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Newsoul #2
Asunder
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.
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.
406 pages, Hardcover
First published January 29, 2013
125 people are currently reading
12481 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Meadows
36 books4,703 followersI write books. I snuggle cats. I drink coffee.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 801 reviews
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June 8, 2012The chapter headers have roses. The scene breaks at the top/bottom of the pages have itty roses.
Want to read
May 9, 2012Yay a cover! I think I prefer the 1st one though.
January 22, 2013
Book Nook — Young Adult book reviews
I was a little bit nervous going into Asunder because I had some issues with Incarnate, but I ended up liking Asunder even more!
My biggest gripe in Incarnate was the romance. I didn't feel it at all. To be honest, I still wasn't a huge fan of it in Asunder , but since it was already established, I think it was easier for me to accept. It also felt like it had a smaller role in the story. There were still some awkward moments in the book (for example, when Ana and Sam discuss the inappropriateness of their relationship and the 5,000 year age difference), but overall I just kind of tuned it out and that allowed me to enjoy the fantasy and story elements much more.
Ana was a much stronger character in Asunder. There were still a few times when I didn't like her—mostly when she talked about her "inability to love"—but overall she was much better; she was a character fighting for an important cause. She took action and stood up for herself. She had big dreams and aimed to make monumental changes in the society. She wasn't perfect, but it was nice to see her out there fighting rather than lurking in the shadows.
What I liked most about Asunder was the mystery element. Ana was very clearly working towards a goal: she aimed to make change and uncover truths. Her goal was much more focused in this book than in Incarnate, where she simply wanted to learn about her origins. In Asunder , Ana works towards forming alliances, doing research, gathering information, and uncovering mysteries. This clear focus made the story really intense and quick to read!
I think the pacing was better in this book as well. There weren't any long, drawn out periods if inaction, or long periods where Ana was doing nothing but attending lessons and learning music. There were a few, but they were mostly short and fit in with the story. For most of the book, important things are happening—things that will keep you interested and engaged in the plot! It's really fun to sit there and speculate because Jodi arranges it in a way that you have no idea who to trust. I do have to admit that the end isn't really as big of a twist as I was hoping for. I kind of wanted to be caught off guard with the big reveal of who was behind everything. Normally I expect it to be the unexpected, but in this case it ended up being the expected.. if that makes sense. But even so, the action, mysteries, and reveals are interesting and engaging!
One final complaint: I wanted more dragons! They didn't make an appearance in Asunder , which was kind of a let down for me. I feel like there's an interesting story there (as introduced in Incarnate), but we don't learn anything new about them. Hopefully we'll find out more in the third book!
Asunder wasn't a perfect book, but I do think it was much better than Incarnate. The writing is beautiful, the plot was interesting, and most importantly, this book felt necessary. It wasn't an empty 'filler' book and didn't suffer from the second-book-in-a-series syndrome. The plot develops nicely and Jodi Meadows sets the stage for what will probably be a very interesting third book!
wanted
June 22, 2012HOLY SHIT, GUYS...
I.. I think I just had an extreme premature coverrgasm.
I.. I think I just had an extreme premature coverrgasm.
January 29, 2014
First time read: December 12 to December 16, 2012
ASUNDER is a stunning sequel with a great plot and surprises at every turn. Jodi Meadows is a master of stories!
If you don't know this about me, INCARNATE (book one) is my favorite book of all time. ALL. TIME. So when I got ASUNDER in the mail as a RAK, I was freaking out and started reading immediately. I was sucked back into the world of Range and all of its inhabitants: speaking of which, the sylph were super eerie in this book! I don't see how Meadows managed to make them even more spookier, but she pulled it off excellently.
Ana? She became such a fierce and kick-butt character in this sequel. I will admit that she does have her flaws in book one, but oh my, she absolutely redeems herself in ASUNDER. And Sam is just so nice to Ana, it makes even more cooler in my book. Plus, anything with piano/music in books adds extra bonus points for me, and Ana and Sam do duets in the book!
But I did have one slight problem: I absolutely adore ASUNDER, but there was something about INCARNATE that gave me some kind of spark of reading-love and hope for other fantasies like it. So I guess I like INCARNATE just a little bit more than ASUNDER.
But please don't get me wrong: ASUNDER is a fantastic sequel. I will admit that I sometimes have troubles with sequels, but I had zero trouble with this one. The writing style was just as great, and the stakes are raised even higher. Speaking of which, THE PROBLEMS ARE RAISED SO MUCH HIGHER IN THIS BOOK. There are a lot of evil and cruel jerks in this book that Jodi Meadows put in there that made me cringe because of how twisted they were, and gosh, they were so evil to Ana and Sam! And because of the ending of INCARNATE, we have a new problem in ASUNDER: newsouls are coming into the world, filling everyone with fear. And let me say that the newsouls are probably my favorite addition to ASUNDER.
And once again, Meadows packs an insane ending! I was on my seat the entire time, because Jodi knows how to write an ending!
Overall, ASUNDER is just as brilliant as its predecessor. I don't know how I'll be able to stand the wait for book three!
Second time read: July 26, 2013
If you know me at all, you know that Incarnate (book one) is my favorite book of all time. Sequels can be a tricky thing, but luckily, I love Asunder just as much!! These are my favorite books ever. So, so, so amazing. Please if you haven't read these, do it - you won't be disappointed. They're so fantastic!
Third time read: January 28, 2014
OH MY GOSH THIS WAS EVEN BETTER THE THIRD TIME AROUND. The ending is INSANE YOU GUYS AHHHH I LOVE IT. I'm now prepared for Infinite. *braces self* *takes deep breath*
ASUNDER is a stunning sequel with a great plot and surprises at every turn. Jodi Meadows is a master of stories!
If you don't know this about me, INCARNATE (book one) is my favorite book of all time. ALL. TIME. So when I got ASUNDER in the mail as a RAK, I was freaking out and started reading immediately. I was sucked back into the world of Range and all of its inhabitants: speaking of which, the sylph were super eerie in this book! I don't see how Meadows managed to make them even more spookier, but she pulled it off excellently.
Ana? She became such a fierce and kick-butt character in this sequel. I will admit that she does have her flaws in book one, but oh my, she absolutely redeems herself in ASUNDER. And Sam is just so nice to Ana, it makes even more cooler in my book. Plus, anything with piano/music in books adds extra bonus points for me, and Ana and Sam do duets in the book!
But I did have one slight problem: I absolutely adore ASUNDER, but there was something about INCARNATE that gave me some kind of spark of reading-love and hope for other fantasies like it. So I guess I like INCARNATE just a little bit more than ASUNDER.
But please don't get me wrong: ASUNDER is a fantastic sequel. I will admit that I sometimes have troubles with sequels, but I had zero trouble with this one. The writing style was just as great, and the stakes are raised even higher. Speaking of which, THE PROBLEMS ARE RAISED SO MUCH HIGHER IN THIS BOOK. There are a lot of evil and cruel jerks in this book that Jodi Meadows put in there that made me cringe because of how twisted they were, and gosh, they were so evil to Ana and Sam! And because of the ending of INCARNATE, we have a new problem in ASUNDER: newsouls are coming into the world, filling everyone with fear. And let me say that the newsouls are probably my favorite addition to ASUNDER.
And once again, Meadows packs an insane ending! I was on my seat the entire time, because Jodi knows how to write an ending!
Overall, ASUNDER is just as brilliant as its predecessor. I don't know how I'll be able to stand the wait for book three!
Second time read: July 26, 2013
If you know me at all, you know that Incarnate (book one) is my favorite book of all time. Sequels can be a tricky thing, but luckily, I love Asunder just as much!! These are my favorite books ever. So, so, so amazing. Please if you haven't read these, do it - you won't be disappointed. They're so fantastic!
Third time read: January 28, 2014
OH MY GOSH THIS WAS EVEN BETTER THE THIRD TIME AROUND. The ending is INSANE YOU GUYS AHHHH I LOVE IT. I'm now prepared for Infinite. *braces self* *takes deep breath*
November 2, 2018
Asunder, the second book in the Newsoul Series, by author Jodi Meadows, serves up a generous portion of growth and change, action and emotion, long-buried secrets and soft and tender moments, creating a fantastic sequel to the already gripping first installment, Incarnate. Many of the lore's biggest questions are answered, the world-building fleshed out to the point of feeling more textured and comfortable, bigger and more familiar, allowing Jodi's craft to shine through in character development and storytelling. Ana and Sam hold hands through a myriad of conflicts, the real life and real world parallels of such making them one of YA's best and most endearing couples, their characters a mirror to very real issues and struggles so many can relate to. With eternal love at the core of this tale's spiraling and sprawling storyline, Asunder builds a perfect bridge between Incarnate and what promises to be the harrowing and ultimately very fulfilling conclusion of Infinite. This book is a book meant to share for sure and I was honored to be able to share it and read it with the amazing Sveta. I can't wait to read the last book! Recommended for all :)
January 24, 2020
3.5
Bu serinin kapakları çok güzel insanın baktıkça bakası geliyor ☺ ilk kitap gibi güzel okuttu ama.ara kitabıydı resmen çok bir beklenti ile başlamamak lazım
Bu serinin kapakları çok güzel insanın baktıkça bakası geliyor ☺ ilk kitap gibi güzel okuttu ama.ara kitabıydı resmen çok bir beklenti ile başlamamak lazım
October 23, 2012
Wow. WOW. I just finished my ARC of Asunder and boy, was it good. I was lucky enough to receive this copy from HarperCollins.
If you read my blog and my reviews, you may recall that my issue with the first book, Incarnate (though I really did love it), was the pacing. The beginning was too slow, and the end was a jumble, while the middle was absolutely terrific. Asunder has none of those issues. As I predicted, Meadows has only ripened her craft and improved with time.
Asunder by Jodi Meadows continues where Incarnate has left off. Ana, the NewSoul, is still an outsider in Heart. Havoc and destruction have come down on the city, and because of this, soon Ana will not be the only NewSoul. There will be more born. Ana makes it her mission to prevent NewSouls from having the same awful childhood that she had. Along with Sam, the OldSoul who loves her, and a few other close friends, Ana learns more about herself and what she truly believes in.
The pacing was terrific. It starts off strong and ends even stronger. This book definitely does not suffer from middle book syndrome. If you loved Sam in the first book (I did!), you'll love him even more in the second. At first, I was worried he would be portrayed as too perfect, but then he would do something silly, and I would be relieved. I love all the descriptions of music and how this plays such an important role in their relationship. The plot kept me interested the whole way through, and secrets are revealed at the right time and place. We get to see more character development of some side characters, which I enjoyed. And we get to learn more about sylph and the mysteries of the Temple. Now, I'm dying for the finale.
Overall, an amazing followup to Incarnate, a complete novel in its own right, with beautifully written prose and terrific characters. I can't wait to get my hands on the last book.
If you read my blog and my reviews, you may recall that my issue with the first book, Incarnate (though I really did love it), was the pacing. The beginning was too slow, and the end was a jumble, while the middle was absolutely terrific. Asunder has none of those issues. As I predicted, Meadows has only ripened her craft and improved with time.
Asunder by Jodi Meadows continues where Incarnate has left off. Ana, the NewSoul, is still an outsider in Heart. Havoc and destruction have come down on the city, and because of this, soon Ana will not be the only NewSoul. There will be more born. Ana makes it her mission to prevent NewSouls from having the same awful childhood that she had. Along with Sam, the OldSoul who loves her, and a few other close friends, Ana learns more about herself and what she truly believes in.
The pacing was terrific. It starts off strong and ends even stronger. This book definitely does not suffer from middle book syndrome. If you loved Sam in the first book (I did!), you'll love him even more in the second. At first, I was worried he would be portrayed as too perfect, but then he would do something silly, and I would be relieved. I love all the descriptions of music and how this plays such an important role in their relationship. The plot kept me interested the whole way through, and secrets are revealed at the right time and place. We get to see more character development of some side characters, which I enjoyed. And we get to learn more about sylph and the mysteries of the Temple. Now, I'm dying for the finale.
Overall, an amazing followup to Incarnate, a complete novel in its own right, with beautifully written prose and terrific characters. I can't wait to get my hands on the last book.
February 11, 2013
OMG THAT COVER
OMG SAM!!!!
Review
HOLY
Brilliant. Just amazing and brilliant.
Many souls are being very aggressive towards Ana after Temple Dark. They feel like she is responsible for all the dark souls who will no longer be reincarnated.
And Ana is no longer the only new soul.
Anid, the second new soul ever is born. Many people are threatening towards him and Ana. But Ana is determined to protect him and the future new souls.
Ana also ventures into the temple once more. The shocking truth about reincarnation of the old souls is reveled.
Along with a lot of *more* corrupt souls trying to kill Ana, Sam and her are having a bit of problems. But Sam is a sweetheart so it's okay.
I definitely say READ THIS. No one will be disappointing. It was amazing. The book was a page turner, I finished in within the day. Now I have to wait until book 3 comes out....
*Sighs*
One reason why this trilogy is amazing is because
It's very nice to see something new like that.
Why I love Incarnate/Asunder
may contain spoilers
1) No love triangle!:D
2) Evil God, its a new twist
3) There is a lot of "Why didn't I see that coming?" moments
4) Suspense
5) Sam
6) Slyth are actually not just 'fire creatures'
7) Sam
8) Cris is introduced, and his character is amazing
That would be all
May 9, 2015
So many answers!!! My god, how did Meadows create this? This series is truly mesmerizing! It's so insanely creative, I cant believe it! (Well, I can, but you know) it's incredible.
I adore Ana more and more as the pages are turn. My love for Ana & Sam become stronger and stronger. They work so well with each other.
But seriously, everything is A+ in this series. The characters, especially Ana, are on point. Sam resonated (a TINY BIT!) to the typical YA characters that want to "protect" the heroine. It was as suffocating as them and only happened once! He was great otherwise. He just needs to learn that Ana is one heck of a main character and she don't need no shiny knight! She can fight her own dragons! *winks*
If you haven't read the first in the series, please do! The world & concept of the entire story is one of the most creative I have read in years!
I adore Ana more and more as the pages are turn. My love for Ana & Sam become stronger and stronger. They work so well with each other.
But seriously, everything is A+ in this series. The characters, especially Ana, are on point. Sam resonated (a TINY BIT!) to the typical YA characters that want to "protect" the heroine. It was as suffocating as them and only happened once! He was great otherwise. He just needs to learn that Ana is one heck of a main character and she don't need no shiny knight! She can fight her own dragons! *winks*
If you haven't read the first in the series, please do! The world & concept of the entire story is one of the most creative I have read in years!
Read
June 12, 2023first read 2014 • (Jul 22 - Jul 24)
I ugly cried from chapter 29 'til the end, and I mean ugly cried. and then I would laugh because why am I crying? but then I would remember and start all over lol. sooo in conclusion the whole thing was intense. and I cried.
I ugly cried from chapter 29 'til the end, and I mean ugly cried. and then I would laugh because why am I crying? but then I would remember and start all over lol. sooo in conclusion the whole thing was intense. and I cried.
January 5, 2013
Review originally posted at Step Into Fiction
I fell in love with Incarnate. I wasn’t sure what to expect from that book and I got sucked in. I just remember some of the things I was tweeting to the author, Jodi Meadows, who I didn’t even know at the time, while reading the book. That’s the first time I’ve ever tweeted an author while reading their book, with my reactions to things, it was entertaining. Especially a specific part of the book… Now, going in to Asunder, I knew this world, these characters and I couldn’t wait to get more. I am satisfied. I am happy. I am sad.
The beginning of Asunder is the people of Heart trying to move on and cope from Templedark, where they lost many of their friends of 5,000 years. Not easy to do. If you’ve lost someone, you know how hard that can be but we didn’t have the pleasure of knowing that person for nearly as long as these people have. Dealing with this kind of permanent loss is impossible. However, they have to deal because no matter what, they won’t be getting those souls back. It’s a very sad time but also an awkward time for Ana because a lot of these people blame her when it was never her fault. But when in doubt, blame the Newsoul/nosoul, right?
This book is filled with love, pain, betrayal, sacrifice, violence and healing all mixed in to one. Ana goes through a lot of hardship in this book, more than the first book, I think. What makes it worse is she’s made plenty of friendships and now she has so much to lose whereas she only had things to gain in Incarnate. The birth of a Newsoul is almost enough to cause a riot in the birthing room and if it’s a sign of things to come, it’s going to be a dangerous path for all newsouls.
One person that Ana can always count on is Sam. He’s never judged her for being a Newsoul even from the very first time he met her. He found her unique and intriguing. It’s easy to misjudge a situation and think the worst of someone. Just keep that in mind…
I really liked Ana from Incarnate. For being so judged and hated on just for whom she is, not someone she could control, she is incredibly strong both in mind and will. I didn’t think I could like her much more but alas, I have been proven wrong. She is a force to be reckoned with. There is so much growth throughout Asunder that I’m in awe. I sit here wondering, is this really the same Ana we met jumping off a cliff in Incarnate? Truly, it’s really her? I love her (in a totally platonic way). Seriously. You’ve Incarnate, right? So there’s no reason you shouldn’t read this. I do love it a lot and the ending…that ending. *sigh* Plus, look at those covers. Aren’t they just breathtakingly beautiful? Butterflies and roses…very important to the story…
I fell in love with Incarnate. I wasn’t sure what to expect from that book and I got sucked in. I just remember some of the things I was tweeting to the author, Jodi Meadows, who I didn’t even know at the time, while reading the book. That’s the first time I’ve ever tweeted an author while reading their book, with my reactions to things, it was entertaining. Especially a specific part of the book… Now, going in to Asunder, I knew this world, these characters and I couldn’t wait to get more. I am satisfied. I am happy. I am sad.
The beginning of Asunder is the people of Heart trying to move on and cope from Templedark, where they lost many of their friends of 5,000 years. Not easy to do. If you’ve lost someone, you know how hard that can be but we didn’t have the pleasure of knowing that person for nearly as long as these people have. Dealing with this kind of permanent loss is impossible. However, they have to deal because no matter what, they won’t be getting those souls back. It’s a very sad time but also an awkward time for Ana because a lot of these people blame her when it was never her fault. But when in doubt, blame the Newsoul/nosoul, right?
This book is filled with love, pain, betrayal, sacrifice, violence and healing all mixed in to one. Ana goes through a lot of hardship in this book, more than the first book, I think. What makes it worse is she’s made plenty of friendships and now she has so much to lose whereas she only had things to gain in Incarnate. The birth of a Newsoul is almost enough to cause a riot in the birthing room and if it’s a sign of things to come, it’s going to be a dangerous path for all newsouls.
One person that Ana can always count on is Sam. He’s never judged her for being a Newsoul even from the very first time he met her. He found her unique and intriguing. It’s easy to misjudge a situation and think the worst of someone. Just keep that in mind…
I really liked Ana from Incarnate. For being so judged and hated on just for whom she is, not someone she could control, she is incredibly strong both in mind and will. I didn’t think I could like her much more but alas, I have been proven wrong. She is a force to be reckoned with. There is so much growth throughout Asunder that I’m in awe. I sit here wondering, is this really the same Ana we met jumping off a cliff in Incarnate? Truly, it’s really her? I love her (in a totally platonic way). Seriously. You’ve Incarnate, right? So there’s no reason you shouldn’t read this. I do love it a lot and the ending…that ending. *sigh* Plus, look at those covers. Aren’t they just breathtakingly beautiful? Butterflies and roses…very important to the story…
January 13, 2021
--5 stars --
Ahhh, this series is so good!!! I love the characters so much, and the world is just so unique and amazing! I'm starting the next (and last) book straightaway! <3
Ahhh, this series is so good!!! I love the characters so much, and the world is just so unique and amazing! I'm starting the next (and last) book straightaway! <3
maybe-read
April 19, 2013OMG, look at that cover! It is beautiful!
February 7, 2017
MORE? MORE! @ P.S. I love that book!
THE WORLD: Same as in the first book. This world has a few million people who have souls and who reincarnate every time they die. The thing is, their memories stay. So all people are really very very old. But one day a new soul is born instead of an old one. Needless to say everybody hates the new soul, because well that is really just a human nature - hate what is new and unknown. So that is what this series deals with in the first book, the new soul adapting. In the second book the story of new soul continues but additionally more new souls are born. Yes, of course people hate them. To be honest, this world has super old people but their mentality is pretty much of an average pal who thought university is a waste of time. This rally annoys me, from somebody so old you would expect grand things like old civilizations and stuff, but nope. Anyways, additionally we also have magical creatures such as Slyth who burn you upon touch and dragons who try to destroy the main city. Frankly, in this book we also get to know a lot of history and how the city was created. I guess here we get a reason why people are so stupid and egoistic.
CHARACTERS: The main character, the new soul in this story is Ana. She was really abused as a child because the 'government' forced her 'mother' to rise her and when the mother hates her daughter and enjoys torturing her...yeah ya get the picture. But Ana is strong, frankly the only smart person, I guess an influence of being raised in isolation. But not much really happens in this book that I could call her development. She still loves music, she still plays and goes to lessons and she is still with Sam. Tho she does suddenly develop a connection to Slyth which did not seem logical to me, first they chase her and burn her and now they are her friends? What? Did I miss something? Next we have Sam, oh my God he is boring. Like the most boring character ever created. And of course there are some friends which at this point I don't even know if they are friends anymore. It's a little bit confusing.
LOVE: Obviously Ana and Sam. A forbidden love cliche. Really really not interested in their romance. I wish Ana would develop some feeling for somebody else just to give some spice to this romance.
PLUS: I like the history to be honest.
MINUS: I hate stupid people and dealing with stupid characters is really a problem for me. Also there were no dragons. Boooooo.
OVERALL: It was alright but it was rally missing a spark. I will be trying to talk myself into reading the final book this or next month but I would not invest in the series from the beginning again.
MORE? MORE! @ P.S. I love that book!
THE WORLD: Same as in the first book. This world has a few million people who have souls and who reincarnate every time they die. The thing is, their memories stay. So all people are really very very old. But one day a new soul is born instead of an old one. Needless to say everybody hates the new soul, because well that is really just a human nature - hate what is new and unknown. So that is what this series deals with in the first book, the new soul adapting. In the second book the story of new soul continues but additionally more new souls are born. Yes, of course people hate them. To be honest, this world has super old people but their mentality is pretty much of an average pal who thought university is a waste of time. This rally annoys me, from somebody so old you would expect grand things like old civilizations and stuff, but nope. Anyways, additionally we also have magical creatures such as Slyth who burn you upon touch and dragons who try to destroy the main city. Frankly, in this book we also get to know a lot of history and how the city was created. I guess here we get a reason why people are so stupid and egoistic.
CHARACTERS: The main character, the new soul in this story is Ana. She was really abused as a child because the 'government' forced her 'mother' to rise her and when the mother hates her daughter and enjoys torturing her...yeah ya get the picture. But Ana is strong, frankly the only smart person, I guess an influence of being raised in isolation. But not much really happens in this book that I could call her development. She still loves music, she still plays and goes to lessons and she is still with Sam. Tho she does suddenly develop a connection to Slyth which did not seem logical to me, first they chase her and burn her and now they are her friends? What? Did I miss something? Next we have Sam, oh my God he is boring. Like the most boring character ever created. And of course there are some friends which at this point I don't even know if they are friends anymore. It's a little bit confusing.
LOVE: Obviously Ana and Sam. A forbidden love cliche. Really really not interested in their romance. I wish Ana would develop some feeling for somebody else just to give some spice to this romance.
PLUS: I like the history to be honest.
MINUS: I hate stupid people and dealing with stupid characters is really a problem for me. Also there were no dragons. Boooooo.
OVERALL: It was alright but it was rally missing a spark. I will be trying to talk myself into reading the final book this or next month but I would not invest in the series from the beginning again.
MORE? MORE! @ P.S. I love that book!
July 30, 2016
So. Many. FEEEEEEEEEEEELS.
First of all, Jodi Meadows has this fantastic way of making readers consider the morals of reincarnation. One million souls who become experts in their area of specialty vs. new souls and their new, though less experienced, ideas? It's a question you have to wonder about in a story like this and I think Jodi has done a tremendous job trying to tackle that question throughout the first two books, and I'm betting the fantastic continues into the next.
Then there's the characters. They grow and change and learn so much. Everyone besides Ana has been alive for thousands of years, yet many of them are becoming someone new, someone they've never been before. It's remarkable to imagine people who have been the same, or very similar, for so long suddenly becoming different, all thanks to Ana. Strong, clever, and oh so kind Ana. It's hard not to love her. She's naive at times and make mistakes, but she learns fast and is always improving herself. And Sam. Oh Sam. Pardon me while I swoon? Sam continues to be an incredible love interest in Asunder. And there's also a new character introduced, who I absolutely ADORE, but I won't say anything else. Y'all will find him.
The relationships in Asunder are complex and wonderful and changing. Friendships are growing stronger. Some reveal their true nature. Every relationship evolves in some form and each is significant to the story as a whole. It's always lovely when each part of a book is super important, you know?
Then there is the story itself, where every piece falls into place, entwining perfectly. There's action and mystery and KISSING and just...*sigh* There are no words for the perfection of the story itself. It's pretty much everything I can ask for in a book.
And do I even have to talk about the perf of the writing? I've mention that she weaves an incredible story and introduces a very interesting, complex topic to consider. But she also has such a way with words that I can picture the world really well. I can see it all in my head and it makes sense and I feel like I'm in the story. I'm always utterly swept away and entranced by her words.
If you haven't read Incarnate, why are you reading this anyway? Go buy your copy and rejoice in its beauty. If you have, make sure you pick up Asunder today. This is NOT a sequel that disappoints.
First of all, Jodi Meadows has this fantastic way of making readers consider the morals of reincarnation. One million souls who become experts in their area of specialty vs. new souls and their new, though less experienced, ideas? It's a question you have to wonder about in a story like this and I think Jodi has done a tremendous job trying to tackle that question throughout the first two books, and I'm betting the fantastic continues into the next.
Then there's the characters. They grow and change and learn so much. Everyone besides Ana has been alive for thousands of years, yet many of them are becoming someone new, someone they've never been before. It's remarkable to imagine people who have been the same, or very similar, for so long suddenly becoming different, all thanks to Ana. Strong, clever, and oh so kind Ana. It's hard not to love her. She's naive at times and make mistakes, but she learns fast and is always improving herself. And Sam. Oh Sam. Pardon me while I swoon? Sam continues to be an incredible love interest in Asunder. And there's also a new character introduced, who I absolutely ADORE, but I won't say anything else. Y'all will find him.
The relationships in Asunder are complex and wonderful and changing. Friendships are growing stronger. Some reveal their true nature. Every relationship evolves in some form and each is significant to the story as a whole. It's always lovely when each part of a book is super important, you know?
Then there is the story itself, where every piece falls into place, entwining perfectly. There's action and mystery and KISSING and just...*sigh* There are no words for the perfection of the story itself. It's pretty much everything I can ask for in a book.
And do I even have to talk about the perf of the writing? I've mention that she weaves an incredible story and introduces a very interesting, complex topic to consider. But she also has such a way with words that I can picture the world really well. I can see it all in my head and it makes sense and I feel like I'm in the story. I'm always utterly swept away and entranced by her words.
If you haven't read Incarnate, why are you reading this anyway? Go buy your copy and rejoice in its beauty. If you have, make sure you pick up Asunder today. This is NOT a sequel that disappoints.
November 26, 2012
Incarnate was a compelling glimpse into a newsoul struggling to understand her existence in a world where humans were perpetually reincarnated. In Asunder, that world is starting to crack. More newsouls are born, and with each newsoul birth, an old soul doesn’t come back.
To the citizens of Heart, each newsoul represents a true death, and while some try to see them as people in their own right, others view them as invaders, a plague sent in retribution for their failure to worship the god Janan.
In Incarnate, Ana had to struggle to find her place. In Asunder, she has to fight for the safety of each newsoul as violence and betrayal sweep Heart.
The Newsoul trilogy has been called dystopian; in Asunder, readers find out why. To protect the newsouls, Ana must delve further into their origins. In doing so, she uncovers the terrible truth behind Janan and discovers a five-thousand-year-old secret that will leave her questioning the people she cares about most.
Meadows’ prose is smooth and engaging and Ana’s journey continues to be a compelling one. As with Incarnate, Meadows’ worldbuilding is a force to be reckoned with. In the past, I’ve compared the uniqueness of the first book to The Lord of the Rings and His Dark Materials. That comparison is more than earned by Asunder’s climax. It’s rare for a book to leave me feeling both chilled and gutted, but Meadows managed to tie everything together with ideas, imagery, and action so haunting that I felt it like a punch to the gut.
Disclaimer:
I was a beta reader on Asunder. An ARC was provided by the publisher after I begged and pleaded.
To the citizens of Heart, each newsoul represents a true death, and while some try to see them as people in their own right, others view them as invaders, a plague sent in retribution for their failure to worship the god Janan.
In Incarnate, Ana had to struggle to find her place. In Asunder, she has to fight for the safety of each newsoul as violence and betrayal sweep Heart.
The Newsoul trilogy has been called dystopian; in Asunder, readers find out why. To protect the newsouls, Ana must delve further into their origins. In doing so, she uncovers the terrible truth behind Janan and discovers a five-thousand-year-old secret that will leave her questioning the people she cares about most.
Meadows’ prose is smooth and engaging and Ana’s journey continues to be a compelling one. As with Incarnate, Meadows’ worldbuilding is a force to be reckoned with. In the past, I’ve compared the uniqueness of the first book to The Lord of the Rings and His Dark Materials. That comparison is more than earned by Asunder’s climax. It’s rare for a book to leave me feeling both chilled and gutted, but Meadows managed to tie everything together with ideas, imagery, and action so haunting that I felt it like a punch to the gut.
Disclaimer:
I was a beta reader on Asunder. An ARC was provided by the publisher after I begged and pleaded.
December 3, 2015
First Thoughts: I worried at first, but I shouldn't have - Jodi Meadows wrote in a way that made me feel all sorts of FEELINGS.
(Originally posted on the blog)
Asunder did not suffer from the rumoured "second book syndrome" or "sophomore slump"at all - that much I can guarantee. Like another second book in a series that I loved, I thought Asunder was well-written: there is distinct character progression, the reader is given the opportunity to uncover more of the plot and there is a lot of new information about the world of Heart and its various residents.
It was interesting to see what had and had not changed for Ana after the craziness that ensued in the last book. She had proven that she had a role to play in helping the citizens of Heart, but at the same time, the stark difference between her (as a newsoul) and them (as reincarnated souls) was even more pronounced. Watching her deal with the various reactions to her status - friendship or civil tolerance or curiosity or absolute enmity - was a struggle to me, as I really just wanted her to find her place among the people. The treatment of Ana in this book is a lot harsher than in the first, and it was so, so hard not to want to swoop in and save the day and protect her.
Not only did Ana have to deal with other people, she also had to deal with her own self. Like most people, Ana had doubts about her own self-worth and even her very existence. Most of these feelings and thoughts came from the classical conditioning that she had grown up with, but of course, it didn't help to be in a place where she was the first of her kind and had to figure everything out for herself. It was heartbreaking, anger-inducing and tear-inducing to watch what she had to go through. But by the end of the book, I was proud of her, mistakes and doubts and all, and looking forward to seeing what she decides to do next.
While I do love many of the citizens of Heart, Dossam/Sam is obviously my favorite. He earned the distinction with his swoon-worthy musical capabilities and genuine feelings for Ana in the first book, and this second one has just solidified my feelings for him. He's as patient, and talented, and swoon-worthy, and kind as he is in the first one, only this time, he has to invest more effort and time into figuring out how to handle his relationship with Ana. Though he is by no means perfect at handling the relationship and stumbles once or twice, I thought it added an extra charm and innocence.
Plus, there is a whole lot more going on with Sam and Ana in this book. Real relationships are the ones that can survive through the rockiest or craziest of conflicts. Sam and Ana were certainly put to the test in Asunder, and my opinion is that they totally passed and with flying colors too! They faced some of the most difficult things in this book, including their own personal problems, but they somehow managed to keep it together in spite of it all.
Apart from the romance, there was definitely a lot more new information we discover about Heart, its people and the magical creatures they often encounter. I'm incapable of saying any more about this without spoiling the book, so all I can say is that what Jodi Meadows has created and revealed in this book - well, it's a doozy!
I'm obviously a huge fan of this series, and I definitely enjoyed reading Asunder. While I was initially worried the book would not have the same effect as its predecessor, I am happy to report that I was proven incredibly, incredibly wrong. Asunder had me feeling every single thing and falling in love with Ana's story (and yes, Dossam too) all over again.
(Originally posted on the blog)
Asunder did not suffer from the rumoured "second book syndrome" or "sophomore slump"at all - that much I can guarantee. Like another second book in a series that I loved, I thought Asunder was well-written: there is distinct character progression, the reader is given the opportunity to uncover more of the plot and there is a lot of new information about the world of Heart and its various residents.
It was interesting to see what had and had not changed for Ana after the craziness that ensued in the last book. She had proven that she had a role to play in helping the citizens of Heart, but at the same time, the stark difference between her (as a newsoul) and them (as reincarnated souls) was even more pronounced. Watching her deal with the various reactions to her status - friendship or civil tolerance or curiosity or absolute enmity - was a struggle to me, as I really just wanted her to find her place among the people. The treatment of Ana in this book is a lot harsher than in the first, and it was so, so hard not to want to swoop in and save the day and protect her.
Not only did Ana have to deal with other people, she also had to deal with her own self. Like most people, Ana had doubts about her own self-worth and even her very existence. Most of these feelings and thoughts came from the classical conditioning that she had grown up with, but of course, it didn't help to be in a place where she was the first of her kind and had to figure everything out for herself. It was heartbreaking, anger-inducing and tear-inducing to watch what she had to go through. But by the end of the book, I was proud of her, mistakes and doubts and all, and looking forward to seeing what she decides to do next.
While I do love many of the citizens of Heart, Dossam/Sam is obviously my favorite. He earned the distinction with his swoon-worthy musical capabilities and genuine feelings for Ana in the first book, and this second one has just solidified my feelings for him. He's as patient, and talented, and swoon-worthy, and kind as he is in the first one, only this time, he has to invest more effort and time into figuring out how to handle his relationship with Ana. Though he is by no means perfect at handling the relationship and stumbles once or twice, I thought it added an extra charm and innocence.
Plus, there is a whole lot more going on with Sam and Ana in this book. Real relationships are the ones that can survive through the rockiest or craziest of conflicts. Sam and Ana were certainly put to the test in Asunder, and my opinion is that they totally passed and with flying colors too! They faced some of the most difficult things in this book, including their own personal problems, but they somehow managed to keep it together in spite of it all.
Apart from the romance, there was definitely a lot more new information we discover about Heart, its people and the magical creatures they often encounter. I'm incapable of saying any more about this without spoiling the book, so all I can say is that what Jodi Meadows has created and revealed in this book - well, it's a doozy!
I'm obviously a huge fan of this series, and I definitely enjoyed reading Asunder. While I was initially worried the book would not have the same effect as its predecessor, I am happy to report that I was proven incredibly, incredibly wrong. Asunder had me feeling every single thing and falling in love with Ana's story (and yes, Dossam too) all over again.
January 8, 2017
İkinci kitaba tek kelimeyle bayıldım. Bana o kadar farklı hisler hissettirdi ki hepsine değinmeye çalışacağım. Öncelikle ikinci kitap asıl kurgumuz olan reenkarnasyon ve ruhların tekrar dünyaya gelişiyle ilgili çok derine inilip verdiği mantıklı cevaplarla beni aşırı memnun eden bir devam kitabıydı. Ana ile Sam arasında geçenler bana öyle dokundu ki bazı olayları farklı açılardan izlememi de sağladı. Ana karakterini zaten ilk kitaptan beri çok seviyordum ve seri devam ettikçe kendisini daha çok bağrıma basmaya başladım. Henüz on sekiz yaşında olmasına rağmen yaşadıkları sonucunda edindiği deneyimlerle beraber hala tek bir ruhu olduğu için diğer insanlara göre küçük görülmesi beni de öfkelendirdi. Bunu özellikle yapmak zorunda kalan da Sam'di. Bir yandan ikisinin arasındaki yüzlerce yılın farkına varılmaması da ayrı ironik olurdu fakat bir bakımdan bu hatırlatmanın Ana'nın canını yakması da üzülmemi sağladı. Ruhsuzların nasıl meydana geldiğini, Janan'ın arka planda onlara neler yaptığını ve tapınağın arka planına detaylıca inmek kitaptaki fantastik kurgunun kaliteli bir raya oturmasını sağladı. O sayfalardaki heyecan da soluksuzdu. Kitap baştan sona güçlü bir şekilde Ana ile Sam'in ilişkisini konu ediniyordu. Aralarındaki kırılganlıktan, güçlü aşka kadar sürekli okuduğumuz asıl o ikiliydi ve ne zaman aralarına bir soğukluk girse kendimi Ana'nın tarafını tutarken buldum. Sonlara doğru gerçekten üzücü bir olay patlak verdiğinde kalbime bir hüzün oturmuştu. Ardından Ana'nın sürekli istemesine rağmen Sam'in kendine dair senelerin tecrübesinden dolayı bu isteği reddetmesinin karşısında artık Ana'nın yıkılması sonucunda gidişat veren olaylar iyice üzülmemi sağladı. Özellikle de son bir serzenişle yanından ayrılacakken aralarında oluşan o sıcak replikleri tekrar tekrar okudum. Daha sonrasında tam güzel bir yere bağlanmışken Ana'nın başına gelen beter olayla birlikte reddettiğim bir durum meydana gelince bir bakmışım ağlıyordum. Ana'nın ruhsuz olduğu için tek bir hayat yaşayacağı ve diğerleri gibi öldüğünde yeniden doğup geri gelmeyeceği düşüncesi iyice idrak edildiğinde daha da üzüldüm. Asıl ağlamaya başladığım olay bambaşkaydı ama içime oturan hüzünle beraber son otuz sayfa kadarını sürekli dolu gözlerle buğulu satırlar eşliğinde okudum. Beni bu kadar güzel üzebilmeyi başardığı için de ikinci kitaba bayıldım. Tamamen farklı bir havası vardı. Ayrıca yine birbirleri için yazdıkları parçalar ve çaldıkları o enstürmanlar derken tekrar tekrar çok sevdim seriyi. Üçüncü kitap için de ayrı sabırsızlanıyorum.
May 1, 2013
The second book was slightly more interesting than the first, but still felt drawn-out and slow. I mainly only read this because I like finishing stories that I start (so I guess I'll read the next one when it comes out in 2014 or whenever.. if I remember). However, Ana was still a very annoying protagonist. (caution below may contain spoilers)
This book is all about how suddenly Ana decides Janan is eeevviilllll. It turns out she was right (handy), but the whole plot seemed really random in relation to the first book. Ya, Ana felt queasy about the walls in the first book but even in the first few chapters of the second book she has suddenly made it her purpose in life to stop Janan. Ok, great.
Another common plot point is the fact that Ana is soooooooo much younger than Sam. OMG SAM YOU ARE 5000 YEARS OLD. DID YOU KNOW THAT? Hey Ana, you're a baby! You're so so so so young compared to us. We're 5000 years old! Oh no Ana, I don't know if I can be with you after all... you're so young and I'm so ooooolllldddddd. Oh and everyone still hates me, boo-hoo I'm so misunderstood. Oh and I can't say the word "love" because it creates more drama and angst.
Also random past-life love interest for Sam is introduced for the sake of drama (as if Stef wasn't enough - she continues to bitch about Ana and Sam's relationship throughout the book). At least the author didn't make it into a love triangle with Ana in the middle.
To top it all off the author probably used the word "asunder" like 50 times throughout the whole book. We get it, the book is called Asunder. You made your point...
Still wouldn't recommend this series to people. It's sort of a vague I want to know how the story ends but don't really care about the characters at all kind of state. Oh well.
This book is all about how suddenly Ana decides Janan is eeevviilllll. It turns out she was right (handy), but the whole plot seemed really random in relation to the first book. Ya, Ana felt queasy about the walls in the first book but even in the first few chapters of the second book she has suddenly made it her purpose in life to stop Janan. Ok, great.
Another common plot point is the fact that Ana is soooooooo much younger than Sam. OMG SAM YOU ARE 5000 YEARS OLD. DID YOU KNOW THAT? Hey Ana, you're a baby! You're so so so so young compared to us. We're 5000 years old! Oh no Ana, I don't know if I can be with you after all... you're so young and I'm so ooooolllldddddd. Oh and everyone still hates me, boo-hoo I'm so misunderstood. Oh and I can't say the word "love" because it creates more drama and angst.
Also random past-life love interest for Sam is introduced for the sake of drama (as if Stef wasn't enough - she continues to bitch about Ana and Sam's relationship throughout the book). At least the author didn't make it into a love triangle with Ana in the middle.
To top it all off the author probably used the word "asunder" like 50 times throughout the whole book. We get it, the book is called Asunder. You made your point...
Still wouldn't recommend this series to people. It's sort of a vague I want to know how the story ends but don't really care about the characters at all kind of state. Oh well.
May 15, 2016
I am using a general review for all three books - just a side note though...the series gets better with each book!
I was a bit hesitant to read this series with the conflicting ratings but I tried it anyhow and MAN - OH MAN was I so freaking happy that I gave this shot because this series is one of my favorites so far of 2016.
I spent the whole day (yes I slacked off on my other duties) reading the ENTIRE trilogy because I couldn't put this down.
This was such a unique story line and so thought out that I am amazed with Ms. Meadows and her writing abilities!
I fell in love with Ana and Sam (especially Sam) and all their friends....I found myself on an adventure of trying to fit into a society of old souls and then trying to understand this new soul.
Through the series, I was constantly holding my breath in anticipation of what was going to happen next to our group of supporters of Ana. I just can't say enough about this series and urge you to give it a shot!
I was a bit hesitant to read this series with the conflicting ratings but I tried it anyhow and MAN - OH MAN was I so freaking happy that I gave this shot because this series is one of my favorites so far of 2016.
I spent the whole day (yes I slacked off on my other duties) reading the ENTIRE trilogy because I couldn't put this down.
This was such a unique story line and so thought out that I am amazed with Ms. Meadows and her writing abilities!
I fell in love with Ana and Sam (especially Sam) and all their friends....I found myself on an adventure of trying to fit into a society of old souls and then trying to understand this new soul.
Through the series, I was constantly holding my breath in anticipation of what was going to happen next to our group of supporters of Ana. I just can't say enough about this series and urge you to give it a shot!
January 20, 2013
We all know book two in a series is basically when authors torture their readers. I usually end up throwing books twos across the room or stomping away angry at the end. And I was worried coming into this one.
Sure, Asunder has it's fair share of despair...but I was so pleased with how the characters evolved and battled through obstacles both small and large. I loved it.
Sam + Ana forevs.
Sure, Asunder has it's fair share of despair...but I was so pleased with how the characters evolved and battled through obstacles both small and large. I loved it.
Sam + Ana forevs.
November 30, 2018
This was a solid sequel to Incarnate and I really enjoyed it!
Asunder picks up not too long after the events of Incarnate and I really liked where this book took the story. Character wise, I love Ana! She is at such a disadvantage compared to everyone else, but she is so strong and doesn’t let her lack of experience affect her. She fights for what she believes in, the protection of Newsouls, and she became a leader. Also, her relationship with Sam was so cute and a lot more developed compared to during Incarnate. The two of them together are so enjoyable and Sam is a lovable sweetheart.
One thing that Jodi Meadows has really succeeded with in this novel is the amazing world. I said it in my review for Incarnate and I’ll say it again, this world in so interesting! It is so intriguing and as the story has gone on, the world has become more and more developed and so many questioned have been answered. The thing that was really focused on in this book was the world’s history. We learned why people reincarnate and how it all came to be and it was so good (or bad, depending how you look at it...).
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! This story is so entertaining and I love the characters and world! It was a really good sequel and I can’t wait to finish the trilogy.
Asunder picks up not too long after the events of Incarnate and I really liked where this book took the story. Character wise, I love Ana! She is at such a disadvantage compared to everyone else, but she is so strong and doesn’t let her lack of experience affect her. She fights for what she believes in, the protection of Newsouls, and she became a leader. Also, her relationship with Sam was so cute and a lot more developed compared to during Incarnate. The two of them together are so enjoyable and Sam is a lovable sweetheart.
One thing that Jodi Meadows has really succeeded with in this novel is the amazing world. I said it in my review for Incarnate and I’ll say it again, this world in so interesting! It is so intriguing and as the story has gone on, the world has become more and more developed and so many questioned have been answered. The thing that was really focused on in this book was the world’s history. We learned why people reincarnate and how it all came to be and it was so good (or bad, depending how you look at it...).
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! This story is so entertaining and I love the characters and world! It was a really good sequel and I can’t wait to finish the trilogy.
January 29, 2013
4.5/5 stars!
You guys, this book totally needs to come with a warning on it: DANGER! YOU WILL GET KICKED IN THE FEELS REPEATEDLY! Seriously. I was so not ready for "Asunder" and everything that goes on in it. But you know what? That was a good thing. Everything I loved about book one only gets stronger in book two - so much so that I feel like Meadows finally knows her world and her characters really, really well, and has a grasp on everything at last. She's grown a lot in between these two books, and it really shows. If you've read "Incarnate", you simply must continue your journey with Ana, Sam, and the rest in "Asunder".
Okay, so we more or less pick up right where we left off - after what's now being called "Templedark", or the final events that happened in book one. Things are pretty hectic - no one's sure if those lost that night will be reincarnated, and everyone's casting the stink eye at Ana (or nearly everyone) as a scapegoat. Everything is so clean and tightly written in this book, it leaves no holes, no areas for weakness, nor any for a wandering of your attention span. I feel like Meadows really grew in all of the technical areas of things - plots, arcs, character building, worldbuilding, all of it. ALL THE THINGS. But what perhaps gets expanded the most in this book alongside character development is the worldbuilding - we learn so much in this book that I wish we'd had a bit more of in book one in terms of history - how Heart really came to be, and the reincarnation cycle, as well as the other quasi-sentient creatures in the area (particularly, phoenixes and sylphs) have affected the development of Heart and its people. None of this is found through easy methods - there is a lot of pain in this book, but it's spent well in order to find out more about Heart and the world around it, mystical as it may be. Meadows' sensory imagery here is some of her best yet - anything she described, it felt real. Startlingly so.
Meadows also cleverly inserts a new character, Cris, and kind of sticks more toward the relationship web school of worldbuilding - that is, building a world more through the main cast and how they relate to each other. Cris was a goldmine of information, but it had to be worked for. But even for a more minor character who relates in a big way to Ana and Sam, he's very solid, very sturdily built with a more or less complete history of how he relates to everyone, which kind of unfolds as a sub-plot throughout the book. It was nice to see how Meadows worked him in, and I hope to see more of that in book three.
But perhaps what I loved about this book the most was its focus on a topic near and dear to my heart: genderfluidity/genderqueering. When Sam, Stef, and Cris talk about their lifetimes, they openly talk about how they weren't the same gender they are now. It isn't couched in shame or bullying or suicide the way it is in most YA lit, it simply just IS. It exists as a fact of the reality for the million souls living in Heart - you won't be the same gender each lifetime, and because of that, you should probably keep around clothing so that when you come back next time, you'll have something to wear regardless. I think this hits the most heavily within the last third of the book, where the Cris/Stef/Sam/Ana love rhombus unfolds and we see the history particularly between Cris/Stef/Sam over a few lifetimes. The way it was so casually talked about was absolutely elating, and I wish more authors had the courage to do that within YA lit without having to use the contemporary crutch of suicide/bullying/etc. It's risky to talk about because right now, it's the new frontier in terms of sexuality and development, and due to the lack of information (or correct information), it can freak people out to the point of hate crimes. So the fact that we have one book talking about it at all in a positive way? That's a win for me.
That being said, the love rhombus is very interesting this time around. We find a lot more out about some of the more minor cast characters from book one, and how it's going to affect things this time around. There's a lot of pain and feels going around for everyone here, especially in this romantic arena. However, because of the way that Meadows constructed it, I have no issues with the whole love triangle/rhombus thing. She pulled it off so well that all I could do was sit back and read how it all played out.
The rest of the technical areas (character development and plot) were so well done and flawless, I'm not even going there. I don't have to. Everyone develops really well through a lot of pain/torturing of darlings for emotional payoff and personal journey sub-arcs, which help form a twisty braid of plot. Gorgeously wrought, but not easy to read because all of those feels getting hit repeatedly. Ouch.
Final verdict? If you haven't started this series, what are you waiting for? Definitely one of my picks for best of 2013 so far, "Asunder" is out now from HarperTeen in North America. Trust me. You need to read it.
(posted to goodreads, shelfari, librarything, and birthofanewwitch.wordpress.com)
You guys, this book totally needs to come with a warning on it: DANGER! YOU WILL GET KICKED IN THE FEELS REPEATEDLY! Seriously. I was so not ready for "Asunder" and everything that goes on in it. But you know what? That was a good thing. Everything I loved about book one only gets stronger in book two - so much so that I feel like Meadows finally knows her world and her characters really, really well, and has a grasp on everything at last. She's grown a lot in between these two books, and it really shows. If you've read "Incarnate", you simply must continue your journey with Ana, Sam, and the rest in "Asunder".
Okay, so we more or less pick up right where we left off - after what's now being called "Templedark", or the final events that happened in book one. Things are pretty hectic - no one's sure if those lost that night will be reincarnated, and everyone's casting the stink eye at Ana (or nearly everyone) as a scapegoat. Everything is so clean and tightly written in this book, it leaves no holes, no areas for weakness, nor any for a wandering of your attention span. I feel like Meadows really grew in all of the technical areas of things - plots, arcs, character building, worldbuilding, all of it. ALL THE THINGS. But what perhaps gets expanded the most in this book alongside character development is the worldbuilding - we learn so much in this book that I wish we'd had a bit more of in book one in terms of history - how Heart really came to be, and the reincarnation cycle, as well as the other quasi-sentient creatures in the area (particularly, phoenixes and sylphs) have affected the development of Heart and its people. None of this is found through easy methods - there is a lot of pain in this book, but it's spent well in order to find out more about Heart and the world around it, mystical as it may be. Meadows' sensory imagery here is some of her best yet - anything she described, it felt real. Startlingly so.
Meadows also cleverly inserts a new character, Cris, and kind of sticks more toward the relationship web school of worldbuilding - that is, building a world more through the main cast and how they relate to each other. Cris was a goldmine of information, but it had to be worked for. But even for a more minor character who relates in a big way to Ana and Sam, he's very solid, very sturdily built with a more or less complete history of how he relates to everyone, which kind of unfolds as a sub-plot throughout the book. It was nice to see how Meadows worked him in, and I hope to see more of that in book three.
But perhaps what I loved about this book the most was its focus on a topic near and dear to my heart: genderfluidity/genderqueering. When Sam, Stef, and Cris talk about their lifetimes, they openly talk about how they weren't the same gender they are now. It isn't couched in shame or bullying or suicide the way it is in most YA lit, it simply just IS. It exists as a fact of the reality for the million souls living in Heart - you won't be the same gender each lifetime, and because of that, you should probably keep around clothing so that when you come back next time, you'll have something to wear regardless. I think this hits the most heavily within the last third of the book, where the Cris/Stef/Sam/Ana love rhombus unfolds and we see the history particularly between Cris/Stef/Sam over a few lifetimes. The way it was so casually talked about was absolutely elating, and I wish more authors had the courage to do that within YA lit without having to use the contemporary crutch of suicide/bullying/etc. It's risky to talk about because right now, it's the new frontier in terms of sexuality and development, and due to the lack of information (or correct information), it can freak people out to the point of hate crimes. So the fact that we have one book talking about it at all in a positive way? That's a win for me.
That being said, the love rhombus is very interesting this time around. We find a lot more out about some of the more minor cast characters from book one, and how it's going to affect things this time around. There's a lot of pain and feels going around for everyone here, especially in this romantic arena. However, because of the way that Meadows constructed it, I have no issues with the whole love triangle/rhombus thing. She pulled it off so well that all I could do was sit back and read how it all played out.
The rest of the technical areas (character development and plot) were so well done and flawless, I'm not even going there. I don't have to. Everyone develops really well through a lot of pain/torturing of darlings for emotional payoff and personal journey sub-arcs, which help form a twisty braid of plot. Gorgeously wrought, but not easy to read because all of those feels getting hit repeatedly. Ouch.
Final verdict? If you haven't started this series, what are you waiting for? Definitely one of my picks for best of 2013 so far, "Asunder" is out now from HarperTeen in North America. Trust me. You need to read it.
(posted to goodreads, shelfari, librarything, and birthofanewwitch.wordpress.com)
January 10, 2013
Seen at Scott Reads It
Asunder was simply breathtaking. By the time I reached the final page I was immediately craving the sequel. Asunder took everything I loved about Incarnate and fixed everything that didn't work in Incarnate to create a novel of epic proportions. Asunder is one of the few sequels that outshine their predecessors.
I am warning you that there will be spoilers for Incarnate!
After the catastrophe that was Templedark, many people that died became darksouls (souls who wouldn't reincarnate). Ana has become a scapegoat and people are getting suspicious of her. Many of the citizens of Heart start to feel more contempt for Ana when she figures out how to interact with sylphs in a new way. Ana is still struggling to fit in Heart, to fall in love, and to be accepted. I don't want to say much more about the plot because I am afraid of giving something major away.
I love the world Meadows created immensely because it is just so brilliantly done. Heart is a place that I can vividly picture due to the spectacular imagery Meadows wrote in the New Soul trilogy. Any complaints or questions I had about the world building were either fixed or answered. Heart is unlike any other setting I have ever read about because it is so exquisite. I can't wait to find out what other secrets are hidden in Heart in book 3.
All the characters in Asunder are nothing short of spectacular. My favorites are Sam and Ana because their relationship is truly touching. I don't think I have ever been so engrossed in a character's romance. I got so involved to the point when I wanted to jump into Asunder and shout at all the New Soul haters. It sounds crazy but that is the kind of raw emotion I experienced when reading Asunder. I really enjoyed learning more about our protagonists and I hope their relationship remains intact. I love reading books where the villains are absolutely terrifying and Asunder features villains that were horrifyingly wicked.
Asunder is a breath-taking romance that swept me away! I was completely immersed in the beautiful world of Asunder and I couldn't stop reading. I was so compelled to read Asunder that by the time that it was over I craved a sequel desperately. I was immersed in Asunder that I didn't really care about the world around me. I could have read Asunder through an earthquake without even noticing because it is that compelling. Nothing else mattered to me but Ana and Heart while reading Asunder. Asunder is that gripping that you'll want to read it one sitting.
I truly loved learning more about Janan, Slyphs, and just Heart in general. The mythology of Heart that Meadows created was really interesting to read about and was one of my favorite parts of Asunder. One of my original complaints about Incarnate is that I didn't really understand the reincarnation, Janan or the slyphs. Meadow's explanation of reincarnation was truly haunting and unforgettable. Heart is no longer that the lovely city I wanted to live in book 1, now it's a place full of deceit and lies. I am so desperately to find out what secrets the walls of Heart would reveal if they could talk (for those of you read Incarnate, that was a joke meant for you!).
Meadows's latest book turned me into someone what of an emotional train-wreck I desperately need book 3 to the point where I am ready to resort to begging. I am almost 100% positive that book 3 will be called Ascend and if you've read Asunder you can probably guess why. Asunder is my favorite book I have read so far in 2013 and it is one of the best dystopian books ever written period. That shocking plot twist revealed is haunting me still days after finishing Asunder. Words fail to describe the awesomeness that is Asunder. No words could express how much I enjoyed reading Asunder and how much I desperately need to read the 3rd book. I beg thee Harper Teen to release the cover or title soon because I dying of suspense. I am convinced that the wait till book 3 is released is some new form of intense torture that is tearing me apart.
Asunder was simply breathtaking. By the time I reached the final page I was immediately craving the sequel. Asunder took everything I loved about Incarnate and fixed everything that didn't work in Incarnate to create a novel of epic proportions. Asunder is one of the few sequels that outshine their predecessors.
I am warning you that there will be spoilers for Incarnate!
After the catastrophe that was Templedark, many people that died became darksouls (souls who wouldn't reincarnate). Ana has become a scapegoat and people are getting suspicious of her. Many of the citizens of Heart start to feel more contempt for Ana when she figures out how to interact with sylphs in a new way. Ana is still struggling to fit in Heart, to fall in love, and to be accepted. I don't want to say much more about the plot because I am afraid of giving something major away.
I love the world Meadows created immensely because it is just so brilliantly done. Heart is a place that I can vividly picture due to the spectacular imagery Meadows wrote in the New Soul trilogy. Any complaints or questions I had about the world building were either fixed or answered. Heart is unlike any other setting I have ever read about because it is so exquisite. I can't wait to find out what other secrets are hidden in Heart in book 3.
All the characters in Asunder are nothing short of spectacular. My favorites are Sam and Ana because their relationship is truly touching. I don't think I have ever been so engrossed in a character's romance. I got so involved to the point when I wanted to jump into Asunder and shout at all the New Soul haters. It sounds crazy but that is the kind of raw emotion I experienced when reading Asunder. I really enjoyed learning more about our protagonists and I hope their relationship remains intact. I love reading books where the villains are absolutely terrifying and Asunder features villains that were horrifyingly wicked.
Asunder is a breath-taking romance that swept me away! I was completely immersed in the beautiful world of Asunder and I couldn't stop reading. I was so compelled to read Asunder that by the time that it was over I craved a sequel desperately. I was immersed in Asunder that I didn't really care about the world around me. I could have read Asunder through an earthquake without even noticing because it is that compelling. Nothing else mattered to me but Ana and Heart while reading Asunder. Asunder is that gripping that you'll want to read it one sitting.
I truly loved learning more about Janan, Slyphs, and just Heart in general. The mythology of Heart that Meadows created was really interesting to read about and was one of my favorite parts of Asunder. One of my original complaints about Incarnate is that I didn't really understand the reincarnation, Janan or the slyphs. Meadow's explanation of reincarnation was truly haunting and unforgettable. Heart is no longer that the lovely city I wanted to live in book 1, now it's a place full of deceit and lies. I am so desperately to find out what secrets the walls of Heart would reveal if they could talk (for those of you read Incarnate, that was a joke meant for you!).
Meadows's latest book turned me into someone what of an emotional train-wreck I desperately need book 3 to the point where I am ready to resort to begging. I am almost 100% positive that book 3 will be called Ascend and if you've read Asunder you can probably guess why. Asunder is my favorite book I have read so far in 2013 and it is one of the best dystopian books ever written period. That shocking plot twist revealed is haunting me still days after finishing Asunder. Words fail to describe the awesomeness that is Asunder. No words could express how much I enjoyed reading Asunder and how much I desperately need to read the 3rd book. I beg thee Harper Teen to release the cover or title soon because I dying of suspense. I am convinced that the wait till book 3 is released is some new form of intense torture that is tearing me apart.
February 25, 2013
A LITTLE BIT OF SPOILERS SO PLEASE DON'T READ THIS IS YOUR CURRENTLY READING, OR ARE GOING TO READ THE BOOK!! (but if you haven't read the book, and want to know whether or not it's worth it: READ IT NOW, IT IS STELLAR!!)
This book was amazing! And I cannot believe I am going to say this: It was BETTER THAN THE FIRST!! (and the first book was stellar!)
After reading this, I have such an admiration for Meadow's world that I cannot even beginning to describe how amazing it really it! In this book, the realm seems almost realist and like an eerily tangible possibility (if magic and sacrifice to obtain this goal were real, I am sure many people would have done this!) . It put in prospective a strange thought: “what would any civilization done in this position?”
It was spectacular! I have to admit, there was one or two chapters where I was thinking to myself “OH NO, this is going to be predictable!”
And thank goodness I was sooo wrong!!
Another thing I appreciate was the romance between Sam and Ana.. I am NOT a fan of “over-mushy wooshy romances” which is why I steer clear of any romance novel. But their relationship was so...REAL, and their issues, love, conflicts, desires, everything, were completely believable and not something that was too over the top!
I understood both their apprehension, lust and everything in between!
The villains in this story hold an entirely different rank from the villain's I am used to in other YA fantasy/Sci-fi novels. Their malice and resolve was sinister in nature and it was for a cause that is so vial that it did not seem 'cartoonish' or too out there. It was very likely and something that was making me believe in this world so much.
It difficult to put into words how this book made me happy all over! It was a surprise every page I turned. I love it!!!
I almost screamed at the End for what happened! I love it when an author commands so much emotion in what they write. All of my friends and people I know have told me relatable feedback when it came to this story, so I know I am not the only crazy book worm!
The only thing I think is so terrible is that I have to wait for the third book to come out now!!! OH THE AGONY!!!
Thank you Ms. Meadow's for this wonderful tale. (and all the sleepless nights from reading till all hours when I have things to do the next day!!) haha! I really am enjoying all the possibility of the future for Ana and her friends. I am defiantly sure you will not disappoint with the sequel to this book!!!
6 STARS!!!! (if I could!)
This book was amazing! And I cannot believe I am going to say this: It was BETTER THAN THE FIRST!! (and the first book was stellar!)
After reading this, I have such an admiration for Meadow's world that I cannot even beginning to describe how amazing it really it! In this book, the realm seems almost realist and like an eerily tangible possibility (if magic and sacrifice to obtain this goal were real, I am sure many people would have done this!) . It put in prospective a strange thought: “what would any civilization done in this position?”
It was spectacular! I have to admit, there was one or two chapters where I was thinking to myself “OH NO, this is going to be predictable!”
And thank goodness I was sooo wrong!!
Another thing I appreciate was the romance between Sam and Ana.. I am NOT a fan of “over-mushy wooshy romances” which is why I steer clear of any romance novel. But their relationship was so...REAL, and their issues, love, conflicts, desires, everything, were completely believable and not something that was too over the top!
I understood both their apprehension, lust and everything in between!
The villains in this story hold an entirely different rank from the villain's I am used to in other YA fantasy/Sci-fi novels. Their malice and resolve was sinister in nature and it was for a cause that is so vial that it did not seem 'cartoonish' or too out there. It was very likely and something that was making me believe in this world so much.
It difficult to put into words how this book made me happy all over! It was a surprise every page I turned. I love it!!!
I almost screamed at the End for what happened! I love it when an author commands so much emotion in what they write. All of my friends and people I know have told me relatable feedback when it came to this story, so I know I am not the only crazy book worm!
The only thing I think is so terrible is that I have to wait for the third book to come out now!!! OH THE AGONY!!!
Thank you Ms. Meadow's for this wonderful tale. (and all the sleepless nights from reading till all hours when I have things to do the next day!!) haha! I really am enjoying all the possibility of the future for Ana and her friends. I am defiantly sure you will not disappoint with the sequel to this book!!!
6 STARS!!!! (if I could!)
Read
June 28, 2013I honestly can't wait for 2013. It needs to come SOONER, because that's when all the beautiful sequels are coming out as well.
I AM GOING TO DIE OF WAITINGGGGGGGGGGGGG.
I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN HANDLE IT.
BUT IT SAYS
a lifetime of rejection...
SAM?!!?!??!?! YOU REJECTED ANA?!?! WHAT NO!
PLEASE DON'T BE TRUE.
I AM GOING TO DIE OF WAITINGGGGGGGGGGGGG.
I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN HANDLE IT.
BUT IT SAYS
a lifetime of rejection...
SAM?!!?!??!?! YOU REJECTED ANA?!?! WHAT NO!
PLEASE DON'T BE TRUE.
July 22, 2014
EDIT: This is my 900th book. And it's crap. I usually like reading something good at memorable numbers. So sad.
It has become apparent to me that I am a masochist of the highest order. I have no idea why I keep reading this dreadful series. But I do. And what I got from "Asunder" is:
- it's a waste of time. The majority of the book was the romantic, love-sick ramblings of Ana the retard. "Oh, Gosh, who has Sam slept with in the last 5 000 years? Do they hate me now? Do I hate them? Wait, was Sam a dude or a chick back then? Oh, lookie, he was a she and she was a fattie." What in the name... ? Are you serious?
- and then, in the last 20% of the book Ana was locked in the temple and whining as usual.
- and in the last 2% something of significance to the story happened.
I'm depressed now.
It has become apparent to me that I am a masochist of the highest order. I have no idea why I keep reading this dreadful series. But I do. And what I got from "Asunder" is:
- it's a waste of time. The majority of the book was the romantic, love-sick ramblings of Ana the retard. "Oh, Gosh, who has Sam slept with in the last 5 000 years? Do they hate me now? Do I hate them? Wait, was Sam a dude or a chick back then? Oh, lookie, he was a she and she was a fattie." What in the name... ? Are you serious?
- and then, in the last 20% of the book Ana was locked in the temple and whining as usual.
- and in the last 2% something of significance to the story happened.
I'm depressed now.
March 9, 2013
A beautiful installment in the Incarnate series. The concept is just so unique and exciting. I never know what to expect. And there were many surprises in this book. A few parts were kind of uninteresting and slow but overall, I really liked this book.
Also, the cover is breathtaking.
I look forward to the third and last book!
Also, the cover is breathtaking.
I look forward to the third and last book!
Want to read
March 20, 2015Hmm.. not sure about this cover. The effect worked perfectly on the first one, but here.. I'm in between, going back and forth between liking it and not as much as the first one.
Can't wait for the book though :)
Can't wait for the book though :)
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