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Terra Soul
Ayla thinks she's just a comic-book geek with photophobia until the day a space fold opens in her living room. Her father drags her through to an alien world. Her birthplace. Karanik.
For the first time in her life Ayla can see without pain. She's home. She's where she belongs. There are just a few problems:
Her dad accidentally dragged Justin, another comic-geek whose been crushing on her all summer, through to Karanik with them.
Her long lost sister, Eren, thinks she's some sort of messiah, and hates her for it.
Her grandmother, Matron Beyz, the powerful and intimidating head of the clan, wants to control her every move in hopes of forming Ayla into a leader like herself.
Finally, Ayla learns that a race of soul-drinking aliens that have infested Karanik have some how reached Earth. Now it's up to her to return and save a world that was never her's to begin with. But to do it she'll need to come to grips with who she really is.
For the first time in her life Ayla can see without pain. She's home. She's where she belongs. There are just a few problems:
Her dad accidentally dragged Justin, another comic-geek whose been crushing on her all summer, through to Karanik with them.
Her long lost sister, Eren, thinks she's some sort of messiah, and hates her for it.
Her grandmother, Matron Beyz, the powerful and intimidating head of the clan, wants to control her every move in hopes of forming Ayla into a leader like herself.
Finally, Ayla learns that a race of soul-drinking aliens that have infested Karanik have some how reached Earth. Now it's up to her to return and save a world that was never her's to begin with. But to do it she'll need to come to grips with who she really is.
- GenresFantasy
384 pages, Paperback
Published June 24, 2016
21 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Abraham
1 book6 followersAs a child raised in the Southwest United States on the border of one of the largest oil fields in the country, S.J. Abraham was a lonely nerd. With no interest in rodeo or baseball, he spent his time reading. His heroes were fictional characters and great novelists. It wasn’t long before he started scratching out his own stories.
In recent years he has embraced his geekieness and has set to work turning his writing hobby into a career as a novelist. While he originally wrote for adults, he has since realized he is still fifteen at heart, so he now focuses on writing for Young Adults.
S.J. lives in the beautiful city of Colorado Springs, where all the exciting outdoor activities are wasted on him, though the ever-changing views fire his creativity like few things can. He spends the shreds of his free time playing with his wife, children, brothers, sisters, friends, nephews and little nieces.
In recent years he has embraced his geekieness and has set to work turning his writing hobby into a career as a novelist. While he originally wrote for adults, he has since realized he is still fifteen at heart, so he now focuses on writing for Young Adults.
S.J. lives in the beautiful city of Colorado Springs, where all the exciting outdoor activities are wasted on him, though the ever-changing views fire his creativity like few things can. He spends the shreds of his free time playing with his wife, children, brothers, sisters, friends, nephews and little nieces.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 28, 2017
This book, ya'll. Just wow.
I was starting to think I've been ruined for books and was incapable of truly enjoying them anymore. So I didn't have high expectations going into Terra Soul by S.J. Abraham. I definitely wasn't expecting to love it. But I did and I'm so glad!!
The story is mostly from the perspective of Ayla - a geeky teenager whose normal life is smashed to bits when she gets zapped to another planet. But at least she gets the benefit of some answers: why she and her family are so tall, can't tolerate bright light, what happened to her mother when she died, and more. But poor Justin had finally worked up the courage to approach Ayla - he was hoping for a date, not to be whisked across the galaxy. Neither of them were planning to be caught up in political machinations or a war against vicious souleaters. They definitely weren't expecting to become Earth's only hope.
I loved the tone of this book. It was tense and serious but also snarky and funny. I felt that way whether the characters were at the comic store in the mall or underground on a foreign planet. The idea of a moon-like "well of souls" and soul items that reveal the shape of ones soul - objects that represent who you are. (It's such a beautiful, cool concept that I can't explain well without spoiling.) The book felt like contemporary fantasy not science fiction. Not once did I question any of the characters’ actions, emotions, motives – every aspect was handled perfectly. And I loved the moral and ethical dilemmas Ayla faced - they weren't easy and there were times she messed up as she struggled over what kind of leader she wants to be. (The whole does-the-end-justify-the-means debate...) Oh - and anyone who knows me knows my obsession with culture. The Karani - they were not necessarily likeable but they had a rich culture that was fascinating.
The only flaw that I saw - there was occasional swearing denoted as swear symbols (#$@&%*!). I don’t have a problem with characters swearing though I prefer the less severe words and it certainly fit the situations. But since the words weren’t actually shown, inevitably my brain always tried to plug a real word into those spots (and sadly, my instinct often went to the words I’d rather not be thinking). It was the only time the dialogue tripped me up.
I liked the ending, too. Not all done up in a bow but plenty of closure with the door wide open for a sequel. And I want it now!!!!! (I really, really hope there are plans for one.) Also, I think Terra Soul would translate fantastically to film. Hint hint movie/tv people!! (Btw, Terra Soul is also a finalist for Realm Makers' Debut Novel of the Year!)
I was starting to think I've been ruined for books and was incapable of truly enjoying them anymore. So I didn't have high expectations going into Terra Soul by S.J. Abraham. I definitely wasn't expecting to love it. But I did and I'm so glad!!
The story is mostly from the perspective of Ayla - a geeky teenager whose normal life is smashed to bits when she gets zapped to another planet. But at least she gets the benefit of some answers: why she and her family are so tall, can't tolerate bright light, what happened to her mother when she died, and more. But poor Justin had finally worked up the courage to approach Ayla - he was hoping for a date, not to be whisked across the galaxy. Neither of them were planning to be caught up in political machinations or a war against vicious souleaters. They definitely weren't expecting to become Earth's only hope.
I loved the tone of this book. It was tense and serious but also snarky and funny. I felt that way whether the characters were at the comic store in the mall or underground on a foreign planet. The idea of a moon-like "well of souls" and soul items that reveal the shape of ones soul - objects that represent who you are. (It's such a beautiful, cool concept that I can't explain well without spoiling.) The book felt like contemporary fantasy not science fiction. Not once did I question any of the characters’ actions, emotions, motives – every aspect was handled perfectly. And I loved the moral and ethical dilemmas Ayla faced - they weren't easy and there were times she messed up as she struggled over what kind of leader she wants to be. (The whole does-the-end-justify-the-means debate...) Oh - and anyone who knows me knows my obsession with culture. The Karani - they were not necessarily likeable but they had a rich culture that was fascinating.
The only flaw that I saw - there was occasional swearing denoted as swear symbols (#$@&%*!). I don’t have a problem with characters swearing though I prefer the less severe words and it certainly fit the situations. But since the words weren’t actually shown, inevitably my brain always tried to plug a real word into those spots (and sadly, my instinct often went to the words I’d rather not be thinking). It was the only time the dialogue tripped me up.
I liked the ending, too. Not all done up in a bow but plenty of closure with the door wide open for a sequel. And I want it now!!!!! (I really, really hope there are plans for one.) Also, I think Terra Soul would translate fantastically to film. Hint hint movie/tv people!! (Btw, Terra Soul is also a finalist for Realm Makers' Debut Novel of the Year!)
November 22, 2016
This book is intriguing, and doesn't have anything weird or inappropriate. It's a sci fi book that is unworldly and right up my ally (tho he could have added dragons). Like, it literally takes place in another world.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews