Find my reviews on Blogger ~ Reviews by Bookish Sarah 
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 For the last 5,000 years in a place called Range, one million souls have been reborn over and over again. When one of the million dies, they always come back (complete with memories of their past lives). No one knows for sure why this is. Some believe it's because of a deity called "Janan", while for others... it just is. 
 Everything changes when a soul named Ciana dies and doesn't come back. Instead, she is replaced. A "Newsoul" comes into being. This is our protag, Ana. Ana has been mistreated by her mother for 18 years. Her mother, as well as others, consider her a "Nosoul". She doesn't deserve to have anything, feel anything, or be anything. When Ana turns 18 she is finally able to leave home to travel to the city of Heart. Ana wants answers. Why does she exist? Why did she replace Ciana? Who is she? What is she? Heart is the place to find out. 
 "Who am I?" My first spoken words. 
 "No one," she said. "Nosoul." 
 Along the way, Ana is almost killed. A young man who calls himself Sam rescues her from just in the nick of time. Afterward, for reasons Ana can't fathom, he decides to travel with her to Heart and help her in more ways than one. When the two finally arrive in Heart, things are not anything like what Ana hoped for or expected. She finds just as many questions as she does answers. 
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 Okay, the premise of this book had me nearly jumping up and down with impatience. It's such a remarkable plot idea that there was no way I couldn't try this book out! I definitely was not disappointed! 
 There were a few lulls in the pace of the book. I had to take a star away for that. It was mostly around the middle, while Ana and Sam were in the process of getting to know one another better. It felt a little repetitious at times. 
 That's really my only complaint. 
 Ms. Meadows delivered a truly impressive debut! The plot wasn't one I've read ten times over. The world-building was done beautifully. I sort of want to visit Heart myself. Well... minus the acid-spitting dragons and all. The masquerade was definitely my favorite part. It all sounded so magical and fantastic. 
 I really enjoyed the characters. Sam was a sweet & comely hero. I'd definitely consider him 'swoon worthy'. He treated Ana with respect instead of malice (unlike half the population of Heart) right from the get-go. He gave a whole new meaning to the saying 'he/she is an old soul'. Ana was strong and special. Her journey of self-discovery was moving and she was just lovely all around. Her battle against diversity has just begun, but I think she's off to a nice start! ;) The secondary characters didn't make too much of an impression on me, but that may be because there were so many of them. Stef was interesting, but I don't quite trust her. I am curious to find out who the traitor in their midst may be. My prediction is Stef, but.. *shrug*. 
 The romance was wonderful. There is NO insta-love here! Sam and Ana actually got to know each other before they jumped into something together. There was a connection there from the beginning, but they weren't falling all over each other until the proper moment. I applaud Jodi Meadows for doing this. I think I've said this before, but my pet peeve is insta-love and it's way too frequent in YA novels. 
 The fantasy aspect. I have to mention this. I cannot even begin to describe how different it is! It's truly, TRULY unlike anything I've ever read before. One million souls... reborn over and over. A temple that reaches into the clouds and has a heartbeat. Dragons and sylph on the attack. There was mention of other mythical creatures such as centaurs and griffins. You just really have to read it to understand just how amazing it is. 
 I would recommend this book to readers of all kinds. It's a fantastic book. No cursing, nothing graphic or bad for teens to read. It's packed with mystery and intrigue. It'll have you on the edge of your seat, I promise you. It's a profound and emotional story and I can't wait for more of it! 
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 ARC source: eGalley 
 Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books