Thursday, June 13, 2013

Review: Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

Incarnate (Newsoul, #1)
Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
NEWSOUL
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.
NOSOUL
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.


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Publishes in US: January 31st 2012 by Katherine Tegen Books
Genre: YA paranormal
Source: bought
Series? Yes. Incarnate is 1st in Newsoul series. Asunder is 2nd and is already out. The 3rd in newsoul series is untilted and releases in 2014.

Buy it:  IndieBound Amazon Barnes and Noble Book Depository

Find  online: ~site ~twitter ~facebook ~book trailer

 
   It started right with action and by connecting me to the main character. I liked Ana because she is different, that she questions instead of blindly accepting things, and also because I felt for her because of the way that her mom treated her. 
    I like that Ana doesn't just blindly accept anything. She digs and finds the answers for herself. She is also relatable though because she is a good person but she's not perfect. She has her insecurities and lashes out at Sam some. It is understandable because of how she grew up that she wouldn't easily trust. It was quite an adventure to watch her discover her passions, and how that connected her with Sam and brought out his emotions and realized what was beneath the layers. 
    Sam is a mystery right off the bat, because I wanted to know why he was in the middle of nowhere, how he rescued her in the freezing cold water, and just because he is elusive. He is kind of course helping Ana, and encouraging her. He was just another hook that got me within the first three chapters. 
    There is also the great premise, and it got going right away. I was so curious why a soul would disappear instead of coming back again, and what made Ana special that a new soul or a no soul would show up. 
    I loved the twists and how the people have such personalities, how their pasts factor into who they are now. Especially about Sam, the things that Ana didn't realize right away, I just thought it was amazing going full circle like that. 
    The Heart, the town where they live is well thought out. It adds to the awesomeness of the world building and the setting. I enjoyed the mythical creatures involved and their powers even if they were usually on the "bad" side. It shows so much creativity and added action and adventure. 
    Another thing I absolutely loved was the slow build of the romance. It is so satisfying to read about. The friendship and the back and forth, the flirting and the uncertainty. It is beautiful to watch play out and just what I love. 
    There is a wonderful cast of secondary characters. Steph and her take charge, no-nonsense attitude really made me like her a lot. I like that she told Sam how it was and stood up for Ana even when she didn't know her. She is very perceptive and I like that. 
    And holy twist of doom. You feel the storm building, and then the unthinkable happens. Or does it? But we realize so much all at once and some of it is good and some bad. 
    It ended at a pretty good place, but I am still super anxious to get the next one. So if anyone has a kindle or epub I can borrow, I will be your friend forever :). 

Bottom Line: Great start to a series I can't wait to keep reading. Action, romance and a courageous main character.

Books similar to Incarnate:(links go to my review) What's Left of Me by Kat ZhangBeta by Rachel CohnThe Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Would you want the knowledge of previous lives if you reincarnated?

36 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed this series. The whole idea that people have known each other in their different lives was interesting to me.

    Kate @ Ex Libris

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    1. It really was, and liked they could remember their history

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  2. Wonderful review Brandi, I liked this and still need to read book two. I agree about the romance, and curiosity over the souls.

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  3. I read an excerpt about a year ago when it was on Amazon and didn't like it much. Maybe now will be different, because Ana does sound like a very likable MC and the premise is, of course, so original! I might give this a go sometime in the future. Great review!

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    1. Sorry you didn't like the excerpt. I connected with Ana right away, and that makes all the difference

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  4. Yay! I am so glad you liked this one! I really enjoyed it as well. In fact reading this review makes me want to reread it. I have Asunder sitting on my shelf but I haven't read it yet. I need to.

    Great review Brandi.

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  5. I am a fan of the cover arts for this series! I haven't read it because I feel like it might be too juvenile for me... anyway I feel like I read it vicariously through your reviews. And how quaint and pretty is their town, Heart?!

    Lovely review, Brandi!

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    1. Love the town set up, and the covers, so beautiful

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  6. Wow! I have had this one on my to-read list for some time. I think the cover is exceptional and definitely want to check this series out. Every single thing you mentioned that you like, I really enjoy reading in a book. This is a definite must-read for me. Thank you so much for sharing! Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.

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  7. Ooooh, I'm really curious about this series and your review definitely makes me want to pick up a copy! I've been eyeing this for a while :) Great review!

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

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  8. This sounds so good! I've seen it at the library and now I know I have to read it =)

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  9. I read this last year when it came out and I agree the characters and the world building were great. I loved the concept of reincarnation, but I hated the cliffhanger ending. I still need to pick up book two.

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    1. The ending was quite a crazy--so glad the second one was already out

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  10. I'm glad you liked this! Love romance that builds up. :)

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  11. Oh I've been so curious about this one. I still haven't read it and I've been wanting to. Love the sound of the world and the romance!

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  12. I bought this book a while ago and still need to read it, just haven't had the chance. I would definitely want to know about my past lives. I think it'd be really interesting, and I can't really think of anything bad coming from that knowledge.

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  13. I love the covers of this series! All so beautiful! I'll have to try this one!

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  14. So happy that you loved the book! Incarnate was one of my top favorites in 2012 :) In relation to your question, I guess if the knowledge is useful and constructive, I don't mind having access to memories in the past lives. Loved your review :)

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    1. It would confuse me I think in some aspects especially since some of the people switch genders

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  15. I read this before it released, and the story just didn't work for me. I'm glad you liked Incarnate, Brandi!

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  16. I have to get my hands on this! Ana sounds like such a fresh and original heroine :)

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  17. I really liked this one and need to read Asunder! Glad to hear you loved it, and I agree, it really makes you want book two. Hope you enjoy it as well. Lovely review!

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  18. I really liked this one too, but I do need to get the second one. Glad you enjoyed it so much.

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  19. I have heard lots of mixed things about this one. Some love it, some hate it. I'm really happy to hear you loved it so much, maybe I do need to consider reading it!

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  20. Have not read these but I love the covers and I can't wait till I find the time to read these books.
    Great review.


    Http://www.daydreamerN.blogspot.com

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  21. I also loved the first book in this series. This whole idea was great. I hope you'll enjoy the sequel more than me. :)

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  22. I am so happy you loved this so much. I have been going back and forth on buying the series. But this seals the deal. Great review.

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  23. I still need to read this series, and I'm really hoping that when I go back to the library it's there. I'm really glad you enjoyed it so much!

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  24. YAY! Oh I thought I was the only blogger who still hadn't gotten into this series ( though I may be now LOL) but it's been on my TBR list for much too long and seeing how you loved it reminded me that I really think I will too :D The MC sounds especially appealing to me! Thanks for sharing ♥

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  25. I have been looking forward to this one for toooo long. It's on my Kindle, I just keep putting stuff in front of it. Oops. Great review!!

    Think @ Thinks Books

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