Few things are scarier than a post-apocalyptic world where the dead rise from their graves and humanity struggles to survive. Alden Bell’s The Reapers Are The Angels takes readers on a journey through such a hellscape. It’s a story of survival and redemption told through the eyes of a young girl named Temple.

Bell set the novel in an undetermined future where a mysterious virus has decimated much of the world’s population and turned them into the undead. Temple, born after the apocalypse, knows nothing but this bleak existence. She’s a survivor, tough and resourceful, who has evaded the dangers of the world while traveling alone.

On her journey through the ruins of America, Temple encounters various characters, some friendly and some hostile. Her interactions with these characters shape her journey and help her understand the world around her. One of the notable characters she meets is Maury, a disabled man who becomes close to her. Their relationship is heartwarming and adds a layer of humanity to the story.

The Reapers Are The Angels explores the human condition and the meaning of life in a world where death is all around. Bell’s writing style is poetic, and his descriptions of the landscape are vivid and haunting. He captures the atmosphere of a dying world with precision and beauty.

The novel isn’t without its flaws, however. Some parts of the story feel rushed, and there are loose ends that are not tied up. These minor shortcomings, however, don’t detract from the overall experience of the novel.

The Reapers Are The Angels is a must-read for anyone who loves post-apocalyptic fiction. It’s a haunting and beautiful novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. Temple’s journey is one of survival and redemption. And the ending kicks you right in the gut.