.
J’aurai peut-être apprécié 100 pages de plus pour expliquer la Peste et quelques informations oubliés mais c’est bon.


Year of the Reaper

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