Urban Fantasy. Lately we’ve been getting into it more and more. We’ve been interested in takes on the world that aren’t reality – cause lets face it – this world is sometimes too much to take.
We recently read Borrowed Souls: A Soul Charmer Novel – and yes, we’re aware that it came out last month and we’re just getting to it. Blame real life, blame too much to do, but we’re glad that Borrowed Souls: A Soul Charmer Novel has kept us company on our subway rides to and from work.
Here’s the synopsis –
Callie Delgado always puts family first, and unfortunately her brother knows it. She’s emptied her savings, lost work, and spilled countless tears trying to keep him out of trouble, but now he’s in deeper than ever, and his debt is on Callie’s head. She’s given a choice: do some dirty work for the mob, or have her brother returned to her in tiny pieces.
Renting souls is big business for the religious population of Gem City. Those looking to take part in immoral—or even illegal—activity can borrow someone else’s soul, for a price, and sin without consequence.
To save her brother, Callie needs a borrowed soul, but she doesn’t have anywhere near the money to pay for it. The slimy Soul Charmer is willing to barter, but accepting his offer will force Callie into a dangerous world of magic she isn’t ready for.
With the help of the guarded but undeniably attractive Derek—whose allegiance to the Charmer wavers as his connection to Callie grows—she’ll have to walk a tight line, avoid pissing off the bad guys, all while struggling to determine what her loyalty to her family’s really worth.
Losing her brother isn’t an option. Losing her soul? Maybe.
OUR BLURB: Build an amazing world? Check. Unique Story? Check. A debut that you need to be reading? Yes, this book is it.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Let us all be honest, the world is saturated with fantasy and why would a publisher pick up a debut authors urban fantasy book? Well because it’s great. It’s one of those books that you have to stop and think, “Did I miss something else by this author, cause she can weave a story. She can build a world.”
And maybe it’s because they say that in order to be a writer you should finish your book, but you should always read as much as you can. The author, Chelsea Mueller runs a review blog, Vampire Book Club. I sometimes think that reviewers would make the best writers, because they read more than most. Chelsea’s world building is what sets this book apart.
Let us all praise the fact that she doesn’t just information dump. Cause Lord knows we get enough of that in this world.
Sure, as much as I thought the book was great there were a few issues. There were times where I felt that a storyline wasn’t fleshed out enough, where things just jumped from thing to thing and I was like wait, how did that get there? How was it solved? Did I miss something?
I would have to go back and reread in order to see if I missed something.
Overall I loved the characters and I loved hating them. Dear Lord, Josh you are a douche. But the main character, Callie – the way we watched her grow is really what kept me interested.
Borrowed Souls: A Soul Charmer Novel is available now.
