Book Review: Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

Title: Incarnate

Author: Jodi Meadows

Publisher: Harper Collins

Publication Date: January 2012

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Series or Stand Alone: Series, Book One

Synopsis can be found here.
Netgalley Review.

Review:
Ana didn't ask to be born this way. She is a New Soul, or a No Soul as her mother calls her. Charming mother, Li. All her life, Ana is treated like she is nothing, no one. She is constantly abused and looked down upon, mostly because of the life that did not get reincarnated, because she was born. In a world where everyone is reborn, incarnated over and over again, remembering their past lives, deaths, loves and betrayals, Ana is a clean slate.

Her search for the reason for her birth, and who she really is starts when she is flung into the wilderness. Finally escaping her mother's abusive hold, Ana is headed for Heart, the city where she thinks all of her questions will be answered. Along the way, she meets Sam. Who is Sam really? Why is he so willing to help her And why does she feel like she's known him all along?

Incarnate is everything wonderful a book should be. Ana is complex, complete and yearning. She doesn't whine, throw temper tantrums. She is genuinely frustrated about her situation, and is searching for a way to get answers. She is suspicious, but not broken. I loved Ana's voice.

Sam is beautifully written. His internal struggles and secrets bubble to the surface slowly. Meadows does a perfect job writing about the awkward moments, stolen glances and simple touches that had my heart racing and rooting for Ana and Sam. even though theirs may be an impossible relationship. I love Sam's depth as a character, his memories of his past lives, the way he trusts, the way he reaches out to Ana.

And just as much as Sam is good, Li is bad. Ana's mother is harsh, cruel and made me squirm. Every scene she was in had me wishing Ana would just punch her already!

Ana's journey is going to be a long one. The world Meadows created is rich, with layers of past lives and old habits that no one can expect. No one is who they appear to be, having been reincarnated so many times. It's also about love. Reincarnated love. Finding your soul mate again and again, in different forms, bodies. And so who is meant for Ana? If she is the only New Soul?

This is the beginning of a captivating trilogy. I cannot wait for the next one.


Rating 9 Ridiculously Awesome like Cookies and Ice Cream