Collier, C. (2014). Soulless. Apopka, FL: Raybourne Publishing.
YA Fiction / Paranormal / Fantasy
Book 2 in the Maiden of Time series
(click here to read my review of Book 1, Moonless)
I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.
And the gorgeous covers continue. Seriously, this series' covers are among the best I have seen, and as I said with Moonless, go ahead and judge this book by the cover because the inside is as awesome as the outside.
In Moonless, young Alexia is just beginning to learn what it means to be a Passionate and what it means to be in love, and she has only the slightest idea of the true power she possesses. In Soulless, watch out! Alexia is a few years older, a (parallel) world (or two) wiser, and she has realized the implications of her power and dedicates herself to mastering it. Alexia is a young woman who knows what she wants and is willing to make the necessary sacrifices to help the people she loves -- even if those sacrifices threaten to break hearts, including her own.
Speaking of hearts, heartthrob Kiren and Alexia continue to sizzle every time they get in close range, and the build-up/let-down/build-up (repeat) to their wedding night is almost as torturous for the reader as it is for the characters. Author Collier handles the "true bonding" of the couple tactfully but not in such a tame fashion that readers will be disappointed. There still are unanswered questions as to why Kiren, who is clearly old as the ages, is obsessed with Alexia, but towards the end of Soulless, as the definition of time becomes murky, it feels like answers will be coming in the next installment -- and it feels okay to wait for them.
Book two reveals a much closer look at the world of the Soulless and the Passionate, and the horrible powers and incredible gifts each possesses. Collier does a great job of creating a comfort zone for readers and then pulling the rug out from underneath them. Soulless can only come out on moonless nights, right? The established evil characters are evil, and the good are good, right? WRONG.
Familiar characters are back and better than ever, with more of their backgrounds revealed and more than a few interesting character twists. New characters, both lovable and loathe-able, are introduced and perfectly fleshed-out so that readers have a clear feeling for them all. . . or a clearly muddled feeling, intentionally made so by the author's design.
I received a free ARC of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review -- the only kind I give. And. . .
I have so much confidence in Crystal Collier that I happily agreed to be a part of her Blog Tour, and I will feature Soulless again on the fourth day of the tour, Thursday, 10/16/14! Be sure to stop by for a chance to get some sneak peaks and to win prizes!
WANT MORE????
*Visit Crystal Collier's website and learn more about Moonless and Soulless and Timeless!
*Visit Crystal Collier's website and learn more about Moonless and Soulless and Timeless!
***Purchase on Amazon
Wow. Just wow. Thanks so much for the fabulous review, Kristine! (One might think I slipped you a twenty under the table...which I didn't--in case anyone is wondering. ;)
ReplyDeleteHa! No cash or cheese exchange occurred in the review process. You really took it to the next level, Crystal! You should be so proud! I forgot to put it in my review, but I asked you about the mysterious epilogue. . . if you change the "one word," I must know!! I am really stumped. Guess you're allowed to do that since another book is coming. Bring on TIMELESS!
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