7 Aug 2012

Review: Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

Incarnate (Newsoul #1) by Jodi Meadows
January 31st, 2012 · Katherine Tegen Books
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 374
New soul

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.

No soul

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 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.
Right from the beginning I was enchanted. I had originally only set out to read a chapter or two before bed but once I started I couldn’t stop. Another chapter won’t hurt, I thought to myself as I flicked one page after another. After reading 50 pages or so, I finally put the book down. How I managed to pull myself away from the engrossing story that is Incarnate, I will never know.

Ana might come off as rude and reserved but it’s perfectly understandable considering she’s been thrust into this whole new world and is still gathering her bearings. Ana’s love interest, Sam is adorable. He’s so caring, kind, gentle and sweet. He melted my heart.

Since Ana was born, no one bothered paying her attention or including her, basically she’s been neglected and because of this when she sets off to Heart and meets Sam, she starts learning about all these things she never knew existed. It was amazing watching Ana discover these objects and things which might be common to us, but for her it was a whole new experience. Jodi nailed this aspect and that feeling of absolute excitement when being introduced to something new for the first time.

In Incarnate, when people die, their souls are reborn which means that in their lifetime they will have been both female and male multiple times. It sounds strange and weird but…it kinda works.

The authors prose is magnificent - charming, delicate and captivating. I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style and how easily I was swept up into the story.

I can pretty much count the number of fantasy books I’ve read on one hand, so I really appreciated that Jodi took her precious time to ease the reader into the world of Incarnate, resulting in fantastic world building.

I have mixed feeling regarding the ending. For a minute there, I was really struggling and it’s hard to pinpoint why exactly but I think it might have been because there was so much description and hardly any interaction and speech. It did pick up in the very end and whilst my head is still spinning and grasping from how it ended, I’m definitely looking forward to getting my hands on Asunder.

Apart from the ending, I loved this book! Mesmerising, original and unique, Incarnate marches to its own beat.

4/5

14 comments:

  1. I've been a bit interested in this book since I first saw the cover. It's beautiful. Never actually took the time to read the description before, though. Haha. I think this is one that I'm gonna have to read at some point. It sounds a little unique in the world building, and I'm intrigued by the ending you speak of. :)

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    1. The world building is GORGEOUS and SO unique. I loved it. And talk about a stunning cover! *faints from beauty* :)

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  2. Oh dear, I've heard so many awesome things about this book, which makes me even more angry that I have yet to read it - especially with the second book coming up. Nonetheless thank you very much for your lovely review, which reminds me that I need to get around to reading INCARNATE as soon as possible. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

    Carina
    Fictional Distraction

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    1. You really must get round to reading Incarnate soon because it's amazing and unlike anything I've ever read before :)

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  3. I love this book so much. So very much. I don't even know what else to say. One of my favorites! Such a pretty cover too!

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    1. I LOVE THIS BOOK, TOO! I may have had a bit of trouble with the ending but overall, I still enjoyed it so very much! Pretty cover alert! :O

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  4. I love it when you're so into the story that you just can't stop reading! Although it's probably not such a good thing when you have to get up early the next morning ;) I haven't read Incarnate but I really want to soon! And that cover is gorgeous!

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    1. Me too, and Incarnate is very addictive! I hope you love it as much as I did when you get round to reading it, which I hope you do soon! YES. The cover is beyond gorgeous! SQEE

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  5. Oh, WOW. Becca, I have CHILLS reading your review. I NEED to read this, clearly! I don't know why I never got around to reading it when it arrived. I love the idea of this world, of the music, of the reincarnation. It sounds MAGIC. I am actually SERIOUSLY excited to read it ♥

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    1. Chills? *blushes* You CLEARLY need to read Incarnate, stat! What are you doing over there? Stop what your doing and READ it. I MUST know your brainy thoughts at once! Oh, it IS magic. I'm still spinning. ASUNDER!!

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  6. Have I ever told you how much I LOVE reading your reviews? You are SO INCREDIBLE at writing them! I don't know why I didn't get this when it first came out but I need to get my hands on it - not only because of the gorgeous cover but because it sounds brilliant! Beautiful review <3

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    1. *blushes* Aw, thanks, Taneika! Seriously, I really appreciate the kind words! <3 <3 <3 <3

      HIGHLY suggest you get yourself a copy, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Seriously, it's magical and brilliant and special and unique. Bonus for the stunning cover love!

      *hugs* Have I ever mentioned how much I ADORE your comments? *huggles*

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  7. YES. I AM SO HAPPY YOU ENJOYED IT. SO. SO. SO HAPPY. I mean, look at the cover. It's STUNNING. So it makes very excited to hear the story lives up to the prettyful outside. I'm so fascinated by reincarnation, so that's the been the main element drawing me into this. I love how you describe Ana discovering all these new things for the first time, it sounds like Jodi really excelled at bringing this across.

    Your AMAZING review has definitely encouraged me to hurry the heck up and read this!!

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    1. Oh, it DEFINITELY lives up to the stunning cover. Pretty outsides, plus pretty insides. WIN.

      I hope you read it soon, then we can discuss it! :D

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