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SOCIETY'S SOUL #1
The Absence of Soul
Elite soldier lineage. Dangerously revealing sight. When she shatters the peace, can she stop the bloodshed?
Landra Hux lives on the edge of the lies she tells and her family’s heritage. Hiding her forbidden aura-bound abilities, the girl with gold-flecked hair is shocked when her Chief Warrior father challenges her to a ritual knife fight… and she wins. But when she discovers her victory promotes her to next-in-command over her militaristic people, she must keep her magic secret or risk a deadly revolt.
Trained harshly by a rule-breaking ranger, Landra’s stunned when he pushes her into prohibited territory to explore her people’s past. But the surprises she unearths could reignite a decades-old war and tear her land apart.
Will the heir-apparent’s hidden gift save her civilization, or bring about its destruction?
The Absence of Soul is the first book in the extraordinary Society's Soul alternate world urban fantasy series. If you like bold heroines, immersive settings, and challenging dilemmas, then you’ll love Amanda Twigg’s emotional thrill-ride.
Read The Absence of Soul to battle through destiny’s door today!
Landra Hux lives on the edge of the lies she tells and her family’s heritage. Hiding her forbidden aura-bound abilities, the girl with gold-flecked hair is shocked when her Chief Warrior father challenges her to a ritual knife fight… and she wins. But when she discovers her victory promotes her to next-in-command over her militaristic people, she must keep her magic secret or risk a deadly revolt.
Trained harshly by a rule-breaking ranger, Landra’s stunned when he pushes her into prohibited territory to explore her people’s past. But the surprises she unearths could reignite a decades-old war and tear her land apart.
Will the heir-apparent’s hidden gift save her civilization, or bring about its destruction?
The Absence of Soul is the first book in the extraordinary Society's Soul alternate world urban fantasy series. If you like bold heroines, immersive settings, and challenging dilemmas, then you’ll love Amanda Twigg’s emotional thrill-ride.
Read The Absence of Soul to battle through destiny’s door today!
- GenresFantasy
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 19, 2020
31 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Twigg
8 books14 followersAmanda Twigg is a geeky grandma who loves fantastic worlds.
She was training to be a journalist when circumstances changed her life. She became a tennis coach at the age of thirty and has worked in that profession ever since. In 2014 she was awarded the title of Aegon Children's Tennis Coach of the Year.
Throughout her career, Amanda has never lost her passion for writing. Now, she devotes more time to creating fantasy worlds from her home in Wales. The rest of her life revolves around her husband, two children, and four grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 23, 2020
The Absence of Soul was good but it could have been better.
August 2, 2020
DNF: 40%
What was wrong with the book that I didn't finish it?
I didn't feel like following another teenaged protagonist in a world where they must hide their magic. I felt like the world building was really lacking. They clearly state they are on a different PLANET. Why. What is the backstory there? It is casually dropped that they live underground and that Landra's mother is dead. No one acknowledges that until later.
I didn't really know Landra to really root for her as Chief Elect, I think she wasn't well-developed enough by this point in the story. The dialogue was pretty boring and the story wasn't going anywhere. There was a lot of walking and talking. No action. 40% of the book done and I'm not sure how much of the story should be dedicated to something like exploring the world (literally) and not something else - like moving the plot along.
If that was the case here I must have missed it, but at this time I am not going to finish this book.
What was wrong with the book that I didn't finish it?
I didn't feel like following another teenaged protagonist in a world where they must hide their magic. I felt like the world building was really lacking. They clearly state they are on a different PLANET. Why. What is the backstory there? It is casually dropped that they live underground and that Landra's mother is dead. No one acknowledges that until later.
I didn't really know Landra to really root for her as Chief Elect, I think she wasn't well-developed enough by this point in the story. The dialogue was pretty boring and the story wasn't going anywhere. There was a lot of walking and talking. No action. 40% of the book done and I'm not sure how much of the story should be dedicated to something like exploring the world (literally) and not something else - like moving the plot along.
If that was the case here I must have missed it, but at this time I am not going to finish this book.
April 18, 2020
immersive style, without the usual drag, perfect pacing. engaging storyline, pretty much right from the start. hooked me almost from the start. with intensity thrown in on the way, ratcheting up as the story goes along, to painful levels of realism. not a kids' story. so, not yer usual fantasy thing. gripping is another way to put it. with an ending brutal enough to strain my tolerance for realism in fiction. if you like some intensity in yer fantasy. if yer looking fer more than the old happily ever after, this one might be fer you.
April 18, 2020
If you’re only going to read one book this year, read this one.
I’ve been waiting for this book to come out so I can finally sit with a physical book- old habit.
Without giving too much away, the author brings the characters to life. Written in a way that makes you want to read on. I’m hoping there is a sequel.
I’ve been waiting for this book to come out so I can finally sit with a physical book- old habit.
Without giving too much away, the author brings the characters to life. Written in a way that makes you want to read on. I’m hoping there is a sequel.
August 6, 2020
This story, while ending in an abrupt cliffhanger was a great joy to read. It weaves a interesting tale of magic and fighting for the main character, Landra. I look forward to reading the next installment of the tale.
July 1, 2020
Great characters, world building, and plot. The blending of magic and technology felt very fresh and kept me engaged. Already bought #2 and am enjoying it! Definitely recommend this series.
June 4, 2021
So Close
I really liked this book, until the end. Such a strong MC to ruin it in the last moment. I thought she was better than that. I hate endings that ruin the entire book.
I really liked this book, until the end. Such a strong MC to ruin it in the last moment. I thought she was better than that. I hate endings that ruin the entire book.
July 30, 2020
I enjoyed this book. It was a little rough and tumble in our girl’s training and some unexpected turns, but that is how stories go.
April 22, 2020
When Landra Hux's Chief Warrior father thrusts her into a position of power that she hasn't trained for, she is confused and overwhelmed. But, mostly, she is scared. In a world where warriors are in control, and citizens with magic are looked upon as troublemakers at best and subversives at worst, Landra hides a terrifying secret. She has magic.
Landra proves at every turn that she is not ready, not disciplined enough, for the role she must assume. Yet, maybe she is just the person to bring the two factions together. If she can survive long enough.
The Absence of Soul starts with a fight, and the action continues from there. The story is engaging, as are the characters.
Amanda Twigg has created a rich and imaginative story world that I can't wait to revisit.
Landra proves at every turn that she is not ready, not disciplined enough, for the role she must assume. Yet, maybe she is just the person to bring the two factions together. If she can survive long enough.
The Absence of Soul starts with a fight, and the action continues from there. The story is engaging, as are the characters.
Amanda Twigg has created a rich and imaginative story world that I can't wait to revisit.
March 9, 2021
The world and the plot of the book are very good. I liked how we get put right in. In the beginning. I thought the world was built a bit fast, but it smoothed out through the book. The world is very unique, and so is its hierarchy and characters. In the beginning, I didn't really like the main character, Landra too much, but she really grows on you. By the end I was thoroughly invested in her. Like anyone she grows with the challenges she faces. I am also looking forward to reading more about Thrisk, awesome fights, and more on Landra and her growing powers. Amanda Twigg is super creative, and I can not wait to jump into book two. I highly recommend reading this amazing debut novel.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews