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Jubal Van Zandt #3
Soul Jar
The best thief in the history of the Revived Earth is on a literal deadline—find a cure for the plague or die—but when the universe drops the ultimate extortion fodder into his lap, what’s Jubal supposed to do, say no?
Turns out Nick Beausoleil isn’t the perfect Guild knight in shining armor his fiancée thinks he is. Nickie-boy made a big mistake while Carina was in prison, and now he’s got a deep, dark secret he needs Jubal Van Zandt to help him cover up. The kind of deep, dark secret Jubal could use to destroy their relationship and disgrace the overly muscled meathead forever in Carina’s eyes.
Turns out Nick Beausoleil isn’t the perfect Guild knight in shining armor his fiancée thinks he is. Nickie-boy made a big mistake while Carina was in prison, and now he’s got a deep, dark secret he needs Jubal Van Zandt to help him cover up. The kind of deep, dark secret Jubal could use to destroy their relationship and disgrace the overly muscled meathead forever in Carina’s eyes.
- GenresFantasyScience Fiction
241 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 13, 2017
9 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Eden Hudson
52 books315 followersI am being forced against my will by Goodreads to have a capital E at the beginning of my name, even though the correct spelling is "eden." So there's that.
But also . . .
I am invincible. I am a mutant. I have 3 hearts and was born with no eyes. I had eyes implanted later. I didn't have hands, either, just stumps. When my eyes were implanted they asked if I would like hands as well and I said, "Yes, I'll take those," and pointed with my stump. But sometimes I'm a hellbender peeking out from under a rock. When it rains, I live in a music box.
But I'm also a tattoo addict, coffee junkie, drummer, and aspiring skateboarder. Jesus actually is my homeboy.
But also . . .
I am invincible. I am a mutant. I have 3 hearts and was born with no eyes. I had eyes implanted later. I didn't have hands, either, just stumps. When my eyes were implanted they asked if I would like hands as well and I said, "Yes, I'll take those," and pointed with my stump. But sometimes I'm a hellbender peeking out from under a rock. When it rains, I live in a music box.
But I'm also a tattoo addict, coffee junkie, drummer, and aspiring skateboarder. Jesus actually is my homeboy.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 22, 2017
Rtc
Another great book in the series
What a horrible game she was playing! Omg!!!
Nick meanwhile hires Jubal to find something for him, something he traded away, something his girlfriend doesn't know about- a piece of his soul
Another great book in the series
What a horrible game she was playing! Omg!!!
Nick meanwhile hires Jubal to find something for him, something he traded away, something his girlfriend doesn't know about- a piece of his soul
March 15, 2022
DNF @ 10% (Ch.2)
July 19, 2017
Sheesh. This series just keeps getting more and more ridiculously imaginative. If you're not already on board, stop reading this review and go grab the first Jubal Van Zandt book. You'll thank me later, and I'll give you a wink and a finger gun which will make more sense by then.
In this third JVZ volume, Jubal's journey pairs him up with Carina's special man friend, Nick, as they attempt to retrieve a very important metaphysical object -- the soul jar. They're an odd couple in that they're quite different, pretty much hate each other, and are both in love with the same girl. (Or whatever Jubal's version of love is, anyway.) In any case, there's a lot of tension here as we wonder whether or not Jubal really plans to help the guy he sees as his adversary, and if not, how far he's willing to go to come out the "victor."
Meanwhile, Carina enters a VR tank where she plays a favorite game of both Nick's and Jubal's. The game's storyline gives us strange cult ceremonies which involve flaying and burning human bodies, and here again, the tension gets to be unbearable by the end. This was an awesome tonal shift from JVZ's hilarious and glib POV, and the way the two storylines peaked at the same time made the book impossible to put down for the final 50 pages or so.
Once more, the newest entry in the series adds depth to the characters and expands the horizons of Jubal Van Zandt's world in a way that's both charming and almost bewildering in its ever-expanding layers of detail, lore, and intrigue. eden Hudson is a special talent, people. Just read the books already.
I have to say that I just finished Soul Jar a few minutes ago, and I'm very much uneasy about where all of this is going. I don't want bad things to happen to Jubal, though part of the time I think maybe they should. I'm scared, guys, and I don't want to wait to find out!
In this third JVZ volume, Jubal's journey pairs him up with Carina's special man friend, Nick, as they attempt to retrieve a very important metaphysical object -- the soul jar. They're an odd couple in that they're quite different, pretty much hate each other, and are both in love with the same girl. (Or whatever Jubal's version of love is, anyway.) In any case, there's a lot of tension here as we wonder whether or not Jubal really plans to help the guy he sees as his adversary, and if not, how far he's willing to go to come out the "victor."
Meanwhile, Carina enters a VR tank where she plays a favorite game of both Nick's and Jubal's. The game's storyline gives us strange cult ceremonies which involve flaying and burning human bodies, and here again, the tension gets to be unbearable by the end. This was an awesome tonal shift from JVZ's hilarious and glib POV, and the way the two storylines peaked at the same time made the book impossible to put down for the final 50 pages or so.
Once more, the newest entry in the series adds depth to the characters and expands the horizons of Jubal Van Zandt's world in a way that's both charming and almost bewildering in its ever-expanding layers of detail, lore, and intrigue. eden Hudson is a special talent, people. Just read the books already.
I have to say that I just finished Soul Jar a few minutes ago, and I'm very much uneasy about where all of this is going. I don't want bad things to happen to Jubal, though part of the time I think maybe they should. I'm scared, guys, and I don't want to wait to find out!
July 19, 2017
Soul Jar is two stories running parallel. The chapters alternate between the two stories and makes for a unique read as they are woven together in a magical tapestry.
The first story is Carina's story as she plays an unbelievably gruesome video game called Tsunami Tsity in which she becomes a character by the name of Miyo. This game is a favorite of Jubal's who proclaimed it life changing. The first level in the game is called Story Mode. At this level Carina performs feats that are quite horrific and sadistic. Playing this game will take Carina several days to complete which Nick, Carina's fiancé, is banking on, since he has hired someone to help him recover something he's lost. Carina's full and uninterrupted concentration on the game is required in order for Nick to take off undetected and without Carina's knowledge as he pursues this lost item. Hmmm, what's he got up his sleeve?
The second story is Jubal's story. Yup, Nick hires, who else, but the one and only narcissistic and self proclaimed best damn thief in the history of the Revived Earth, Jubal Van Zandt, for this action packed and dangerous job. As to be expected, Nick becomes the butt of Jubal's relentless teasing about Carina. With these two, it's always about Carina and Nick's green eyed monster doesn't cotton too kindly to those fightin' words, lol. The jabs and digs that Jubal takes at Nick leaves Nick grinding his teeth and clenching his fists. I almost feel sorry for Nick...almost. Nick knows what he's getting into when he hires Jubal and the fact that he's hiding this job from Carina accounts for withdrawing my sympathy.
Soul Jar is another rip roaring great read from one of my fave authors. Do I recommend this book? Hell yes! In fact I recommend anything this author writes and I'll follow her where ever she wants to take me. I'd love to climb into this author's mind just to find out how she creates these mind bending plots. So ladies and gents, hang onto your shorts because you're in for another wild ride. Yes you are. You are in for a treat, I tell you. On second thought, make it a twelve course meal!
The first story is Carina's story as she plays an unbelievably gruesome video game called Tsunami Tsity in which she becomes a character by the name of Miyo. This game is a favorite of Jubal's who proclaimed it life changing. The first level in the game is called Story Mode. At this level Carina performs feats that are quite horrific and sadistic. Playing this game will take Carina several days to complete which Nick, Carina's fiancé, is banking on, since he has hired someone to help him recover something he's lost. Carina's full and uninterrupted concentration on the game is required in order for Nick to take off undetected and without Carina's knowledge as he pursues this lost item. Hmmm, what's he got up his sleeve?
The second story is Jubal's story. Yup, Nick hires, who else, but the one and only narcissistic and self proclaimed best damn thief in the history of the Revived Earth, Jubal Van Zandt, for this action packed and dangerous job. As to be expected, Nick becomes the butt of Jubal's relentless teasing about Carina. With these two, it's always about Carina and Nick's green eyed monster doesn't cotton too kindly to those fightin' words, lol. The jabs and digs that Jubal takes at Nick leaves Nick grinding his teeth and clenching his fists. I almost feel sorry for Nick...almost. Nick knows what he's getting into when he hires Jubal and the fact that he's hiding this job from Carina accounts for withdrawing my sympathy.
Soul Jar is another rip roaring great read from one of my fave authors. Do I recommend this book? Hell yes! In fact I recommend anything this author writes and I'll follow her where ever she wants to take me. I'd love to climb into this author's mind just to find out how she creates these mind bending plots. So ladies and gents, hang onto your shorts because you're in for another wild ride. Yes you are. You are in for a treat, I tell you. On second thought, make it a twelve course meal!
July 27, 2017
https://koeur.wordpress.com/2017/07/2...
Publisher: Shadow Alley
Publishing Date: July 2017
ISBN: B073XG9P4R
Genre: Scifi/Fantasy
Rating: 3.9/5
Publishers Description: The best thief in the history of the Revived Earth is on a literal deadline—find a cure for the plague or die—but when the universe drops the ultimate extortion fodder into his lap, what’s Jubal supposed to do, say no?
Review: Jubal is back and is in fine form once again. Where Bloodslinger was pure genius and Beautiful Corpse rendered a miserable flop, Soul Jar picks up the pieces and races to the finish line in fine form. Half of this novel is Jubal on a quest of sorts, to retrieve Nick’s fractured soul and the other half is Carina, mired in a virtual reality game.
I loved the pace and ever evolving characters of this installment and although Carina is gaming in a make believe world, the story is fantastic. “So why you no give 5 stars!!!”. Too dam short. These novels need to be full length space operas to really expand the world and develop immersive story lines. Also, Nick keeps getting in deeper shjt, so you can only surmise that Jubal will eventually get to banging Carina. That is just a guess on my part. Hopefully I am pleasantly surprised. Anyhoo a great recovery with more epic moments in store. GET THIS!!
Publisher: Shadow Alley
Publishing Date: July 2017
ISBN: B073XG9P4R
Genre: Scifi/Fantasy
Rating: 3.9/5
Publishers Description: The best thief in the history of the Revived Earth is on a literal deadline—find a cure for the plague or die—but when the universe drops the ultimate extortion fodder into his lap, what’s Jubal supposed to do, say no?
Review: Jubal is back and is in fine form once again. Where Bloodslinger was pure genius and Beautiful Corpse rendered a miserable flop, Soul Jar picks up the pieces and races to the finish line in fine form. Half of this novel is Jubal on a quest of sorts, to retrieve Nick’s fractured soul and the other half is Carina, mired in a virtual reality game.
I loved the pace and ever evolving characters of this installment and although Carina is gaming in a make believe world, the story is fantastic. “So why you no give 5 stars!!!”. Too dam short. These novels need to be full length space operas to really expand the world and develop immersive story lines. Also, Nick keeps getting in deeper shjt, so you can only surmise that Jubal will eventually get to banging Carina. That is just a guess on my part. Hopefully I am pleasantly surprised. Anyhoo a great recovery with more epic moments in store. GET THIS!!
July 21, 2017
Fantastic book, and the Jubal Van Zandt series keeps getting better and better! This book flips back and forth between Jubal and Nick trying to outwit an ancient being, and Carina playing through the virtual reality game, "Tsunami Tsity."
Sounds boring, right? Wrong! I'm constantly amazed at the complex and interesting world that Hudson has created. As I've said in my previous reviews, it is mysterious enough that my mind is constantly trying to figure out the history. Is it this earth, set in the future? Is it an alternative universe? In this world, magic and science co-exist, and everything seems to have a gritty "Bladerunner" vibe.
The "Tsunami Tsity" VR game, in itself, a compelling story. It is a virtual reality game where you are completely immersed in the story, and able to look and feel and move around while encased in a coffin-like console. I don't want to reveal spoilers, but as you read "Soul Jar," you start to understand WHY Jubal Van Zandt has wanted Carina to play this game.
This book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, as usual, which just leaves the reader eager for more. I highly recommend this book, and this whole series, although I'd recommend with starting with the first book (Revenge of the Bloodslinger) rather than jumping in and reading this one first.
Sounds boring, right? Wrong! I'm constantly amazed at the complex and interesting world that Hudson has created. As I've said in my previous reviews, it is mysterious enough that my mind is constantly trying to figure out the history. Is it this earth, set in the future? Is it an alternative universe? In this world, magic and science co-exist, and everything seems to have a gritty "Bladerunner" vibe.
The "Tsunami Tsity" VR game, in itself, a compelling story. It is a virtual reality game where you are completely immersed in the story, and able to look and feel and move around while encased in a coffin-like console. I don't want to reveal spoilers, but as you read "Soul Jar," you start to understand WHY Jubal Van Zandt has wanted Carina to play this game.
This book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, as usual, which just leaves the reader eager for more. I highly recommend this book, and this whole series, although I'd recommend with starting with the first book (Revenge of the Bloodslinger) rather than jumping in and reading this one first.
July 24, 2017
If back in school they had let us choose our own books to read, instead of handing us out old and boring romantic stories, I would had become the best reader in the history of the Revived Earth... oops, I mean in my class. Original and colorful stories like this ones are becoming very rare, and I'm very glad that the series is still going on. It really puts a smile on my face when I see that a new volume is coming out.
October 24, 2017
Fantastic!
Our favorite psychopath outmaneuvered, outplayed, out double crossed everyone in his pursuit of relationship with Carina. It was disappointing to see Nick double-dealing (unsuccessfully) and going behind Carina’s back. The game played was of extreme brutality, violence and pain of moral and ethical choices and it was great to see Carina go through all this pain i order to understand Jabal.
Our favorite psychopath outmaneuvered, outplayed, out double crossed everyone in his pursuit of relationship with Carina. It was disappointing to see Nick double-dealing (unsuccessfully) and going behind Carina’s back. The game played was of extreme brutality, violence and pain of moral and ethical choices and it was great to see Carina go through all this pain i order to understand Jabal.
July 18, 2020
Not my favorite of the series, but I can't give Jubal less than 5 stars.
August 25, 2017
Quick but entertaining.
Another great adventure for Jubal Van Zandt. This is a strange but fascinating world and all I want is to hurry up and get another episode.
Another great adventure for Jubal Van Zandt. This is a strange but fascinating world and all I want is to hurry up and get another episode.
January 7, 2018
I enjoyed Soul Jar more than I did Beautiful Corpse.
The Van Zandt novels always leave me thinking at the end of them, and I can never write the review off the cuff. I have to step back. The characters go through a lot of internal changes. In my mind, Jubal becomes pathologically more certain of his opinions, which is disappointing not in terms of writing but in terms of my friend, Jubal, who's making some crappy choices. Carina seems less romantic/ranty and more contemplative, but she's also deluded in that she seems to think just because there's only one outcome possible (which isn't as certain as she seems to think), there must be only one course of action. And Nick... I was really surprised to see Nick become weak. He was such a physical and mental tank in the second book, despite the protagonists' low opinions of him.
I guess what I'm saying is that these books make you care about the characters in a really personal way, and this book in particular shows them all as a little broken, if more introspective, and I'm hoping they recover or there won't be a happy ending for any of them.
In terms of the plot, it's as fun as always to romp around the new Earth, with its acid rain, skinner tribes, semi-cyborgs, and eldritch ancient saints and anti-saints. I'm looking forward to the next one.
The Van Zandt novels always leave me thinking at the end of them, and I can never write the review off the cuff. I have to step back. The characters go through a lot of internal changes. In my mind, Jubal becomes pathologically more certain of his opinions, which is disappointing not in terms of writing but in terms of my friend, Jubal, who's making some crappy choices. Carina seems less romantic/ranty and more contemplative, but she's also deluded in that she seems to think just because there's only one outcome possible (which isn't as certain as she seems to think), there must be only one course of action. And Nick... I was really surprised to see Nick become weak. He was such a physical and mental tank in the second book, despite the protagonists' low opinions of him.
I guess what I'm saying is that these books make you care about the characters in a really personal way, and this book in particular shows them all as a little broken, if more introspective, and I'm hoping they recover or there won't be a happy ending for any of them.
In terms of the plot, it's as fun as always to romp around the new Earth, with its acid rain, skinner tribes, semi-cyborgs, and eldritch ancient saints and anti-saints. I'm looking forward to the next one.
July 22, 2019
Jubal Van Zandt
Book 3, it just keeps getting better. I have liked each book better than the last. Very interesting and twisting plot. Thoroughly enjoyed and Look forward to the next in this series.
Book 3, it just keeps getting better. I have liked each book better than the last. Very interesting and twisting plot. Thoroughly enjoyed and Look forward to the next in this series.
January 16, 2019
flowed well from the earlier books and paved the way for plenty mroe to come
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews