“Because I have felt pain here too. I have lived over a hundred years, and when I was shown just how alone I was by seeing the happiness of others, I found it difficult.” Then he placed his warm hand against the side of her face to hold it. “Your presence in my home has already eased this for me, and I wish to ease your hurt in return.” - A Soul to Heal, Opal Reyne
Rating-> 4 out of 5 stars!
A Soul to Heal - Opal Reyne
Duskwalker Brides Series, Book 2
Published - October 11, 2022
4.6/5 stars out of 1,714 reviews on Amazon
I have gained a love/ick relationship with this installment. First, let's explore the love side. I found the details sprinkled throughout interesting as the author was able to continue building on the world, she introduced in A Soul to Keep. Reyne successfully continued on with the information that was introduced in the previous novel and added to it in a seamless way. I, as the reader, did not feel as if there was a “stumble” between the first and second installments. The transition was very smooth between the two. This addition was enjoyable to read as Reyne put the same effort into this book as she did the last.
Now...sigh...for the ick of my thoughts…
In A Soul to Keep, it could have been inferred from the text that the unnamed Duskwalker, who is one of the main characters in this novel, had the mentality of a child. Due to a limited diet, he was more animal than human which limited his mental abilities. With how he was described through the first book, I came to view this Duskwalker as an adolescent. With this thought, it became incredibly difficult for me to think of the underdeveloped character and the sexual acts/thoughts that were happening throughout A Soul to Heal.
When it came to the other protagonist, she was a character that was easy to relate to, but you wanted to scream at to wake up! This character, Delora, reminds me of the last season of The Office. She reminds me of when Pam Halpert was talking about watching the footage from her time with her future husband, Jim, and saying how she wanted to scream at herself to wake up! The reason I drew this comparison is because Delora is a woman who has been hurt and believed that everything is her fault. All of the marital struggles between her and her human husband is her fault. Her weight is to blame for his lack of interest. Her decisions make her a bad person. Her soul is tinged with the black soot of her actions; thus, she does not deserve happiness...or love. For me, it was easy to relate to her. I felt like Pam, screaming at her to wake up. Just talk and open up to this sweet being trying to save you! Then I think back to my own life and how I have felt the exact same way. I have hidden just as she did, and it made me wonder how she would react to reading my story...would she yell at me?
She probably wasn’t meant to evoke that style of thought, but the novel is in the eye of the reader, right?
I will say that Opal Reyne did an excellent job at building a character that represents bigger women! Every woman, regardless of her size, has had negative thoughts about herself. Reyne does not shy away from portraying these thoughts throughout the text. Over the course of the story, the reader gets to experience Delora’s personal growth and acceptance of her size. It’s eye-opening to someone who has struggled with the same issues throughout their life...it’s almost soothing to realize that the reader may not be alone.
Writing this review has pushed me to realize that my complaints about this book are based on personal opinions. This story is very well written and has the capacity to reach a wide audience. Like with the first installment, this story is incredibly unique. The world that Reyne is able to create is all-encompassing in a way that keeps the reader coming back for another journey.
Ick factor or not, why don’t you travel to the veil with us,
-Reading by Flashlight Book Reviews
