Incarnate audiobook

A gorgeous YA utopian tale! Nope, not dystopian. Do you know the difference?This book blew me away with... a Masquerade Ball, reincarnation, slyph, dragons, music, souls, butterfly, slow burn romance, tension, laser pistols, massive library, war stories, dragon battles. Need I go on? I mean - Wow.I read this in a flurry of addiction. I just couldn't get enough of the world and it's goings-ons. Completely entrancing. The Rundown Ana was born into a society of a million souls. A million souls who have known each other in various forms for thousands of years. They reincarnate into a new body every time they die. Except for when Ana was born. When Ana was born, they were expecting one of their own, someone named Ciana, who was now lost forever. Ana's mother hates her for taking the place of Ciana and is ashamed, so she moves her new baby outside the city and locks her away from all the others. Now, Ana is eighteen and on a quest to the city of Heart to find out about her birth and Ciana's disappearance. Will she find the answers she seeks? The Writing The author's prose has a very subtle lyricism, and the underlying message of this book seemed to be one of peace and hope for the future, which is a happy change from bleak and desolate outcomes of some recent dystopian fiction.The main character, Ana, gets things done. The questions Ana posed to herself in her head were realistic and it was refreshing to have a character who asks questions and goes against the grain instead of settling for everyone-else-knows-best. The love interest, Sam, was complex, intriguing and a hottie!The romance developed at a (GASP!) realistic pace, more so than most paranormal YA. It wasn't all "You looked at me like you LIKE me, so LETSBETOGETHERFOREVER!" I was afraid that it would feel cardboard or manufactured like some recent YA romances have. But it didn't. It felt natural and ended up being higher tension and surprisingly steamier than I had imagined for such a PG book.Although few and far between, there were some unobtrusive religious, or possibly even anti-religious, undertones. The thing was that I couldn't tell. I couldn't see an agenda hidden behind the words and I appreciate that. These undertones were woven in delicately and did not overwhelm the world or the characters. It seemed to be more about raising the questions, instead of forcing an answer on you.Should you believe in something you can't see? That's one of the questions it raises. Novels should be able to raise questions without imposing the author's answers onto on unsuspecting readers. Books should make you think and learn and discover the answers for yourselves. I felt this one did that pitch perfectly.One complaint I do have, however, is the lack of dialog tags; oftentimes, it was necessary to reread passages over and over to figure out who was saying what. But that might just be my ADD talking. *sings* It's the FINAL COUNTDOWN. Doodoodoo. Wait, what was I saying... The World-Building A fresh and unique twist on the mythology of reincarnation. Finally! It is handled beautifully and seems intensely creative. But I want more! I'm so excited to learn more from the next books in the series.In actuality, there are SO many interesting things you could do with this society. What if the same couple had been together for ten lifetimes but in the next, one just isn't attracted at ALL to the other. Oh, the scandal!Even though I love the reincarnation concept used by Jodi Meadows, it still weirds me out a bit. Statistically someone who had been your lover in a past life could end up being your parent in the next....or vice versa. *shudder*In general, I still have so many questions about the world-building. It was exciting and unique, but I wanted more details. More answers.But I guess we don't know everything about even our favorite mythologies. Like what the hell are midichlorians (besides "bacteria") and how do they work? And WHY can't Darth Vader teleport? I mean, if the Weasley Twins can do it, why can't the original Dark Lord do it?Regardless, I LOVED Incarnate. I inhaled it. This is definitely more of a 4.5, but it could have been a 5 if the ending had been more dynamic.I was expecting something more emotionally heart-wrenching. Break my heart into pieces and then put them back together just in time for the last sentence. Give us a huge reveal, more answers, something epic, something shocking, something weep-worthy! However, it just didn't quite do that for me, but I'm hoping that the next books in the series will.Keep in mind that this is a series. The story comes off at times as a mish mash of genres and ideas. So if you are for streamlined world-building and definitive answers, you might wait on this one. I'm hoping all is explained in the upcoming books but even I still have MANY questions.I CANNOT WAIT to read the sequels.Just look at this word cloud. How can a book with this word cloud NOT be awesome?There's only one thing it needs: NINJAS! Because if I had lived for over 5000 years already, I would definitely have learned to be a ninja by now.This review is also posted on my blog: Strangemore.

Incarnate deserves to be placed alongside His Dark Materials and The Lord of the Rings as one of the most inventive examples of world-building ever set to paper. Not only has Meadows created a rich and detailed world for her characters to inhabit, she's brave enough to let them ask difficult questions of themselves, their world, and what it would really mean to live in a perpetual cycle of birth and rebirth.Very rarely, five stars doesn't seem to go far enough. This is one of those times.

As beautiful as the cover! “If I only get one life, I don’t want to waste it by hesitating”These days I’m a bit out of sync when it comes to the books I read.. I like some books that others don’t, and I don’t like the books the others love, I feel like I’m missing something.This books is one of the books I loved, while some of my book fellows didn’t.. I don’t know what’s the element that really made me like it so much, but I know that from the very beginning I was hooked and couldn’t put it down.The world settling was great – a mix between dystopian and fantasy (with futuristic technologies but also dragons and other mythical creatures). For me it felt like a parallel world where human (their souls) can reincarnate over and over again, and the city has its own heartbeat. It was intriguing and somehow original, mostly different than what I’ve read recently… It felt refreshing to change perspective and to get lost in such an unusual world.The cover is beautiful and it fits the story. This is the 3rd book in the past months that has a masquerade scene in it, and (this time again) I loved it. And I loved how Ana (the main character) thought that she was like a butterfly – it was a good comparison on so many levels.The characters are complex and they have more than only one layer. It is the world that make them different than us, that make them act differently, feel differently, be something entirely different than us.- AnaShe is a ‘newsoul’. That means that this is her very first life. In a world where for thousands of years people have reincarnate over and over again, she is the only one new – the only one without a past, without memories, without friends from past lives. Her mother who resembled a regular evil fairytale stepmother, made her think the worst of herself.. made her think that she has no soul and she doesn’t deserve the life she has. Why is that? Because before Ana was born, another soul vanished forever (it never came back to life again) and that soul was her mother’s best friend.- Her motherOf course in our world it is hard to understand how someone could care more about a friend that a child, but think about the fact that in this fantasy world there is a limited number of souls. They get to be reincarnate and have kids from the same group (in one life you could be my parent, the next one you could be my child). The friendship is the most valuable thing you have, the only thing that never changes through all these lives.Also, a new soul taking someone’s place is a threat for everyone.What if someone else will vanish as well, what if this is not a singular case. Is this newsoul going to reincarnate, or will people vanish forever at some point. People feared Ana, people hated her for taking away a friend, even if it wasn’t her fault.- SamWhen Ana finally leaves home (it takes her a bit more to do that than the others because she knows almost nothing about the dangers that await for her) she faces some of the mythical creatures I told you about. It’s Sam who’s saving her life and tries to keep her safe (and warm *giggles*), and even after knowing who she really is, he still protects her against the entire world.“After I worked so hard saving you, I’d appreciateif you didn’t try to kill yourself again”Sam becomes Ana’s teacher and protector and their story is one that will stay with me for a while. I like them as a couple, I liked how they got from complete strangers to friends and then lovers. It was a slow and sweet transition that made me like them both. I liked their conversations and how Sam made her understand that she has a soul and she has the right to love and be happy. I loved how music brought them closer, how they were both passionate about the things they did, how they were better as a couple.There are some other secondary characters too, but I can’t say if I liked them or not. Mostly because I didn’t know them enough, and at times I didn’t trust them. My focus was always on Sam and Ana, and their lovely romance. They were a strange but wonderful mix like the world they were living in – she was a newsoul, he was an old-soul; she was impulsive, he was more calculated, they complete each other perfectly.“It’s difficult to focus on my sudies when my best friend is struggling to get through the hour”.He hesitated. “So I’m your best friend now?”My cheeks heated, and I shrugged. “It was between you and Sarit, and you have music. She just has honey.” Now I can’t wait to see what comes next, I want to see how Ana will change through the story. Also I have some questions that have’t been answered in this installment, I want to know more about this world, and I want more Sam-and-Ana moments.Book Source: ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. (thank you!)4.5 starsMusic of choice: The Moment – Yiruma This review can also be found at ReadingAfterMidnight.com - Incarnate____________________________________________Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO)____________________________________________

NEWSOULIncarnate gives us a fresh, new soul in YA. Originality at its core, Jodi Meadows has written an incredible world with dragons, sylphs, laser pistols, temple with heartbeats; really- how much more imaginative can it get? I was blown away with the imagery that formed in my mind while reading this book. It's a gorgeous, but notably frightening world. I did have a bit of difficulty swallowing the fact that, since everyone is always being reincarnated, they give birth to people they already know. It could even be your own father. However, it is a way of life for them, who am I to say what's unreasonable? I've heard of a mother who used her daughter's egg to get pregnant, which basically means she gave birth to a grandchild of sorts. Is this weird? Of course! But we're living in a world where you can have babies that are literally not your own, so it makes sense to think that living for thousands of years with reincarnation would desensitize people to things that presently blow our minds.NOSOULAna has had to live with her mother telling her she was a Nosoul for all of her 18 years. This turned her into a deeply defensive, cautious young woman who has difficulty putting her trust in others. Ana is a remarkably easy character to like with a realistic voice that stands out. She may have had a hard life, but this makes her loves and joys come from the heart. It's not fake or shallow when she feels something, it's with her whole heart and soul. Sam, the first person to show her kindness, has a heart of gold, but more importantly; the patience of a stone. They have a positively sweet romance that creeps up on you. You suddenly realize you've been longing for them to be together. I was delighted by how perfectly paced their relationship flourished.HEARTWe've got originality; we've got charming characters; but let's not forget the fascinating plot that surrounds it all. Mystery after mystery flows inside these pages. I was starved for more information as much as Ana. Why is she the only newsoul? Where did Ciana go? Why was the town of Heart just sitting there? A temple with a heartbeat? It's all so mystifying. We don't get all the answers in this novel, but we do get some, as well as one heck of a promise: that this is the start of an epic series! --For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads

3.5 stars really but i'm feeling generous!this book was so absorbing for me. despite the synopsis, this book is mainly a romance between the main characters, ana and sam, and i was 100% okay with that because i loved the pair together. they had great chemistry. their relationship developed slowly from a nice friendship with mutual offers of comfort. ana was frustrating in the beginning. she lashed out so gratuitously, and although i admit it aligns with her childhood, it was still uncalled for in most situations. but i still liked her a lot. i found her interesting and relatable. the world was so intriguing. jodi meadows crafts it with so many unique characteristics that make the world engaging and fascinating. however, i'm also left with so many questions about it and about reincarnation. i wish the world was more detailed, more fleshed out; i wish i still didn't have so many questions. i'm kind of sad this is a series. i really wish it was a standalone. i don't know why i wish that, since i found this book really enjoyable, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

So what is Incarnate?An unforgettable journey through the fabric of human space and time? A sweet and sensitive storybook romance dramatically altered by earth-shattering events? A fresh and creative young adult sci-fi with eternal themes at its core? Yes! Incarnate, by Jodi Meadows, book one of the Newsouls series, is difficult to review in some ways, but still so easy to compliment. The world is a fascinating one, reminding me of the mountainous heart of America, complete with an ancient temple and reincarnated beings. The premise is perfect, and it's impossible not to pull for Newsoul Ana, who truly feels alone in this harsh new world. She finds love in Sam, love and life and a reason to live and grow and learn and bloom and spread her wings. This world is not without challenges, dangers, and people who wish Ana harm, and the book soars through Ana and Sam's relationship to a breathlessly exciting ending. This book is a joy to read and to share, and I was honored to share it with the wonderful Sveta, and can't wait to read the rest of the series together :)

Why I gave Incarnate five stars:1. Unique premise, deftly executed. There's no other story quite like this out there, at least none that I've found.2. A heroine that actually has a character arc and a spine. Not only does she have to learn to trust and love (others and herself), but she has to find a way to forgive the very society who spurns her.3. A sweet, realistic romance that blossoms and grows and takes a little work along the way.

*Updated review based on my April 2015 re-read: I STILL LOVE IT PEOPLE. LOVE IT!!!! INTERVIEW WITH JODY MEADOW HERE! *December 25, 2011 review:*Incarnate blew me away. Seriously my favorite book in its genre so far. It was that good. And the cover is amazing! Now onto to the review:I’m usually not a big fan of fantasy, since often times they tend to lack lack in depth, so the fact that Incarnate has the best female character I have read ever is astonishing. From the summary you know that Anna is different. She’s a Nosoul, and as such she was raised to believe she was not worthy of loving things or being loved and that she should be punished, constantly and cruelly.As soon as she’s free of her guardian, some really really bad stuff happens and she nearly dies. But do not fear, Sam is here! Oh Sam! I want him under the Christmas tree! Bringing me cake on my Birthday! He’s just…. *swoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon* I mean, WOW, I don’t remember falling so hard for a character before x). ahem, back to the point. Sam takes care of her and he doesn’t mind that she’s a Nosoul, strange…Sadly, not everyone agrees with Sam, and Ana is thrown into a world where people hate her and judge her for something she had no control over: her birth. I was so frustrated along with Ana, sad and angry. I understood everything, her bitterness and hurt, her want for love.There’s also the lovely romance between Ana and Sam. Flawlessly Beautiful. As much as I would love to give some spoilers I’ll restrain myself. BUT I will give you this: I have read Chapter 21 and 22 at least 6 times today, and I just finished the book earlier.Incarnate had the power to change my emotions in one line, incredible romance one minute and thrilling action the next.Dragons, Burns, Dance, Music, Romance, Secrets and the constant uncertainty of whom to trust, along with the knowledge that the only way to survive is to believe in one’s self. Incarnate is a Book You Can’t Forget. Period.I can’t wait to get my finished copy! Amazing with Major Capital A :D a HUGE Thanks to Netgally for the opportunity to read this!

This book stole my heart, broke it in half, stomped on the pieces, and then mended it. Incarnate isn't just about a girl with a new soul in a society of people thousands of years old - it's about a girl learning to accept herself even when most others won't.Ana is, by far, the best part of this book. (And that's saying a lot, considering how I thought the entire thing was pretty much perfect.) She's grown up with only Li, who's always told Ana that she's a mistake. That she can't have feelings because she's a nosoul. And when Ana leaves Li and travels to Heart, she's treated almost the same way - like she shouldn't belong. Ana isn't unaffected by this, not at all, but somehow, she still manages to find good. Find the strength to go on and keep searching for the answers she wants. If I had been her, I probably would have crawled into the forest and let the sylph get me O_OAna's emotions were practically mine. My heart ached for her. She's easy to relate to, too. Ana is an outcast in her society; she feels like everyone hates her. (And most of them do.) Feeling like you don't fit in is such a common problem for teenagers, and regardless of how much more extreme Ana's case is, I think Incarnate can show you that it's possible to be strong no matter what.I don't even know what to say about Sam. Except that he's awesome and I think I love him just as much as I love Jodi Meadows. I liked how everything brought Sam back to music. (And he plays the flute! Bonus.) And I especially loved that he had flaws. He brought fears from his past life into his new life, he was afraid to love Ana, and he wasn't perfect. Which, if you ask me, made him a perfect character. The romance between Sam and Ana was perfect, too - no insta-love, but it's not like the romance just came BAM! right out of the blue. They started off as friends, and though the potential for romance was always there, you still got to see their relationship grow in a healthy way.And the plot was just . . . I can't even explain it. I'm not a fan of reincarnation. But somehow, Jodi Meadows made me love it. I've never seen any plot like this before. And the twist at the end involving the man who was supposed to be Ana's father - I did not see that coming at all O_O There were dragons, there were souls, there was a creepy temple, and there was even a different form of God. Incarnate is full of things I would usually have problems with, but I didn't have a problem with a single one of them. They all added to the story, and the way Jodi writes all of it is just . . . amazing.Overall: I don't know how I can ever to describe to any of you how much I love this book, but I think I can honestly say it is one of the best books I've ever read. It's so much more than just a book about a girl who's "replaced" another soul. It's about strength. Accepting yourself. (And yes, maybe it's a little bit about falling in love, too.) Incarnate will stick with me for a long time. (And I will be stalking Jodi Meadow's online to find out whatever I can about the sequel. :P) 5 stars. I'd give it 6 if I did stuff like that.

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Thoroughly enjoyed this.The world was just spectacular

I absolutely love this world and the characters are some of favorites!!