A Soul For Chaos

Soulbearer #2

by Crista McHugh

Trouble is more than just a nickname for Arden Soulbearer. It seems to follow her wherever she goes. And no one knows this better than her protector, Devarius Tel’Brien.

Dev thought that by moving Arden to Gravaria so she could learn how to control Loku, the chaos god whose soul inhabits her body, life would be simpler. Wrong. Not only is he continually torn between his duty and his growing feelings for the Soulbearer, but he also has to contend with the rival prince who wishes to claim her heart. Adding to his problems, a group of powerful mages have banded together to rid the world of the disembodied chaos god once and for all. Of course, that means they have to destroy Arden in the process.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Magic, Ebooks, Witches, Fae, Elves

342 pages, Paperback

First published November 17, 2012

About the author

Crista McHugh is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY BESTSELLING author of fantasy and romance with heroines who are smart, sexy, and anything but ordinary.

She also writes fantasy with less kissing and a lot more action as C. A. McHugh.

She currently lives in the Tesla-filled suburbs of Seattle with her husband and two children, maintaining her alter ego of mild-mannered physician on the weekends.

Reviews

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compared to the first instalment in this series, this one was a bit of a flop, I'm sorry. I liked it, but it just wasn't what I needed it to be. We spent a bit too long agonising over Arden's love life rather than focusing on the very real threat opposing her. This book's villain should have been very scary and serious, but there wasn't enough build-up since we spent more time on silly little quarrels and tiffs instead. I love Kell but I think he should have been left in book one, he is an essential character in Arden's personal development but in this case, he should have been left behind. We all knew where their relationship was going, I don't think it was necessary to draw it out that long. Also, if I read in the next book about him getting with the Empress I'm going to blow a bloody gasket, I will not be happy, not one bit.

Now onto Dev and Arden...c'mon guys...We've definitely seen some great development between them but not without the childish, stubborn, just plain dumb issues. It's hard to take either of them seriously when their excuses just don't make sense, they're not real problems. Yeah, they both frustrated me a lot in this one. Nonetheless, they're still endgame and we should hopefully some some less annoying development in the next one. Although, I'm not entirely sure where we'll be going from here.

Okay, quick update. Hello, this is Eve about 5 minutes after writing this review. I was fully planning on reading Book 3 and in preparation decided to read the synopsis and a couple of reviews...I am not impressed. Honestly, while I liked this one, it didn't give me much hope about the rest of the series and after reading the synopsis, well, it went even lower. Everything is going in a direction I don't like and I'm not sure I want to spend my money and waste my time. So, as unfortunate as it is, I will be leaving this series here. Yes, I'm very upset too. I would have loved to watch Dev and Arden develop but that just isn't on the cards for me anymore. Very sad.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

*mild spoilers if you haven't read the first book in the series*

Arden Soulbearer continues to work on her partnership with Loku, the soul of the God of Chaos, which inhabits her body. In the past, Loku has driven the other soulbearers crazy over time, eventually causing their deaths. Luckily for Arden, Loku and her seem to be the perfect match for each other. It was great watching them both grow throughout the series. Arden used to be a timid barmaid, cast out by her family and friends due to her different looks and abilities. She's now in a land where magic is not only permitted but encouraged and it has given her a new feeling of confidence. Loku, who once made it his mission to drive his soulbearers to death as quickly as possible, is learning that not only can he tolerate Arden but that he's coming to care deeply for her. They have both made huge strides since the last book.


Book 2 in "The Soulbearer Trilogy" also continues with the Arden-Dev-Kell love triangle. Arden has had strong feelings for Dev throughout book 1 but after not having the feelings returned, she found comfort in Prince Kell's arms. Not wanting to be parted from Arden when she leaves for Gravaria to continue her training, Kell accompanies Dev and Arden on their journey. Not only does Arden have her romantic relationships to worry about and her issues with Loku, but now someone appears to be out to kill the new soulbearer.

This series has a little bit of everything, which makes it an exciting read. It is built around an amazing fantasy world which reminds me a little of a historical romance mixed up with an intricate magical fantasy with a little mystery, suspense and humor on the side. I have to say, as much as I loved the first book in this series, this one is even better. It didn't hurt that we get to find out a lot more about Dev and Arden's backstories. The side characters are very well written and add a lot to the main story as well.

The next book in the series, "A Soul for Vengeance" will be out next spring. The synopsis for the book talks mostly about Kell, but Crista McHugh says we will get plenty of Dev and Arden too. Whew! I was a little worried there for a minute! I hope this last book heads in the direction I'm hoping that it will.


http://underworldloveaddiction.blogsp...

[♥ Rebecca ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review can also be found on my blog: A Match Made in Heaven

This book didnt really go in the direction I expected. Arden and Dev continued their journey to Gavaria to train Arden, but the personal relationships didnt develop the way I expected. Kell had to show up and complicate things again. Arden and Dev's relationship is epically messed up and complicated, and they are both to blame. Dev continues to refuse to tell Arden anything, and Arden continues to be impulsive and out of control with a hair-trigger temper. She is hot and cold and it is crazy! Its just the type of person she is, with emotions that rule her, but I was having a hard time understand why one second she doesnt trust Dev and accuses him of being a danger to her, and then the next second she thinks he is all she needs in the world. She is the reason why men think women are confusing.

Eventually Kell's story diverges away from Arden's. Thats a good and bad thing. Its good because I want him to keep away from her. But its bad because it means that he has his own place in the story. He's not just there to be a convenient bump in Arden and Dev's journey toward each other. He is sticking around, and he still hasnt really grown on me.

This book was just as good as book one, and I will be starting book 3 immediately. I cant wait much longer to find out if Arden and Dev get an HEA. I have to find out soon!

[Gypsy Madden · Rating 5 out of 5]

With so many book series, I end up not liking the middle book (or just think it a mediocre followup), but if anything, I loved A Soul for Chaos even more than the first book. Arden still retains her charming awkwardness, Loku is still a breath of fresh air with his frank, sarcastic, lewd outlook on life that he constantly whispers to Arden, and Dev is sultry in his pensive broodiness that keep resulting to him being in a cranky mood all the time. I loved the way Arden and Dev could confide in each other, though endlessly frustrating that they couldn’t just come out with their feelings for each other (though that is part of the fun and drama of the story). And Kell, being the third wheel, I itched to not like him in favor of Dev, but he did have a good soul and legitimately wanted to help his country and did love Arden, so it was hard not to warm to him. In this installment we are introduced to Gravarians other than Dev. We actually get to see Emperess Marist (who is electrifying enough to deserve a book to herself. *hint, hint*) as other fascinating mages within the conclave. (And, I think it's amusing a photo of a Lord of the Rings Eowyn cosplayer was used for the front cover. Lovely, though I know the costume well, since I sewed a version of it myself to wear at a convention).

[L.W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the first book and this book had a lot to live up to. While I think the first book was better, being the complete package I look for in a book, this wasn't bad. It had a stand alone story on it's own, with a few loose ends out there to be finished later on, but it was a good read, well written and great characters.

So far this is a series that I have enjoyed very much and I look forward to the next book when it is released

[Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It follows up well on the first book and the characters are excellent. The pacing is great and kept me hooked on finding out what happened next, so much so that I read it in a day. The end is a cliffhanger, so I can't wait for the third book! I would definitely recommend this series to any fantasy lover, but do keep in mind that this is not a series geared toward young adults.

[Terri Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's fast paced and kept my interest all the way to the end. I haven't read the first book but I didn't feel lost. There are a good bit of errors in spelling.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars but I rounded up because I did enjoy the story though of course it doesn't have a satisfactory ending being the second book in a trilogy.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

~4.25⭐️~

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good as the first one can't wait to see what happens in the third book

[Erin Penn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally had time to circle back and finish this book after having to break at chapter 11 for real life. The Smurfette dilemma of the first book has been resolved with the addition of the Empress, but still a HEAVILY male world with just our POV character being the active female character. Chaos and misogyny are still mistaken for each other (where the reality is misogyny is from a heavily structured system teaching everyone to conform).

The book considered by itself - interesting world-building, beautiful fantasy descriptions (landscape, clothing, and castle interiors), strong (YOUNG) female lead, hunky male interests, magical sword, elves, fire wolves. Solid fantasy story.

What I hated this time: volatile, emotional, young child is the POV. Yes, she is suppose to be an adult, but everything makes her react instead of thinking. I like my main characters to make choices, not jump a different way every time their feelings are hurt. Yes, emotions change things - but Arden is EXHAUSTING.

Also hated how the main love interest keeps (1) not giving her the information she needs to MAKE the decisions she needs to make. and (2) calling her TROUBLE - not as a cutie thing, but blames her for every reaction she has and the things others do to her that end up in cities being leveled. If he doesn't give her the support needed to lead instead of cage her with ignorance, then what kind of man is he?

Great story, until you start really thinking about it and how you really want the world to work. Or what you want to teach young women in how men and those in authority should treat them. There isn't a lot in this book I would like my 13-year old nieces and nephews to internalize.

So great on the fantasy, poor on the socialization.

HEADLINE FOR THE AMAZON REVIEW: Unnecessary Secrets are the Driving Mechanism for the Plot

[Volpot · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Good continuation, though "love triangle" is a bit tiresome.

[yetunde mcmorris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the story ,thanks to the Author

I love the settings and the whole story itself. I can't just put it down .kudos to the Author .

[JWinter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good sequel, but I much preferred the first one.

[Yuhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets


*****SPOILERS READ AT YOUR OWN PERIL*****

The puppy (Kell) follows Arden and Dev to Gravaria, against his father's wishes, which in the long run likely saved his life. Dev continues to fight his feelings for Arden, which causes Arden to go to Kell to seek love and comfort. Dev is again upset at every decision he has ever made to turn Arden away. Meanwhile, Dev has a few secrets that he is not telling Arden. One of them, the murder one, isn't actually a huge deal for me, and I was a bit upset with Arden when she kept digging and saying that he was keeping secrets. The other two though are less forgivable. That he is in love with her and is pretending to not be because of a stupid sense of duty, and that he knows who her father is. Holding onto information on the paternity of someone is a really easy way to cause distrust. Arden finally figures out that she is not in love with Kell, but sees him as a friend. Would have been good if she realized this earlier, then she would not have broken his heart. Loku continues to be funny, and live up to his chaotic nature. Of course someone is out to kill her, and she almost kills a god in the course of all this action. The empress has issues with Arden, but all that magically disappears when she finds out who her father is. I liked Arden's father, he was calm and collected. I think Arden got her temper from her mother? or maybe her uncle.

[Aleshia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This again was a quick read for me, like the first one was. I liked the plot more as there was more action, but I feel like this one just had some editing errors that annoyed me so. There were some in the first book, but this one just had more. The problem was that the author uses third person for the story, but in the same paragraph just as she uses third person, switches to first. Fore example I think one was switching to a person's thoughts, which would be in first, but the sentence was not in italics to signify this nor did it start a new paragraph. I am not an English expert or anything, but it does create some confusion for the reader, I think.

Anyway, in this novel Trouble actually gets her training from the mages in Garvania, and we see how powerful she is. Trouble also has some powerful enemies about that can cast difficult spells aimed at her from a distance. The enemy is connected to the God Nelos, or the God of Law, who rivals Loku. Although Trouble is supposed to be more powerful that the previous soulbearers, it seems a tad bit hard to believe that Nelos and his followers didn't try to kill Loku and his Soulbearer before. I took it as it was though. I also didn't enjoy this book as much due to the romance element. Kell seems way too committed already, and I don't really understand how Dev's duty gets in the way. You can protect someone while being romantically involved.

I still plan on reading the final one, and as I said I like the action-y part of plot more, but the actual character interactions were better in he first one.

[Char ღ Denae · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this, the second book of Crista McHugh's Soulbearer Trilogy, we learn more about Arden's powers and her relationships with Dev and Prince Kell. We also find out more about why Loku's soul must reside within a human's body, and see more of his true personality through his remarks and actions, some quite humorous.

Dev finally gets Arden to his homeland, Gravaria, but brings along an unwanted guest. Prince Kell isn't leaving Arden's side and this just reenforces Dev's resolve to keep referring to her as, Trouble. Luckily for him, the prince isn't allowed inside the Conclave where Arden will begin to learn how to keep Loku contained.

At the Conclave, there are several mages, or high priests, who the gods confer with. Each god has his/her own mage. One of the gods has decided to use his mage to end Loku for good. This would rid the world of chaos, as well as end Arden's life. With Arden's life in danger, Dev has his hands full trying to keep her safe, and discover who is trying to kill her.

There's a lot of mystery and intrigue in this part of the Trilogy. It focuses a little more on Arden's life and the workings of the gods, and their magic. There's also the addition of many new characters, some solving mysteries from the first book. All in all, there's a lot of excitement and romance in this edition, and with two guys lusting over the heroine, someone trying to kill her, and a god trying to take control of her, there's a lot to like. This is a terrific, second book!

[Dalene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, again the plot continues to be good. The Characters are well developed. I still have issues with Kell not being right for Arden. I love all the characters though especially the main three, Arden, Dev and Kell. After spending the winter in Ranello, Dev and Arden get on a ship to head to Gravaria so Arden can get training and learn to control Loku. Arden needs to learn patience and she is all wrapped up in worrying about things Dev is not telling her and at times some of things may not even be any of her business really. But then she also has Loku helping keep her riled up at times. I find that I believe Loku chose Arden because she is chaos all by herself without help from Loku. :) I am looking forward to reading the third book to this trilogy.

[Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

the 2nd book in the series is definitely more of the same which is no bad thing in general. There is a good amount of relationship progression in this book between the main characters but I must admit given the fantasy setting I found the choice of the Prince not to go for a political marriage a bit unrealistic, its a small thing but lets be honest this is set in a classic sense where a political marriage would trump anything else so I felt the story was somewhat let down by the character decision here.

Trouble causes some great trouble and we get a good amount of chaos from Loku and of course the big end fight which is good.

Another story that just romps along at a good pace, perfect bedtime reading!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The continuation of the love triangle doesn't disappoint and Trouble finially makes her choice of who she can't live without. As they make their way to Gravaria their journey is filled with dangerous encounters for someone or something is determined to kill Trouble.

I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning to finish this and I wasn't discipointed. I like that Trouble wont let anyone push her over anymore and her relationship with all the other leads is deepening. Even Loki doesn't always look like such an ass anymore. Who can't help but like her knight in pointy ears. I'm definitely cheering for Dev. Looking forward to reading a sour for vengeance next :)

[Mina Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book [book:A Soul For Trouble|13400139, but I loved this one! It definitely kept me reading & turning the pages. The main protagonist definitely grows in this at different levels and I enjoyed Loku. I liked the way the theme was woven into the story rather than used to bash the reader on the head. And I even got teary-eyed in some places.

I'm sooo ready to read the next one :)

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agreed to read this one as a judge this year. Overall, I enjoyed this storyline. I hate when I am asked to judge stories that are in a series and not the first in the series. I am sure that I missed things because I had not read book 1 first. It was an enjoyable read though.

[Carina Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so in love with this story, I finished this book moments ago and I cannot wait to move onto A Soul for Vengeance! I actually enjoyed this book more than the first one, this story is proving to be more than I anticipated it to be.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked book 1 in this series but it took me rather a long time to come back to it (not for any real reason, just one of those things.) I didn't like book 2 as much, but it's still fun and the ridiculous asides of Loku are just the best.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book on the Soulbearer series. I continue to like the story and the characters but I got annoyed with the Kell and Dev love triangle with Arden. Loku, the god of Chaos, is now oe of my favorite characters. He may be a jerk most times, but he grows on you.

[Cyndy Aleo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed for RT Book Reviews March 2013 issue: http://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-review/soul-chaos

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

[Glo Lebl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the first two books of the trilogy - entertaining.

[Calista · Rating 5 out of 5]

the story continues... blimey this just keeps getting better and better onto the third book, I can hardly wait.

[Toni ~married to a hunk~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm glad that Dev finally did something. I just wish that Kell wasn't a problem. The next book will be interesting.