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Soul Hate #1
Soul Hate
The Holy States teach that everyone is born with a Soulmate. But every coin has two sides…
Renza di Maineri is the youngest elected leader her city has ever seen. Devoted to the citizens of Halice, she is determined to prove herself and finally step beyond her father’s shadow. But her world falls apart when she meets her worst nightmare, Idris Patricelli.
It’s bad enough that Idris is her main political rival, but fate is playing a cruel game. Idris is also her Soulhate, the person she is fated to destroy, and every moment in his presence she fights an urge to rip his throat out.
As gossip spreads and her ability to lead is challenged, Renza is desperate to salvage her reputation. But fate is not quite finished with her yet… can she uncover who can be trusted among those closest to her, when she cannot even trust herself?
Renza di Maineri is the youngest elected leader her city has ever seen. Devoted to the citizens of Halice, she is determined to prove herself and finally step beyond her father’s shadow. But her world falls apart when she meets her worst nightmare, Idris Patricelli.
It’s bad enough that Idris is her main political rival, but fate is playing a cruel game. Idris is also her Soulhate, the person she is fated to destroy, and every moment in his presence she fights an urge to rip his throat out.
As gossip spreads and her ability to lead is challenged, Renza is desperate to salvage her reputation. But fate is not quite finished with her yet… can she uncover who can be trusted among those closest to her, when she cannot even trust herself?
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2025
36 people are currently reading
952 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
February 11, 2025
Soul Hate is Hannah Kingsleys adult romantasy debut, and it had a lot of really awesome things going for it.
What I enjoyed:
•The premise is so unique and interesting. Every person is born with two Fated, a soulmate and a soul hate. One is destined to love you, and the other is destined to destroy you. Most people never meet their fated, but Renza meets her Soulhate in one of her political rivals son Idris. They instantly hate each other and have to fight constantly to avoid killing each other to fulfill their fates.
•The political aspect of this book as fast paced and well done. The world building was based on Ancient Rome and Greece as far as the democratic ruling system and culture was concerned. I felt like the author did a great job at showing (not telling) readers how much Renza loved her city and wanted to be a good leader.
•The tension between Renza and Idris in the last 25% of the book was delicious! Having to fight your instinctual disgust/gods given hatred to act on your attraction is such a new idea and it really worked for me.
What I didn’t love:
•This was marketed to me as a romantasy, but it felt like this was a political fantasy instead. Romance had very little to do with it, and the main romantic love scene about 40% through the book was the FMC with a different man. Idris and Renza, who were marketed as the enemies to lovers, didn’t speak more than 2-3 times before the 60%. Most of the romantic buildup and scenes were between Renza and her childhood friend. Since the book was marketed using Renza and Idris’ relationship, this felt unnecessary and took a lot away from their emotional connection.
•The pacing on the end felt a little rushed, like so much time was spend on buildup that nothing was left for the big reveal and conclusion. After I realized that politics were the main star of the show, I wanted to see how they played out.
•This is nitpicky, but the word “creamy” was used to describe stone and rock 15(!!!) times in 344 pages. Believe me, that’s a lot when you’re reading it. 🫠
Overall I think this is a solid debut. Hannah Kingsley has a distinct voice and a great imagination. I’m interested to see where she takes this series 🩷
Pre read: I got this ARC and I still can’t believe how pretty the cover is! Hopefully it’s fun 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
What I enjoyed:
•The premise is so unique and interesting. Every person is born with two Fated, a soulmate and a soul hate. One is destined to love you, and the other is destined to destroy you. Most people never meet their fated, but Renza meets her Soulhate in one of her political rivals son Idris. They instantly hate each other and have to fight constantly to avoid killing each other to fulfill their fates.
•The political aspect of this book as fast paced and well done. The world building was based on Ancient Rome and Greece as far as the democratic ruling system and culture was concerned. I felt like the author did a great job at showing (not telling) readers how much Renza loved her city and wanted to be a good leader.
•The tension between Renza and Idris in the last 25% of the book was delicious! Having to fight your instinctual disgust/gods given hatred to act on your attraction is such a new idea and it really worked for me.
What I didn’t love:
•This was marketed to me as a romantasy, but it felt like this was a political fantasy instead. Romance had very little to do with it, and the main romantic love scene about 40% through the book was the FMC with a different man. Idris and Renza, who were marketed as the enemies to lovers, didn’t speak more than 2-3 times before the 60%. Most of the romantic buildup and scenes were between Renza and her childhood friend. Since the book was marketed using Renza and Idris’ relationship, this felt unnecessary and took a lot away from their emotional connection.
•The pacing on the end felt a little rushed, like so much time was spend on buildup that nothing was left for the big reveal and conclusion. After I realized that politics were the main star of the show, I wanted to see how they played out.
•This is nitpicky, but the word “creamy” was used to describe stone and rock 15(!!!) times in 344 pages. Believe me, that’s a lot when you’re reading it. 🫠
Overall I think this is a solid debut. Hannah Kingsley has a distinct voice and a great imagination. I’m interested to see where she takes this series 🩷
Pre read: I got this ARC and I still can’t believe how pretty the cover is! Hopefully it’s fun 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
March 4, 2025
This debut novel delivers an intriguing premise: political rivals bound by a supernatural curse, destined to destroy each other. Renza di Maineri, the youngest leader in Halice’s history, faces mounting pressure to prove herself—only to discover that her fiercest competitor, Idris Patricelli, is also her Soulhate, triggering a primal urge for violence whenever they’re near. As scandal and distrust spread, Renza must navigate the treacherous world of politics, power, and fate.
The worldbuilding is solid, and the central conflict between duty and destiny creates real tension. Renza is a compelling protagonist, torn between ambition, responsibility, and an almost uncontrollable force pushing her toward destruction. Idris, though formidable, feels somewhat underdeveloped, making their dynamic less impactful than it could be. The political intrigue is engaging, though at times predictable, and the pacing dips in the middle before regaining momentum toward the end.
While the novel doesn’t break new ground, it’s a strong debut with an interesting twist on rivalries and fate. Fans of political fantasy with a touch of the supernatural may find it enjoyable.
🎶The Other Side – Ruelle
🎶Dynasty – MIIA
The worldbuilding is solid, and the central conflict between duty and destiny creates real tension. Renza is a compelling protagonist, torn between ambition, responsibility, and an almost uncontrollable force pushing her toward destruction. Idris, though formidable, feels somewhat underdeveloped, making their dynamic less impactful than it could be. The political intrigue is engaging, though at times predictable, and the pacing dips in the middle before regaining momentum toward the end.
While the novel doesn’t break new ground, it’s a strong debut with an interesting twist on rivalries and fate. Fans of political fantasy with a touch of the supernatural may find it enjoyable.
🎶The Other Side – Ruelle
🎶Dynasty – MIIA
March 15, 2025
˚ ༘♡ pre-read:
╰┈➤ received an arc january 2nd, 2025
received this arc and the concept sounded so good! (don't ask me why the goodreads title is an novel in itself) (yay it's no longer super long lol)
⋆˚࿔ soul hate review 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
┆ ⤿ 💌 3.5 stars!
This book had a ton ton of potential! I love the concept of our two main leads being fated to hate eachother and not the usually used "soulmate" trope. However, the romance felt lacking. I wanted tension between lust/love vs. their hate for eachother but we really only get any romance more than 70% in.
Renza also does something towards the end of the book that I felt deserved to have a moment of confrontation and fierce feelings but it felt like it was quickly dealt with instead. Overall a fun concept that I think had a very intruging world built around it, but it could have been even better executed.
｡ﾟ• ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈ ┈ ┈ ┈• ｡ﾟ
⤿ follow me on instagram!
╰┈➤ received an arc january 2nd, 2025
received this arc and the concept sounded so good! (don't ask me why the goodreads title is an novel in itself) (yay it's no longer super long lol)
⋆˚࿔ soul hate review 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
┆ ⤿ 💌 3.5 stars!
This book had a ton ton of potential! I love the concept of our two main leads being fated to hate eachother and not the usually used "soulmate" trope. However, the romance felt lacking. I wanted tension between lust/love vs. their hate for eachother but we really only get any romance more than 70% in.
Renza also does something towards the end of the book that I felt deserved to have a moment of confrontation and fierce feelings but it felt like it was quickly dealt with instead. Overall a fun concept that I think had a very intruging world built around it, but it could have been even better executed.
｡ﾟ• ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈ ┈ ┈ ┈• ｡ﾟ
⤿ follow me on instagram!
April 25, 2025
The prologue chapter was the only interesting part about this book. I really thought it would be a hit since that hooked me really fast but it lost me quickly after that.
The plot was very predictable and boring. It being marketed as YA is misleading bc though yes it reads like a YA novel, there was content that was notttt YA. And it was the most unnecessary scene too like it just felt very odd to me.
I liked the mmc a lot. He’s cute. The fmc was okay but I couldn’t find it in myself to really care about her? The chemistry and romance between them didn’t feel forced but it felt rushed and clumsy. There wasn’t any finesse to it.
Overall just didn’t feel any connection to this book whatsoever.
ೃ⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the ARC ♥︎
The plot was very predictable and boring. It being marketed as YA is misleading bc though yes it reads like a YA novel, there was content that was notttt YA. And it was the most unnecessary scene too like it just felt very odd to me.
I liked the mmc a lot. He’s cute. The fmc was okay but I couldn’t find it in myself to really care about her? The chemistry and romance between them didn’t feel forced but it felt rushed and clumsy. There wasn’t any finesse to it.
Overall just didn’t feel any connection to this book whatsoever.
ೃ⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the ARC ♥︎
December 26, 2024
I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this prior to release.
There is a story in here, strip away the modern dialogue, the modern references, the lack of flip flopping of historical fantasy inspiration and modern and you'd have a 'good story' that requires work to make it better.
Picture a world that apparently is ancient Rome. Gods cursed people to have 'soul hates', meaning that there is someone on earth that once they are in your proximity it triggers an anger switch that takes over and makes you want to rip / maim / kill the other. Our female lead is currently discovering hers. Hers is a boy she knew of, had not seen for years, but returned with some weight in the same circles she is in. Seeing that she wants better for her city, and is on a mission to do so, she is now facing the issue of her soul hate working in the same circles.
This is where the story starts to fall apart. The importance of the soul hate - hence the book - is pretty crucial, strong. You think the author would allow more of a focus on gods, goddesses, soul hates - breaking a soul hate? No. Besides the fact that we were told that soul hates exist and continue to exist... you never hear anything else supernatural or strange again.
BUT, you do get such a modern-esque prose and approach from the author regarding the setting and its characters that it takes you out of thinking you're in a fantasy land where people wear togas, wraps, sandals, etc. The author cannot drop the modern day references. Instead of 'courting' she uses the word 'dating'. 20th Century words are thrown around a lot... and it's like, why set it in ancient fantasy times if your writing keeps straying to call and use modern day references. It took me completely out of it book, especially since people are using swords and daggers to kill one another instead of guns.
The characters - villains included - are boring. Very flat. They had the equivalent of paper dolls - made to go to point A to B.
There is a story in here, strip away the modern dialogue, the modern references, the lack of flip flopping of historical fantasy inspiration and modern and you'd have a 'good story' that requires work to make it better.
Picture a world that apparently is ancient Rome. Gods cursed people to have 'soul hates', meaning that there is someone on earth that once they are in your proximity it triggers an anger switch that takes over and makes you want to rip / maim / kill the other. Our female lead is currently discovering hers. Hers is a boy she knew of, had not seen for years, but returned with some weight in the same circles she is in. Seeing that she wants better for her city, and is on a mission to do so, she is now facing the issue of her soul hate working in the same circles.
This is where the story starts to fall apart. The importance of the soul hate - hence the book - is pretty crucial, strong. You think the author would allow more of a focus on gods, goddesses, soul hates - breaking a soul hate? No. Besides the fact that we were told that soul hates exist and continue to exist... you never hear anything else supernatural or strange again.
BUT, you do get such a modern-esque prose and approach from the author regarding the setting and its characters that it takes you out of thinking you're in a fantasy land where people wear togas, wraps, sandals, etc. The author cannot drop the modern day references. Instead of 'courting' she uses the word 'dating'. 20th Century words are thrown around a lot... and it's like, why set it in ancient fantasy times if your writing keeps straying to call and use modern day references. It took me completely out of it book, especially since people are using swords and daggers to kill one another instead of guns.
The characters - villains included - are boring. Very flat. They had the equivalent of paper dolls - made to go to point A to B.
February 18, 2025
Instead of being soulmates they are soulHATES😫
SoulHATES are destined to unalive each other. Every time two people become soulhates they feel nothing but absolute rage and the need to kill each other by force even though they don’t want to. So essentially the opposite of soulmates.
Renza and İdris, the children of high political people, end up being soulhates. But they break the rules and do everything in their power to not kill each other because they hate the idea of having to murder someone in cold blood with no good reason. So they try to stay away from each other as much as possible defying the fates. Until one day a major event happens causing them to have to work together in their fathers places while chaos ensues in their country.
This book is SLOW SLOW BURN😭 they not together in this book and now I have to wait for BOOK 2???
The plot was incredibly intriguing. It makes you want to flip the page just to see what happens next. Like this concept of two people destined to kill each other? SIGN ME THE FREAK UP!
Going to keep this review as non spoilery as possible.
What I loved:
-İdris was the best charcater. He’s so UGH😭🤭 I just know he is going to get better by the next book and that I’m going to fall in love with him even more.
-the concept of the plot. Although some points were predictable it still had me so hooked.
-the banter was top notch. Absolutely obsessed with the chemistry between the two characters. It took forced proximity to the next level.
What I wasn’t fond of:
-the setting and time: it was so incredibly confusing what period this took place in. Based on the outfits and what seems to sound like Ancient Rome or Greece it was hard to actually tell because there were so many instances where they spoke of very modern concepts and ideology’s that it made me struggle imagining what the world looks like.
-Renza was a bit annoying. I liked her a lot of the time but other times I was like “girl pick yourself up are you THAT STUPID???” Like it was so clear what was going on but she was just stubborn.
These were factors that made it debatable of whether or not it should be a 4 star. I think for now I’ll keep it at 3.7 since it’s closer to a 4 for sure than a 2. I imagine book two will be even better.
That being said I didn’t get enough romance of the people I wanted together SO NOW IM DESPERATELY NEEDING BOOK TWO😭👏👏
SoulHATES are destined to unalive each other. Every time two people become soulhates they feel nothing but absolute rage and the need to kill each other by force even though they don’t want to. So essentially the opposite of soulmates.
Renza and İdris, the children of high political people, end up being soulhates. But they break the rules and do everything in their power to not kill each other because they hate the idea of having to murder someone in cold blood with no good reason. So they try to stay away from each other as much as possible defying the fates. Until one day a major event happens causing them to have to work together in their fathers places while chaos ensues in their country.
This book is SLOW SLOW BURN😭 they not together in this book and now I have to wait for BOOK 2???
The plot was incredibly intriguing. It makes you want to flip the page just to see what happens next. Like this concept of two people destined to kill each other? SIGN ME THE FREAK UP!
Going to keep this review as non spoilery as possible.
What I loved:
-İdris was the best charcater. He’s so UGH😭🤭 I just know he is going to get better by the next book and that I’m going to fall in love with him even more.
-the concept of the plot. Although some points were predictable it still had me so hooked.
-the banter was top notch. Absolutely obsessed with the chemistry between the two characters. It took forced proximity to the next level.
What I wasn’t fond of:
-the setting and time: it was so incredibly confusing what period this took place in. Based on the outfits and what seems to sound like Ancient Rome or Greece it was hard to actually tell because there were so many instances where they spoke of very modern concepts and ideology’s that it made me struggle imagining what the world looks like.
-Renza was a bit annoying. I liked her a lot of the time but other times I was like “girl pick yourself up are you THAT STUPID???” Like it was so clear what was going on but she was just stubborn.
These were factors that made it debatable of whether or not it should be a 4 star. I think for now I’ll keep it at 3.7 since it’s closer to a 4 for sure than a 2. I imagine book two will be even better.
That being said I didn’t get enough romance of the people I wanted together SO NOW IM DESPERATELY NEEDING BOOK TWO😭👏👏
May 14, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the ARC.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Soul Hate is a YA fantasy romance debut that offers a solid start, with a compelling premise and a few surprising twists. While it doesn’t break new ground in the genre, it’s a respectable first novel and shows real promise.
The story begins with an intriguing prologue that sets the tone and introduces a captivating premise: political rivals bound by a supernatural curse, destined to destroy one another. Renza (the FMC) and Idris (the MMC) are “soulhates”, forced to work together to prevent rising tensions and an impending war. I appreciated that this story doesn’t lean into the overused “soulmate” trope. Instead, it offers a unique twist with the soulhate concept, maintaining a level of mystery and ambiguity that keeps the reader engaged.
The worldbuilding is solid and suits the story well. I especially enjoyed Renza’s character — she’s caught between fate and free will, and her determination to carve her own path adds emotional depth. The political elements mesh well without overwhelming the plot.
However, the character development overall felt limited. By the end, many characters seemed repetitive or flat. Despite this, I did enjoy the banter and slow-burning angst between the main characters. There were also two plot twists that genuinely caught me off guard, which was a refreshing surprise.
I wasn’t aware this was the first in a series, so the ending felt abrupt, leaving me with more questions than answers. It wasn’t quite satisfying as a standalone, but it certainly sets the stage for book two.
There were hints of historical fantasy, with Roman and Ancient Greek influences, but unfortunately, these elements weren’t fully realized. The book reads more modern in tone, which isn’t necessarily bad, but it felt like a missed opportunity. The prologue introduces a rich mythology of gods and goddesses, but that lore is mostly forgotten afterward. I would’ve loved to see the characters explore that mythology more — doing research, finding clues, or interacting with divine elements would’ve added more depth and “fantasy” to the story.
The pacing was inconsistent. The first 30–40% felt quite juvenile, with heavy info-dumping and little character interaction. I found it difficult to ground myself in the world and cast early on, as we were mostly inside Renza’s head rather than seeing her engage with others. The middle of the book picks up nicely, feeling more in line with typical YA fantasy, while the last 20% rushes forward at breakneck speed. It created a bit of a whiplash effect — some parts dragged while others felt too rushed.
Overall, Soul Hate has a strong concept, some compelling moments, and clear potential. With more character depth and a tighter grip on pacing, future installments could be even more impressive.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Soul Hate is a YA fantasy romance debut that offers a solid start, with a compelling premise and a few surprising twists. While it doesn’t break new ground in the genre, it’s a respectable first novel and shows real promise.
The story begins with an intriguing prologue that sets the tone and introduces a captivating premise: political rivals bound by a supernatural curse, destined to destroy one another. Renza (the FMC) and Idris (the MMC) are “soulhates”, forced to work together to prevent rising tensions and an impending war. I appreciated that this story doesn’t lean into the overused “soulmate” trope. Instead, it offers a unique twist with the soulhate concept, maintaining a level of mystery and ambiguity that keeps the reader engaged.
The worldbuilding is solid and suits the story well. I especially enjoyed Renza’s character — she’s caught between fate and free will, and her determination to carve her own path adds emotional depth. The political elements mesh well without overwhelming the plot.
However, the character development overall felt limited. By the end, many characters seemed repetitive or flat. Despite this, I did enjoy the banter and slow-burning angst between the main characters. There were also two plot twists that genuinely caught me off guard, which was a refreshing surprise.
I wasn’t aware this was the first in a series, so the ending felt abrupt, leaving me with more questions than answers. It wasn’t quite satisfying as a standalone, but it certainly sets the stage for book two.
There were hints of historical fantasy, with Roman and Ancient Greek influences, but unfortunately, these elements weren’t fully realized. The book reads more modern in tone, which isn’t necessarily bad, but it felt like a missed opportunity. The prologue introduces a rich mythology of gods and goddesses, but that lore is mostly forgotten afterward. I would’ve loved to see the characters explore that mythology more — doing research, finding clues, or interacting with divine elements would’ve added more depth and “fantasy” to the story.
The pacing was inconsistent. The first 30–40% felt quite juvenile, with heavy info-dumping and little character interaction. I found it difficult to ground myself in the world and cast early on, as we were mostly inside Renza’s head rather than seeing her engage with others. The middle of the book picks up nicely, feeling more in line with typical YA fantasy, while the last 20% rushes forward at breakneck speed. It created a bit of a whiplash effect — some parts dragged while others felt too rushed.
Overall, Soul Hate has a strong concept, some compelling moments, and clear potential. With more character depth and a tighter grip on pacing, future installments could be even more impressive.
March 24, 2025
I was so intrigued by the synopsis of Soul Hate and I am so glad I was able to pick it up! We follow Renza Di Maneri, an electi of her city and an incredibly smart woman. She goes through quite a lot in the beginning of the book and I immediately felt for her. Most notably she meets her soulhate, someone you a destined to destroy lest they destroy you. The tables turn when they are forced to put off the urge to strike one another down and must work together to protect their city from a zealous religious group. There is political intrigue, clever plotting, and soul-fated enemies to lovers. I really enjoyed the lore that Kingsley set up for the Soulhate and Soulmates we see in this novel. The writing was clear and easy to read, and I felt connected to the characters.
The twists and turns were well plotted. I was not expecting one twist in particular near the end of the book!! I think Renza was a great narrator because I was able to see all of her reasoning and logic- so betrayals felt even more wild because she was so smart about everything occurring in her world. This definitely leaned more towards a magical realism book to me than romantasy- that’s the best way I can describe it. The soul bonds took more of a back seat and we got more political turmoil and clever plotting- which I greatly enjoyed! But there is certainly a slow-burn, enemies to lovers going on! Overall, a really intriguing, easy read!
Thank you Harper Collins and One More Chapter for the e-arc of this book!!
The twists and turns were well plotted. I was not expecting one twist in particular near the end of the book!! I think Renza was a great narrator because I was able to see all of her reasoning and logic- so betrayals felt even more wild because she was so smart about everything occurring in her world. This definitely leaned more towards a magical realism book to me than romantasy- that’s the best way I can describe it. The soul bonds took more of a back seat and we got more political turmoil and clever plotting- which I greatly enjoyed! But there is certainly a slow-burn, enemies to lovers going on! Overall, a really intriguing, easy read!
Thank you Harper Collins and One More Chapter for the e-arc of this book!!
May 3, 2025
Alexa play wonder by Ash Island
Vaya, vaya, que encontraron mis ojitos!
Primero lo primero: esta historia es original. Y cuando digo original, no es en plan “ay qué linda la parejita”, sino de verdad te lanza a un mundo con estructura, sistema social, crítica religiosa y política, y encima te mete un soulhate. Sí, leíste bien: soulhate (yo creí que el título era por estar no más parece ajaja) , tu destino de odio, lo contrario al soulmate y es que en este libro el amor no es la base, es la consecuencia… si es que se da. 👀🧐 se da verdad?
Vamos por partes:
1. Enemies to lovers real, crudo y con química violenta.
No de esos que se odian “porque sí” y ya en el capítulo 5 se están besando como si nada. No no, aquí Renza e Idris realmente se detestan (es su destino pues) hay momentos en que dices: “hermana, ¡lánzale la silla ya!” Y sí, Idris Patricelli lo odio, lo amo, lo quiero vivo pero solo para que Renza lo destroce con palabras, así de bueno está. 🤣
2. El prólogo te engaña.
Te hace pensar que vas a leer un romance épico y brillante pero entras al primer capítulo y pum, estás en una corte escuchando a Renza defender un proyecto frente a una manga de políticos que solo saben subestimar y tu mientras lees, estás sacando humo por las orejas porque Renza es brillante, fuerte, no se deja perooooo esos aish el “destino” le planta un soulhate con el que choca a niveles deportes de contacto, le metió garras nuestra chica!
3. Este libro no va de corazones, va de leyes, control político, religión y poder, y la forma en que estos sistemas moldean (y joden) la vida de la gente. Hay frases que te hacen pensar, como esa de Idris sobre sentir vergüenza de profesar una creencia por culpa de quienes la manipulan (hubo una parte en que cuenta lo que realmente pasó en un viaje que te quedas 😱) Sí, hay crítica y hay mensaje, y eso se agradece.
4. ¿Beso? ¿Dije beso? Si si si me hizo pausar y decir “qué carajos acabo de leer”, volvi a leer porque estaba momento pero si se podía agarrar la tensión aquí.
¿Lo malo?
La sinopsis. ¿Quién la aprobó? ¿Quién decidió que esto era solo para fans de romance? Porque no lo es, si hay tensión. Sí, hay algo que se construye.
Pero si tú entras esperando amor rosita y final de cuento, te vas a dar un portazo emocional.
Para mí si se merecen mis estrellitas completas por como me entretuvo, hace muchísimo no leía un libro fácil, y me dejó pidiendo ya el romance fuego! 🔥🤣
Vaya, vaya, que encontraron mis ojitos!
Primero lo primero: esta historia es original. Y cuando digo original, no es en plan “ay qué linda la parejita”, sino de verdad te lanza a un mundo con estructura, sistema social, crítica religiosa y política, y encima te mete un soulhate. Sí, leíste bien: soulhate (yo creí que el título era por estar no más parece ajaja) , tu destino de odio, lo contrario al soulmate y es que en este libro el amor no es la base, es la consecuencia… si es que se da. 👀🧐 se da verdad?
Vamos por partes:
1. Enemies to lovers real, crudo y con química violenta.
No de esos que se odian “porque sí” y ya en el capítulo 5 se están besando como si nada. No no, aquí Renza e Idris realmente se detestan (es su destino pues) hay momentos en que dices: “hermana, ¡lánzale la silla ya!” Y sí, Idris Patricelli lo odio, lo amo, lo quiero vivo pero solo para que Renza lo destroce con palabras, así de bueno está. 🤣
2. El prólogo te engaña.
Te hace pensar que vas a leer un romance épico y brillante pero entras al primer capítulo y pum, estás en una corte escuchando a Renza defender un proyecto frente a una manga de políticos que solo saben subestimar y tu mientras lees, estás sacando humo por las orejas porque Renza es brillante, fuerte, no se deja perooooo esos aish el “destino” le planta un soulhate con el que choca a niveles deportes de contacto, le metió garras nuestra chica!
3. Este libro no va de corazones, va de leyes, control político, religión y poder, y la forma en que estos sistemas moldean (y joden) la vida de la gente. Hay frases que te hacen pensar, como esa de Idris sobre sentir vergüenza de profesar una creencia por culpa de quienes la manipulan (hubo una parte en que cuenta lo que realmente pasó en un viaje que te quedas 😱) Sí, hay crítica y hay mensaje, y eso se agradece.
4. ¿Beso? ¿Dije beso? Si si si me hizo pausar y decir “qué carajos acabo de leer”, volvi a leer porque estaba momento pero si se podía agarrar la tensión aquí.
¿Lo malo?
La sinopsis. ¿Quién la aprobó? ¿Quién decidió que esto era solo para fans de romance? Porque no lo es, si hay tensión. Sí, hay algo que se construye.
Pero si tú entras esperando amor rosita y final de cuento, te vas a dar un portazo emocional.
Para mí si se merecen mis estrellitas completas por como me entretuvo, hace muchísimo no leía un libro fácil, y me dejó pidiendo ya el romance fuego! 🔥🤣
February 26, 2025
!!!!POSSIBLE SPOILERS!!!
First of all, thank you for an arc possiblity! I am forever grateful.
On to the review: this book could have been an EASY PEASY 5 star read. I loved and immediately applied when i saw 'What if you fall for the one you are destined to destroy?" IM SOLD. AMAZING.
I loved the introduction to our worldbuilding. You are destined to your soulmate and soulhate. One to marry one to kill. So far great. I could never asked for a better introduction.
Our characters were also doing fine(I guess?) Nuois would be as cute and protective as i wanted my male leads and Idris was the complete oppositte. Renza was also very smart and hardworking, being the youngest electi. LOVED HER CHARACTER!
But then things get slightly complicated when Idris and Renza are forced to work together. They could not stand each other. Want to destroy and rip each other's throats. And the way Nouis was acting? No suspicious AT ALL.
But come on. This was more about the politics and saving the city instead of the fates. If the worldbuilding is based on a magical myth, i would like to see how that develops. Unfortunately we got none of that except that it was tingling on their skin and they felt dizzy bla bla. I dont even know if they have actually fallen for each other. Have they? WHERE????
Lets assume they did, how does this affect the fate? Jusr because they eliminated the thread doesnt mean they are not soulhates anymore. What do you mean they will have to learn to live like that? Unfortunately it is sad that the author did not come up with a solution to that...
Talking about eliminating the threat, what was that ending... I loved the scene where Renze focused on the threat while Idris rang the bells but oh come on why would they leave it so unguarded if it was so important? I think the ending was slightly rushed and not clearly explained.
While that being said, there were so many unnecesary details.. Whats with the Askerler company? Just because they shut the gates they just turn around and go back? Sorry, not really realistic.
Lets unwind a little. I absolutely devoured this book. THough i would do some changes to clear up misunderstandings, it was overall a very nice read <<<333333
First of all, thank you for an arc possiblity! I am forever grateful.
On to the review: this book could have been an EASY PEASY 5 star read. I loved and immediately applied when i saw 'What if you fall for the one you are destined to destroy?" IM SOLD. AMAZING.
I loved the introduction to our worldbuilding. You are destined to your soulmate and soulhate. One to marry one to kill. So far great. I could never asked for a better introduction.
Our characters were also doing fine(I guess?) Nuois would be as cute and protective as i wanted my male leads and Idris was the complete oppositte. Renza was also very smart and hardworking, being the youngest electi. LOVED HER CHARACTER!
But then things get slightly complicated when Idris and Renza are forced to work together. They could not stand each other. Want to destroy and rip each other's throats. And the way Nouis was acting? No suspicious AT ALL.
But come on. This was more about the politics and saving the city instead of the fates. If the worldbuilding is based on a magical myth, i would like to see how that develops. Unfortunately we got none of that except that it was tingling on their skin and they felt dizzy bla bla. I dont even know if they have actually fallen for each other. Have they? WHERE????
Lets assume they did, how does this affect the fate? Jusr because they eliminated the thread doesnt mean they are not soulhates anymore. What do you mean they will have to learn to live like that? Unfortunately it is sad that the author did not come up with a solution to that...
Talking about eliminating the threat, what was that ending... I loved the scene where Renze focused on the threat while Idris rang the bells but oh come on why would they leave it so unguarded if it was so important? I think the ending was slightly rushed and not clearly explained.
While that being said, there were so many unnecesary details.. Whats with the Askerler company? Just because they shut the gates they just turn around and go back? Sorry, not really realistic.
Lets unwind a little. I absolutely devoured this book. THough i would do some changes to clear up misunderstandings, it was overall a very nice read <<<333333
March 1, 2025
I picked up this book purely based on the vibes — the description sounded intriguing, and the cover is absolutely stunning. Unfortunately, despite the interesting premise, the story didn’t quite deliver for me.
The book follows Renza di Maineri, the youngest elected leader in her city, who is determined to prove herself and escape her father’s shadow. But her world is turned upside down when she meets Idris Patricelli — her main political rival and her Soulhate, the person she’s fated to destroy. The more time she spends around him, the stronger her violent urges become, threatening her reputation, her leadership, and her grip on herself.
What I liked:
- The premise: The Soulhate concept was fascinating — true enemies with an almost uncontrollable urge to harm each other? That’s a bold twist on the soulmate trope.
- The setting: A faux-Italian world with Italian-inspired names and locations. It made me chuckle, especially since I read most of this while on holiday in Italy.
- The cover: I can’t stress enough how gorgeous cover art is to me.
What didn’t work for me:
- Characterisation: The story is told in first person from Renza’s perspective, but I struggled to connect with her. I found her frustrating, and the supporting characters — including the love interests — felt underdeveloped, making it hard to care about their dynamics.
- Pacing issues: The flow of the story felt inconsistent — either dragging or rushing through key events. Some pivotal moments were so abruptly written that I had to reread sections, thinking I’d missed something.
- Believability: An 18-year-old as a seasoned parliament member? Sure, why not.
- The ending: I didn’t realise this would be a series, so reaching the end without much resolution was a bit of a letdown.
Overall, this book had potential, but the execution fell short for me. However, if you enjoy YA fantasy with a unique enemies dynamic and don’t mind an open-ended conclusion, it might still be worth a try.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The book follows Renza di Maineri, the youngest elected leader in her city, who is determined to prove herself and escape her father’s shadow. But her world is turned upside down when she meets Idris Patricelli — her main political rival and her Soulhate, the person she’s fated to destroy. The more time she spends around him, the stronger her violent urges become, threatening her reputation, her leadership, and her grip on herself.
What I liked:
- The premise: The Soulhate concept was fascinating — true enemies with an almost uncontrollable urge to harm each other? That’s a bold twist on the soulmate trope.
- The setting: A faux-Italian world with Italian-inspired names and locations. It made me chuckle, especially since I read most of this while on holiday in Italy.
- The cover: I can’t stress enough how gorgeous cover art is to me.
What didn’t work for me:
- Characterisation: The story is told in first person from Renza’s perspective, but I struggled to connect with her. I found her frustrating, and the supporting characters — including the love interests — felt underdeveloped, making it hard to care about their dynamics.
- Pacing issues: The flow of the story felt inconsistent — either dragging or rushing through key events. Some pivotal moments were so abruptly written that I had to reread sections, thinking I’d missed something.
- Believability: An 18-year-old as a seasoned parliament member? Sure, why not.
- The ending: I didn’t realise this would be a series, so reaching the end without much resolution was a bit of a letdown.
Overall, this book had potential, but the execution fell short for me. However, if you enjoy YA fantasy with a unique enemies dynamic and don’t mind an open-ended conclusion, it might still be worth a try.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
January 22, 2025
Loved it, five stars for sure!
When I saw that the synopsis said that the book was about politics, I have to admit that I was a bit hesitant, thinking that it would be a heavy read, well, I was so wrong! The politics mentioned aren't too complicated for anyone to understand. However, I must admit that I felt a bit overwhelmed by the first chapter as I still didn't have much of an idea of how the politics in this book worked.
The author's writing is very easy to follow, but I found the descriptions of the places to be too detailed and lengthy, but I don't like reading descriptions of places by nature, so my opinion may be a little biased. I also found the plot of the book a little predictable, but it's better to be predictable and good than just plot twists that make no sense.
Another 'critique' I have to make, and beware of spoilers if you haven't read it yet, what was that ending? We had a whole book of getting to know Idris, realising that he never meant any harm to Renza and that their feelings for each other were changing, only to have it thrown away in the last few pages just because she doesn't want to have a romantic relationship while she's working? Since neither of them would change their political beliefs for the other or interfere with the other's work, I don't understand why. Honestly, I think it was just because the author wanted to show that even if two people like each other, it doesn't mean they should be together as they do in reality, but screw that! I read to escape reality! Anyway, as you can see, I was quite revolted, but it wasn't enough to make me dislike the book.
The author could write an epilogue in which she shows how they are after the city has been rebuilt, just leaving the idea here...
When I saw that the synopsis said that the book was about politics, I have to admit that I was a bit hesitant, thinking that it would be a heavy read, well, I was so wrong! The politics mentioned aren't too complicated for anyone to understand. However, I must admit that I felt a bit overwhelmed by the first chapter as I still didn't have much of an idea of how the politics in this book worked.
The author's writing is very easy to follow, but I found the descriptions of the places to be too detailed and lengthy, but I don't like reading descriptions of places by nature, so my opinion may be a little biased. I also found the plot of the book a little predictable, but it's better to be predictable and good than just plot twists that make no sense.
Another 'critique' I have to make, and beware of spoilers if you haven't read it yet, what was that ending? We had a whole book of getting to know Idris, realising that he never meant any harm to Renza and that their feelings for each other were changing, only to have it thrown away in the last few pages just because she doesn't want to have a romantic relationship while she's working? Since neither of them would change their political beliefs for the other or interfere with the other's work, I don't understand why. Honestly, I think it was just because the author wanted to show that even if two people like each other, it doesn't mean they should be together as they do in reality, but screw that! I read to escape reality! Anyway, as you can see, I was quite revolted, but it wasn't enough to make me dislike the book.
The author could write an epilogue in which she shows how they are after the city has been rebuilt, just leaving the idea here...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up
Renza Di Maineri follows in her father's footsteps as an Electi in her city Halice. The democratic city chooses together how to run, renew and renovate their city. While her father is also an Electi, she is a fierce Electi who believes in the future of their city and votes accordingly.
But, there is one thing she cannot control and that is Fate. And Fate choose het and her political rival to be Soul Hates. She has to manage a city while also trying not to murder her soul Hate.
This book was so much more than I expected it to be. I absolutely loved this political system, how it was built up and how the laws were implemented. Of course we couldn't have a romantasy without some romance and for me it delivered. The fantasy part was not very big, but it was there in Father Fate and Sister Love and Sister Hate. This implementation was felt throughout the whole book and was a prominent part in the story.
I absolutely felt all the emotions Renza felt. The hate, the love, the sadness, the determination. All emotions were so well written and I honestly felt the rage boiling in my stomach, the sadness in my throat and I shall not deny that I have felt the tears in my eyes. I was completely swept away in Renza's feelings. So absolutely well done!
I think you need to like the political side of books in order to really like this. But if you give this a chance you will not be disappointed.
Overall, I loved it! Hannah Kingsley will forever be on my book radar!
Thank you Netgalley, One More Chapter/HarperCollins and the author for this e-arc. All opinions are my own.
Renza Di Maineri follows in her father's footsteps as an Electi in her city Halice. The democratic city chooses together how to run, renew and renovate their city. While her father is also an Electi, she is a fierce Electi who believes in the future of their city and votes accordingly.
But, there is one thing she cannot control and that is Fate. And Fate choose het and her political rival to be Soul Hates. She has to manage a city while also trying not to murder her soul Hate.
This book was so much more than I expected it to be. I absolutely loved this political system, how it was built up and how the laws were implemented. Of course we couldn't have a romantasy without some romance and for me it delivered. The fantasy part was not very big, but it was there in Father Fate and Sister Love and Sister Hate. This implementation was felt throughout the whole book and was a prominent part in the story.
I absolutely felt all the emotions Renza felt. The hate, the love, the sadness, the determination. All emotions were so well written and I honestly felt the rage boiling in my stomach, the sadness in my throat and I shall not deny that I have felt the tears in my eyes. I was completely swept away in Renza's feelings. So absolutely well done!
I think you need to like the political side of books in order to really like this. But if you give this a chance you will not be disappointed.
Overall, I loved it! Hannah Kingsley will forever be on my book radar!
Thank you Netgalley, One More Chapter/HarperCollins and the author for this e-arc. All opinions are my own.
February 24, 2025
Thank you so much to Netgalley, One More Chapter and the author for providing me with an advanced reader copy for review purposes!
2.75 ⭐
Soul Hate by Hannah Kingsley is a fantasy based on the soulmate trope but with a spin: each person is supposed to have a soulmate and a soulhate.
I decided to pick this up because I had recently read a different book with similar vibes (inspired by ancient Greece) and thought why not, but unfortunately I didn’t end up enjoying this as much as I thought I would.
A few reasons why:
- The world building is supposedly inspired by ancient Rome, and you can clearly see which elements took inspiration from it but there’s a lot of things that feel too modern in my opinion;
- It took me a long time to get into the story mainly because of the jumps from one scene to another. One chapter ends and then the next one begins on something that at first seems completely disconnected from the previous scene;
- The whole soulhate thing was left in the background, while the main focus was on politics and betrayals. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the idea behind the conflict but I expected the soulhate part to have more space (I mean, the book is called soul hate after all);
Renza. She is presented as a strong, intelligent woman that loves her city and will do anything to save it, but honestly I found her really immature and not that smart.
I really enjoyed Idris as a character, and I would’ve loved to have his pov so I could get to know him better. He is probably the main reason why I decided to keep reading and finish the book.
I don’t know if there will be a sequel, but I probably won’t be reading it. I might pick up something else from the author, especially if set in a different context.
2.75 ⭐
Soul Hate by Hannah Kingsley is a fantasy based on the soulmate trope but with a spin: each person is supposed to have a soulmate and a soulhate.
I decided to pick this up because I had recently read a different book with similar vibes (inspired by ancient Greece) and thought why not, but unfortunately I didn’t end up enjoying this as much as I thought I would.
A few reasons why:
- The world building is supposedly inspired by ancient Rome, and you can clearly see which elements took inspiration from it but there’s a lot of things that feel too modern in my opinion;
- It took me a long time to get into the story mainly because of the jumps from one scene to another. One chapter ends and then the next one begins on something that at first seems completely disconnected from the previous scene;
- The whole soulhate thing was left in the background, while the main focus was on politics and betrayals. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the idea behind the conflict but I expected the soulhate part to have more space (I mean, the book is called soul hate after all);
Renza. She is presented as a strong, intelligent woman that loves her city and will do anything to save it, but honestly I found her really immature and not that smart.
I really enjoyed Idris as a character, and I would’ve loved to have his pov so I could get to know him better. He is probably the main reason why I decided to keep reading and finish the book.
I don’t know if there will be a sequel, but I probably won’t be reading it. I might pick up something else from the author, especially if set in a different context.
March 7, 2025
When I saw this book on Netgalley I was sold. The title alone was enough to get me interested. Of course I requested a review copy and I placed my pre-order for a physical copy of the book. I was really happy that One More Chapter granted me a review copy and when the release date of the book finally came closer it was time to dive in.
There is a lot I really liked about this book. The writing is really nice. The book was easy to read, the dialogues sounded natural and I really flew through the story. I also really loved the politics in the book, although quite some things were very predictable and the finale turned a lot more bloody than I had expected after reading the rest of the book.
However, after finishing the book I also felt slightly unsatisfied. I think that's mainly because I had certain expectations of the story based on the prologue and world building. For some reason I was convinced that this story was about breaking the soul hate and soul mate situation and curse. That didn't happen. The dynamic of the soul mates and soul hates is more of a complicating element of the story, but the plot is not about it and really not about solving the issues.
I also hungered after a little more romance after reading the book. I think the author didn't intend this to truly be a romance, but now the romance also felt like more of a complicating factor instead of a plot in itself. Considering the rest of the story though, I did like how the romantic subplot eventually ended. It fits the characters and their journey.
So, my opinion is slightly influenced by my expectations. If you start the story with the right expectations, it's an amazing one!
There is a lot I really liked about this book. The writing is really nice. The book was easy to read, the dialogues sounded natural and I really flew through the story. I also really loved the politics in the book, although quite some things were very predictable and the finale turned a lot more bloody than I had expected after reading the rest of the book.
However, after finishing the book I also felt slightly unsatisfied. I think that's mainly because I had certain expectations of the story based on the prologue and world building. For some reason I was convinced that this story was about breaking the soul hate and soul mate situation and curse. That didn't happen. The dynamic of the soul mates and soul hates is more of a complicating element of the story, but the plot is not about it and really not about solving the issues.
I also hungered after a little more romance after reading the book. I think the author didn't intend this to truly be a romance, but now the romance also felt like more of a complicating factor instead of a plot in itself. Considering the rest of the story though, I did like how the romantic subplot eventually ended. It fits the characters and their journey.
So, my opinion is slightly influenced by my expectations. If you start the story with the right expectations, it's an amazing one!
Read
January 23, 2025DNF at 6%
I don’t rate books I don’t finish and I’m not finishing this book because it’s not enticing me.
Thats not me saying it’s bad. It’s just that the instant political YA vibe isn’t for me.
I don’t rate books I don’t finish and I’m not finishing this book because it’s not enticing me.
Thats not me saying it’s bad. It’s just that the instant political YA vibe isn’t for me.
December 15, 2024
pre read thoughts I've been getting back into fantasy and this seems right up my lane. Thank you HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC! Review will be up in 2025.
my review
When it comes to Soul Hate the premise and cover art really caught my attention. It's not sizzling, the tropes feel overused and unoriginal, and I was bored. Overall, while reading the book I just didn't care and there was no impact. The narrative didn't hold my interest so the story quickly crumbled.
Thank you HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley.
my review
When it comes to Soul Hate the premise and cover art really caught my attention. It's not sizzling, the tropes feel overused and unoriginal, and I was bored. Overall, while reading the book I just didn't care and there was no impact. The narrative didn't hold my interest so the story quickly crumbled.
Thank you HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley.
maybe-idk
March 6, 2025(tbh, wondering where do these 5 stars reviews from the blurb come from)
February 26, 2025
Hannah Kingsley delivers a compelling and unique fantasy with Soul Hate, weaving political intrigue, fate-driven conflict, and deeply emotional storytelling into a fascinating world. Easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Renza di Maineri stands out as a protagonist. Instead of the familiar rebellious outcast that we typically see in books, Renza is a politician (so interesting!)— she’s young, determined, and navigating the challenges of leadership while trying to step out of her father’s shadow. Her journey is already complex, but it becomes even more volatile when she discovers her Soulhate: Idris Patricelli, her greatest rival and the person she is fated to kill. The tension between them is palpable, and their dynamic adds a captivating layer to the political stakes of the story.
The Soulmate vs. Soulhate concept is a fresh take on fate-driven narratives, and Kingsley executed is so well! 🙌
The novel’s world-building is immersive, with Halice feeling like a fully realized city, shaped by power struggles and deep-rooted traditions. The writing is beautifully done (I feel like I absolutely devoured this book!)- but I have to particularly shoutout the one scene at the library unveiling, as this was especially moving and I sobbed. 😭
With a gripping plot, complex characters, and an ending that leaves a lasting impact, Soul Hate is a standout addition to the fantasy genre. Please tell me a sequel is on the horizon because this story is far from over and I cannot wait to see what happens next!
A big thank you to NetGalley, Hannah Kingsley and Harper Collins UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This review was willingly given and all thoughts are my own. ❤️
Publishing Day: March 7th, 2025
Renza di Maineri stands out as a protagonist. Instead of the familiar rebellious outcast that we typically see in books, Renza is a politician (so interesting!)— she’s young, determined, and navigating the challenges of leadership while trying to step out of her father’s shadow. Her journey is already complex, but it becomes even more volatile when she discovers her Soulhate: Idris Patricelli, her greatest rival and the person she is fated to kill. The tension between them is palpable, and their dynamic adds a captivating layer to the political stakes of the story.
The Soulmate vs. Soulhate concept is a fresh take on fate-driven narratives, and Kingsley executed is so well! 🙌
The novel’s world-building is immersive, with Halice feeling like a fully realized city, shaped by power struggles and deep-rooted traditions. The writing is beautifully done (I feel like I absolutely devoured this book!)- but I have to particularly shoutout the one scene at the library unveiling, as this was especially moving and I sobbed. 😭
With a gripping plot, complex characters, and an ending that leaves a lasting impact, Soul Hate is a standout addition to the fantasy genre. Please tell me a sequel is on the horizon because this story is far from over and I cannot wait to see what happens next!
A big thank you to NetGalley, Hannah Kingsley and Harper Collins UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This review was willingly given and all thoughts are my own. ❤️
Publishing Day: March 7th, 2025
March 26, 2025
This wasn't the worst debut novel I've ever read, but unfortunately it wasn't anything unforgettable either. This one had a lot of potential and the premise was very intriguing, which was what made me request the book. Sadly, it didn't deliver what was promised.
The question on the cover was what sold me, but I wasn't really sold as I was reading the book. I found it to be very predictable, and I figured out pretty much the whole plot by the first few chapters, which made the entire reading experience a bittersweet one. The side characters were interesting enough to want to keep reading but the main characters left a lot to be desired. I didn't feel the pull between Reza and the love interest, and it all felt very rushed just to fulfill a certain point in the story.
This would make a very interesting TV adaptation, but it lacked depth on the page.
The question on the cover was what sold me, but I wasn't really sold as I was reading the book. I found it to be very predictable, and I figured out pretty much the whole plot by the first few chapters, which made the entire reading experience a bittersweet one. The side characters were interesting enough to want to keep reading but the main characters left a lot to be desired. I didn't feel the pull between Reza and the love interest, and it all felt very rushed just to fulfill a certain point in the story.
This would make a very interesting TV adaptation, but it lacked depth on the page.
Read
April 3, 2025semplicemente dnf al 20% perchè la vita è troppo corta per leggere libri noiosi
December 24, 2025
Starting book 2 prontooooo 👋👋👋
(PS anyone else notice all the typos in the Locked Library edition? 😅)
(PS anyone else notice all the typos in the Locked Library edition? 😅)
March 19, 2025
I love the premise of this book and what it promises: a fantastical world where soulmates and soulhates exist. In the synopsis of “Soul hate” we find a possible love story between the main character Renza, and her soulhate Idris. I would have loved for the characters to delve more into the soulmate/soulhate connection.
The characters were likable and with depth, which I loved. The banter was funny and good. The pace was fast, making it a quick read. The plot was good, with maybe too much focus on the political aspects. The world was confusing as it’s supposed to be fantastical but I couldn’t find it much.
All in all, I give this a 4 out of 5 stars.
Thank you netgalley for this ARC.
The characters were likable and with depth, which I loved. The banter was funny and good. The pace was fast, making it a quick read. The plot was good, with maybe too much focus on the political aspects. The world was confusing as it’s supposed to be fantastical but I couldn’t find it much.
All in all, I give this a 4 out of 5 stars.
Thank you netgalley for this ARC.
March 11, 2025
I started this book at a slower pace, however, once I realized how much it reminds me of Stephanie Garber and Sebastien de Castell’s works, I found myself flying through the pages. For a debut author still honing their unique voice, Hannah Kingsley’s writing flows remarkably well.
One of the book’s most intriguing aspects is its fresh take on the “fated” trope, with a unique twist that sets it apart from typical Romantasy. The concept of ‘Soulhate’ is raw, animalistic, and a compelling addition to the story. The characters can be frustrating, but their behavior feels justified by their circumstances, making their reactions more understandable. Without spoiling anything, I expected the trope to follow a predictable path, but it took an unexpected turn, making the story more refreshing.
While diversity in character development is always welcome, some aspects felt a little forced, as if they were included more for the sake of representation than as an organic part of the story. It wasn’t enough to take away from the overall experience, but it was noticeable and, at times, slightly distracting. That being said, the characters themselves were still engaging to a degree, though the only one I genuinely liked was Idris.
Additionally, there’s a fine balance between foreshadowing and outright predictability, and this book occasionally leans too much toward the latter. While I appreciate clever hints, I also enjoy being challenged as a reader. Some revelations could have been left for the audience to piece together, rather than being so painfully obvious.
The biggest shortcoming, however, is the world-building. While Kingsley dedicates ample time to describing architectural details—the stonework, the tiles, the stylistic choices of the setting—she doesn’t spend enough time explaining the actual systems of her world. There were too many unclear agendas among key figures, and the hierarchy of this world remained frustratingly vague, along with the stakes and consequences of actions.
Despite some flaws, Soul Hate is an enjoyable debut that shows promise for Hannah Kingsley as a writer. While the world-building left me with unanswered questions, the intriguing premise and the engaging writing style kept me invested. I’m giving this book 3 stars, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on Kingsley’s future works.
Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins UK-One More Chapter, for the ARC!
One of the book’s most intriguing aspects is its fresh take on the “fated” trope, with a unique twist that sets it apart from typical Romantasy. The concept of ‘Soulhate’ is raw, animalistic, and a compelling addition to the story. The characters can be frustrating, but their behavior feels justified by their circumstances, making their reactions more understandable. Without spoiling anything, I expected the trope to follow a predictable path, but it took an unexpected turn, making the story more refreshing.
While diversity in character development is always welcome, some aspects felt a little forced, as if they were included more for the sake of representation than as an organic part of the story. It wasn’t enough to take away from the overall experience, but it was noticeable and, at times, slightly distracting. That being said, the characters themselves were still engaging to a degree, though the only one I genuinely liked was Idris.
Additionally, there’s a fine balance between foreshadowing and outright predictability, and this book occasionally leans too much toward the latter. While I appreciate clever hints, I also enjoy being challenged as a reader. Some revelations could have been left for the audience to piece together, rather than being so painfully obvious.
The biggest shortcoming, however, is the world-building. While Kingsley dedicates ample time to describing architectural details—the stonework, the tiles, the stylistic choices of the setting—she doesn’t spend enough time explaining the actual systems of her world. There were too many unclear agendas among key figures, and the hierarchy of this world remained frustratingly vague, along with the stakes and consequences of actions.
Despite some flaws, Soul Hate is an enjoyable debut that shows promise for Hannah Kingsley as a writer. While the world-building left me with unanswered questions, the intriguing premise and the engaging writing style kept me invested. I’m giving this book 3 stars, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on Kingsley’s future works.
Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins UK-One More Chapter, for the ARC!
December 26, 2024
'what is this feeling, so sudden and new?'
Soul Hate follows Renza di Maineri as she navigates the hardship that comes with being an elected political leader of Halice. When a huge tragedy strikes the city, she is forced to work with Idris Patricelli, her Fated Soulhate and her greatest enemy. They most somehow find a way to save Halice without killing eachother in the process.
I really enjoyed Soul Hate! I would 100% recommend this to anyone who is a fan of a 'Dramione' dynamic as this felt just like them! This, paired with my current 'Wicked' hyperfixation (I'm sure many can relate), made for a perfectly enjoyable read.
I do wish that there was a greater focus on the romance rather than the politics as I prefer slowburns to be more interaction-heavy but that isn't to say that Idris and Renza didn't exchange a lot of dialogue together. I imagine any later installments would be more romance focused.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hannah Kingsley for the arc and I hope to see more of Idris and Renza in the future!
Soul Hate follows Renza di Maineri as she navigates the hardship that comes with being an elected political leader of Halice. When a huge tragedy strikes the city, she is forced to work with Idris Patricelli, her Fated Soulhate and her greatest enemy. They most somehow find a way to save Halice without killing eachother in the process.
I really enjoyed Soul Hate! I would 100% recommend this to anyone who is a fan of a 'Dramione' dynamic as this felt just like them! This, paired with my current 'Wicked' hyperfixation (I'm sure many can relate), made for a perfectly enjoyable read.
I do wish that there was a greater focus on the romance rather than the politics as I prefer slowburns to be more interaction-heavy but that isn't to say that Idris and Renza didn't exchange a lot of dialogue together. I imagine any later installments would be more romance focused.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hannah Kingsley for the arc and I hope to see more of Idris and Renza in the future!
February 18, 2025
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Soul Hate by Hannah Kingsley is a first person-POV fantasy exploring what if everyone had both a soulmate and a soulhate, someone they are destined to kill. Renza is the youngest ever elected leader of her city and is determined to follow in her father’s footsteps. When her childhood friend, Nouis, returns and she starts reconnecting with him, so, too, does Idris, the son of her family’s greatest rival and her soulhate. Renza and Idris agree to keep their urges at bay, for the sake of their families and the city as nothing good could come out of one of them killing the other, but their agreement is made all the more difficult when most of the elected officials are murdered and Idris and Renza now have to work together to keep their city afloat.
The worldbuilding is inspired by the Roman Empire, the Catholic Church, and has some modern aspects to it. There is a restaurant with dancing and fashion that feels fairly current to what we know of when and where political families gather, but the architecture is very Roman. The Catholic inspiration is the strongest as there’s the Holy State, cardinals, and the Holy Mother who is a Pope analogy. As a Catholic, I personally do not care if people want to mess around with my faith in art as exploring what-ifs doesn’t take away from my faith and I personally love seeing what other people take from Catholicism when they create. If you have strong feelings about people not touching real world religions, the coding is very strong and very obvious, so weigh that carefully before picking this up.
The concept of a soulhate is fascinating and I liked how it’s juxtaposed to soulmates. Soulmates are still around and people definitely do have them, but it’s the strong negative, violent feelings that a soulhate elicits that gets the most attention. The most realistic thing that Hannah Kinsley did with soulmates is that it is explicitly spelled out that just because someone is who you are destined to love, it doesn’t mean they are a good person. One of Renza’s friends is transgender and her father is violently transphobic, leading his daughter and wife, who was his soulmate, to leave him. It does remove the fantasy so many of us have that a soulmate is good and kind and wonderful, but the point of the book is to break down love being determined by a higher power instead of an active choice and that artistic choice helps to sell that point.
Idris and Renza initially struggle with their desire to kill each other, and Renza even attacked him in public when they met for the first time, but they have a lot of self-control and push themselves to be civil with each other. Over time, Renza is attracted to how steadfast and devoted to the city Idris is and they gradually fall in love despite Fate telling them they aren’t supposed to. Most of the tone that is associated with romance, however, is associated with Renza’s relationship with Noius, which is one reason why I would say the genre of the book is ‘fantasy’ and not ‘romantic fantasy’ or ‘fantasy romance.’ The story goes if Idris and Renza remained friends and the voice I expect for romance arcs was used for a different relationship than the one that was endgame.
Content warning for mentions of transphobia
I would recommend this to fans of voice-y, fast-paced YA fantasy who want a lead who is in her early twenties and those looking for an exploration of soulmates that goes in a different direction that usual
Soul Hate by Hannah Kingsley is a first person-POV fantasy exploring what if everyone had both a soulmate and a soulhate, someone they are destined to kill. Renza is the youngest ever elected leader of her city and is determined to follow in her father’s footsteps. When her childhood friend, Nouis, returns and she starts reconnecting with him, so, too, does Idris, the son of her family’s greatest rival and her soulhate. Renza and Idris agree to keep their urges at bay, for the sake of their families and the city as nothing good could come out of one of them killing the other, but their agreement is made all the more difficult when most of the elected officials are murdered and Idris and Renza now have to work together to keep their city afloat.
The worldbuilding is inspired by the Roman Empire, the Catholic Church, and has some modern aspects to it. There is a restaurant with dancing and fashion that feels fairly current to what we know of when and where political families gather, but the architecture is very Roman. The Catholic inspiration is the strongest as there’s the Holy State, cardinals, and the Holy Mother who is a Pope analogy. As a Catholic, I personally do not care if people want to mess around with my faith in art as exploring what-ifs doesn’t take away from my faith and I personally love seeing what other people take from Catholicism when they create. If you have strong feelings about people not touching real world religions, the coding is very strong and very obvious, so weigh that carefully before picking this up.
The concept of a soulhate is fascinating and I liked how it’s juxtaposed to soulmates. Soulmates are still around and people definitely do have them, but it’s the strong negative, violent feelings that a soulhate elicits that gets the most attention. The most realistic thing that Hannah Kinsley did with soulmates is that it is explicitly spelled out that just because someone is who you are destined to love, it doesn’t mean they are a good person. One of Renza’s friends is transgender and her father is violently transphobic, leading his daughter and wife, who was his soulmate, to leave him. It does remove the fantasy so many of us have that a soulmate is good and kind and wonderful, but the point of the book is to break down love being determined by a higher power instead of an active choice and that artistic choice helps to sell that point.
Idris and Renza initially struggle with their desire to kill each other, and Renza even attacked him in public when they met for the first time, but they have a lot of self-control and push themselves to be civil with each other. Over time, Renza is attracted to how steadfast and devoted to the city Idris is and they gradually fall in love despite Fate telling them they aren’t supposed to. Most of the tone that is associated with romance, however, is associated with Renza’s relationship with Noius, which is one reason why I would say the genre of the book is ‘fantasy’ and not ‘romantic fantasy’ or ‘fantasy romance.’ The story goes if Idris and Renza remained friends and the voice I expect for romance arcs was used for a different relationship than the one that was endgame.
Content warning for mentions of transphobia
I would recommend this to fans of voice-y, fast-paced YA fantasy who want a lead who is in her early twenties and those looking for an exploration of soulmates that goes in a different direction that usual
January 26, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
When I first saw the cover and title of Soulhate it seemed right up my alley. So when I received my ARC I expected to devour this book and have it finished within the week. Unfortunately, Soulhate fell flat for me.
Plot: The plot of Soulhate isn’t bad, but I think the author spent so much time building up for the betrayals and political schemes and not enough time resolving them. I would’ve liked a few more chapters showing how Renza, Idris, and everyone in Halice were rebuilding and taking care of things after the end of the book, or an epilogue.
Characters: The characters were very one dimensional and they almost all blended in with one another. Renza is a strong and smart woman who surrounds herself with other strong, smart women but unfortunately they all seemed so similar that most of the time I couldn’t remember who was who. Our villains were predictable for me and I spent a solid 10 chapters frustrated with Renza for not seeing what I was seeing. Scenes with Idris were always fun to read and I genuinely wish he was more present in the story but we really don’t get to see him much until half way through the book.
I also wish there was more focus on the soulhatred between Renza and Idris. One of the main reasons I wanted to read this so bad was the idea of the Soulhate bond and overcoming it and the enemies to lovers trope but I wouldn’t call them lovers by the end of the book and I don’t feel like I know anymore about soulhates now than I did before reading this.
Things I liked: I enjoyed the setting of Soulhate. I was easily able to picture Halice. The authors writing is very descriptive and easy to follow along with. I also enjoyed getting to hear about Idris’ travels and education in the other countries.
When I first saw the cover and title of Soulhate it seemed right up my alley. So when I received my ARC I expected to devour this book and have it finished within the week. Unfortunately, Soulhate fell flat for me.
Plot: The plot of Soulhate isn’t bad, but I think the author spent so much time building up for the betrayals and political schemes and not enough time resolving them. I would’ve liked a few more chapters showing how Renza, Idris, and everyone in Halice were rebuilding and taking care of things after the end of the book, or an epilogue.
Characters: The characters were very one dimensional and they almost all blended in with one another. Renza is a strong and smart woman who surrounds herself with other strong, smart women but unfortunately they all seemed so similar that most of the time I couldn’t remember who was who. Our villains were predictable for me and I spent a solid 10 chapters frustrated with Renza for not seeing what I was seeing. Scenes with Idris were always fun to read and I genuinely wish he was more present in the story but we really don’t get to see him much until half way through the book.
I also wish there was more focus on the soulhatred between Renza and Idris. One of the main reasons I wanted to read this so bad was the idea of the Soulhate bond and overcoming it and the enemies to lovers trope but I wouldn’t call them lovers by the end of the book and I don’t feel like I know anymore about soulhates now than I did before reading this.
Things I liked: I enjoyed the setting of Soulhate. I was easily able to picture Halice. The authors writing is very descriptive and easy to follow along with. I also enjoyed getting to hear about Idris’ travels and education in the other countries.
February 28, 2025
3.5 stars.
Everyone has a soulmate and a soulhate. Soulmates are associated with intense feeling of love but soulhates are associated with a burning rage that almost blinds them. Of course, there is no guarantees that the paths cross of either one. BUT if the soulhates do cross paths... The typical way to handle soulhates is to have a duel to the death. There are stories of those that fight fate, but they don't have good outcomes.
Renza is a strong willed, clever girl that loves her city, Halice, and serves as an elected leader.
Idris is a... shoot, I don't know how to explain him. Highly educated... thoughtful... takes control of his life... passionate about Halice also.
Both of their families are widely respected throughout Halice so when these two become recognized as soulhates, they have to work together without killing one another to maintain their reputations.
This book is mainly political intrigue which was not what I was expecting, so it took a little bit of time to settle into that. Once I did, I was fully invested.
The premise of the story is wonderful. I would have liked to have had some dual POV to know what's going on in Idris head because some things just don't quite make sense and I'm unsure why. I feel like his perspective could have helped iron that out.
The pacing is steady throughout, but the end just... came fast. It feels like pieces were missing.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for an advanced reader copy of this book.
Everyone has a soulmate and a soulhate. Soulmates are associated with intense feeling of love but soulhates are associated with a burning rage that almost blinds them. Of course, there is no guarantees that the paths cross of either one. BUT if the soulhates do cross paths... The typical way to handle soulhates is to have a duel to the death. There are stories of those that fight fate, but they don't have good outcomes.
Renza is a strong willed, clever girl that loves her city, Halice, and serves as an elected leader.
Idris is a... shoot, I don't know how to explain him. Highly educated... thoughtful... takes control of his life... passionate about Halice also.
Both of their families are widely respected throughout Halice so when these two become recognized as soulhates, they have to work together without killing one another to maintain their reputations.
This book is mainly political intrigue which was not what I was expecting, so it took a little bit of time to settle into that. Once I did, I was fully invested.
The premise of the story is wonderful. I would have liked to have had some dual POV to know what's going on in Idris head because some things just don't quite make sense and I'm unsure why. I feel like his perspective could have helped iron that out.
The pacing is steady throughout, but the end just... came fast. It feels like pieces were missing.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for an advanced reader copy of this book.
March 14, 2025
Rating: ★★★.5 → ★★★★
Started: 12 March 25
Finished: 13 March 25
TW: one instance of deadnaming which didn’t need to happen, 21% into the book.
“Violence is the mark of a weak man’s truth.”
So, you clearly know going in who the romance is expected to be with, but when you get 60% into this book without much conversation happening between them, you start questioning yourself. I would’ve loved to see more interaction between the fmc and the mmc because when we did get a little between them the tension was good!
I loved “the garden” and the people in it. I also loved the friendships and the ride or die energy they were all bringing when they got into a pickle.
I love the idea of a “soulhate” being someone you just want to deck when you see them. They took “it’s on sight” literally and I love it.
This book was more to do with the politics rather than the romance but the little moments between the fmc and mmc were just so good that I’d love just a book of them and maybe how they work together.
Overall, I did like the authors writing and I would read more from them and a 2nd book if it happens. (👀)
Started: 12 March 25
Finished: 13 March 25
TW: one instance of deadnaming which didn’t need to happen, 21% into the book.
“Violence is the mark of a weak man’s truth.”
So, you clearly know going in who the romance is expected to be with, but when you get 60% into this book without much conversation happening between them, you start questioning yourself. I would’ve loved to see more interaction between the fmc and the mmc because when we did get a little between them the tension was good!
I loved “the garden” and the people in it. I also loved the friendships and the ride or die energy they were all bringing when they got into a pickle.
I love the idea of a “soulhate” being someone you just want to deck when you see them. They took “it’s on sight” literally and I love it.
This book was more to do with the politics rather than the romance but the little moments between the fmc and mmc were just so good that I’d love just a book of them and maybe how they work together.
Overall, I did like the authors writing and I would read more from them and a 2nd book if it happens. (👀)
April 10, 2025
i found the premise of soul hate really interesting. i liked that there are both soulmates and soulhates. i'm not keen on soulmates, i have a lot of issues with them in general, but i was excited by the concept of soulhates, and especially how the characters overcome the difficulties this poses to them.
i found the plot lacking. it was boring for the most part, right up until the end. it's very political (where i love political books, this one was just boring), and lacked anything to speed the plot up. i was longing for some action or something.
the romance, being that this is a romantasy, was also really confusing. the first 40% or so is renza having a bit of a fling with someone else, and didn't focus at all on the main romance. because of this, i found there wasn't enough tension or longing to actually pull me through.
unfortunately this book wasn't for me, but i think there's an appropriate audience out there for it. this book had so much potential and ultimately failed to deliver for me.
i found the plot lacking. it was boring for the most part, right up until the end. it's very political (where i love political books, this one was just boring), and lacked anything to speed the plot up. i was longing for some action or something.
the romance, being that this is a romantasy, was also really confusing. the first 40% or so is renza having a bit of a fling with someone else, and didn't focus at all on the main romance. because of this, i found there wasn't enough tension or longing to actually pull me through.
unfortunately this book wasn't for me, but i think there's an appropriate audience out there for it. this book had so much potential and ultimately failed to deliver for me.
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