In the words of her schoolmaster, Kiarra is an erratic disaster. In the well-ordered and balanced society of the kingdom of Megreria, she is a failure. Every person in Megreria has an occupation in a specific House and a designated Soul Match.
Not Kiarra. She has delayed her exams until the last allowable minute, but her mind refuses to focus on one House. When she meets one man from each of the five Houses, her inability to choose extends to her heart. The rules demand she choose though, one House and one man.
What happens when she feels drawn to all five Houses and all five men who have captured her attention, and possibly her heart? Will she be doomed to a life of a Commoner? Will society and the kingdom shun her? Or have the Fates already chosen her destiny?
There seem to be three kinds of reverse harem books – the hard-edge, super sexy, the straight up smut, and the kind that focuses on characters, and their relationships first before the rest of it without losing the pace of the plot. The genre that I didn’t know existed 6 months ago is PACKED with all sorts of good, bad, amazing, middling, and everything in between and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Pieces of Her Soul fills in a hole I didn’t realize was there (for me at least). It seems to fill a wholesome kind of supportive family, realistic take on the paranormal-induced harem. Fate plays a big role which allows for some things that are patently fiction (like meeting all the guys in one day. But fate wasn’t wasting time, so go for it girl). This hits multiple high points for me, as follows in list form.
1. The MC is not an idiot. This has become a requirement for my enjoyment of a story. What is not a requirement is that she’s thoughtful and tries to meet expectations for her family but accepts herself as she is. Kiarra has had a long time to come to terms with how her brain works, and it gives her a different perspective than the rest of the citizens. But maybe it should be 😊 2. Kiarra doesn’t spend time wondering “but what does it mean” and “what will they think of me” and other drama/angst angles. She comes to conclusions (smarty pants, she is) and doesn’t spend a lot of time questioning herself. Might get her into trouble later, we’ll see? 3. The guys. I love them. For a first book, they’re nicely differentiated (using the Houses as launching points helps I think. They’re multifaceted and I’m interested to find out more about them as the story continues
Overall, I loved it. I really did. I smiled pretty much constantly, got engrossed in the story by the second chapter, and didn’t come out till the end. I loved that she didn’t act confused for no reason, that she loved her family so completely (and honestly didn’t come from a super abusive background. I needed a break from a little of that darkness)
If you’re looking for the MC-type hard edges, this is probably not the book. But if you want a book that makes your heart feel just a little better? Maybe give it a try.
I have to say that the world building in this was the best part for me and I could picture just how the different houses were set up around the palace along with shops etc, which is a testament to the author getting that across clearly. While that aspect worked very well having 6 different POVs made it a little hard to get a real feel for each man and I'm not sure how well the sex stuff will work in the next book but it was also nice to read another reverse harem book that isn't just focused on sex (though I'm looking forward to it - obviously).
This book started out a little slow but seemed to pick up and kept a steady pace. I really don't know what to think about the main characters as of yet so I don't have much of opinion at this time. Off to book 2 now..
I enjoyed it. It's got a divergent type of feel to it. There's are 5 houses in the kingdom and you have to test into one before you turn 19. If you don't test into a house you are a commoner or performer. Kiarra has put off testing bc her scores are too erratic to count on. In a matter of days her life is turned completely inside out. She loses her best friend and finds herself attracted to not just one but five new men. But then the King unveils a secret that really upends things. I'm intrigued by the story and I'm ready to see what happens next.
Kiarra is likable. She's strong, talented, courageous and she cares about people. She hasn’t let people (students or family) criticism hold her back from experiencing life. I really hope she gets to have more time with her brother. I also hope her mom gains happiness.
Switching between different character perspectives so much definitely made reading this book slower for me. In general this wasn’t a fast paced book.
I like all the guys for different reasons. I like that Clay is different by still awesome on his own. I can’t wait to learn more about all the characters.
I’m glad that Kiarra didn’t get kidnapped because I can’t stand that story line. I liked that even though she wasn’t experienced sexually, she wasn’t clueless about it. I also enjoyed that Kiarra was getting out of a situation where her schoolmates, teachers and family dislike her. I don't care for books where the main female character is disliked by all but her best friend. I’m glad that she had the support of her brother and mother growing up and now she has her Harem.
On the one hand it has quite a few things I'm predisposed to dislike:
- Young, inexperienced heroine (she's almost 19, but in ways seem younger), who is also a virgin... - Insta-love/attraction - although this is explained through the soul matches part of their world, it's typically not something I'm a fan of - The men all seem too good to be true and their instant acceptance of the situation felt a little disingenuous - Bitchy mean sister (because all other girls her age have got to be bitches...right? - It's also a bit light on Plot and world building.
However, I did enjoy it on the whole, and I think the build up in the last third of the book is an interesting set up for book 2.
Reverse Harem stories are a new genre to me, the 1st I read being Trickery by Jaymin Eve and Jane Washington. Since then, I have read a few and this one is one of the good one (not all of them are good).
This story focuses on Kiarra and her 5 soul matches, Ian, Mason, Seb, Reed and Clay. They live in a world that reminds me very much of Divergent, their world is separated into 5 houses and when children come of age, they test into their house so that they can be a productive member of their society. Kiarra has put off testing until the last possible moment because she has days when she excels at all houses and times when she fails horribly.
The story follows a chain of events when Kiarra's big brother is called to duty as a Soul Tender (beings who have visions). After this happens, Kiarra's world starts to spiral.
What I enjoyed about this story is it is a slow burn romance, meaning Kiarra feels a certain pull towards all of her men, and they to her, it is not instant love at first sight. I also enjoyed getting chapters from the guys point of view, that is so rarely done.
What dragged out for me was the world building, you pretty much understand their world by the first couple of chapters, however, it seems as if there is world building in every chapter and that gets a little boring after awhile.
All in all I really enjoyed the book, the story line is original and I am going to jump into book 2 right now because I am intrigued now to see how their relationship plays out.
Pieces of Her Soul is the most weirdly PG-13 version of a RH I have seen so far minus the horny stuff they say occasionally, it's just so.. clean. It's straight up sugar, no spice.
I found the whole book very black and white. This bothers me because I found it in everything. The town is like a dystopian one with different tiers and disregard for "commoners" and yet I don't really see the ugly side of this, hell this chick and her guys are supposed to save this kingdom somehow and yet I don't see her as this underdog breaking societal norms with new way of thinking but more like someone who has been handed everything with a silver spoon. She hasn't earned anything of what's given to her.
All of the guys are so goody good, I could see no range of emotions even when I read through their POVs. How come none of these guys are affected by the environment they were brought up in? Ian is raised by two "heartless" assassins. Mason's daddy is one fucked up dude. Clay grew up in the worst area of the seaport and yet all of them are so unproblematic? They come across so disingenuous.
To sum it up, I felt like I just finished reading a children's story rather than a RH novel.
An erratic disaster. I absolutely adore this description! It is indicative of my feelings for this first book in the Soul Tenders series. Megreria is a society based on being orderly. It is made up of 5 houses; Military, Information Exchange, Scholar, Merchant, and Planning and Development. The city is arranged like a wheel with each house located as a spoke, the people all live within their house, and even dress the color of their house. It's all very efficient. If you are do not test high enough to be slotted into a proper house, you are deemed a commoner and assigned menial labor. They are ruled by a King who is assisted by his 5 advisers and the Soul Tenders. The Tenders see visions, sometimes prophecies, but their main job is to make matches. They reunite Pairs; joining men and women to their soul mate; finding matching souls so that they can be complete. One hunded years ago a prophecy came to all 4 Tenders that an atypical match would occur and save the kingdom. A ruler would emerge and have 5 soul matches, one from each house. The time of the prophecy has arrived!
Kiarra Walton does not fit in. Her teachers say she is an erratic disaster, she is unteachable. One day she will score high in every class, the next she fails at everything. Even her looks are unusual; her hair has every hue imaginable and her eyes are everchanging. She is a magnificent chameleon! She is shunned for her uniqueness by everyone except for her mother and brother Rowan, but she is a breath of fresh air. An unexpected event takes her brother away from her and starts a chain reaction of introductions. Kiarra's future, the future of 5 wonderful young men, and the future of the kingdom all change as these young people meet one another. Mason is a soldier, the son of the King's High Commander; Ian is a shadow, a trained spy; Clay, rising out of the commoner status is quickly reaching the tier in the Merchant house; Seb, once Rowan's roommate is one of the City's planners, and his foster brother Reed is an intelligent, thoughtful scholar. As each young man meets Kiarra they are drawn to her, recognizing her as the special young woman she is. They all want her and she is equally absorbed with feelings for the five men. With all pieces of the prophecy in play, the King puts a plan in motion. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. Not only do we have 6 young people all getting to know one another and their respective fields, but we have palace intrigues and enemy countries also on the playing field. Makes for a wonderful, multi-layered story.
This is a dystopian story with solid world-building and nicely developed characters; it's a slow-burn reverse harem. There is insta-attraction, but only appropriate behavior. I was less than thrilled by the multiple references that men need sex to keep from becoming too pent up and must find outlets to not resort to more dangerous actions. REALLY? Do women not have urges? Are we so much more civilized that we can stay safely repressed? I am over the whole man-whore character, but I would have much preferred the honestly of lust to the excuse of need. Needs can be satisfied singularly. That is my only compaint, however. There is no overblown angst. Kiarra has been shown ugliness from her father, her sister, and her teachers. She has been shunned by classmates. She hasn't become bitter or beaten. She accepts herself as she is. The guys all seem honorable. There was no fighting or ugly jealousy. I am sure problems will surface, but from the beginning everyone treated each other with kindness and respect. It's refreshing.
im so sorry to all of the books ive been reading recently because man ive been harsh lately and have just been handing out 2 and 3 stars….
overall its so easily predictable that i don’t want to continue for that reason. i was liking the story to begin with, it was very straightforward and acted mostly as introductions to the plot and characters but it really left me bored with the book in general.
the way the author set up this book really made it fail in my eyes because no action was ever going to occur in this book. there is no suspense, drama, or mystery to really intrigue the reader, its mostly straightforward introductions.
while i didnt hate it per say, it was just so boring. from what was given in the epilogue the next books are so eaisly deduced that i dont even want to read the next book even though this book wasnt that bad.
My expectations going into this was extremely low ,but I was pleasantly surprised. As someone who has pretty much read every decent RH books out there ,I’ll confidently add this to that list. The plot was rather unique and I found it intriguing tbh. The characters were fleshed out and their was no “different people same personality” thing going on (it might’ve helped that there were houses to separate them..) they were getting formally traditional towards the end it but was kind of cute 🥰 i hope it doesn’t last long though that shits going to get old real quick. I think with some editing this could be a REALLY good series. It’s written kinda sloppily but I don’t mind too much. I will definitely be reading the second book.
A very entertaining read full of hot men, political intrigue and one sweet yet determined protagonist.
I like how every other chapter switches to a different POV, it gave some depth to the story rather than having it at just Kiarra’s perspective. Plus, it’s always a bonus reading from the men’s POV and learning what’s going on in their heads😊.
Right now I’m torn between Ian or Mason at having a spot on my favorites list. I like the other men too, but something about Mason and Ian has me drawn to them more, although Clay does hold the spot for being the sweetest boy in the book.
ohhhh good opening to the series....okay so now we've met everyone, we know a little of their histories, and they all know they're going to be together moving forward and what that's supposed to entail. Dun Dun Dunnnnnn....so with that epilogue I'm guessing all the sh*t's about to hit the fan. Onto the 2nd book which I'm guessing is packed with steam, drama, backstabbing, and political intrigue. yay!
Loved it and especially loved that the guys were going gaga over the girl for a change..I mean you can only read so much (oh-my-god-he-is-hot-and-am-not) before you lose your shit..and the guys are always smirking and they always know they are sexy !I mean dude get over yourself already there is a thin line between confidence and arrogance ,one is sexy while the other is annoying and most authors don’t know the deference to be honest..this book was a welcome change ... and the world building was awsome and very easy to get into .. Can’t wait for the next one
I really enjoyed this. I like the idea of the social injustices and what might happen. The sole bonding. The epilogue really makes you want to read the next book along with Kiarra and her men. It’s impossible to pick a favorite at this point. I really like the fact they are not all perfect. Onto book two now.
I saw this book mentioned in a readers' forum and liked the cover so I thought I'd try it. I couldn't put it down. I do enjoy reverse harem stories and I really liked all the characters. I liked the use of the different points of view throughout the book. Early in the story I wondered whether the world would be a copy of the society in the Divergent series but it was different enough to be fresh.
I read the book for free on Kindle unlimited but I plan to re-read it and so will be buying it after my next payday ( I read a lot and have to limit my monthly purchases).
The epilogue sets things up nicely for the next book. If it carries on in the same vein then this could be up there with my favourite series with me counting down the days to the next release.
I can't say enough good things about this book! The characters were each unique and likeable, the world building was good, the editing was good, and there wasn't a huge cliffhanger. I'm very much looking forward to the next book!
This is a book that tells the story of Kiarra, a girl that doesn't fit into one house. It starts with a dinner where her brother is having a vision and is suddenly a soultender. He is taken to the king. He did leave her with a message. Trust the five. She meets several men. All from different houses. She is attracked to all. What is going to happen? Read the book and find out.
I have been in a bit of a reading slump here lately waiting for new editions to the many series I like to read. This has definitely brought me out of my slump. It’s very angsty, with some humor thrown in. I can see myself falling for the male counterparts and rallying behind the heroine of the story. I would recommend this book to anyone of my RH loving friends and as well as any book lover out there!
The heroine is totally awesome- no idiotic whimpering, excessive self doubt or moronic decisions. She has been abused by almost all the folks surrounding her, yet she retained her sense of identity, resolve, strength and honesty. Bravissimo!
Amazing world and character building. Excellent set up for the entire series. It’s definitely a slow burn RH. Perfect for readers like me that love to get emotional invested in their favorite series. Must Read for 2017
I didn’t love the switching between third and first person, I found it quite jarring, and the type of narration isn’t what I’d usually read, however I quite enjoyed this book. 3.5 ⭐️