Had there been a slight pause before these interviews, or if they had even been narrated by someone different, I think these breaks would have been much more clear. As Angelina makes her way across the country, characters give interviews of their impression of the young girl at the end of each chapter, and sometimes there is no break between the chapter and the interview, making it sound like it's part of the continuing story. My only drawback for the audiobook are the chapter ending interviews. Karly Hutchins narration is clear and understandable and perfectly captures Angelina's detached emotions. At turns both perverse, depraved, and beautiful, Engstrom does not shy from the darkness found in humanity.

Engstrom's prose is almost romantic as she describes Angelina's journey, and what ends she'll go to to achieve her goals. I would like to thank Valancourt Books for providing a free audio download of The Reaping in exchange for a fair and honest review.Įlizabeth Engstrom's Black Ambrosia follows Angelina's descent into darkness as she decides that she's had enough of the world around her and feeling weak so decides to become a vampire. Hannibal Hills narration is excellent and easy to understand. The horror is a very slow build, but once all the pieces of the puzzle start falling into place, the story takes a rapid chase to its chilling and unexpected end. Some plot points seem too contrived for necessity, but the twists and turns will keep the reader guessing. Whether of wealth, the flesh, or youth, seduction is at the core of this book.

Soon, to his horror, Rigby discovers that the commission for the portrait and all that he observed at the manor were all part of a diabolical plot, and that his was a small but integral part in a much larger, more sinister scheme. However, during his stay at the mansion, Rigby observes more and more distressing goings-on, and is more than happy to have his leave of the mansion at the completion of the portrait. Rigby soon finds himself romantically involved with the subject of the portrait, a young relative of the owner of Woolvercombe House. At first reticent, the money offered is too lucrative for Rigby to turn down. Tom Rigby, former artist-turned-shop owner, is commissioned to paint a portrait in a secluded country mansion.

Bernard Taylor's The Reaping is an unsettling Gothic tale of seduction, and the myriad ways that seduction can be used against a person.

The Reaping by Bernard Taylor