Soul Storm

Eden Hunter Trilogy #1

by D.N. Erikson

ASIN B077JPCG7F was originally titled Rain Dance. It was re-released as Soul Storm.

Four years ago, con artist Eden Hunter died - only to be reborn as a Reaper on an uncharted island paradise. Now she's just trying not to die again. Which was tricky enough before Eden got framed for murdering her old flame. But Eden's not just concerned about going down for murder. She's got a much bigger secret involving a vengeful (and somewhat drunken) rain goddess she needs to keep quiet. It's why she's living miles from anyone else, even on a mysterious island that appears on no map. And if that secret gets out, the fate awaiting Eden is far worse than life in prison. Too bad the FBI's on her case - and they won't stop digging until it might be too late...

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Paranormal, Ebooks, Vampires, Amazon, Supernatural

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

D.N. Erikson is a USA Today Bestselling paranormal and urban fantasy author. To get your free copy of the novella BONE REALM - and join D.N.'s mailing list for the latest news on upcoming novels - visit dnerikson.com/bone.

D.N's series include THE HALF-DEMON ROGUE TRILOGY (complete), THE RUBY CALLAWAY TRILOGY (complete), and THE EDEN HUNTER TRILOGY (in progress).

Reviews

[Nuria · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5🌟
Me ha sorprendió y para bien. Esta lleno de acción, siempre están pasando cosas y no te da ningún descanso. Me ha encantado sobre todo la protagonista, la personalidad de Eden hace que se meta siempre en líos, es impulsiva y bastante descarada y graciosa y eso la mete en más de un problema haciendo que se meta en más de un lío, lo cual hace que el libro sea cada vez más entretenido. También algo que me sorprendió es que no hay romance, yo pensaba que si que lo iba a haber pero para nada y lo agradezco porque así se centra solo en la trama que en si esta genial. Vamos que este libro se sostiene muy bien por la acción que tiene, no necesita ningún romance. Eso si yo creo que en el segundo puede haber este toque porque al final en este libro si que vemos posibles candidatos de pareja.
En conclusión me ha gustado este libro, me ha sorprendido mucho con esos momentos de acción a todo momento, con giros de la trama bastante buenos y con una protagonista dura, valiente y genial.

[Dev · Rating 4 out of 5]

actual rating: 3.5

Overall this is a pretty standard first book in an urban fantasy series but there is just something there that raises it up to the next level. I did find all the stuff with the reapers interesting though and I'm interested to see how it progresses in the next book. Also I liked the main character and didn't want to murder either one of her potential love interests and like ...that is just monumental for me so that's the main reason why I rounded up instead of down. Definitely an easy read and I'd recommend it if you like urban fantasy but find yourself getting bored because all the settings and protagonists blend together after awhile.

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn’t read any urban fantasy for ages, and with my NetGalley reviews sitting at 87% decided to treat myself to a non-arc read, that I could abandon if I wasn’t enjoying it. This was a freebie from Amazon via bookbub, that I downloaded months ago, then the whole trilogy was advertised for just over $1, with pretty good reviews, which I have to say I agree with overall. This has just enough originality to stand out, without deviating too far from the conventions of the genre.

Eden Hunter is a Reaper, meaning a harvester of souls from the recently departed, who works,under duress, for an ancient gangster vampire, Aldric, on the mysterious tropical island of Atheas, somewhere South of Hawaii. The souls are valuable on the supernatural black market, and only those with special skills can extract them. Four years earlier, Eden was a streetwise con-artist with a Robin Hood complex, but when she was brought back from death after a stabbing, she found herself involuntarily bonded to Aldric, and in debt to the rain goddess who saved her sister. When her ex-boyfriend is found murdered outside her beachfront villa, she becomes the FBI’s top suspect, so must use her wits to solve the mystery and avoid all the pissed off supernatural beings who are trying to kill her, and get her quota of souls delivered on time.

This was a fun read, although the non-stop action and large cast of characters and subplots left me as knackered as the heroine. Eden was a good character, although there was a bit too much snark and not enough humour for my taste.
The island setting made an interesting change and the world-building was well done, although I felt we waited a long time for explanations and backstory.
There are two possible love interests, but, refreshingly, no romance or sex scenes, and Eden is pretty good at rescuing herself using only her brain, rather than any convenient special powers. There’s also a wonderfully grumpy talking cat. The mystery is wrapped up very satisfactorily and it sounds like the next book is a new story, which I look forward to reading soon.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written but a tad dark for my taste. Not gory violent dark, just the main character, usually beat-up bedraggled and sleepless, going from one horrible situation to the next without even a glimmer of goodness in her dismal world.

[Peridot · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished this book and I LOVED IT!
I loved everything about it!

I loved that the author set the setting in a more exotic place, we see rain, clouds and packed city streets all the time in urban fantasy, but a city running alongside a jungle with monkeys running around? You don't see that often.

I love that the way the reaper worked was unique and interesting.
I loved that this island was made up, yet still counted as american soil so you had familiar aspects of it, like the FBI coming around and sniffing.

I loved that the MC was female, but her snark wasn't over the top. I loved that there was MULTIPLE attractive male characters and there wasn't any flirting. I LIKE my female MC's because they have more flirting and romantic elements than male MC's but this? This was like "oh my baser instincts" found them attractive but she's there rolling her eyes and being suspicious as hell over why they're in her life all of a sudden. Like, there was 0 romance, 0 tension, but a small mention of being physically attracted to the person which means.. over the books.. there COULD be a romance element, or OR it could not happen because, GOSH! We DO go for longer periods of time in our life without romance.

I loved that the MC wasn't overpowered like hell, but wasn't weak and defenseless.
I loved that she had snark and lip BUT IT GOT HER IN TROUBLE!
I loved that it wasn't just HER who saved the day every time and was the smart one but GOSH SOMEONE ELSE CAME WITH A SOLUTION TOO!

I loved the "vampire warlord" who, QUITE RIGHT, after over 2k years WASN'T SMITTEN WITH THIS IMMATURE 26 YEAR OLD TWAT! I loved that he was annoyed at her, that he seemed to really dislike her but she was an investment that he needed to control and make use of.

I guessed who the 2nd reaper was pretty darn quickly, (and surprised that she didnt), but I also loved that I had 0 clue how the book was going to end. She was up SHIT CREEK and I really saw no way out for her than her being in a really bad spot.

I loved that she wasn't a good character, she wasn't totally moral and fuck. But she wasn't evil either. She was grey. She had crossed lines and she'd do it again but she wasn't entirely happy with it. Like she has a morally good heart, but life doesn't work like that so she does shady shit, break some rules and associates with shady people.

I love these other UF heroines to bits, but it gets tiresome of all of this "I'M MORALLY RIGHT AND I WILL BEND OVER BACKWARD AND BREAK EVERY UNIVERSAL LAW EVER TO NOT DO WRONG EVER!" Life doesn't work like that. You can't escape without smudging up your soul a little bit when you're in that line of business.

I loved this.
And I cannot wait to read the next book.

[Bet Lantaff · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
I do have to say that the heroine, Eden Hunter, was a kick-ass character. She's a Soul Reaper who had signed contracts with a Goddess and a high-level Vampire. While trying to cancel her contract - via Eden's death - someone had murdered one of her past loves and framed Eden for it. She spent the entire story trying to stay alive while finding out who wanted her dead and who killed her old flame.
I had a really hard time with this book. It was hard for me to keep up with what was going on because too much 'filler' was put into everything. If someone was chasing the MC there was too much filler about which way she was going and why she thought to go that way or who she thought was chasing her and why. Granted I'd probably think the same thing if it was me, but it made for some very slow reading.
The secondary characters needed more flushing out. I didn't seem to care about them or what they had to do with the storyline. It wasn't until the end of the book that I found out why they were involved but I still didn't quite understand it all. Also, because this is a continuation, some of the characters were left hanging so they could return in the future books.
I think that the story could have been made better if Eden's past was actually the start of the book. In the middle of something that was beginning to get interesting, the next chapter had Eden back in her old life before she became a Reaper. To me, it was almost as if the author thought to add it at that time because they just thought it would add to the book and they had to get the words down before they lost the thought.
I found myself over half way through the book when I thought to myself, "is something going to happen to make things interesting or should I just stop reading".
Being one who hates to not finish a book and always thinks positively that it will get better, I kept reading. By the end of the book, I still wasn't sure who was the murderer, who wanted Eden dead and why, who were the good guys and if she really got out of her contracts or not. By that point, I didn't care anymore.
It took me a while to read this book. I found myself with time to read but not really rushing to get back to the story as I normally do with other books. I have the second book in this trilogy but I don't really have any inclination to get into it. Maybe I'll wait a while and pick it up. Or maybe I won't. After reading the first book, I don't think I will.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book about the kick ass heroine, the soul reaper, Eden Hunter who has been brought back from the dead by the vampire Aldric of Scythia, who had had her killed in the first place. However even the most kick ass of heroines can get a week where all things go wrong for them and this is just what happens to Eden in this book! She gets to battle a wolf-shifter sent by her own boss the vampire, a gorgon, a dwarf jotun, demons, a warlock and the rain goddess herself Lucille who has bound Eden to never kill or use weapons, the goddess who has turned quite evil on the island of Atheas where she is both warden and inmate, she even battles her evil adopted cat Khan who taunts her continuously with his sarcastic remarks. The FBI are on her trail as she gets framed for a murder she did not commit however the FBI has its databases, Aldric his paid spies, the DSA their little demonic bureaucrats but what Eden has is her web of contacts and she makes use of every one of these and more in this thrilling adventure which keeps you guessing who exactly is behind all her troubles and rooting for her to save herself and her friends. Look forward to reading more of her adventures as the reaper of souls in the next two books to follow which I am sure will be as exciting as this book was!!

[Christine Rains · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eden Hunter thinks her life stinks having to reap souls for her vampire boss. On top of which, she can't kill to do it because of deal she made with a rain goddess. When someone tries to frame her for murder, things get even more complicated. Her boss gives her a time limit to correct the situation and the FBI is standing in the way. Can Eden discover who the villains really are or will she be the next victim?

This is a solid first book in the series. There's some great world building. Eden cannot leave the island she lives on due to her contract with her boss, so it's her whole world. Tropical, sexy, and full of supernaturals. Eden herself isn't particularly likable, but she's clever and provides a lot of sarcasm and action. There is an immense cast of characters who are very interesting, but we don't get to spend enough time with any of them to really get to know them. Dante Cross is highly intriguing and I want more Khan! Even Eden's vampire boss and Lucille the rain goddess have great possibilities. A good urban fantasy read with potential.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this is one reaper story that sinks it’s scythe, or in Eden’s case a knife, into you and doesn’t let go!
Eden Hunter is supposed to be the only reaper on the island so her boss is none too pleased when another appears, add in an attack on Eden’s life, a murder she’s set up to take the blame for, a crazed goddess, a robbery from her not to be messed with Vampire boss and Eden finds herself in one heck of a mess.
She has to clear her name and quick.
This book takes you on a journey of deceit, betrayal, psychopaths and a reaper with a smart mouth that’s sure to get her killed .....again!
Can’t wait to read more of Eden Hunter.

[T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh, I was disappointed in this story which featured unlikable people and a collection of (often unrelated) incidences patched together to make a story. I tried to like it, but at the fifty-percent mark, I skimmed the rest of the book to get an idea of the plot and was happy to finish so I could find something else more interesting. My review is mostly influenced from my dislike of the protagonists and storyline... other opinions could vary, which is why a gave this a neutral rating. For me, a wasted three hours of my time.

[Saf ST · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so intense!! I did like it, although it seemed the MC was juggling between bad situations and worse ones for the entire book! She had no respite whatsoever. It was dark but not gruesome gore, so an enjoyable read. But still, I would have liked for at least a small break and more scenes with the talking cat! 😂I just loved the cat!

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh, not my taste

I struggled with this book. It was just kinda boring and it never hooked me. The premise seemed fairly exciting when I read the excerpt but it just ever came to anything.

[Annatasia Meehleder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Price: $0.99

Page Count: 388

Category: Supernatural, Thriller & Suspense

Format: PDF

Released: January 1, 2018

Publisher: Watchfire Press (January 1, 2018)


YOU LIKE THE IDEA OF HER, BUT RIP AWAY THE SKIN…


*** I was given this ARC, in exchange for an honest review.***



I was really excited to read this book because it is so different from other books I have read about reapers. First of all, she is a reaper for a vampire warlord on a hidden island instead of a reaper for death like every other book out there. So I wanted to know why she was a reaper for him instead and what made HER, so special. Ya know?

So that was the first thing that made me want to read it, but then apparently she was dead before and lived another life, then was turned into a reaper. Someone from her life before she was a reaper shows up in her bushes on her property… DEAD.

Now the FBI think she is the murderer. Is she? I had to know.

Once I started reading Rain Dance, the action started right away! Eden was collecting souls and then all of the sudden someone was trying to kill her. I am happy to say that the rest of the book is like that, with many, many twists. These twists were very clever too, I might add. There were some impressive parts to this book. I loved it.

There was a lot of commotion going on and many things are revealed and I really enjoyed them. It was very creative and imaginative. I really loved and adored how different and kickass this book was.

One of the things that was awesome was the talking cat. YES! You really did just read that and his name is Kahn and he is such sassy fun. He made me laugh with his, “stupid humans” comments here and there. PRICELESS. He’s a smarty too. He makes the book that much better. Ugh I just love that little guy ! ❤

I loved how sassy and rebellious Eden is in this book. She really needed to be on her toes with all the disasters going on around her and she was. The poor thing didn’t know who she could trust, but that didn’t stop her. She had a lot of depth that showed piece by piece throughout the book. It showed that she wasn’t a heartless reaper. Although, there is more to her than just what was shown. I know there is and I want it all.

Same with the other characters. There was a great amount of detail given, but there is still vital information needed about each character that adds to the story. It also adds to who they are as a character and this story was particularly was missing that so it lost a star.

I am hoping that these details will be revealed in the second book, Heat Wave (Sunshine & Scythes Book 2). I can’t wait to get my hands on it! It comes out February 1, so we have a bit to wait. I think anyone who doesn’t pick this book up would sadly miss out on an incredible view of reapers and the supernatural world. So don’t be one of THOSE PEOPLE.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 1/2 stars but rounded up to 3
This story had me lost and confused most of the way through it, there was enough interest to keep me wanting to finish , im just not sure what in the hell happened.
Eden is a reaper and she lives on an island with her 2400 year old vampire boss. Her boss wants her to collect 7 souls a week. { your on a island covered in mostly jungle, the population isnt grand, so not sure how this would be possible to do on a weekly basis}
While trying to meet her weekly soul quota, Eden is attacked and almost killed by a werewolf. { If your a reaper are you already dead?} , then she is framed for the murder of her ex boyfriend, she is forced to help the island mayor who is a serial killer bury a body or else he will tell the rain goddess Lucille that Eden killed a werewolf. {It was self defense, kill or be killed... have no idea what the purpose of this rain goddess has to do with story} and Eden also is working with an FBI agent who happens to be on the island investigating and happens to have some sort of magic ability... the word warlock was tossed around but im not sure if that is what he was.
Not saying it was a bad story, I just dont like getting a headache trying to figure out whats going on and reading between the lines...

[L Bongiorno · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a 3.4.
Yes, she is a kick ass female.... but she comes off as handing out unnecessary meaness a lot of the times. Like taking an eye for a painful tatoo that caused this whole mess. She is a very dismal, violent female with a very bleak and empty life. She doesn't even allow herself to have a good cup of coffee.... or furniture... or guests/friends.. sleep or food...?!? There is literally NOTHING good in her bleak life and she doesn't seem inclined to change that.
Also, when she held so much leverage and she is such a great con... (cough, cough) why didn't she, at least, get her original deal back of 3 more years on her contract and 5 souls a week??? Servitude with a hefty load forever.... to the man who has plotted her death... twice... what a fool!! She also gave away the storage shed full of hundreds of souls?!? I can't believe she was a good con since she is such a terrible negotiator!
The world and plot are original and intriguing, saving the book and leaving me still intrigued enough to start the next one... probably because of all the unanswered questions.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kick-ass heroine framed for a murder she didn't commit? Check. A healthy dose of pulse-pounding action? Check. A little magic thrown in for good measure? Check. If nothing else, Rain Dance is a thrill ride that never lets up. (At one point, Eden doesn't sleep for what I estimated to be 50 or 60 hours.) Add all that action to a murder mystery and throw in a sassy heroine and you've got quite the fun novel. You'll have a hard time putting it down.

With that said, there is language in the book, which some readers may not appreciate. And there were a few moments where I had to step away because all of the action was a little too much.

Overall, it's funny, action-packed, and a fun ride with a heroine who's perfectly capable of saving herself.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great beginnings

This is a most unusual but enjoyable story. Eden a former criminal brought back to be the personal reaper to a criminal warlord. Pressed into service for a few years everything is going ok until the night an assassin and a murder occur in her isolated property. Eden in caught up in various plots and schemes of a vampire, a goddess, an immortal treasure hunter and the FBI. It’s a very bad night that spins her life into unexpected places. Now she has to clear her name, find the parties responsible and figure out why there’s a mysterious new reaper on the island.
A most thrilling story from start to finish. Lots of twists and turns and a very unexpected reunion. Definitely a great beginning to a series.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

An urban-fantasy book with an interesting view of the supernatural. A hidden, private island in the south Pacific owned by a 2,500 year old vampire. An island that can only be found by those who are in the know. An island with a mountain taller than Mt. Everest – say what? Now, the FBI has obtained jurisdiction and is investigating a murder with Eden as the prime suspect. We know she’s being framed, she was too busy trying to defend herself a werewolf assassin sent to deliver a message from her vampire boss. But who could be trying to frame her for a crime she couldn’t commit? Eden is bound by a magic from being able to use weapons, or leave the island. So who would gain from framing Eden for this murder?

This is a fast-paced thrill ride with enjoyable characters.

[Miranda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I forced myself to read chapter 5, it'll get better. I read through chapter 9, I just can't seem to get into this book. It's got so much going on, I should be hooked, but alas I am not and cannot seem to like it. So much is bothering me. Like she's (mc)got plenty of money but only has one pair of jeans that are so dirty they're hard? Or her awful attitude/personality even to people who are helping her, or worse trying to kill her. She doesn't make sense, and I don't like her, I don't want her to survive, I don't see why she wants to survive. Give me a reason to like the main character, give me a reason to get behind her and cheer her on. I can't convince myself to keep reading, it never takes me this long to finish a book and I just never will with this one.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like your paranormal with a twisted storyline and salty language and attitude galore, this book by D N Erikson is absolutely for you. I so enjoyed the snarky attitude and language he gives his main character, all the while the reader just knows she is going to get herself in deeper and deeper trouble with the powers that control her second chance at life. I am very eagerly looking forward to reading the next book in this series. This is a rather late voluntary review of an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Hidden Gem.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book*

I liked that the MC is good at heart despite being treated like she is less than dirt. Her boss is definitely someone that I wouldn't want to work for. I love that she is determined to keep the people around her safe if she can. There is also an interesting mash of characters, reapers, goddesses etc.

This book was ok. I was slightly disappointed because it took me longer to get into the story. It is, however, book one in a series so I am not surprised. Having read this author before, I know I will read book 2 because it always gets better.

[Starfire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 1 of my holiday reads. I love the concepts behind the book and the worldbuilding was fun, but I couldn't get into Eden as a character, and the book made me realise how much I like the team/partnership dynamics in many of the books I love.

I don't know when it changed, at some point I needed to not just have a kick-ass main character I could respect and resonate with. I also needed that character to have other people (or at least one other person) around them who have their back. Apparently, the whole 'one person against the world' trope isn't enough for me any more.

So noted.

[Minga Dotson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true anti-hero whoops arse in between being hunted by an angry goddess and an ancient vampire.

Lots of action in this one, with twists and turns galore, as one dead con artist who was brought back to life finally figures out who killed her and her sister in the first place. And why it happened. The question now is, what does she want to do about it? The writing and editing were both done well, and I look forward to reading the next installment of this trilogy.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

First let me state, I received an Advance Reader Copy, (ARC), but this in no way influences my review. I always leave an honest review.

Holy shiznet!!! This story was awesome. Eden is one kick-ass woman. Ok, Reaper. This story had it all. A mystery, well more than one, humans, supes galor, even a Goddess. I won't tell anymore because I don't want to ruin this in any way. I really want you to read it. I can't wait to read the next story. I recommend this read. 5 Thumbs up

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like where this is going.

Good story, decent characters, strong-ish storyline.

This a little different to most Reaper stories I've read.

Being under 'contract' to a Warlord Vampire is different.

Knowing a Goddess, yup somewhat different.

Having a quota to make and only doing it by the skin of you're teeth, def different lol.

All in all a good book.

Hoping book two is as good 😉😁

[The Endless Unread · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is amazingly intense and the author prepares you for the journey for you to take alongside the characters really well. The characters and story development were perfectly done. This book was extremely well written and has fast become one of my favourites of all time. A well thought out and imaginative read.

[Mandy Walkden-Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable urban fantasy.

It's certainly stacked with paranormal creatures, action and snark.
Really liked the characters and the backstory to Eden becoming a Reaper.
Twists keep one guessing to the final pages.
If you enjoyed Ilona Waters' Mage Tales (which I did!), then you're likely to enjoy this series.

I received an e-ARC of this book and chose to write a review.

[Linda Levine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an intriguing read that keeps your interest. There is a lot going on so you have to pay attention to all the elements that may not seem connected but really give you the answers you are looking for as to why she was selected for this role. She is strong and determined and I look forward to reading more about her.

I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received.

[Joan Barstad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book of this type I have tried.

So, naturally, I was confused through the first part. But, once I caught on what a reaper was...as well as the other creatures that appear in the story, I was up and running.

A lot of things happen in a few days time for Eden Hunter, and that keeps the reader on their toes.

On to #2 in the series.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got the first book for free from an iTunes Store promotion.

I really enjoyed this first chapter of the series. A new urban fantasy with a flippant main character with the whole world against you approach.

Very interested to see where the rest of the story goes after this but a good first book that hooked me fast and I really enjoyed