‘An Ember in the Ashes’ was phenomenal, ‘A Torch Against the Night’ though I had some issues with it was also great, but I thought ‘A Reaper at The Gates’ would make up for what lacked in the previous instalment, creating a fire of its own, and though I don’t want to say it, it didn’t.

I felt adrift for about 50% of the book, wondering what the author’s objective was, where she was taking the characters, and whether it was going to get interesting. Though 'A Reaper at the Gates' shines with character development and subtly effective writing, it otherwise left a lot to be desired for. It took time for me to settle back into this world, understanding the war politics, who was allied with whom, the strategies, reacquainting myself with the characters, the jargon, for which reason I think a glossary would have benefitted the reader as I wasn’t following the goings on – particularly from the Blood Shrike’s POV. The content in Helene’s chapters could be become tiresome to read, the war intrigues constant, and there was at times too much information that I wasn’t following, and not enough of what I wanted. I did however find that this book brings out the better aspects of her personality, and I really look forward to seeing where the next book takes her. Never being quite so partial to her character in previous books because of her bigoted views of the enslaved and lower classes, I’ve always struggled with finding the heart in her character when she has only ever had a heart for her own race. She is a force to be reckoned with, but even that holds no bars to the sacrifices required of her. These are trying times for Helene, and it doesn’t get easier for her in this instalment. Thwarting attacks to the Empire, engaging in the politics of war, ploys for power, plays for it too, the Blood Shrike competes with Keris for ascendancy and the trust of the Empire because forces are wishing and watching them fall.

A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir