Incarnate (Newsoul #1)

This book was interesting. It’s a highly original story about people that never die. Well, except Ana. She’s a new soul. Because she is not five thousand years old like most inhabitants of Heart, she is stereotyped and treated like an outcast. Unwanted, even by her own mother. Li (mom) was downright despicable. I couldn’t stand that character, and I’m thankful she didn’t have a huge role in the story.
I’ve heard great things about this book. Many bloggers are rating it as one of their favorite reads. I’m not sure I feel that way. I enjoyed the story because it was original, but there were some things that annoyed me. For instance, Sam drove me nuts for about 2/3 of the books. He was smothering. Maybe it’s because I’m so independent myself that I have a hard time imagining how anyone could want a guy doting on their every move. It drove me insane, but I tolerated it because I could see why Ana needed someone like Sam. By the end of the book though, the growing romance between the two fully developed. Instead of seeming like a smothering person, you could tell that Sam needed Ana as much as she needed him. I liked the two of them as an item once they each figured this out.
Ana was a pretty enjoyable character. She came across as needy at times, but also very head strong. She was cynical of people and her surroundings. I liked how determined she was once she set her mind to something. By the end of the book she had grown a lot. You could tell that there was an inner strength developing that would show more in the books to come. I’m interested to see what she’s like in the next book.
I also enjoyed some of the other characters. The shadow creatures that could burn people to death with their touch were terrifying. I couldn’t imagine living in a world where Sylph roamed freely, waiting to devour you. Then there is the city of Heart itself—a city with a living heartbeat. Freaky. There is this god-like figure, Janan, which lives within the tower at Heart’s center. Janan is the one that gives the people souls and the ability to be reincarnated, as long as the people worship him. You never learn if Janan is good or bad, but Ana doesn’t get the warm fuzzies from him. Neither did I, for that matter. I have a feeling that this mystical being isn’t all that he’s made out to be. After all, why would dragons want to destroy the tower where his soul lives if he was an all-powerful “good guy?” The end of the book leaves things kind of open, but I am certain that Janan, the wall with the heartbeat, and psychotic Meuric (another bad guy) will return. I also predict that Ana is going to be a kick-butt character as her story continues. She was left with her father’s scientific journals (and secrets), and she seems like the type to use that information to her advantage.

First Impressions: When I first came upon this book from Goodreads, I immediately was drawn to the cover. Talk about having some major cover love! HarperTeen books always have the most gorgeous covers on their books. When I read the book synopsis, I got even more excited. It sounded kind of dystopian, which is right up my alley. But, it also had this science fiction aspect with a twinge of fantasy. All of the good stuff rolled into one and this book went into the top of my To-Read pile. There was no way I was going to make this one wait!

Plot & Style of Writing: I’m having a hard time coming up with anything other than that I loved this book! Thinking back on the first 50 pages, all that is coming to mind is that I couldn’t put it back down. I literally sat down for hours until I finished this book. This debut author has delivered an outstanding novel that I believe everyone is going to talking about very soon. I knew that I would love this book, but after reading a few not so very good books lately, I didn’t want to set myself up for disappointment. This book didn’t disappoint me in the least.

Why did I love this book so much? Firstly, the writing. Jodi Meadows has a gift for world building that very few authors have. She puts a ton of emotion into her writing. It really shows just how much time she must have spent writing this novel. Either she has a natural talent, or she has had some great teachers to help her along the way. Either way, her writing is truly spot-on and I couldn’t find anything I didn’t like about her style.

As for the plot, I’ve never seen an author have the ability to blend so many different themes and genres together in a single book. Talk about having something for everyone! Jodi creates the perfect blend of science fiction with a realistic twist and fantasy. This is a huge reason why this book is so delicious! It’s like taking all of these genres, putting them into a blender, and viola! You have this book! You can even find some romance thrown in the mix. Like I said, there is something for everyone!

When it comes to characters and romance, I’ve been a little put-off by romance in young adult novels recently. I’m not sure why but in every book I have read, it seems like it is always the same when it comes to romance between two characters. It can get boring. But, needless to say, I loved the romantic elements in this book. Sam is an ADORABLE character who I completely swooned over throughout the entire book. There was the perfect amount of tension between Sam and Ana and it was really cool to see how their relationship progressed in the story. I can’t wait to see where the author takes their relationship next.

My Final Thoughts: I knew I was going to love this book, and I did absolutely, love this book! It had everything I could possibly want in a good book and I can’t find one negative thing to say about it. I highly, highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys young adult novels. I have a feeling that I’ve already read my favorite new book release of 2012, and this is it!

Jodi Meadows can write! From the first chapter, she had me hooked. Ana is a lovely, damaged, courageous girl and I was rooting for to find her happily ever after. Sam is an incredible guy, and the chemistry they had together is both sweet and explosive. There are dragons! Sylph! Fire! Traitors! Hot kisses!

But best of all, there's the message that every single life has meaning and importance. I can't recommend this book enough.