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Rating: 4 stars
Pub date: 29 Jan 2013
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Romance, Fantasy
Format: Paperback, library copy
Summary:
DARKSOULS
Ana has always been the only one. Asunder. Apart. But after Templedark, when many residents of Heart were lost forever, some hold Ana responsible for the darksouls–and the newsouls who may be born in their place.
SHADOWS
Many are afraid of Ana’s presence, a constant reminder of unstoppable changes and the unknown. When sylph begin behaving differently toward her and people turn violent, Ana must learn to stand up not only for herself but for those who cannot stand up for themselves.
LOVE
Ana was told that nosouls can’t love. But newsouls? More than anything, she wants to live and love as an equal among the citizens of Heart, but even when Sam professes his deepest feelings, it seems impossible to overcome a lifetime of rejection.
In this second book in the Newsoul trilogy, Ana discovers the truth about reincarnation and will have to find a way to embrace love and make her young life meaningful. Once again, Jodi Meadows explores the extraordinary beauty and shadowed depths of the soul in a story equal parts epic romance and captivating fantasy.
Asunder picks right back up where the excitement in Incarnate ends. Right from the beginning, Jodi’s writing grabbed a hold of me and refused to let go until the final page had been read. As a musician, I love Sam. As a female, I love Sam. Every scene that involves musical teaching or experience between Ana and Sam, I just melt. I love how continually patient he is with her as she learns to bloom in a world that is so against her. As the first Newsoul, Ana is always met with apprehension and eventually with straight out disdain and violence.
Asunder is the journey in which Ana learns the truth behind her existence and why the Oldsouls are reincarnated. The discovery makes her question everything about what she has so far learned. Before she makes this giant discovery, she and Sam spend some time away from Heart in the depths of Range to study her father’s study of the sylph. They are surprised to discover the sylph begin to act strangely toward Ana. They immediately decide that with the way Ana is received in Heart, this is a secret that must be kept at all costs. Ana is feared and misunderstood enough without adding on suspicion of the sylph behaviour.
Despite all of the time spent on the research and music, Sam takes the time to tell Ana how he really feels about her. He confesses his love, and does not get upset when Ana doesn’t immediately say it back. He understands that as a Newsoul, she must sort out everything in her own time as she is learning to understand herself. Ana had always been told that she was incapable of feelings of any kind – especially love. As a Newsoul, she obviously didn’t have the capacity to understand such things after the Oldsouls had been around for hundreds and hundreds of years. they’ve had lifetimes to learn and understand emotions and relationships, how could a girl possibly learn to understand it in less than 20 years? Because of these hateful beliefs shoved down her throat her entire life, she must learn to accept that these things aren’t true and she’s just as capable of emotions and maintaining relationships as any of the Oldsouls.
Through the entire adventures, Ana goes from a timid girl unsure of the world around her, to a young woman who is ready to fight and defend for those she loves. With the people of Heart turning quickly against her and the Newsouls that are born and are to be born, Ana takes it upon herself to become their champion. She must fight for them and for herself and she rises to the occasion beautifully.
Meadows has definitely out done herself again. Questions are answered, and the drama and action continues to rise. It all builds and builds and sets up perfectly for the conclusion of the series: Infinite due out in 2014.
It is hard to say which I enjoyed more, Incarnate or Asunder. I do know this for sure, this is definitely a series that now has a special place in my heart. The author also has a special place in my heart! Many wonderful chats have happened on Twitter, and I am greatly looking forwards to the Infinite book tour and hope that I will be able to go to a location if one is close enough!
Recommended for: Readers who enjoy science fiction, dystopian/utopian societies, fantasy (there are dragons!), and a bit of Sam romance.
Not recommended for: Those readers who do not enjoy reincarnation, futuristic civilisations, or romance
The Whimsical Mama 