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Hidden #1
Reaper's Rhythm
When everyone thinks your sister committed suicide, it's hard to prove she was murdered. Kim is unable to accept Charley's sudden death. Crippled by an unnatural amnesia, her questions are met with wall after wall. As she doubts her sanity, she realises her investigation is putting those around her in danger. The only person who seems to know anything is Matthew, an elusive stranger who would rather vanish than talk. Despite his friendly smile, Kim isn't sure she can trust him. But if she wants to protect her family from further danger, Kim must work with Matthew to discover how Charley died - before it's too late.
- GenresYoung AdultFantasy
212 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
February 13, 2014
See more of my reviews at We Live and Breathe Books
To say that Reaper’s Rhythm starts with a bang is a bit of an understatement – the very first scene in this book is one that grips the reader’s attention, forcing you to have so many questions about what happened and what will happen next. The opening follows Kim as she gets home a little while after her older sister, Charley, to find that she committed suicide. As she frantically runs down the stairs to call for help, a mysterious boy appears and makes her pass out. When she wakes up, she has no recollection of finding her sister or the boy who was there.
As it is a paranormal, the reader expects there is some sort of magic at play, but Kim doesn’t know any better. For a large part of the book Kim is simply adjusting to the lose of her sister rather than learning of anything mystical or magical – in fact, I’d say that the first half of the book reads more like a contemporary with that looming threat of something paranormal taking a backseat to the psychological affect of death on Kim. The way Kim’s story follows so much of her adjusting to the loss of her sister and trying to cope really helped build Kim as a character, showing a young girl who can’t cope with and accept her sister’s suicide at face value. Of course, she was right about something magical at play but it’s still an interesting view of people in denial.
Although the psychological journey of Kim in the first half of the book is very interested and made me enjoy her point of view a lot more, it was a very slow paced development. As a reader who knows something funky is going on in the background, I just wanted to find out more. Since Kim’s character development takes priority, not much of the paranormal things are allowed through and it was a long time before there seemed to be anything plot moving. It seemed as though I had to wait almost 20% between each new development while Kim continued to whine to people how her sister surely could not have killed herself. But, as I said before, Kim’s development throughout this was worthwhile, despite having taken priority over the plot development.
The dynamic between Kim and the other characters is very much that she can’t get past her sister’s death and everyone else is getting annoyed with her. The great thing about Kim is that she is very true to herself throughout his – despite how often she’s getting no as an answer and hitting more obstacles, she still searches for answers. She doesn’t care who thinks she’s crazy so long as she can find some sort of information from someone else. At the same time, there is a naïve side to Kim – she is very trusting of others and doesn’t always see their ulterior motives. Clare Davidson did a wonderful job seeing into the mind of a 16-year-old girl facing a great lose.
While Kim definitely takes the leading role in Reaper’s Rhythm, the secondary characters definitely add something to the story as a whole. From Matthew, a character that makes us wonder what exactly is going on, to Kevin, a new friend who surely must have a hidden agenda, to Tia, a disgruntled ex-friend of Charley’s, to Gage, a guy who just seems too nice for anyone’s good - Reaper’s Rhythm has a pretty well rounded out cast of characters. All of these characters had something they were hiding and it was interesting to explore how Kim interacted with them and found out what was going on little by little.
Overall I really enjoyed Reaper’s Rhythm – I felt the characters were very well developed and the idea behind the magical element was a great new twist on an old concept. I also liked how this book took place in modern England, something I’ve never read before. It was interesting to learn more about the educational system in England, as I had no prior knowledge, and to sort through all the British slang. Reaper’s Rhythm is a book I’d definitely recommend to someone who enjoys a character’s journey and growth just as much as an interesting paranormal twist.
To say that Reaper’s Rhythm starts with a bang is a bit of an understatement – the very first scene in this book is one that grips the reader’s attention, forcing you to have so many questions about what happened and what will happen next. The opening follows Kim as she gets home a little while after her older sister, Charley, to find that she committed suicide. As she frantically runs down the stairs to call for help, a mysterious boy appears and makes her pass out. When she wakes up, she has no recollection of finding her sister or the boy who was there.
As it is a paranormal, the reader expects there is some sort of magic at play, but Kim doesn’t know any better. For a large part of the book Kim is simply adjusting to the lose of her sister rather than learning of anything mystical or magical – in fact, I’d say that the first half of the book reads more like a contemporary with that looming threat of something paranormal taking a backseat to the psychological affect of death on Kim. The way Kim’s story follows so much of her adjusting to the loss of her sister and trying to cope really helped build Kim as a character, showing a young girl who can’t cope with and accept her sister’s suicide at face value. Of course, she was right about something magical at play but it’s still an interesting view of people in denial.
Although the psychological journey of Kim in the first half of the book is very interested and made me enjoy her point of view a lot more, it was a very slow paced development. As a reader who knows something funky is going on in the background, I just wanted to find out more. Since Kim’s character development takes priority, not much of the paranormal things are allowed through and it was a long time before there seemed to be anything plot moving. It seemed as though I had to wait almost 20% between each new development while Kim continued to whine to people how her sister surely could not have killed herself. But, as I said before, Kim’s development throughout this was worthwhile, despite having taken priority over the plot development.
The dynamic between Kim and the other characters is very much that she can’t get past her sister’s death and everyone else is getting annoyed with her. The great thing about Kim is that she is very true to herself throughout his – despite how often she’s getting no as an answer and hitting more obstacles, she still searches for answers. She doesn’t care who thinks she’s crazy so long as she can find some sort of information from someone else. At the same time, there is a naïve side to Kim – she is very trusting of others and doesn’t always see their ulterior motives. Clare Davidson did a wonderful job seeing into the mind of a 16-year-old girl facing a great lose.
While Kim definitely takes the leading role in Reaper’s Rhythm, the secondary characters definitely add something to the story as a whole. From Matthew, a character that makes us wonder what exactly is going on, to Kevin, a new friend who surely must have a hidden agenda, to Tia, a disgruntled ex-friend of Charley’s, to Gage, a guy who just seems too nice for anyone’s good - Reaper’s Rhythm has a pretty well rounded out cast of characters. All of these characters had something they were hiding and it was interesting to explore how Kim interacted with them and found out what was going on little by little.
Overall I really enjoyed Reaper’s Rhythm – I felt the characters were very well developed and the idea behind the magical element was a great new twist on an old concept. I also liked how this book took place in modern England, something I’ve never read before. It was interesting to learn more about the educational system in England, as I had no prior knowledge, and to sort through all the British slang. Reaper’s Rhythm is a book I’d definitely recommend to someone who enjoys a character’s journey and growth just as much as an interesting paranormal twist.
June 17, 2013
Reaper's Rhythm is a fast paced urban fantasy with a clever new twist (which I really wish I had thought of!) on a reliable old fantasy trope. I don't want to give too much away but I was intrigued throughout and had no idea where the story was going to take me, which I loved. As a disclaimer, I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from Clare and I do 'know' her from twitter but my review has not been influenced by either of those facts.
February 14, 2014
* I got a copy of this book from the tour organizer in exchange of an honest review.
When Kim's sister Charley commits suicide. Kim is the only one that believes it was murder. Everyone tells her that she is just suffering from being the one to discover her sister when it happened, but Kim has no recollection of those events. Her mind a blank from a so called amnesia, or so the doctors tell her. Being the only one that believes that her sister would not take her own life, Kim goes out of her way to find answers to questions that not only put other people in danger but also her entire family. Finding answers won't be easy and the only one that seems like he might know everything is the mysterious stranger Matthew. But even he would rather not talk.
Great start to an interesting new series. I have to admit, this felt more like a paranormal mystery then anything else, but it was a good thing. Kim was an interesting character. After the mind blowing event at the beginning of the book of discovering her own sister dead, I did not know where this book would go. Even thought she doesn't remember anything from that night, she pushes forward in finding the truth - even if it means getting involved with the wrong kind of people. At times I am frustrated with Kim, and for Kim. There had been moments that she seemed a little immature, which in turn made her actions frustrating and her need for attention from the opposite sex odd. But at the same time I applaud her for wanting to know the truth, for slowly growing stronger through the book as she searched for answers. I do have to remember that this is the first book in the series and characters tend to be naive until they are exposed to the elements. Leaves room for character growth, which is exciting!
This book was heavy on secrets and a bit on mystery. It was very slow and light on romance. If you are looking for something different, Kim's story might work for you. I for one am looking forward to seeing what happens to Kim in her other books and how will the character continue to grow, especially now that she broke into a world of magic that she did not know existed!
By the way, aren't the cover's just lovely?!
When Kim's sister Charley commits suicide. Kim is the only one that believes it was murder. Everyone tells her that she is just suffering from being the one to discover her sister when it happened, but Kim has no recollection of those events. Her mind a blank from a so called amnesia, or so the doctors tell her. Being the only one that believes that her sister would not take her own life, Kim goes out of her way to find answers to questions that not only put other people in danger but also her entire family. Finding answers won't be easy and the only one that seems like he might know everything is the mysterious stranger Matthew. But even he would rather not talk.
Great start to an interesting new series. I have to admit, this felt more like a paranormal mystery then anything else, but it was a good thing. Kim was an interesting character. After the mind blowing event at the beginning of the book of discovering her own sister dead, I did not know where this book would go. Even thought she doesn't remember anything from that night, she pushes forward in finding the truth - even if it means getting involved with the wrong kind of people. At times I am frustrated with Kim, and for Kim. There had been moments that she seemed a little immature, which in turn made her actions frustrating and her need for attention from the opposite sex odd. But at the same time I applaud her for wanting to know the truth, for slowly growing stronger through the book as she searched for answers. I do have to remember that this is the first book in the series and characters tend to be naive until they are exposed to the elements. Leaves room for character growth, which is exciting!
This book was heavy on secrets and a bit on mystery. It was very slow and light on romance. If you are looking for something different, Kim's story might work for you. I for one am looking forward to seeing what happens to Kim in her other books and how will the character continue to grow, especially now that she broke into a world of magic that she did not know existed!
By the way, aren't the cover's just lovely?!
September 4, 2013
Book review Reaper's Rhythm by Clare Davidson
This is a YA book which easily crosses over to a more adult audience. It centers around a small family who have already gone though a tough time, a divorce, before the story begins.
Kim the youngest daughter and middle child of the family, she is a feisty character and instantly likable. It is easy to relate to her, she has an elder sister who she adores and a younger bother who she loves but is a royal pain in the butt.
The first chapter starts off the story quickly and in powerfully written. It quite blows yours socks off!
You view the unfolding story though Kim's eyes and the next few chapters draws you into the plot, which is far more complicated than you first think and introduces you to other characters which are each beautifully and skilfully written.
The descriptive style of Davidson makes you connect with the character's and feel what they are feeling. In one chapter Kim gets quite drunk and Davidson skilfully writes the sensations of how the alcohol effects Kim and describes the hang over that follows the next morning in a graphic way. (We have all been their!)
Another man character is Matthew, he is about Kim's age and acts like a knight in shining armor, always showing up when Kim is in stressful situations and giving her support.
Several times though out the story Kim questions her own sanity, but she has an inner power and a determination to seek the truth when all around her just appear to except the situation.
Not to give to much away about the plot, but there are magical and angelic forces in play.
The Reaper's Rhythm is a jolly good read and each page draws you onto the next, each surprising and totally unpredictable way with a colorful story line.
I really enjoyed reading it and am looking forward to reading the next one. Bring it on!
You can buy it for £2.04 from Kindle or £7.99 in paper back on Amazon.co.uk.
Also Ina Wong has done a beautiful job of illustrating the cover.
This is a YA book which easily crosses over to a more adult audience. It centers around a small family who have already gone though a tough time, a divorce, before the story begins.
Kim the youngest daughter and middle child of the family, she is a feisty character and instantly likable. It is easy to relate to her, she has an elder sister who she adores and a younger bother who she loves but is a royal pain in the butt.
The first chapter starts off the story quickly and in powerfully written. It quite blows yours socks off!
You view the unfolding story though Kim's eyes and the next few chapters draws you into the plot, which is far more complicated than you first think and introduces you to other characters which are each beautifully and skilfully written.
The descriptive style of Davidson makes you connect with the character's and feel what they are feeling. In one chapter Kim gets quite drunk and Davidson skilfully writes the sensations of how the alcohol effects Kim and describes the hang over that follows the next morning in a graphic way. (We have all been their!)
Another man character is Matthew, he is about Kim's age and acts like a knight in shining armor, always showing up when Kim is in stressful situations and giving her support.
Several times though out the story Kim questions her own sanity, but she has an inner power and a determination to seek the truth when all around her just appear to except the situation.
Not to give to much away about the plot, but there are magical and angelic forces in play.
The Reaper's Rhythm is a jolly good read and each page draws you onto the next, each surprising and totally unpredictable way with a colorful story line.
I really enjoyed reading it and am looking forward to reading the next one. Bring it on!
You can buy it for £2.04 from Kindle or £7.99 in paper back on Amazon.co.uk.
Also Ina Wong has done a beautiful job of illustrating the cover.
February 10, 2014
Kim is 16 years old and has lived in the shadow of her popular sister, Charley, for the majority of her life. Their parents have split, divorced, and Kim lives with Charley and her bratty little brother with their mother in a new home. One night, after receiving a mysterious text and going home before Kim, Charley is found by Kim with her wrists slashed in an apparent suicide. Kim suddenly finds herself in a nightmare. She can’t remember finding Charley and she keeps seeing a mysterious dark haired guy everywhere that no one else sees- at her sister’s funereal, school, and on the street. Written off as crazy and seeing a shrink to boot, Kim keeps seeking answers to her sister’s death. When another teen dies, Kim starts to grill the mysterious stranger, Matthew, who might not be human. She is suddenly faced with the reality that magic is real in the world and those close to her can’t be trusted. Kim faces her own demise multiple times, saved by Matthew, and her own good luck. She faces off her with her sister’s killer and the human who brought him into our world, hoping for revenge and peace.
This was a well crafted young adult novel. It was extremely hard for me to put down the book and I enjoyed the cut off, quick style of the writing. The author doesn’t skimp on vast descriptions, but gets down to the nitty-gritty point. I look forward to continuing Kim’s story in book #2. The magic and magical entities presented in this book defy the young adult genre filled with way too many vampires.
Note: I received a copy of this novel during a book tour in return for an honest review.
This was a well crafted young adult novel. It was extremely hard for me to put down the book and I enjoyed the cut off, quick style of the writing. The author doesn’t skimp on vast descriptions, but gets down to the nitty-gritty point. I look forward to continuing Kim’s story in book #2. The magic and magical entities presented in this book defy the young adult genre filled with way too many vampires.
Note: I received a copy of this novel during a book tour in return for an honest review.
August 14, 2013
This is the first book I have read of Clare Davidson's. I must say it was awesome. I love the story. It made me believe that in the end Kim and Michael would get together but they didn't. But let me tell you exactly why I loved the book so much.
Kim found her sister dead and while she ran down the stairs she fell and a man was there which made her forget what she saw. Kim woke up two days later in the hospital. She found out her sister Charley was dead by suicide and that she found her. Kim had no memory, but the one thing she knew was the fact Charley was happy and would have never committed suicide. At the funeral while she spoke for her sister she spotted a man whom she later found out to be Michael.
She goes around and asks all of Charlies friends if she was happy or if she was hanging with someone new or what not. She goes and speaks to a guy named Kevin cause she remembered Charley yelling at him and his co-worker. She later found out that Gage who was Charlies ex-boyfriend was the first creation and was out to hurt humans with magic. He was dating Tia whom Gage taught magic to along with her cousin Kevin.
Michael and Kim decides to work together to stop Tia whom is on a killing spree because she has taken the power of magic to far.
This is a must read. I highly recommend it. I couldn't put it down.
Kim found her sister dead and while she ran down the stairs she fell and a man was there which made her forget what she saw. Kim woke up two days later in the hospital. She found out her sister Charley was dead by suicide and that she found her. Kim had no memory, but the one thing she knew was the fact Charley was happy and would have never committed suicide. At the funeral while she spoke for her sister she spotted a man whom she later found out to be Michael.
She goes around and asks all of Charlies friends if she was happy or if she was hanging with someone new or what not. She goes and speaks to a guy named Kevin cause she remembered Charley yelling at him and his co-worker. She later found out that Gage who was Charlies ex-boyfriend was the first creation and was out to hurt humans with magic. He was dating Tia whom Gage taught magic to along with her cousin Kevin.
Michael and Kim decides to work together to stop Tia whom is on a killing spree because she has taken the power of magic to far.
This is a must read. I highly recommend it. I couldn't put it down.
February 9, 2014
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars !!!
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 the author for giving me this opportunity of reading and reviewing this book.
This story is really a good story with all the elements that you need in a good book, namely mystery, action, suspense and over all a new concept. The characters are well developed though I felt that some of their potential remained somewhat underutilized.
The plot is really good and the execution is also good but I didn't like the pace of the story, I mean some parts moved very fast which wasn't good because I missed the details there and some parts were dragged on for pages and this made this read a little less exciting for me.
Over all a good read but I was hoping that if the pace would have been steady then it would have been a fantastic read for me.
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 the author for giving me this opportunity of reading and reviewing this book.
This story is really a good story with all the elements that you need in a good book, namely mystery, action, suspense and over all a new concept. The characters are well developed though I felt that some of their potential remained somewhat underutilized.
The plot is really good and the execution is also good but I didn't like the pace of the story, I mean some parts moved very fast which wasn't good because I missed the details there and some parts were dragged on for pages and this made this read a little less exciting for me.
Over all a good read but I was hoping that if the pace would have been steady then it would have been a fantastic read for me.
July 26, 2013
I was a fan of Davidson's after her first novel, Trinity. I loved the world-building and the characters, and am greatly looking forward to more novels in that universe. That said, Reaper's Rhythm is a stronger novel than Trinity in almost every way, and that's really saying something.
From the start, our protagonist, Kim, comes immediately to life. There's no hesitation in the first chapter, the action starts almost right away, and I was immediately impressed with how fully fleshed the characters were after only a few pages. There's no question this author really understands what makes people tick. I couldn't stop reading after the first chapter, and I bet I'm not alone. I really can't wait to see what Davidson comes up with next.
From the start, our protagonist, Kim, comes immediately to life. There's no hesitation in the first chapter, the action starts almost right away, and I was immediately impressed with how fully fleshed the characters were after only a few pages. There's no question this author really understands what makes people tick. I couldn't stop reading after the first chapter, and I bet I'm not alone. I really can't wait to see what Davidson comes up with next.
August 23, 2015
Clare Davidson taught Drama at my school, but I can assure you that this does not influence my review in any way.
I read this book some time ago. I actually received this book at Clare's first signing, and it has a special place in my heart.
This book involves very strong themes that deal with suicide and grief. This book may be a fantasy, but it involves the paranormal and is not to be taken lightly.
Despite my initial doubts, I found this book intriguing, and after reading I felt empty inside, and desperate for the sequel.
Having not known about the release of any sequel I am delighted to see that not one, but two have been released. I shall be ordering them as soon as possible.
I read this book some time ago. I actually received this book at Clare's first signing, and it has a special place in my heart.
This book involves very strong themes that deal with suicide and grief. This book may be a fantasy, but it involves the paranormal and is not to be taken lightly.
Despite my initial doubts, I found this book intriguing, and after reading I felt empty inside, and desperate for the sequel.
Having not known about the release of any sequel I am delighted to see that not one, but two have been released. I shall be ordering them as soon as possible.
February 21, 2015
This book has a little bit of everything, murder mystery, suspense, a touch of paranormal and a smidge of romance, or not. Guess you'll just have to read to find out. For fans of Ednah Walters Runes and The Guardian Legacy, this will help you fill in your reading time as you wait for the new releases!
Reaper's Rhythm is one of my top reads of 2015 so far, and I happily give it 5 fantastical stars!
***I was gifted a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions my own, no compensation provided.***
Reaper's Rhythm is one of my top reads of 2015 so far, and I happily give it 5 fantastical stars!
***I was gifted a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions my own, no compensation provided.***
December 1, 2017
5 Cranky stars
This book is a an original story with a suspenseful story line. The way it's written, the reader is sucked into the story in such a way as if they were living it with the characters. When the characters mourn, the reader mourns with them. When the characters speak, their words resonate off the page. The story goes through the motions of real life while adding in aspects of magic with magical characters. It's hard to put anything about the story line in this review without giving something away.
The characters are well written and the details keep your interest throughout the whole story. The story kept me turning the pages and the ending left me wanting more. This story is what happens when you combine teenage angst with magic and mystery. The realization that magic is real is where the story takes one of the many unexpected turns.
I honestly couldn't figure anything out and it left me wonderfully guessing. Everything we learn and feel is as the main character Kim experiences it which makes it even more suspenseful. I'm totally happy with the fact that there wasn't a lot of romance in this YA novel because it wasn't missing anything without it. I can't say enough how much I enjoyed it, and I can't wait for book 2.
This book is a an original story with a suspenseful story line. The way it's written, the reader is sucked into the story in such a way as if they were living it with the characters. When the characters mourn, the reader mourns with them. When the characters speak, their words resonate off the page. The story goes through the motions of real life while adding in aspects of magic with magical characters. It's hard to put anything about the story line in this review without giving something away.
The characters are well written and the details keep your interest throughout the whole story. The story kept me turning the pages and the ending left me wanting more. This story is what happens when you combine teenage angst with magic and mystery. The realization that magic is real is where the story takes one of the many unexpected turns.
I honestly couldn't figure anything out and it left me wonderfully guessing. Everything we learn and feel is as the main character Kim experiences it which makes it even more suspenseful. I'm totally happy with the fact that there wasn't a lot of romance in this YA novel because it wasn't missing anything without it. I can't say enough how much I enjoyed it, and I can't wait for book 2.
December 22, 2013
~Received for review from Clare... Thanks for that! This hasn't affected my review is any way~
Before I get started...
You will especially like it if (goes with recommended for):
* Books which end up having quite a fast pace but take a while to go there don't bother you, or you like them (some like that build up, I know).
* You like serious issues being touched upon (ones that mean this book really is a teen read & a bit gritty at that :D)
* You are good at turning pages fast.
* You need more book boyfriends. Be warned: you can't actually have him as a book boyfriend... You'll find out, if you read it (not that you actually date them).
* You devour series like they're going to go out of fashion (slim chance of that, dude).
This book is essentially about Kim, and her family, dealing with elder sister Charley's death... Kim isn't there to grieve like her family, or get irritated because suicide is selfish (he knows who I'm talking to here :P) she is literally on her own little murder mystery. When a girl wants to find out what happened to her sister, and is sure it wasn't suicide, you wouldn't expect it to unravel to Reaper's Rhythm. Actually, a saga: The Hidden Series. You can expect to relate to Kim, no matter what age you are; it's not about age. I think her Mum's reaction is, and even Chris' is. But I think some of the reactions of grief are not likely to happen just to teenage girls (this means Kim's, Amy's & other peers of Kim and her deceased sister, Charley). Obviously, they are ones I can imagine (and totally would not want to experience...) best but you will relate to other characters too, besides Kim. You may not ever react like that yourself, or hopefully be in a situation as stressful & upsetting, but you will.
(to be precise, this).
Kim just has what lots of people have: Faith in family and… curiosity. Why shouldn't she investigate? Sure, it's going to be sad & it can even beg the question regarding revenge.
I expected it to be about justice but this series is going to be so much more. It's sensational- there is a mix of themes & I'm not sure which ones I need to cover. You do need to know that they all fit, there's space for all of them, as they develop & mature, forming lovely diverse, dynamic characters & reactions suitable for them. At least in my opinion, I recognize all this "crafting" & would happily read more about this family, and even the other characters (OK! Especially Matthew) as Davidson has really made them jump out from the age. If I was basing on the ending, you wouldn't expect sequels!
In series, it's hard to get the right ending. For the first book(s), where cliffhangers are common place & also to the last book where you have to try & wrap up the book, all the last books & tie all the strings together. Quite a lot of authors leave loose ends in a few of their books! But I loved the ending of Reaper's Rhythm a lot; I liked the whole thing but it was the ending that settled it for me. It was just: WOW. If I was just basing on the ending, 5 stars. But, I've got to be honest. I wouldn't tire of that ending, had I read it a dozen times. I could read it over & over. It's tempting to just leave it at that, if I rated books when I'd just finished them I'd honestly be basing it mainly on the ending (the part that can make or break you).
However, even though there was a lot of tension & lots of drama- highs and lows- there were even some fabulous paranormal aspects I hadn't seen coming at all... Reaper's Rhythm it isn't quite worth 5 stars. There were only tiny bits when I wasn't 100% satisfied, or I didn't enjoy it as much. Overall, it's mainly the beginning. It was a little bit of a slow burner & I wasn't that interested in Matthew or Kevin or a certain horrible character *cough* Tee *cough* A... Bitch (quite a common word in this book, but if you don't mind it half a dozen times over 200+ pages then that's OK!)
I ended up liking them (well no, I didn't like Tia... she did seem mean-spirited from page 1, or whichever page she was introduced!) I guess. So, why should you read this?
Cos, overall it was...
(according to Amy Bookworm, and that's still pretty amazing, trust me).
Before I get started...
You will especially like it if (goes with recommended for):
* Books which end up having quite a fast pace but take a while to go there don't bother you, or you like them (some like that build up, I know).
* You like serious issues being touched upon (ones that mean this book really is a teen read & a bit gritty at that :D)
* You are good at turning pages fast.
* You need more book boyfriends. Be warned: you can't actually have him as a book boyfriend... You'll find out, if you read it (not that you actually date them).
* You devour series like they're going to go out of fashion (slim chance of that, dude).
This book is essentially about Kim, and her family, dealing with elder sister Charley's death... Kim isn't there to grieve like her family, or get irritated because suicide is selfish (he knows who I'm talking to here :P) she is literally on her own little murder mystery. When a girl wants to find out what happened to her sister, and is sure it wasn't suicide, you wouldn't expect it to unravel to Reaper's Rhythm. Actually, a saga: The Hidden Series. You can expect to relate to Kim, no matter what age you are; it's not about age. I think her Mum's reaction is, and even Chris' is. But I think some of the reactions of grief are not likely to happen just to teenage girls (this means Kim's, Amy's & other peers of Kim and her deceased sister, Charley). Obviously, they are ones I can imagine (and totally would not want to experience...) best but you will relate to other characters too, besides Kim. You may not ever react like that yourself, or hopefully be in a situation as stressful & upsetting, but you will.
(to be precise, this).
Kim just has what lots of people have: Faith in family and… curiosity. Why shouldn't she investigate? Sure, it's going to be sad & it can even beg the question regarding revenge.
I expected it to be about justice but this series is going to be so much more. It's sensational- there is a mix of themes & I'm not sure which ones I need to cover. You do need to know that they all fit, there's space for all of them, as they develop & mature, forming lovely diverse, dynamic characters & reactions suitable for them. At least in my opinion, I recognize all this "crafting" & would happily read more about this family, and even the other characters (OK! Especially Matthew) as Davidson has really made them jump out from the age. If I was basing on the ending, you wouldn't expect sequels!
In series, it's hard to get the right ending. For the first book(s), where cliffhangers are common place & also to the last book where you have to try & wrap up the book, all the last books & tie all the strings together. Quite a lot of authors leave loose ends in a few of their books! But I loved the ending of Reaper's Rhythm a lot; I liked the whole thing but it was the ending that settled it for me. It was just: WOW. If I was just basing on the ending, 5 stars. But, I've got to be honest. I wouldn't tire of that ending, had I read it a dozen times. I could read it over & over. It's tempting to just leave it at that, if I rated books when I'd just finished them I'd honestly be basing it mainly on the ending (the part that can make or break you).
However, even though there was a lot of tension & lots of drama- highs and lows- there were even some fabulous paranormal aspects I hadn't seen coming at all... Reaper's Rhythm it isn't quite worth 5 stars. There were only tiny bits when I wasn't 100% satisfied, or I didn't enjoy it as much. Overall, it's mainly the beginning. It was a little bit of a slow burner & I wasn't that interested in Matthew or Kevin or a certain horrible character *cough* Tee *cough* A... Bitch (quite a common word in this book, but if you don't mind it half a dozen times over 200+ pages then that's OK!)
I ended up liking them (well no, I didn't like Tia... she did seem mean-spirited from page 1, or whichever page she was introduced!) I guess. So, why should you read this?
Cos, overall it was...
(according to Amy Bookworm, and that's still pretty amazing, trust me).
December 1, 2017
I bought this paperback about 2/3 years ago when it was first released and have just now gotten to read it. I don't know why I waited so long, the book was soooo good. I loved the twist with fantasy. I think the only thing I was disappointed about was, I wanted so much more LOL especially romance. I loved the characters, especially Matthew. He was definitely my favorite. I wanted to like Kevin, however, his betrayal was too much to really like him. Once I started Reaper's Rhythm it was hard to put it down, the suspense was killing me. I really didn't think the person responsible was who it ended out to be. I wanted the blame to go on someone else, but I love when a book isn't so predictable so in that sense, job well done. I would love to read more of this series and see where things go, I really want to see more with Matthew.
November 30, 2017
Reapers Rhythm
By Claire Davidson
4 ****
Reapers Rhythm is a fast paced YA Urban Read. Author Claire Davidson tells a riveting story from start to finish, with no stops in between. Her Characters feel so real.
Kim and Mathew have an uphill battle on their hands not to mention Mathew is he only one that believes her take on her sisters death. She insists it is not suicide. The Mystery surrounding Charley's death wants to stay hidden. Read Kim's road to the Truth it will not disapont.
By Claire Davidson
4 ****
Reapers Rhythm is a fast paced YA Urban Read. Author Claire Davidson tells a riveting story from start to finish, with no stops in between. Her Characters feel so real.
Kim and Mathew have an uphill battle on their hands not to mention Mathew is he only one that believes her take on her sisters death. She insists it is not suicide. The Mystery surrounding Charley's death wants to stay hidden. Read Kim's road to the Truth it will not disapont.
December 1, 2017
What an amazing book! This book had me guessing and it had me on Kim's side all the way through that something wasn't right about Charlie's death. This book was not what I was expecting at all. It was better for sure. Lots of surprises in it. I didn't read the blub or anything so I just dug into the book not knowing what the book was about and I am glad I did. I can't wait to read book 2.
December 4, 2017
I HAVE TO SAY I DIDN'T EXPECT THIS BOOK TO GRIP ME AS MUCH AS IT DID. A BOOK THAT I COULDN'T PUT DOWN. WELL WRITTEN AND INTERESTING CHARACTERS. CAN'T WAIT TO READ MORE.
December 15, 2017
Excellent start to a series, I loved the main character and felt the book was written really well.
Can’t wait to start on the next book.
Can’t wait to start on the next book.
June 23, 2014
I received this book for free from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I gushed about the cover and art of this book in previous posts and now I can gush about the whole story that goes along with it! Davidson’s Reaper’s Rhythm is a fast-paced, emotional, and engaging fantasy-mystery. The quick flow of the story made it a pretty fast read, but it still had a heavy story. Haunted by her sister’s “suicide,” Kim tries to find out what really happened to Charley and why she has gaps in her memory of that night.
First of all, I liked the characters. Kim was a likeable protagonist and although we are told that she’s more subdued compared to Charley, I still found her to be an impulsive and determined character. I liked the family dynamic that was presented, and how they all deal with their grief. Her father and her bratty little brother do their best not to show their emotions but the little things that Kim notices shows us how deep their pain really is. Even more in the case of Kim’s mum, who Kim ends up butting heads with over some things, but this I think helps Kim on her character development and relationship with her mother.
As for any traces of romance with this “elusive stranger,” I don’t feel like the romance took over the story at all. Kim definitely had feelings for him but the story stayed firmly on track: find out what really happened to Charley. Even with the entry of other potential love interests, I never felt like it was unnecessary. The connections that Kim makes in the story are all integral to the plot, no really messy love triangles, no crazy teenage hormone-driven dramavalanche, etc. There were parts where it seemed like it would go down the teenage drama route but I was pleasantly surprised to see how it all factored into the main story. I found it to have a good balance of action, mystery, and insight into Kim’s family.
The only part where I thought to book fell short was the explanation fantasy elements of the story. I felt like I wanted to know more about the different aspects of Davidson’s fantasy world. Since this is the first in a series, I suppose the next books will shed more light on it. If so, I’m definitely looking forward to them!
Overall: With a well-paced and balanced plot, and likeable characters, this book gets four stars from me. I liked how the story came together in the end and I found the fantasy elements very interesting, leaving me wanting more information from the next book.
(Originally posted here at Read Me Away.)
I gushed about the cover and art of this book in previous posts and now I can gush about the whole story that goes along with it! Davidson’s Reaper’s Rhythm is a fast-paced, emotional, and engaging fantasy-mystery. The quick flow of the story made it a pretty fast read, but it still had a heavy story. Haunted by her sister’s “suicide,” Kim tries to find out what really happened to Charley and why she has gaps in her memory of that night.
First of all, I liked the characters. Kim was a likeable protagonist and although we are told that she’s more subdued compared to Charley, I still found her to be an impulsive and determined character. I liked the family dynamic that was presented, and how they all deal with their grief. Her father and her bratty little brother do their best not to show their emotions but the little things that Kim notices shows us how deep their pain really is. Even more in the case of Kim’s mum, who Kim ends up butting heads with over some things, but this I think helps Kim on her character development and relationship with her mother.
As for any traces of romance with this “elusive stranger,” I don’t feel like the romance took over the story at all. Kim definitely had feelings for him but the story stayed firmly on track: find out what really happened to Charley. Even with the entry of other potential love interests, I never felt like it was unnecessary. The connections that Kim makes in the story are all integral to the plot, no really messy love triangles, no crazy teenage hormone-driven dramavalanche, etc. There were parts where it seemed like it would go down the teenage drama route but I was pleasantly surprised to see how it all factored into the main story. I found it to have a good balance of action, mystery, and insight into Kim’s family.
The only part where I thought to book fell short was the explanation fantasy elements of the story. I felt like I wanted to know more about the different aspects of Davidson’s fantasy world. Since this is the first in a series, I suppose the next books will shed more light on it. If so, I’m definitely looking forward to them!
Overall: With a well-paced and balanced plot, and likeable characters, this book gets four stars from me. I liked how the story came together in the end and I found the fantasy elements very interesting, leaving me wanting more information from the next book.
(Originally posted here at Read Me Away.)
February 10, 2014
Reaper's Rhythm is a fast-paced, supernatural tale that was perfect for me after reading so many heavy-hearted reads. Kim finds her sister with her wrists slashed but doesn't remember what has happened when she wakes up two days later in the hospital with her puffy eyed parents staring back at her. She can't recall anything and she's determined to find out what happened to her sister Charley, because there is no way Charley would kill herself like everyone tells her she did. Kim idolized her sister. She was popular, was always going out, and looked happy until the very end. When she starts poking around she meets Matthew, a stranger that feels so familiar and with him even further mysteries about who really caused her sister's death. She is faced with so many questions and the answers that start forming seem impossible. Could magic be real? And if it is what does it have to do with her sister's death?
As soon as I got into Reaper's Rhythm I could sense the pace being pretty fast and whenever that happens I know there might not be enough moments to catch up on who the protagonist is only on the mystery revolved around her sister's death. So I knew what to expect in terms of pace and character development which I was welcoming from this book. Sometimes you need an entertaining read without it getting too complicated or ruining your emotions for days like some other books do. It was really pleasurable that way. I liked how the supernatural elements formed in this story. It really provided some added mystery and entertainment. I also liked how for once a protagonist who was in a dire situation didn't fixate on the wrong thing - a boy. I mean Kim did mention Matthew and his beautiful smile sometimes but she didn't obsess about him and completely forget that she needed to solve her sister's death. That is a rare quality in female POV's these days in YA and it was a breath of fresh air.
Reaper's Rhythm isn't the most thought provoking read but it's wonderfully entertaining. It really provided me with an escape. The supernatural elements were awesome and filled me with interest on how the author came up with this story. Kim was a great main character who had real strength and conviction to do the right thing. I'm curious to read what happens next with Matthew and Kim - how they will come to meet again and what dangers will they face. If the next book is as light and quick as this one I'll have to give it a try.
As soon as I got into Reaper's Rhythm I could sense the pace being pretty fast and whenever that happens I know there might not be enough moments to catch up on who the protagonist is only on the mystery revolved around her sister's death. So I knew what to expect in terms of pace and character development which I was welcoming from this book. Sometimes you need an entertaining read without it getting too complicated or ruining your emotions for days like some other books do. It was really pleasurable that way. I liked how the supernatural elements formed in this story. It really provided some added mystery and entertainment. I also liked how for once a protagonist who was in a dire situation didn't fixate on the wrong thing - a boy. I mean Kim did mention Matthew and his beautiful smile sometimes but she didn't obsess about him and completely forget that she needed to solve her sister's death. That is a rare quality in female POV's these days in YA and it was a breath of fresh air.
Reaper's Rhythm isn't the most thought provoking read but it's wonderfully entertaining. It really provided me with an escape. The supernatural elements were awesome and filled me with interest on how the author came up with this story. Kim was a great main character who had real strength and conviction to do the right thing. I'm curious to read what happens next with Matthew and Kim - how they will come to meet again and what dangers will they face. If the next book is as light and quick as this one I'll have to give it a try.
July 26, 2013
Style:
Reaper’s Rhythm is targeted at a YA audience but I think that still covers a broad range as adult will enjoy this too as well as younger readers. Clare’s style of writing is very readable and flows well, taking you gently by the hand like a friend and leading you into a strange world, only then to buffet you with emotion and drama. It’s the kind of book that keeps leaping into your hands and before you realise, you’re reading another chapter.
Plot:
Clare doesn’t waste any time in throwing you straight into the thick of the story. There’s enough mystery and events to push the story along at a nice pace and keep you guessing on which characters you should be rooting for. Kim tries to investigate her sister’s death and several different characters come into play, their intentions are skewed by mystery and by Kim’s own perspective as she delves deeper and uncovers dark secrets about them. The magical element is brought into the story and unveiled a bit at a time. It’s an interesting concept on the power of dark magic created through music, and the types of beings who create and police this magic use. The twists and mystery kept me going right until the end.
Characters:
Kim is the main character, driven by her grief to investigate her sister’s murder. She tries to maintain control as the story whirls into dangerous circumstances, doing what she can to protect her family. I rooted for her from the beginning because, despite suffering from grief, she’s a tower of strength, fighting against everything who’s trying to put her down, because she believes what she’s doing is the right thing.
Matthew is the mysterious man that keeps appearing and infuriating the life out of poor Kim. Dark and broody, he tries to protect her and is somehow connected with what happened to Charley.
Other characters come into play, Kevin is a geeky young man, Tia a bitch from hell, and her boyfriend Gage (Charley’s ex) all of whom are suspects.
Overall:
Reaper’s Rhythm was easy to read and drew me in from the very start, I found I didn’t want to stop reading. The mystery pushed me on, I wanted to know about the mysterious circumstances, what the deal was with Matthew, who murdered Charlie, how Kim would prove it, and protect her family from a similar fate.
Reaper’s Rhythm is targeted at a YA audience but I think that still covers a broad range as adult will enjoy this too as well as younger readers. Clare’s style of writing is very readable and flows well, taking you gently by the hand like a friend and leading you into a strange world, only then to buffet you with emotion and drama. It’s the kind of book that keeps leaping into your hands and before you realise, you’re reading another chapter.
Plot:
Clare doesn’t waste any time in throwing you straight into the thick of the story. There’s enough mystery and events to push the story along at a nice pace and keep you guessing on which characters you should be rooting for. Kim tries to investigate her sister’s death and several different characters come into play, their intentions are skewed by mystery and by Kim’s own perspective as she delves deeper and uncovers dark secrets about them. The magical element is brought into the story and unveiled a bit at a time. It’s an interesting concept on the power of dark magic created through music, and the types of beings who create and police this magic use. The twists and mystery kept me going right until the end.
Characters:
Kim is the main character, driven by her grief to investigate her sister’s murder. She tries to maintain control as the story whirls into dangerous circumstances, doing what she can to protect her family. I rooted for her from the beginning because, despite suffering from grief, she’s a tower of strength, fighting against everything who’s trying to put her down, because she believes what she’s doing is the right thing.
Matthew is the mysterious man that keeps appearing and infuriating the life out of poor Kim. Dark and broody, he tries to protect her and is somehow connected with what happened to Charley.
Other characters come into play, Kevin is a geeky young man, Tia a bitch from hell, and her boyfriend Gage (Charley’s ex) all of whom are suspects.
Overall:
Reaper’s Rhythm was easy to read and drew me in from the very start, I found I didn’t want to stop reading. The mystery pushed me on, I wanted to know about the mysterious circumstances, what the deal was with Matthew, who murdered Charlie, how Kim would prove it, and protect her family from a similar fate.
July 30, 2013
*I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
I'm going to begin this review with a caveat: the subject matter may be difficult for some people to deal with. That said, I enjoyed reading Reaper's Rhythm even with the sad overtones of the story. In the opening scene, Kim comes home to find her sister Charley dead of an apparent suicide. Only she doesn't believe Charley capable of taking her own life.
Reaper's Rhythm is written in first person from Kim's point of view. Kim has no memory of her discovery of her dead sister. Her memories stop at the threshold to the house and begin again when she wakes up in the hospital two days later. Though Kim insists that Charley was murdered, no one believes her. They assume she is mired in grief and not thinking straight. All the evidence points to suicide but still Kim refuses to believe it.
Kim meets a mysterious figure, Matthew, who seems to have the ability to remain invisible and disappear in the blink of an eye. She's sure that Matthew has information about Charley's death but isn't sharing. He appears all over the place, but when Kim asks others about him, no one remembers him.
The peripheral characters are interesting, there's a whole slew of them. Kevin and his cousin Tia pop up continually. Kim thinks they both know more about Charley's death than they admit. Gage, Charley's ex-boyfriend begins to show more interest in Kim than she'd like.
This is an engaging mystery. Nothing short of her own death will stop Kim from seeking the truth about Charley. As the story progresses and more clues are revealed, it becomes a desperate race to find the killer before anyone else dies. Reaper's Rhythm is difficult to put down once started. I recommend this book to everyone high school and up that enjoy a well paced paranormal mystery.
I'm going to begin this review with a caveat: the subject matter may be difficult for some people to deal with. That said, I enjoyed reading Reaper's Rhythm even with the sad overtones of the story. In the opening scene, Kim comes home to find her sister Charley dead of an apparent suicide. Only she doesn't believe Charley capable of taking her own life.
Reaper's Rhythm is written in first person from Kim's point of view. Kim has no memory of her discovery of her dead sister. Her memories stop at the threshold to the house and begin again when she wakes up in the hospital two days later. Though Kim insists that Charley was murdered, no one believes her. They assume she is mired in grief and not thinking straight. All the evidence points to suicide but still Kim refuses to believe it.
Kim meets a mysterious figure, Matthew, who seems to have the ability to remain invisible and disappear in the blink of an eye. She's sure that Matthew has information about Charley's death but isn't sharing. He appears all over the place, but when Kim asks others about him, no one remembers him.
The peripheral characters are interesting, there's a whole slew of them. Kevin and his cousin Tia pop up continually. Kim thinks they both know more about Charley's death than they admit. Gage, Charley's ex-boyfriend begins to show more interest in Kim than she'd like.
This is an engaging mystery. Nothing short of her own death will stop Kim from seeking the truth about Charley. As the story progresses and more clues are revealed, it becomes a desperate race to find the killer before anyone else dies. Reaper's Rhythm is difficult to put down once started. I recommend this book to everyone high school and up that enjoy a well paced paranormal mystery.
June 16, 2014
So... I'm not traditionally a YA reader, and I feel a little bit sad about that, because I know there are some wonderful aspects to the YA "genre"... tales dedicated to that age-range, anyway. It's a wonderful age to write about and for, with so many life lessons and issues to learn and navigate through.
That being said, I'm not traditionally a YA reader because, so far, there has always been "something missing" when I've read them. Can I put my finger on it? No... no I can't. It's just not there.
And continuing on with the "That being said..." theme... The "Hidden" series has a lot going for it.
It is an original concept. People being convinced to harm themselves by a magic that manifests through music; an angel-like being that I'm not sure actually is an angel; a hint of romance... or is it?
I really enjoyed the read, and read it quickly (I'm not usually one to read a book in a single day... but there you go). And I enjoyed the second book slightly more (I think it was the greater progress of the romance in book 2 that had me going... yes, yes, I am a sucker for a little romance in my stories).
As I am now reading the immensely popular "Daughter of Smoke and Bone" by Laini Taylor, I'm beginning to feel that readers who have enjoyed that series might enjoy this one... It's hard to say for sure, but I sense enough similarities (but with that, I believe the "Hidden" series is truly original... probably even more so that DoS&B is) to be able to whisper with some hesitation (and I don't make "If you liked this, you'll like that" recommendations lightly), "Yes, yes you will."
"Hidden" is a YA series that I, as a not-typically-a-YA-reader, will continue on with.
That being said, I'm not traditionally a YA reader because, so far, there has always been "something missing" when I've read them. Can I put my finger on it? No... no I can't. It's just not there.
And continuing on with the "That being said..." theme... The "Hidden" series has a lot going for it.
It is an original concept. People being convinced to harm themselves by a magic that manifests through music; an angel-like being that I'm not sure actually is an angel; a hint of romance... or is it?
I really enjoyed the read, and read it quickly (I'm not usually one to read a book in a single day... but there you go). And I enjoyed the second book slightly more (I think it was the greater progress of the romance in book 2 that had me going... yes, yes, I am a sucker for a little romance in my stories).
As I am now reading the immensely popular "Daughter of Smoke and Bone" by Laini Taylor, I'm beginning to feel that readers who have enjoyed that series might enjoy this one... It's hard to say for sure, but I sense enough similarities (but with that, I believe the "Hidden" series is truly original... probably even more so that DoS&B is) to be able to whisper with some hesitation (and I don't make "If you liked this, you'll like that" recommendations lightly), "Yes, yes you will."
"Hidden" is a YA series that I, as a not-typically-a-YA-reader, will continue on with.
August 2, 2013
Wow. What an adventure. I'd say Clare Davidson's second novel is a contemporary paranormal thriller, but that could translate into urban fantasy.
First. I am not a fan of present tense books, so when I started reading, I groaned. I was like nooooo, but the author handled it well, and I hardly noticed it as I was swept along into the story.
Second. Although the protagonist is 16, the book handles hard issues that many teens face such as suicide, sex, divorce and dealing with grief, so parents might want to preview it first. Here again, I think she handled it well while keeping it real.
Now for the story. Kim Welles finds her older sister dead, wrists slashed. She freaks out, runs to get help, trips down the stairs and slams into a man. He touches her forehead, tells her to sleep, forget. The next thing Kim knows she is waking up in the hospital and doesn't remember any of it. When her parents tell her that her sister committed suicide, she refuses to believe her happy-go-lucky sister would do such a thing, and Kim is determined to find out who killed her and why. As Kim unravels the mystery, the story speeds up and the tension builds, and we are in for one wild ride.
The characters felt real and kept you guessing whose side they were really on. The paranormal characters seemed like angels to me, but with different names & their own history. Although, I don't like to read books about angels, fallen angels, I liked how she explained their existence, giving us a feel of living an alternative reality, helping us to suspend disbelief rather than trying to apply our reality to the book's story.
It was a good, thought-provoking read, and I'm curious to see what is next in this series.
*I received an advanced reader copy for an honest review
First. I am not a fan of present tense books, so when I started reading, I groaned. I was like nooooo, but the author handled it well, and I hardly noticed it as I was swept along into the story.
Second. Although the protagonist is 16, the book handles hard issues that many teens face such as suicide, sex, divorce and dealing with grief, so parents might want to preview it first. Here again, I think she handled it well while keeping it real.
Now for the story. Kim Welles finds her older sister dead, wrists slashed. She freaks out, runs to get help, trips down the stairs and slams into a man. He touches her forehead, tells her to sleep, forget. The next thing Kim knows she is waking up in the hospital and doesn't remember any of it. When her parents tell her that her sister committed suicide, she refuses to believe her happy-go-lucky sister would do such a thing, and Kim is determined to find out who killed her and why. As Kim unravels the mystery, the story speeds up and the tension builds, and we are in for one wild ride.
The characters felt real and kept you guessing whose side they were really on. The paranormal characters seemed like angels to me, but with different names & their own history. Although, I don't like to read books about angels, fallen angels, I liked how she explained their existence, giving us a feel of living an alternative reality, helping us to suspend disbelief rather than trying to apply our reality to the book's story.
It was a good, thought-provoking read, and I'm curious to see what is next in this series.
*I received an advanced reader copy for an honest review
August 25, 2013
Reaper's Rhythm had a premise intriguing enough with strong hints on the paranormal.
Kim finds her sister dead in their home and it seems that Charley took her own life. Kim doesn't have any memory of her finding Charley and she refuses to believe her older sister took her own life, so despite everything thinking she's just acting out of denial & grief, she starts trying to discover what really happened, and who killed her sister if she didn't commit suicide. Every time she gets closer to get new information, more people are in danger and the stakes get higher.
Reaper's Rhythm bigger strenght are the characters and how raw and believable the interactions, relationships and emotions are. Kim's reactions as well as her family's are so real, you so feel how utterly broken Cherley's suicide has left them.
The mystery bit of the plot, with Kim trying to figure out what really happened worked fairly well, and Claire managed to write a very well rounded and realistic 16-year-old.
The paranormal side of the plot seemed to be the one thing that didn't seem to work for me so well. The way the mystery around Matthew was built and how he kept on witholding information and help on the name of protecting Kim simply ended up annoying me. The revelations at the near end of the book had a few twists here and there and were done nicely, but the paranormal world building was pretty scarce, it might have been done like that since it can be developed more in future books, but it was a bit of a turn off for me.
All in all an entertaining read, but not a gripping one. Final rating 3 stars.
Kim finds her sister dead in their home and it seems that Charley took her own life. Kim doesn't have any memory of her finding Charley and she refuses to believe her older sister took her own life, so despite everything thinking she's just acting out of denial & grief, she starts trying to discover what really happened, and who killed her sister if she didn't commit suicide. Every time she gets closer to get new information, more people are in danger and the stakes get higher.
Reaper's Rhythm bigger strenght are the characters and how raw and believable the interactions, relationships and emotions are. Kim's reactions as well as her family's are so real, you so feel how utterly broken Cherley's suicide has left them.
The mystery bit of the plot, with Kim trying to figure out what really happened worked fairly well, and Claire managed to write a very well rounded and realistic 16-year-old.
The paranormal side of the plot seemed to be the one thing that didn't seem to work for me so well. The way the mystery around Matthew was built and how he kept on witholding information and help on the name of protecting Kim simply ended up annoying me. The revelations at the near end of the book had a few twists here and there and were done nicely, but the paranormal world building was pretty scarce, it might have been done like that since it can be developed more in future books, but it was a bit of a turn off for me.
All in all an entertaining read, but not a gripping one. Final rating 3 stars.
April 15, 2015
Reaper's Rhythm is the story of a 16 year old girl named Kim who is looking into the death of her older sister Charley. We hear the story from Kim's perspective as she refuses to accept that Charley committed suicide. Her family, friends, and everyone else assume that she is overcome by her grief. The fact that she is the one who found her sister but can't remember it due to a strange case of amnesia regarding the incident does not help. She decides that it's up to her to find out what happened to her sister but soon thinks that maybe someone else has some answers. She starts seeing the mysterious Matthew everywhere...but can she trust him? And what does he have to do with the strange things happening?
It took me a little while to really get drawn into this story, but once I did I couldn't put it down. Since the story is told from Kim's point of view, instead of third person, I enjoy that we learn everything right along with her. I felt like this added to the suspense. Now I read a lot of books that have a paranormal edge to them and I enjoy that this didn't feel like something I've seen before. I always find myself commenting on the romance in a story, and there really wasn't much of that in this book. The lack of a big romance didn't make me like the story any less. I felt like by the end of the story I really got to know the characters and was satisfied with the mystery. It felt like a classic whodunnit with some seriously unexpected paranormal twists! I really enjoyed it and will most certainly continue on with the series.
Novels All Night
It took me a little while to really get drawn into this story, but once I did I couldn't put it down. Since the story is told from Kim's point of view, instead of third person, I enjoy that we learn everything right along with her. I felt like this added to the suspense. Now I read a lot of books that have a paranormal edge to them and I enjoy that this didn't feel like something I've seen before. I always find myself commenting on the romance in a story, and there really wasn't much of that in this book. The lack of a big romance didn't make me like the story any less. I felt like by the end of the story I really got to know the characters and was satisfied with the mystery. It felt like a classic whodunnit with some seriously unexpected paranormal twists! I really enjoyed it and will most certainly continue on with the series.
Novels All Night
August 12, 2015
I got this book at the Preston Comic Con. It took me a little while to really get into it. The story has a very dramatic opening hook, but after the initial establishment, things don't progress too quickly for a while. The character of Matthew also frustrated me with his infuriating, deliberate unhelpfulness to the protagonist - I hate characters like that - and I felt I had little patience for yet another mysterious, secretive, beautiful young man in a fantasy story.
About halfway through, however, once the supernatural elements are properly unveiled and established, everything was so intriguing and exciting that I couldn't stop reading. Once we know more about Matthew, his earlier behaviour feels more understandable.
There are other good things about the book, too. I enjoyed the murder mystery aspect throughout, regarding Kim trying to learn more about the death of her sister. Character emotions run very high throughout the story following the aforementioned death; I liked how this was handled, and particularly how the pain of Kim's loss is integrated with her feelings on the fantastical elements of the story. The prose is also very good, particularly the descriptions.
So by the end, I felt pretty satisfied with this one, and I'll be looking to read the next in the series at some point.
About halfway through, however, once the supernatural elements are properly unveiled and established, everything was so intriguing and exciting that I couldn't stop reading. Once we know more about Matthew, his earlier behaviour feels more understandable.
There are other good things about the book, too. I enjoyed the murder mystery aspect throughout, regarding Kim trying to learn more about the death of her sister. Character emotions run very high throughout the story following the aforementioned death; I liked how this was handled, and particularly how the pain of Kim's loss is integrated with her feelings on the fantastical elements of the story. The prose is also very good, particularly the descriptions.
So by the end, I felt pretty satisfied with this one, and I'll be looking to read the next in the series at some point.
September 13, 2013
Carrying on with not reading the blurbs on books, I'm glad i didn't again - its proving to provide me with great reads where i don't know what is going to happen.
This was definitely one of the books that if id read the blurb, it would have spoilt the surprises.
We follow Kim, a young girl with a normal family life, friends, school, until one day she goes home and finds her sister in her room, seemingly taking her own life. In shock she stumbles down the stairs and sees a stranger who presses her forehead and says "forget" and then "sleep".
She wakes in hospital 2 days later, with no memory of the afternoon.
Her gut is telling her something is wrong, but she cant figure it out, nothing is there to point to any other direction than her sister taking her own life.
I don't want to write the storyline, but it is definitely along the lines of a "who dunnit" and keeps you thinking and turning the pages through the book.
Well written, page turner, good characters, not something id normally pick up, but I'm definitely glad i did.
Something to just about get your brain ticking but not too heavy, and i do think another book along the same lines might be in the lines, but i don't know for sure.
A good easy read!
This was definitely one of the books that if id read the blurb, it would have spoilt the surprises.
We follow Kim, a young girl with a normal family life, friends, school, until one day she goes home and finds her sister in her room, seemingly taking her own life. In shock she stumbles down the stairs and sees a stranger who presses her forehead and says "forget" and then "sleep".
She wakes in hospital 2 days later, with no memory of the afternoon.
Her gut is telling her something is wrong, but she cant figure it out, nothing is there to point to any other direction than her sister taking her own life.
I don't want to write the storyline, but it is definitely along the lines of a "who dunnit" and keeps you thinking and turning the pages through the book.
Well written, page turner, good characters, not something id normally pick up, but I'm definitely glad i did.
Something to just about get your brain ticking but not too heavy, and i do think another book along the same lines might be in the lines, but i don't know for sure.
A good easy read!
May 6, 2014
This book was quite amazing to say the least. Clare Davidson paints a wonderful picture from the first page to the last, complete with suspense that keeps you turning pages although it's late at night and you should really go to bed. I really don't want to include any spoilers because this is just a delicious book, but I'll tell you a few things. The originality is compelling, and who knew you could create such a mystery around a few murders and some magical music? Combine that with a well-written first person present tense, and you'll constantly feel within the story and engaged on every word. I felt like I was right there next to the characters as they confessed, mourned, and argued. I was able to feel the protagonist's grief at the loss of her sister and the heartache her family had to deal with as they tried to regain normalcy after the tragedy. I recommend this book for anybody who likes mystery, a unique theme, and a young teenage protagonist who will go to whatever lengths necessary to right the wrongs in her life.
February 2, 2014
For the full review, please check out my blog!
The Reaper's Rhythm is about 16 year old Kimmie, who leads a fairly ordinary life until her sister kills herself. The problem? She knows it's a lie. There's a gap in her memory and she can't remember what really happened the night she died. Kimmie vows to find out the truth, but when she meets the mysterious Matthew, she'll learn that sometimes the truth isn't always sane.
I enjoyed this book mostly because I had just recently finished reading The Madman's Daughter. The character in that book had all the evidence in front of her, but didn't believe it and depended too much on the two lead male characters. I found Kimmie totally independent and loved how she was able to figure things out fairly quickly and didn't spend 20+ pages circling the same mystery.
Although Kimmie was a refreshing character, I didn't like how the majority of the book WAS predictable, as far as figuring out who the murderer was. But I did get thrown off at some points, which was good. All in all, it was an okay read, hence the 3 star rating.
The Reaper's Rhythm is about 16 year old Kimmie, who leads a fairly ordinary life until her sister kills herself. The problem? She knows it's a lie. There's a gap in her memory and she can't remember what really happened the night she died. Kimmie vows to find out the truth, but when she meets the mysterious Matthew, she'll learn that sometimes the truth isn't always sane.
I enjoyed this book mostly because I had just recently finished reading The Madman's Daughter. The character in that book had all the evidence in front of her, but didn't believe it and depended too much on the two lead male characters. I found Kimmie totally independent and loved how she was able to figure things out fairly quickly and didn't spend 20+ pages circling the same mystery.
Although Kimmie was a refreshing character, I didn't like how the majority of the book WAS predictable, as far as figuring out who the murderer was. But I did get thrown off at some points, which was good. All in all, it was an okay read, hence the 3 star rating.
February 14, 2014
This story begins with the death of the main character’s sister. The remainder of the story involves her quest to prove it was not a suicide.
The main character, Kim, was well-crafted. Her emotions and motives seemed clear. Sure, she makes some poor choices but she’s only 16 and she’s suffered a massive loss.
I had a hard time connecting with her but I think that was mostly because her interactions with her real friends was limited. I felt like I only saw her as the freaked out victim and wondered what she was like beforehand. In essence, I see the need for giving us “normal world” before plunging us into the deep mystery.
Most of the other characters weren’t fully developed but it didn’t affect the story. There is a clear problem and growing conflict to keep the story moving along. I was most disappointed in the rendering of Michael. He obviously had strong feelings and motives but he was allowed to be a cold, aloof bystander in the heroine’s life.
I gave this book four stars. After all, I finished it in a day and it held my interest.
The main character, Kim, was well-crafted. Her emotions and motives seemed clear. Sure, she makes some poor choices but she’s only 16 and she’s suffered a massive loss.
I had a hard time connecting with her but I think that was mostly because her interactions with her real friends was limited. I felt like I only saw her as the freaked out victim and wondered what she was like beforehand. In essence, I see the need for giving us “normal world” before plunging us into the deep mystery.
Most of the other characters weren’t fully developed but it didn’t affect the story. There is a clear problem and growing conflict to keep the story moving along. I was most disappointed in the rendering of Michael. He obviously had strong feelings and motives but he was allowed to be a cold, aloof bystander in the heroine’s life.
I gave this book four stars. After all, I finished it in a day and it held my interest.
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