Reapers

Okay, so I know what some of you might be thinking. "Bryan Davis wrote a book about ghosts? What?!" First of all, it's never what you expect. Reapers is very different from Davis's other works (as those familiar with Dragons In Our Midst Or DIOM will know). It's hard to find a way to exactly describe Reapers. For those into the said "Christian Fantasy" genre, this book will definitely carry symbolic spiritual undertones, but it's not a book that is the stereotyped "Christian" fantasy. Readers of all sorts will find this story interesting.I gave this book five stars because (in some ways) I've actually enjoyed this far more than any of Davis's previous books. It's much darker, grittier, and heavier than his lighter reads like DIOM. Yes, it's dark, but not gory, crude, or vulgar. Due to the amount of death and intensity of certain moments, I wouldn't recommend this for younger audiences. I would say fifteen is the average age of most of Davis's readers, but there are always much younger and older audiences, so Reader, please use your judgement, especially if you're buying this book for a young kid.Okay, so now the plot: Without giving away any spoilers, the main story revolves around Phoenix, a teenage Reaper (someone who collects souls at the moment of death) and his Reaper friends Shanghai and Singapore. In this dystopian urban setting, a mysterious council type of government forces people with a special birthmark to enlist as soul reapers. It is a cruel government that doesn't just record deaths, they enforce them. Meaning harsh punishment, work camps, and even death for people caught smuggling medicine or rebelling against the system. Phoenix is a likable character who struggles with his duties, knowing that the government he works for is cruel, but seeing no way to resist and survive. His only option seems to be to finish as a reaper and make it back alive to his loved ones. Then, enter Singapore. She brings up questions about the Gateway (the mysterious place souls are said to be deposited) and involves Shanghai (an old comrade of Phoenix's) and Phoenix himself into an intriguing battle that forces Phoenix to place everything on the line.As far as pros and cons go, I can't really think of anything I disliked about Reapers. I honestly loved and thoroughly enjoyed this story with it's climatic cliff-hanger ending. Unlike Davis's previous works where the writing can feel very prosy (especially with the dialogue) Reapers was much lighter on the prose. Don't get me wrong. Mr. Davis is a fantastic author, but I think that with Reapers, the fact that he used less prose and made the dialogue a little more down-to-earth really suited the style of this story and the world it takes place in. If there could be one con, I guess it could be the first person viewpoint. I personally liked Davis's first person viewpoint in Reapers (and I usually enjoy third person more) but I know there are some readers that don't particularly care for first person viewpoints.If this were made into a movie, it would be a medium-heavy pg-13. I loved that about Reapers because the intensity and the dystopian world felt so real. It wasn't glazed over with rose-tinted views the way some authors are prone to write, and it wasn't so depressing and gory the way those on the opposite end of the spectrum are. I say read this book. Even if you've never read any of Davis's other works, read this one. It's absolutely worth every penny!

Son loves Brian Davis! He is reading it quickly!!

It is a good book by Bryan Davis, at the beginning it throws you to this apocalyptic world without much context and it describes certain fictional characteristics that are hard to imagine, however it is packed with an engaging story that makes you want to overcome the lack of context. All and all a very good read, good thing book no. 2 is available to read right away.The characters are very likable even the bad guys. It is nice to see their history evolving, although some dialogue lines feel a little pushed. I am now devouring book no. 2

Bryan Davis is an amazing author. I own all his books and love his style of writing. He brings the characters to life in a story that is entertaining and can't be put down. I highly recommend all his books. If you read the plot summary and don't think it's for you try another one of his series, he has different styles and stories. They are all books that can't be put down and get you addicted.

I have read every series of books that Bryan Davis has written, and this one was the best yet. I enjoyed the first-person perspective he used. It was fast-paced and original. I finished reading Reapers tonight and ordered book 2 immediately! Great job Bryan! Keep up the good work!

A truly amazing book. As a fan of fiction books in general, as well as dystopian fiction, this set my bar to an all new high.With both a compelling cast of characters and a thrilling plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this has made it onto my bookshelf of absolute favorites. Definitely worth buying, and reading.

It was quite entertaining and was unlike anything I had read before. The characters were well-developed and the writing was polished and professional. The story itself wasn't my favorite, but it was an interesting concept.

Just like all the previous Bryan Davis books I have read, this book amazed me with its unexpected twists and turns. It was different from the normal things that he writes but definitely a good different, I can't wait to see what happens next in the series. Thank you Mr. Davis for writing such amazing books. You really have been an inspiration to help me become a writer.

One of my favourite books! I cant wait for the next book in the trilogy! For anyone that liked this book id recommend RAGE (Crisis Sequence One) by James Somers