Thursday, March 01, 2012

Review: Incarnate

Book: Incarnate
Author: Jodi Meadows
Series: New Soul #1
Release Date: January 31, 2012
Publisher: Katherine Tegen/HarperCollins
Pages: 384
Source: publisher (Thank you so much, HC!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Website | Publisher
Stars: 4/5
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.

(summary taken by Goodreads)
MY THOUGHTS:  

The gorgeous cover may have been the first thing that caught my eye, but I promise that it wasn't the only thing that kept my attention Incarnate is more than just a pretty cover!  

My absolute favourite thing about this book has to be the world that Jodi Meadows created. Within the pages, there's a whole kingdom of souls who are reincarnated over and over again. I was constantly fascinated by how creative the author's mind was. Dragons? She's got them! Sylphs? They're in this book too! It was an endless cycle of creativity WOWs.

After being physically and mentally abused by her mother for 18 years (and shunned by her society for just as long), I adored Ana almost instantly! She's so strong for someone who's been through so much. Even though it's hard to connect with her at times because of her protective shell, Ana opens her heart a little more near the end and that's what makes me adore her even more.  

And that leads me to Sam, who is honestly the kind of sweet guy we're missing so much of in YA! He didn't care that some people called Ana a nosoul he just loved her for being her, and I loved that about him. Their romance was so pure and sweet and "aww"-worthy.

Some things (like the fact that he'd been a girl in some previous lives!) felt strange and off at first, but it didn't bother me as much as I expected. Reincarnation is a tricky subject to approach and I thought that Jodi Meadows handled it gracefully!  

Beautifully written and wonderfully crafted, Incarnate is one outstandingly original utopian book that you won't want to miss! It ends a little rushed, but I can see so much potential in this series and I'm really excited to see where it goes! :)  

BUY or BORROW?: If you're looking for another breathtaking and unique book to add to your bookshelf (and 2012 is filled with them!), Incarnate is definitely one you need to get!  

-Mimi

36 comments:

  1. So jealous! I really want to read this one!! I don't think it's been published in the UK market yet so I might have to track it down elsewhere.


    Lovely review and you've just reminded me to add this to the top of my wishlist :)

    I love the cover too, it's very memorable and the colours just all work really well.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great review Mimi!! :) :) I still need to pick this book up! :) <3

    ReplyDelete
  3. greatreview Mimi! I have this on my shelf for quite a while now, hopefully Id be able to read this soon. :) thanks! x

    Ƹ̴Ӂ̴ƷFICBOOKREVIEWSƸ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mima, I love every single one of your reviews and this is a great example of why! In case it wasn't clear enough, I love this review. You've definitley killed any doubts I had.

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I lovelovelove the topic of reincarnation and to see it explored so beautifully in YA? Yes, Brodie NEEDS this book! And oh, dragons! Sylphs! What more could this book have to hook me in? Right. An awesome protagonist and a sweet love interest! Awww, Sam... *instantly adores*

    And I love that it's a 'utopian' rather than dystopian, even though I am a ridiculously huge fan of dystopian, it's nice to have something different every so often. As always, amazing review, Mimi!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This was a wonderful review! I bought it a week ago, and I'm definitely looking forward to reading it even more after your review!

    ~Debz

    ReplyDelete
  7. So happy you liked this Mimi! I agree the world Jodi built was super awesome and so creative. Dragons!!! I also loved her relationship with Sam he is a sweetheart! <3

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm glad you enjoyed this one too. Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Such a lovely review, Mimi! I adore this book very much! The fact that Sam was a girl in some of his previous lives bugs me a little too. Well, I guess if you still love each other even if the outer appearance is different is the fact that is true love. <3

    ReplyDelete
  10. This one sounds good, but I don't really like the cover. I'm not sure why.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I was really pleasantly surprised with this one! I had such fear that this gorgeous cover would mask a just so-so story, but I adored Ana and Sam and couldn't get enough of the world. I of course wanted all my questions answered by the end which didn't happen, but I'm not a very patient person in general:) Fabulous review Mimi!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. ashd;sado;ija;sijdsid you KNOW how much I loved this book, so I'm definitely glad that you liked it too :) I loved Sam he was SO SWEET!!! :D Awesome review Mimi!! <3

    Anna @ Literary Exploration

    ReplyDelete
  13. AWESOME review, Mimi! I loved this book as much as you did when I first read it - and I have to agree with your point about Sam being a girl in his previous life. I found that a little odd too, but I guess it doesn't matter too much. :D I LOVED the worldbuilding and Sam! He is just the sweetest boy in YA fiction and I can't wait to read more about him in the next book. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I actually found the cover kind of off-putting with that huge butterfly but this book does sound very unique.

    ReplyDelete
  15. This sounds really great (and yes the cover is BEAUTIFUL). I would read it just to find out more about Ana's life because she sounds like the type of heroine that the YA genre needs more of!

    Thanks for your review! <3

    Amber Elise @ Du Livre
    Check Out Du Livre's Latest Blog Post: Initiation by Imogen Rose Blog Tour Stop and Giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  16. Well said, Mimi! Incarnate was totally awesome. I really can't wait for the second book :)

    Hafsah @ IceyBooks

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hmm... that previous lives, different gender thing would probably take me a while to get comfortable with, too, but I live for awww worthy romances, so I think overall, I'd be fine with it. What excites me the most is that it truly does sound like a unique story.

    Fab review, as usual, Mimi. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi! :)

    I have this one in ebook. Your review is making me want to read it sooner than I thought I would.
    Thank you for tour great review.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I felt bad for Ana and the way she was treated and I really liked her a lot. I completely agree about Sam, he was so sweet and we definitely need more boys like that in YA. Sam and Ana were just adorable together. The thing about Sam being a girl in previous lives threw me a bit too but eventually it didn't bother me anymore. Great review :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. I like that this author is exploring reincarnation in her novel. There aren't too many YA books out there with that theme so I applaud her for doing something a little bit different. That alone makes me curious about this book as I've always found the subject intriguing. Lovely review.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I know Jenny really loved this one so I put this in my TBR pile. I haven't read many reincarnation books but it seems like this one is really well done, especially because as you mentioned, reincarnation is a tricky subject.

    "Sam is honestly the kind of sweet guy we're missing so much of in YA!" Yes! I love bad boys but the ones you want to date are actually the good ones. And they're always so blah in YA.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Another brilliant review Mimi. Your readers will soonbe broke. I reviewed this awhile back and enjoyed it tremendously. Sam is a wonderful character and I enjoyed the slow, shaky building of a friendship moving to romance, my favorite kind. I loved pondering over all the implications on reincarnation. You are right the cover is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Yay! I'm so happy you liked it! I agree with every single point you said. Their love was the SWEETEST. I adored their romantic moments! ♥ And even though the end felt a little bit rushed, I was too absorbed in their soul-incarnating world that I didn't care.

    I'm glad I already read it, because if I haven't just by reading your review I would have gone to buy it in an instant. Great review! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great review Mimi!! i want this1 freaking bad

    ReplyDelete
  25. Yay! So glad you liked it too. And it was definitely weird at first with him being a girl in some lives or so freaking old! Lol. But I agree she handled it all real well and I really loved the different take on reincarnation! And of course loved our couple. The dance... Hehehe.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I can't get over this cover. It's just so PRETTY!!! Lol. Glad to hear the inside is worth the pretty exterior, though! I've been interested in this book since I first heard of it!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I've been a bit torn about this one, I've heard good and bad things about it. But it sounds like something I at least need to give a try so I'll watch for it at the library! So glad you enjoyed it so much!

    ReplyDelete
  28. *lol* I get how the girl thing could be a bit... STRANGE. But, he sound so incredibly... lovable. I WANTS to meet him already, Mimi.

    I'm looking forward to the world-building the most, though. I've heard people say things along the same lines as you, about how she has EVERYTHING in there. The fact that she approaches the incarnation bit gracefully is cool too. It IS a tricky subject!

    Overall, I'm so eager for this and I loved your review, darling <333

    Asher

    ReplyDelete
  29. oh! so it is a Utopian! I sure did not expected that. Awesome review Mimi!

    I am not really planning to read Incarnate this month but your review is so convincing. I am itching to read it asap =)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Mimi, you know how much I adore your book reviews, because most of the time your thoughts run almost parallel to my own that I'm just entranced. I totally agree with you, Incarnate was such a beautifully written novel and incredibly creative and original as far as reincarnation goes. I loved the fact that the wall around the city of Hart, actually had a pulsing heartbeat. I thought that was definitely intriguing and the romance between Sam and Anna was absolutely heartwrenchingly sweet.

    Best line never: Beautifully written and wonderfully crafted, Incarnate is one outstandingly original utopian book that you won't want to miss! Seriously, it should be a tag on the book somewhere. For sure! :)

    Suz @ A Soul Unsung
    Don't Miss My Review for Incarnate
    susanhaugland@att.net

    ReplyDelete
  31. I've heard a lot of mixed thoughts on this book. Some loved it, some hated it. I'm not sure how much I'll like it. I think I'll be so weirded out by the fact that Sam was a girl in some lives! However, your review makes me want it nownownow (as your reviews always make me feel). Darn it, Mimi! I don't have an unlimited wallet, you know! I think I'll have to pick this one up. :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. HOLY MOLY. THIS SOUNDS SOOO GOOD <3 Now I'm so glad I have a copy sitting on my shelf, since I'LL DEFINITELY BE READING IT SOON!
    I LOVE how this sounds completely ORIGINAL! I mean, REINCARNATED SOULS?! I swear I'm falling in love with the story already! OH AND DRAGONS?!? MEEEEEE LOVE!<333 But I'll be honest: that fact that Sam was a GIRL in his previous life...sorta freaks me out a little :S But I'm sure I'll love him still :DD Sooo excited to read this now that I've read your fantastic review <3 I'm sure I'll love it too!

    ReplyDelete
  33. OMG OMG OMG AMAZING REVIEW MIMI! <3 <3 You're making me crave this book like MADDD. I need to get my hands on it! I'm so glad you loved it. The plot sounds amazing!

    HOLD THE DAMN PHONE.
    THERE'S DRAGONS!?
    CHRIST.

    WHY DO I NOT HAVE THIS BOOK NOOOOOOOOOOOOW. And heee I'm already shipping Sam/Ana. HFODSAUFHSOH.

    ReplyDelete
  34. As always, I love your review, Mimi! I feel like I keep on saying Incarnate is a unique and interesting premise because it totally is! I agree with you about Ana, she's so strong and I completely felt for her. There is a lot of potential in this series and I'm interested to see where it goes next.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I had this one from Netgalley, but it expired before I could get to it (that always happens with me!) I've read a ton of good reviews, though, so I'll definitely have to check it out sometime soon. Also, the cover is SO pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Errr, so... it's more than just a pretty cover? I'm glad to hear, because I bought it ENTIRELY because it has sucha pretty cover ;D

    Mimiiii, this is an AMAZING review! I'm so excited to read it, and you make the world sound amazing, vibrant and magical...

    AND, UM... DID YOU SAY DRAGONS? SQUEEEE!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for leaving your thoughts! I love hearing what you have to say, and I always try to comment on one of your blog posts in return! :)

It's really nice to meet you!