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Immortal Souls #1
Immortal Souls
Immortal Souls is the fast-paced first book in an epic new fantasy series that blends unexpected mythology and faerie lore, romance and intrigue into an unforgettable read.
A fallen Empire. A forbidden royal romance. An ancient treaty with the Fae.
In a world tainted by greed and rebellion, death prowls the shadows of the once glorious Sun Empire, waiting to devour those who dare fight back.
Corvus, heir to the most powerful House, is a threat to the Emperor, despite being the dearest friend of Crown Princess Saphyr. When the Emperor forbids their friendship, Corvus forms an Alliance to overthrow him, until betrayal forces Corvus into exile.
After the lethal Queen of the Sirens emerges from the secret realm of Sirenibus, Corvus is tempted by an irresistible deal at a dangerous price. Caught up in a conspiracy and a war between light and darkness, can he and Saphyr save the people from a terrible destiny and restore the Empire to its former glory? Or will Corvus have to sacrifice more than he is willing to give? Will his life be enough, or will it also demand his soul?
A fallen Empire. A forbidden royal romance. An ancient treaty with the Fae.
In a world tainted by greed and rebellion, death prowls the shadows of the once glorious Sun Empire, waiting to devour those who dare fight back.
Corvus, heir to the most powerful House, is a threat to the Emperor, despite being the dearest friend of Crown Princess Saphyr. When the Emperor forbids their friendship, Corvus forms an Alliance to overthrow him, until betrayal forces Corvus into exile.
After the lethal Queen of the Sirens emerges from the secret realm of Sirenibus, Corvus is tempted by an irresistible deal at a dangerous price. Caught up in a conspiracy and a war between light and darkness, can he and Saphyr save the people from a terrible destiny and restore the Empire to its former glory? Or will Corvus have to sacrifice more than he is willing to give? Will his life be enough, or will it also demand his soul?
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 12, 2021
4 people are currently reading
311 people want to read
About the author
Phoenix Vieira
1 book8 followersPhoenix Vieira has spent the past fourteen years reading and writing fantasy and romance, traveling, and drawing inspiration from worldwide mythologies to build a rich fantasy world for her debut novel. When not writing, Phoenix can be found wandering the woods near her backyard, forever guarded by a legendary fluffy white beast.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
December 3, 2021
2 - ⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the Maggie and Phoenix Vieira for providing me with an eArc in exchange for an honest review.
Immortal Souls introduced an intriguing fantastical world and a forbidden romance however... it sadly did not win me over.
The premise was promising but it did not deliver.
I will keep this short: despite the fact that it has a unique setting and political intrigue my main issue was the characters.
I felt like I didn't get time to warm up to tbr characters from the start and I could not connect with Corvus at all.
The romance felt a tad melodramatic and I could not really care much for Corvus and Saphyr as a couple.
I wish I liked this more because it did have potential but I ended up finding myself skimming through sometimes because I was not invested in the characters.
Thank you to the Maggie and Phoenix Vieira for providing me with an eArc in exchange for an honest review.
Immortal Souls introduced an intriguing fantastical world and a forbidden romance however... it sadly did not win me over.
The premise was promising but it did not deliver.
I will keep this short: despite the fact that it has a unique setting and political intrigue my main issue was the characters.
I felt like I didn't get time to warm up to tbr characters from the start and I could not connect with Corvus at all.
The romance felt a tad melodramatic and I could not really care much for Corvus and Saphyr as a couple.
I wish I liked this more because it did have potential but I ended up finding myself skimming through sometimes because I was not invested in the characters.
November 25, 2021
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, I would say this book needed a little more time to simmer. The plot shows potential. You've got political intrigue, drama, revolts, and magical realms. But the story needed more worldbuilding as the book progressed to make things run smoothly. I liked how it jumped right in but the characters kept referencing deep bonds and shared experiences that I just didn't see.
I struggled with the characters in general. Corvus, our hero and POV, is all over the place with his emotions. One minute he's vowing he just wants to see good done, the next he is admitting that he longs for power. He is shocked when people tell him he should be king, then declares he wants to be king, then is back to being shocked at the idea of being king! He is won over by the slightest thing but backtracks just as quickly. It is a rollercoaster being inside his mind.
In Corvus's defense, his behavior feels so consistently exhausting because the writing throws tons of action verbs at him. For example:
"I traded my black robe for a long dark coat before leaving my chamber. Saphyr turned away, facing the mountains, and I smiled at her small gesture of privacy...Glancing back at my domed chamber, I saw Saphyr leaning on the stone railing, as I had been before she arrived, engulfed by the mist...I continued my descent to another arched bridge that opened towards the main building. I did not recognize the guards standing on either side; they were probably the Emperor's."
And while we're at it, let's talk about Saphyr. She has no personality. None. The only time she shows any gumption, Corvus scolds her for being bloodthirsty. She exists solely for drama. But she is pretty! How do we know this? Corvus gushes about her silken hair every time he sees her. And her scent? She smells like nectarines. He mentions it at least 5 times. Which is 5 times too many.
The only character with an interesting personality is Morgana, but unfortunately, we see her through Corvus's eyes, so her character swings like a pendulum depending on how our narrator feels in that moment.
Besides a rollercoaster of emotions, there are so many over-the-top adjectives. I started highlighting them: "golden locks", "silken hair", "emerald cloak", "obsidian hair", "crispy fried fish", "amber depths", "the melted honey of her eyes," etc.
I really like the idea of this book and I think it holds promise. The writing and characters just need fewer adjectives and maybe some murderous intent.
Pre-Review
That cover tho.
Unfortunately, I would say this book needed a little more time to simmer. The plot shows potential. You've got political intrigue, drama, revolts, and magical realms. But the story needed more worldbuilding as the book progressed to make things run smoothly. I liked how it jumped right in but the characters kept referencing deep bonds and shared experiences that I just didn't see.
I struggled with the characters in general. Corvus, our hero and POV, is all over the place with his emotions. One minute he's vowing he just wants to see good done, the next he is admitting that he longs for power. He is shocked when people tell him he should be king, then declares he wants to be king, then is back to being shocked at the idea of being king! He is won over by the slightest thing but backtracks just as quickly. It is a rollercoaster being inside his mind.
In Corvus's defense, his behavior feels so consistently exhausting because the writing throws tons of action verbs at him. For example:
"I traded my black robe for a long dark coat before leaving my chamber. Saphyr turned away, facing the mountains, and I smiled at her small gesture of privacy...Glancing back at my domed chamber, I saw Saphyr leaning on the stone railing, as I had been before she arrived, engulfed by the mist...I continued my descent to another arched bridge that opened towards the main building. I did not recognize the guards standing on either side; they were probably the Emperor's."
And while we're at it, let's talk about Saphyr. She has no personality. None. The only time she shows any gumption, Corvus scolds her for being bloodthirsty. She exists solely for drama. But she is pretty! How do we know this? Corvus gushes about her silken hair every time he sees her. And her scent? She smells like nectarines. He mentions it at least 5 times. Which is 5 times too many.
The only character with an interesting personality is Morgana, but unfortunately, we see her through Corvus's eyes, so her character swings like a pendulum depending on how our narrator feels in that moment.
Besides a rollercoaster of emotions, there are so many over-the-top adjectives. I started highlighting them: "golden locks", "silken hair", "emerald cloak", "obsidian hair", "crispy fried fish", "amber depths", "the melted honey of her eyes," etc.
I really like the idea of this book and I think it holds promise. The writing and characters just need fewer adjectives and maybe some murderous intent.
Pre-Review
That cover tho.
December 2, 2021
I liked the writing style and overall plot premise, but unfortunately the world building and characters really let this one down for me. Essentially this book is about an heir of one of the most powerful houses in an Empire plotting a coup that goes horribly wrong so he’s exiled from the kingdom with his friend and a princess. I needed more background to be able to enjoy this, like why there was a coup to begin with, more information about the main characters as I didn’t connect with any of them on any level. The princess was a very boring character to read and honestly I’m not sure what her purpose to the plot was.
The author should have given us more information about the world our characters are in, there were so many things being thrown at us readers (like fae and other creatures) but we weren’t given any information about them so what was the point of including them? Was there a point to that? Also, where was the “forbidden romance” that this book marketed? I didn’t see anything forbidden about it…
The author should have given us more information about the world our characters are in, there were so many things being thrown at us readers (like fae and other creatures) but we weren’t given any information about them so what was the point of including them? Was there a point to that? Also, where was the “forbidden romance” that this book marketed? I didn’t see anything forbidden about it…
November 25, 2021
2.5 stars
I really loved the imagery and world building!! The plot also has me intrigued and I’m very curious to see where the story goes. Unfortunately the story’s fast pacing threw me off. It made it hard for me to connect with any of the characters, which makes them sound one-dimensional. I need that sustenance and depth to form that bond with them and to root for their happiness.
Some of the scenes I think could’ve been extended more. Some scenes could’ve been edited out… They didn’t provide anything to help drive the story forward. The premise and plot is there, just needed better execution.
Thanks BookSirens for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
I really loved the imagery and world building!! The plot also has me intrigued and I’m very curious to see where the story goes. Unfortunately the story’s fast pacing threw me off. It made it hard for me to connect with any of the characters, which makes them sound one-dimensional. I need that sustenance and depth to form that bond with them and to root for their happiness.
Some of the scenes I think could’ve been extended more. Some scenes could’ve been edited out… They didn’t provide anything to help drive the story forward. The premise and plot is there, just needed better execution.
Thanks BookSirens for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 28, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
1.5 stars
The story follows Corvus, an heir to one of the noble Houses of the Sun Empire. A coup he is planning with the emperor’s general goes awry and he is forced to leave the kingdom with his friend and the princess Saphyr.
First off, the cover is gorgeous. The plot is solid and I was intrigued by some of the events, but the story telling fell flat and the Christian god in a high fantasy book turned me off of it.
We get plunged right into the world, which was slightly difficult to catch up on with the amount of worldbuilding. It also seemed like it started later on in the story than it should’ve, I wanted to see the reasons behind the political warring. I would’ve also appreciated if the story was shown to us instead of told. For example, the general’s son Brenen saying “You are aware that my father and I despise each other.” This seems lazy; I would’ve liked to be shown that they do not get along instead of a one-off line. I hoped the romance would’ve been more fleshed out but that’s hard to do when Saphyr was not fleshed out. My main concern was the amount of times God was mentioned. Full on paragraphs of how God loves them, praying heals… I thought this was supposed to be a fantasy.
1.5 stars
The story follows Corvus, an heir to one of the noble Houses of the Sun Empire. A coup he is planning with the emperor’s general goes awry and he is forced to leave the kingdom with his friend and the princess Saphyr.
First off, the cover is gorgeous. The plot is solid and I was intrigued by some of the events, but the story telling fell flat and the Christian god in a high fantasy book turned me off of it.
We get plunged right into the world, which was slightly difficult to catch up on with the amount of worldbuilding. It also seemed like it started later on in the story than it should’ve, I wanted to see the reasons behind the political warring. I would’ve also appreciated if the story was shown to us instead of told. For example, the general’s son Brenen saying “You are aware that my father and I despise each other.” This seems lazy; I would’ve liked to be shown that they do not get along instead of a one-off line. I hoped the romance would’ve been more fleshed out but that’s hard to do when Saphyr was not fleshed out. My main concern was the amount of times God was mentioned. Full on paragraphs of how God loves them, praying heals… I thought this was supposed to be a fantasy.
November 21, 2021
Such a good YA, fast-paced, good romance book! Will definitely recommend it to friends and family! Totally one to read! The cover is also stunning.
December 1, 2021
4.5/5 stars
I received this earc from NetGalley and finished it in less than 48 hours! This was such a quick read and I throughly enjoyed it! It has everything you could want from a fantasy book: action, sirens, fairies, selkies, mystery! There is also great world building and was so fast paced! I loved the characters that Vieira created! I really hope there is another book! I loved this world! This book comes out 12/2021! Read it!!
I received this earc from NetGalley and finished it in less than 48 hours! This was such a quick read and I throughly enjoyed it! It has everything you could want from a fantasy book: action, sirens, fairies, selkies, mystery! There is also great world building and was so fast paced! I loved the characters that Vieira created! I really hope there is another book! I loved this world! This book comes out 12/2021! Read it!!
November 26, 2021
I really appreciate how the first-person POV narrative was handled. The characters were quite intriguing and I'm quite happy for the male lead. However, the female lead was a little bland in comparison and what the story missed was electricity, tension, and epicness. It was a nice fantasy setting and a touching love story, but it needed more spark.
December 23, 2021
Disclaimer: I received this e-book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Immortal Souls
Author: Phoenix Vieira
Book Series: Immortal Souls Book 1
Rating: 2/5
Recommended For...: romance, fantasy
Publication Date: December 12, 2021
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Recommended Age: 18+ (romance, sexual content, violence, gore, language)
Explanation of CWs: There is a lot of romance and sexual content in this book. There is some violence and gore. There is also some slight cursing.
Publisher: Koa Tales
Pages: 308
Synopsis: A fallen Empire. A forbidden royal romance. An ancient treaty with the Fae.
In a world tainted by greed and rebellion, death prowls the shadows of the once glorious Sun Empire, waiting to devour those who dare fight back.
Corvus, heir to the most powerful House, is a threat to the Emperor, despite being the dearest friend of Crown Princess Saphyr. When the Emperor forbids their friendship, Corvus forms an Alliance to overthrow him, until betrayal forces Corvus into exile.
After the lethal Queen of the Sirens emerges from the secret realm of Sirenibus, Corvus is tempted by an irresistible deal at a dangerous price. Caught up in a conspiracy and a war between light and darkness, can he and Saphyr save the people from a terrible destiny and restore the Empire to its former glory? Or will Corvus have to sacrifice more than he is willing to give? Will his life be enough, or will it also demand his soul?
Review: For the most part this was an ok read. The book had a great premise and I was immediately intrigued by it. The plot was fairly solid and I loved all of the world building the author did.
However, I felt like the character development was sorely lacking. You’re thrown into the story and not given time to figure anything out. The romance is also not convincing and I found myself bored with it after awhile.
Verdict: It was ok, but not for me. Maybe for you!
Book: Immortal Souls
Author: Phoenix Vieira
Book Series: Immortal Souls Book 1
Rating: 2/5
Recommended For...: romance, fantasy
Publication Date: December 12, 2021
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Recommended Age: 18+ (romance, sexual content, violence, gore, language)
Explanation of CWs: There is a lot of romance and sexual content in this book. There is some violence and gore. There is also some slight cursing.
Publisher: Koa Tales
Pages: 308
Synopsis: A fallen Empire. A forbidden royal romance. An ancient treaty with the Fae.
In a world tainted by greed and rebellion, death prowls the shadows of the once glorious Sun Empire, waiting to devour those who dare fight back.
Corvus, heir to the most powerful House, is a threat to the Emperor, despite being the dearest friend of Crown Princess Saphyr. When the Emperor forbids their friendship, Corvus forms an Alliance to overthrow him, until betrayal forces Corvus into exile.
After the lethal Queen of the Sirens emerges from the secret realm of Sirenibus, Corvus is tempted by an irresistible deal at a dangerous price. Caught up in a conspiracy and a war between light and darkness, can he and Saphyr save the people from a terrible destiny and restore the Empire to its former glory? Or will Corvus have to sacrifice more than he is willing to give? Will his life be enough, or will it also demand his soul?
Review: For the most part this was an ok read. The book had a great premise and I was immediately intrigued by it. The plot was fairly solid and I loved all of the world building the author did.
However, I felt like the character development was sorely lacking. You’re thrown into the story and not given time to figure anything out. The romance is also not convincing and I found myself bored with it after awhile.
Verdict: It was ok, but not for me. Maybe for you!
December 1, 2021
2 ⭐️
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Immortal Souls is the debut novel by Phoenix Vieira. While the written was actually good for a debut novel, the execution of the plot could have been better.
Plot
Corvus is the heir of one of the most powerful houses of the Empire. A coup he is planning with the kingdom's general goes wrong and he is forced to leave the kingdom with his friend Kanis and the princess Saphry.
The plot was actually fast-paced, but sometimes I would like to have more background of the story. I felt some of the things weren't explained or the explanation was really rushed. But the plot was still interesting.
Characters
Corvus
Corvus is the main character. We see the story in his point of view, but I couldn't connect with him. I thought he wasn't flesh out so much. Even in the end of the book, I feel like I don't know much of him.
Saphry
Saphry was the princess of the empire. For me, she didn't have any personality. She was a really dull character during the entire book.
Kanis
Kanis was Corvus' best friend. I liked to see the loyalty he had for Corvus, even when he was a jerk to him.
Morgana
Morgana was actually the best character of the story. I thought she was even more complex than the main ones.
Writing
The writing for a debut novel was good. One of the things that I didn't like was the fact that the author tells a lot instead of showing us.
World-Building
What I like in a fantasy novel is the word-building. Unfortunately, this didn't happen here. This didn't felt like a fantasy novel to me, I would like to know more about the sirens or about the fae that appeared in the book, but we just didn't get that. I wish she could have shown us more.
Romance
Because I couldn't connect with the main characters, I couldn't care about their story. This book was supposed to be a forbidden romance, but I failed to see that here. I actually couldn't understand the forbidden part of the romance.
Another thing that left frustrated was the miscommunication between the characters. The conflict that exist between the two of them, could have been avoided if they decided to talk with each other instead of taking assumptions.
Final Thoughts
The plot was interesting enough, but the execution, the characterization of the characters and the world-building was lacking.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Immortal Souls is the debut novel by Phoenix Vieira. While the written was actually good for a debut novel, the execution of the plot could have been better.
Plot
Corvus is the heir of one of the most powerful houses of the Empire. A coup he is planning with the kingdom's general goes wrong and he is forced to leave the kingdom with his friend Kanis and the princess Saphry.
The plot was actually fast-paced, but sometimes I would like to have more background of the story. I felt some of the things weren't explained or the explanation was really rushed. But the plot was still interesting.
Characters
Corvus
Corvus is the main character. We see the story in his point of view, but I couldn't connect with him. I thought he wasn't flesh out so much. Even in the end of the book, I feel like I don't know much of him.
Saphry
Saphry was the princess of the empire. For me, she didn't have any personality. She was a really dull character during the entire book.
Kanis
Kanis was Corvus' best friend. I liked to see the loyalty he had for Corvus, even when he was a jerk to him.
Morgana
Morgana was actually the best character of the story. I thought she was even more complex than the main ones.
Writing
The writing for a debut novel was good. One of the things that I didn't like was the fact that the author tells a lot instead of showing us.
World-Building
What I like in a fantasy novel is the word-building. Unfortunately, this didn't happen here. This didn't felt like a fantasy novel to me, I would like to know more about the sirens or about the fae that appeared in the book, but we just didn't get that. I wish she could have shown us more.
Romance
Because I couldn't connect with the main characters, I couldn't care about their story. This book was supposed to be a forbidden romance, but I failed to see that here. I actually couldn't understand the forbidden part of the romance.
Another thing that left frustrated was the miscommunication between the characters. The conflict that exist between the two of them, could have been avoided if they decided to talk with each other instead of taking assumptions.
Final Thoughts
The plot was interesting enough, but the execution, the characterization of the characters and the world-building was lacking.
December 1, 2021
thank you to NetGalley for a free eARC for an honest review!
I *want* to be in love with this book. Desperately.
The cover is gorgeous and the plot summary sounds amazing. Based on the cover and description, I thought this was going to be a 4-5 star read.
Unfortunately, it is highly highly flawed and I can only give it 2 stars.
The Good
The plot is solid. I love the forbidden romance, the political intrigue etc. All of it had the makings of a great story.
The world has clearly been developed well by the author and the imagery is awesome.
The Bad
Overall, it reads like a first draft.
This book starts 5 years into the plot with no world building to set you up. There is no time for you to get your bearings. We are dropped into Corvus’ (our hero) POV and now we have to hold on for dear life! His brain is a rollercoaster.
The Awkward
I can’t buy either MC as a leader or a love interest. They aren’t mature enough yet.
Corvus feels everything really dramatically and deeply. It feels like he can’t make up his mind and his POV is littered with over the top verbs, adverbs, and adjectives. He isn’t believable as a heroic love interest or rebel leader. I need him to grow up first.
Saphyr has no personality. She is a shiny golden ball that we are supposed to love because we are seeing everything through the eyes of her besotted best friend. Oh and she smells like nectarines. Yay.
I *want* to be in love with this book. Desperately.
The cover is gorgeous and the plot summary sounds amazing. Based on the cover and description, I thought this was going to be a 4-5 star read.
Unfortunately, it is highly highly flawed and I can only give it 2 stars.
The Good
The plot is solid. I love the forbidden romance, the political intrigue etc. All of it had the makings of a great story.
The world has clearly been developed well by the author and the imagery is awesome.
The Bad
Overall, it reads like a first draft.
This book starts 5 years into the plot with no world building to set you up. There is no time for you to get your bearings. We are dropped into Corvus’ (our hero) POV and now we have to hold on for dear life! His brain is a rollercoaster.
The Awkward
I can’t buy either MC as a leader or a love interest. They aren’t mature enough yet.
Corvus feels everything really dramatically and deeply. It feels like he can’t make up his mind and his POV is littered with over the top verbs, adverbs, and adjectives. He isn’t believable as a heroic love interest or rebel leader. I need him to grow up first.
Saphyr has no personality. She is a shiny golden ball that we are supposed to love because we are seeing everything through the eyes of her besotted best friend. Oh and she smells like nectarines. Yay.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2021
I love these characters and am so draw into their world. The characters are well developed with compelling back stories, strong motivation and goals. They have bold personalities and make bold choices. They have captivating internal conflicts with multiple difficult decisions to make. The world building is detailed, imaginative and so well done that you're drawn into a fantastic world unlike any other. This story has an interesting story line full of suspense, danger, action, mystery, unexpected twists, passion and an ending that left me wanting to read the next book in the series. It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention. I can’t wait to read more of this series! I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story.
December 2, 2021
Oh this is so pretty and definitely caught my eye. Sadly I just didn't particularly like the leading characters although the Siren Queen was a hoot ! She was most assuredly my favourite character with her meddling and just general manipulation. I could let Corvus grow on me I think as he does have potential but Saphyr was just way too one dimensional for my tastes as I prefer heroines to be able to stand up and take charge.
Essentially this isn't particularly aimed at my age group and I feel my feelings do reflect this.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
Essentially this isn't particularly aimed at my age group and I feel my feelings do reflect this.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
November 22, 2021
Thanks you so much to Phoenix Vieira for the digital download of immortal souls. I was a beta reader for this story last November. I'm so proud of how this book has come out it is a fantasy book set in an amazing world, I like how they foreshadowed about the raven who appears more in the book. It had depth and personality, it had royalty, war, underwater kingdoms and a cute pet named snowball he was my favorite part. It is not just any war they are fighting for what is their's and taking down traitors everything you think you may know might not be true at all. So come and explore strange new worlds. Laura8759.
February 20, 2022
Four Stars
I really enjoyed this book, the plot was very interesting to me and kept me interested throughout the book.
The story follows Corvus an heir to one of the Noble Houses. A coup he is planning with the general goes wrong and he has to leave the kingdom with his friend and the Princess Saphry.
Corvus was an interesting character, but overall I felt like he could’ve used a little more depth to him.
Kanis however was my favorite character!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
I really enjoyed this book, the plot was very interesting to me and kept me interested throughout the book.
The story follows Corvus an heir to one of the Noble Houses. A coup he is planning with the general goes wrong and he has to leave the kingdom with his friend and the Princess Saphry.
Corvus was an interesting character, but overall I felt like he could’ve used a little more depth to him.
Kanis however was my favorite character!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
November 24, 2021
This standalone YA fantasy book follows Corvus, a teenager who is the sole heir to an upper-class family, who starts out the book organizing a rebellion to overthrow the king because he is in love with the crown princess, Saphyr, who is about to be married off by her father. After being betrayed, he is forced to go on the run with Saphyr and his best friend, Kanis, eventually working to take back the kingdom.
The pacing of this book was excellent for a standalone fantasy book. Although the beginning had relatively little exposition, which made it a little difficult to get my bearings, the rest of the book was very well paced; it never felt too slow, and it never felt rushed. The plot flowed very well; although there were some aspects that I had a little difficulty understanding the logic behind, for the most part events led very nicely into each other. While the plot wasn't overly complex, the constraints of writing a fantasy story to fit a single, relatively-short book mean that that didn't bother me at all. Although I think this book alone could easily have been expanded into a duology or trilogy (I'm unsure if the author intends for there to be further installments or not, but I'm referring to this book's plot in itself), I'm glad that it wasn't; the condensed nature of a single book definitely worked for this story. The worldbuilding was also interesting; it incorporated sirens, selkies, dryads, and some other elements of folklore, all of which I very much enjoyed.
One central issue that I had with this book, and the reason for my 3-star rating, is the characters. I found Corvus to be very unlikable and arrogant. Additionally, Saphyr had essentially no agency, and the way that Corvus treated her and reacted to her had some sexist and overly-possessive undertones. Kanis, meanwhile, had essentially no personality other than serving as a plot device for issues between Corvus and Saphyr. Frankly, the only character who I genuinely liked was Morgana, the queen of the sirens; I would have read an entire book just about her. The book also doesn't give a lot of justification as to why we are supposed to like Corvus or why he should be the person at the head of all of the action of the book. I think the story might have been more successful and had more intrinsic logic, both plot-wise and character-wise, had the plot remained essentially the same but featured Saphyr (with a more multidimensional personality) as the protagonist. Although I had a couple other issues with it, such as the occasional clunkiness of the writing style and some of the worldbuilding aspects (the religion seemed to essentially just be Christianity, and there were some portions that felt like unexplored on capitalism/communism, neither of which are problems in themselves, but which are both aspects that I feel could have benefitted from being addressed more), the characters were definitely my biggest issue with the book.
Overall, I did enjoy reading this book, and would definitely recommend it to anybody looking for a relatively quick YA fantasy standalone without too much complexity, or who I think would enjoy the more folklore/mythology based aspects..
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free electronic ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The pacing of this book was excellent for a standalone fantasy book. Although the beginning had relatively little exposition, which made it a little difficult to get my bearings, the rest of the book was very well paced; it never felt too slow, and it never felt rushed. The plot flowed very well; although there were some aspects that I had a little difficulty understanding the logic behind, for the most part events led very nicely into each other. While the plot wasn't overly complex, the constraints of writing a fantasy story to fit a single, relatively-short book mean that that didn't bother me at all. Although I think this book alone could easily have been expanded into a duology or trilogy (I'm unsure if the author intends for there to be further installments or not, but I'm referring to this book's plot in itself), I'm glad that it wasn't; the condensed nature of a single book definitely worked for this story. The worldbuilding was also interesting; it incorporated sirens, selkies, dryads, and some other elements of folklore, all of which I very much enjoyed.
One central issue that I had with this book, and the reason for my 3-star rating, is the characters. I found Corvus to be very unlikable and arrogant. Additionally, Saphyr had essentially no agency, and the way that Corvus treated her and reacted to her had some sexist and overly-possessive undertones. Kanis, meanwhile, had essentially no personality other than serving as a plot device for issues between Corvus and Saphyr. Frankly, the only character who I genuinely liked was Morgana, the queen of the sirens; I would have read an entire book just about her. The book also doesn't give a lot of justification as to why we are supposed to like Corvus or why he should be the person at the head of all of the action of the book. I think the story might have been more successful and had more intrinsic logic, both plot-wise and character-wise, had the plot remained essentially the same but featured Saphyr (with a more multidimensional personality) as the protagonist. Although I had a couple other issues with it, such as the occasional clunkiness of the writing style and some of the worldbuilding aspects (the religion seemed to essentially just be Christianity, and there were some portions that felt like unexplored on capitalism/communism, neither of which are problems in themselves, but which are both aspects that I feel could have benefitted from being addressed more), the characters were definitely my biggest issue with the book.
Overall, I did enjoy reading this book, and would definitely recommend it to anybody looking for a relatively quick YA fantasy standalone without too much complexity, or who I think would enjoy the more folklore/mythology based aspects..
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free electronic ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
December 14, 2021
Thank you to BookSirens for the eARC.
☀️☀️☀️
I can see that the intended plot is one of rebellion against a supposed evil emperor, but there doesn’t seem to be anything inherently wrong with Saphyr’s father. He’s an old, luxurious man who was willing to sell his daughter into marriage, but it seemed the people were relatively fine; we get no insight into why Corvus and the Alliance want to unseat the throne. It makes more sense when they’re going after Brenen because he has actually implemented new rules and taxes that have left people starving and destitute, preferring to fill his own coffers than support the people he promised to “free.” But free from what, I have no clue.
The characters are stiff as hell; the only one worth any salt is Morgana, and she’s supposed to be evil and untrustworthy. But even then, she has more personality than even Corvus, who’s narrating the whole story. I was perturbed by the fact that Morgana seemed capable of doing literally everything- not only can she shape shift into a human, but she’s also a raven, and she can manipulate human bodies that aren’t hers. She is intentionally vague about why she wants to put Corvus on the throne, and what the sirens would gain from it. For his part, Corvus questions her intentions a lot, but he never pressures her for a real answer, or even tries to get one through his own means. He’s boring, and has absolutely no personality. He fluctuates from wanting to save the people, to wanting all the power for himself, to hiding out in the woods. There are no defining qualities to speak of- he can’t fight, and he’s very outspoken about how he can’t even cook to take care of himself. And Saphyr is no better; she’s like a walking piece of cardboard. She has literally no purpose but to be an obsession of Corvus’. They’ve supposedly been friends since childhood and have been separated for years because Saphyr’s father does not approve of Corvus for some reason, despite him being part of the richest house in the kingdom. Aside from crying, walking in at inopportune moments to cause drama, and provide some awkward romance for Corvus, she serves no purpose. She is not privy to any plans, makes no difference in politics or battles, and basically serves to rile up Morgana, who is more fleshed out that Saphyr- and Saphyr is the one on the cover!
read my full review on my blog: https://megansbookstacks.wordpress.co...
☀️☀️☀️
I can see that the intended plot is one of rebellion against a supposed evil emperor, but there doesn’t seem to be anything inherently wrong with Saphyr’s father. He’s an old, luxurious man who was willing to sell his daughter into marriage, but it seemed the people were relatively fine; we get no insight into why Corvus and the Alliance want to unseat the throne. It makes more sense when they’re going after Brenen because he has actually implemented new rules and taxes that have left people starving and destitute, preferring to fill his own coffers than support the people he promised to “free.” But free from what, I have no clue.
The characters are stiff as hell; the only one worth any salt is Morgana, and she’s supposed to be evil and untrustworthy. But even then, she has more personality than even Corvus, who’s narrating the whole story. I was perturbed by the fact that Morgana seemed capable of doing literally everything- not only can she shape shift into a human, but she’s also a raven, and she can manipulate human bodies that aren’t hers. She is intentionally vague about why she wants to put Corvus on the throne, and what the sirens would gain from it. For his part, Corvus questions her intentions a lot, but he never pressures her for a real answer, or even tries to get one through his own means. He’s boring, and has absolutely no personality. He fluctuates from wanting to save the people, to wanting all the power for himself, to hiding out in the woods. There are no defining qualities to speak of- he can’t fight, and he’s very outspoken about how he can’t even cook to take care of himself. And Saphyr is no better; she’s like a walking piece of cardboard. She has literally no purpose but to be an obsession of Corvus’. They’ve supposedly been friends since childhood and have been separated for years because Saphyr’s father does not approve of Corvus for some reason, despite him being part of the richest house in the kingdom. Aside from crying, walking in at inopportune moments to cause drama, and provide some awkward romance for Corvus, she serves no purpose. She is not privy to any plans, makes no difference in politics or battles, and basically serves to rile up Morgana, who is more fleshed out that Saphyr- and Saphyr is the one on the cover!
read my full review on my blog: https://megansbookstacks.wordpress.co...
January 9, 2022
It is difficult to write a fantasy novel without incorporating elements of existing stories. Immortal Souls by Phoenix Vieira contains the typical trio of heroes, with one being more important than the others, a love triangle, a baddy-turned-goody, a plot twist, and the heroes saving the world, or in this case the kingdom. When the story begins, Corvus, the protagonist, is planning to overthrow the kingdom and place someone else on the throne. Yet, traitors amongst his allies prevent this from happening, and Corvus ends up running away with Crown Princess Saphyr and his best friend, Kanis.
Just as the reader is discovering the characters and learning who is "bad" and who is "good", the author takes the story on a tangent, introducing sirens, selkies and dryads. Whilst the conclusion ties all these creatures together, Corvus' initial meeting with the sirens sits awkwardly with the storyline. Whilst it is obvious the story takes place in a fictional realm, there is no mention of mythical, magical creatures until the sirens take both the characters and readers by surprise.
Immortal Souls is the first book in a series, so, understandably, some aspects remain unresolved, yet there seem to be a few loose ends that needed explaining before the end of the story. For instance, when with the sirens, Corvus took a gold leaf from a magical tree. What was the significance of this action? Is it the reason he survives until the end of the story?
For a debut novel, Phoenix Vieira's attempt at a fantasy novel is by no means poor, but it does not live up to the expectations of similar stories in this genre. Other readers may enjoy the book and desire to read the next instalment of the series, whereas avid readers of fantasy fiction may feel disappointed with the result.
I was given an Advanced Reader Copy of Immortal Souls in exchange for an honest review. I am sorry I could not complete the review in the two-week time span - life and health had other plans. As an aside note, the copy I read had a few grammatical errors, which may or may not have made it into the final publication.
Edited to add: I appreciated the inclusion of religion in the storyline. This is something that I have not seen in fantasy novels, except for fictional religions.
Just as the reader is discovering the characters and learning who is "bad" and who is "good", the author takes the story on a tangent, introducing sirens, selkies and dryads. Whilst the conclusion ties all these creatures together, Corvus' initial meeting with the sirens sits awkwardly with the storyline. Whilst it is obvious the story takes place in a fictional realm, there is no mention of mythical, magical creatures until the sirens take both the characters and readers by surprise.
Immortal Souls is the first book in a series, so, understandably, some aspects remain unresolved, yet there seem to be a few loose ends that needed explaining before the end of the story. For instance, when with the sirens, Corvus took a gold leaf from a magical tree. What was the significance of this action? Is it the reason he survives until the end of the story?
For a debut novel, Phoenix Vieira's attempt at a fantasy novel is by no means poor, but it does not live up to the expectations of similar stories in this genre. Other readers may enjoy the book and desire to read the next instalment of the series, whereas avid readers of fantasy fiction may feel disappointed with the result.
I was given an Advanced Reader Copy of Immortal Souls in exchange for an honest review. I am sorry I could not complete the review in the two-week time span - life and health had other plans. As an aside note, the copy I read had a few grammatical errors, which may or may not have made it into the final publication.
Edited to add: I appreciated the inclusion of religion in the storyline. This is something that I have not seen in fantasy novels, except for fictional religions.
December 9, 2021
The whole book is like watching a movie. All the places are very beautifully described. Imaginary is perfect.
Now, for the story line:
The book starts and feels like just a medieval love and revenge story but towards the middle the fantasy section begins. It's a little weird because I totally forgot, I was reading a fantasy novel.
The Friends to lovers trope was there literally from the first chapter until the end. I have a small problem regarding this but it would be considered a huge spoiler so if you want to know just message me :)
There were times that the story strayed away from the plot but overall the story was decent. But I must say that I have waited for a long time for the plot twist that never came :(
The story was centered around the heir Corvus and the crown princess Saphyr. There was so little about the supporting characters that I really wish there was more. Kanis, the handsome fifth son of the wealthy house gives me "The Cruel Prince" vibes and Morgana the siren queen with shady motives and dark past was much more interesting than a crown princess with no talent and an ordinary young heir to a strong household.
I also didn't understand the end. They were saying something throughout the book but doing the opposite. Makes no sense to me. I don't know.
This book could be 5 stars if the supporting characters (Siren Queen Morgana and Kanis the best friend who knew how to use a sword better than heir Corvus but never had a chance to show) were the main characters. Maybe I am saying this because as a reader I connected with Morgana and Kanis more than Saphyr and Corvus. Honestly there wasn't anything connecting me into Saphyr and Corvus. Corvus is an all talk-boy not an action. Saphyr is just a whiny little princess but sometimes makes brave decisions. (Sometimes..) Kanis was the loyalist and cutest best friend anyone could ever have and Morgana is just a super badass and powerful queen. You can make your own decisions about that :)
All things considered it's a solid 3 stars for me!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Now, for the story line:
The book starts and feels like just a medieval love and revenge story but towards the middle the fantasy section begins. It's a little weird because I totally forgot, I was reading a fantasy novel.
The Friends to lovers trope was there literally from the first chapter until the end. I have a small problem regarding this but it would be considered a huge spoiler so if you want to know just message me :)
There were times that the story strayed away from the plot but overall the story was decent. But I must say that I have waited for a long time for the plot twist that never came :(
The story was centered around the heir Corvus and the crown princess Saphyr. There was so little about the supporting characters that I really wish there was more. Kanis, the handsome fifth son of the wealthy house gives me "The Cruel Prince" vibes and Morgana the siren queen with shady motives and dark past was much more interesting than a crown princess with no talent and an ordinary young heir to a strong household.
I also didn't understand the end. They were saying something throughout the book but doing the opposite. Makes no sense to me. I don't know.
This book could be 5 stars if the supporting characters (Siren Queen Morgana and Kanis the best friend who knew how to use a sword better than heir Corvus but never had a chance to show) were the main characters. Maybe I am saying this because as a reader I connected with Morgana and Kanis more than Saphyr and Corvus. Honestly there wasn't anything connecting me into Saphyr and Corvus. Corvus is an all talk-boy not an action. Saphyr is just a whiny little princess but sometimes makes brave decisions. (Sometimes..) Kanis was the loyalist and cutest best friend anyone could ever have and Morgana is just a super badass and powerful queen. You can make your own decisions about that :)
All things considered it's a solid 3 stars for me!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 12, 2022
I do not know how to begin to explain the emotion that this book caused me in just a few chapters, when everything went from a dance to chaos, betrayal, a coup, going on a trip and then being kidnapped ...
There were so many things that, without a doubt, they screamed: THIS WAS THE BOOK YOU NEEDED TO START THE YEAR FULL OF ADRENALINE.
Because it was, and I seriously thank the author for having read Immortal Souls for the opportunity to meet Corvus (my favorite character in the whole book) Zaphyr, Morgana and Kanis.
I want to begin to clarify my ideas to give a professional review, but I cannot, it was a book that took me from one moment to another and it did not stop worrying me, although that was precisely what prevented me from giving it five stars. I feel like with so many things happening from one scene to the next, many of those moments were very quick and the depth lasted or did not reach me as long.
I really liked the appearance of Mermaids and Morgana is my second favorite character in the book, I venerate her and love her, she has my heart and can make me her slave 🛐 although I think I would like the character of Shaphyr more, but it was not like that. Nothing against it, but I didn't find anything attractive about her.
I really liked the narration from Corvus's point of view, how he defends his position, his love and he fights for what he wants, no matter how high the price. He has a noble soul and a huge heart, as well as enough courage that I am sure that he can give more in the following books. Besides that his friendship with Kanis is something exemplary and beautiful. I really liked them.
The description of the places was impeccable, I really liked how the author gives the necessary and correct details, but without overloading the reader.
Without a doubt a reading that was worth every minute. I am already eager to know more about Corvus.
There were so many things that, without a doubt, they screamed: THIS WAS THE BOOK YOU NEEDED TO START THE YEAR FULL OF ADRENALINE.
Because it was, and I seriously thank the author for having read Immortal Souls for the opportunity to meet Corvus (my favorite character in the whole book) Zaphyr, Morgana and Kanis.
I want to begin to clarify my ideas to give a professional review, but I cannot, it was a book that took me from one moment to another and it did not stop worrying me, although that was precisely what prevented me from giving it five stars. I feel like with so many things happening from one scene to the next, many of those moments were very quick and the depth lasted or did not reach me as long.
I really liked the appearance of Mermaids and Morgana is my second favorite character in the book, I venerate her and love her, she has my heart and can make me her slave 🛐 although I think I would like the character of Shaphyr more, but it was not like that. Nothing against it, but I didn't find anything attractive about her.
I really liked the narration from Corvus's point of view, how he defends his position, his love and he fights for what he wants, no matter how high the price. He has a noble soul and a huge heart, as well as enough courage that I am sure that he can give more in the following books. Besides that his friendship with Kanis is something exemplary and beautiful. I really liked them.
The description of the places was impeccable, I really liked how the author gives the necessary and correct details, but without overloading the reader.
Without a doubt a reading that was worth every minute. I am already eager to know more about Corvus.
December 12, 2021
This book was captivating and faced paced. There was never a moment while reading when I wasn't on the edge of my seat wanting to know more or wanting to see want would happen next. I really enjoyed the use of a fallen Empire, a forbidden royal romance, and an ancient treaty with the Fae were used within this story. All are elements I really love and this was done well in my opinion. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The world within this story is one that is marked with greed and swimming with rebellion, and death lurks in the shadows just waiting to consume anyone that puts up a fight. This world is intriguing and enthralling, and I was able to picture it well while I read it.
When a friendship between Corvus, an heir to the most powerful house, and Crown Princess Saphyr becomes frowned upon and by the Emperor due to the threat Corvus poses the Emperor forbids their friendship from transpiring any longer. He doesn't take kindly to the forbidding and formulates an Alliance to over throw the Emperor. But a betrayal buckles his plans and sends him into exile.
When the lethal Queen of the Sirens emerges from the secret realm of Sirenibus, Corvus is tempted by an irresistible deal at a dangerous price. And through out the story he is caught up in a conspiracy and a war between light and darkness that could be terrible destruction. It's up to him and Saphyr to fight to save everyone from a terrible fate and hopefully restore the Empire to its former glory. But along the way he may have to sacrifice more than he is willing to give.
This was a very enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to seeing where this story goes. Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this book.
The world within this story is one that is marked with greed and swimming with rebellion, and death lurks in the shadows just waiting to consume anyone that puts up a fight. This world is intriguing and enthralling, and I was able to picture it well while I read it.
When a friendship between Corvus, an heir to the most powerful house, and Crown Princess Saphyr becomes frowned upon and by the Emperor due to the threat Corvus poses the Emperor forbids their friendship from transpiring any longer. He doesn't take kindly to the forbidding and formulates an Alliance to over throw the Emperor. But a betrayal buckles his plans and sends him into exile.
When the lethal Queen of the Sirens emerges from the secret realm of Sirenibus, Corvus is tempted by an irresistible deal at a dangerous price. And through out the story he is caught up in a conspiracy and a war between light and darkness that could be terrible destruction. It's up to him and Saphyr to fight to save everyone from a terrible fate and hopefully restore the Empire to its former glory. But along the way he may have to sacrifice more than he is willing to give.
This was a very enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to seeing where this story goes. Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this book.
December 2, 2021
*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review*
Immortal Souls took me by surprise! I really enjoyed it. The cover sucked me in (hello, that is gorgeous 🤩), and the synopsis was intriguing.
Immortal Souls follows Corvus, the sole Heir to the most powerful house, as he created an Alliance to overthrow the current Emperor. However, things go sideways when he is exiled. Corvus is tempted to create an irresistible deal with the Queen of the Sirens, but how far will he go to help Saphyr, his crush since childhood? How far will he go to save the Empire, Saphyr, and his life long friend Kanis?
Plot wise: the only thing I have to say about it is that I wish we got introduced to the mythological aspects of the world before we did. It felt jarring to suddenly go from Corvus on a boat to ‘oh wow Sirens are real?’ If we were introduced to it earlier, it would’ve been better.
Characters: I really loved Corvus. It’s been a while since I read a book from a males POV, and it was refreshing. I also loved Kanis, he was funny and really fun. Saphyr on the other hand, for most of the story she was very one dimensional. But around the 70% mark, I finally liked her a bit.
Overall, Immortal Souls was a really fun and easy read! Very fast paced, intriguing, and the romance is great.
Immortal Souls took me by surprise! I really enjoyed it. The cover sucked me in (hello, that is gorgeous 🤩), and the synopsis was intriguing.
Immortal Souls follows Corvus, the sole Heir to the most powerful house, as he created an Alliance to overthrow the current Emperor. However, things go sideways when he is exiled. Corvus is tempted to create an irresistible deal with the Queen of the Sirens, but how far will he go to help Saphyr, his crush since childhood? How far will he go to save the Empire, Saphyr, and his life long friend Kanis?
Plot wise: the only thing I have to say about it is that I wish we got introduced to the mythological aspects of the world before we did. It felt jarring to suddenly go from Corvus on a boat to ‘oh wow Sirens are real?’ If we were introduced to it earlier, it would’ve been better.
Characters: I really loved Corvus. It’s been a while since I read a book from a males POV, and it was refreshing. I also loved Kanis, he was funny and really fun. Saphyr on the other hand, for most of the story she was very one dimensional. But around the 70% mark, I finally liked her a bit.
Overall, Immortal Souls was a really fun and easy read! Very fast paced, intriguing, and the romance is great.
December 8, 2021
Thank you to the brilliant publisher and author for providing me with a free advanced copy.
You can tell the author has put a lot of work into this (14 years in fact) and it really pays off with this intriguing, detailed novel, however, there were things I didn't enjoy
Its got fae and a forbidden romance, two things I absolutely adore. It felt fast paced and the chapters were short.
However, the POV and emotions of Corvus were chaotic and choppy. Corvus was constantly changing his mind about things. Corvus is meh, and Saphyr has little to no personality.
Also how many times do we need to know what she smells like? Like come on!
Morgana is the most interesting character by far but we look at her through the eyes of Corvus so his views aren't always reliable.
Corvus is the heir to the most powerful House, and is a close friend Crown Princess Saphyr. When the Emperor forbids their friendship, Corvus forms an Alliance to overthrow him, but he is immediately betrayed and exiled. Thats where the forbidden romance aspect comes in.
Can I just say that I loved the final sentence of the final chapter.
It had some intrigue and definitely has potential.
You can tell the author has put a lot of work into this (14 years in fact) and it really pays off with this intriguing, detailed novel, however, there were things I didn't enjoy
Its got fae and a forbidden romance, two things I absolutely adore. It felt fast paced and the chapters were short.
However, the POV and emotions of Corvus were chaotic and choppy. Corvus was constantly changing his mind about things. Corvus is meh, and Saphyr has little to no personality.
Also how many times do we need to know what she smells like? Like come on!
Morgana is the most interesting character by far but we look at her through the eyes of Corvus so his views aren't always reliable.
Corvus is the heir to the most powerful House, and is a close friend Crown Princess Saphyr. When the Emperor forbids their friendship, Corvus forms an Alliance to overthrow him, but he is immediately betrayed and exiled. Thats where the forbidden romance aspect comes in.
Can I just say that I loved the final sentence of the final chapter.
It had some intrigue and definitely has potential.
February 28, 2022
IMMORTAL SOULS by @phoenixvieiraofficial
Publication Date: December 12, 2021
Genre: Fantasy Romance
A heady dose of adrenaline, political intrigue, fantasy romance, along with strong characters that I enjoyed reading about.
Corvus,son of Colthus, sole heir to the House of Alba, aka the wealthiest heir gone rogue. Corvus has carefully forged a clandestine alliance to stop the mindless killings and backwards deals of the emperor.
His childhood friends Kanis and Saphyr, remain diligent that maybe the court and empire will return to its formal glory.
Saphyr. Is now a crowned princess, expected to marry, in which would seal a deal with her treacherous father and the highest bidder.
In a series of events Corvus finds himself betrayed by his father like mentor, General Galbreg. When a meticulously planned coup goes wrong, his childhood friends Kanis and Saphyr must flee for their very lives. A tempting deal that comes with a dangerous price with none other than the Queen of the Sirens, who has emerged from the secret realm of Sirenibus.
🏷
#phoenixvieiraofficial #YABooks #YABooksofInstagram #YAFantasy #indieauthorsbeseen#YAFantasyBooks #YALiterature #youngadult #YoungAdultBooks #coverlove
December 10, 2021
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I did enjoy reading immortal souls, the story was entertaining and different. However, I just didn’t get fully into it and in some parts it felt a bit cheesy. All in all, I recommend the book for those that enjoy young adult stories with fantasy and love stories.
Some things I really enjoyed about the book:
- story is told through a male main character. This seems so uncommon with young adult books these days and I appreciated the change
- I liked the tie in of different and unique types of characters like sirens and dryads and the cool world that each live in. Enjoyed reading about their way of life and personalities etc. I think building those worlds out more would have made it more enjoyable
Areas for improvement:
- the ending seemed drawn out for me, and I was ready for it to wrap up at about 90% in.
- the overall angst, insecurity, and behavior of the main character drove me nuts at times which I think is primarily what made this book difficult to really accept and enjoy fully
Some things I really enjoyed about the book:
- story is told through a male main character. This seems so uncommon with young adult books these days and I appreciated the change
- I liked the tie in of different and unique types of characters like sirens and dryads and the cool world that each live in. Enjoyed reading about their way of life and personalities etc. I think building those worlds out more would have made it more enjoyable
Areas for improvement:
- the ending seemed drawn out for me, and I was ready for it to wrap up at about 90% in.
- the overall angst, insecurity, and behavior of the main character drove me nuts at times which I think is primarily what made this book difficult to really accept and enjoy fully
Read
December 5, 2021Thank you so much Netgalley for sending me an ARC of Immortal Souls in exchange for an honest review.
The blurb of this book interested me and I was eager to sink my teeth into it. Unfortunately, I immediately knew that this book just wasn't for me.
I found it difficult to connect with the characters and the plot, which should have been intriguing, was a bit lacklustre.
I was excited to read this book from Corvus' POV, but he was just an underwhelming character and his love interest, Saphyr was just as bland.
I found myself skimming because I just had no real connection to the characters or the plot.
I wish the book had been a bit more fleshed out, especially our characters because I really just did not have any connection with them. It is a relevantly short novel, so there easily could have been some extra scenes and chapters added.
This series does hold promise, so I was really disappointed I didn't love it.
The blurb of this book interested me and I was eager to sink my teeth into it. Unfortunately, I immediately knew that this book just wasn't for me.
I found it difficult to connect with the characters and the plot, which should have been intriguing, was a bit lacklustre.
I was excited to read this book from Corvus' POV, but he was just an underwhelming character and his love interest, Saphyr was just as bland.
I found myself skimming because I just had no real connection to the characters or the plot.
I wish the book had been a bit more fleshed out, especially our characters because I really just did not have any connection with them. It is a relevantly short novel, so there easily could have been some extra scenes and chapters added.
This series does hold promise, so I was really disappointed I didn't love it.
December 16, 2021
When a story starts with a coup, you know you are in for one heckuva ride! And, action-wise this story did not disapoint. However, I was ambivalent about the main character, who just kept making bad decisions, time after time... ad nauseum. While his motives were pure and decent, there seemed to be a LOT of people who were way too invested in keeping this lemming from running off the cliff-- and he was constantly putting this trust into the wrong people, again and again, while ignoring (or protecting) the people who actually cared about him.
The world-building was fascinating and diverse and the characters were well-developed. Albeit, weirdly invested in the main character, who didn't seem worthy of their machinations and kept trying to get himself killed.
All in all, this was an interesting start to the series and wholy unlike anything else I have ever read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The world-building was fascinating and diverse and the characters were well-developed. Albeit, weirdly invested in the main character, who didn't seem worthy of their machinations and kept trying to get himself killed.
All in all, this was an interesting start to the series and wholy unlike anything else I have ever read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 1, 2021
This story followed Corvus, soul heir of House Alba and Seraphine, the Emperors daughter who is to be sold to the wealthiest suitor. From the beginning it very quickly explodes into action. You are immediately taken on an adventure and have a bit of catching up to do with what is going on.
It was fast paced and had plenty twists and turns to keep you entertained. My favourite character was Morgana who was quite mysterious throughout. Her magical abilities were really interesting and I enjoyed all the chapters with her in it.
For me the romantic scenes fell a bit flat at times. I felt they needed more exploring to develop a more emotional love story. A bit more tension and passion.
I liked the ending so overall a good YA fantasy novel.
This was sent to me through netgalley for an honest review.
It was fast paced and had plenty twists and turns to keep you entertained. My favourite character was Morgana who was quite mysterious throughout. Her magical abilities were really interesting and I enjoyed all the chapters with her in it.
For me the romantic scenes fell a bit flat at times. I felt they needed more exploring to develop a more emotional love story. A bit more tension and passion.
I liked the ending so overall a good YA fantasy novel.
This was sent to me through netgalley for an honest review.
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February 9, 2022DNF after 40%
Thank You to NetGalley and Phoenix Vieira for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an hornest review.
"Immortal Souls" by Phoenix Vieira is the first book of a fantasy series and my first novel by this author.
I found it very difficult to get into the story. As reader you enter this story by driving directly into action and I had no idea what was going on. There is just too much happening at once which only leads to confusion. Unfortunately, I couldn't connect with the characters or the story. Corvus was a very impulsive and emotionally driven character and was just too much for me. Saphyr was just pale and has absolutely no personality.
However, I liked the writing style of Phoenix Vieira very much and I also found her basic idea super! Unfortunately, I did not like the implementation.
Thank You to NetGalley and Phoenix Vieira for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an hornest review.
"Immortal Souls" by Phoenix Vieira is the first book of a fantasy series and my first novel by this author.
I found it very difficult to get into the story. As reader you enter this story by driving directly into action and I had no idea what was going on. There is just too much happening at once which only leads to confusion. Unfortunately, I couldn't connect with the characters or the story. Corvus was a very impulsive and emotionally driven character and was just too much for me. Saphyr was just pale and has absolutely no personality.
However, I liked the writing style of Phoenix Vieira very much and I also found her basic idea super! Unfortunately, I did not like the implementation.
November 27, 2021
I was given a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
This book wasn’t for me. I felt that the relationships were forced and the characters were not developed enough. Corvus is too wishywashy to be a strong main character. Saphyr doesn’t really add anything to the story. The chapters seem choppy. I also feel like the idea of magical beings should have been introduced soon in the story. How the were introduced did not seem like a natural inclusion into the world, but more like an afterthought shoved in.
I really had to force myself read this book.
This book wasn’t for me. I felt that the relationships were forced and the characters were not developed enough. Corvus is too wishywashy to be a strong main character. Saphyr doesn’t really add anything to the story. The chapters seem choppy. I also feel like the idea of magical beings should have been introduced soon in the story. How the were introduced did not seem like a natural inclusion into the world, but more like an afterthought shoved in.
I really had to force myself read this book.
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