Book Review: Wraith

 

Wraith

Helen Harper

Overall: 3/5

Plot and themes: 3/5

Characters: 3/5

Writing style: 4/5

Attention-grabbing: 3/5

Back on that Helen Harper grind cause her books are honestly addictive. Wraith is a standalone about exactly what the title describes: a wraith. Wraiths are able to disconnect their shadows from their bodies and use them to creep through the night unopposed. They're usually murderers and thus rebuked by society. Saiya is a wraith but has never been a shadow assassin, using her ability to collect secrets to have enough money for a food in a militarized town owned by savage goblins. When a dark elf shows up, they have to team up to take them down. He's a big fan of hers- but a huge enemy of the wraiths. 

It was really good till probably 70 percent in when we started seeing the cracks of a rushed standalone. I'm a little confused where all the negativity towards wraiths came from, we should have probably spent some time ironing out the details of that. Especially when it became such a hindrance in the central romance. A hindrance that disappeared as fast as it really became an issue, making it feel like it was a big deal only to drop it like immediately. It just fizzled out for me. 

The romance was okay but rushed. Could have probably been better if it was developed over a longer page count. Here, it was an instalove trying to disguise itself as something with a stronger foundation. I enjoyed it well enough and Helen Harper has some great writing, it just was a little too short for me to really feel invested.