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The Soul Crier
A banshee trapped in a curse.
A noble soldier with a secret.
A killer who controls their fate.
Only two will survive the night.
Invisible to everyone except Red Death’s victims, Wraith has served as his banshee for ten years. His curse forces her to play his game of music and murder while winter slowly starves their world. After singing hundreds of victims to their deaths, any hope she had of breaking her curse is as dead as everyone’s hope of seeing spring reborn—until the impossible happens.
A soldier sees her before her curse activates.
Dovan welcomes her into his life, treating her with kindness instead of trying to kill her like the other victims of her song. Desperate to understand why he’s different, Wraith risks getting closer to him, drawn to a life she can never have. Banshees don’t fall in love, and Red Death won’t be denied his kill. But something’s weakening the curse, giving her a chance to change their fate.
Save Dovan’s life, break her curse, or end winter—Wraith can only choose one.
This low spice (just kissing) NA fantasy is perfect for fans of star-crossed lovers, shocking secrets, and curse-breaking.
A noble soldier with a secret.
A killer who controls their fate.
Only two will survive the night.
Invisible to everyone except Red Death’s victims, Wraith has served as his banshee for ten years. His curse forces her to play his game of music and murder while winter slowly starves their world. After singing hundreds of victims to their deaths, any hope she had of breaking her curse is as dead as everyone’s hope of seeing spring reborn—until the impossible happens.
A soldier sees her before her curse activates.
Dovan welcomes her into his life, treating her with kindness instead of trying to kill her like the other victims of her song. Desperate to understand why he’s different, Wraith risks getting closer to him, drawn to a life she can never have. Banshees don’t fall in love, and Red Death won’t be denied his kill. But something’s weakening the curse, giving her a chance to change their fate.
Save Dovan’s life, break her curse, or end winter—Wraith can only choose one.
This low spice (just kissing) NA fantasy is perfect for fans of star-crossed lovers, shocking secrets, and curse-breaking.
- GenresFantasy
Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2022
5 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Becky Gaines
1 book10 followersBecky Gaines lives in the desert of Southern California with her family where the sunsets are epic and the lizards plentiful. When not working or plotting new stories, she loves rereading her favorite books (especially Red Rising by Pierce Brown and Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo), adding new songs to her next book playlist, watching Grimm again, and scouring the internet for new frogs to obsess over (even if nothing will top the grumpy cuteness of the black rain frog). If there’s a thunderstorm nearby, you will find her enjoying the rain and swearing when the thunder shakes the house, all while wishing storm powers/storm magic were really a thing.
You can find Becky on Facebook or on Instagram, where she’s most active, under the name @beckygainesauthor.
You can find Becky on Facebook or on Instagram, where she’s most active, under the name @beckygainesauthor.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 6, 2023
A beautiful story that showcases redemption, hope, and healing from abuse in a wonderfully riveting way. I loved it and I wish I could’ve read it faster.
August 14, 2022
The Soul Crier is a breathtaking tale that will chill your bones and warm your heart. Told in a triad of POVs, this story sweeps you away to a land where winter reigns and hope is a lost memory. I cried and cheered for these characters, hissed at the villain and ached for him in turn. This is a deep tale filled with brokenness and heartache but heavy with hope and the seeds of restoring spring.
Perfect for fans of Rebecca Ross and Nadine Brandes.
Perfect for fans of Rebecca Ross and Nadine Brandes.
January 2, 2023
Heart-wrecking. Gorgeous. How do I describe this? It would have been a masterpiece if it had been more polished.
Most of the book felt like it kept nearing the end, but then it kept going on and on. I kept thinking, “Will it never end?” I also really dislike when authors punctuate. Like. This. And it certainly felt self-published sometimes.
But oh my gosh, there was so much heart and soul in this story. So much Jesus-redemption through the worst kinds of pain.
Conclusion? Long, but worth it. 👏🏼
Most of the book felt like it kept nearing the end, but then it kept going on and on. I kept thinking, “Will it never end?” I also really dislike when authors punctuate. Like. This. And it certainly felt self-published sometimes.
But oh my gosh, there was so much heart and soul in this story. So much Jesus-redemption through the worst kinds of pain.
Conclusion? Long, but worth it. 👏🏼
Want to read
August 11, 2022I was an alpha reader(?) for this and it is AMAZING! Red is one of my favorite villains ever. Becky is an *incredible* writer and cannot wait to get my hands on this physically!!
March 17, 2023
Four of these stars are purely because:
Red Death.
Okay, maybe not THAT much, but he is a character I’m going to remember for years to come. Which is saying a lot. He’s a stand out; a truly complex and unforgettable villain, so if that’s your style, you need to read this immediately. He steals every scene he’s in and is a multi-faceted work of art.
Anyway- let me back it up.
I’d been following Becky on instagram and anticipating the release of this book for quite a long while. As soon as it came out, I bought the ebook and went wild.
I have to admit, I was unsure at first. Wraith starts off as a hopeless character, and her circumstances and her worldview are both difficult and painful to read. The trauma felt a bit too heavy-handed for me in the first few chapters, and I almost, ALMOST put it down because of that. But, because I knew Becky’s intentions to bring life and light with this book, I pushed through that.
And I didn’t regret it once afterwards!
The story is a wonderful testament to hope, endurance, and overcoming traumatic experiences. On that level, I related heavily to Wraith and found her very sympathetic. At times I was a little frustrated with how she acted, but it wasn’t something I could fault her for because it was true to the experience. I mean; if you were under a curse and had to sing people to their deaths, you’d probably be acting the same way.
Dovan was a cinnamon roll. I loved him, although sometimes I wanted to smack him and tell him to challenge his fate a LITTLE bit. He’s so willing to be the sacrificial lamb that I want to kick his butt, but you know what, I also can’t really fault him for that because like Wraith, it’s true to his experience.
That said, expect the characters to act real. They’re going to drift back and forth in how much they believe in themselves. They’re going to go through highs and lows.
But it’s all worth it. The journey is incredibly fulfilling to watch, and I love how everything plays out and wraps up.
A few assorted thoughts:
- I saw (almost) all of the twists coming. However, they’re the kind of twists you want to be coming, so I wasn’t really mad about it. A book doesn’t necessarily need to surprise you to be good.
- Dovan and Wraith were sweet, but I expected and wanted more…more. Spoiler section will detail this better.
- The magic system was AWESOME. Season magic? BADDDASSSSS. I wanted more of that!!!
For the rest of this review, I’m diving into spoiler territory, so if you don’t want any, READ NO FARTHER.
S P O I L E R S B E L O W
Alec. :’)
I can’t even begin to explain how much I loved this tragic child. He was always on the bottom before the curse, and his rise to the top all for the sake of his sister was both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. Despite his controlling choices, I seriously felt for him, and he was so authentic and true to this motivation, through EVERYTHING. You could feel his desire to protect Wrenna.
I knew he was her brother almost instantly because he just displays his love for her even if he doesn’t realize it. All of his thoughts spell it out. The level of frustration he feels towards her is one only ever born from care, even if it was very misplaced and misused.
The contrast between him and Wrenna was beautifully done. A great way to demonstrate the choice between taking your trauma and becoming cruel, or taking it and becoming better.
And oh. Ohhhhhhh. His death shattered my heart. It was incredibly poignant and a brilliant end to his character arc, making the choice to do the right thing for Wrenna at the cost of himself. Her singing his song broke me into a thousand little pieces.
The thing that hit the worst was that he wouldn’t be remembered. Especially not for doing anything good. The burial off with the king just…ah.
I read this book months ago, and I still think about this scene. It STICKS.
And I’m not at all mad about it. Red Death is my new golden standard for villains.
Wrenna and her Healing and her Father
I appreciated how Wrenna didn’t necessarily get answers about her father. While it partially sucked, another part of it was real. We don’t always get to know why. Sometimes there isn’t a why that makes sense to begin with.
And where she is at the end of the book makes sense and while still feeling authentic and hopeful. She is free, but wary, still has more work and overcoming to do. By no means was love her cure, and HALLELUJAH for it!
Loved the bit with gran too.
Dovan and Wrenna
So, I root for them. I ship them. I do.
But after so much was hinted at, I really thought the two of them might have been closer prior to the Banshee curse. I was hoping maybe they’d been lovers already, because Dovan was so ready to be sweet and soft to her. Yes, it made sense he would feel that way because of the hope she gave him, but also I kind of didn’t believe it fully because that was a LOT for just a song and a conversation? Like, for him to develop feelings for her so fast as a Banshee while they hadn’t really interacted very much previously was a bit unrealistic to me.
That said, they cute. They super cute. And I’m delighted they get to have their happily ever after.
All in all, this was a fantastic read. I’ve got to get myself a hardcover, because damn…it’s beautiful.
Red Death.
Okay, maybe not THAT much, but he is a character I’m going to remember for years to come. Which is saying a lot. He’s a stand out; a truly complex and unforgettable villain, so if that’s your style, you need to read this immediately. He steals every scene he’s in and is a multi-faceted work of art.
Anyway- let me back it up.
I’d been following Becky on instagram and anticipating the release of this book for quite a long while. As soon as it came out, I bought the ebook and went wild.
I have to admit, I was unsure at first. Wraith starts off as a hopeless character, and her circumstances and her worldview are both difficult and painful to read. The trauma felt a bit too heavy-handed for me in the first few chapters, and I almost, ALMOST put it down because of that. But, because I knew Becky’s intentions to bring life and light with this book, I pushed through that.
And I didn’t regret it once afterwards!
The story is a wonderful testament to hope, endurance, and overcoming traumatic experiences. On that level, I related heavily to Wraith and found her very sympathetic. At times I was a little frustrated with how she acted, but it wasn’t something I could fault her for because it was true to the experience. I mean; if you were under a curse and had to sing people to their deaths, you’d probably be acting the same way.
Dovan was a cinnamon roll. I loved him, although sometimes I wanted to smack him and tell him to challenge his fate a LITTLE bit. He’s so willing to be the sacrificial lamb that I want to kick his butt, but you know what, I also can’t really fault him for that because like Wraith, it’s true to his experience.
That said, expect the characters to act real. They’re going to drift back and forth in how much they believe in themselves. They’re going to go through highs and lows.
But it’s all worth it. The journey is incredibly fulfilling to watch, and I love how everything plays out and wraps up.
A few assorted thoughts:
- I saw (almost) all of the twists coming. However, they’re the kind of twists you want to be coming, so I wasn’t really mad about it. A book doesn’t necessarily need to surprise you to be good.
- Dovan and Wraith were sweet, but I expected and wanted more…more. Spoiler section will detail this better.
- The magic system was AWESOME. Season magic? BADDDASSSSS. I wanted more of that!!!
For the rest of this review, I’m diving into spoiler territory, so if you don’t want any, READ NO FARTHER.
S P O I L E R S B E L O W
Alec. :’)
I can’t even begin to explain how much I loved this tragic child. He was always on the bottom before the curse, and his rise to the top all for the sake of his sister was both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. Despite his controlling choices, I seriously felt for him, and he was so authentic and true to this motivation, through EVERYTHING. You could feel his desire to protect Wrenna.
I knew he was her brother almost instantly because he just displays his love for her even if he doesn’t realize it. All of his thoughts spell it out. The level of frustration he feels towards her is one only ever born from care, even if it was very misplaced and misused.
The contrast between him and Wrenna was beautifully done. A great way to demonstrate the choice between taking your trauma and becoming cruel, or taking it and becoming better.
And oh. Ohhhhhhh. His death shattered my heart. It was incredibly poignant and a brilliant end to his character arc, making the choice to do the right thing for Wrenna at the cost of himself. Her singing his song broke me into a thousand little pieces.
The thing that hit the worst was that he wouldn’t be remembered. Especially not for doing anything good. The burial off with the king just…ah.
I read this book months ago, and I still think about this scene. It STICKS.
And I’m not at all mad about it. Red Death is my new golden standard for villains.
Wrenna and her Healing and her Father
I appreciated how Wrenna didn’t necessarily get answers about her father. While it partially sucked, another part of it was real. We don’t always get to know why. Sometimes there isn’t a why that makes sense to begin with.
And where she is at the end of the book makes sense and while still feeling authentic and hopeful. She is free, but wary, still has more work and overcoming to do. By no means was love her cure, and HALLELUJAH for it!
Loved the bit with gran too.
Dovan and Wrenna
So, I root for them. I ship them. I do.
But after so much was hinted at, I really thought the two of them might have been closer prior to the Banshee curse. I was hoping maybe they’d been lovers already, because Dovan was so ready to be sweet and soft to her. Yes, it made sense he would feel that way because of the hope she gave him, but also I kind of didn’t believe it fully because that was a LOT for just a song and a conversation? Like, for him to develop feelings for her so fast as a Banshee while they hadn’t really interacted very much previously was a bit unrealistic to me.
That said, they cute. They super cute. And I’m delighted they get to have their happily ever after.
All in all, this was a fantastic read. I’ve got to get myself a hardcover, because damn…it’s beautiful.
September 2, 2023
I really really enjoyed The Soul Crier. It came heavily recommended to me by a friend, and it’s always exciting to read books my friends enjoy.
The Soul Crier paints a very realistic portrayal of trauma and the effects of it, as well as how difficult it can be to heal. There are some decently graphic violent moments, mostly in the first quarter of the book, and the author does provide a list of all possible triggers before the first chapter.
I really liked Wrenna as a character but it was somewhat difficult for me to sympathize with her as the story went on. There was a point in the middle to middle end where every chapter from her perspective was her just perseverating on how hopeless she feels about how either she or Dovan has to die, which got a little tiresome, but was easy enough to power through.
Red Death was amazing, especially in the beginning, and I wish the edge to his character was maintained until the end. It is common these days to get villains who are mercilessly violent BUT it’s not common for them to be well written, and Alec was most definitely well written. He was the main character to me, and his ultimate death was heartbreaking.
Dovan…was there 😂 The insta-love between he and Wrenna was a bit much, and I feel like he spent the entire book trying to catch up to what was going on with her rather than forming his own story. He was very good and sweet to Wrenna and was a great catalyst for her healing.
My main issue, which is one I have a lot about standalone novels, is there was soooooo much story crammed into one book. There was room for a trilogy with all the lore and magic, and the relationships between the characters and the curse and the reveals would have been more mind blowing if there was time for us to feel and get more attached to the characters and plot. This was still very, very good, and I highly recommend it to anyone dealing with trauma or a trauma history.
The Soul Crier paints a very realistic portrayal of trauma and the effects of it, as well as how difficult it can be to heal. There are some decently graphic violent moments, mostly in the first quarter of the book, and the author does provide a list of all possible triggers before the first chapter.
I really liked Wrenna as a character but it was somewhat difficult for me to sympathize with her as the story went on. There was a point in the middle to middle end where every chapter from her perspective was her just perseverating on how hopeless she feels about how either she or Dovan has to die, which got a little tiresome, but was easy enough to power through.
Red Death was amazing, especially in the beginning, and I wish the edge to his character was maintained until the end. It is common these days to get villains who are mercilessly violent BUT it’s not common for them to be well written, and Alec was most definitely well written. He was the main character to me, and his ultimate death was heartbreaking.
Dovan…was there 😂 The insta-love between he and Wrenna was a bit much, and I feel like he spent the entire book trying to catch up to what was going on with her rather than forming his own story. He was very good and sweet to Wrenna and was a great catalyst for her healing.
My main issue, which is one I have a lot about standalone novels, is there was soooooo much story crammed into one book. There was room for a trilogy with all the lore and magic, and the relationships between the characters and the curse and the reveals would have been more mind blowing if there was time for us to feel and get more attached to the characters and plot. This was still very, very good, and I highly recommend it to anyone dealing with trauma or a trauma history.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
October 12, 2022So. I got sold on this book and received my hardcopy YESTERDAY. Haven't read it yet. But for those who are looking for a sale, it's on Amazon for only 2.99 USD right now for a limited time! :D https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Crier-Bec...
Read
September 12, 2022Thank you to the author for the ARC!
This is a well-done story, but I didn’t feel this book was for me. I think the author is very talented and has a great story going here, but I didn’t connect to the style of the book. I personally had a hard time reading from the villain’s perspective, though this could be powerful/interesting for some readers.
Give this one a try if you like:
💙Multiple POV
💙Lyrical writing
💙Banshee mythology
💙Emotional fantasy
💙Character growth
💙Interesting villains
💙Themes of hope
💙Adventure
💙Long books
CW: fantasy violence, experiences of depression
This is a well-done story, but I didn’t feel this book was for me. I think the author is very talented and has a great story going here, but I didn’t connect to the style of the book. I personally had a hard time reading from the villain’s perspective, though this could be powerful/interesting for some readers.
Give this one a try if you like:
💙Multiple POV
💙Lyrical writing
💙Banshee mythology
💙Emotional fantasy
💙Character growth
💙Interesting villains
💙Themes of hope
💙Adventure
💙Long books
CW: fantasy violence, experiences of depression
did-not-finish
January 17, 2023Will finish later
July 31, 2024
For a debut novel, this book is ridiculously well-written. I was blown away by just how darn beautiful the prose is. Gaines is master of her craft, and I don’t see why this book isn’t more popular than it is.
August 21, 2022
I don't think I know the words to describe this book but I'm gonna do my best anyways.
This is one of those books that latches onto your heart and stays there. A candle to light when everything is dark. The writing is beautiful, the prose and imagery sublime, and the message of hope bleeds from every word.
As someone who reads (and writes) a lot, sometimes I can get bogged down in "oh we're using this trope, I know how it goes" and such. This book, however, I had NO IDEA how it continue when my kindle told me I was only at 45%. I had questions and every new twist just got better and better and better. I loved all three characters for different reasons, each one bringing a new dynamic to the themes of love, sacrifice, healing, and hope. I am also a complete sucker for a good, dastardly villain and this book delivered (His point of view chapters were probably my favorite). The relationship in this book is a beautiful example of a complimentary relationship that protects, upholds, strengthens, and makes each other better and goodness knows I'd love to see more like it.
If one combined all my favorite elements of tortured characters and complicated curses, the lush fairytale imagery of Nadine Brandes and Brittany Eden, the whimsy and magic of Caravel, and Disney's Frozen, that is the best way I can describe The Soul Crier.
Thank you, Becky, for this book and sharing it with the world.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of those books that latches onto your heart and stays there. A candle to light when everything is dark. The writing is beautiful, the prose and imagery sublime, and the message of hope bleeds from every word.
As someone who reads (and writes) a lot, sometimes I can get bogged down in "oh we're using this trope, I know how it goes" and such. This book, however, I had NO IDEA how it continue when my kindle told me I was only at 45%. I had questions and every new twist just got better and better and better. I loved all three characters for different reasons, each one bringing a new dynamic to the themes of love, sacrifice, healing, and hope. I am also a complete sucker for a good, dastardly villain and this book delivered (His point of view chapters were probably my favorite). The relationship in this book is a beautiful example of a complimentary relationship that protects, upholds, strengthens, and makes each other better and goodness knows I'd love to see more like it.
If one combined all my favorite elements of tortured characters and complicated curses, the lush fairytale imagery of Nadine Brandes and Brittany Eden, the whimsy and magic of Caravel, and Disney's Frozen, that is the best way I can describe The Soul Crier.
Thank you, Becky, for this book and sharing it with the world.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 4, 2024
So, it's taken me way too long to get to this. 🙈 I read a really early draft of this, and then at least most of a later draft, and then random scenes, and Becky talked to me about it, so I wanted some time before I dove into the finished book, and I wanted to read the finished book before rating and reviewing (because that feels more honest). Then it kind of got buried in my TBR and ever-shifting-mood, and a bit there where I was avoiding long books... *insert Jacques the Shrimp "I am ashamed" gif*
On to the actual review! LOL
"Pain shouldn't be a requirement for finding purpose or for helping people, but pain can be a bridge that unites your journey with another's, that reminds the broken of a simple truth. We are more than our wounds. More than the scars we bear. More than the cages and the shackles others have used against us. And there is more to life than pain."
Complex. If I had to sum up The Soul Crier in a word, it would be complex. Refreshingly, unrepentantly, beautifully complex.
The Soul Crier doesn’t flinch away from nuance, doesn’t hide from the messiness of emotions and real life, of how people can hold multiple emotions at once, of how good people can sometimes make imperfect calls and still be good, of how bad people can sometimes make right decisions and have slivers of love but still choose to be monstrous. It doesn’t try to give clear-cut answers to all of life’s hurts or claim there’s always an explanation for events and choices. Yet at the same time, it doesn’t shy away from truth—from gentle, warming truths and tough truths.
Soul Crier is complex in its story and world, with deep worldbuilding, interesting and unique magic and curses, and so many twists and turns, reveals and surprises, and lots of tension and how on earth are they going to win? (I mean. I knew. 😆 But STILL.)
It’s also complex in tone—neither grimdark nor noblebright, but like a blending. Grimbright? There is a lot of heaviness and darkness and violence. A lot of violence and blood, although the most graphic it gets is mention of bones breaking or crunching and blood flowing/dripping. Red Death’s gleeful malice and brutality is at times slightly hard to stomach (but it is clearly meant to be. He’s a great villain who looms larger-than-life in the best way and is menacing and appropriately hate-worthy, while still having this pull to him and a little bit of sympathy). The Red Death/Banshee curse is kind of dark-fantasy-ish.
But this is a book about curses and healing, about suffering and longing, about choices and futures, and twisted love and true love. It’s beautiful, raw, aching, vulnerable, and compelling, and ultimately, so full of hope. It has a happy ending (or perhaps bittersweet leaning happy, as the complex but hope and joy filled ending fits the book).
I teared up or got emotional several times. I think even if I wasn’t friends with Becky and didn’t know how much of her own soul she poured into the book through its various iterations before this final, published book, her heart obviously shines through.
I had to stop to note down quotes. While reading the hardcover, which takes more time than highlighting a passage on Kindle (especially because I copy it over somewhere else. I just can’t annotate in print books). Do you know how rarely I even highlight on my Kindle in fiction? It’s so rare. There were more quotes I could have marked down, but I’m lazy and like to keep reading. XD
Wraith and Dovan are both such great characters, soft and strong, courageous and tender, choosing love and caring despite their own hurts and grief, yet without backing down or refusing to do hard things. They make such an adorable and wonderful romantic pairing.
If you love epic, slightly dark fantasy full of plot twists, with some healthy and beautiful no-spice romance (but plenty of kisses that sometimes literally and sometimes metaphorically sizzle…) and stories about characters overcoming, finding their own choices and power after they’ve been broken, definitely check out The Soul Crier.
Content: Physical/mental/verbal/emotional abuse, violence and bloodshed, death, PG-13 language.
On to the actual review! LOL
"Pain shouldn't be a requirement for finding purpose or for helping people, but pain can be a bridge that unites your journey with another's, that reminds the broken of a simple truth. We are more than our wounds. More than the scars we bear. More than the cages and the shackles others have used against us. And there is more to life than pain."
Complex. If I had to sum up The Soul Crier in a word, it would be complex. Refreshingly, unrepentantly, beautifully complex.
The Soul Crier doesn’t flinch away from nuance, doesn’t hide from the messiness of emotions and real life, of how people can hold multiple emotions at once, of how good people can sometimes make imperfect calls and still be good, of how bad people can sometimes make right decisions and have slivers of love but still choose to be monstrous. It doesn’t try to give clear-cut answers to all of life’s hurts or claim there’s always an explanation for events and choices. Yet at the same time, it doesn’t shy away from truth—from gentle, warming truths and tough truths.
Soul Crier is complex in its story and world, with deep worldbuilding, interesting and unique magic and curses, and so many twists and turns, reveals and surprises, and lots of tension and how on earth are they going to win? (I mean. I knew. 😆 But STILL.)
It’s also complex in tone—neither grimdark nor noblebright, but like a blending. Grimbright? There is a lot of heaviness and darkness and violence. A lot of violence and blood, although the most graphic it gets is mention of bones breaking or crunching and blood flowing/dripping. Red Death’s gleeful malice and brutality is at times slightly hard to stomach (but it is clearly meant to be. He’s a great villain who looms larger-than-life in the best way and is menacing and appropriately hate-worthy, while still having this pull to him and a little bit of sympathy). The Red Death/Banshee curse is kind of dark-fantasy-ish.
But this is a book about curses and healing, about suffering and longing, about choices and futures, and twisted love and true love. It’s beautiful, raw, aching, vulnerable, and compelling, and ultimately, so full of hope. It has a happy ending (or perhaps bittersweet leaning happy, as the complex but hope and joy filled ending fits the book).
I teared up or got emotional several times. I think even if I wasn’t friends with Becky and didn’t know how much of her own soul she poured into the book through its various iterations before this final, published book, her heart obviously shines through.
I had to stop to note down quotes. While reading the hardcover, which takes more time than highlighting a passage on Kindle (especially because I copy it over somewhere else. I just can’t annotate in print books). Do you know how rarely I even highlight on my Kindle in fiction? It’s so rare. There were more quotes I could have marked down, but I’m lazy and like to keep reading. XD
Wraith and Dovan are both such great characters, soft and strong, courageous and tender, choosing love and caring despite their own hurts and grief, yet without backing down or refusing to do hard things. They make such an adorable and wonderful romantic pairing.
If you love epic, slightly dark fantasy full of plot twists, with some healthy and beautiful no-spice romance (but plenty of kisses that sometimes literally and sometimes metaphorically sizzle…) and stories about characters overcoming, finding their own choices and power after they’ve been broken, definitely check out The Soul Crier.
Content: Physical/mental/verbal/emotional abuse, violence and bloodshed, death, PG-13 language.
May 12, 2023
4.5/5 stars
Like many, I've been anticipating the release of this book for quite some time. Then I went and took another year or so to actually read the book. Recently, I realized that I've been saving this book for when I needed it, and I'm so glad I did.
It's a powerful book that can at times be a little painful to read.
Depending on your personality and your life experiences you'll likely relate to one of the three characters more than the others. For me, Dovan spoke the most to me. His kindness and patience (his saint-like patience) and understanding spoke more to me than Wraith's trauma, as I myself and a protector and the light and noblebright aspects of this book spoke deeply.
Despite waiting for this book for years, I actually didn't know too much about the plot (LOL). It reminds me of a sort of modern day fairy tale of someone overcoming their past with magic and wonder, hopes and dreams, and epic choices laid before out characters. It follows the story of Wraith, a banshee, who is forced to kill and a city trapped under the curse of winter. You meet the guiders who are trying to protect everyone and become quite acquainted with tragedy and hardship.
The story unfolds with all the expected twists and turns, unraveling the wonderful plot of the three characters and their backstories, their curses and the mastermind behind it all
As for why 4.5 and not 5 stars. At times I thought the story dragged a little, but that's likely because Wraith wasn't my favorite character, and I thought she some of her thoughts were at times very repetitive (although very realistic). Hopefully that doesn't make me a horrible person saying that...
I guess I could also say that the book needed more Dovan chapters because he was my favorite. (The ones we did get, I savored though). ;)
This book is perfect for people who like to get inside the character's heads. I love a good 1st person story that puts you deep into the character's brains for all the feels.
Highly recommended. I usually don't reread books, but I know I'll be coming back to this one one more than one occasion, just to remind myself that kindness is worth the pain and it's something to fight for.
Like many, I've been anticipating the release of this book for quite some time. Then I went and took another year or so to actually read the book. Recently, I realized that I've been saving this book for when I needed it, and I'm so glad I did.
It's a powerful book that can at times be a little painful to read.
Depending on your personality and your life experiences you'll likely relate to one of the three characters more than the others. For me, Dovan spoke the most to me. His kindness and patience (his saint-like patience) and understanding spoke more to me than Wraith's trauma, as I myself and a protector and the light and noblebright aspects of this book spoke deeply.
Despite waiting for this book for years, I actually didn't know too much about the plot (LOL). It reminds me of a sort of modern day fairy tale of someone overcoming their past with magic and wonder, hopes and dreams, and epic choices laid before out characters. It follows the story of Wraith, a banshee, who is forced to kill and a city trapped under the curse of winter. You meet the guiders who are trying to protect everyone and become quite acquainted with tragedy and hardship.
The story unfolds with all the expected twists and turns, unraveling the wonderful plot of the three characters and their backstories, their curses and the mastermind behind it all
As for why 4.5 and not 5 stars. At times I thought the story dragged a little, but that's likely because Wraith wasn't my favorite character, and I thought she some of her thoughts were at times very repetitive (although very realistic). Hopefully that doesn't make me a horrible person saying that...
I guess I could also say that the book needed more Dovan chapters because he was my favorite. (The ones we did get, I savored though). ;)
This book is perfect for people who like to get inside the character's heads. I love a good 1st person story that puts you deep into the character's brains for all the feels.
Highly recommended. I usually don't reread books, but I know I'll be coming back to this one one more than one occasion, just to remind myself that kindness is worth the pain and it's something to fight for.
January 13, 2023
I agree with the reviewer who said most of the book felt like it was always nearing the end. That was my feeling exactly, every scene after the first couple chapters felt as if it were a climax, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, just something to note. Despite a few (very small) qualms I had, this book is absolutely stunning. It made me cry so many times, and the characters were all so well written. If you enjoy magical stories filled with redemption and hope, this book is definitely worth a read!
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March 26, 2024I genuinely don't know how to rate this one.
I wanted a redemption arc and I did not get it. So I genuinely don't know what to say about it.
I wanted a redemption arc and I did not get it. So I genuinely don't know what to say about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2022
Wow! Amazing, strong and beautiful story overall, even though it is a times difficult to read.
Love the characters, and love the fact that the villain gets his own POV. It shows that nothing is simple, that even good intentions can be twisted and lead to disastrous consequences.
Love the characters, and love the fact that the villain gets his own POV. It shows that nothing is simple, that even good intentions can be twisted and lead to disastrous consequences.
August 18, 2022
I’ve waited over three years to read this book.
And it was 100% worth the wait.
Sometimes you know just how much work and heart went into a story and it makes it better, but even if I didn’t know exactly how much of Becky is in this book, I would love it anyway. Because it’s GOOD.
Dovan needs all the hugs. And I kinda just want to crawl into his lap. Wraith also needs all the hugs. And Red Death…well, I’ll let you decide on that one.
The magic is unexpected and BRILLIANT and you guys do not want to wait on reading this book. I’m definitely not going to forget this story anytime soon. ❤️
I received an advance copy, all opinions are my own and a review was not required.
And it was 100% worth the wait.
Sometimes you know just how much work and heart went into a story and it makes it better, but even if I didn’t know exactly how much of Becky is in this book, I would love it anyway. Because it’s GOOD.
Dovan needs all the hugs. And I kinda just want to crawl into his lap. Wraith also needs all the hugs. And Red Death…well, I’ll let you decide on that one.
The magic is unexpected and BRILLIANT and you guys do not want to wait on reading this book. I’m definitely not going to forget this story anytime soon. ❤️
I received an advance copy, all opinions are my own and a review was not required.
September 28, 2023
Heart-breakingly beautiful.
This is a heavy book. But it's also so SO beautiful. There's trauma, but there's also healing. There's darkness, but there's also hope. There's abusive family, but there's also warm and protective family.
Wraith's story is heartfelt and compelling. Dovan's is warm and sorrowful and steadfast. And Red Death? A sassy, stabby villain with far more depth than you'd ever expect.
A few of my favorite things: The way music is woven into the story. The use of color and who can see in what shades. The hints of seasons with warm and cold descriptions. Everything about how trauma is depicted, especially how difficult the healing process is. Dovan's heart. <3
This is a heavy book. But it's also so SO beautiful. There's trauma, but there's also healing. There's darkness, but there's also hope. There's abusive family, but there's also warm and protective family.
Wraith's story is heartfelt and compelling. Dovan's is warm and sorrowful and steadfast. And Red Death? A sassy, stabby villain with far more depth than you'd ever expect.
A few of my favorite things: The way music is woven into the story. The use of color and who can see in what shades. The hints of seasons with warm and cold descriptions. Everything about how trauma is depicted, especially how difficult the healing process is. Dovan's heart. <3
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