The Keeper of Night by Kylie Lee Baker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Keeper of Night in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Gist
The Keeper of Night by Kylie Lee Baker is a dark fantasy novel that weaves together elements of Japanese folklore and supernatural intrigue to create a unique and haunting story. While the book offers a rich and immersive world with a compelling protagonist, it struggles with pacing and character development, resulting in a mixed reading experience.
The Details
The story follows Ren Scarborough, a half-British Reaper and half-Japanese Shinigami, who has never truly belonged in either world. After a violent incident forces her to flee London, Ren travels to Japan with her younger brother, Neven, in search of acceptance and a place within the Japanese underworld. To gain the favor of the Goddess of Death, Ren must complete a series of dangerous tasks, each more harrowing than the last.
Baker excels in creating a vividly atmospheric setting. The depiction of the Japanese underworld is both eerie and enchanting, filled with mythical creatures and gods that add depth and authenticity to the story. The blend of Western and Eastern mythologies is handled skillfully, providing a fresh take on the supernatural genre.
Ren is a fascinating protagonist. Her internal conflict and struggle for identity are compelling, and her determination to carve out her own place in the world is relatable. However, her character development sometimes feels inconsistent. At times, her actions and decisions lack clear motivation, making it difficult to fully connect with her journey.
The relationship between Ren and her brother is one of the book’s strengths. Their bond adds emotional weight to the story, and Neven’s loyalty and innocence provide a stark contrast to Ren’s darker inclinations. However, some secondary characters feel underdeveloped, and their roles in the story could have been more fleshed out to enhance the narrative.
However, the pacing of the novel is uneven. The initial chapters are gripping and set up an intriguing premise, but the middle section tends to drag with repetitive challenges and slower plot progression. The climax, while thrilling, feels somewhat rushed and leaves certain plot points unresolved or underexplored.
Baker’s writing is lyrical and descriptive, effectively conveying the dark beauty of the setting and the intensity of Ren’s emotions. However, there are moments where the prose becomes overly elaborate, slowing down the narrative and detracting from the story’s momentum.
The Verdict
Overall, The Keeper of Night by Kylie Lee Baker is an imaginative and atmospheric fantasy that offers a fresh perspective on the supernatural genre. Despite its flaws in pacing and character development, the novel’s unique setting and compelling protagonist make it a worthwhile read for fans of dark fantasy and Japanese folklore. While it may not fully realize its potential, it sets the stage for what could be an exciting and intriguing series.
