“How could I possibly feel so close to the precipice of unraveling, so powerful yet so untethered?”
Kylie Lee Baker’s first work The Keeper of Night is a dark historical fantasy YA novel inspired by Japanese folklore and mythology. Half British Reaper and half Japanese Shinigami soul collector, Ren Scarborough has never felt like she belonged. However, one fateful night, in 1800s London, Ren’s Shinigami powers manifest and, as she loses control of them, she injures some High Reapers. Knowing she would be severely punished, she decides to flee to Japan, along with her half-brother, Neven. There she hopes to find her true identity and to be accepted by other Shinigami. This quest for belonging and respect, and desire to serve the Goddess of Death will certainly take Ren to places she didn’t expect when she embarked on this journey.
Baker’s worldbuilding is magnificent. Through the main character, the author effortlessly eases readers through a world so vibrant and intricate with introductions to underworld creatures such as Shinigami (death spirits), Yokai (supernatural spirits), and the nine-tailed fox. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know anything about Japanese mythology because it’s explained in a simple and easy to understand way. The visuals and imagery are extremely vivid and entrancingly beautiful whilst also being gruesome and dark at the same time. All of this is accompanied by a plot that’s extremely fast paced and coupled with compelling writing, so you will be glued to its pages at all times. That being said, there are some flaws and issues but they were mostly resolved by the end or proven to be intentional. The climax of the book is definitely unexpected and exciting as well, so readers, like myself, will be desperately waiting for the sequel!
The characters themselves are another strong point of the book. Morally grey characters are always fun and interesting to read, and those are definitely within the pages here. Ren is a great main character and even though she does questionable things, her motivations are interesting and what makes her feel real and therefore one can’t help but root for her. She’s tough and resilient but she also feels sorry for herself a lot and questions her own morals. The book is deeply rooted in Ren’s struggles with being biracial and her quest for validation. She’s constantly caught between two cultures and trying to figure out where she belongs since there are no examples that show her that she can embrace both. It will certainly strike a cord with biracial or diaspora readers.
On the other hand, her brother Neven sometimes seems to be the only voice of reason and one can’t help but feel for him. The relationship and dynamics between these two siblings is painful to read at times but it’s clearly evident that they care so much for each other. The other main character who will accompany the siblings on their journey is Hiro. His character has so much depth, certainly a character that keeps surprising the reader. Maybe the only critique here would be the insta-love relationship between him and Ren, it’s frustrating even though it does take the reader to unexpected places.
Overall, with themes of belonging, identity, family, and love The Keeper of Night is a wickedly delightful read that perfectly blends a rich historical setting with magic and mystery. With morally grey characters, unexpected turns, and a ton of dark folklore and fantasy elements, The Keeper of Night is definitely one novel you’ll want to have by your side this season.
Lastly, I must also congratulate and praise the illustrator of the cover Jessica Coppet for their extremely beautiful work! The style, the colours, and all the little details are wonderful.
The Keeper of Night is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of October 12th 2021 in the US and October 27th in Australia.
Will you be picking up The Keeper of Night? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
Death is her destiny.
Half British Reaper, half Japanese Shinigami, Ren Scarborough has been collecting souls in the London streets for centuries. Expected to obey the harsh hierarchy of the Reapers who despise her, Ren conceals her emotions and avoids her tormentors as best she can.
When her failure to control her Shinigami abilities drives Ren out of London, she flees to Japan to seek the acceptance she’s never gotten from her fellow Reapers. Accompanied by her younger brother, the only being on earth to care for her, Ren enters the Japanese underworld to serve the Goddess of Death… only to learn that here, too, she must prove herself worthy. Determined to earn respect, Ren accepts an impossible task —find and eliminate three dangerous Yokai demons— and learns how far she’ll go to claim her place at Death’s side.
