Review: Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

Title: Incarnate

Series: Newsoul #1

Author: Jodi Meadows

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: 31 Jan 2012
Source: Netgalley
Challenge: DAB
Rating: 4.5/5

Synopsis from Goodreads

NEWSOUL 

Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

NOSOUL 

Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

HEART 

Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

REVIEW

This is such a unique concept that completely defies classification. Elements of fantasy, romance, theology and philosophy blend together with some very thought provoking themes to create a unique yet compelling story.

Ana is the first new soul in thousands of years, every other member of society has been re-incarnated over and over again. The time frame between incarnations varying without explanation as to the reason. The idea of reincarnation is a wonderful concept; the way in which it is explored within the narrative provides a considerable amount of thought provoking. I found myself wondering how I would feel knowing I had lived hundreds of lives before, holding all past memories, regrets and skills. The way in which the memory of each death stayed with that person was especially powerful as well as traumatic. Possibly explaining some phobias as a result.

Told in first person narrative, from Ana's perspective. Initially I found Ana's pessimistic attitude irritating but as the story unfolded I developed a certain empathy for her. Ostracized  by society for being born, a new soul something both awed and feared. Her mother, Li, although accepts her responsibility as a parent targets Ana for this seclusion. Constantly neglected physically and emotionally, berated over everything, it is easy to understand where Ana's pessimism comes from.

As the story progresses Ana discovers friendship, the whole nature versus nurture debate is remarkably portrayed. The character development profound. Although some elements hint at religious undertones no specific religion is advocated more the ideal of faith. Creationism versus evolution is debated within the narrative generating numerous theories on existence. Add in science with its ability to alter fundamental principles of just about anything, aiding the debate of where to draw the line; scientist playing God comes to mind.

The friendship that develops between Ana and Sam was heart-warming to follow. At times I felt like slapping their heads together but understood their hesitation. The idea of soul-mates being able to recognize each other throughout various incarnations was beautiful to picture. Clever depiction within the plot re-enforced the ideal.

The setting has a feel of being timeless. A mix of old and new blended together in a realistic world held within the confines of Range surrounded by the fantasy elements of Dragons, Sylph and Trolls.

I especially adored the use of music throughout the entire book, the way in which music is immortal was profoundly portrayed. The way in which both Ana and Sam relate to music was something I could easily identify with. Music lives forever even if we do not. Beautiful.

A very compelling story-line, with a well developed plot featuring strong themes and strong characters to set it off.

I hope this gets picked up for the UK

Review: The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges

Title: The Gathering Storm

Series: The Katerina Trilogy

Author: Robin Bridges

Publisher: Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers USA

Publication Date: 10 Jan 2012
Source: Netgalley

Challenge: DAB

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis from Goodreads

St. Petersburg, Russia, 1888. As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. No one knows. Not her family. Not the girls at her finishing school. Not the tsar or anyone in her aristocratic circle. Katerina considers her talent a curse, not a gift. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.

An evil presence is growing within Europe's royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the tsar. Suddenly Katerina's strength as a necromancer attracts attention from unwelcome sources . . . including two young men—George Alexandrovich, the tsar's standoffish middle son, who needs Katerina's help to safeguard Russia, even if he's repelled by her secret, and the dashing Prince Danilo, heir to the throne of Montenegro, to whom Katerina feels inexplicably drawn.

The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart?

REVIEW

I am not going to profess to be a expert in Eastern European History because I am not. In fact, I probably haven't got a clue so I am the wrong person to comment on the historical accuracy of this novel. I will say I was intrigued by the premise of combining a historical fiction with a paranormal. For me it worked beautifully.

The descriptions were deliciously vivid and sensuous. All aspects were covered and woven into the narrative drawing me into the world of Russia 1888 and Katerina's life. From the clothes, the weather and the buildings each was described in delectable detail without over-powering the actual plot but enhancing and progressing the imagery beautifully.

The initial scene in the book focuses on a seance setting the atmosphere of tension and drama from the outset. The contrast between superstition, spiritualism and the introduction of modern medical practices was poignantly portrayed and still relevant today in some respects.

Katerina's frustration at not being allowed an education at a medical institute was understandable. Old ideals being threatened by modern times and archaic men in power holding tightly to the past rather than embracing a better future.There were a few medical references that I did wonder if they would have been widely known at that time but again I didn't read this book for its historical/medical accuracy.

The weaving of Russian history and its affiliation with the occult was really interesting adding depth to the plot. The use of classical music references, alongside the theater/ballet productions aided the overall immersion into the time period portrayed. The contrast of the opulence of the rich contrasted starkly with the abject poverty on the streets.

About half way into the book I found myself wondering if the story was trying to be too many things, shortly after that point something just clicked together making it all work. I feel as if this book has set the groundwork on which the rest of the trilogy can be based.

Katerina's inner battle to accept who she really is, in all respects and to embrace her destiny in a time when women were only seen as enhancements of their husbands power was powerfully demonstrated. I did find Katerina slightly frustrating with her relationships. The chemistry between Katerina and George ignited from the start, however, Katerina completely mis-interperates his behavior leading to certain situations that could have been easily  avoided.  The saying that together they are stronger is most definitely applicable to Katerina and George.

A really intriguing start to a trilogy with a truly individual story-line. I hope this one gets picked up in the UK so I can read the rest of the trilogy. If you are looking for something completely different then this is the book for you.