The Year of the Reaper

Three years after fleeing his home to escape a deadly plague, eighteen-year-old Lord Cassia returns to find his kingdom of Oliveras changed. He arrives during celebrations for the royal wedding, but soon discovers there are threats lurking beneath the festivities. As Cas works to reconnect with his older brother and adapt to his transformed homeland, he becomes entangled in a mystery involving attacks at the castle. His ability to see ghosts proves both a burden and an asset as he seeks answers about who might want to disrupt the peace. In a setting inspired by medieval Spain, this historical fantasy combines elements of mystery, romance, and supernatural intrigue. The story moves through royal courts, castle halls, and a land still recovering from devastating loss. The novel explores themes of survival guilt, family bonds, and the complex ways societies rebuild after catastrophic events. Through its focus on the aftermath rather than the disaster itself, it presents a unique perspective on resilience and healing.

Readers appreciate the detailed portrayal of a medieval plague's aftermath and the focus on trauma recovery rather than the pandemic itself. Many cite the compelling mystery elements and strong character development, particularly praising the protagonist Cas's complexity and dry humor. Readers highlight the romantic subplot as believable and well-paced, with one reviewer noting it "develops naturally without overshadowing the main plot." Common criticisms include a slow start and uneven pacing in the first third. Some readers expected more focus on the plague itself rather than its aftermath. A few mention that secondary characters could have been more developed. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (100+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4/5 (50+ ratings) "The medieval setting feels authentic without getting bogged down in historical details," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review states: "The mystery kept me guessing, but the character relationships are what made this story memorable."

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🦠 The book's portrayal of a devastating plague was partly inspired by the historical Black Death, which killed an estimated 30-50% of Europe's population in the 14th century. 📚 Author Makiia Lucier was born in Guam and grew up in both the Pacific and North Carolina, bringing a unique cultural perspective to her historical fiction works. ⚔️ The medieval setting draws authentically from the complex political dynamics of 13th-15th century European courts, including the role of royal physicians and castle hierarchies. 🎨 The cover art features a striking illustration by artist Miranda Meeks, known for her work on numerous young adult fantasy and historical fiction novels. 🏰 The fictional kingdom of Oliveras in the novel was partially inspired by medieval Spanish and Italian city-states during the Renaissance period.