Book Review: Asunder (Newsoul #2)

Release Date: January 29, 2012
Author: Jodi Meadows
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Length: 416 pages

DARKSOULS
Ana has always been the only one. Asunder. Apart. But after Templedark, when many residents of Heart were lost forever, some hold Ana responsible for the darksouls–and the newsouls who may be born in their place.

SHADOWS
Many are afraid of Ana’s presence, a constant reminder of unstoppable changes and the unknown. When sylph begin behaving differently toward her and people turn violent, Ana must learn to stand up not only for herself but for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

LOVE
Ana was told that nosouls can’t love. But newsouls? More than anything, she wants to live and love as an equal among the citizens of Heart, but even when Sam professes his deepest feelings, it seems impossible to overcome a lifetime of rejection.

In this second book in the Newsoul trilogy, Ana discovers the truth about reincarnation and will have to find a way to embrace love and make her young life meaningful. Once again, Jodi Meadows explores the extraordinary beauty and shadowed depths of the soul in a story equal parts epic romance and captivating fantasy.

Review:

Characters: Ana has always felt alone in the world because due to an experiment gone wrong she has taken the place of someone who should have been reincarnated after death. Now, even though she has a great group of friends and the love of Dossam, the musician who stole the heart she didn't think she deserved, she still doubts her place in the world and the city of Heart. She is blamed by many for Templedark, the night when many oldsouls became lost and unable to reincarnate, paving the path for newsouls to get a chance at life. Ana is no longer as self-conscious as she was in the first installment, however she does doubt the blessings she has and needs to find a way to trust not only others but herself as well.

Romance: This is the first book I've ever read where there has been a true love triangle. Most other books have two people fighting over the same person but in this book, it's three people two with a past, two with a present, and two that have a very vague and subtle attraction. I loved how the author was able to create this without it feeling weird or unnatural. It was a great refresher from typical love triangles and help progress the book in slower, less action packed, parts.

World-Building: This installment delivers so much backstory and answers that I was giddy with excitement at every new discovery. The ending has the most exposition which was awesome. We learn more about Janan, the city of Heart and it's inhabitants. Some oldsouls begin to remember things that explain how the incarnation cycle began. We also explore more of the temple with Ana and learn what happens to the newsouls when an oldsoul is reincarnated. We learn more about the origins of sylph and who they really are, this was probably one of my favorite parts since sylph are creatures I've never heard of before reading this series.

Predictability: This led me to false beliefs more than any other book I've read. There would be times when I was sure one thing would happen, but in the end it was something so different and way more exciting than my theory. I loved being surprised by this installment and learning about the old and newsouls. There were times when I literally couldn't believe what I just read, in a good way. I just.. I can't even describe properly how much this installment blew me away.

Ending: Speaking of being blown away, this ending was such a game changer. The things we learn and the things that happen change everything for Ana and co. The ending was fairly cliffhangery, but not something too epic or heart-wrenching, considering I'll have to wait another year or so the read what happens next I think I'll be fine until then, but without a doubt the ending definitely leaves me wanting the final installment.

Rating:

While the beginning is a tad awkward, it only lasts for a few pages and after a chapter or so the plot begins to speed up. I was so happy with the way this installment turned out, Jodi Meadows sure knows how to avoid a sophomore slump.

P.S. If you want to win my Advanced Copy of this book, today is the last day to do it, you have until midnight Pacific Standard Time so why not head on over to my Contests/Giveaways page and enter now. Also, I'm going to be putting up my first YouTube video in a week, I'll be doing two videos, one to introduce the channel and then my Christmas book haul full of amazingness. So if you would like head on over to YouTube and subscribe to ZachsYAReviews, I'll tweet links to my first two videos on my Twitter @FlyeZachary93 when they go up next week. I hope you all have a very Happy New Year and Good Luck in the giveaways.