Book Review: Wicked is the Reaper by Nisha Tuli

Wicked is the Reaper starts out traditional—an arranged marriage contest based on which man can bag the biggest stag to win the princess—but quickly veers into original territory as fae shenanigans intervene. It’s billed as enemies-to-lovers, and it delivers perfectly in the bite-sized novella format. Without spoiling anything, he’s not what he’s made out to be, but he still acts a right bastard, throwing her in a cage, among other indignities. Circumstances force them together, as is wont to happen in this sort of book, and as they grow closer, the sparks that fly are more than worth the price of admission. Here’s a sneak peek at their initial rapprochement:

“I couldn’t figure him out and as the time wore on, I sensed us both easing into an unfamiliar place where our walls were thinning at the seams.”

Tuli does an excellent job with power dynamics in the book, and that plays out in the spicy scenes to compelling effect. Wicked, the fae captor, is big, strong, and dominant, but her joy is his joy, if you catch my drift. Since this is my precise jam, Wicked is the Reaper was my Bonne Maman. Tuli is not shy about showing us the goods, in exactly as much detail as we need, with the emotional beats to match. I totally bought these two together, and their emotional and steamy scenes were equally enjoyable. Here’s a teaser of what I’m talking about:

“After he tossed it away, he sat back on his knees, staring down at me with that hungry, predatory gleam that did strange things to my insides.”

In short, since this is a novella we’re talking about after all, you should read Wicked is the Reaper if you’re in for sizzling fae action and a fantasy plot that puts the relationship—and the spice—at the center of attention where it belongs.

Like your fantasy romance in epic format? Read my review of Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent.