Review | A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir

Title: A Reaper at the Gates (AEITA #3)

Author: Sabaa Tahir

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5 Stars)

Publisher: Razorbill

Release Date:June 12, 2018

“There are things worse than death,” I say. “Shall we learn about them together.”

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I feel like it’s opposite day because, I was not really expecting to care much about this book, and it became my favorite in the series?!?! While I really enjoyed An Ember in the Ashes, I thought A Torch Against the Night was just okay. But A Reaper at the Gates literally hooked me from page on and expanded this story in amazing and engaging ways.

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Things I Liked 
I really loved opening up the story with a Nightbringerchapter. I felt like I really got to know him in this book. It created sympathy and understanding that made him a really interesting character. Is he justified in his vengeance? Is he really a villain, or is he just doing what’s best for his people? He so selfish, but respectfully so? I really liked him in the story.

I feel like Reaper was filled with all the worldbuilding that books 1 and 2 lacked. I got more history and a larger scope of the Empire as a whole, background on the jinn and the Waiting Place. I also liked seeing more magic explored after only seeing hints in the earlier books. I just like getting to know more of this world.

Who in the hell thought that Helene would have been my favorite after not liking her in books 1 and 2. I just thought that her POV had the best balance of plot and character development, and it was the one that kept me hooked the most.

Elias’ journey was so heartbreaking and sad. His journey to accepting his role as the Soul-Catcher was devastating because he had to embrace all he rejected about becoming a mask. I hated seeing him constantly battling his desires and humanity, even if his role is necessary.

Avitas Harper remains a scene stealer for me and I need him and Elias to have a proper conversation in book 4.

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Things I Didn’t Like 
Grimárr felt like such a faceless character that everytime he was mentioned I was like who is this annoying rando causing trouble. I just so did not care about him or his army. It felt like he literally came out of nowhere to be a pawn/distraction from the Commandant.

I feel like Elias and Laia’s POVs were relatively plotless. They were basically all buildup until the last part of the book. But they did have emotional and character development that kept me engaged, but I wished there was more to their stories earlier.

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A Reaper at the Gates was such a pleasant surprise and it really reinvigorated the series for me. I feel like everything I coming together and consequences are coming fast. I kind of can’t wait to see how it all wraps up.

What’s your favorite book in ther series? Who is your favorite character? Have they changed through the series? Share below!