Thursday, January 19, 2012

Review: Shattered Souls

Book: Shattered Souls
Author: Mary Lindsey
Release Date: December 8, 2011
Publisher: Philomel/Penguin
Pages: 336
Source: KPL
Stars: 5/5
A thrilling debut story of death, love, destiny and danger

Lenzi hears voices and has visions - gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she's a reincarnated Speaker - someone who can talk to and help lost souls - and that he has been her Protector for centuries.

Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon.


(summary taken from Goodreads)
MY THOUGHTS:  

When a book has a cover this gorgeous, you want to buy it and just pray that the story inside is awesome enough to match... and that's exactly the case with Shattered Souls! I loved it! 

At first I didn't think I'd really enjoy this book because it starts off like your typical girl-sees-dead-people story. But once Lenzi starts to accept who she is and we get to know all of the amazing side characters, the story picks up quickly and you won't be able to put it down!  

I adored Lenzi! She was a realistic, witty, and easy-to-relate-to girl that grew into such a strong and admirable character over the course of the book. And the summary makes it seem like there's an overpowering love triangle but there actually isn't! Zak represents her hurtful past. Sweet, caring, and totally swoon-worthy Alden just makes everything more awesome.  

The plot and world were fantastically crafted. As soon as you reach that hook, every single page is engaging and addictive... and by the time you get to the last few chapters, you'll be begging for it not to end yet wanting to know what happens at the same time! 

Twisting, original, and intensely heart-pounding, Shattered Souls is a debut that definitely matches up to the beauty of the cover! I recommend it wholeheartedly to people who are looking for a good ghostly reincarnation story, and to anyone who likes YA in general. :) 

BUY or BORROW?: Buy for sure! The cover alone is buy-worthy, but having it on your shelf makes it easy to grab when you're craving to read it again. And this book may be a standalone, but I really wish that Mary Lindsey would make it a series! *hint, hint*

-Mimi

28 comments:

  1. Great review Mimi! I can't wait to read this one, it sounds amazing - thank you for sharing! <3

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  2. Excited to pick this book up! Your review is great as always and makes me want to go on a little book buying spree =)

    Kristan @ Lost Amongst the Shelves

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  3. It's great to hear you enjoyed this book. The cover is very beautiful in person. However I didn't enjoy this book - a real pity on my part. But I'll still read the sequel when it comes out.

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  4. Oh, I'm so glad to hear that this is a good read because that cover has had me very tempted! I'm looking forward to reading this now (especially if there's no love triangle). Great review!

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  5. I just adore the cover, which prompted me to ask my library to buy it; they are going to and I will probably be the first person to get to read it and enjoy all the wonderful things you mention!

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  6. Oh, glad it's not just another pretty cover! This one is on my wish list.

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  7. YAY! So glad you loved it. :D I've read some quite disappointing reviews lately and started to freak out, since I've been super curious about it for quite some time now. :o Now you made me even more excited to try it though and so I will! Hopefully I'll stand on your side! Which I probably will, cause your taste is awesome. *nods*

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  8. I love the idea of a reincarnated spirit in this young girl. I haven't read many (or any I can remember) reincarnation stories so this is a different and interesting concept. The fact that the story is actually good and well-developed...BONUS! And you're right, the cover is beautiful. When I'm looking to read something a little different I'll have to consider giving this one a read. Nice review.

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  9. I am so glad I got a copy of this for Christmas! Your review makes me want to dive into it straight away. I'm glad you were able to enjoy it. Brilliant review! :)

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  10. You should have written the overview for this. The overview from Goodreads just didn't make me want this book the way your review does! While I am all for a good love triangle, the fact that she'll die if she doesn't decide between two guys? That didn't exactly grab me. My thoughts were more like, "Uh . . . that's the big conflict? It sounds more now like she's choosing between her past and her future, which I can appreciate. Of course I'll be checking this one out myself. You always seem to pick good reads :) I trust your judgment. And holy cow! That cover is gorgeous.

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  11. I just have to say how adorable you are Mimi! Your enthusiasm always shines through in your reviews, so even when I didn't love a book as much as you did, you make me want to pick it back up and try again so that my reaction is as positive and utterly infectious as yours! I loved Lenzi in this one too, I felt so bad for her when everyone kept talking about Rose and she couldn't remember anything about that person. *hugs Lenzi*

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  12. I have this one in my reading pile but I haven't gotten around to it yet. I'll definitely have to read it soon though, your review has definitely made me more excited to pick it up :)

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  13. I didn't know it was an amazing book, but it's an amazing cover lol. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I really need to check it mainly if it's original, it's always so nice. Awesome review!

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  14. I don't know why I limit myself to vampires and Vikings. I need to get myself to read about other supernatural creatures, like ghosts and angles. It's good to hear that this story offers more than your typical "I see dead people" thing. And I love knowing that there isn't really a love triangle!

    Another awesome review, Mimi. Like you, it makes me so happy when the story is just as great as it's gorgeous cover.

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  15. Hi Mimi,
    I have been pondering this one for awhile. Your description of the main character makes me want to read this one! I like me girls to have a bit of sass! Also sounds like it is without the dreaded cliffhanger! Thanks for the review.

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  16. I'm glad you've given this one a good review as I can't wait to read it! Ever since I saw the cover this has been a book that's stuck in my head.

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  17. Ohhh I'm really glad you liked it, I got it for Christmas and I'm excited to read it soon!!

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  18. Oh no! Don't say buy, I can't buy anymore books! Now I REALLY want it! LOL. No, seriously I'm happy you really loved this one. It's been on my WL but I think it faded to the back of mind (now it's in the forefront again). I'll just have to watch for it at the library I think but now I'll maybe actually put it on hold... I don't know. But it just sounds amazing!

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  19. I have a signed bookmark of this so that + this review means I HAVE to read it soon, right? :) I'm actually more interested in it after hearing it's a standalone, haha. It's tiring waiting for books all the time!

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  20. I totally can't wait to get to this one chick!!! Is it bad that I totally know know what a typical "girl sees dead people story" is?? Lol

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  21. Ooo, I started this awhile back but had to put it down. After hearing how excited you are about it, though, it makes me want to pick it up again pronto! Yay, I'm so glad you loved it so much.

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  22. Oh My Gosh my dear!! I cant wait to get to it sniff!!! I have it here right beside me sniff!! Aaaaaah! freaking school! is killing me!!!
    Excellent review my sweet <3 and Im so glad this is not the typicial *I see dead people* story!! yaaaaaaaaaay! ^.^

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  23. Aaaaa! The book's cover is so amazing. I like the girl's dress. And wow, if you really enjoyed this book, I am totally positive I'll enjoy it too!!! Thank you so much for this amazing review, Mimi <3 So glad you enjoyed this!

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  24. Lenzi sounds like an amazing protagonist. I like it when authors make their characters witty and relatable. I've got this one in my massive TBR pile so I'm really happy that the contents of the book live up to the pretty cover.

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  25. Eeeeee! I want! I want! I want! I mean, gorgeous aside, this sounds AMAZING. I love me a witty heroine and obviously a swoony guy *steals* :) Plus any book that features a reincarnation element? I am SO there. Can't wait to read this, amazing review Mimi!

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  26. "the summary makes it seem like there's an overpowering love triangle but there actually isn't!"

    That line sold me on reading this book! When I originally read the description for this book, I have to admit the love triangle thing totally put me off, but I'm going to take your word for it and give it a shot. And you're right...that cover is GORGEOUS! Lol.

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  27. A YA book WITHOUT a love triangle? YAY. I really dislike love triangles are a general rule. They are always so messy. Plus, Lenzi sounds like an amazing heroine. *adds to TBR*

    Molli | Once Upon a Prologue

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  28. I completely agree with you on this one, Mimi. It surprised the hell out of me! I had my doubts at the beginning (especially during that cemetery scene) but I soon realized how wrong I was.
    Awesome review. The more people read this book, the happier I'll be.

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