February 13, 2012

Review: Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey

Shattered Souls (Souls #1)
Author: Mary Lindsey
Publisher: Philomel/Penguin
Publication Date: December 8, 2011
Pages: 336
Source: Hardcover/Library

A thrilling debut story of death, love, destiny and danger
Lenzi hears voices and has visions - gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she's a reincarnated Speaker - someone who can talk to and help lost souls - and that he has been her Protector for centuries. 

Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon.

Review: This book was fantastic! I'll be honest, this book wasn't even on my TBR list at the time I picked it up. The only reason I picked it up when I saw it at the library was because I thought that maybe I'd get around to it before I had to return it. I cant believe I second guessed reading this book! It was freaking amazing! Ok, so a few things in this book reminded me of Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton. Like how Lenzi/Rose took longer than normal to come back and how when she did she couldnt remember any of her previous lives, just as Ellie did in Angelfire. And how she had a Protector also. But besides the similarities I still loved the book. I loved how Lenzie was a Speaker to the Hindered and Alden helped her help them move on. I always love a story where people are able to help spirits move on. I love knowing spirits are at peace (even if it's just in a book).

I kind of felt bad for Lenzi at the beginning. She was being like haunted by all these Hindered spirits and she didn't know how to deal with it. She thought she was gonna end up like her crazy dad. I cant imagine how she must have felt thinking that. And then when Alden appeared in her life telling her she's not crazy but then telling her she's supposed to help the Hindered move on. I cant imagine what was worse at that moment. Thinking she's crazy like her dad or being told your a reincarnated soul sent to help Hindered spirits move on. I liked how she tried to stay open to it even though she was extremely skeptical at first. She was at least willing to try helping one time to see if it was really true and after finding out it was becoming more open to it. She matured a lot with her role as being a Speaker and I enjoyed seeing her growth. Even when times got really tough she believed in herself as a Speaker! And I really enjoyed watching Alden and Lenzi's relationship grow over time. And I'm so glad when Alden was in trouble at the end Lenzi came through for him. He deserved to live even if what he did with Zak was against the rules. Zak... He was extremely annoying. I mean he seemed ok at the beginning but as the story went on he became annoying like no tomorrow. I mean Lenzi even tried to break up with him and he wouldn't listen. It her life, not yours, you cant force her to talk to you or force her to give you a chance when she's already made up her mind about who she wants to be with. I'm glad Alden jumped in and saved Lenzi before Zak got them both killed! I would have hated to read the story and it end up with Lenzi dead. That would have pissed me off. But I loved the ending that actually did happen so its fine. Lol.

5 Stars!