A completely different type of fantasy book than what I am used to and I loved it!
I found this book super interesting and different with the use of Reapers/ Shinigami (Japanese soul collector) and it was set in the late 1800s! The Japanese mythology and Folklore was woven beautiful throughout the story and was intriguing. Ren who is half British Reaper and half Japanese Shinigami goes in search of her mother and homeland after being persecuted by the British Reapers for attacking a High Reaper with her ever growing powers. She leaves in search of a place that will finally accept her and she brings her brother along. Once they reach Japan they meet Hiro who 'helps' them. Ren is set on 3 missions that she must complete in order to be accepted as a Shinigami.
There are a lot of dark themes and talks a lot about death but that is what I find makes this book stand out from the rest. Definitely a must read and I cannot wait for book, I need to know what happens next!

The Keeper of the Night tells the story of Ren, a Reaper/Shinigami who is split between two countries and fits in nowhere. She is not British enough for the British, and is treated as the lowest of the low. When she is forced to flee the Reapers, along with her brother, Neven, after an attack, Ren believes Japan is the only place for her now.

Only to find out that she is not Japanese enough for Japan, either. However, the Japanese goddess of Death will allow her to join their version of the Reapers, the Shinigami, after she proves herself by completing three seemingly impossible tasks. But how far will she go trying to find a new family for herself, and what about Neven?

This book was absolutely brilliant. The story, although based around mythological characters, was original, the feelings experienced by the characters real, and the plot twists, fantastic. Read it, read it, read it!

A dark fantasy with rich Japanese lore, The Keeper of Night will devour readers into an abyss of death and destruction, while hoping for a glimmer of light when this story concludes.

I instantly felt swept away by Kylie Lee Baker’s story. The rapid current pulling you under into the colorless depths, a rabid creature lurking in the dark, wrenching you deeper into a nightmare you didn’t know existed, until your very last breath.

What I thought most compelling in The Keeper of Night is the feeling of belonging. When you are not seen as whole, but having two distinct and separate identities. Being of mixed ethnic backgrounds, in Ren’s case half-Japanese and half-British, is always a challenge of who do you identify with most? And when the world has you under it’s ever judgmental microscope, debating your worth by your features alone, it’s no wonder Ren wants to tear the world apart and watch it burn to ash.

As the reader you feel the cruelty inflicted on Ren as though they are your own. Like tiny incisions repeatedly imposed over and over and over again, making you wonder, when and if she’s ever going to snap.

And after everything Ren goes through my hope is the next novel is more of a redemption book.

Because towards the end there is such a deep seeded betrayal.

In the beginning, Lee Baker sets up this perfectly erected and stable bond between Ren and her brother, Neven. That he would do anything for her and vice versa. But that relationship is tested to the brink of collapse when they make it to the shores of Japan.

As the story progresses, Ren is set on a path that her brother begins to resist. We see over time, their once strong and unbreakable relationship begins to erode. And I feel they both are at fault.

There’s this utter devastation and loss in the end that I hope is reconciled in the end. Where perhaps (just speculating) Ren will be unmade in order to find what she’s looking for. Reunited with the love that she lost as well as being forgiven for her seemingly selfish choices.

Epic in scope, Lee Baker’s world building is mesmerizing. You feel the cold depths of the underworld and its colorless landscape. Readers will be equally transfixed by the lore and characters Lee Baker brings to life on the page. I am anxious to see if we step back into London and possibly dive into Ren’s British heritage. Where we experience the landscape of that underworld and who we may encounter.

Happy Reading ̴ Cece

Thank you to the publisher for gifting me an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

The Keeper of Night follows Ren, a girl who doesn’t know where she belongs in the world of the dead. She was raised as a Reaper but soon learns of her origins as a Shinigami, like her mother. She makes it her mission to become a true Shinigami and by doing so learns who and what is most important in her world.

This book was absolutely incredible! It’s filled with rich Japanese mythology, betrayal, and even a bit of romance. I loved Ren’s character; I felt sorry for her and hurt with her at times while reading. Ren’s brother, Neven, was such a cinnamon roll. I just wanted to protect him with my whole being. I like Hiro’s character too and his story arc fit the story really well, even if it didn’t go the way I wanted.

The writing style was easy to follow along with while still being enchanting, especially through the inclusion of the myths and legends. There were a couple terms I knew while reading which was cool but I also got to learn some new Japanese terms which is super neat.

Without spoilers, the ending didn’t really go the way I was expecting. I like the way Baker ended it though. She definitely set it up for a sequel, while still having most things fully resolved.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to getting a physical copy for my collection. I highly recommend checking it out if you love learning about Japanese mythology!

This was darker than I expected!

Ren is a Reaper in London, but she's also half Shinigami, a Japanese Reaper. She never knew her mother and lived with a father that didn't want her. The only good thing was her half brother, Neven. Ren was bullied by other Reapers because she was different. When a power she had got out of control, Ren knew she would be punished. She decided to run away to Japan and find her mother. Neven left with her even knowing that he would never fit in. They traveled and got away. But things did not go as planned in Japan. Ren basically has to audition to be made a Shinigami. Izanami, the Goddess of Death, gives Ren the names of three Yokoi to kill. If she does this, Ren can serve the goddess. Their guide, Hiro, helps, but he doesn't tell Ren about the last Yokoi until they get to her. Ren has to make a lot of (poor) decisions to decide what she wants in life. And that usually ends up being something that could hurt Neven, the only person who has ever loved her. They face the Yokoi, but things still don't happen the way that they should. There's a bit of a twist and then a second twist.

I enjoyed how dark and creepy this book was. I can't wait to see what happens in the second book after that ending.

I gave this book 4 stars.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my earc.

Warnings for blood, death, bullying, parental abuse (mental), and a lot of creepy demon/ghost moments.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an egalley for review. Kylie Lee Baker's "The Keeper of the Night" has all of the elements of a fairy tale plus all of the dark elements that makes it modern and engaging. It follows the rule of three, three monsters to defeat, but instead of having the lead be male, it's the female lead that defeats the monsters...or does she? Ren is of mixed race, so she is made to feel unwelcome in both London Reaper and Japanese Shinigami society. She is constantly trying to prove her worth, which is why she undertakes these Yoki tasks, but at what cost?

I picked this up because I've always found Japanese mythology to be intriguing, and on that mythology, this novel 100% delivers. The writer has pulled from English, Irish, and Japanese mythologies to create a breathtaking fantasy world filled with magic, monsters, and ruthless gods. At the same time, the story is grounded in the pure trauma of Ren's life as a half reaper, half shinigami who fits into no world at all.

What astonishes me most about this book is the author's ability to take such a deeply flawed character and make the reader root for her. Ren is not nice. In fact, she has very few redeeming qualities at all. Her love for her loyal brother, Neven, might well be her only good quality. That said, I could not stop hoping that she would succeed--that she would get everything she wanted.

This dark tale is definitely one to look out for, and I think it's sure to be the great YA hit of October (especially since it manages to avoid the typical YA tropes and cliches).

I reeeally wanted to like this and I did enjoy draw from Japanese yokai and demons. But it just took way too long to get started despite, strangely, simply just starting. I was very confused by the opening chapters, which did very little to draw me into the characters or the setting or even the plot. It felt like I was being dropped into the middle of the story. It really didn't compel me to move on.

For me this was not a strong series launch. I had a hard time getting into the story after Ren & Neven left London. I found the opening scenes in London to be very strong. I was pulled into the story and the world-building was nicely handled in this section. I would have not minded a little bit more time with this setting, getting to know the powers and the world of the Reapers. I also think some of the journey between London and Paris could have given us a chance to see how our main characters move in the world and further develop the relationship between Ren & Neven, which even by the time we reach Japan, I did not find particularly convincing. Overall I didn't love the writing style and I found the world-building to be a bit confusing or inconsistent at times. It didn't grab me and I won't be continuing the series.

This book tore me in two. The writing style is wonderful, and I love the way that we get to know each of the characters so well through their distinct voices. The setting was incredible, and I felt like I was there, running away with Ren.

Half British Reaper, half Japanese Shinigami, Ren 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. The only person she has to help deal with the pain is her younger half-brother Neven.

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 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 again prove herself worthy. Determined to earn the 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, even if it means betraying her own blood.

Overall, this book was a 5 star read, and I can’t wait until the second book comes out. Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this early, in exchange for an honest review.

Ren Scarborough has never fitted in with the other reapers because she is half British Reaper and half Japanese Shinigami. Ren grew up being treated as a burden and respecting the cruel hierarchy of the reapers all who despise her, well everyone except her younger half-brother. One day after a little over two centuries of tormenting she can no longer control her Shinigami powers she inherited from her mother. Now that the reapers want her dead, she is fleeing to Japan to reconnect with her mother and become a Shinigami. However, when she arrives in Japan, she must prove worthy of becoming a reaper. Ren is given an impossible task of eliminating three legendary Yokai demons by the goddess of death. The keeper of the Night has to be one of my favourite fantasies of 2021. Throughout it we see major character development on all the characters parts. One of my favourite elements is the historical fiction that was intertwined with both fantasy and Japanese folklore. I haven’t seen any books before talking about Japanese folklore and this one was amazing. It explained it really well and wasn’t confusing at all. The character’s had real lives and at times although it was a thriller it was also funny. The book lures you in like a Yokai and doesn’t leave you disappointed either. The absolutely unpredictable plot twist towards the end were done well. I can understand and fully believe that the book deserves all the hype it is receiving and once it releases it will not only become a Young Adult staple but also a bestseller. The story and ending have stayed in my head for a while and the more you dissect it and look back you realise the level and quality of the story and writing. Kylie Lee Baker truly has talent and amazing stories to tell. So for now I will be on the lookout for more information about the sequel and keeping an eye on all of Kylie Lee Bakers future stories.

A couple days after finishing, and I'm still trying to decide how I feel about the book.

A bit of a slower start (I HAVE seen slower though) combined with some fairly childish behavior from beings supposedly the personification of Death himself had me put the book back down for a day or two. I chugged through the first couple chapters, then almost out of nowhere "we" are in Japan instead of London and things start happening at a breakneck pace.

The characters are fortunately not clearly morally light or dark, as a Reaper or Shinigami and representing Death, how could they be? Ren and her brother Neven lean in opposite directions, though neither fully to one end of the spectrum, so their dichotomy is interesting to see. There is some realistic representation of the feelings of looking for somewhere to belong, especially as a bi-racial Asian woman in a Steam Age world.

Overall, I would probably give 3.5 stars but would read it again and would pick up the sequel to see where the story goes next.

I really did enjoy this read. I loved the focus on Japanase mythology and loved the world that was created. I also really loved the siblings realtionship that was at the heart of this read. This book did have some pacing issues in the start and towards the end. It felt like the pacing was a bit confusing and clunky. I also really liked the quest elements and also just the big world for these characters. The main character i sometimes struggled with, but the end made me really enjoy her. I will def be checking out book 2 in the future

**Review will be published on my blog/Instagram, October 7th*

MURDEROUS.

That’s pretty much the whole vibe of this one. Dark, twisted, and oh so murderous. And while that’s not generally my jam, this grim YA fantasy was pretty good. I cringed a lot and the mental pictures painted are a bit horror movie style, and that’s its charm!

I really enjoyed the main character Ren. Struggling with her identity as biracial and not feeling like she fits in anywhere, she goes to Japan in hopes of finding a new home there. Upon arriving with her brother are when things start to turn, ahem, deadly. She’s very much morally grey and you’ll want to follow her down to the dark side.

The lore behind all of the terrifying monsters had me keeping the lights on. The writing was vivid, and I felt myself on the journey with Ren. I adored her brother Neven and the opposite views he created. He was the necessary dichotomy to a wicked story.

Plot wise, it did drag sometimes and it took me awhile to understand all of the different things Ren was trying to accomplish and why. But I loved her journey and her ability to express and acknowledge her emotions and standing in her feelings while she worked through what life had handed her.

The ending was wild. Did not see the majority of it coming and am so dang curious how the second book rectifies it all. There is a dash of something akin to a romance, but I don’t want to say more because it would definitely be spoiler-y. It was rich in explorations of family, identity and place to be who Ren wanted to be and I can’t wait to follow her journey further.

Overall audience notes:

YA Fantasy
Language: a little
Romance: intense kisses/make-outs
Trigger/Content Warnings: ableism, racism, many blood & gore depictions, mutilation of bodies (dismemberment, etc.), death of a parent, multiple murders, exile, bullying

The premise was intriguing (I always enjoy when fantasy novels put a new spin on old stories: in this case Baker riffs on both Japanese mythology and two different cultural personifications of Death), but I found the initial pace and setup in The Keeper of Night way too slow. I liked the concept of the British Reapers, yet felt like we should have either gotten more about them (some of Ren and Neven's powers feel inconsistent as the story progresses), or much less--they're mostly forgotten once Ren is exiled and takes off for Japan.

The pace picks up once Ren and co. start hunting Yokai (some of which are decidedly creepy!), and I thought the plot twist near the end was well done. Also, Baker's treatment of Ren's dual heritage felt sadly realistic for this vaguely Victorian time period: as a biracial woman, she's ostracized in England, but once she arrives in Japan she's also viewed as a stranger there. Ren isn't a particularly likeable heroine, but I found her quest interesting enough that I didn't need her to be likeable all the time. (I did find it surprising that our supernatural, centuries-old characters often acted like teenagers, but that's probably not as much of a detriment in a YA novel.)

In short: Our heroine is dark and unlikeable, but I still felt invested in her story. Once we leave England, the story really picked up for me--I just wish that the first quarter/third of the novel was either faster-paced or more tightly-constructed, because I think the beginning might lose some readers.

the keeper of night is a rich historical young-adult fantasy of identity, family, love and belonging—all intricately interwoven through deliciously dark japanese mythology and folklore.

half british reaper and half japanese shinigami, ren scarborough navigates us through a world so lush and vibrant with such an electrifying magic system. through our main character, it was not difficult at all to get used to the world and magic and how it works. kylie lee baker does an excellent job in easing us into it in a way that seems so effortless. the pacing can be jarring but it worked for me just as well.

it's safe to say this was one of my top anticipated reads of this year—and it did not disappoint! i cannot explain how many mixed feelings i've had for this book as i read. for the first 70% or so i hated so many aspects; i was furious, frustrated and ready to rate it so much lower. all until all the dots connected in the last third of the book and it turns out i was rightly supposed to feel conflicted. so i say that is a success!


‣ world & setting — one of (if not the) best aspect in the book for me. we follow ren from london to japan and the world unfurls from there. the intricacies within the world-building that the author creates are fascinating to unravel one by one as we delve deeper into the unknown world of japan and the den where death herself resides. i'm still mesmerized by it and so excited to read more of it as the next installments of the series come.

‣ characters & dynamics — ren makes for the best fit for a main character as she is biracial and suffers through figuring out her identity and where she belongs, and so it was interesting to see how that gelled well in a magical setting. her dynamic with her brother has me feeling so conflicted... poor neven getting dragged along and being the only voice of reason throughout this whole book had me livid at times. ren feels sorry for herself and that aspect about her often toys with her morals—but i understood her by the end. however, my favorite character throughout most of the book was hiro; without spoiling, i'll just say there is so much depth to him, i loved him and he continued to surprise me till the last page!

‣ plot & stakes — this book is not for the faint of heart. aside from the gore and dark themes, it takes a surprising turn to present unconventional characterization and dynamics that makes the plot and stakes really interesting. the stakes were high, save for a tiny bit of predictability in certain parts and plot devices conveniently used... but ultimately, most issues that first appeared to me as flaws were sooner or later called out on by the book itself and proven to be intentional.

‣ writing & prose — i like! there's something about it that keeps me glued to the page. kylie lee baker is talented. i was never, never bored—so that says a lot! i loved the occasional quotes sprinkled in, they were not generic at all and delicately added at the right place and time to deliver a meaning. i can't wait for this book to be out so i can scream about some of these lines!!

‣ climax & conclusion — i could have NOT seen that climax coming. i had my doubts of course... but that?! i had my jaw on the floor. i wish i could insert my reactions to every single line as i read the infamous chapter 21. what an experience. it really tied the knot and made sense out of the confusion i was drenched in. i LOVED it.


so, really, the only reason i knocked off a star is because of the few inconsistencies i picked up on and a few conveniences and out-of-character moments that only helped move the plot along—some things were conveniently placed as plot devices, but luckily in the end it didn't take much from my overall enjoyment of the book.

if anything else will convince you to read this book, let it be this note quoted from my kindle notes as i read the ending: "oh my god i am witnessing the end of the world right in front of my eyes."


content warning: ableism, racism, sexism, blood, gore, dismemberment, decapitation, cannibalism, death of loved ones, murder and attempted murder, violence, stabbing, death from exposure to the cold, drowning, exile, bullying, mention of stillborn child, disability, death (on-page + discussed frequently), emotional neglect of a child, mentions of child abandonment, implied sexual content.

— digital arc provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Yōkai and Reapers and Darkness…<i>oh</i> my.

<i>The Keeper of Night</i> was deliciously written. Teeming with Japanese folklore, this was much more eerie than I had expected (but in the most wonderful of ways). Unlike most young adult books, Kylie Lee Baker brought forward main characters who are morally ambivalent. The shadows that she cast in our main character, Ren Scarborough, and the questionable motives of Hiro, were chased with the light that Ren’s brother, Neven, carried. For me, this added a thick sticky, sludge of emotions as the story revealed itself to me. I liked this. The morally grey, or questionable, sections of this book added teeth that scraped at my skin, threatening to draw blood. The underlying themes that followed Baker’s morally ambivalent characters, like a creature stalking in the night, stuck with me. I reflected on them long after I closed the book.

Being of mixed culture myself, there were sections of <i>The Keeper of Night</i> that left a bitter taste in my mouth. Particularly near the beginning of the book, but I’m glad that I pushed forward. Parts of <i>The Keeper of Night</i> were written so vividly that I felt like I could see a movie reel playing in my mind, but other sections of the book were dancing on the edge of purple prose. Overall, the writing was most enjoyable.

I feel like my heart was torn out of my chest at the end. And although I know there’s a second book coming, I would also like to say that I think <i>The Keeper of Night</i> could have been a very strong standalone with a bit of finessing at the end. But since Baker tore my heart out, I’ll certainly be picking up the second book. Baker, please give me my heart back.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC. This review has been written voluntarily because I think books are cool.

The Keeper of the Night by Kylie Lee Baker is a moving journey of belonging. Ren is a child of death. Though growing up in London with her father's family and being trained as a Reaper of souls, she's never fully regarded as an equal among the others. Tormented and belittled by the Reapers there, she flees everything she knows to come to Japan, hoping to both find her mother and be fully accepted among the Japanese soul shepherds, the Shinigami. Finding once again a land where everyone sees her as a foreigner, Ren navigates a list of tasks assigned to her by the Goddess of Death, accompanied only by her half-brother Neven, who refused to leave her side since her flight from London, and by Hiro, a curiously sympathetic figure who finds them in the land of the dead. As they travel across Japan, the power of Death grows ever stronger in Ren, and she begins to fear she'll be consumed before she ever finds the place she was meant to be.

This story was an exploration of identity, family, and mythology come to life. As Ren and Neven travel together, they face monsters without and within. As a reader, you're pulled into the tension between compassion versus anger, and loyalty versus independence. As brother and sister in a world where neither of them truly fit in the way they desired to, the struggle of identity -- and the resulting worth they derive from it -- brews a potent fear. Both are born as children of death, but both are at odds with their role in life. But besides these elements of the story, the author brings you into a world of mythology that many may not be familiar with. While even the tropes of "reapers" in the London context were engaging to the imagination, the figures of Japanese mythology were particularly fascinating. And the author weaves it all into a comprehensive and interconnected world where the supernatural doesn't feel so far away.

This was a thrilling book to read. Just as I was becoming confident that I could see where the story would be leading, it turned and started down a new and exciting path that would keep any reader on their toes until the end. I truly can't wait for the story to continue.

Thank you Netgalley and Inkyard Press for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Keeper of the Night. It follows the story of Ren the half British Reaper, half Japanese Shinigami. She’s been collecting souls in the London streets for centuries but after an accident where she fails to control her Shinigami abilities. She and her brother must flee to Japan to seek the acceptance she’s never gotten by her fellow Reapers by serving the Goddess of Death.

I love Ren’s character. She is resilient and driven and her feeling of never really belonging in either London or Japan really struck a chord with me. Being adopted from China and moving to the US I never felt like I was truly Chinese or American. I love how the author played with the concept of home and is home just a geographical location or a feeling of belonging. Especially as she traveled with her brother who never abandoned her.

The adventures and trials she and her brother faced were thrilling and spooky. The details about Japanese folklore and the Yōkai were frightening. The monsters definitely gave me the chills.

The book had good pacing and never stalled. I loved the “magic” system and how Reapers collected souls vs Shinigami methods. There were some slower moments but none that felt boring. I definitely loved the characters and the world building. I think this book would appeal to many readers and the representation is very validating to those who may feel stuck somewhere in between.

There is so much to love about The Keeper of Night. I immediately got lost in the lore of the world and am desperate for more. It makes me want to delve deeper into Japanese folklore and learn as much as I can.

The characters were brilliantly done and while there were times that I could not stand Ren, I felt that that was very natural, because you are always going to love someone. And they're darker traits are harder to swallow. The slow decent into morally grey to get what your heart is screaming for is a universal human trait that we all fight against and I think it was beautifully done.

Outstanding debut from Kylie Lee Baker.

My only reason for not giving it five stars is the pacing was a little wonky in the middle.