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"The Earth was not ours to keep..."


Like the rest of the Gaian race, Alana’s life is ruled by the Avalon, the superior race who once created Earth and returned to reclaim it after we nearly destroyed it. Now that the Avalon move the Gaians from Region to Region, over and over, Alana has no place to call home.


Fearing that she may be resigned to this life of control forever, the opportunity to explore the world outside of her Region is literally dropped into Alana’s pocket in the form of a small silver device.
Taking a leap of faith and teleporting to the unknown, Alana must discover who is pulling the strings in her life and why. But in her quest for answers and freedom, she’s thrown headfirst into a hidden battle for humanity alongside a boy whose life was destined to be entwined with hers.


With the secrets of who she really is starting to unravel and abilities she didn’t know she had rising to the surface, she becomes a commodity to whatever faction can keep her in one place.


But others around her are carrying secrets, too, and Alana must decide who to trust before she can change the fate of all the races.

Get ready for a tale of a hidden war between otherworldly humanoid races on a changed Earth, filled with romance and adventure, in The Mirror Souls, the first installment in The Mirror Souls Trilogy.

329 pages, ebook

First published April 18, 2019

11 people are currently reading
126 people want to read

About the author

Julia Scott

10 books56 followers
JULIA SCOTT writes magical, romantic stories full of heart—blending adventure, wonder, and the kind of love that lingers. Her books span whimsical fantasy, dream-filled sci-fi, and everyday spells that help readers reconnect with their own magic.

Based in Essex, England, Julia is a writer, book designer, and creative soul who believes in the power of words. When she's not writing, you'll find her singing (loudly), gaming, shuffling tarot cards, or plotting her next wild idea in the garden.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
Profile Image for Sania Jain.
81 reviews30 followers
September 22, 2020
I won the audiobook of this story in a giveaway hosted by the author and I am so so glad I came across this story.
Set up in the dystopian future world, this story captured my attention from the beginning!
I absolutely loved the world building.
The characters were so flawlessly sketched that you could relate to each and every one of them even though the POV was Alana's.
An Alien race called Avalons have taken over the earth to restore the damage done by Gaians(former earth natives). But it's not just restoration of the planet that Avalonians are looking for.
Alana being a feisty teenager loves to break rules and get her hands on gadgets that are forbidden. So she should. I mean, If I knew there was a teleportation device in my world, I would break rules for it too.
But then her world completely changes when one night mysteriously she finds one in her pocket with a note.
Alana has a lot of pressure from the rules set up by the avalonians. Get assigned to a profession, get coupled. The consequences of doing otherwise leads you to processing and it's not something you would want to end up in. On top of all this, she has an illegal device.
Do read this masterpiece to know if she uses the device or where the device takes her?
I loved the writing style, it felt so natural.
Cannot wait to read the next part!
Profile Image for Chloe Hodge.
Author 12 books309 followers
December 10, 2019
Fantastic read!

This was my first sci-fi read in a long time and it didn’t disappoint. Scott’s attention to detail is wonderful—it feels as though you’re in Alana’s shoes as she battles through one hardship after the next... constantly keeping you on your toes!

This book has a unique plot, great world building and well thought out, relatable characters. I was very impressed with this storyline and the direction the series is headed in!

I’m also intrigued by the romance concept here! Mirror Souls is an entirely new approach to romance and soulmates and I’m all for it.

If you like dystopian/after earth style sci-fi’s then this one is for you. Even more interesting is that the story (mostly) takes place on an earth like ours, only called something else. Despite this, it feels completely different with the dictatorial rules that binds its people.

Looking forward to reading more for book 2!
Profile Image for C.L. Walters.
Author 13 books98 followers
December 29, 2019
A dystopian story set in the distant future on earth after it has nearly been decimated by human kind, an alien race called the Avalon have stepped in to save the planet and humanity but it is at a cost: freedom. Humans are forcibly moved from region to region, assigned jobs, and their very lives controlled by the Avalon, and Alana has reached a breaking point. When forbidden Avalon tech - a transportation device that allows the user to jump from one place to the next - mysteriously ends up in Alana’s pocket, she doesn’t question how it got there (too much) more intrigued with the temptation to see where it will take her. She presses the button.

Transported to another region, Alana meets Aiden, who’s waiting for her as though he knew she was coming. The thing is, he did. Someone in his region gave him a heads up to be on the lookout. What’s even weirder, the instant emotional connection they share as strangers that neither of them can seem to deny. But the clock is ticking. They are only able to meet for a two hour window. Why? (If I disclose this, an Avalon will come after me for processing which sounded awful - so I’ll hold onto this spoiler and allow you to discover it for yourself).

I enjoyed the creativity of this story. The intriguing world that Scott has built, the interesting races with different roles and functions, the history of a planet on the brink (which reads less like fiction and eerily close to reality) as well as the unique premise. She did a great job of helping me keep things straight and unfolding things so that I could keep up. A plot-driven story, I would have appreciated added development of these diverse and fascinating characters to help me connect with them a bit more, but this is a very minute point in a story of this caliber. MIRROR SOULS was action packed and layered with tension which I think is something readers of this genre appreciate and crave.
Profile Image for Janine.
517 reviews75 followers
April 29, 2023
I've had The Mirror Souls on my TBR for a couple of years, but I finally took the plunge on this YA Sci-Fi story and enjoyed it for the fast pace and interesting take on sci-fi without being too technical, and was a fun, quick listen.

Alana lives in a world that's being restored from devastation and controlled by the Avalon alien race for the past century and humans, or Gaians, are treated as second class citizens. Things are fine with her half Avalon friend, Gen, and her mother and brother, but her normal life is turned upside down when she finds herself in an unknown location, discovering things about herself and her world that she never knew. Alana is feisty and has quiet rebellions in order to dodge punishment from the Avalon as she's trying to discover what exactly is going on between her new love interest, Aiden, as well as the changes in her Region.

I was intrigued with the story almost the whole way through, it's fast paced and almost every chapter has a new wrinkle added into the story. Despite some predictable YA plot cliches and some of the characters not being as fleshed out as I would like, I did like the execution and some of the twists and surprises that didn't make it stale, even if some were predictable.

The world building was interesting and mostly immersive, and I enjoyed learning a lot about it, though some info was a bit muddled, including how the Mirror Souls work, but I expect that to be explained in the next two books. Also, there's fantasy elements in this book, so be aware of that.

The narrator was expressive, and I didn’t have too much of an issue, but did sound robotic in some instances, but I think much of that was intentional.

I'm looking forward to what the rest of the series has in store, especially after that cliffhanger at the end!

*I received a review copy of the audiobook from the author. All opinions are my own.*
Profile Image for Beverly Owens.
Author 14 books32 followers
May 17, 2019
Amazing!

What a fascinating concept for a story! Believable world and characters! Can't wait for the next in the trilogy. What is next for the Mirror Souls?
Profile Image for Debbie Eyre.
5,893 reviews116 followers
May 13, 2019
What a fab start to this series! Well written this YA dystopian style story is well paced and intriguing with great characters and world building with some twists and turns to keep you hooked and I would really like to read the next book ASAP please!
Profile Image for L. Nahay.
Author 2 books1 follower
August 10, 2020
Intriguing, well thought out plot

MIRROR SOULS was a non-stop race for the poor MC who never got a chance to take a breath! The author offers a new take on the concept of 'soulmates' amidst bigger issues. I kinda hate the whole soulmate silliness, but this one presents it in such a way that makes it lovely and new. Despite being MIRROR SOULS, I liked that they weren't completely mushy, that Alana and Aiden fought and kept boundaries and were mindful of their newness while wanting to explore exactly what this bond meant and entailed. There is a lot going on beneath the surface of what initially feels like a small environment, that twists into something infinitely larger at the end! I think the depth of the plot will show even more in the second book. I also liked the post-apocolyptic vision, and as much as I usually avoid aliens in stories, their inclusion was perfect.
Profile Image for Bailey Davenport.
Author 1 book9 followers
October 2, 2019
This was a truly enjoyable read!

Objectively, I thought the author did really well weaving the main storyline and the subplots together, and the mysteries were unveiled at a rate that kept me interested from start to finish. I was able to predict some of the twists, but some really surprised me. There were a few errors in the text and formatting, and at times the narrative felt a little choppy due to word choice or minor continuity issues, but they were few enough that the book felt polished overall, and they didn't get in the way of the immersive nature of the story. The characters were relatable, and I liked how many of them there were! I always always appreciate a full, diverse cast.

Now for some subjective opinions that didn't effect my rating but might be helpful for potential readers. The Mirror Souls read very much like a typical YA dystopian novel. The concept and setting were unique enough that, if you've read The Hunger Games, Divergent, Maze Runner, etc, it's not going to feel like just reading the same thing all over again, even if the underlying themes are very similar. Something I really liked about this dystopian world in particular is that, even though it is post-the fall of humanity, the world isn't totally wrecked - not all of it anyway. It takes place after the different races have been able to restore the planet a little bit, and a lot of the regions have trees and brooks and things of that nature. I thought that made for a more pleasant setting than a lot of the overly technological or wasteland-like settings found in a lot of similar books.

I've developed sort of a peeve towards characters that develop huge amounts of bitterness towards someone close to them suddenly when the find out they've been wronged, or characters that take a long time to catch on to the vision of a movement because they're so concerned about themselves. Overall, I liked Katniss in The Hunger Games, but those are two things that really bothered me about her throughout the course of the series. Same for Alana, the main character in The Mirror Souls. These are totally understandable reactions to extreme circumstances, and I don't think it makes the characters any less real, I just have a hard time admiring characters who seem less open-minded or selfless than I would have if they had been more mindful of other people. Again, I recognize this as a personal preference because the extreme emotions do make for a more dramatic story that a lot of other people prefer, and this opinion didn't effect my rating or my overall opinion of the book.

I definitely plan to read the rest of the series and am glad I discovered it!
Profile Image for Natalie Reddy.
Author 9 books74 followers
December 27, 2020
Just...perfect!

This book was a pure joy to read! I pretty much inhaled it in a 48 hour period (which says a lot seeing as I have a 3 year old who barely leaves me alone for two seconds lol). Alana is a character you route for. She is blunt and strong but also vulnerable and real. She's not just a cookie cutter character who goes through the motions but a character who manages to cling to who she is despite all that she's thrown into and discovers throughout the book. I loved that there was more than one place in this book where I was taken by surprise and literally said "are you kidding me!" Nothing was as it seems which made for a fun and exciting ride. The romance was sweet and fun and while it played a major role there is a lot more at play than a simple love story...and while I loved the main love interest I kind ship Alana with a different guy. You'll see ;). Julia Scott has weaved a story that is...well just perfect! I loved it! And the fact that this was a debut novel speaks volumes! This author is a talent to keep an eye on. She's gonna go places! Can't wait for book two and to get me some more Dray ;).
Profile Image for GraceyBookster.
154 reviews4 followers
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November 5, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this book. It reminded me a little of Divergent to begin with but with more romance and mystery. I liked how the characters developed and it felt like you were moving along with Alana’s journey every step of the way. It was very easy to feel what she was feeling and ask the same questions she was asking. Julia Scott certainly has a way of closing each chapter with a cliffhanger so you want to keep reading to find out what happens! I thought I was being clever at trying to predict/figure out certain characters and things along the way but I was so wrong! There were things that took me by surprise and definitely kept me wanting to know more. From the very beginning to the end I envisaged this book becoming a hit movie saga or TV series in the future! Take me to the Nordly’s! Take me to the stars! Just take me away lol. I cannot wait for the second instalment to come through my letterbox!
Profile Image for M.J. Vaughn.
Author 1 book29 followers
December 20, 2019
Thrilling!

The Mirror Souls is a story steeped in the best kind of unknown. Alana wants to live a different kind of life but when the possibility is presented, nothing is as it seems. There are so many twists and turns in this story, you have no choice but to hang on and enjoy the exhilarating ride. The build up is perfect because you see everything from Alana’s point of view. She knows what you know and when the answers are revealed, you don’t see them coming. So excited for Alana’s story to continue in Book 2!
Profile Image for J.D. Groom.
Author 5 books55 followers
May 25, 2020
I loved this book so much I couldn’t put it down! Sci-fi is not something I normally read but this is so much more. It’s an easy read that sucks you in from the beginning, drip feeding world building information so you don’t feel bombarded or overwhelmed. The characters are relatable and you feel their pain and struggles. I’m very intrigued by Dray and can’t wait to find out more about him!
Profile Image for Breanna Petsch.
Author 1 book6 followers
December 9, 2019
I loved this book! It was so creatively done, with concepts that I wouldn’t have thought of in my wildest dreams—but I am so glad that the author did! Love really is powerful :)
Profile Image for Cheyenne.
526 reviews24 followers
August 27, 2023
3 ⭐ CW: forced medical procedure

"Love is a choice. Whether it is chosen with ease subconsciously, or consciously chosen day by day, it's always a choice. It's the most empowering choice you can ever make, and its effect has no bounds."

The Mirror Souls by Julia Scott is book one in the Mirror Souls trilogy. I got this YA scifi/dystopian book in a book box subscription I had that no longer exists, so it's a special edition with sprayed edges, a signed bookplate, and came with an art print of the characters, a bookmark, a make up bag with mandalas and a quote on it, and an enamel pin of the cabin and Northern Lights in Nordlys.

We follow Alana, who lives with her mom and brother in a "home dome" and required to live under strict rules from an alien race that took over Earth in order to save it from the destruction humans did. The aliens, called Avalons, have renamed Earth and the humans there Gaia and Gaians respectively. If people don't follow the rules, even just getting home slightly after curfew, the consequences are a procedure called "Processing." Alana's best friend is half Alvalon and related to one of the most powerful Avalons on the planet.

When Alana's friend Gen gets assigned her Profession early, things start to get weird for Alana. She is also assigned her Profession early and given the most grueling job in the Region. Alana discovers a translocation device in her pocket with a note, and finds out she has a Mirror Soul, or soul mate in another region, named Aiden. Mirror Souls aren't just a myth about soul mates, Mirror Souls feel a pull toward each other they can't control, and produce an electric charge when they are together for too long.

As much as I wanted to love this book based on the premise, it just fell flat for me. I didn't particularly connect with Alana, there was a pointless love triangle that really didn't need to be in there, and I felt we didn't learn enough about Gen and Dray to actually care about them. The insta love was a bit much for me even with the Mirror Soul thing. It was nice to see that not all Mirror Soul pairs are heterosexual and romantic, but we never see this. I wanted a lot more world-building and I think the scifi needed to be more center to the story than the bland romance.

I don't think I'll continue the series since there are way too many books I'd rather be reading. If you like scifi and romance, and looking for a twist on soul mates, this is your series.
Profile Image for Corrie Anne Stacey.
61 reviews
January 7, 2021
This is exactly the type of book I’d pick up purely because of the cover. It’s so attention grabbing, intriguing and colourful. As you’ve probably also realised by now , I love a nice layout in a book and this is just gorgeous.
I sometimes struggle to get into dystopian genre stories but this certainly wasn’t the case here. I took a liking to Alana right from the start. She is a good person but has a rebellious streak that cant be tamed. She frequently breaks the rules in Rowhill but is careful not to get caught. This is how she meets her ‘mirror soul’ Aiden and begins a journey of discovery. Throughout her life she has been kept in the dark about so much!
The characters are well written and as the plot thickens, it becomes apparent they will each have their own important role in the book series. It was easy to read, the story flowed and the chapters were a nice size. It’s a great first instalment of the trilogy and it has left me eager to read on!
I adore the concept of this book, that true love is so powerful it can right wrongs and even cause destruction.
Profile Image for Julisa Basak.
Author 1 book4 followers
October 12, 2020
This was an exciting book from start to finish! I was very intrigued by the world-building, how it's unique for a post-apocalyptic utopian world but also familiar enough to be plausible. Scott really has a great eye for detail and painting each setting and movement through them with her words. Each moment flowed into the other very well and the mystery kept me on my toes. The concept of mirror souls is quite interesting as well, and for those who like super abilities fueled by soulmate romance, they will definitely like this. I'm very much looking forward to Anahata Divide (her next book in the series) after the ending!
Profile Image for V F B.
102 reviews12 followers
December 26, 2019
I read this book in two days as I couldn't put it down. I didn't know what to expect from it and it has more romance that I normally like, but it wasn't a bad thing. I specially liked the whole world building created by the author.
The only problem was how it ends. Julia, how did you do that to me? I will definitely read the second.
Profile Image for Esther Rabbit.
Author 5 books107 followers
November 8, 2019

Excellent from plot twists to subplots and overall storyline making this a page turner from beginning to end. Kudos to the author as this is one of the most original stories I’ve read, hence a must read not only for dystopian lovers. I’m fangirling, I know :)
Profile Image for Ellie Mitten.
Author 4 books8 followers
July 5, 2020
It’s been a while since I read this amazing story (I’m terrible at writing reviews so I put them off!) but it’s still with me. I loved the world building, and the way it involves aliens without being alieny (if you know what I mean!) It was the differences between species, the power they held in society, that was important to the story, not the fact they were aliens. The love triangle has been on the edge of my seat waiting for book two (and I don’t have a clue who’ll be chosen, which is very rare. Basically I loved it! (Told you I was bad at reviews 😂)
54 reviews
May 17, 2019
Great work

A great story, solid dialogue, believable characters, all held together by a wonderful style. Highly recommend to all YA/fantasy fans!!
Profile Image for Erin Knuth.
315 reviews8 followers
January 20, 2020
Intriguing characters, fascinating technology, and a cliffhanger ending pulled me in and kept me hooked. Sci-fi and sci-fantasy and YA romance blend together to create a story that has something for everyone. The world-building was handled subtly but with enough detail to make our future earth easy to visualize. As for the unique premise, a broken world that can possibly be healed by love is a beautiful concept. I can't wait to see where the series takes us.
Profile Image for Sara (thebookwebb).
290 reviews16 followers
January 4, 2021
I don’t usually read sci-fi so I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this book, however I loved it. It had more of a young adult fantasy feel to it, which is my favourite genre, and so I ended up reading the whole book in one afternoon. It was an interesting premise, with likeable characters and was a fast paced read. I would have liked a bit more time spent on the world building and character relationships, particularly the growing feelings between Alana and Aiden. However, I really enjoyed it and thought it was a fantastic debut novel. I will definitely be reading book 2 of this series when it is released.

Thank you to Love Books Tours and Evenstar Books for my gifted copy.
Profile Image for Carol Paxman.
Author 8 books1 follower
May 13, 2019
I absolutely loved this book. The world Alana lives in fascinates me. I can't wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Elira Barnes.
29 reviews
June 16, 2019
The Mirror Souls was such an enjoyable read for me. If you enjoy dystopian settings, you should absolutely read this book.

The story centers on Alana and her Mirror Soul, Aiden. In their world, Mirror Souls are considered a threat to society because when together, they create an energy that can affect and alter what is called the Processing - a medical procedure meant to alter a person's personality and mindset.

I absolutely loved the chemistry between the two protagonists and what it could cause, but what made this story really interesting was Alana's courage - it always made me want to find out what she would do next, as she is the strong female lead I like to read about in a young adult novel.

I can't wait for the next book in the series to be released, as this one ends on quite a cliffhanger!

This is definitely one of my favourite dystopian novels. Where this genre is becoming quite predictable and repetitive, this book really stood out to me as original.
Profile Image for Estelle Tudor.
Author 14 books44 followers
July 21, 2020
Love the concept, plot and characters! It's intriguing to think what might happen to Earth if something catastrophic happens and we are contacted by aliens. This book brings all of that together and weaves a fantastical tale that hooks you right from the very beginning. I love the twists and turns and the romance makes you invested in the main characters and what they are fighting for. Can't wait to find out what happens in the next instalment!
Profile Image for Conny.
858 reviews3 followers
October 18, 2020
This was one of the best books I've read this year.
It was so good, so different, so........
I don't know how to explain this book, you just have to read it.
December 6th is the release date for book 2, but It's very hard to wait ...
I wish I could be a arc reader for book 2 lol.
Profile Image for Samantha Goodwin.
Author 2 books31 followers
April 29, 2020
I loved this book! The unique premise and intriguing characters gripped me from the very first chapter and I was hooked the whole time. Never predictable, there were plenty of twists and turns and I've got genuinely no idea what is going to happen in the next installment. I'm now fully invested in Alana and co. and can't wait to see where their journey takes them next.
This fabulous book kept me fully entertained during a time when escapism is all too important. I would highly recommend this one!
Profile Image for Samantha Heuwagen.
Author 5 books42 followers
February 23, 2020
Scott’s world building is breathtaking as you’re lead into a fast paced ride of love, mystery, and adventure. A fun read for anyone interested in science fiction with substance.
Profile Image for Liesbeth.
326 reviews8 followers
May 11, 2019
This story is such an amazing and heartfelt adventure. When I first stepped into the story it reminded me somewhat of the movie 'The Giver' were they also live in pods and when they reach a certain age, they will be given a role of what they are capable of.

But when Alana finds a little silver device in her pocket, which she wasn't suppose to have, translocates her to another country. There she finds, even if she doesn't know it herself yet, meets her Mirror Soul. From then on a high pace story unfolds where you have the feeling, where ever they go, they will always find them. As in ' resistance is futile'.

During this intense chase, she looses her family and her best friend. Who can she rely on, who can she trust? Will she ever see the persons she loves the most?

I must say this was such a electrifying novel, with so many twist plots, but was most surprised by the story ending. I cannot wait to continue this most exhilarating and adventurous chase through Gaia. It is truly a mix of dystopian and sci-fi elements, that makes this novel for me, special.
Profile Image for Kara Weaver.
Author 9 books44 followers
October 16, 2019
The Mirror Souls by Julia Scott was a rather cozy read. We are introduced to this new world, or version of Earth, after the Cataclysm, and because of its familiarity, you are pulled into the book by its strangeness almost immediately. And by strange, I mean...people not from Earth.

The story almost immediately starts with an incident that leaves you to wonder where things will go, and from there on, it picks up steadily. While it's not the typical fast-paced edge-of-your-seat kind of read, Julia Scott has woven the story in such a way it's hard to put down. It's as if she's taken you by the hand and guides you through it. Her writing style is so easy and calm, you can just sit down and let the story envelop you.

I absolutely love the idea behind the Mirror Souls, more so because it almost seems possible; as if this is a future for Earth we can only hope for (or not), as if this is what's going to happen when everything goes south.

It's an absolute must read if you love YA sci-fi.
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