A Soul for Atonement

Soulbearer #4

by Crista McHugh

AArden Soulbearer has fought a god, defeated a necromancer, and driven enemy invaders out of her homeland. Now, the only reward she desires is to marry the man who’s been by her side through it all--her knight protector, Dev. But with her happy ending almost in reach, an ancient crime returns to haunt them... and the punishment is Dev’s death.

A century ago, a Soulbearer stole a sacred relic from the Ornathians, and now their king demands a sacrifice of Dev's blood to lift the blight cursing his people. Arden’s only hope to free Dev from the king's prison is to find the relic. But first, she must outwit the one person who knows where the relic is—-Loku, the God of Chaos whose soul resides within her.

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Romance

134 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 10, 2014

About the author

Crista McHugh is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY BESTSELLING author of fantasy and romance with heroines who are smart, sexy, and anything but ordinary.

She also writes fantasy with less kissing and a lot more action as C. A. McHugh.

She currently lives in the Tesla-filled suburbs of Seattle with her husband and two children, maintaining her alter ego of mild-mannered physician on the weekends.

Reviews

[Jacqueline Bertot]

WHAT AN AMZING ADVENTURE!
This is the first book by Crista McHugh that I have read, and now I can certain call myself a FAN! This book has a perfect blend of Fantasy and Romance. She captured me from the First chapter till the completion and left me wanting more. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a strong female lead who will stop at nothing to save her lover.

Arden and Dev are counting down the days until their marriage where they can finally be together always. But someone had another plan; King Adeyemi has come for Dev and will hold him or kill him if a debt is not settled. The Goddess Lireal demands that someone pay for the return of the Blood of Lireal. Arden must out whit the God of Chaos that lives within her soul to find this relic for he is the only one that knows the whereabouts of this treasure. She will have to travel to a place no one dares to go to save the life of her beloved Dev.

The author was very detailed in describing the realms that you felt you were there with the characters. Well written story that kept you turning the pages to see what was to follow. This book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. I can honestly tell you that I am hooked by McHugh writing and she has now found a new follower.

I had not read the previous three books and was still able to follow the story perfectly so it's a good stand a lone book as well. Enjoy.

[Emma Ludlow]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Crista Mchugh has created a novella continuing the story of the soul bearer Arden, who contains the God of Chaos, Loku, and her soon to be husband, Sir Dev. But of course no wedding plans can be complete until the day itself is thrown into doubt when Dev is arrested and due to be executed on the same day they are to tie the knot! Arden is not going to take this lying down. She consults Loku to help her find the relic that will save her fiancé as he is the only one who knows where it is hidden, but can she find it in time? Can she save Dev without releasing the God of Chaos into the world? This story is just as good, if not better than the previous three of the series. I am longing for number 5!

[Shauni]

Originally reviewed for Tea and Book.

When an author writes a series that captures our attention, usually we can only dream of a next installment. Crista McHugh had finished the Soul Bearer Series.. or so she thought. It seems another story needed to be told.

Arden Soulbearer has had it tough, raised in a world if brunettes, Arden is blond. Raised in a world where magic is outlawed, mysterious things seem to happen around her. Dangerous to know but innocent of spirit, just the type if person that the soul of Loki would seek out. Someone he can manipulate *shakes head* or so he thinks.... But that was in the beginning and three books ago. Arden has battled much and has finally found a love that is deep and true. Now all she is looking forward to is the perfect wedding to the man she loves and maybe, just maybe some happily ever after...

We all know that's not going to happen. A crime speaks from the past and suddenly, Arden's fiance is held accountable. Arden's task? Find the stolen artifact or Dev dies. And it has to be done in just a couple of weeks. The question becomes Will Arden be attending a funeral or a wedding?

I enjoyed how Crista has allowed Arden to grow, no longer is she that too trusting girl we first met. Nope now she is strong and confident. Ready to fight her own battles be they against Kings or Kin.

I love that Crista brought us back to revisit Arden and Dev and that she showed us once again the power of love. I would have enjoyed a full length novel rather than a novella but what else is New?

I find Crista a powerful voice in Fantasy and Romance and look forward to many more books. A Soul for Atonement is just another reason why.

Shauni

This review is based on the ARC of A Soul for Atonement, provided by netgalley.

[Vickie]

A Soul for Atonement begins with Arden and Dev sparring. Dev has been training Arden to defend herself, and he’s done a good job! They are also only a couple of weeks away from their wedding. Things couldn’t be better, until the king of the Ornathians decides that his people must offer up a sacrifice to their goddess to try and make amends for the theft of a relic that the last Soulbearer had stolen…..and Loku had hidden. But the Ornathians didn’t want Arden as their sacrifice, they wanted Dev. Arden manages to make a deal, of sorts, with the Ornathians’s king that gives her two weeks to find the relic. Two whole weeks to find something that others have searched for for a century…..Dev warns her not to give too much power to Loku, but when it comes to the man she loves, she’s willing to risk everything, and Loku knows it.


Arden sets out seeking help from various family members and finally, thankfully, finds the help she so desperately needs. She has a trusted ally, a family trusted friend, and of course, Loku, the god of Chaos. And, once she realizes where the relic is hidden, she knows that her task will not be easy. She’s already wasted a few precious days, and Dev’s life hangs in the balance. Will Arden be able to traverse the tricky realm where the relic is hidden and save Dev? Or will the Ornathians sacrifice a soul for atonement? Well, my friends, you’ll just have to read and find out. And, what a read it is!

Crista McHugh has once again blown me away. I was so danged excited that we got to hear more from these characters that I devoured this book in one sitting. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…..No one, and I mean no one, can build a world seemingly as effortlessly as Crista McHugh can. Arden is so relatable that you feel that you know her from the beginning. And, the same can be said for Dev and the rest of the characters. I know it may sound cliché, but when I read a story by Crista McHugh, I can “see” it. I don’t mean just vague things in my mind, I mean SEE it. And, most definitely feel it as well. If you aren’t reading Crista McHugh’s work, you are seriously missing out. Well done, Crista McHugh, very very very well done!!

[Cricket]

I will be honest and start off by saying this is the first book by Crista McHugh that I have ever read, it will also be the first of many. I loved this book. Even though I am starting this series on book four, I could totally get into the book and follow along and bond with the characters. She gives you a bit of background during the book so you can start with book four and you can become immersed in the story. The premises for this story I found refreshing and original.

Arden is the soulbearer for Loku the God Chaos. Loku has been torn from his body and then his body was cremated. Loku is not a nice God nor is he, I feel altogether evil. He is tricky and a bit self centered, after all he is a God who must dwell in a mortals body, but he is not in control the mortal is in control of him, or at least they had better be. Loku must be contained or he will drive the "soulbearer " insane.

Dev is Arden's protector. However in this book, it is up to Arden to save him. Dev must pay for the past crime of the previous soulbearer, who stole an ancient relic from another Gods temple. The price to atone for that crime is Dev's death, unless Arden can recover the stolen relic and return it in time. In order to do that Arden must venture into the world of Chaos. The world of Chaos belongs to Loku, and it is where his power is the strongest, even without a body.


Arden is forced to rely on Callix the one person who seems to hate her and distrust her more than anyone. Can Arden trust Callix to protect her, when in the past he was such a coward? Will Callix survive what the God of Chaos has in store for him?

The story hooks you in, and has you turning pages until you realize you are at the end, then you just want the next book.


Well written, fantasy with a love story, and danger interwoven in a masterful way.

[Rosemary K]

Arden is looking forward to her marriage to Dev. They belong together. Now he is taken from her and his life hangs in the balance. The Ornathians have him and he will die if she can't find The Blood of Lireal and bring it to them. Can she succeed with her quest? I love Arden. She is feisty, smart and determined. She will accomplish her goal even if she puts her own life at risk. She and Dev have a very special relationship. Each will sacrifice for the other. Their love increased the tension. Her battles with Loku, the God of Chaos, were powerful. I applauded how she kept her wits and skillfully tricked this master of deceit. I also enjoyed seeing how Callix, her father's apprentice, changed. He learned how to face his fears and grow in strength and knowledge. Chaos provided the perfect backdrop for this suspenseful story. Crista McHugh has written another great story in The Soulbearer series. I couldn't put down A Soul For Atonement. I must say that I was stunned by the ending.

[Paula]

I am a big fan of Crista McHugh’s contemporary romances but wasn’t sure if I would also like a switch to fantasy. A Soul For Atonement has sold me on anything Crista McHugh writes. It has an intriguing group of characters along with its high level of intensity in a well-developed story. Relics, and gods and retribution, oh my.

I haven’t read the others in the series but fell in love with these characters, even Cinder. These are memorable characters in an amazing world. While Dev’s dilemma is solved in this book, a much bigger one is alluded to between Aden and the God Loku. This is a very addictive story so I’m looking now for more from this author concerning the Soulbearer.

Copy provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

[Lisa]

This is the first book I've read in this series. I could follow along easily but I will definitely be going back to start at the beginning because this is a terrific story. It pulled me in from the very first page. The interaction between Arden and Loku are very entertaining. I can't wait to read the next book.

[Jessica]

I was given an ARC in exchange for a honest review

This was the first book in this series that I read and I can't wait tho get them all. I loved the characters. The story flows perfectly. I was hooked from the first page til the last. I did not want it to end. Great job Crista.

Cristina McHugh is one of my favorite authors definitely a must read

[Mare]

so much for a trilogy. it even ends making you wonder about the next book.
Dev is being punished for a crime of Soulbearer #6 Syd. Arden vows to solve the crime so Dev isnt sacrificed. but her journey leads her into Chaos with Callix who shes not sure she can trust.
guess i have a new series to follow.

[Deniz]

Uhm when is the next book coming out?!'

[Gemma Sayer]

Just brilliant is all I can say. I've thoroughly enjoyed all four books of the soulbearers series. I find Crista McHugh's books very easy to read and enjoy.

[Gypsy Madden]

I love this series! Arden has grown up so much during the course of this saga, from shy bar maid, to where she can actually stand toe to toe with Loku and not be swayed by him, and her determination to save Dev before the time ran out. As usual, I love Loku’s sense of humor, and off-color side-comments while Arden is interacting with others (I almost wish the others in the story could hear him as well). I did miss Dev from this installment, but then there’s not much to do while in captivity. Chaos was a wonderful setting, though it did feel based a little on Oz. And I have to say, that I love that the author left it open enough for another installment in this series to come, since I really hate saying goodbye to the characters already. (Especially with so much more that can be done with the series. Like I really hope we get to see more of Arden getting to know her father, since we barely saw him in this one, and I really loved seeing Dev and Arden in love and the scene of them together was all too brief). I can’t wait for the next book! Yay!

[Gordon]

Overall despite having read the previous trilogy I was pretty disappointed with this installment, the story dragged a fair bit and it really felt like a holding pattern for a more interesting book to come. About the only thing that happens in this book is Arden moving closer and closer to Loku and sometimes remembering to distance herself somewhat. Arden would make a fine Chaos god I reckon and there is some funny Loku dialogue as always. But with Dev out of action for the majority of the book it didn't have the central dynamic that has moved the others along and I think it suffered for that a bit.

If you've read this far I am sure you will pick it up.

[Holly]

The plot seemed a little too simple, but it was still enjoyable. I just love the premise of this series in general - a girl who is inadvertently the bearer of the soul of a god of chaos, Loku. This entails her being able to speak to Loku in her mind and she is able to use some of his powers, but at the cost of him potentially taking over her body and driving her mad. It's refreshingly unique.

[Toni]

I liked this book but it is killing me with cliff hangers.