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Soul Selecta
Fated love? A destiny in the stars? Together for all eternity? It doesn’t work like that.
At least not without a lot of blood, sweat, and tears behind the scenes where the Soul Selector spins her magical trickery. It is her job is to identify soul mates as they enter this world and somehow get them to fall in love. Aphrodite and all the other gods need this purest love of all. They feed on it.
But soul mates are notoriously difficult to work with, and the Soul Selector has just found a particularly stupid pair.
At least not without a lot of blood, sweat, and tears behind the scenes where the Soul Selector spins her magical trickery. It is her job is to identify soul mates as they enter this world and somehow get them to fall in love. Aphrodite and all the other gods need this purest love of all. They feed on it.
But soul mates are notoriously difficult to work with, and the Soul Selector has just found a particularly stupid pair.
264 pages, Paperback
First published April 20, 2015
4 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Gill McKnight
28 books283 followersGill McKnight is Irish but spends as much time as possible in Lesbos, Greece, which she considers home. She can often be found traveling back and forth between Greece and Ireland in a rusty old camper van with her rusty wee dog. Gill enjoys writing, roses, and by necessity DIY.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 2, 2018
Hmm, how to describe this one?
As with many of McKnight's other works, the tone of this read is comedic in a screwball comedy kind of way. It's not quite romance though the book is centered on the theme of soulmates and has Eros and Aphrodite as characters. The story is just a weird mix of a lot of different elements coming together.
So, if you want a read with lesbian protagonists and something out of the ordinary than the usual lesfic fare, this is a good fit.
As always with McKnight, the quality of writing is high and I was entertained.
What made it a bit strange for me was that I couldn't figure out what type of book it was for awhile. I went into reading this blind without looking at the blurb or reviews so I just had to follow where the story was taking me.
Color me surprised that the first 30% of the read is like a young adult novel since it focuses on a seventeen year old character in high school where the tone is more real and serious. But, I was thrown here, too, because a few sex scenes are involved and they're steamy.
As a side note, if I'm reading a YA/NA novel intended for a YA/NA audience and there are explicit scenes, fine. But, it did feel a little weird to me to be reading an adult novel intended for an adult audience and I'm reading about teens in sexual scenarios. Does that make sense? It's such a fine line and could just be me.
There's also very little that is paranormal or fantasy through this section...
But, after that first part, we then jump into the fantasy aspect of the read where that teenager becomes a side character and the main cast grows into a handful of people. We're now watching a bungling operation at play in a very dysfunctional, fantastical world and the tone is comedic.
Through the book, we are rooting for two soulmates to come together but a warm and fuzzy romance this is not. The entire read is watching our soulmates with *other* people.
I was happy to follow the shenanigans of the new pack of leads since their characters were fun. I did happen to predict the outcome of the story and ended up having questions after the last page of the book...
But, I'm thinking too much. The read is just supposed to be a fun and goofy ride and that it did well.
I'd put this in the high 3 stars.
As with many of McKnight's other works, the tone of this read is comedic in a screwball comedy kind of way. It's not quite romance though the book is centered on the theme of soulmates and has Eros and Aphrodite as characters. The story is just a weird mix of a lot of different elements coming together.
So, if you want a read with lesbian protagonists and something out of the ordinary than the usual lesfic fare, this is a good fit.
As always with McKnight, the quality of writing is high and I was entertained.
What made it a bit strange for me was that I couldn't figure out what type of book it was for awhile. I went into reading this blind without looking at the blurb or reviews so I just had to follow where the story was taking me.
Color me surprised that the first 30% of the read is like a young adult novel since it focuses on a seventeen year old character in high school where the tone is more real and serious. But, I was thrown here, too, because a few sex scenes are involved and they're steamy.
As a side note, if I'm reading a YA/NA novel intended for a YA/NA audience and there are explicit scenes, fine. But, it did feel a little weird to me to be reading an adult novel intended for an adult audience and I'm reading about teens in sexual scenarios. Does that make sense? It's such a fine line and could just be me.
There's also very little that is paranormal or fantasy through this section...
But, after that first part, we then jump into the fantasy aspect of the read where that teenager becomes a side character and the main cast grows into a handful of people. We're now watching a bungling operation at play in a very dysfunctional, fantastical world and the tone is comedic.
Through the book, we are rooting for two soulmates to come together but a warm and fuzzy romance this is not. The entire read is watching our soulmates with *other* people.
I was happy to follow the shenanigans of the new pack of leads since their characters were fun. I did happen to predict the outcome of the story and ended up having questions after the last page of the book...
But, I'm thinking too much. The read is just supposed to be a fun and goofy ride and that it did well.
I'd put this in the high 3 stars.
November 25, 2017
Wow!
If you want to read something brilliantly written, intriguing and unpredictable in a way that keeps your eyes glued to the page then this is the novel for you.
This story follows the lives of soul mates, the meddling of the Gods and the work of the Soul Selector whose job it is to bring the soul mates together.
Absolutely loved it. I long for a sequel but it seems only fair that there isn't...perplexed? Then read it and you shall be enlightened.
If you want to read something brilliantly written, intriguing and unpredictable in a way that keeps your eyes glued to the page then this is the novel for you.
This story follows the lives of soul mates, the meddling of the Gods and the work of the Soul Selector whose job it is to bring the soul mates together.
Absolutely loved it. I long for a sequel but it seems only fair that there isn't...perplexed? Then read it and you shall be enlightened.
January 9, 2023
This was 5 stars until the rushed ending that left unanswered questions.
I loved everything else about it though.
I loved everything else about it though.
December 2, 2019
This is a difficult novel to review without having it be nothing but spoilers.
I don't know exactly what I was expecting with this novel, but what I got wasn't it. Maybe if I had been looking for something other than a romance, I'd have been more satisfied. Which brings me to the most important part of my review: If you are expecting a traditional romance then I would suggest looking elsewhere.
Soul Selecta is romantic in the same way that The Princess Bride is romantic. Sure there is a greater theme of true love, but really the story is about a giant, a swordsman, and a pirate named Wesley as they try and complete their destinies.
Soul Selecta is kind of like that. The Soul Selector (our protagonist), Death, and a character I can't name have to thwart the Greek Pantheon of Gods as they attempt to put true love back on its destined path.
The novel is often funny and quirky. I like Gill McKnight's writing style. I had a big problem with the novel though. Spoiler --->
So if you are in the mood for something that is lighthearted and fun, but not a romance, this might be for you.
I don't know exactly what I was expecting with this novel, but what I got wasn't it. Maybe if I had been looking for something other than a romance, I'd have been more satisfied. Which brings me to the most important part of my review: If you are expecting a traditional romance then I would suggest looking elsewhere.
Soul Selecta is romantic in the same way that The Princess Bride is romantic. Sure there is a greater theme of true love, but really the story is about a giant, a swordsman, and a pirate named Wesley as they try and complete their destinies.
Soul Selecta is kind of like that. The Soul Selector (our protagonist), Death, and a character I can't name have to thwart the Greek Pantheon of Gods as they attempt to put true love back on its destined path.
The novel is often funny and quirky. I like Gill McKnight's writing style. I had a big problem with the novel though. Spoiler --->
So if you are in the mood for something that is lighthearted and fun, but not a romance, this might be for you.
December 22, 2018
This book was good but in an awful way. The whole soul mate stuff is very impressing and kinda fucked up. Esp how Jess died, all those dreams, washed away. And how those were going to meet is still a blank space for me. But the story with Soul Selecta and Loa was interesting.
May 10, 2015
Honestly, one of my favourite books released this year and probably last year as well, to the point I read it in one sitting, in the bath, resulting in me having the pruniest feet in the world and possibly a cold.
Without giving away any spoilers, it's an easy book to read and get lost in. In all her books Gill McKnight creates characters that are believable and also incredibly likeable.
It's not the strongest on the romance front but is fun and a light-hearted read. Would recommend to anyone but especially those looking for a break from all the angst so commonly found in the genre.
Without giving away any spoilers, it's an easy book to read and get lost in. In all her books Gill McKnight creates characters that are believable and also incredibly likeable.
It's not the strongest on the romance front but is fun and a light-hearted read. Would recommend to anyone but especially those looking for a break from all the angst so commonly found in the genre.
May 4, 2015
ARC
Quick, fun read. Hard to describe without too many spoilers. I enjoyed falling into this without knowing too much about it. Refreshingly not a formula romance, but rather focussed on a supposed behind the scenes.
I always enjoy McKnight's comedic voice and I was happy to enjoy it here as well. There's always a danger of it being too much and too cute, but it really worked.
Death just may be my new favorite character.
Quick, fun read. Hard to describe without too many spoilers. I enjoyed falling into this without knowing too much about it. Refreshingly not a formula romance, but rather focussed on a supposed behind the scenes.
I always enjoy McKnight's comedic voice and I was happy to enjoy it here as well. There's always a danger of it being too much and too cute, but it really worked.
Death just may be my new favorite character.
January 4, 2016
I went into it expecting a romance, and that wasn't this book at all. The description really doesn't give the story justice, but I don't think there's a simple way to explain without giving away everything. This was a weird and wonderful little book and I'm glad I read it.
December 16, 2015
I loved this book, but I have loved everything from this author. It was smart and funny kept me interested through the whole story. I hope that there will be more
February 28, 2018
Okay, first off -- and I'm sure this has been said before but it bears repeating -- this is not a romance book. It's a fantasy book, centered around the concept/theme of romance.
I definitely feel like it was a mistake on the author's parts to not have our fated couple interact, at all. It greatly lowers the dramatic stakes - of this girl trying to reach the other girl - when we have no real reason to care about their relationship.
And it isn't like the author isn't capable of writing compellingly! I found the prologue awesome, and I spent the whole book waiting for payoff for it. Which, I saw the tie-in coming, and in my opinion, there wasn't payoff for it.
The ending feels like a cheap sequel hook. If the author writes a sequel, I'll gladly read it, but I am disappointed with the ending.
Oh, also, fuck off with the one soulmate having depression because And I get it's a fantasy book, but you just can't represent very real, life altering illnesses like that.
And! The teenager threesome with cheerleaders was weird and gross. It felt cheap, like something out of Glee or Riverdale or shows of those ilk.
So. yeah. In the end, a fun book with some glaring flaws.
I definitely feel like it was a mistake on the author's parts to not have our fated couple interact, at all. It greatly lowers the dramatic stakes - of this girl trying to reach the other girl - when we have no real reason to care about their relationship.
And it isn't like the author isn't capable of writing compellingly! I found the prologue awesome, and I spent the whole book waiting for payoff for it. Which, I saw the tie-in coming, and in my opinion, there wasn't payoff for it.
The ending feels like a cheap sequel hook. If the author writes a sequel, I'll gladly read it, but I am disappointed with the ending.
Oh, also, fuck off with the one soulmate having depression because And I get it's a fantasy book, but you just can't represent very real, life altering illnesses like that.
And! The teenager threesome with cheerleaders was weird and gross. It felt cheap, like something out of Glee or Riverdale or shows of those ilk.
So. yeah. In the end, a fun book with some glaring flaws.
July 23, 2024
Brilliant
Brilliant read. Love the humour and great story. Love it when there are clever twists in the plot. Look forward to more by the author.
Brilliant read. Love the humour and great story. Love it when there are clever twists in the plot. Look forward to more by the author.
January 18, 2016
* ARC received via NetGalley.
Gill McKnight's latest book is a unique take on the 'soul mates' plot device. The prologue plays out like a Shakespearean tragedy and left me befuddled as to its significance to the plot. (The answer comes later on and was quite surprising.) Then we jump into the book and meet one of our souls. I'll tell you right now, this book was not what I was expecting it to be.
Depending on what you're looking for you may like or dislike Soul Selector. There's a lot of Greek mythology and various deities make appearances but the main POVs are the Soul Selector, Jesse, and Norrie. Surprisingly there isn't a lot of romance. Sure, the overall plot could be considered romantic, but the soul mates are separate for the majority of the book. There are some pretty hot sex scenes though, but it's mostly the journey the two have to make towards each other and ends when they finally meet. The characters are motley bunch--from Jesse's stubbornness, Death's lisped theatrics to Soul Selector's disillusioned frustration, there is no lack of characters with...character. The mood of the book changes from humorous to depressing throughout as our group of deities fumble about trying to unite the two unusually frustrating souls.
Overall the book was fun, quick read but it was almost too strange for me and not enough interaction between our two soul mates felt like something was missing and left me feeling rather unfulfilled at the end. If you're looking for something fun to read that doesn't take itself too seriously, give this a go. But if you're look for a purely romantic story with great chemistry between two love interests then you may want to look elsewhere.
Gill McKnight's latest book is a unique take on the 'soul mates' plot device. The prologue plays out like a Shakespearean tragedy and left me befuddled as to its significance to the plot. (The answer comes later on and was quite surprising.) Then we jump into the book and meet one of our souls. I'll tell you right now, this book was not what I was expecting it to be.
Depending on what you're looking for you may like or dislike Soul Selector. There's a lot of Greek mythology and various deities make appearances but the main POVs are the Soul Selector, Jesse, and Norrie. Surprisingly there isn't a lot of romance. Sure, the overall plot could be considered romantic, but the soul mates are separate for the majority of the book. There are some pretty hot sex scenes though, but it's mostly the journey the two have to make towards each other and ends when they finally meet. The characters are motley bunch--from Jesse's stubbornness, Death's lisped theatrics to Soul Selector's disillusioned frustration, there is no lack of characters with...character. The mood of the book changes from humorous to depressing throughout as our group of deities fumble about trying to unite the two unusually frustrating souls.
Overall the book was fun, quick read but it was almost too strange for me and not enough interaction between our two soul mates felt like something was missing and left me feeling rather unfulfilled at the end. If you're looking for something fun to read that doesn't take itself too seriously, give this a go. But if you're look for a purely romantic story with great chemistry between two love interests then you may want to look elsewhere.
December 21, 2015
This could have been really interesting. Notice the "could have been" there. Unfortunately, the pacing was off, the writing needed a bit more polish, and there was an utterly ridiculous amount of descriptive sex. Most of the characters came across as one dimensional, including our lovely but nameless Soul Selector protagonist. It was a clever idea, though, and there were parts that were absolutely hysterical - like actually laugh out loud kind of funny. Which shocked me, because I wasn't really enjoying the book much, but there you have it. As LGBTQA, it was an interesting idea - that these women would be born again and again, meeting each other over and over, but something just got lost in the translation. (Also, I would be interested to see the characters swap genders - who says that a soul is male or female?).
2.5 stars, lots of explicit sex. Like, a surprising amount. And it was kinda gratuitous.
2.5 stars, lots of explicit sex. Like, a surprising amount. And it was kinda gratuitous.
March 23, 2015
I didn't really care for this one. The soul mates took forever to get together. There just wasn't enough going on that really grabbed me and make me want to devour this one. I wasn't able to finish it.
Rec'd a copy from NetGalley for an honest review.
Rec'd a copy from NetGalley for an honest review.
dnf
July 18, 2016A DNF Netgalley title. Stuck with this through love suicide, an inept soulmate selector, and kinky cheerleader shower sex. But when Death arrived on the scene sporting a lisp, I just had to call it a day...
April 19, 2015
Fun and hilarious, great story
January 13, 2016
Not your run of the mill romance, but definitely worth a read.
February 1, 2025
I love mythical sapphic theme novels and this one is good.
I truly enjoyed it and will re-read it again in future!
I truly enjoyed it and will re-read it again in future!
October 28, 2015
Some parts are 5 stars worth, but as a whole 3.8 to 4 will do
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews