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The Reaper Series #1
Reaping Me Softly
Ever since a near-death-experience on the operating table, seventeen-year-old Arianne Wilson can see dead people. Just as she’s learned to accept her new-found talents, she discovers that the boy she’s had a crush on since freshman year, Niko Clark, is a Reaper.
At last they have something in common, but that doesn’t mean life is getting any easier. All while facing merciless bullying from the most powerful girl in school, Arianne’s world is turned upside down after Niko accidentally reaps the soul of someone she loves. This sends them both into a spiral that threatens to end Arianne’s life. But will Niko break his own Reaper’s code to save her? And what would the consequences be if he did?
At last they have something in common, but that doesn’t mean life is getting any easier. All while facing merciless bullying from the most powerful girl in school, Arianne’s world is turned upside down after Niko accidentally reaps the soul of someone she loves. This sends them both into a spiral that threatens to end Arianne’s life. But will Niko break his own Reaper’s code to save her? And what would the consequences be if he did?
209 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2012
About the author
Kate Evangelista
15 books882 followersKate Evangelista is a young adult writer, creative writing teacher, and a mother to six rambunctious cats. Born in the Philippines, she attended college in De La Salle University – Manila and holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Literature and a Master’s in Creative Writing. She got her start publishing with small presses like the now defunct Crescent Moon Press until she moved on to medium presses like Entangled Teen and eventually being selected as part of Swoon Reads’ third season of authors. Her debut novel, TASTE, even became an Amazon bestseller. Her latest novel, THE BOYFRIEND BRACKET (Swoon Reads, 2018), was well received by NPR and is now in the running for a movie adaptation with the A&E Network.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
April 6, 2013
Let's play a game...
To FACE-PALM or NOT TO FACE-PALM!
Girl swoonsexcessively sickeningly constantly over hot guy. She likes his hair and "What she wouldn't give to be a single strand among those locks." His presence affects her physically - increased heart rate and constant flushing of cheeks.
NB: love is possible unhealthy and may have flu-like side effects
Option: GAG FACE-PALM!
This swooning lass is bullied by a nasty girl at school. And you think this is because she don't like no girl eyeing up her man!! But no; she's not jealous of swooning girl swooning over the hot guy.
Nope. She's jealous because she's got a crush on the swooning girl!
What. The. Hell.
Option:WTH FACE-PALM!
Swooning girl has a best friend who is a guy. Described as having the 'guy next door' look (NB: what is this look? Do all guys who live next door look the same? Because my neighbours don't look alike :( )
And you start to waggle your eyebrows thinking: "I see what we have here."
But you're wrong.
Because they're platonic friends. Yes, really.
He's in love with her sick sister who hangs out in a hospital 24/7. Like something out of A Walk To Remember. Go Nicholas Sparks.
Option:ANTI CLIMATIC FACE-PALM!
Remember the lad our protagonist was swooning over?
Well he's not only hot. He's a REAPER! He collects souls! And can make stuff appear out of thin air! And owns a freaking motorbikehow hot is that?!!
Option:HALLELUJAH - it gets exciting!!
Hot Reaper Dude and Swooning Girl get together in Chemistry class (snicker snicker - get it? Chemistry?!). She finds out he ain't human! But she wants to guess what he is instead of him telling her, which is dumb.
Because she finally figures it outcoincidentally suspiciously weirdly at the exact moment her sister dies. And she freaks out and is all like, "How could you, you jerk, you're like Death aren't you and I don't know why I ever told you I liked you and I'm just gonna yell and scream at you until I feel better because that is extremely mature of me isn't it?!"
Option:WHY YOU SO STUPID FACE-PALM!
Then we have a section like this:
HRD (Hot Reaper Dude): "I LOVE HER AND I'M GONNA WATCH HER SLEEP."
Girl: *stares blankly at pigeons in park*
HRD: "I FEEL SO GUILTY WHY DIDN'T I LOOK AT WHO I WAS REAPING?!"
Girl: *falls asleep on park bench*
HRD: "SHE'S SO BEAUTIFUL EVEN WHEN HER HAIR IS LIKE A BIRD'S NEST MY HEART ACHES FROM IT!"
Girl: *sniffs back tears and returns to watching pigeons*
Option:Face hurts from face-palming. Will take a break and scream "WHY?!" instead.
Reaper Dude then saves Swooning Girl's life.
BAD IDEA DUDE.
YOU MESSED WITH THE SYSTEM BRO.
AND DEATH AIN'T A HAPPY CHAPPY.
At this point you are just about ready to kill someone yourself.
But you're saved that trouble. Someone gives their life up. Swooning Girl's all "I'll....TELL YOU WHAT I WANT WHAT I REALLY REALLY WANT!"
Death: So tell me what you want, what you really really want.
Girl: I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna really really really really hot Reaper Dude.
Death: If you want Reaper Dude - you gotta give me two things.
Girl: But if I give you those our relationship might end!
Death: If you want Reaper Dude - you have got to give.
Girl: Taking is too easy, but that's the way it is!
(Please forgive me for the Spice Girls reference. It's been a loooong day!)
And girl gets what she really really wants.
But there is a twist.
A stupid, stupid twist.
...
Go ahead. I know you want to.
FACE-PALM!
To FACE-PALM or NOT TO FACE-PALM!
Girl swoons
NB: love is possible unhealthy and may have flu-like side effects
Option: GAG FACE-PALM!
This swooning lass is bullied by a nasty girl at school. And you think this is because she don't like no girl eyeing up her man!! But no; she's not jealous of swooning girl swooning over the hot guy.
Nope. She's jealous because she's got a crush on the swooning girl!
What. The. Hell.
Option:WTH FACE-PALM!
Swooning girl has a best friend who is a guy. Described as having the 'guy next door' look (NB: what is this look? Do all guys who live next door look the same? Because my neighbours don't look alike :( )
And you start to waggle your eyebrows thinking: "I see what we have here."
But you're wrong.
Because they're platonic friends. Yes, really.
He's in love with her sick sister who hangs out in a hospital 24/7. Like something out of A Walk To Remember. Go Nicholas Sparks.
Option:ANTI CLIMATIC FACE-PALM!
Remember the lad our protagonist was swooning over?
Well he's not only hot. He's a REAPER! He collects souls! And can make stuff appear out of thin air! And owns a freaking motorbike
Option:HALLELUJAH - it gets exciting!!
Hot Reaper Dude and Swooning Girl get together in Chemistry class (snicker snicker - get it? Chemistry?!). She finds out he ain't human! But she wants to guess what he is instead of him telling her, which is dumb.
Because she finally figures it out
Option:WHY YOU SO STUPID FACE-PALM!
Then we have a section like this:
HRD (Hot Reaper Dude): "I LOVE HER AND I'M GONNA WATCH HER SLEEP."
Girl: *stares blankly at pigeons in park*
HRD: "I FEEL SO GUILTY WHY DIDN'T I LOOK AT WHO I WAS REAPING?!"
Girl: *falls asleep on park bench*
HRD: "SHE'S SO BEAUTIFUL EVEN WHEN HER HAIR IS LIKE A BIRD'S NEST MY HEART ACHES FROM IT!"
Girl: *sniffs back tears and returns to watching pigeons*
Option:Face hurts from face-palming. Will take a break and scream "WHY?!" instead.
Reaper Dude then saves Swooning Girl's life.
BAD IDEA DUDE.
YOU MESSED WITH THE SYSTEM BRO.
AND DEATH AIN'T A HAPPY CHAPPY.
At this point you are just about ready to kill someone yourself.
But you're saved that trouble. Someone gives their life up. Swooning Girl's all "I'll....TELL YOU WHAT I WANT WHAT I REALLY REALLY WANT!"
Death: So tell me what you want, what you really really want.
Girl: I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna really really really really hot Reaper Dude.
Death: If you want Reaper Dude - you gotta give me two things.
Girl: But if I give you those our relationship might end!
Death: If you want Reaper Dude - you have got to give.
Girl: Taking is too easy, but that's the way it is!
(Please forgive me for the Spice Girls reference. It's been a loooong day!)
And girl gets what she really really wants.
But there is a twist.
A stupid, stupid twist.
...
Go ahead. I know you want to.
FACE-PALM!
November 2, 2012
Review also posted at Ja čitam, a ti?
First I really must say that this cover looks amazing. I haven't even read the blurb before I started the book. I don't regret it at all. I've read Kate's book Taste and it was interesting. I liked her writing style and I really expected this book would be even better than Taste. I was right.
So here we follow the story of the girl named Arianne and her life. After her near death she discovers some strange things - she can see dead people. She is afraid to tell that to anybody and she has to find a way to get on with it. There is also a gay and he is that beautiful and at the same time mysterious type. He hangs out with a people Arianne cannot hang out with. Not just because he is too good to be true but some things from the past are still chasing Arianne. Until she discovers that Niko (that's his name btw) is also something special. But still after discovering everything there is one person who will not choose the way to get to her.
Even though this book was predictable at some parts, some other discoveries in the book froze my mind. Some things came out of nowhere and that really made this book so good. I like all the POVs in this book. There is few of them and every is different. You don't ready story told by Death itself everyday, do you?
All in all I really liked this book and I cannot wait to read the next one in this series. Now I hope that the second book will be little less predictable and therefore perfect.
First I really must say that this cover looks amazing. I haven't even read the blurb before I started the book. I don't regret it at all. I've read Kate's book Taste and it was interesting. I liked her writing style and I really expected this book would be even better than Taste. I was right.
So here we follow the story of the girl named Arianne and her life. After her near death she discovers some strange things - she can see dead people. She is afraid to tell that to anybody and she has to find a way to get on with it. There is also a gay and he is that beautiful and at the same time mysterious type. He hangs out with a people Arianne cannot hang out with. Not just because he is too good to be true but some things from the past are still chasing Arianne. Until she discovers that Niko (that's his name btw) is also something special. But still after discovering everything there is one person who will not choose the way to get to her.
Even though this book was predictable at some parts, some other discoveries in the book froze my mind. Some things came out of nowhere and that really made this book so good. I like all the POVs in this book. There is few of them and every is different. You don't ready story told by Death itself everyday, do you?
All in all I really liked this book and I cannot wait to read the next one in this series. Now I hope that the second book will be little less predictable and therefore perfect.
June 25, 2021
I might have enjoyed the book more if I had read it in 2012 when it was published but as for now it didn't work for me. It wasn't terrible but I didn't particularly like the characters or the plot. Was somewhat cringe in moments.
November 12, 2012
****I would like to thank the author and AToMR Tours for providing a copy, in exchange for an honest review! :)****
Reaping Me Softly was a very pleasant surprise. There is just no other way to describe how I feel after reading it. Ms. Evangelista did a fantastic job with developing the plot, the romance and especially the characters. I was engaged right from the first page and it remained that way until the ending. In fact, on more than one occasion, I was wishing the story would never end. Reaping Me Softly was a brilliant start to a new YA paranormal romance series and I am very much anticipating the next book in the series!
As most of you might know, I enjoy my books with balance. A little bit of everything, if you will. Reaping Me Softly fell a little short in that case. Where the plot didn’t disappoint, it was mainly focused on the romance for more than eighty percent of the story. I was very much looking forward to the action and mystery - but it just wasn’t there. However, what the book lacked in action, it more than made up for with the romance. The romance was sweet and what I really enjoyed about it was - it had a nice flow to it. It wasn’t rushed, which made it seem realistic despite having a paranormal aspect present. Both Niko and Ari had me cheering for them - and their relationship definitely did not disappoint. I can’t wait to see more of them in the next book.
Another aspect I found highly intriguing were the reapers. Ms. Evangelista took a very unique, yet familiar, idea and transformed it into something fun and exciting. I liked how the reapers could grow old and then be reborn, instead of the cliche of having them never die. They had normal lives, like any other person. They could make friends, have a family, and even tell them about who they are. They weren’t limited to anything - which I enjoyed very much.
As for the characters, they were very entertaining. I really liked Ari as a main character. She had a positive perspective on life and she can see souls - how kickass is that!? I admired Ari for the loyalty she had for her friends and family. She was always there for her sister, mom, dad, Ben (her best friend) and even Niko. Niko, on the other hand, was simply irresistible. He had a boyish charm about him which I found very cute. But, when it came to Ari, he was a lost soul - pun intended. He took care of her and she was his heart. Niko was a refreshing character, overall. Plus, I loved their relationship! They both were there for each other, no matter what they faced. They were willing to sacrifice themselves to save the other - which is romantic in any story!
There’s just one more person, I just can’t resist pointing out. And that is Ben, Ari’s best friend. I loved his supporting character and just fell in love with the love he has for Ari, but only as a friend. Thank heavens for small miracles..there was NO love triangle in this book. I really enjoyed his character and his relationship with Ari’s sister, Carrie. I can’t wait to see more of him.
Reaping Me Softly was a great start to a new series. With likeable characters and a heart warming romance, it will surely capture your attention. After that bitter-sweet ending, I am very anxious to get my hands on the next installment. A definite must read for all YA paranormal romance fans!
My Rating: 4 of 5 Hearts!!!
This is also posted at my blog: Literary Love Affair
November 1, 2012
Ari isn't your typical high school who's worried about prom and being the popular girl, she's a real girl with real problems. She has a best friend Ben who listens to everything she confesses to him even when it's about her long time crush Niko who doesn't know she exists. Ben happens to be in love with Ari's younger sister that is currently in the hospital because she's ill. A few years ago Ari had a kidney transplant for her sister Carrie, during the operation she thinks she died and came back because a few months later she started seeing dead people.
As if fate would have it Ari's lab partner in Chem is sent to the office pairing her up with her crush Niko for the experiment. She instantly turns into the shy girl who fumbles over herself; she ends up dripping a few drops of hydro-chloric acid on her skin. Niko jumps to the rescue even before she can register the pain he's already doing what needs to be done to make the pain go away. It isn't till he lets slip that he thinks she's exquisite that she starts to relax around him, however in the back of her mind looms that he's friends with Darla, the girl who's been bullying her for years. Ari is very perceptive and picks up right away that there is more to Niko then she first thought especially when she figures out he’s not human but that doesn’t bother her.
I received Reaping Me Softly as part of the Reaping Me Softly tour being hosted by AToMR Tours in return for a honest review. Kate Evangelista does it again with another amazing book. This is only the second reaper book I've ever read and I thought the one before this was awesome but Reaping Me Softly blew it out of the water. I was sucked in right from the start and didn't put it down several hours later when I finished the last page. Reaping Me Softly flows smoothly, it's a sweet love story between two different people who couldn't be more right for each other. I loved Ari as a character she's so easy to connect with and she's a perfect match for Niko as he is for her. They have such a beautiful romance, filled with love, trust, and even willing to go to the extreme of risking one’s life for the other. We get a unique insight into the reaper world, a little more story about Death and the reapers who work for him. He doesn't come off as I would had expected, it's more like a job and the reapers do what they have to do, and he cares about them as if they were his own children. I loved this book the cover is beautiful as is the story. I want more and I want it now.
As if fate would have it Ari's lab partner in Chem is sent to the office pairing her up with her crush Niko for the experiment. She instantly turns into the shy girl who fumbles over herself; she ends up dripping a few drops of hydro-chloric acid on her skin. Niko jumps to the rescue even before she can register the pain he's already doing what needs to be done to make the pain go away. It isn't till he lets slip that he thinks she's exquisite that she starts to relax around him, however in the back of her mind looms that he's friends with Darla, the girl who's been bullying her for years. Ari is very perceptive and picks up right away that there is more to Niko then she first thought especially when she figures out he’s not human but that doesn’t bother her.
I received Reaping Me Softly as part of the Reaping Me Softly tour being hosted by AToMR Tours in return for a honest review. Kate Evangelista does it again with another amazing book. This is only the second reaper book I've ever read and I thought the one before this was awesome but Reaping Me Softly blew it out of the water. I was sucked in right from the start and didn't put it down several hours later when I finished the last page. Reaping Me Softly flows smoothly, it's a sweet love story between two different people who couldn't be more right for each other. I loved Ari as a character she's so easy to connect with and she's a perfect match for Niko as he is for her. They have such a beautiful romance, filled with love, trust, and even willing to go to the extreme of risking one’s life for the other. We get a unique insight into the reaper world, a little more story about Death and the reapers who work for him. He doesn't come off as I would had expected, it's more like a job and the reapers do what they have to do, and he cares about them as if they were his own children. I loved this book the cover is beautiful as is the story. I want more and I want it now.
October 29, 2012
Reaping Me Softly was an engaging start to a planned trilogy.
Arianne has a lot going on in her life. Her sister Carrie is sick in the hospital, she has the full attention of Darla, the queen bee and ruling bully of the school, and Ari has a special ability to see the souls of those who’ve died. There is one bright spot in her life, Niko a classmate she’s had a crush on since freshman year finally takes notice of her after years of crushing on him.
Niko is a Reaper, one who is depressed and lost the desire to live. He sees no purpose or reason to his life after living lifetime after lifetime reaping souls. Why? What is the point? That is until Arianne catches his attention and saves him when he foolishly allows himself to fade.
Arianne is at a point in life, when you crush on a boy and it means the world to you. Her feelings felt very young, although not uncommon for someone her age. I should know, I’ve felt that all-consuming crush drown out the rest of my life before, while in school. What I did have to wonder at was Niko’s feelings. Why has Niko only just now noticed Ari after spending three years in the same school, and sharing classes with her? Now he’s suddenly entranced by her? The whole thing smacks of insta-love on his part. I will say that there was chemistry between these two, and a few swoony scenes as well.
Darla is the obligatory mean girl in this story, but for a reason that surprised me. I was happy there was a twist in the usual plot-line. I liked the unexpected. Arianne’s best friend, Ben, was an interesting secondary character, and I wished we would’ve seen him a little more fleshed out. Her sister Carrie was sweet and positive in spite of her condition, and I always love reading about close sister relationships, so it was a pleasure to read their interactions.
The Reaper aspect and world in this story ended up being more interesting that I expected, and I’m wondering how this will factor into the next couple of books.
All in all, I felt like Reaping Me Softly was a promising start to the series.
A big thanks to AToMR tours and Omnific Publishing for allowing me to read this.
You can find this review and more at The Readers Den.
December 10, 2012
See the full review at Short & Sweet Reviews.
There were several times while reading this book that I just flat out put it down and walked away from it, determined to add it to the DNF pile. For some reason, I kept going back to it, mostly because I just hate not knowing how things end. Well, now I do and I still am pretty unsatisfied.
I felt like the writing was stilted sometimes, and the dialogue often suffered from "but people don't really TALK like that" syndrome. There's also some insta-love, although it's on Niko's part -- Ari's crushed on him for years, but he never noticed her until now... and now, of course, he's madly in love with her. The tone of the story switched from being light-hearted when Ari is the focus, to being incredibly dark whenever it focuses on Niko, the Reapers, and Death. I would have gladly read a whole book that focused on Death and his Reapers and the whole society and traditions they have there; unfortunately, they were just a small sliver of this book.
But the biggest thing that almost had me walk away from the book is when an LGBT character was forcibly outed by another character. I don't want to say too much about the situation because it's a spoiler, but, look, I don't care what a person has or hasn't done, there is pretty much no reason in my mind to force someone to come out when they're not ready for it. It happens in real life, of course, but that doesn't mean that it's okay. Yes, this person is a bully, but that sort of retaliation still isn't cool. The outed character is written as someone who "deserved it" and no one really seems concerned with the consequences for that person being outed against their will. This is a plot point that I just was not okay with.
There were several times while reading this book that I just flat out put it down and walked away from it, determined to add it to the DNF pile. For some reason, I kept going back to it, mostly because I just hate not knowing how things end. Well, now I do and I still am pretty unsatisfied.
I felt like the writing was stilted sometimes, and the dialogue often suffered from "but people don't really TALK like that" syndrome. There's also some insta-love, although it's on Niko's part -- Ari's crushed on him for years, but he never noticed her until now... and now, of course, he's madly in love with her. The tone of the story switched from being light-hearted when Ari is the focus, to being incredibly dark whenever it focuses on Niko, the Reapers, and Death. I would have gladly read a whole book that focused on Death and his Reapers and the whole society and traditions they have there; unfortunately, they were just a small sliver of this book.
But the biggest thing that almost had me walk away from the book is when an LGBT character was forcibly outed by another character. I don't want to say too much about the situation because it's a spoiler, but, look, I don't care what a person has or hasn't done, there is pretty much no reason in my mind to force someone to come out when they're not ready for it. It happens in real life, of course, but that doesn't mean that it's okay. Yes, this person is a bully, but that sort of retaliation still isn't cool. The outed character is written as someone who "deserved it" and no one really seems concerned with the consequences for that person being outed against their will. This is a plot point that I just was not okay with.
November 7, 2012
***ARC received by publisher for review purposes***
I’ll admit that what first caught my attention to this book was the freaking gorgeous cover. This is one of the prettiest covers I have seen and it had a certain creep factor that reminded me a little of the opening credits of the Chriss Angel show, Mindfreak. And of course, the fact that it was about reapers pretty much had me sold and I knew this was a book I had to read.
Due to a near death experience, Ari can now see the ghost of dead people. When she finally gets the guts to confess to her best friend Ben, he actually takes it okay. He believes her because he knows Ari would never lie to her. When I saw that there was a guy best friend in the story, I mentally cringed. I’m a huge sucker for the guy best friend and I thought this was going to be another love triangle. Thankfully, Ari and Ben are just friends and they both like other people. Ari has been fascinated by Niko for a couple of years, even though it seems he doesn’t even know she exists. When circumstances allow Ari and Niko to become lab partners, Niko finally notices Ari. It wasn’t that Niko didn’t know about Ari before because he was conceited or self centered. Niko is a reaper, and he tends to get lost in normal day to day things. His job can be very draining and he becomes pretty much oblivious to everyone and everything else. But once he notices Ari, he knows she is different than other girls and he’s pretty much hooked. You would think that since Niko is a reaper and Ari can see dead people that they would make a good match. But when Niko’s reaper duties interfere with the life of someone dearly close to Ari, everything changes. Niko must decide if Ari is worth defying his duties and facing the wrath of Death himself.
I love books about reapers and the world that Kate Evangelista created in this book was great! I loved the idea of having a reaper “counsel” with a reaper representing each state and Death being the “president” and I hope we learn more about the reaper world in the next books. One aspect about this book that left me a little bit disappointed was Ari and Niko’s relationship. While I was expecting their relationship to be hot it was more…sweet. It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing but each interaction left me wanting more. With her ex-best friend against her and one of his fellow reapers as an enemy, Niko and Ari will have to fight against a lot of obstacles in order to be together, hopefully that will strengthen their relationship in future books.
Reaping Me Softly was a great start to what I’m sure will be a fantastic series and one that I definitely want to keep reading. Keep in mind that this does have one doozy of a cliffhanger that will keep you wanting more.
3.5 out of 5 stars!
Some of my favorite non-spoiler quotes from Reaping Me Softly:
-Not many thought of him as breathtaking. Well, not many lived long enough to see his true face; one surrounded by golden locks that reached his chin. If they did, maybe they’d die smiling.
"You coming to school all rosy-cheeked and oozing with health can only mean you did something with those souls. Did you..." She swallowed. "Eat them?"
Pearls of laughter burst out of Niko. If he'd been drinking he'd have spewed water all over Arianne.
-“Would it go to your head if I said you look really hot all brooding and dark?”
Like a fridge magnet, his gaze snapped onto hers. “Definitely.”
-"In all my lives, I don't ever remember being this happy."
***
Read more of my reviews at:
www.MostlyYABookObsessed.com
January 9, 2013
(Thank you Kate for the awesome paperback copy! *hugs* Just look at that awesome cover!)
Ever since I finished reading Kate’s first published novel, Taste, I immediately became a big fan of hers and was very much looking forward to more works from her. So when I found out that she has a trilogy, I was thrilled. Very, very thrilled. And I was lucky enough to get a paperback copy from her. I’ve always loved the idea of Grim Reapers so when I found out that this is the concept of her book, it only made me more excited to read it.
Ari can see dead people. Well, actually their souls, after a near-death-experience, and her life isn’t getting easier with her beloved sister being confined in a hospital, plus the persistent bullying of the school’s Queen Bee, Darla. The only thing that can get her through the day is seeing her longtime crush, Niko, who doesn’t even know she existed until they became partners in Chemistry class. And that’s where the real story begins.
I really enjoyed reading this book, and it was a fun and light read that I easily finished it. I loved how Kate weaved a unique concept about reapers where they are actually just “underlings” of Death himself, and how they can grow old, make friends, have a family and also die. The idea of having a reaper council and having one assigned in every state was also one aspect that made the book more interesting. The characters are very likeable. Ari is a good protagonist, and I especially love her best friend, Ben, and her sister Carrie. And Niko is… well, what’s not to like?
I have to admit that I expected this book to have some action, but it mainly focused on romance. I love a good romance whenever I read a novel and I have to say that Reaping me Slowly passed with flying colors in that aspect. Although it would be more awesome if some action were added to it.
All in all, I definitely recommend Reaping me Slowly, especially those who loves romance. The ending was such a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to read the next book!
I give this book 4.5 reaping whales.
Ever since I finished reading Kate’s first published novel, Taste, I immediately became a big fan of hers and was very much looking forward to more works from her. So when I found out that she has a trilogy, I was thrilled. Very, very thrilled. And I was lucky enough to get a paperback copy from her. I’ve always loved the idea of Grim Reapers so when I found out that this is the concept of her book, it only made me more excited to read it.
Ari can see dead people. Well, actually their souls, after a near-death-experience, and her life isn’t getting easier with her beloved sister being confined in a hospital, plus the persistent bullying of the school’s Queen Bee, Darla. The only thing that can get her through the day is seeing her longtime crush, Niko, who doesn’t even know she existed until they became partners in Chemistry class. And that’s where the real story begins.
I really enjoyed reading this book, and it was a fun and light read that I easily finished it. I loved how Kate weaved a unique concept about reapers where they are actually just “underlings” of Death himself, and how they can grow old, make friends, have a family and also die. The idea of having a reaper council and having one assigned in every state was also one aspect that made the book more interesting. The characters are very likeable. Ari is a good protagonist, and I especially love her best friend, Ben, and her sister Carrie. And Niko is… well, what’s not to like?
I have to admit that I expected this book to have some action, but it mainly focused on romance. I love a good romance whenever I read a novel and I have to say that Reaping me Slowly passed with flying colors in that aspect. Although it would be more awesome if some action were added to it.
All in all, I definitely recommend Reaping me Slowly, especially those who loves romance. The ending was such a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to read the next book!
I give this book 4.5 reaping whales.
November 2, 2012
Before getting into my review I’d like to take a little time to admire the cover for this book. It’s absolutely stunning, and one of the main reasons I decided to give this book a try. Beauty isn’t all it has going for it though, it’s actually pretty significant to the story. In fact I actually found myself looking back at the cover while reading and thinking, I totally get it now! Interested in knowing what I’m talking about, well you’ll just have to read to find out! (I tease, I know)
Now on to the story! The summary was yet another reason I chose to read this book. I don’t read summaries often, but with a cover like that, I simply had to know what the book could possibly be about. In general we’ve got a story about a girl that can see souls, and a guy that reaps them. Sounds a bit different and whole lot of interesting to me!
The story is fueled mainly by the romance between the two characters. A chance meeting brings them together and, like in most stories, a horrible tragedy tries to tear them apart. This brought on a true rollercoaster ride of emotions for me. There’s that cute cuddly happy feeling you get when their falling in love, then that overwhelming sense of sadness and shock when you get to the end. Yes the ending is pretty crazy. Gotta love those cliffhangers!
All in all, we’ve got a cute romance, an entirely unique story, and a plethora of shocking moments sprinkled into the pages. This mix will keep you reading. In fact, I read it so fast I actually finished it in a day! That’s saying something!
Reaping Me Softly gets a four star rating from me. Can’t wait for part two!
Now on to the story! The summary was yet another reason I chose to read this book. I don’t read summaries often, but with a cover like that, I simply had to know what the book could possibly be about. In general we’ve got a story about a girl that can see souls, and a guy that reaps them. Sounds a bit different and whole lot of interesting to me!
The story is fueled mainly by the romance between the two characters. A chance meeting brings them together and, like in most stories, a horrible tragedy tries to tear them apart. This brought on a true rollercoaster ride of emotions for me. There’s that cute cuddly happy feeling you get when their falling in love, then that overwhelming sense of sadness and shock when you get to the end. Yes the ending is pretty crazy. Gotta love those cliffhangers!
All in all, we’ve got a cute romance, an entirely unique story, and a plethora of shocking moments sprinkled into the pages. This mix will keep you reading. In fact, I read it so fast I actually finished it in a day! That’s saying something!
Reaping Me Softly gets a four star rating from me. Can’t wait for part two!
June 25, 2013
Reaping Me Softly was a great start to a promising new YA series. Niko has been a reaper for lifetimes upon lifetimes, but he has found himself questioning his existence, until he meets Arianne. Soon Arianna discovers than Niko is anything but human, and from there, their romance, adventure, and journey begins. The relationship between Niko and Arianne was incredibly sweet, and being able to read through both of their POVs allows you to connect with them better as a couple. My one concern with the book was how ridiculously accepting Arianne is when she finds out about Niko's true identity. I understand that over-dramatic heroines can be annoying, but I just found it really unrealistic for Arianne to be completely unconcerned with the fact that Niko is a reaper! With all that being said, I will point out that Niko had no trouble in making me swoon with some of his incredible lines.
Overall I'm really glad I read this book- it was a really great first installment for what I hope to be an even greater trilogy! Reaping Me Softly is a quick, fun, emotional, and swoon-packed YA read for anyone looking for a good paranormal romance!
Overall I'm really glad I read this book- it was a really great first installment for what I hope to be an even greater trilogy! Reaping Me Softly is a quick, fun, emotional, and swoon-packed YA read for anyone looking for a good paranormal romance!
October 28, 2013
*A copy was given to me by the author for an honest review*
3,5 stars
I like this book and enjoyed reading it, but at the end it feels like everyone is dead.
About the story, Ari is obsessed with Niko since she set eyes on him but he didn't notice her until they had to be partners in class. She's a little clumsy and nervous around him but it changes after that (thank god!). They were good together and it saddens me to think that (let's hope it's not forever).
I found the idea of the 'Reapers' really original for a paranormal book. Reaping me softly is the second book I read of this author and while I prefer Taste, it's a really enjoyable discovery and I am waiting for Unreap my heart, but where does Niko stands in all this?
Happy reading :)
3,5 stars
I like this book and enjoyed reading it, but at the end it feels like everyone is dead.
About the story, Ari is obsessed with Niko since she set eyes on him but he didn't notice her until they had to be partners in class. She's a little clumsy and nervous around him but it changes after that (thank god!). They were good together and it saddens me to think that (let's hope it's not forever).
I found the idea of the 'Reapers' really original for a paranormal book. Reaping me softly is the second book I read of this author and while I prefer Taste, it's a really enjoyable discovery and I am waiting for Unreap my heart, but where does Niko stands in all this?
Happy reading :)
September 4, 2012
This is a great, fun YA about Nico, the Reaper of Georgia...you see, Death is a busy guy and needs a little help, so creates Reapers for each state in the US. The scenes with Death, overwhelmed with paperwork yet still seething with supernatural power, are a super fun world-building undercurrent.
Nico has existed for centuries, and we meet him in his current incarnation as a 17 year old high schooler/Reaper. Heroine Arianne has crushed on him since freshman year, but she's been distracted by her ill sister...and the dead people she can see ever since she nearly died on the operating table giving her sister a kidney.
This is the first in a series, and without spoiling anything, I will say that the end is satisfying yet makes you want the next book like Right. Now. :)
Nico has existed for centuries, and we meet him in his current incarnation as a 17 year old high schooler/Reaper. Heroine Arianne has crushed on him since freshman year, but she's been distracted by her ill sister...and the dead people she can see ever since she nearly died on the operating table giving her sister a kidney.
This is the first in a series, and without spoiling anything, I will say that the end is satisfying yet makes you want the next book like Right. Now. :)
April 14, 2020
Perfectly rendered flawed characters, tantalizing prose, and one compelling magical world. Are you intrigued yet?
Reaping Me Softly is yet another of my recent "catch up on your backlist" novels. These poor ebooks have rested in my Kindle library far too long (some since 2011!) I must admit, my tastes and expectations have changed quite a bit in the last decade, but good literature is still good literature. And I was absolutely unprepared for how good Reaping Me Softly is.
Written in the heyday of YA Para-Romance, this could easily sink beneath the pile of "by the trope" novels. Instead we have an author with talent to equal Laini Taylor or Sara J. Maas. Not only does Kate Evangelista gift us with a strong heroine and a complex hero, but she dares to deal with several morally gray issues. There are no set heroes and villains here. Supernatural or human, these are presented as people facing equally ordinary and extraordinary circumstances.
Highlights for me included main characters I could not only root for but fell in love with, the wonderful appearance of David Bowie. Okay at least the character was in my head ;) I'll leave it to you to puzzle out who I mean. And while I could go on, I'd rather you pick up a copy of this fantastic novel and fall in love yourself.
Reaping Me Softly is yet another of my recent "catch up on your backlist" novels. These poor ebooks have rested in my Kindle library far too long (some since 2011!) I must admit, my tastes and expectations have changed quite a bit in the last decade, but good literature is still good literature. And I was absolutely unprepared for how good Reaping Me Softly is.
Written in the heyday of YA Para-Romance, this could easily sink beneath the pile of "by the trope" novels. Instead we have an author with talent to equal Laini Taylor or Sara J. Maas. Not only does Kate Evangelista gift us with a strong heroine and a complex hero, but she dares to deal with several morally gray issues. There are no set heroes and villains here. Supernatural or human, these are presented as people facing equally ordinary and extraordinary circumstances.
Highlights for me included main characters I could not only root for but fell in love with, the wonderful appearance of David Bowie. Okay at least the character was in my head ;) I'll leave it to you to puzzle out who I mean. And while I could go on, I'd rather you pick up a copy of this fantastic novel and fall in love yourself.
January 30, 2016
I want to start off this review with my thoughts on the cover. I love this cover. I fell in love with the cover. I know you are not supposed to judge the book by its cover, but I wanted to read this book before I read the blurb because of the cover. It is so soft, beautiful, and magical, I had to have it.
I got it, I read it, I loved it! An Amazing story of love, sacrifice, loyalty, friendship, and the line that lies between good and evil where something exists that is only what it is. There are lots of awesome character and very witty and emotional writing. All the ingredients needed for a great read.
Niko is a reaper who lives many lifetimes… he seems to start as a teenager and grows to an old man than does it again, all the while enforcing death certificates that his master (death) gives him. Arianne (love the name) is a high school girl that has had a crush on the school superstar (Niko) since he arrived at her school freshman year. Arianne has a best friend Ben, a loving and very close sister Carrie, and Darla, a very evil enemy at a school. Oh and she can see souls after the body dies. Niko and Arianne and are brought together, fall for each, and everything goes downhill from there.
So wonderful! I loved it from the first page to the last page. It is a fast paced, capturing, one sitting read. I was a little upset at the end… it kind of left me going “I need the next book like now” I love that feeling but only when the next book is available. The story was filled with love, a little mystery and intrigue, some action, sexy men, good friendship, lots of funny lines, sadness, death, sacrifice, it pretty much had it all, including things I didn’t see coming.
The writing was very entertaining. Kate has a way of making everything intense but also at the same time fun. I found myself snickering and giggling throughout the book. I was taken away by this book and found myself completely thrown into the book. The story did have some cliché things, like unpopular girl and the school hotty, insta-love, mystery surrounding the boy, a high school bully, and some family drama… but I didn’t care. The plot itself was refreshing and different for me and the writing so wonderful; I didn’t really notice the clichés. I have only read one reaper book and it was completely different. So I was happily entertained in my own little world.
The characters were all just crazy great. I loved the good and hated the bad and pretty enjoyed everyone in between.
Niko is just swoon worthy. Handsome, caring, loyal, witty, and clueless about humans while trying to fit in. His love for Arianne was pretty instantaneous and intense but it was his first love in all his many lifetimes. He was drawn in by it and amazed by it. Arianne is a very likeable character. She has her teeny girl moments where she becomes the whiny get over it girl, but for the most part she has a good head on her shoulders and seems to be pretty mature. She is going through a lot a home and meeting Niko seems to bring her a little joy during a very hard time. She learns he is not human and handles it pretty well and decides to figure out what he is on her own. She loves the research. Her love for Niko comes a little bit slower but still pretty fast and intense. Insta-love in YA does not bother me. They are teenagers and I feel the intensity is a little more realistic. What does bother me is love triangles and yay no triangle!
The secondary characters in this book are great too. Tomas the reaper is a loving mentor. Travis, another reaper, is just hilarious and from Texas…which is just hot. Love me some Texas Boys! Death is mysterious and dark but still seems to be personable. Darla is just plain nuts and mean girl doesn’t seem to do her justice. Ben is the loyal, understanding best friend. Carrie is the sister that everyone dreams of having. Janika, the not so nice reaper, is just plain evil and sadistic. A well rounded cast!
I loved it; my only complaint is that it was a little too short. I would have liked a little more. It didn’t feel like anything was missing or lacking. It was all there but I just wanted more. So… I will be getting the next book when available and be sad until it is.
September 12, 2012
I would like to thank Kate Evangelista for giving me a copy of Reaping Me Softly in exchange for an honest review.
I had seen Kate’s requests for reviewers on YA/NA fanatics and while this book sounded interesting I had read a few books like this before (the most recent being The Reapers Novice and the one that stood out the most being Croak), and I’m not a big fan of insta-love so considering these things I decided not to request a copy of Reaping Me Softly. But, thanks to a happy accident Kate sent me a copy anyway. And gosh how FATE must have been smiling on me! :)
I was mistaken to make my snap assumptions about Reaping Me Softly. Reaping Me Softly was nothing like Croak or other Reaper novels, like I’d presumed. Rather than writing from the point of view of the Reaper, Niko, the main focus was on his ‘ANGEL’ Arianne Wilson, the human who saves his life. Arianne is a seventeen-year-old girl who has had a crush on the beautiful and popular Niko Clark forever! But he’s never even noticed her. Niko is a Reaper, who has to blend in with society, but finds himself depressed with his life. He has lived many lives and all are the same, so why continue, he may as well give up and fade away. He comes to this decision while sitting on a bench outside the hospital, the hospital where Arianne’s sister Carrie (suffering from kidney failure) is. Arianne, after visiting Carrie, finds Niko and saves his life. Finally Niko notices Arianne and suddenly has found a reason to live.
While this story may be a little insta-lovey at the beginning, it did have its reasoning, so I could gloss over that. My main annoyance with the beginning of this story was Ben! Ben is Arianne’s best friend and while I understand the bond between life-long friends, I still didn’t get how Ari’s confession to seeing naked ghosts of dead people was so easily accepted! To be honest all her confessions to Ben seemed unbelievable.
Niko and Ari were great characters, and Kate had put a lot of thought into the development of their relationship and their characters. I loved the obstacles they had to overcome and how Ari wanted to figure out what Niko was without him telling her. But I wish there had been a little bit more development in some of the other characters, such as Darla, or Janika. I think that is just me though, as I wanted to understand a bit more about who they were, and why they acted the way they did.
Overall, I really liked Reaping Me Softly, yes it had its niggling flaws but it was a promising start to a series and as my expectations where blown out of the water I couldn’t help but give it 4*s.
As my second Kate Evangelista book I will from now on not underestimate her ability to find new and interesting twists on paranormal stories! And I will be reading the rest of this series :)
I had seen Kate’s requests for reviewers on YA/NA fanatics and while this book sounded interesting I had read a few books like this before (the most recent being The Reapers Novice and the one that stood out the most being Croak), and I’m not a big fan of insta-love so considering these things I decided not to request a copy of Reaping Me Softly. But, thanks to a happy accident Kate sent me a copy anyway. And gosh how FATE must have been smiling on me! :)
I was mistaken to make my snap assumptions about Reaping Me Softly. Reaping Me Softly was nothing like Croak or other Reaper novels, like I’d presumed. Rather than writing from the point of view of the Reaper, Niko, the main focus was on his ‘ANGEL’ Arianne Wilson, the human who saves his life. Arianne is a seventeen-year-old girl who has had a crush on the beautiful and popular Niko Clark forever! But he’s never even noticed her. Niko is a Reaper, who has to blend in with society, but finds himself depressed with his life. He has lived many lives and all are the same, so why continue, he may as well give up and fade away. He comes to this decision while sitting on a bench outside the hospital, the hospital where Arianne’s sister Carrie (suffering from kidney failure) is. Arianne, after visiting Carrie, finds Niko and saves his life. Finally Niko notices Arianne and suddenly has found a reason to live.
While this story may be a little insta-lovey at the beginning, it did have its reasoning, so I could gloss over that. My main annoyance with the beginning of this story was Ben! Ben is Arianne’s best friend and while I understand the bond between life-long friends, I still didn’t get how Ari’s confession to seeing naked ghosts of dead people was so easily accepted! To be honest all her confessions to Ben seemed unbelievable.
Niko and Ari were great characters, and Kate had put a lot of thought into the development of their relationship and their characters. I loved the obstacles they had to overcome and how Ari wanted to figure out what Niko was without him telling her. But I wish there had been a little bit more development in some of the other characters, such as Darla, or Janika. I think that is just me though, as I wanted to understand a bit more about who they were, and why they acted the way they did.
Overall, I really liked Reaping Me Softly, yes it had its niggling flaws but it was a promising start to a series and as my expectations where blown out of the water I couldn’t help but give it 4*s.
As my second Kate Evangelista book I will from now on not underestimate her ability to find new and interesting twists on paranormal stories! And I will be reading the rest of this series :)
November 6, 2012
3.5/5 SWEET SIZZLING STARS!
"To live is to choose.
But to choose well,
you must know who you are
and what you stand for,
where you want to go and
why you want to get there."
- Kofi Annan
Prepare to become lost in a sweet story of love, death, sacrifice and most of all - living for a reason!
Love!
Reaping Me Softly is a sweet, gentle love story between two likable characters. Arianne and Niko are inherently caring characters that provoked my instant appreciation. While their love connection was a bit too instant for my taste, I adored the overarching chemistry between the two.
Darla was a character that at first seems a stereotypical hateful girl. As the story progresses, Darla progresses. I find her nasty attitude reason - unrequited love - helped give her depth. She was not a good person and her bulling to Arianne and other characters are unredeemable but I do understand the predicament that lead to her cruelty.
Death!
My favorite character of this book is indeed Death. I was throughly delighted how Death was not the evil and terrorizing monster I usually envision for Death. Instead Death was the merciful Death. A being of compassion, confidence and respect. A true leader. I feel sorry for Death too because, as you find out through the story, he never really lived.
As a person unused to the world of reapers, I am thankful for the splendid world-building in this story. I liked the meetings and interactions between the reapers in this story. Especially the fights between the villainous Janika and Niko and the private meeting between lead reapers Travis and Tomas, and Death. The friendship of respect between Travis, Tomas and Death was evident through their delightful banter.
Sacrifice!
A certain character in this book commits a sacrifice that was brilliantly written in this book. I re-read that scene many times and feel heartbrokenness each time. It is a sacrifice to be remembered.
Living for a reason!
Most of all, this book is about the motif of the above Kofi Annan quote that Arianne says to Niko in the book. Its a book about living for a reason and struggling to find a place in the world. The book's message in my mind is 'Do not live with hatred and loneliness, live with love.'
Originally posted at Unforgettable Books
"To live is to choose.
But to choose well,
you must know who you are
and what you stand for,
where you want to go and
why you want to get there."
- Kofi Annan
Prepare to become lost in a sweet story of love, death, sacrifice and most of all - living for a reason!
Love!
Reaping Me Softly is a sweet, gentle love story between two likable characters. Arianne and Niko are inherently caring characters that provoked my instant appreciation. While their love connection was a bit too instant for my taste, I adored the overarching chemistry between the two.
Darla was a character that at first seems a stereotypical hateful girl. As the story progresses, Darla progresses. I find her nasty attitude reason - unrequited love - helped give her depth. She was not a good person and her bulling to Arianne and other characters are unredeemable but I do understand the predicament that lead to her cruelty.
Death!
My favorite character of this book is indeed Death. I was throughly delighted how Death was not the evil and terrorizing monster I usually envision for Death. Instead Death was the merciful Death. A being of compassion, confidence and respect. A true leader. I feel sorry for Death too because, as you find out through the story, he never really lived.
As a person unused to the world of reapers, I am thankful for the splendid world-building in this story. I liked the meetings and interactions between the reapers in this story. Especially the fights between the villainous Janika and Niko and the private meeting between lead reapers Travis and Tomas, and Death. The friendship of respect between Travis, Tomas and Death was evident through their delightful banter.
Sacrifice!
A certain character in this book commits a sacrifice that was brilliantly written in this book. I re-read that scene many times and feel heartbrokenness each time. It is a sacrifice to be remembered.
Living for a reason!
Most of all, this book is about the motif of the above Kofi Annan quote that Arianne says to Niko in the book. Its a book about living for a reason and struggling to find a place in the world. The book's message in my mind is 'Do not live with hatred and loneliness, live with love.'
Originally posted at Unforgettable Books
November 20, 2012
The story is told through the perspectives of various characters. While it rounds out the plot, some of the changes felt abrupt, as I went from Death thinking about something to Arianne telling her best friend Ben that she sees dead people to Niko and his Reaper life. Things improved once the characters were all introduced and I got into the heart of the story, but it still felt as though I missed out on so much of the characters' lives because we're jumping around so much. At the same time, however, I do appreciate getting to know the different characters. If the story were told merely through Arianne's perspective, I doubt I'd get to see as much of Death the desk worker as I did, and I wouldn't have gotten to know Niko half as well.
The side characters held their own as well. Ben is a delight with the way he calmly takes things in stride and supports Arianne, listening to her worries and telling her what she really needs to hear. Her sister Carrie is wonderful as well. The best way that I can describe her is that she has personality.
For example:
“I talked to Niko Clark today,” Arianne blurted out, unable to take the hint of desolation hiding in the corner of Carrie’s neutral expression.
“Way to bury the lead, sis!” By the power of the sun’s rays, the fairy princess had been revived. “How did that miracle happen? And please don’t tell me you babbled.”
Awesome sister, no? I absolutely adore Carrie. She's totally worth dying and coming back for.
And let's not forget the fact that Niko is a Reaper... the Reaper of Georgia. It doesn't sound very cool, does it? But it does fall along the coolness measure with Death being a major, overworked deskworker. To make up for it, Niko has some neat abilities. I don't want to go into spoilers, but say that you're the girl he likes and you're feeling down. He can cheer you up by taking you to the In Between (and kissing you). Plus, he's hot. That's always a bonus!
Loving a Reaper has its attractions, but there are major consequences for breaking the rules. Arianne and Niko both make great sacrifice to be together and find happiness, and the ending to Reaping Me Softly has me wanting to read the next book Unreap My Heart to see how it all goes!
--
For more of my reviews, visit my blog Imaginary Reads.
The side characters held their own as well. Ben is a delight with the way he calmly takes things in stride and supports Arianne, listening to her worries and telling her what she really needs to hear. Her sister Carrie is wonderful as well. The best way that I can describe her is that she has personality.
For example:
“I talked to Niko Clark today,” Arianne blurted out, unable to take the hint of desolation hiding in the corner of Carrie’s neutral expression.
“Way to bury the lead, sis!” By the power of the sun’s rays, the fairy princess had been revived. “How did that miracle happen? And please don’t tell me you babbled.”
Awesome sister, no? I absolutely adore Carrie. She's totally worth dying and coming back for.
And let's not forget the fact that Niko is a Reaper... the Reaper of Georgia. It doesn't sound very cool, does it? But it does fall along the coolness measure with Death being a major, overworked deskworker. To make up for it, Niko has some neat abilities. I don't want to go into spoilers, but say that you're the girl he likes and you're feeling down. He can cheer you up by taking you to the In Between (and kissing you). Plus, he's hot. That's always a bonus!
Loving a Reaper has its attractions, but there are major consequences for breaking the rules. Arianne and Niko both make great sacrifice to be together and find happiness, and the ending to Reaping Me Softly has me wanting to read the next book Unreap My Heart to see how it all goes!
--
For more of my reviews, visit my blog Imaginary Reads.
October 14, 2013
I got this book from the author, free of cost, in exchange of an honest review from my side.
Firstly I would like to thank Kate Evangelista, author of Reaping Me Softly, for giving me this opportunity of reading and reviewing this fabulous book.
Ah! What a great pleasure. I loved this book and the cute and sweet essence of it. The concept of this book is awesome and refreshing and the blurb totally sucked me in and I signed up for reviewing this book. Thanks to my better judgement that I picked up this book and let me tell you that this book didn't disappoint me at all.
The idea of a romantic relationship between a reaper and a human is totally unique and it will pick up the interest of the readers as well for sure. Here the author thankfully didn't make the hero who is a reaper, a boogieman rather he is just like any other ordinary teenage boy who has family, friends and lives among humans!
The writing of the author is really remarkable and it made the romance a pleasurable read and added different colors to the plot and the characters as well. Her use of simple yet skilled words is a clever tactic of grabbing the interest of readers of all ages.
Ari is great, she has a kind heart and she sees souls of death people, well I find that interesting rather than spooky and we have her romantic interest Niko who is a reaper and is to-die-for handsome with boyish charm and cute features, yum...
I just had one complaint and I had to cut a star there. The complaint is that the story is awesome and is executed very well with developed characters and strong side characters who supported the story well, the plot is well planned out and the characters fit in it perfectly but overall this story is just a romance story and the author emphasized more on the romance part and the other essential elements got somewhat ignored like action, adventure, mystery all these vital points are somewhat missing which dimmed the excellence of this story a little. Have the author added these important elements in the story then the story would have got spiced up leading the awesomeness a notch higher.
All in all a gripping read and it will obviously bring a small smile on your face when you'll experience the cute and sweet romantic moments between the main characters.
Firstly I would like to thank Kate Evangelista, author of Reaping Me Softly, for giving me this opportunity of reading and reviewing this fabulous book.
Ah! What a great pleasure. I loved this book and the cute and sweet essence of it. The concept of this book is awesome and refreshing and the blurb totally sucked me in and I signed up for reviewing this book. Thanks to my better judgement that I picked up this book and let me tell you that this book didn't disappoint me at all.
The idea of a romantic relationship between a reaper and a human is totally unique and it will pick up the interest of the readers as well for sure. Here the author thankfully didn't make the hero who is a reaper, a boogieman rather he is just like any other ordinary teenage boy who has family, friends and lives among humans!
The writing of the author is really remarkable and it made the romance a pleasurable read and added different colors to the plot and the characters as well. Her use of simple yet skilled words is a clever tactic of grabbing the interest of readers of all ages.
Ari is great, she has a kind heart and she sees souls of death people, well I find that interesting rather than spooky and we have her romantic interest Niko who is a reaper and is to-die-for handsome with boyish charm and cute features, yum...
I just had one complaint and I had to cut a star there. The complaint is that the story is awesome and is executed very well with developed characters and strong side characters who supported the story well, the plot is well planned out and the characters fit in it perfectly but overall this story is just a romance story and the author emphasized more on the romance part and the other essential elements got somewhat ignored like action, adventure, mystery all these vital points are somewhat missing which dimmed the excellence of this story a little. Have the author added these important elements in the story then the story would have got spiced up leading the awesomeness a notch higher.
All in all a gripping read and it will obviously bring a small smile on your face when you'll experience the cute and sweet romantic moments between the main characters.
November 7, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from the beginning till the end. Kate Evangelista created a wonderful story about a girl and a boy who seem to have been drawn together only to be tested time and time again. Through so much sadness their love will prevail.
We meet Arianne who seems to be an outcast in school all because of one bully. She secretly watches Niko and wishes he would feel the same about her; she also has a best friend who anyone would be lucky to have. Ben seems like the most perfect guy, I don’t think he could really do anything wrong because he believes everything that comes out of Arianne’s mouth even the fact that she sees dead people. Ben is also in love with Carrie who is Arianne’s sister, but is also in the hospital very ill. They have their own sweet story throughout the book.
So one day in Chemistry (there must be something in Chemistry a lot of books bend towards that class for budding romances, I like the play on it, showing chemistry and them having chemistry) Niko has to sit with Arianne as partners and this is where their budding romance develops. He notices her for the first time and from there they just continue to grow their relationship. He shows her things that she’s never seen before and eventually tells her he is a reaper.
Being a reaper is not like being Death himself, you are underneath him and just follow his orders, sometimes his orders are not easy to do especially when you become involved with humans and this turns out to be true for Niko when a certificate has been put out on Adrianne. He defies Death and in turn is now being tortured. There’s only one way to save him but there are consequences but Arianne is ready to make those sacrifices.
I was so happy to find out this book was going to be a series when I read that ending, I just wanted more, I craved it because it wasn’t enough for me. This book was good and I can’t wait to read the next one.
We meet Arianne who seems to be an outcast in school all because of one bully. She secretly watches Niko and wishes he would feel the same about her; she also has a best friend who anyone would be lucky to have. Ben seems like the most perfect guy, I don’t think he could really do anything wrong because he believes everything that comes out of Arianne’s mouth even the fact that she sees dead people. Ben is also in love with Carrie who is Arianne’s sister, but is also in the hospital very ill. They have their own sweet story throughout the book.
So one day in Chemistry (there must be something in Chemistry a lot of books bend towards that class for budding romances, I like the play on it, showing chemistry and them having chemistry) Niko has to sit with Arianne as partners and this is where their budding romance develops. He notices her for the first time and from there they just continue to grow their relationship. He shows her things that she’s never seen before and eventually tells her he is a reaper.
Being a reaper is not like being Death himself, you are underneath him and just follow his orders, sometimes his orders are not easy to do especially when you become involved with humans and this turns out to be true for Niko when a certificate has been put out on Adrianne. He defies Death and in turn is now being tortured. There’s only one way to save him but there are consequences but Arianne is ready to make those sacrifices.
I was so happy to find out this book was going to be a series when I read that ending, I just wanted more, I craved it because it wasn’t enough for me. This book was good and I can’t wait to read the next one.
October 1, 2013
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to author Kate Evangelista, and YA/NA Fanatics.)
17-year-old Arianne sees dead people – or their souls at least, and is also trying to deal with her sister’s illness, and a crush on Nico – a boy at school.
When Arianne sees Nico begin to fade out – literally, in front of her eyes, she knows that he’s not human, but she doesn’t know what exactly he is, although this doesn’t seem to bother her.
What is Nico? Is he the right person for Arianne? And why is his basement full of dead people’s souls?
This was an okay story, but I found the main characters a little immature at times.
Arianne was an okay character, but every time she got around Nico she turned into a babbling idiot, and started acting like a 12-year-old. This was especially evident by her comment that she wanted to write down ‘Mrs Arianne Clark’ repeatedly, after Nico was forced to be her partner in chemistry once.
The storyline was okay, but again, I found it a little immature at times, and the beginning of the book was just awkward. We were barely 2 pages in before Arianne just announces to her best friend, without pre-amble or cause or anything, that oh, by the way, she can see dead people. This was a little strange and sudden, and made the beginning of this book feel really awkward and uncomfortable.
This awkwardness abated at around the 40% mark, but I still found the story a little lacking for me. There were a couple of twists that I didn’t see coming, and the ending was okay, but this book was still just lacking a little something for me, and I don’t think I’ll read the sequel.
Overall; an okay story, but maybe aimed at a younger audience?
6.5 out of 10.
17-year-old Arianne sees dead people – or their souls at least, and is also trying to deal with her sister’s illness, and a crush on Nico – a boy at school.
When Arianne sees Nico begin to fade out – literally, in front of her eyes, she knows that he’s not human, but she doesn’t know what exactly he is, although this doesn’t seem to bother her.
What is Nico? Is he the right person for Arianne? And why is his basement full of dead people’s souls?
This was an okay story, but I found the main characters a little immature at times.
Arianne was an okay character, but every time she got around Nico she turned into a babbling idiot, and started acting like a 12-year-old. This was especially evident by her comment that she wanted to write down ‘Mrs Arianne Clark’ repeatedly, after Nico was forced to be her partner in chemistry once.
The storyline was okay, but again, I found it a little immature at times, and the beginning of the book was just awkward. We were barely 2 pages in before Arianne just announces to her best friend, without pre-amble or cause or anything, that oh, by the way, she can see dead people. This was a little strange and sudden, and made the beginning of this book feel really awkward and uncomfortable.
This awkwardness abated at around the 40% mark, but I still found the story a little lacking for me. There were a couple of twists that I didn’t see coming, and the ending was okay, but this book was still just lacking a little something for me, and I don’t think I’ll read the sequel.
Overall; an okay story, but maybe aimed at a younger audience?
6.5 out of 10.
October 30, 2012
First I have to say that I have read a few Reaper books this year and only one has come close to being EPIC in every way. reaping Me Softly grabbed me right from the first page and kept me intrigued all the way through. I found myself yelling at the book and trying to coach Ari and Niko like I knew what to do. Man it is such a refreshing read from what I have been reading that I did not want it to end. Then when I did a little more research I found out that the story did not end but will continue on and lord have mercy I was like a kid in the candy store getting free reign over everything.
Ari is your normal high school girl just trying to study and get out of school. Except that Ari is bullied by one of her classmates. All Ari wants is to be left alone but this bully is determined to take her down. To make matters worse Ari has a crush on a boy but she would never say anything to him for fear of being bullied more. She has had a crush on Niko since freshmen year and when an accident that almost kills her puts her and Niko together she is excited at first. The only draw back she has is that she can see dead people and if that is not the worst of it all she finds out her crush Niko is a reaper. At first she freaks out but then she accepts her gift and embarrasses them. Then Ari's world comes crashing down when Niko reaps the soul of her loved one by accident. What is Ari and Niko to do?
Will Ari get her loved one back? Will Niko and Ari be able to have a relationship? Niko is a reaper and Ari can see the dead persons soul you would think they would make an awesome team but as life is life you have to suck a lot of lemons to get lemonade. Will Ari and Niko defy all odds to be together? The ending left me screaming for more and I need book two like ASAP!
Ari is your normal high school girl just trying to study and get out of school. Except that Ari is bullied by one of her classmates. All Ari wants is to be left alone but this bully is determined to take her down. To make matters worse Ari has a crush on a boy but she would never say anything to him for fear of being bullied more. She has had a crush on Niko since freshmen year and when an accident that almost kills her puts her and Niko together she is excited at first. The only draw back she has is that she can see dead people and if that is not the worst of it all she finds out her crush Niko is a reaper. At first she freaks out but then she accepts her gift and embarrasses them. Then Ari's world comes crashing down when Niko reaps the soul of her loved one by accident. What is Ari and Niko to do?
Will Ari get her loved one back? Will Niko and Ari be able to have a relationship? Niko is a reaper and Ari can see the dead persons soul you would think they would make an awesome team but as life is life you have to suck a lot of lemons to get lemonade. Will Ari and Niko defy all odds to be together? The ending left me screaming for more and I need book two like ASAP!
November 2, 2012
Ms Evangelista did it again! She has crafted another fine book. It's books like these that gets me hungry for the young adult genre and this particularly has given me a head-turn toward paranormal. I'm glad that this is going to be a trilogy because I get to read more!!
The author has an exquisite way with words and storytelling. I was sucked in very early on. I liked the sisterhood bond right off the bat. A book with heart is my thing so it was off to a good start for me. Throw in school teen chaos, overcoming romance, and reaping jurisdictions/rules and you've got yourself a sapid paranormal read.
I'm hooked! There were definite characters that I loved and those I disliked. There were fabulous twists and shockers that got me screaming, "NOOOOOO!" (now I see the arrival and accurateness of the book title and what's going on with the blindfold scenario on the cover). Hence, such reaction is telling of the involvement that this book can have on a reader. In other words, one can get invested!
Fantastic characters, endearing love story, and simply a winsome read. Give it a try.
Jinky is Reading
The author has an exquisite way with words and storytelling. I was sucked in very early on. I liked the sisterhood bond right off the bat. A book with heart is my thing so it was off to a good start for me. Throw in school teen chaos, overcoming romance, and reaping jurisdictions/rules and you've got yourself a sapid paranormal read.
I'm hooked! There were definite characters that I loved and those I disliked. There were fabulous twists and shockers that got me screaming, "NOOOOOO!" (now I see the arrival and accurateness of the book title and what's going on with the blindfold scenario on the cover). Hence, such reaction is telling of the involvement that this book can have on a reader. In other words, one can get invested!
Fantastic characters, endearing love story, and simply a winsome read. Give it a try.
Jinky is Reading
July 24, 2016
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Reaping Me Softly is a book about a Reaper that falls for a human girl and they both experience a lot of things that allows them to grow closer to one another. I felt like this book had an interesting idea about the Reapers and Death, but I wish the plot would have stayed more towards the aspect that involved Reapers. The book seemed to constantly find a way for romance, when I thought it would have made a more intriguing story line for the book if it would have had a little less romance. Another thing that prevented the book from having a higher rating is the wording the author would use at times; I found it slightly too immature for my tastes. The beginning was a little slow my preference, but about half way through it began to pick up a little. It wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't really the book for me. If you enjoy paranormal romance with a lot of romance, then this is probably the book for you.
May 9, 2013
it was an amazing book! I loved Reapers they were and interesting bunch of characters.My Favourite part was the in-between place, I think everyone should have a place like this that they can go, where the world drops away and your will is yours.
I loved the family dynamic in this book there was so much love between the characters! between Ari and her sister, between Ari and her friends, especially her best friend Ben, and Ari and her Parents. The book wasn't without drama of course but I really got into all of these aspects of the book.
The Reapers in this book were amazing I have never come across a book quite like it before they were well thought out and still creepy all at the same time. Death himself was the most imposing figure of course and let me say I was glad not to be in Nikos shoes!...lol
Kate Evangelita is a amazing author with quite the incredible talent and I can't wait to read the next instalment of this series! I can't wait to see what awaits for these young rulebreakers!
I loved the family dynamic in this book there was so much love between the characters! between Ari and her sister, between Ari and her friends, especially her best friend Ben, and Ari and her Parents. The book wasn't without drama of course but I really got into all of these aspects of the book.
The Reapers in this book were amazing I have never come across a book quite like it before they were well thought out and still creepy all at the same time. Death himself was the most imposing figure of course and let me say I was glad not to be in Nikos shoes!...lol
Kate Evangelita is a amazing author with quite the incredible talent and I can't wait to read the next instalment of this series! I can't wait to see what awaits for these young rulebreakers!
Want to read
October 4, 2012If it's anywhere near as good as Taste, I won't be able to put it down! Can't wait for this book!
Read
November 12, 2015DNF at like 20 pages in. Hydrochloric acid in a school lab is not going sizzle at your skin oh my god.
September 3, 2017
Most of my knowledge of reapers comes from On A Pale Horse by Piers Anthony and the television series Dead Like Me. This was an interesting idea that there would be one reaper per state and Niko being the reaper of Georgia.
January 19, 2018
This would have been a 5-star book, but the start was a little confusing for a few chapters. After that i had trouble keeping me kindle away from me. Great job Kate keep it up.
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