“It turned out that Death drew all of us close, even if we weren’t aware of it.”

I am finally catching up on my BOTM picks from 2021! I wish I read this sooner. The Keeper of Night is first of all just an absolutely gorgeous book. It’s the first in a duology and follows the story of Ren, who is Half British Reaper and half Japanese Shinigami. She lives in London with the Reapers, but when she can’t control her Shinigami gifts, she ends up having to flee to Japan with the help of her younger brother, Neven.

This book is DARK. I don’t mind that, but if you want a light and fluffy fantasy, this book is not for you. We meet some very interesting creatures as Ren searches for her mother in what she hopes can be her permanent home. Ren and Neven’s relationship is really sweet through most of the book, and honestly Neven is just the best. The narrative on being considered “half” something instead of a “whole” of something and wanting to fit into a place to call home was devastating and powerful. The ending gave both me whiplash and I can’t wait for the next book, coming out in the Fall!