"I wasn't reborn."
In Jodi Meadows' Incarnate, meeting someone you haven't met is next to impossible. There are exactly one million souls in Range--one million humans who've died countless times, returning a handful of years later with a different face and, sometimes, a different gender. But when Ciana, a noted citizen of Range's capital, Heart, dies without coming back, everything becomes uncertain. Enter Ana, the first newsoul to appear in five thousand years. Ana's mother has scorned her as soulless, a "nosoul", treating her harshly from the moment she was born. Now eighteen, this "nosoul" is off to Heart on a quest to discover why she was born. With the help of the startlingly compassionate Sam, she begins digging into the history of Range. Meanwhile, fear is spreading across the city. If Ciana didn't come back, there is no telling whether anyone else will--and the problems in Heart are about to turn deadly.
Ana is an amazing protagonist. From the beginning, she comes off as self-depreciative and vulnerable, but she's also full of potential. With spunk, a big heart, an ear for music, and a desire to prove she's more than just a nosoul, she quickly sets herself up for a dramatic character arc that does not disappoint. Sam is intriguing as well, constructed with wonderful attributes, ghosts, and internal conflicts of his own. These two have the "spark" many fictional couples lack, lending their romance a flavor of sweet realism.
Incarnate is set in a beautiful world. Range is speckled with towering forests, lush hillsides, glittering lakes, mountains, and lonely cabins where reclusive souls spend their days in the company of nature. Then there's Heart, a bustling city carved from living stone that pulses out a heartbeat like a great organ. Beyond Heart's walls are dragons and sylpth, deadly creatures of fiery shadow that scald everyone they touch. Inside is the Temple of Janan, a looming structure of impenetrable mystery that appears to glow of its own accord. All this and more greets Ana when she sets foot outside her mother's cottage, sweeping her up in a powerful journey of self-discovery embellished with lovely settings that cloak sinister subplots.
The trouble Incarnate runs into is genre. It can't seem to decide whether it is a self-discovery novel with fantasy elements, science fiction, or a full-blown romance. While a romantic subplot would fit nicely into the overarching story, Ana and Sam's relationship is much too powerful to lurk in the sidelines. Then again, Ana's desire to learn why she exists is strong as well, leading her from discovery to shocking discovery that will change her life forever. This category crisis isn't helped by Heart's arsenal of flying drones and laser guns, which are used to fight off the dragons. There's a good deal of action, a pinch of gore, and much romantic tension to be had. Some of this tension is interrupted by well-timed plot twists, but there are scenes that, while not explicit, go a bit beyond kissing.
I would recommend this book to teens and young adults looking for an adventuresome romance set in a world where death is only temporary. The worldbuilding is fantastic, the characters rounded and well-structured. If not for Incarnate's indecisiveness over what genre to stick with, Jodi Meadows' novel little tale would be a perfect choice for all fantasy-romance lovers. As it is, it's a good fit for those desiring a taste of science fiction, as well. It deserves four shining stars.
Incarnate is set in a beautiful world. Range is speckled with towering forests, lush hillsides, glittering lakes, mountains, and lonely cabins where reclusive souls spend their days in the company of nature. Then there's Heart, a bustling city carved from living stone that pulses out a heartbeat like a great organ. Beyond Heart's walls are dragons and sylpth, deadly creatures of fiery shadow that scald everyone they touch. Inside is the Temple of Janan, a looming structure of impenetrable mystery that appears to glow of its own accord. All this and more greets Ana when she sets foot outside her mother's cottage, sweeping her up in a powerful journey of self-discovery embellished with lovely settings that cloak sinister subplots.
The trouble Incarnate runs into is genre. It can't seem to decide whether it is a self-discovery novel with fantasy elements, science fiction, or a full-blown romance. While a romantic subplot would fit nicely into the overarching story, Ana and Sam's relationship is much too powerful to lurk in the sidelines. Then again, Ana's desire to learn why she exists is strong as well, leading her from discovery to shocking discovery that will change her life forever. This category crisis isn't helped by Heart's arsenal of flying drones and laser guns, which are used to fight off the dragons. There's a good deal of action, a pinch of gore, and much romantic tension to be had. Some of this tension is interrupted by well-timed plot twists, but there are scenes that, while not explicit, go a bit beyond kissing.
I would recommend this book to teens and young adults looking for an adventuresome romance set in a world where death is only temporary. The worldbuilding is fantastic, the characters rounded and well-structured. If not for Incarnate's indecisiveness over what genre to stick with, Jodi Meadows' novel little tale would be a perfect choice for all fantasy-romance lovers. As it is, it's a good fit for those desiring a taste of science fiction, as well. It deserves four shining stars.
No comments:
Post a Comment