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Soulswift
Gelya is a Vessel, a girl who channels the word of the One True God through song. Cloistered with the other Vessels of her faith, she believes—as all Ovinists do—that a saint imprisoned Elath the Great Demon centuries ago, saving humanity from earthly temptation.
When Gelya stumbles into a deadly cover-up by the Ovinists’ military, she reluctantly teams up with Tavik, an enemy soldier, to survive. Tavik believes that Elath is actually a mother goddess who must be set free, but while he succeeds in opening Her prison, he inadvertently turns Gelya into Elath’s unwilling human vessel.
Now the church that raised Gelya considers her a threat. In a race against the clock, she and Tavik must find a way to exorcise Elath’s presence from her body. But will this release stop the countdown to the end of the world, or will it be the cause of the earth’s destruction? And as Tavik and Gelya grow closer, another question lingers between them: What will become of Gelya?
A dark, epic fantasy about a girl who must reevaluate everything she believes after she is betrayed and hunted by the religion that raised her—from Megan Bannen, author of The Bird and the Blade. Perfect for fans of The Winner’s Curse and The Girl of Fire and Thorns.
When Gelya stumbles into a deadly cover-up by the Ovinists’ military, she reluctantly teams up with Tavik, an enemy soldier, to survive. Tavik believes that Elath is actually a mother goddess who must be set free, but while he succeeds in opening Her prison, he inadvertently turns Gelya into Elath’s unwilling human vessel.
Now the church that raised Gelya considers her a threat. In a race against the clock, she and Tavik must find a way to exorcise Elath’s presence from her body. But will this release stop the countdown to the end of the world, or will it be the cause of the earth’s destruction? And as Tavik and Gelya grow closer, another question lingers between them: What will become of Gelya?
A dark, epic fantasy about a girl who must reevaluate everything she believes after she is betrayed and hunted by the religion that raised her—from Megan Bannen, author of The Bird and the Blade. Perfect for fans of The Winner’s Curse and The Girl of Fire and Thorns.
480 pages, Hardcover
First published November 17, 2020
73 people are currently reading
10758 people want to read
About the author
Megan Bannen
7 books1,862 followersMegan Bannen is a USA Today bestselling author of award-winning speculative fiction. Her work has been selected for the RUSA Reading List, the Indies Introduce list, and the Kids’ Indie Next List, along with numerous best-of-the-year compilations. As a former public librarian, she has spent most of her professional career behind a reference desk, but she has also sold luggage, written grants, collected a few graduate degrees from various Kansas universities, and taught English at home and abroad. She lives in the Kansas City area with her family and more pets than is reasonable.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 403 reviews
December 2, 2020
unhappy endings arent popular, but they sure are MBs bread and butter. once again, she has proven that a good ending doesnt necessarily have to be a happy one.
MBs writing is so emotive, so even if you arent feeling all the warm and fuzzy feelings when reading her books, you are definitely going to feel something. i love how alive her characters feel.
the only reason im not rating this higher is i personally found the content uninteresting. im okay with religion playing a role in character development in a minor way, but religion is the single driving force of the entire plot in this, and i just found it to be a bit much. but thats just a personal thing, no fault of the books. im sure many readers will find it fascinating.
overall, great writing and characters, i just wish i was more interested in the storyline.
↠ 3.5 stars
MBs writing is so emotive, so even if you arent feeling all the warm and fuzzy feelings when reading her books, you are definitely going to feel something. i love how alive her characters feel.
the only reason im not rating this higher is i personally found the content uninteresting. im okay with religion playing a role in character development in a minor way, but religion is the single driving force of the entire plot in this, and i just found it to be a bit much. but thats just a personal thing, no fault of the books. im sure many readers will find it fascinating.
overall, great writing and characters, i just wish i was more interested in the storyline.
↠ 3.5 stars
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February 1, 2021UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who participated in the giveaway for signed bookplates! I'm afraid the giveaway is now closed.
Many thanks to all the readers who have read and/or reviewed SOULSWIFT. May you find many excellent books to devour, now and always.
All best,
Megan
Many thanks to all the readers who have read and/or reviewed SOULSWIFT. May you find many excellent books to devour, now and always.
All best,
Megan
Want to read
June 11, 2020her first book devastated me so of course I'm back for another round
R I P ME BECAUSE OF THAT GORGEOUS COVER
R I P ME BECAUSE OF THAT GORGEOUS COVER
January 31, 2021
Well...Megan Bannen has decided to destroy me once again. Her writing is so achingly beautiful. It's completely effortless. Storytelling is in this woman's bones! To say I'm a fan of the tragedies she spillsforth is an understatement. 😢
If you've read Megan Bannens first book, The Bird and the Blade (One of my favorite books 💖), you know she doesnt hold back and is fearless in the topics she chooses to write about. This book is no exception. Soulswift, is predominantly about; Religion.
If reading about conflicting beliefs makes you uncomfortable.. this may not be your cup of tea. However, I respect the bravery in Megan Bannen writing a book centered around religion (A Young Adult, book at that!). Everyone should give this book a chance. Its stunning in its delivery.
Soulswift follows the story of a girl named, Gelya. Gelya lives her life as a Vessel, a girl who channels the word of the One True God trough song. She belongs to one faction of Religion, known as the Ovanists. The Ovanists believe in the Father, and that Elath (The Great Demon) must remain imprisoned, in order to ensure humanities safety.
Tavik. Our second main character is a Kantari soldier, and the other half of our opposing religious faction. The Kantari believe that Elath is not a demon, but is instead, The Mother. The Kantari believe that the Mother goddess must be set free in order to bring prosperity and life to the lands, and people around her.
When Gelya stumbles into a deadly cover-up by the Ovinists’ military, she reluctantly teams up with Tavik to survive. However, Tavik inadvertently turns Gelya into Elath’s unwilling human vessel and the story goes from there. The two must race across the continent to purge Elath from Gelyas body and escape from enemies who are willing to do anything to capture them both and contain Elath from destroying the world.
I enjoyed many aspects of this book, but mostly I loved the aspect of Gelya and Taviks bond trough their harrowing journey. I love when characters who are essential strangers are brought together through common struggle (trying to outrun the enemey, in this case). You cant help but fall in love with both characters, and it makes the ending of the book more beautiful. Their love story was so sweet, and I'm happy that they were together trough all the stages of this story.
This story is very religious heavy, so keep that in mind. But, if you can embrace the story for what it is you will definitely enjoy, Soulswift. Give it a try; I'm glad I did. 🍃
(5) 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
If you've read Megan Bannens first book, The Bird and the Blade (One of my favorite books 💖), you know she doesnt hold back and is fearless in the topics she chooses to write about. This book is no exception. Soulswift, is predominantly about; Religion.
If reading about conflicting beliefs makes you uncomfortable.. this may not be your cup of tea. However, I respect the bravery in Megan Bannen writing a book centered around religion (A Young Adult, book at that!). Everyone should give this book a chance. Its stunning in its delivery.
Soulswift follows the story of a girl named, Gelya. Gelya lives her life as a Vessel, a girl who channels the word of the One True God trough song. She belongs to one faction of Religion, known as the Ovanists. The Ovanists believe in the Father, and that Elath (The Great Demon) must remain imprisoned, in order to ensure humanities safety.
Tavik. Our second main character is a Kantari soldier, and the other half of our opposing religious faction. The Kantari believe that Elath is not a demon, but is instead, The Mother. The Kantari believe that the Mother goddess must be set free in order to bring prosperity and life to the lands, and people around her.
When Gelya stumbles into a deadly cover-up by the Ovinists’ military, she reluctantly teams up with Tavik to survive. However, Tavik inadvertently turns Gelya into Elath’s unwilling human vessel and the story goes from there. The two must race across the continent to purge Elath from Gelyas body and escape from enemies who are willing to do anything to capture them both and contain Elath from destroying the world.
I enjoyed many aspects of this book, but mostly I loved the aspect of Gelya and Taviks bond trough their harrowing journey. I love when characters who are essential strangers are brought together through common struggle (trying to outrun the enemey, in this case). You cant help but fall in love with both characters, and it makes the ending of the book more beautiful. Their love story was so sweet, and I'm happy that they were together trough all the stages of this story.
This story is very religious heavy, so keep that in mind. But, if you can embrace the story for what it is you will definitely enjoy, Soulswift. Give it a try; I'm glad I did. 🍃
(5) 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
July 28, 2020
I only cried 36 times it’s cool. 🤩
Want to read
June 15, 2020I received this complimentary ARC from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
November 22, 2020
I am NOT okay what the heck.
This book spoon-fed us delightful banter and characters to get super attached to. And then it was like "haha, just kidding. time to make you CRY."
Megan Bannen has a brand and it's simultaneously the best and the worst.
This book spoon-fed us delightful banter and characters to get super attached to. And then it was like "haha, just kidding. time to make you CRY."
Megan Bannen has a brand and it's simultaneously the best and the worst.
December 19, 2020
This book was THIS CLOSE to being a five star read. It was THIS CLOSE to being one of my favorite books of the year. It has ah-mazing characters, witty banter, a haters-to-lovers fake marriage, and a romance so full of longing, yearning, and unbelievable chemistry that it gave me actual goosebumps. But then that tragic ending had to come stomping along like an elephant in a daisy field and completely crush my wilted heart.
Seriously, Megan Bannen is a cruel genius who knows just how to play on your emotions; she will make you love her characters as much as your firstborn child, and then she will utterly break you with her achingly bittersweet endings.
Seriously, Megan Bannen is a cruel genius who knows just how to play on your emotions; she will make you love her characters as much as your firstborn child, and then she will utterly break you with her achingly bittersweet endings.
November 17, 2020
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
Megan Bannen enjoys making readers suffer. That's just a fact. Another fact? She can destroy me any day of the week, because her books are just that fabulous. I fell wholly in love with The Bird and the Blade , and you can imagine that my expectations for Soulswift were high. But they were met and exceeded, of course.
Gelya was raised in a religious sect, told she was special, but also was completely at the disposal of those around her. The society was extremely patriarchal, and Gelya had known nothing else, so she accepted her lot in life. Until she finds herself in an unimaginable nightmare of violence and upheaval, throwing her faith into question.
To survive, she must trust the jarring, seemingly heretical final words of her mentor and friend and follow Tavik, the man she was told was her enemy to safety. They face a long journey (both physically and emotionally) to attempt to save both Gelya and the world at large, struggling the whole time with who to trust, which version of the story is closest to correct, and how to balance the loss of everything they've known. This of course falls much harder on the long-sheltered Geyla, who finds that she perhaps doesn't know the half of what has been going on outside of her convent.
Gelya's learning about the world around her and making up her own mind about who and what to trust was so lovely. Tavik obviously wished her to see things as he did, but he let her figure it out on her own time, even if that was risky. Tavik, while not having quite as dramatic of revelations, still had to grapple with plenty of betrayal and fallacies of his own. And quietly, unexpectedly, their feelings about each other begin to transform.
This story is completely beautiful and heart wrenching at once. It explores faith so well, and makes the reader ask questions just as Gelya does. And in the process, Geyla and Tavik still have to survive, relying on the kindness of strangers, and hope in humanity.
Bottom Line: Just like its predecessor, Soulswift was gorgeously written, completely compelling, and owned my full heart from the first page.
Megan Bannen enjoys making readers suffer. That's just a fact. Another fact? She can destroy me any day of the week, because her books are just that fabulous. I fell wholly in love with The Bird and the Blade , and you can imagine that my expectations for Soulswift were high. But they were met and exceeded, of course.
Gelya was raised in a religious sect, told she was special, but also was completely at the disposal of those around her. The society was extremely patriarchal, and Gelya had known nothing else, so she accepted her lot in life. Until she finds herself in an unimaginable nightmare of violence and upheaval, throwing her faith into question.
To survive, she must trust the jarring, seemingly heretical final words of her mentor and friend and follow Tavik, the man she was told was her enemy to safety. They face a long journey (both physically and emotionally) to attempt to save both Gelya and the world at large, struggling the whole time with who to trust, which version of the story is closest to correct, and how to balance the loss of everything they've known. This of course falls much harder on the long-sheltered Geyla, who finds that she perhaps doesn't know the half of what has been going on outside of her convent.
Gelya's learning about the world around her and making up her own mind about who and what to trust was so lovely. Tavik obviously wished her to see things as he did, but he let her figure it out on her own time, even if that was risky. Tavik, while not having quite as dramatic of revelations, still had to grapple with plenty of betrayal and fallacies of his own. And quietly, unexpectedly, their feelings about each other begin to transform.
This story is completely beautiful and heart wrenching at once. It explores faith so well, and makes the reader ask questions just as Gelya does. And in the process, Geyla and Tavik still have to survive, relying on the kindness of strangers, and hope in humanity.
Bottom Line: Just like its predecessor, Soulswift was gorgeously written, completely compelling, and owned my full heart from the first page.
Read
August 31, 2019I don't even know what this book is about and I want it so bad.
June 15, 2022
”Love is the only thing worth dying for, because in love there is balance between souls, and in that balance life flourishes.”
TW: blood, death, death of a loved one, genocide, grief, misogyny, religious bigotry, violence.
Where do I even start with this book?
I guess by saying that Megan Bannen has done it again. She has crafted a beautiful, heart-breaking story that kept me invested from beginning to end.
And then I should say that this book may not be a five star for everyone, but there is no other rating I could give it.
I feel like lines from this book gave a voice to thoughts and feelings I’ve experienced for nearly my whole life.
There were times when I set the book down because I was so… stunned, I guess? to see something I could never put into words expressed so eloquently.
Beyond even that, this book was just wonderful. The world building. The characters. The banter (I actually found myself smiling a few times). The moral dilemmas. The ending. That ending… I knew it was coming but I still think it was poignant, if a bit rushed.
Overall… I’m kind of at a loss for words. This was exactly the book I needed right now.
Megan Bannen has yet again moved me with her words, and I can’t wait to see what she continues to create.
TW: blood, death, death of a loved one, genocide, grief, misogyny, religious bigotry, violence.
Where do I even start with this book?
I guess by saying that Megan Bannen has done it again. She has crafted a beautiful, heart-breaking story that kept me invested from beginning to end.
And then I should say that this book may not be a five star for everyone, but there is no other rating I could give it.
I feel like lines from this book gave a voice to thoughts and feelings I’ve experienced for nearly my whole life.
There were times when I set the book down because I was so… stunned, I guess? to see something I could never put into words expressed so eloquently.
Beyond even that, this book was just wonderful. The world building. The characters. The banter (I actually found myself smiling a few times). The moral dilemmas. The ending. That ending… I knew it was coming but I still think it was poignant, if a bit rushed.
Overall… I’m kind of at a loss for words. This was exactly the book I needed right now.
Megan Bannen has yet again moved me with her words, and I can’t wait to see what she continues to create.
Want to read
April 21, 2020I absolutely loved Vessel from Sarah Beth Durst. And did you say The Winner's Curse? FLY AWAY WITH MY MONEY.
June 22, 2025
4.5 stars
read on my blog
I picked this book up at a friend’s recommendation, and I am so grateful that I did! I rang in the new year (2021) by finishing it and subsequently having a complete emotional breakdown. Beautiful and heartwrenching, Soulswift tells a story of losing your faith and finding the truth of what you believe in.
Gelya is a Vessel of the Ovinist faith, meaning that she channels the Father’s words through song. When she’s brought in at an important Ovinist Chuch meeting to translate, she inadvertently bears witness to a deadly secret that shakes her faith. She then begrudgingly tags along with Tavik, an enemy soldier whose faith opposes hers. He believes that Elath, who is a demon to Gelya, is instead a goddess. They race across the land, running from those who wish to kill them because of what they now know as well as the fact that Gelya now bears the soul of the Mother. Along they way, they begin to discover that maybe both of their religions are wrong and that the reckoning is possibly nearer than they think.
First, the worldbuilding is astounding! I personally love worldbuilding that is centered on religions, so I was particularly fascinated with this book. Gelya’s and Tavik’s religions share many stories and figures but hold different perspectives of them. For example, the Ovinist Church believes in the Father and that Elath is a demon whose soul was trapped in Saint Vinnica and cannot be freed lest the world end. They are more conservative and patriarchal. However, the Elathians believe that Elath is a goddess, the Mother, who must be freed to save the world. They are viewed as heathens to Ovinists, who are constantly trying to kill or convert them.
We follow Gelya’s point-of-view; as a vessel, she’s grown up sheltered in the convent. It was interesting following her as she realizes that her entire life has essentially been a lie. She begins to lose faith in the Father and in the people who raised her. However, this does not mean that the Elathians are entirely correct in their beliefs. Instead, the truth lays somewhere in between, as things often are.
I loved the main characters! Gelya is an amazing protagonist with a great character arc; I really enjoyed following her journey as she grows doubtful and seeks what she should really believe in. I also thought it was hilarious that a lot of her inner monologue at first is how she was meant to remain “pure” as a Vessel in the convent and now she has to go out in the world and face circumstances she never thought she’d be in. Meanwhile, Tavik is so funny and caring. He deals with a lot more than he initially lets on throughout the story, and it was interesting seeing how his faith never wavered compared to Gelya’s.
I really liked their dynamic and how they slowly build up a camaraderie. The romance is on the lighter side, but I will say that there’s a fake wedding that leads to them jokingly referring to each other as “my beloved wife” and “my darling husband” throughout the book, which I loved. Anyways, Gelya and Tavik balance each other out and help each other grow.
The writing was also so amazing; you feel very immersed in this world and in Gelya’s head, full of doubt yet not quite wanting to let go of what you believe in and your faith in the ones you’ve trusted for years like her. To me, the pacing was perfect honestly. This is a standalone, so a lot has to happen within the span of this book but you never feel like it’s too much or too little. Also, I’ve read some other reviews and seen that other people were let down by the ending, but I actually liked it! I found it more poetic the way the story ends, making it feel more like a folk story, although I understand why some people would feel let down.
Soulswift details a story of gods and goddesses and the people they’ve chosen. It’s full of doubt and faith, truth and misdirection. I loved the characters and the worldbuilding; honestly, I could’ve written a longer review but it’s so hard to put into words exactly what I love about this book. I sincerely cannot recommend Soulswift enough; pick it up today, you won’t regret it!
original review:
fitting that I begin 2021 by having an emotional breakdown because of this book
edit (11/20/22):
literally started crying at the ending again like I am not well
read on my blog
Why should I worship something that cares so little for me, or for you?
I picked this book up at a friend’s recommendation, and I am so grateful that I did! I rang in the new year (2021) by finishing it and subsequently having a complete emotional breakdown. Beautiful and heartwrenching, Soulswift tells a story of losing your faith and finding the truth of what you believe in.
Gelya is a Vessel of the Ovinist faith, meaning that she channels the Father’s words through song. When she’s brought in at an important Ovinist Chuch meeting to translate, she inadvertently bears witness to a deadly secret that shakes her faith. She then begrudgingly tags along with Tavik, an enemy soldier whose faith opposes hers. He believes that Elath, who is a demon to Gelya, is instead a goddess. They race across the land, running from those who wish to kill them because of what they now know as well as the fact that Gelya now bears the soul of the Mother. Along they way, they begin to discover that maybe both of their religions are wrong and that the reckoning is possibly nearer than they think.
First, the worldbuilding is astounding! I personally love worldbuilding that is centered on religions, so I was particularly fascinated with this book. Gelya’s and Tavik’s religions share many stories and figures but hold different perspectives of them. For example, the Ovinist Church believes in the Father and that Elath is a demon whose soul was trapped in Saint Vinnica and cannot be freed lest the world end. They are more conservative and patriarchal. However, the Elathians believe that Elath is a goddess, the Mother, who must be freed to save the world. They are viewed as heathens to Ovinists, who are constantly trying to kill or convert them.
We follow Gelya’s point-of-view; as a vessel, she’s grown up sheltered in the convent. It was interesting following her as she realizes that her entire life has essentially been a lie. She begins to lose faith in the Father and in the people who raised her. However, this does not mean that the Elathians are entirely correct in their beliefs. Instead, the truth lays somewhere in between, as things often are.
I loved the main characters! Gelya is an amazing protagonist with a great character arc; I really enjoyed following her journey as she grows doubtful and seeks what she should really believe in. I also thought it was hilarious that a lot of her inner monologue at first is how she was meant to remain “pure” as a Vessel in the convent and now she has to go out in the world and face circumstances she never thought she’d be in. Meanwhile, Tavik is so funny and caring. He deals with a lot more than he initially lets on throughout the story, and it was interesting seeing how his faith never wavered compared to Gelya’s.
I really liked their dynamic and how they slowly build up a camaraderie. The romance is on the lighter side, but I will say that there’s a fake wedding that leads to them jokingly referring to each other as “my beloved wife” and “my darling husband” throughout the book, which I loved. Anyways, Gelya and Tavik balance each other out and help each other grow.
The writing was also so amazing; you feel very immersed in this world and in Gelya’s head, full of doubt yet not quite wanting to let go of what you believe in and your faith in the ones you’ve trusted for years like her. To me, the pacing was perfect honestly. This is a standalone, so a lot has to happen within the span of this book but you never feel like it’s too much or too little. Also, I’ve read some other reviews and seen that other people were let down by the ending, but I actually liked it! I found it more poetic the way the story ends, making it feel more like a folk story, although I understand why some people would feel let down.
Soulswift details a story of gods and goddesses and the people they’ve chosen. It’s full of doubt and faith, truth and misdirection. I loved the characters and the worldbuilding; honestly, I could’ve written a longer review but it’s so hard to put into words exactly what I love about this book. I sincerely cannot recommend Soulswift enough; pick it up today, you won’t regret it!
original review:
fitting that I begin 2021 by having an emotional breakdown because of this book
edit (11/20/22):
literally started crying at the ending again like I am not well
November 8, 2022
4.25 ⭐️
TW/CW:
My heart is bittersweet pain, this was a really interesting fantasy stand-alone and I hope more people get to read it.
This was my first book by the author but I have already added another one to my TBR because these characters reminded me so much of some of my favorites from A Far Wilder Magic. I was fully invested from the very first chapter, although I will say that the first few chapters had some words in english that I found difficult and didn't know the meaning of, but that ended quite quickly thankfully.
While we're following a completely new world, religions and societies I think that I was never all that confused, it was easy to follow and fast-paced right from the start. So despite this being a stand-alone I think the world-building was great, in just the right amount where I could always follow what was happening, where and why.
The characters were everything, I loved the banter and teasing, and by the end my heart was squeezing with every interaction because I loved them, Gelya and Tavik were an absolute joy to follow. I think the writing itself made this all the more enjoyable, this is essentially a book on religion, how it molds peoples lives and beliefs, how it can build but also destroy. It takes on opposing beliefs with and makes both sides question different aspects of what they have always been taught, especially seeing as their beliefs seem to have the same roots.
So we follow these two characters as they try to discover the truth, these two complete strangers having to trust their lives to one another and confront their beliefs and if they can really trust the people they love. All the while we're getting closer and closer to danger, the book keeps feeding this ominous feeling that something is about to go wrong, and the ending was what really got me, I was already expecting something to try and crush my heart, and while it did, I think it was the one part of the book that felt rushed and a bit disappointing.
Overall I really liked this, like a lot, and I'm so glad I finally read Soulswift.
TW/CW:
My heart is bittersweet pain, this was a really interesting fantasy stand-alone and I hope more people get to read it.
This was my first book by the author but I have already added another one to my TBR because these characters reminded me so much of some of my favorites from A Far Wilder Magic. I was fully invested from the very first chapter, although I will say that the first few chapters had some words in english that I found difficult and didn't know the meaning of, but that ended quite quickly thankfully.
While we're following a completely new world, religions and societies I think that I was never all that confused, it was easy to follow and fast-paced right from the start. So despite this being a stand-alone I think the world-building was great, in just the right amount where I could always follow what was happening, where and why.
The characters were everything, I loved the banter and teasing, and by the end my heart was squeezing with every interaction because I loved them, Gelya and Tavik were an absolute joy to follow. I think the writing itself made this all the more enjoyable, this is essentially a book on religion, how it molds peoples lives and beliefs, how it can build but also destroy. It takes on opposing beliefs with and makes both sides question different aspects of what they have always been taught, especially seeing as their beliefs seem to have the same roots.
So we follow these two characters as they try to discover the truth, these two complete strangers having to trust their lives to one another and confront their beliefs and if they can really trust the people they love. All the while we're getting closer and closer to danger, the book keeps feeding this ominous feeling that something is about to go wrong, and the ending was what really got me, I was already expecting something to try and crush my heart, and while it did, I think it was the one part of the book that felt rushed and a bit disappointing.
Overall I really liked this, like a lot, and I'm so glad I finally read Soulswift.
January 10, 2021
“Love is the only thing worth dying for, because in love there is balance between souls, and in that balance life flourishes.”
You know when you start a book and deep down you know you're going to love it but you'll still end up with a broken heart? Well, that's exactly how I feel right now.
Soulswift was a beautiful, lyrical, heart-wrenching story and I still need to recover from it. It's not everyone's cup of tea and you're either going to love it or not. Personally, I loved every single word. Despite religion being one of the main theme, it wasn't boring to read because Megan was able to write an unforgettable story with memorable characters. Gelya and Tavik are two different people, with two different beliefs and yet, they slowly came to understand and trust each other. And their slow-burn, enemies-to allies-to friends-to lovers relationship was so achingly beautiful that my heart still cries for them. This author knows how to make you suffer and even though I'm still picking up the broken pieces of my heart, I wouldn't change a thing. Because some stories don't need perfect endings to be memorable. Some stories are significant because of the marks they leave inside you.
You know when you start a book and deep down you know you're going to love it but you'll still end up with a broken heart? Well, that's exactly how I feel right now.
Soulswift was a beautiful, lyrical, heart-wrenching story and I still need to recover from it. It's not everyone's cup of tea and you're either going to love it or not. Personally, I loved every single word. Despite religion being one of the main theme, it wasn't boring to read because Megan was able to write an unforgettable story with memorable characters. Gelya and Tavik are two different people, with two different beliefs and yet, they slowly came to understand and trust each other. And their slow-burn, enemies-to allies-to friends-to lovers relationship was so achingly beautiful that my heart still cries for them. This author knows how to make you suffer and even though I'm still picking up the broken pieces of my heart, I wouldn't change a thing. Because some stories don't need perfect endings to be memorable. Some stories are significant because of the marks they leave inside you.
September 27, 2021
"𝙒𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩, 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮."
Yep. It was gut-wrenching as I was promised and I HATE IT HERE!
When I tell you my heart ripped out of my chest with this book, IT ISN'T AN EXAGGERATION!
I saw a tiktok that gave book recs based on Hozier songs. And Soulswift was recommended based by Sunlight (which is one of my favorite songs!)
I don't what to tell you.
This book is painfully beautiful.
The romance is stunning.
The writing was amazing.
It has Marriage of Convenience with a Pristess figure falling in love with a warrior knight and both of them HELP EACH OTHER TO FIND THEMSELVES AGAIN! AHHHHH
This book will make you cry.
I can't listen to Sunlight without thinking about Soulswift anymore.
The lyrics are so damned accurate 😫💔
This is a story about all your beliefs and faith suddenly are proved to be a lie!
That in grand scheme of things, you are just a pawn. It's a story to appreciate life and discover your true self.
"Dearest wife."
"Beloved husband."
GO READ THIS BOOK NOW FOR FUCKS SAKE!
Yep. It was gut-wrenching as I was promised and I HATE IT HERE!
When I tell you my heart ripped out of my chest with this book, IT ISN'T AN EXAGGERATION!
I saw a tiktok that gave book recs based on Hozier songs. And Soulswift was recommended based by Sunlight (which is one of my favorite songs!)
I don't what to tell you.
This book is painfully beautiful.
The romance is stunning.
The writing was amazing.
It has Marriage of Convenience with a Pristess figure falling in love with a warrior knight and both of them HELP EACH OTHER TO FIND THEMSELVES AGAIN! AHHHHH
This book will make you cry.
I can't listen to Sunlight without thinking about Soulswift anymore.
The lyrics are so damned accurate 😫💔
This is a story about all your beliefs and faith suddenly are proved to be a lie!
That in grand scheme of things, you are just a pawn. It's a story to appreciate life and discover your true self.
"Dearest wife."
"Beloved husband."
GO READ THIS BOOK NOW FOR FUCKS SAKE!
September 22, 2020
Thank you, Edelweiss and the publisher for the chance to review this book.
Oh wow, this book. To this day I cannot figure out how authors pack so much into a stand-alone book. But Megan does it so well, I must bow to her in thanks. I learn from the greats.
This is a story of blind faith and forgetting everything you've ever known. There is an enemy to lover's trope, but GOD I LOVE IT. There is not much more to say other than that this book took me on a ride and destroyed me. I was blown away by the heart-wrenching beauty, humor, and adventure in this book. I am so excited for everyone to read it.
A more thorough review to come.
Oh wow, this book. To this day I cannot figure out how authors pack so much into a stand-alone book. But Megan does it so well, I must bow to her in thanks. I learn from the greats.
This is a story of blind faith and forgetting everything you've ever known. There is an enemy to lover's trope, but GOD I LOVE IT. There is not much more to say other than that this book took me on a ride and destroyed me. I was blown away by the heart-wrenching beauty, humor, and adventure in this book. I am so excited for everyone to read it.
A more thorough review to come.
November 4, 2020
Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Kibby Robinson
Megan Bannen returns with a new book to break the hearts of YA readers all over the world. With her sophomore novel, Soulswift, Bannen continues to excel at crafting intriguing plots and creating characters that will grip your heart and take you on their journey to whatever end.
All Gelya can remember is a life as a Vessel to the One True God at the Convent of Saint Vinnica. But when the whispers of war come to the convent’s halls, Gelya will soon find herself escaping a deadly betrayal with the help of an enemy soldier, Tavik. Both Gelya and Tavik are firm believers in their own sides of the One True God and The Mother, but their beliefs will be put to the test when Gelya becomes the vessel for Elath the Mother against her will. Sneaking and fighting their way across the land, Gelya and Tavik must begin to rely on and believe in each other if they are to find the truth and save the world.
Read the FULL REVIEW on The Nerd Daily
Megan Bannen returns with a new book to break the hearts of YA readers all over the world. With her sophomore novel, Soulswift, Bannen continues to excel at crafting intriguing plots and creating characters that will grip your heart and take you on their journey to whatever end.
All Gelya can remember is a life as a Vessel to the One True God at the Convent of Saint Vinnica. But when the whispers of war come to the convent’s halls, Gelya will soon find herself escaping a deadly betrayal with the help of an enemy soldier, Tavik. Both Gelya and Tavik are firm believers in their own sides of the One True God and The Mother, but their beliefs will be put to the test when Gelya becomes the vessel for Elath the Mother against her will. Sneaking and fighting their way across the land, Gelya and Tavik must begin to rely on and believe in each other if they are to find the truth and save the world.
Read the FULL REVIEW on The Nerd Daily
March 16, 2021
Dear Megan Bannen,
WHO HURT YOU AND WHY MUST YOU PAY IT FORWARD IN SUCH A MANNER?
This is obviously my first book by Megan Bannen, if it wasn't I would have had a warning as to how Megan likes to torture her readers. It was a great story about religion and what people believe in, how history is written by the victor, how hard it is to cope with a shattered belief system, and the lengths our MC and co will go to set things right. I would recommend if you love Wicked Saints, Vessel, only in Soulswift there are only two gods instead of a pantheon.
"Vessels are Daughters who were chosen by the Grace Tree of Saint Vinnica to sing the Father's Word for the faithful."
In the world of Soulswift we see a split between the Ovinist and the Kantari--the Ovinist believe that Saint Ovin slew and captured Elath, the Great Demon. This demon must be kept sealed and never release from her vault otherwise the world is doomed. The Kantari believe that Elath is actually a goddess and must be released at all costs. That puts these two countries at war. Gelya has been raised in the Ovinist religion as a sort of nun--she is to be kept pure in order to speak the word of the Father. This, and a lot more that will be sprinkled thorough the book, will be just one of the things that mark the Ovinist religion as sexist at its core. One day a Kantari two swords get captured (the two swords are the equivalent to the Vessel Daughters) and as he is being interrogated, and lets out some truths of his own, a massacre occurs. Together, Gelya and Tavik must join forces to escape, uncover the truth, and perhaps set the world to rights.
I am amazed at the amount of world building, history, character development, and sheer awesomeness that Megan Bannen can pack into a stand alone novel. It does more than some series manage to do in three whole books, and it does it beautifully. I love the character development, I loved how fleshed out the world is and how much of it we get to see. I LOVED the relationship between Gelya and Tavik, there is no insta love between these two. It is a VERY slow burn romance. Their relationship goes from enemies, to tentative allies, to friends, and then to more. It is so well done, I just loved it.
The ending crushed me! But is was also fitting. It really made me want to pick up another one of Megan Bannen's books, see if she can crush me again. You must pick this up, it is such a good story 😍
PS; I was provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review. Thanks go to the publisher!
WHO HURT YOU AND WHY MUST YOU PAY IT FORWARD IN SUCH A MANNER?
This is obviously my first book by Megan Bannen, if it wasn't I would have had a warning as to how Megan likes to torture her readers. It was a great story about religion and what people believe in, how history is written by the victor, how hard it is to cope with a shattered belief system, and the lengths our MC and co will go to set things right. I would recommend if you love Wicked Saints, Vessel, only in Soulswift there are only two gods instead of a pantheon.
"Vessels are Daughters who were chosen by the Grace Tree of Saint Vinnica to sing the Father's Word for the faithful."
In the world of Soulswift we see a split between the Ovinist and the Kantari--the Ovinist believe that Saint Ovin slew and captured Elath, the Great Demon. This demon must be kept sealed and never release from her vault otherwise the world is doomed. The Kantari believe that Elath is actually a goddess and must be released at all costs. That puts these two countries at war. Gelya has been raised in the Ovinist religion as a sort of nun--she is to be kept pure in order to speak the word of the Father. This, and a lot more that will be sprinkled thorough the book, will be just one of the things that mark the Ovinist religion as sexist at its core. One day a Kantari two swords get captured (the two swords are the equivalent to the Vessel Daughters) and as he is being interrogated, and lets out some truths of his own, a massacre occurs. Together, Gelya and Tavik must join forces to escape, uncover the truth, and perhaps set the world to rights.
I am amazed at the amount of world building, history, character development, and sheer awesomeness that Megan Bannen can pack into a stand alone novel. It does more than some series manage to do in three whole books, and it does it beautifully. I love the character development, I loved how fleshed out the world is and how much of it we get to see. I LOVED the relationship between Gelya and Tavik, there is no insta love between these two. It is a VERY slow burn romance. Their relationship goes from enemies, to tentative allies, to friends, and then to more. It is so well done, I just loved it.
The ending crushed me! But is was also fitting. It really made me want to pick up another one of Megan Bannen's books, see if she can crush me again. You must pick this up, it is such a good story 😍
PS; I was provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review. Thanks go to the publisher!
May 4, 2025
4.5 stars, rounding up because I enjoyed it so much and the end hurt my feelings
March 5, 2025
2025 reads: 42/300
2025 tbr: 17/111
as a vessel, gelya channels the one true god’s word through song and lives with other vessels of her faith, the ovinists. when she stumbles into a deadly cover-up by the ovinist military, she reluctantly teams up with an enemy soldier named tavik. tavik believes that the being gelya sees as the great demon is a wrongfully-imprisoned goddess. when he sets her free, gelya unwillingly becomes elath, the goddess’s, vessel, leading to her own people seeing her as the enemy. now, the two set off to figure out how to exorcise elath from gelya’s body, all while being unsure whether they just saved or doomed the world.
i honestly had no idea what to expect from this book going into it, but i think it worked out better that way. i loved the commentary on religion. i haven’t read many fantasy books that are so heavily based on religion (albeit a made-up one) as this one was. this aspect also played into the dynamic between our two main characters, seeing as they are of opposing viewpoints, and it was interesting to see how this panned out.
overall, this was an interesting YA fantasy. i really enjoyed this, and can’t wait to read more from megan bannen.
2025 tbr: 17/111
as a vessel, gelya channels the one true god’s word through song and lives with other vessels of her faith, the ovinists. when she stumbles into a deadly cover-up by the ovinist military, she reluctantly teams up with an enemy soldier named tavik. tavik believes that the being gelya sees as the great demon is a wrongfully-imprisoned goddess. when he sets her free, gelya unwillingly becomes elath, the goddess’s, vessel, leading to her own people seeing her as the enemy. now, the two set off to figure out how to exorcise elath from gelya’s body, all while being unsure whether they just saved or doomed the world.
i honestly had no idea what to expect from this book going into it, but i think it worked out better that way. i loved the commentary on religion. i haven’t read many fantasy books that are so heavily based on religion (albeit a made-up one) as this one was. this aspect also played into the dynamic between our two main characters, seeing as they are of opposing viewpoints, and it was interesting to see how this panned out.
overall, this was an interesting YA fantasy. i really enjoyed this, and can’t wait to read more from megan bannen.
January 5, 2021
DNF 30%
Неудачное скучное начало, но на 10% начинается интересный дарковый экшн... а на 20% экшн сдувается в плюшевую инсталав.
Героиня сопля стандарная одна штука, зато мир многообещающий. Язык норм, но композиция сырая и главы расползаются под тяжестью инфодампов.
Сходила проспойлерила себе финал и поняла, что таки не, ту мач драмы.
Неудачное скучное начало, но на 10% начинается интересный дарковый экшн... а на 20% экшн сдувается в плюшевую инсталав.
Героиня сопля стандарная одна штука, зато мир многообещающий. Язык норм, но композиция сырая и главы расползаются под тяжестью инфодампов.
Сходила проспойлерила себе финал и поняла, что таки не, ту мач драмы.
December 24, 2020
THIS REVIEW & MORE → Paws and Paperbacks
ARC provided by the author for the blog tour!
4.5 stars ✨
Megan Bannen continues to impress me with her masterful storytelling and beautiful characters. Soulswift was a story full of intriguing world-building, opposing religions, and self-discovery.
The heart of Soulswift revolves around spirituality and beliefs. The story follows two characters, Tavik and Gelya, who are from opposing sides of a religion-based war. Circumstances force the two of them to reluctantly work together and attempt to save their world. I really loved the presence of mythology/religion here. Tavik and Gelya are both forced to examine their faith and question their beliefs. The book heavily focuses on self-discovery and the uniting of different ideas was perfectly executed and added depth to the characters’ development.
I absolutely loved the relationship that developed between Tavik and Gelya. They start out as enemies, but they way they change their opinions about each other during their journey and grow together was beautiful. Without spoiling too much, their relationship follows another one of my favorite tropes (other than the enemies-to-lovers) and I was completely on board! The romance aspect of the book was perfectly incorporated into the story; it had importance to the characters and yet wasn’t the focus of the story.
The ending was heartbreakingly, achingly beautiful and I would have expected nothing less from Bannen after The Bird and the Blade. Soulswift was a wonderful story with engaging writing, wholesome characters, and important themes about faith and self-discovery.
ARC provided by the author for the blog tour!
4.5 stars ✨
Megan Bannen continues to impress me with her masterful storytelling and beautiful characters. Soulswift was a story full of intriguing world-building, opposing religions, and self-discovery.
The heart of Soulswift revolves around spirituality and beliefs. The story follows two characters, Tavik and Gelya, who are from opposing sides of a religion-based war. Circumstances force the two of them to reluctantly work together and attempt to save their world. I really loved the presence of mythology/religion here. Tavik and Gelya are both forced to examine their faith and question their beliefs. The book heavily focuses on self-discovery and the uniting of different ideas was perfectly executed and added depth to the characters’ development.
I absolutely loved the relationship that developed between Tavik and Gelya. They start out as enemies, but they way they change their opinions about each other during their journey and grow together was beautiful. Without spoiling too much, their relationship follows another one of my favorite tropes (other than the enemies-to-lovers) and I was completely on board! The romance aspect of the book was perfectly incorporated into the story; it had importance to the characters and yet wasn’t the focus of the story.
The ending was heartbreakingly, achingly beautiful and I would have expected nothing less from Bannen after The Bird and the Blade. Soulswift was a wonderful story with engaging writing, wholesome characters, and important themes about faith and self-discovery.
May 26, 2021
feed me more angst mother
27/5/21: Finally finished it. I got my angst.
Not quite as good as Bird and the Blade but Tavik is more memorable. He’s such an adorkable loser. But the angst is a little bit hamfisted here in comparison to TBATB so the ending wasn’t as satisfyingly painful. Nevertheless, still a good book, 10/10 would feel sad again. Banter was amazing. MB I literally love you.
27/5/21: Finally finished it. I got my angst.
Not quite as good as Bird and the Blade but Tavik is more memorable. He’s such an adorkable loser. But the angst is a little bit hamfisted here in comparison to TBATB so the ending wasn’t as satisfyingly painful. Nevertheless, still a good book, 10/10 would feel sad again. Banter was amazing. MB I literally love you.
February 21, 2021
Noooooooo! She did it again! Don't know if I can ever pick up another book by this author and if I'm able to handle more bittersweetness! ( ˃̣̣⌓˂̣̣ )
I commend the writing, but again, like with The Bird and the Blade, the characters made it so worthwhile for me! The banter between the two main protagonists and the sparks that kept flying between them! The blissful agony I put myself through here, only to arrive at a point where... *keeps mouth shut* Admittedly, I had to overcome the first few pages of religious routine at a convent which I had problems following (too much information I couldn't process), before I started liking it... (but FYI - this story stays religion-heavy).
This book kept me so hooked, I didn't want to pick up any other book before this one was finished.
(And I apparently like torturing myself since I see myself picking up her next book, as well.)
Absolutely recommend this standalone as well if you're very into character-centric stories.
I commend the writing, but again, like with The Bird and the Blade, the characters made it so worthwhile for me! The banter between the two main protagonists and the sparks that kept flying between them! The blissful agony I put myself through here, only to arrive at a point where... *keeps mouth shut* Admittedly, I had to overcome the first few pages of religious routine at a convent which I had problems following (too much information I couldn't process), before I started liking it... (but FYI - this story stays religion-heavy).
This book kept me so hooked, I didn't want to pick up any other book before this one was finished.
(And I apparently like torturing myself since I see myself picking up her next book, as well.)
Absolutely recommend this standalone as well if you're very into character-centric stories.
September 25, 2023
4.5⭐️ rounded up
I adored this. It was sweet and beautiful, and I thought the story was perfect start to finish. The banter between Tavik and Gelya was hilarious and genuine and I kept grinning as I was reading. Don’t get me wrong, though, this book is PAINFUL and will rip your heart out… but there are just as many sweet, funny, and romantic moments throughout.
The religion aspect was so awful with all of the devout, fundamentalist beliefs. It caused so much harm to so many of the characters, and it made me so angry as the reader. I definitely felt like screaming BREAK THE CHAINS at many different moments 😂 and I loved how Gelya handled her old world and new world (I can’t say much more without spoilers).
Overall another emotional read from Megan Bannen, and I’ll be back for whatever she writes next!
I adored this. It was sweet and beautiful, and I thought the story was perfect start to finish. The banter between Tavik and Gelya was hilarious and genuine and I kept grinning as I was reading. Don’t get me wrong, though, this book is PAINFUL and will rip your heart out… but there are just as many sweet, funny, and romantic moments throughout.
The religion aspect was so awful with all of the devout, fundamentalist beliefs. It caused so much harm to so many of the characters, and it made me so angry as the reader. I definitely felt like screaming BREAK THE CHAINS at many different moments 😂 and I loved how Gelya handled her old world and new world (I can’t say much more without spoilers).
Overall another emotional read from Megan Bannen, and I’ll be back for whatever she writes next!
August 11, 2024
”Water of my thirst. Blood of my body.”
I have been reading this book for almost FOUR YEARS.
And honestly to get to cut to the chase this is a very specific kind of YA book for a very specific kind of person… I AM THE PERSON MEGAN BANNEN WRITES FOR. Me personally. That being said I can’t, unfortunately, do a blanket rec’ for this.
But honestly I’m glad I finally finished this, if you’re unfamiliar with Bannen I’d summate her “brand” as the opposite of HEA, that to say every book is about love but ends tragically. Her first book, The Bird and the Blade inspired some essays I wrote in uni and introduced me to one of my fave poems of all time:
”A book of verses beneath the bough. A jug of wine, a loaf of bread—and thou beside me singing in the wilderness. And wilderness is paradise now.
And this delivered everything from the last book!!! And the books seemed to echo each other in the final chapters (I would know I’ve reread TBATB at LEAST twice a year 😭😭)
Anyways I loved this and reading the books I’ve left half finished is like really fulfilling. I feel so productive rn—onto the next!!
I have been reading this book for almost FOUR YEARS.
And honestly to get to cut to the chase this is a very specific kind of YA book for a very specific kind of person… I AM THE PERSON MEGAN BANNEN WRITES FOR. Me personally. That being said I can’t, unfortunately, do a blanket rec’ for this.
But honestly I’m glad I finally finished this, if you’re unfamiliar with Bannen I’d summate her “brand” as the opposite of HEA, that to say every book is about love but ends tragically. Her first book, The Bird and the Blade inspired some essays I wrote in uni and introduced me to one of my fave poems of all time:
”A book of verses beneath the bough. A jug of wine, a loaf of bread—and thou beside me singing in the wilderness. And wilderness is paradise now.
And this delivered everything from the last book!!! And the books seemed to echo each other in the final chapters (I would know I’ve reread TBATB at LEAST twice a year 😭😭)
Anyways I loved this and reading the books I’ve left half finished is like really fulfilling. I feel so productive rn—onto the next!!
July 27, 2021
I'm having difficulty articulating my thoughts for this one, so I'm going with a simplistic format for this review.
Soulswift follows Gelya, a girl who has been sheltered in an Ovinist convent. The Ovinists believe in two deities, the Father and the Mother (Elath). While they worship the Father as a god, they say the Mother is a demon and have since locked away her spirit. However, not everyone thinks this way. Others want to free Elath, believing her to be a goddess. This has led to a war.
Anyways, after witnessing an unexpected bloodbath that throws the convent into chaos, Gelya is forced to flee the convent with Tavik, an enemy soldier with opposing beliefs. What's more, she is now possessed by Elath, so the unlikely pair must find a way to exorcise the demon--or goddess?--before it is too late.
The Goodson:
Concept/Focus: Soulswift centers around fictional religions, which made for a different and original reading experience. Religion was a huge part in ancient settings, yet it is not often a focus of YA high fantasy books (probably due to its touchiness). It is handled well here, and I like how in the end
Character Dynamics and Dialogue: Gelya and Tavik's relationship was fun to read about. It was also nice to see them talk about normal stuff instead of using grand metaphors to define the meaning of life. The banter is really good but doesn't detract from the historic-fantasy atmosphere of the story. The characters themselves are also pretty likeable, not overpowered or super unrealistic, and deal with mundane problems as well as world-altering ones.
Plot and Tone: The overarching plot of Soulswift is unique, along with its concepts. Bannen maintains a balance between the serious and the humourous (from the synopsis I expected the book to be pretty heavy and stoic-serious, but there are some lighter moments). It is written in way that isn't unnecessarily dramatic, but not dull or vapid either.
“Just because he is wrong doesn’t make you right.”
The Good-ish:
Writing: The writing was good, evocative in places, but it got convulted a few times, lending itself to plot holes. (see below)
Tropes: Near the beginning Soulswift brought in a few tropes, including the magic makeover (where the character cannot believe how they or another person looks after they get cleaned up). Marriage mishaps (arranged/accidental/fake marriage) also make an appearance, though I found these parts pretty entertaining. Honorable mention goes to And yet no one made a big deal out of it and nothing, er, happens. So anti-trope, I guess?
The-Not-So-Good
Plot Holes: There were a few times where the writing thickened, creating iplot holes, the most egregious one being the I was also a little confused on Gelya's singing powers/being a Vessel as it wasn't really explained. So she sings verses from a holy book and it releases power? Can anyone do this? What is it used for? Is Gelya's power different? It was ultimately not relevant. (neither was the , really either.
Ending/Impact: From the start of the book, I knew what was going to happen to one of the characters--it was fairly obvious. [Unspecific spoilers concerning the nature of the ending below]
If you're looking for something unique, tragic, and/or like high fantasy but are not big on magic systems, you may want to check this out.
............................
hmmm...RTC
Soulswift follows Gelya, a girl who has been sheltered in an Ovinist convent. The Ovinists believe in two deities, the Father and the Mother (Elath). While they worship the Father as a god, they say the Mother is a demon and have since locked away her spirit. However, not everyone thinks this way. Others want to free Elath, believing her to be a goddess. This has led to a war.
Anyways, after witnessing an unexpected bloodbath that throws the convent into chaos, Gelya is forced to flee the convent with Tavik, an enemy soldier with opposing beliefs. What's more, she is now possessed by Elath, so the unlikely pair must find a way to exorcise the demon--or goddess?--before it is too late.
The Good
Concept/Focus: Soulswift centers around fictional religions, which made for a different and original reading experience. Religion was a huge part in ancient settings, yet it is not often a focus of YA high fantasy books (probably due to its touchiness). It is handled well here, and I like how in the end
Character Dynamics and Dialogue: Gelya and Tavik's relationship was fun to read about. It was also nice to see them talk about normal stuff instead of using grand metaphors to define the meaning of life. The banter is really good but doesn't detract from the historic-fantasy atmosphere of the story. The characters themselves are also pretty likeable, not overpowered or super unrealistic, and deal with mundane problems as well as world-altering ones.
Plot and Tone: The overarching plot of Soulswift is unique, along with its concepts. Bannen maintains a balance between the serious and the humourous (from the synopsis I expected the book to be pretty heavy and stoic-serious, but there are some lighter moments). It is written in way that isn't unnecessarily dramatic, but not dull or vapid either.
“Just because he is wrong doesn’t make you right.”
The Good-ish:
Writing: The writing was good, evocative in places, but it got convulted a few times, lending itself to plot holes. (see below)
Tropes: Near the beginning Soulswift brought in a few tropes, including the magic makeover (where the character cannot believe how they or another person looks after they get cleaned up). Marriage mishaps (arranged/accidental/fake marriage) also make an appearance, though I found these parts pretty entertaining. Honorable mention goes to And yet no one made a big deal out of it and nothing, er, happens. So anti-trope, I guess?
The-Not-So-Good
Plot Holes: There were a few times where the writing thickened, creating iplot holes, the most egregious one being the I was also a little confused on Gelya's singing powers/being a Vessel as it wasn't really explained. So she sings verses from a holy book and it releases power? Can anyone do this? What is it used for? Is Gelya's power different? It was ultimately not relevant. (neither was the , really either.
Ending/Impact: From the start of the book, I knew what was going to happen to one of the characters--it was fairly obvious. [Unspecific spoilers concerning the nature of the ending below]
If you're looking for something unique, tragic, and/or like high fantasy but are not big on magic systems, you may want to check this out.
............................
hmmm...RTC
December 3, 2020
4.5- Feels so nice to read a good book that had me gushing and gave me an adrenaline rush after so long. It's not the type of book to do that but I had been deprived of quality text for so long. I finished it in two days. It kept my attention piqued throughout. Not once was I bored considering it's very heavy on religions and mythology (?). I actually love reading about fictional religions in fantasy if developed well and they were in this standalone. It did not feel too much. The author kept it under the limits of a YA book.
Some things I saw Megan Bannen say on twitter about Soulswift:
- witty banter and soul-crushing tragedy
- bittersweet and yearning
- her brand is the opposite of HEA. she does not write happy endings and I wish I knew that before starting it but also not idk the ending was satisfactory albeit sad.
After reading Soulswift I can say it ticks all the above boxes. Gelya and Tavik quickly became dear to me and I did not want to them to hurt but that was damn near impossible.
The writing was beautiful and so easy to follow. At first I thought the dump of foreign words would make it hard to follow but they didn't. I'm not a fan of dense world-building and flowery descriptions so this was perfect for me. The religion aspect may be daunting to some but the whole book revolves around that.
The story was so sweet. Two rivals having opposite beliefs coming to understand each other and their respective faiths and acknowledging the flaws and working together. Thinking that questioning what you were led to believe is a sin but when Gelya got free she had the opportunity to do that and Tavik helped her all through it. Tavik himself had to unlearn some things. To see both of them unravel and learn together was so sweet.
Some people will not like Gelya for her meek dependent personality which I do not understand because if I was in her position I would be far worse. She cries a lot. It did get a little annoying ngl she would cry at the most random of times lol. She compares herself to other 'normal' people and I just know people will hate her but it's REALISTIC okay? I loved how she observed qualities in people that normally you wouldn't see mentioned in YA books idk if I'm reaching but look at this quote:
"When Tavik makes a promise, he has every intention of keeping it. If he says “on my life” or “to my dying breath,” it’s not hyperbole. He means it. I love him for that, but I also envy it. I’ll never have that kind of conviction, that level of hope. I’ll always question and doubt."
That is so me. Anyway!
What got me to pick this up was actually the promise of fake marriage and devastation and I was not disappointed. If all the above doesn't appeal to you, this would because damn was it slow burning and heart stabbing.
Some things I saw Megan Bannen say on twitter about Soulswift:
- witty banter and soul-crushing tragedy
- bittersweet and yearning
- her brand is the opposite of HEA. she does not write happy endings and I wish I knew that before starting it but also not idk the ending was satisfactory albeit sad.
After reading Soulswift I can say it ticks all the above boxes. Gelya and Tavik quickly became dear to me and I did not want to them to hurt but that was damn near impossible.
The writing was beautiful and so easy to follow. At first I thought the dump of foreign words would make it hard to follow but they didn't. I'm not a fan of dense world-building and flowery descriptions so this was perfect for me. The religion aspect may be daunting to some but the whole book revolves around that.
The story was so sweet. Two rivals having opposite beliefs coming to understand each other and their respective faiths and acknowledging the flaws and working together. Thinking that questioning what you were led to believe is a sin but when Gelya got free she had the opportunity to do that and Tavik helped her all through it. Tavik himself had to unlearn some things. To see both of them unravel and learn together was so sweet.
Some people will not like Gelya for her meek dependent personality which I do not understand because if I was in her position I would be far worse. She cries a lot. It did get a little annoying ngl she would cry at the most random of times lol. She compares herself to other 'normal' people and I just know people will hate her but it's REALISTIC okay? I loved how she observed qualities in people that normally you wouldn't see mentioned in YA books idk if I'm reaching but look at this quote:
"When Tavik makes a promise, he has every intention of keeping it. If he says “on my life” or “to my dying breath,” it’s not hyperbole. He means it. I love him for that, but I also envy it. I’ll never have that kind of conviction, that level of hope. I’ll always question and doubt."
That is so me. Anyway!
What got me to pick this up was actually the promise of fake marriage and devastation and I was not disappointed. If all the above doesn't appeal to you, this would because damn was it slow burning and heart stabbing.
October 12, 2020
I’m going to say something really bold here - reading Soulswift gave me all the feelings that I felt when I originally read books like Divergent and the Hunger Games so many years ago. While this book is a dark fantasy and a completely different story, I felt like I was transported back to the magic of reading those dystopian books for the first time. Soulswift is a dark fantasy story that moves so quickly, the characters are rich and loveable, and it was easy to read – even the world building. It is a story about a girl, Gelya, who is grappling with her faith and everything she’s always believed in after learning disturbing information about the people who were supposed to be their leaders. She ends up on a journey with a boy who was supposed to be the enemy, but now she’s not sure about anything anymore. I loved Gelya – she grew so much through this book and is so relatable. I highly recommend Soulswift for both teens and adults who enjoy action packed fantasy novels!
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