Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway: Reaping Me Softly by Kate Evangelista

Today I'm pleased to be part of the Blog Tour for Reaping Me Softly by Kate Evangelista.  This tour is hosted by AToMR Tours and you can find the complete tour schedule here.  Be sure to scroll down below my review and enter the rafflecopter for a chance to win and e-copy of Reaping Me Softly.  

Reaping Me Softly by Kate Evangelista
Publisher: Omnific Publishing
Publication Date: October 30th 2012
My rating: 3 stars

 

 

Book Description: Ever since a near-death-experience on the operating table, seventeen-year-old Arianne Wilson can see dead people. Just as she’s learned to accept her new-found talents, she discovers that the boy she’s had a crush on since freshman year, Niko Clark, is a Reaper.

At last they have something in common, but that doesn’t mean life is getting any easier. All while facing merciless bullying from the most powerful girl in school, Arianne’s world is turned upside down after Niko accidentally reaps the soul of someone she loves. This sends them both into a spiral that threatens to end Arianne’s life. But will Niko break his own Reaper’s code to save her? And what would the consequences be if he did?

Reaping Me Softly was an engaging start to a planned trilogy.

Arianne has a lot going on in her life.  Her sister Carrie is sick in the hospital, she has the full attention of Darla, the queen bee and ruling bully of the school, and Ari has a special ability to see the souls of those who’ve died.  There is one bright spot in her life, Niko a classmate she’s had a crush on since freshman year finally takes notice of her after years of crushing on him. 

Niko is a Reaper, one who is depressed and lost the desire to live. He sees no purpose or reason to his life after living lifetime after lifetime reaping souls.  Why? What is the point?  That is until Arianne catches his attention and saves him when he foolishly allows himself to fade.   

Arianne is at a point in life, when you crush on a boy and it means the world to you.  Her feelings felt very young, although not uncommon for someone her age.  I should know, I’ve felt that all-consuming crush drown out the rest of my life before, while in school.  What I did have to wonder at was Niko’s feelings.  Why has Niko only just now noticed Ari after spending three years in the same school, and sharing classes with her?  Now he’s suddenly entranced by her? The whole thing smacks of insta-love on his part.  I will say that there was chemistry between these two, and a few swoony scenes as well. 

Darla is the obligatory mean girl, in this story but for a reason that surprised me.  I was happy there was a twist in the usual plot-line.  I liked the unexpected.  Arianne’s best friend, Ben, was an interesting secondary character, and I wished we would’ve seen him a little more fleshed out.  Her sister Carrie was sweet and positive in spite of her condition, and I always love reading about close sister relationships, so it was a pleasure to read their interactions.

The Reaper aspect and world in this story ended up being more interesting that I expected, and I’m wondering how this will factor into the next couple of books. 

All in all, I felt like Reaping Me Softly was a promising start to the series. 

A big thanks to AToMR tours and Omnific Publishing for allowing us to participate in the tour. 

You can find out more about the author at these links:

Kate Evangelista

Social Media links:

Facebook

Website

Twitter: @KateEvangelista

Make sure you enter in the rafflecopter for a chance to win one of the ten e-books up for grabs.  Good luck and thanks for stopping by!


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