Cracked (Soul Eaters, #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Nov 10, 2013 Christal rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-and-na, death-as-a-character, female-lead, ghosts, urban-fantasy, magic, demons, mind-bullets, arcs, motorcycles

Check out our group discussion of this book at BadassBookReviews.com!

I have been very pleased with the quality of the Strange Chemistry books I've read, but Cracked turned out to be one of my favorites so far. It combined creepiness and humor to near-perfect effect and had one of the most unique narrators I've seen in a while. I highly recommend this one!

Meda is a soul-eater whoe finds herself behind enemy lines. She thought she was the only one of her kind but then she runs into some men who se Check out our group discussion of this book at BadassBookReviews.com!

I have been very pleased with the quality of the Strange Chemistry books I've read, but Cracked turned out to be one of my favorites so far. It combined creepiness and humor to near-perfect effect and had one of the most unique narrators I've seen in a while. I highly recommend this one!

Meda is a soul-eater whoe finds herself behind enemy lines. She thought she was the only one of her kind but then she runs into some men who seem to have her same powers and they turned out to be much more evil as well. She is "saved" by a teenaged Templar, hunter of the soul-eating demons, and decides to go undercover to try and learn more about herself and her heritage. She ends up finding out way more than she expected and now has to make a choice about where she truly belongs.

Thos book is pretty dark in some places and has a nice little creep factor running through it. I appreciated how dark Eliza Crewe kept this book even though it’s YA. Books about demons and soul eating should be gritty and Ms. Crewe gave us that while still keeping it appropriate for the YA crowd. That first scene with Meda in the insane asylum… Talk about creepy!

I found Meda to be a gem of a character because, even though she wasn’t a terribly nice or good person, I still liked her and was rooting her for to come out on top. I also loved the supporting characters in this book and thought they were well-developed. I liked that Chi wasn’t just a popular kid stereotype. He had hidden depths and feelings that were shown throughout the book. Jo wasn’t just the bitchy sidekick; she had a reason for her anger and was actually a match for Meda. Uri was such a sweet kid, but in the end he was a true hero.

The humor in this book was a definite high point. Even in the darkest situations Meda could be counted on for a funny line or twisted observation. The writing balanced the worlds of light and dark really well, but also showed that everything isn’t that clean-cut. Take Meda herself for instance, she is almost always bathed in shades of gray.

The only thing I didn’t really like was the ending. I wanted to know more about Meda’s immediate future and the decision of the Templars. Everything else I can wait for, but don’t tell me someone is making a decision and then not give me the decision!

All in all, I found this to be a very promising debut. Strange Chemistry is a terrific imprint for quality YA science fiction and fantasy, but I think that Cracked is a standout even for them.

Thank you to Netgalley and Strange Chemistry for proving an ARC copy of this book! ...more

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May 06, 2014 Samantha rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ya, own, ebook-own, favorites, 2014

Loved the heroine, with her dry, sarcastic view of the world (which is painfully honest). I also really admired the fact that the author took the time to make me love the other characters just as much. I can't wait for the next in the series, because Crewe knows how to raise the stakes and how to make the reader roll with the punches (and they can be real doozies, too). ...more

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Jul 12, 2015 D rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This book's description may sound like a story you've heard before, but here it's told in an entirely new way. Refreshingly original. ...more

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Nov 15, 2013 Brandi ;) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ghosties-and-immortals, i-dont-wanna-grow-up-ya-read-as-ad, angels-demons-otherworld-creatures, paranormal, mediums-psychics-those-who-see-dead, kindle-kindle-love-my-kindle, great-sense-of-humor, 2013, a-m-a-z-i-n-g-my-faves, read-it-again

Cracked by Eliza Crewe
5 STARS
I LOVED THIS STORY! What a unique story line, but at the same time one that is well used. Demons. Good vs Evil. But with a twist, a soul eating twist.

It is so wonderful when I start a book and it gets under my skin almost immediately. Meda, the female mc, snuck into my head & fastened on & didn't let go. I'm still rolling her witty, sarcastic, almost-evil but not quite, soul-eating self around in my head. She fascinates me. She was like a snake, very focused & real, Cracked by Eliza Crewe
5 STARS
I LOVED THIS STORY! What a unique story line, but at the same time one that is well used. Demons. Good vs Evil. But with a twist, a soul eating twist.

It is so wonderful when I start a book and it gets under my skin almost immediately. Meda, the female mc, snuck into my head & fastened on & didn't let go. I'm still rolling her witty, sarcastic, almost-evil but not quite, soul-eating self around in my head. She fascinates me. She was like a snake, very focused & real, a predator but with a teeny-tiny bit of conscious. I loved how her mind worked, I enjoyed reading her thoughts & watching her ponder over the emotions she wasn't sure what to do with. Meda is a very intriguing character & I can't wait to read more!

The supporting characters were fun. Uri broke my heart. This author isn't afraid to take risks, but the risks are well planned & executed just right, even if they kind of suck. I still respect how the story played out, regardless.

I have so many questions, but not the annoying questions from a story left unexplained or unanswered. They are the good kind of questions that make me hungry for more of this story, questions that make me excited to read more, as soon as there is more.
I am excited to have found this story. I needed a good book to pull me out of the paranormal mediocracy I've been experiencing lately. Not bad books, but nothing to get excited over, till now. Now how am I going to top this!

Quotes from the book worth repeating:
".....Canadian "bacon". Ha, it is as much bacon as I am human. We are both liars, but I feel it committed the greater offense."

"The only conversation between us is the tap of our feet.
Pit-pat,<\i> mine say.
Pit-thunk,<\i> hers reply.
Pit-pat,<\i> mine insist.
Pit-thunk,<\i> hers maintain.
Pit-shuffle-shuffle.<\i>
My little skip and slide earns a funny look from Jo. What? It's tiresome the way they argue."

"Maybe if I try in Latin? 'Iss-kay er-hay.' Ok, so it's only pig Latin. Sue me."

And many many more. Meda was very entertaining, you won't regret reading this one. If you like snark & humor & don't mind a little beheading and demon shredding, you will love this one. Enjoy :) ...more

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