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Black Bird of the Gallows #0.5
Cleaner of Bones
Reece Fernandez didn’t come to this town to finish high school. He hadn’t planned to stay. Changed against his will into a harbinger of death many years before, Reece has only known a nomadic existence, chasing disasters where mass death occurs and feeding on the energy. But after meeting his new neighbor, he can’t imagine leaving.
Angie Dovage changes everything. Feelings he thought had died complicate his predictable but gruesome existence, making him want to share his secrets with her. Making him yearn for a different life. Reece is desperate to protect Angie from an impending natural disaster that will decimate her town, and from a sinister creature who sees her as the key to breaking his own tortured curse.
But one hard lesson Reece has becoming a harbinger of death was easer than unbecoming one…
Each book in the Black Bird of the Gallows series is
* Cleaner of Bones (Prequel)
* Black Bird of the Gallows
* Keeper of the Bees
Angie Dovage changes everything. Feelings he thought had died complicate his predictable but gruesome existence, making him want to share his secrets with her. Making him yearn for a different life. Reece is desperate to protect Angie from an impending natural disaster that will decimate her town, and from a sinister creature who sees her as the key to breaking his own tortured curse.
But one hard lesson Reece has becoming a harbinger of death was easer than unbecoming one…
Each book in the Black Bird of the Gallows series is
* Cleaner of Bones (Prequel)
* Black Bird of the Gallows
* Keeper of the Bees
67 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2018
About the author
Meg Kassel
5 books240 followersMeg Kassel is an author of paranormal and speculative books for young adults. A New Jersey native, Meg graduated from Parson's School of Design and worked as a graphic designer before embracing her true passion, writing. She now lives in a log house in the Maine woods with her family, and is busy at work on her next novel. A fan of ’80s cartoons, original Netflix series, daydreaming, and ancient mythology, Meg has always been fascinated and inspired by the fantastic, the creepy, and the futuristic. When she’s not writing, Meg is reading, hanging out with her husband and daughter, hiding her peanut butter cups, or walking her rescue mutt, Luna.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 15, 2018
Cleaner of Bones was a freebie for signing up to the author's newsletter. It's written from Reece's point of view and compliments Black Birds of the Gallows. It's a short story which would best fit straight after you have read Black Birds of Gallows. It explains what the Black bird life is like and Reece's relationship to the Bee keeper. We get a glimpse into his feelings unravelling for the girl he cannot have. Birds leave. Wanting more is dangerous. The ending to his romance is in the Black Birds of Gallows not the mini instalment of the Cleaner of Bones. It's a little extra rather than a standalone story.
Want to read
September 23, 2018I don't care if it's only 87 pages, WE'RE GETTING A PREQUEL! 😍😍😍😍
August 7, 2024
So glad we got a prequel!!!
Reece is such a great character and this little edition was just perfect.
I am a little sad about how short it was. And it kept making me wish that all of Black Bird of the Gallows had been told from Reece's perspective. Or in alternating perspectives like Keeper of the Bees.
I'm really wishing for more prequels now. Like more of Dresden's and Reece's history. That would be so cool.
Overall, great edition to the series. I just can't help wishing there was more of it.
Reece is such a great character and this little edition was just perfect.
I am a little sad about how short it was. And it kept making me wish that all of Black Bird of the Gallows had been told from Reece's perspective. Or in alternating perspectives like Keeper of the Bees.
I'm really wishing for more prequels now. Like more of Dresden's and Reece's history. That would be so cool.
Overall, great edition to the series. I just can't help wishing there was more of it.
November 2, 2018
If you've read Black Birds of the Gallows, this short story is basically the beginning of that book told from Reece's point of view. I love this world so I found it interesting. I think it's also a great beginning for those who haven't read this wonderful series. But I admit I was disappointed we didn't get too much new material, just some backstory. I'd give this 3 1/2 stars.
November 12, 2018
An intriguing little side story.
Fun for a day's read, not necessary to understand the world. I'd only recommend if you were thinking about reading the other two books in this series, or really liked the series as a whole.
Nothing exceptional, but still a good mini book!
Fun for a day's read, not necessary to understand the world. I'd only recommend if you were thinking about reading the other two books in this series, or really liked the series as a whole.
Nothing exceptional, but still a good mini book!
January 30, 2019
3 stars for the scenes we already know from black bird at the gallows, but now in reeces perspective. Nice, but not entirely neccessary.
5 stars for the new scenes and tiny bits of backstory and how black bird and keeper of the bees are linked together. I need more of this. Meg, please don‘t let us wait too long for a new book.
5 stars for the new scenes and tiny bits of backstory and how black bird and keeper of the bees are linked together. I need more of this. Meg, please don‘t let us wait too long for a new book.
December 1, 2018
“I’m not the hero of any story. Not the villain, either. I’m the one that cleans the bones after the battle is over. I’m just the scavenger.”
Cleaner of the Bones is a novella set at the same time as Black Bird of the Gallows, but instead of Angie’s perspective, we get Reece’s. This is a few scenes from the first book and it tells them from Reece’s perspective. I really enjoyed this and that is probably because like I mentioned in my Black Bird of the Gallows review, I really wanted some chapters told in his perspective.
We get to see what Reece was thinking and we learned a little more about his first life and how he died. I would love to see a prequel novel about his previous life.
If you don’t care to read from his perspective, you will probably see this as unnecessary, but I greatly appreciated it.
I also want to mention that Goodreads labels this as a prequel, it is absolutely NOT a prequel. I do not recommend reading this before the first book. This will spoil so much from the first one. Read this after you have read Black Bird of the Gallows. It also kind of introduces you to the main character in the next book, Keeper of the Bees.
Cleaner of the Bones is a novella set at the same time as Black Bird of the Gallows, but instead of Angie’s perspective, we get Reece’s. This is a few scenes from the first book and it tells them from Reece’s perspective. I really enjoyed this and that is probably because like I mentioned in my Black Bird of the Gallows review, I really wanted some chapters told in his perspective.
We get to see what Reece was thinking and we learned a little more about his first life and how he died. I would love to see a prequel novel about his previous life.
If you don’t care to read from his perspective, you will probably see this as unnecessary, but I greatly appreciated it.
I also want to mention that Goodreads labels this as a prequel, it is absolutely NOT a prequel. I do not recommend reading this before the first book. This will spoil so much from the first one. Read this after you have read Black Bird of the Gallows. It also kind of introduces you to the main character in the next book, Keeper of the Bees.
January 10, 2022
1.5*
This prequel had no significant extra information or plot line at all, as a prequel should have, but once again, what was I expecting with this series? I was intrigued by the idea of a prequel because I thought it would include some backstory on Reece, possibly go into detail about his life before becoming cursed, the thoughts and feelings at the beginning of the curse, etc., but no.
Literally all this “prequel” was was some of the beginning chapters of “Black Bird of the Gallows,” the other book in this series, that were originally told in Angie’s perspective, rewritten in Reece’s. I knew everything that was happening, everything that was going to happen, and so many scenes just dragged on making this book seem way longer than it actually was, in the worst way possible.
Although there was the smallest *hint* of backstory for the character of Reece, it lasted for about two pages, and didn’t go into any deep details about the life of Reece before becoming cursed or what he felt at the beginning of the curse before becoming used to it all.
Overall, this was nothing special at all. I know my expectations should have been lower, but I just wanted more backstory of Reece, rather than the plot line and conversations I already had to suffer through once in the first book in the series. The only reason I gave it 1.5 was because I liked the tie-in conversation between Reece and a character from the second book in the series “Keeper of the Bees.” But yea. This was a true waste of my time✨
This prequel had no significant extra information or plot line at all, as a prequel should have, but once again, what was I expecting with this series? I was intrigued by the idea of a prequel because I thought it would include some backstory on Reece, possibly go into detail about his life before becoming cursed, the thoughts and feelings at the beginning of the curse, etc., but no.
Literally all this “prequel” was was some of the beginning chapters of “Black Bird of the Gallows,” the other book in this series, that were originally told in Angie’s perspective, rewritten in Reece’s. I knew everything that was happening, everything that was going to happen, and so many scenes just dragged on making this book seem way longer than it actually was, in the worst way possible.
Although there was the smallest *hint* of backstory for the character of Reece, it lasted for about two pages, and didn’t go into any deep details about the life of Reece before becoming cursed or what he felt at the beginning of the curse before becoming used to it all.
Overall, this was nothing special at all. I know my expectations should have been lower, but I just wanted more backstory of Reece, rather than the plot line and conversations I already had to suffer through once in the first book in the series. The only reason I gave it 1.5 was because I liked the tie-in conversation between Reece and a character from the second book in the series “Keeper of the Bees.” But yea. This was a true waste of my time✨
April 3, 2021
"We are cursed souls, scavengers, cleaners of bones. But if I’m to fall for a girl I can’t have, I may as well fall all the way."
Cleaner of Bones has the same scenes in Black Birds of The Gallows, but different POV's, extended explanations, not sure if it's best read before or after. I read this first, then went to the Black Birds of the Gallows. It lent insight to the characters and story that maybe didn't get told the same way in either. I enjoyed the quick read and left me starting the next book immediately.
Cleaner of Bones has the same scenes in Black Birds of The Gallows, but different POV's, extended explanations, not sure if it's best read before or after. I read this first, then went to the Black Birds of the Gallows. It lent insight to the characters and story that maybe didn't get told the same way in either. I enjoyed the quick read and left me starting the next book immediately.
January 5, 2022
I liked it but not as much as I liked Black Bird of the Gallows. That being said, I have to admit that the last chapter made me want to read Keeper of the Bees, because I wasn't going to read it.
December 9, 2018
3.5 stars
In my review of Black Birds of the Gallows, I mention that I would have liked to learn more about Reece & his family. This short novella is more a retelling of the first book but from Reece P.O.V. To be honest, it been a while I read this series and I do not remember all the tiny details, so there are maybe some news elements in here.
It is better to read this after Black Birds of the Gallows, to understand the story setting and characters. Fast read, but not a necessity.
In my review of Black Birds of the Gallows, I mention that I would have liked to learn more about Reece & his family. This short novella is more a retelling of the first book but from Reece P.O.V. To be honest, it been a while I read this series and I do not remember all the tiny details, so there are maybe some news elements in here.
It is better to read this after Black Birds of the Gallows, to understand the story setting and characters. Fast read, but not a necessity.
December 27, 2018
It was a nice little transition between Black Birds of the Gallows and Keeper of the Bees, perfect to refresh my memories of the story and reconnect with this world.
It doesn't bring much to the story though, except for a little bit of the main male character (Reece) backstory. It was still interesting and made me want to dive straight into Keeper of the Bees, which I am therefore currently reading ;).
It doesn't bring much to the story though, except for a little bit of the main male character (Reece) backstory. It was still interesting and made me want to dive straight into Keeper of the Bees, which I am therefore currently reading ;).
November 29, 2018
No complaints about the book but would have rather have read it after book 1 than before. This book is part prequel and part a retelling of the first part of book 1 from Reece's view point, but there are reference to scenes not actually covered in the book - I thought I skipped a chapter or something for a little while there.
December 22, 2018
Reece, one of 13 harbingers that have settled in a town waiting for the impending doom to go down.....but Reece didn't figure on Angie living next door....
This is a prequel to Blackbird of the Gallows, is told in Reeces point of view rather than Angies like in BotG and we get his feelings into the girl he shouldn't like....but does, very much!
This is a prequel to Blackbird of the Gallows, is told in Reeces point of view rather than Angies like in BotG and we get his feelings into the girl he shouldn't like....but does, very much!
February 20, 2019
4.5 Stars!
Cleaner of Bones is a prequel novella to Black Bird of the Gallows. It contains scenes from Black Bird of the Gallows told from Reece's perspective.
It was nice reading things from his point of view. And gives readers an insight to what Reece is thinking.
I would definitely recommend fans of Black Bird of the Gallows to read Cleaner of Bones!
Cleaner of Bones is a prequel novella to Black Bird of the Gallows. It contains scenes from Black Bird of the Gallows told from Reece's perspective.
It was nice reading things from his point of view. And gives readers an insight to what Reece is thinking.
I would definitely recommend fans of Black Bird of the Gallows to read Cleaner of Bones!
October 10, 2019
"We are cursed souls, scavengers, cleaners of bones. But if I'm to fall for a girl I can't have, I may as well fall all the way."
Just a few scenes from Black Bird of the Gallows shown from Reece's perspective. Not a lot of new information but more insight into his emotions and memories. Best to read after the first book.
April 4, 2024
I don’t think this was really a necessary addition to the series, it’s nice having Reece’s point of view, but it feels disjointed and like an afterthought without really contributing anything to the plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2024
I absolutely love how this sets up the story for Black bird of the gallows. I have loved this little series that the Author has created. I just want more!!
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https://www.youtube.com/@EnchantedRos...
December 28, 2020
i'm not gonna lie to you; this took me basically the whole of 2020 to finish because i always forget about my kindle app. but i really enjoyed it, and i REALLY enjoy meg kassel's writing.
April 18, 2024
Didn't add anything really new to the universe. Was more of a cliffnotes version of the main novel.
February 14, 2020
This is a short story from Reece’s point of view and how he felt at the beginning of their new relationship. This book works along side Black Bird of the Gallows but I feel it should be read after the first one so you don’t spoil the story for yourself. It compliments the story very well as you get to witness what Reece did when he was not with Angie and what happens in his home life with the other Harbingers of death.
This story follows the same as Black Bird of the Gallows but you get the extra insight about the feelings and what it is like to turn into a crow. I enjoyed the behind the scenes for what his family thought of the situation and the best way to overcome it as a whole regarding Angie. I felt it was soo short and I was wanting more at the end.
But I thought the author was really clever introducing a new Harbinger and his talking about the new Beekeeper which is in the next story of Keeper of the Bees. So you understand that the books are all linked but they have new characters and reasons behind why they was written. After reading Cleaner of Bones it rounds of Black Bird of the Gallows and I am glad I read it to know more about Harbingers of death.
This story follows the same as Black Bird of the Gallows but you get the extra insight about the feelings and what it is like to turn into a crow. I enjoyed the behind the scenes for what his family thought of the situation and the best way to overcome it as a whole regarding Angie. I felt it was soo short and I was wanting more at the end.
But I thought the author was really clever introducing a new Harbinger and his talking about the new Beekeeper which is in the next story of Keeper of the Bees. So you understand that the books are all linked but they have new characters and reasons behind why they was written. After reading Cleaner of Bones it rounds of Black Bird of the Gallows and I am glad I read it to know more about Harbingers of death.
July 4, 2024
A great prequel to see the same scenes as in The Black Bird of the Gallows, from Reece the main male character. However, due to the timing of when this section takes place, I feel like it would be more beneficial to read it after book one, as if it were Book # 1.5, however that’s my personal opinion having read it first. If I’d read in the order of publishing, this wouldn’t have been an issue as the short novella does give away some details that are partway through the following book.
Love the characters and the world building of Harbingers of Death and Beekeepers into the normal world.
Love the characters and the world building of Harbingers of Death and Beekeepers into the normal world.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews