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Soulprint
A new literary, sci-fi thriller from acclaimed author Megan Miranda.
With the science of soul-fingerprinting a reality, Alina Chase has spent her entire life imprisoned for the crimes her past-self committed. In an attempt to clear her name, Alina unintentionally trades one prison for another when she escapes, aided by a group of teens whose intentions and motivations are a mystery to her. As she gets to know one of the boys, sparks fly, and Alina believes she may finally be able to trust someone. But when she uncovers clues left behind from her past life that only she can decipher, secrets begin to unravel. Alina must figure out whether she’s more than the soul she inherited, or if she’s fated to repeat the past.
This compelling story will leave readers wondering if this fictional world could become a reality.
With the science of soul-fingerprinting a reality, Alina Chase has spent her entire life imprisoned for the crimes her past-self committed. In an attempt to clear her name, Alina unintentionally trades one prison for another when she escapes, aided by a group of teens whose intentions and motivations are a mystery to her. As she gets to know one of the boys, sparks fly, and Alina believes she may finally be able to trust someone. But when she uncovers clues left behind from her past life that only she can decipher, secrets begin to unravel. Alina must figure out whether she’s more than the soul she inherited, or if she’s fated to repeat the past.
This compelling story will leave readers wondering if this fictional world could become a reality.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published February 3, 2015
About the author
Megan Miranda
23 books15.5k followersMegan Miranda is the New York Times bestselling author of All the Missing Girls; The Perfect Stranger; The Last House Guest, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick; The Girl from Widow Hills; Such a Quiet Place; and The Last to Vanish. She has also written several books for young adults. She grew up in New Jersey, graduated from MIT, and lives in North Carolina with her husband and two children.
Her next thriller, The Only Survivors, will be published on April 11th, 2023.
Follow @MeganLMiranda on Instagram, @AuthorMeganMiranda on Facebook, or visit www.meganmiranda.com
Her next thriller, The Only Survivors, will be published on April 11th, 2023.
Follow @MeganLMiranda on Instagram, @AuthorMeganMiranda on Facebook, or visit www.meganmiranda.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 282 reviews
June 11, 2021
I really enjoyed this action-packed dystopian tale!
Not only was this a fantastic read - with edge of your seat suspense, great, gutsy characters and all kinds of secrets to unravel, the author gave interested readers a few mysteries to solve.
Alina is being "contained" for the crimes of her soul in a past life. Although this book is between the border of the N/A and Y/A genres, this author's highly intelligent, well-crafted writing will appeal to readers of all ages. If you are looking for a light, fluffy, breezy story, look elsewhere. You will be challenged and presented with interesting debates on just about every ethical issue out there that matters in a free and democratic society. Just about every constitutional right or freedom showed up or got mangled in this story.
Alina impressed me with her stoic, "go ahead and cut that tracker out of my body" sangfroid. And what a brain! She was able to follow the clues left to her by her "soulprint"- a woman who had been condemned and shot as a terrorist. This new adult level novel drew me in and then kept me enthralled until the very last page.
I was so impressed with Meagan Miranda's inventiveness and intelligence. Highly, highly recommended!
Not only was this a fantastic read - with edge of your seat suspense, great, gutsy characters and all kinds of secrets to unravel, the author gave interested readers a few mysteries to solve.
Alina is being "contained" for the crimes of her soul in a past life. Although this book is between the border of the N/A and Y/A genres, this author's highly intelligent, well-crafted writing will appeal to readers of all ages. If you are looking for a light, fluffy, breezy story, look elsewhere. You will be challenged and presented with interesting debates on just about every ethical issue out there that matters in a free and democratic society. Just about every constitutional right or freedom showed up or got mangled in this story.
Alina impressed me with her stoic, "go ahead and cut that tracker out of my body" sangfroid. And what a brain! She was able to follow the clues left to her by her "soulprint"- a woman who had been condemned and shot as a terrorist. This new adult level novel drew me in and then kept me enthralled until the very last page.
I was so impressed with Meagan Miranda's inventiveness and intelligence. Highly, highly recommended!
February 7, 2015
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Soulprint by Megan Miranda
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Publication Date: February 3, 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
A new literary, sci-fi thriller from acclaimed author Megan Miranda.
With the science of soul-fingerprinting a reality, Alina Chase has spent her entire life imprisoned for the crimes her past-self committed. In an attempt to clear her name, Alina unintentionally trades one prison for another when she escapes, aided by a group of teens whose intentions and motivations are a mystery to her. As she gets to know one of the boys, sparks fly, and Alina believes she may finally be able to trust someone. But when she uncovers clues left behind from her past life that only she can decipher, secrets begin to unravel. Alina must figure out whether she’s more than the soul she inherited, or if she’s fated to repeat the past.
This compelling story will leave readers wondering if this fictional world could become a reality.
What I Liked:
This is my first time reading something by Megan Miranda - I know she has several other novels published, but none of them really interested me. This one stuck out to me because its science fiction-thriller-romance story. Three of my favorite genres, wrapped into one book - I'm glad I was given the chance to read this one (thank you for the review copy, Bloomsbury!).
Alina Chase is "contained" because her soul was once that of a criminal, June, who was feared for her crimes before she was killed in an accident. Alina has been living in a prison-like "home", surrounded by guards and living aides, until three teens break her out over several months. But Alina is trading on prison for another, and she must try to figure out what clues June left, in order to save her life, and the lives of those she has grown to care about.
I love thrillers, but I don't read nearly enough of them. Probably because they usually don't appeal to me - but the ones that I've read, I've loved. Altered by Jennifer Rush is a really a good one, with great science content and a sweet romance as well.
I really liked Alina - she is fierce and determined, as well as very observant and intelligent. It was easy for me to like her, because I felt like I related to her, at least on the personality level. Of course, Alina has a very different life, what with living with the soul of an alleged criminal. To Alina, it makes no difference to her character and being. But to the world, Alina will start demonstrating violent tendencies like June, and turn into a dangerous criminal like June. So she is contained.
The story is fast-paced and exciting, from the beginning. I love how the author leaves small clues throughout the scenes, and mentions something that readers won't know at first, but eventually find out. I like this reveal of information, as well as bombshells. There are lots of times when something came full circle, or made sense. I never felt like I was missing something (at least for too long), and by the time the book ended, I felt pretty content with how things wrapped up.
Alina escapes from her home/prison, with the help of Cameron, Casey (his sister), and Dominic. The trio take her to "safe" places, but really, it's like she's imprisoned all over again. Dominic wants something June might have left. Cameron is trying to protect Casey, and Dominic is blackmailing Casey. Alina is caught in the middle of everything, trying to find whatever June left.
I loved the supporting characters of this book, probably as much as I loved Alina (or more). Specifically, Cameron. I've seen on several reviews the love for Cameron, but I was a tad bit skeptical (I didn't think I would like him as much as everyone else did, for some reason). I definitely do like him as much as others do. He is quiet and clever, not arrogant or in-your-face. He isn't cocky or selfish, but rather, pensive and calculating (but not in a cruel way). Shrewd and intelligent. I liked him a lot.
Yes, there is romance, and I loved it so much. I shipped Cameron and Alina from the beginning, even though they meet under odd circumstances. Cameron and Alina have a quiet heat, and simmering intensity to them. There was one point in the book where my heart stopped because I couldn't imagine them not getting a nice ending! But fret not, their ending is pretty satisfying.
In general, this book has a decently positive ending. It is a bit open-ended, as the endings of many standalone novels are, and I liked how the author tied loose ends. I didn't necessarily want more from the novel, which is the mark of a good standalone. I think this story has been told, and has been told well, and I couldn't see other novels to add to this one.
What I Did Not Like:
I didn't mention too much about the climax of the story - mostly because I was slightly disappointed and confused. The climax is very fast, but a bit anticlimactic, in my opinion. I don't know what I was expecting, but I was expecting the conflict of the story - the whole deal with June and her past - to be something more, and for the climax to blow up a little more. I guess, given the high stakes high action fast pace of the book, up until this point, I'd expected a seriously epic climax and falling action. But, that's okay.
Would I Recommend It:
Definitely highly recommended to thriller fans out there (I don't mean the song). I haven't read a thriller in a while, but I liked this one a lot! It's exciting and a quick read. If you get the chance, you should read this one! If anything, the romance is really sweet but not overwhelming but really nice!
Rating:
4 stars. I enjoyed the sciencey aspect of the book (reincarnated souls), but I also enjoyed the thriller aspect (everyone chasing Alina), and the romance aspect (lovely chemistry between Cameron and Alina). I'd read this one just to discover any one of those elements!
Soulprint by Megan Miranda
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Publication Date: February 3, 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
A new literary, sci-fi thriller from acclaimed author Megan Miranda.
With the science of soul-fingerprinting a reality, Alina Chase has spent her entire life imprisoned for the crimes her past-self committed. In an attempt to clear her name, Alina unintentionally trades one prison for another when she escapes, aided by a group of teens whose intentions and motivations are a mystery to her. As she gets to know one of the boys, sparks fly, and Alina believes she may finally be able to trust someone. But when she uncovers clues left behind from her past life that only she can decipher, secrets begin to unravel. Alina must figure out whether she’s more than the soul she inherited, or if she’s fated to repeat the past.
This compelling story will leave readers wondering if this fictional world could become a reality.
What I Liked:
This is my first time reading something by Megan Miranda - I know she has several other novels published, but none of them really interested me. This one stuck out to me because its science fiction-thriller-romance story. Three of my favorite genres, wrapped into one book - I'm glad I was given the chance to read this one (thank you for the review copy, Bloomsbury!).
Alina Chase is "contained" because her soul was once that of a criminal, June, who was feared for her crimes before she was killed in an accident. Alina has been living in a prison-like "home", surrounded by guards and living aides, until three teens break her out over several months. But Alina is trading on prison for another, and she must try to figure out what clues June left, in order to save her life, and the lives of those she has grown to care about.
I love thrillers, but I don't read nearly enough of them. Probably because they usually don't appeal to me - but the ones that I've read, I've loved. Altered by Jennifer Rush is a really a good one, with great science content and a sweet romance as well.
I really liked Alina - she is fierce and determined, as well as very observant and intelligent. It was easy for me to like her, because I felt like I related to her, at least on the personality level. Of course, Alina has a very different life, what with living with the soul of an alleged criminal. To Alina, it makes no difference to her character and being. But to the world, Alina will start demonstrating violent tendencies like June, and turn into a dangerous criminal like June. So she is contained.
The story is fast-paced and exciting, from the beginning. I love how the author leaves small clues throughout the scenes, and mentions something that readers won't know at first, but eventually find out. I like this reveal of information, as well as bombshells. There are lots of times when something came full circle, or made sense. I never felt like I was missing something (at least for too long), and by the time the book ended, I felt pretty content with how things wrapped up.
Alina escapes from her home/prison, with the help of Cameron, Casey (his sister), and Dominic. The trio take her to "safe" places, but really, it's like she's imprisoned all over again. Dominic wants something June might have left. Cameron is trying to protect Casey, and Dominic is blackmailing Casey. Alina is caught in the middle of everything, trying to find whatever June left.
I loved the supporting characters of this book, probably as much as I loved Alina (or more). Specifically, Cameron. I've seen on several reviews the love for Cameron, but I was a tad bit skeptical (I didn't think I would like him as much as everyone else did, for some reason). I definitely do like him as much as others do. He is quiet and clever, not arrogant or in-your-face. He isn't cocky or selfish, but rather, pensive and calculating (but not in a cruel way). Shrewd and intelligent. I liked him a lot.
Yes, there is romance, and I loved it so much. I shipped Cameron and Alina from the beginning, even though they meet under odd circumstances. Cameron and Alina have a quiet heat, and simmering intensity to them. There was one point in the book where my heart stopped because I couldn't imagine them not getting a nice ending! But fret not, their ending is pretty satisfying.
In general, this book has a decently positive ending. It is a bit open-ended, as the endings of many standalone novels are, and I liked how the author tied loose ends. I didn't necessarily want more from the novel, which is the mark of a good standalone. I think this story has been told, and has been told well, and I couldn't see other novels to add to this one.
What I Did Not Like:
I didn't mention too much about the climax of the story - mostly because I was slightly disappointed and confused. The climax is very fast, but a bit anticlimactic, in my opinion. I don't know what I was expecting, but I was expecting the conflict of the story - the whole deal with June and her past - to be something more, and for the climax to blow up a little more. I guess, given the high stakes high action fast pace of the book, up until this point, I'd expected a seriously epic climax and falling action. But, that's okay.
Would I Recommend It:
Definitely highly recommended to thriller fans out there (I don't mean the song). I haven't read a thriller in a while, but I liked this one a lot! It's exciting and a quick read. If you get the chance, you should read this one! If anything, the romance is really sweet but not overwhelming but really nice!
Rating:
4 stars. I enjoyed the sciencey aspect of the book (reincarnated souls), but I also enjoyed the thriller aspect (everyone chasing Alina), and the romance aspect (lovely chemistry between Cameron and Alina). I'd read this one just to discover any one of those elements!
March 18, 2015
3-1/2 stars, rounded up.
Alina Chase lives in a future where a person's soul can be identified from life to life -- reassuring news for some, but not for Alina. Her soul was a notorious criminal in its previous existence, and Alina is paying for its crimes. She's spent her entire life imprisoned on an island, cared for only by rotating strangers. On her seventeenth birthday, she's offered the chance of a lifetime -- escape. But taking that chance will test her in ways she could never have prepared for, including trying to figure out just who she is.I mostly really enjoyed this book. It's fast-paced and gripping with a lot of action, but also with a fair amount of philosophy scattered through.
I thought the worldbuilding was very good, as the story takes place at a time when souls have been identifiable for a couple generations, but the unknowns still outweigh the knowns. Traits like handedness and math skills seem to carry consistently into each lifetime, but personalities do not (so if you've lost a loved one, they're still gone even after their soul is reborn). But other proclivities are less clear. Is Alina destined to have criminal tendencies because June, her previous incarnation, did? No one knows. I really liked the questions asked via this mythology (including, does religion still matter?), and the information was doled out at a perfect pace for me.
There's also a suspense story involving what really went on with June and her partner in crime, Liam, who died two years before she did. They were world-famous, with books written about them and a movie everyone -- even Alina -- has seen. The clues were mostly believable, and the trail to the answers kept me flipping the pages as fast as I could. This part of the story was woven in perfectly with Alina's identity crisis as she struggles with how much of her "self" she's rejected for being like June, and tries to determine what being Alina, and whole, might mean.
A few things detracted from my enjoyment of this story. Mild spoilers:
My final complaint is that while this is a standalone, there are definitely threads left hanging which could lead to a sequel. But it's resolved enough at the end.
The good in this book considerably outweighs the weaknesses, so I recommend it if the issues in the story intrigue you.
Read
February 5, 2015I'd decided to take a pass on Soulprint, or at least wait for reviews to come out. The title sounded New-Agey and the plot like sci-fi. Then I read a rave review on Goodreads from Ashley of Nose Graze and decided to give this book a try for review.
I'm so glad I did. Soulprint is an excellent thriller with a super-cool premise, but it's also a story with philosophical themes, well-developed characters, and a touching romance. There are sci-fi aspects, but if you're not a fan of that, the science isn't a huge part of the story.
What I loved most was the way the book ingeniously blends something age-old -- the idea that souls can be reincarnated -- with something speculative and high-tech -- the idea that souls can be analyzed like DNA and then tracked when they are reborn in a new body. Alina, the main character, knows she is the reincarnated soul of June, a notorious murderer. As such, she's spent her life in a high security prison. The book begins in action, with Alina being broken out of prison by people whose motives aren't immediately apparent, and I was gripped right away.
Once Alina is broken out, the story slows down. She learns more about the people who've helped her and what their motivations are -- or are they being completely honest with her? She also begins to feel June's presence within her -- or is she imagining it? This slowdown in pace was an interesting narrative choice for a thriller-y story, but it also offers some breathing room for character development and the exploration of some of Soulprint's themes, questions like: Are we a product of our pasts? Do we have free will? What is the nature of the soul, and could those qualities that make us individual and unique carry on after our physical bodies are gone?
I think that Soulprint has a little something for every reader: an intriguing scientific premise, a daring prison break, some interesting philosophical questions, and a sweet romance. Ashley's right -- give it a try!
I received an advance copy of this book for review. You can read my full review here on YA Romantics
I'm so glad I did. Soulprint is an excellent thriller with a super-cool premise, but it's also a story with philosophical themes, well-developed characters, and a touching romance. There are sci-fi aspects, but if you're not a fan of that, the science isn't a huge part of the story.
What I loved most was the way the book ingeniously blends something age-old -- the idea that souls can be reincarnated -- with something speculative and high-tech -- the idea that souls can be analyzed like DNA and then tracked when they are reborn in a new body. Alina, the main character, knows she is the reincarnated soul of June, a notorious murderer. As such, she's spent her life in a high security prison. The book begins in action, with Alina being broken out of prison by people whose motives aren't immediately apparent, and I was gripped right away.
Once Alina is broken out, the story slows down. She learns more about the people who've helped her and what their motivations are -- or are they being completely honest with her? She also begins to feel June's presence within her -- or is she imagining it? This slowdown in pace was an interesting narrative choice for a thriller-y story, but it also offers some breathing room for character development and the exploration of some of Soulprint's themes, questions like: Are we a product of our pasts? Do we have free will? What is the nature of the soul, and could those qualities that make us individual and unique carry on after our physical bodies are gone?
I think that Soulprint has a little something for every reader: an intriguing scientific premise, a daring prison break, some interesting philosophical questions, and a sweet romance. Ashley's right -- give it a try!
I received an advance copy of this book for review. You can read my full review here on YA Romantics
February 17, 2015
Thankfully this book was better than its cover. I had a lot of fun reading this, the plot is very unique which I always appreciate in YA. The characters were fine. I feel kinda neutral towards them all, but I suppose that is better than an irritating heroine. The first 50% left me entranced, but unfortunately the second half of the book was a little too slow for me and my interested started to depart.
Overall this is a decent read with a cool plot, the second half left something to be desired but as a whole this book is still worth a read. I'm interested to find out what happens next with Alina Chase.
Buy, Borrow or Bin Verdict: Borrow
Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
January 10, 2015
4.5 Stars
Woah! I was surprised by how much I loved this book! I hoped to like it but didn't think I'd end up giving it 4.5 stars.
It totally hooked me to the point where I COULDN'T STOP READING! I read the whole thing in one sitting. I felt like there was always something happening, always a trail to follow, always a mystery to solve. I couldn't even stop to take a breath, it was just ACTION THRILLER MYSTERY ROMANCE.
I also loved how the book was built on hacking and technology. There's barely any geek speak but I liked how the whole thing was built on kind of nerdy stuff. :)
Woah! I was surprised by how much I loved this book! I hoped to like it but didn't think I'd end up giving it 4.5 stars.
It totally hooked me to the point where I COULDN'T STOP READING! I read the whole thing in one sitting. I felt like there was always something happening, always a trail to follow, always a mystery to solve. I couldn't even stop to take a breath, it was just ACTION THRILLER MYSTERY ROMANCE.
I also loved how the book was built on hacking and technology. There's barely any geek speak but I liked how the whole thing was built on kind of nerdy stuff. :)
February 2, 2015
*I received a free ARC of Soulprint from Bloomsbury USA Chidlren's via Netgalley in exchange of an honest and unbiased review*
Soulprint is a riveting story set in the future, where re-incarnations are proven and some characters actually get judged by their past lives.
This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
Soulprint is a riveting story set in the future, where re-incarnations are proven and some characters actually get judged by their past lives.
This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
January 22, 2015
This review was originally posted on The Moonlight Library
SUMMARY
Alina Chase has been contained her whole life on a private island – cared for, but not cared about. Because she has inherited the soul of a notorious teen criminal, June Calahan. And the world fears June has left instructions for Alina to continue what she started – throwing the world into chaos.
WORLDBUILDING
Wowser! The worldbuilding in this was so subtle and intense. Souls are an actual thing, and soulprints – like fingerprints – can be determined by testing the spinal fluid. Alina inherited the soul of someone the world was terrified of, someone the press believed had too much power and was blackmailing innocent people about who their past lives were. The whole idea was built on a study that claimed souls inherit evil, just like talent and left-and-right-handedness, but not memories. People started punishing others for what they did in a previous life. A soulprint is supposed to be secret – Alina is special: her soulprint was taken when she was a baby. Her soul is public knowledge, and she’s contained ‘for her own protection’ because of it.
CHARACTER
Alina was an amazing character. I really feel like I got to know her. She wanted to be different to June, so she forced herself to become left-handed, even though left-and-right-handedness is something a soul inherits. She shunned things June was good at – maths, coding – in favour of learning other skills. She hoped that if she showed she was different to June, the authorities might decide they’d made a mistake – despite being tested (and matched) for the soulprint three times. Alina was strong even when she was terrified, brave even when she was helpless, loyal and trusting but not in a dumb way – she wouldn’t be fooled by certain characters. She was smart enough to read people, and I loved watching her decipher every little movement, every word said, as she got to the truth.
RELATIONSHIPS
So there’s three major relationships in this book that I loved. The first was between Alina and the typical bad-boy-with-a-heart-of-gold Cameron. The second was between Cameron and his older sister, Casey. The third was between Casey and Alina. THE BEST KIND OF LOVE TRIANGLE. Cameron and Casey have their own reasons for helping Alina escape, but I loved watching the slow burn of her relationship with Cameron heat up until I was sure I was going to explode along with them. I loved Cameron and Casey’s bond, their own language and their comfort with each other. And I loved the complicated relationship with Casey that often teetered on the brink of falling apart because of Alina’s entanglement with Cameron.
My favourite line:
And I also need to add a spoiler because I got one-third of the way through this novel and went looking for the one spoiler nobody mentioned!
OVERALL
Soulprint is a ridiculously strong novel. The slower pace of the opening pages leaves plenty of room for world-and-character building until you feel like you know the characters inside out. The romance was a swoony slow burn. I don’t generally do book boyfriends but Cameron’s going on my shelf. It’s a psychological thriller with plenty of philosophical debate about the nature of the soul. The writing is beautiful and there are sentences to swoon over as well. It’s got everything a YA contemporary/hint of sci-fi lover could want. Just read it!
SUMMARY
Alina Chase has been contained her whole life on a private island – cared for, but not cared about. Because she has inherited the soul of a notorious teen criminal, June Calahan. And the world fears June has left instructions for Alina to continue what she started – throwing the world into chaos.
WORLDBUILDING
Wowser! The worldbuilding in this was so subtle and intense. Souls are an actual thing, and soulprints – like fingerprints – can be determined by testing the spinal fluid. Alina inherited the soul of someone the world was terrified of, someone the press believed had too much power and was blackmailing innocent people about who their past lives were. The whole idea was built on a study that claimed souls inherit evil, just like talent and left-and-right-handedness, but not memories. People started punishing others for what they did in a previous life. A soulprint is supposed to be secret – Alina is special: her soulprint was taken when she was a baby. Her soul is public knowledge, and she’s contained ‘for her own protection’ because of it.
CHARACTER
Alina was an amazing character. I really feel like I got to know her. She wanted to be different to June, so she forced herself to become left-handed, even though left-and-right-handedness is something a soul inherits. She shunned things June was good at – maths, coding – in favour of learning other skills. She hoped that if she showed she was different to June, the authorities might decide they’d made a mistake – despite being tested (and matched) for the soulprint three times. Alina was strong even when she was terrified, brave even when she was helpless, loyal and trusting but not in a dumb way – she wouldn’t be fooled by certain characters. She was smart enough to read people, and I loved watching her decipher every little movement, every word said, as she got to the truth.
RELATIONSHIPS
So there’s three major relationships in this book that I loved. The first was between Alina and the typical bad-boy-with-a-heart-of-gold Cameron. The second was between Cameron and his older sister, Casey. The third was between Casey and Alina. THE BEST KIND OF LOVE TRIANGLE. Cameron and Casey have their own reasons for helping Alina escape, but I loved watching the slow burn of her relationship with Cameron heat up until I was sure I was going to explode along with them. I loved Cameron and Casey’s bond, their own language and their comfort with each other. And I loved the complicated relationship with Casey that often teetered on the brink of falling apart because of Alina’s entanglement with Cameron.
My favourite line:
Cameron kills me with his honesty.
And I also need to add a spoiler because I got one-third of the way through this novel and went looking for the one spoiler nobody mentioned!
OVERALL
Soulprint is a ridiculously strong novel. The slower pace of the opening pages leaves plenty of room for world-and-character building until you feel like you know the characters inside out. The romance was a swoony slow burn. I don’t generally do book boyfriends but Cameron’s going on my shelf. It’s a psychological thriller with plenty of philosophical debate about the nature of the soul. The writing is beautiful and there are sentences to swoon over as well. It’s got everything a YA contemporary/hint of sci-fi lover could want. Just read it!
October 17, 2017
idek what rating to give this. it made so little impression on me it could be anywhere from 1-3. it was ok but the twists were way predictable to me and the concept, which sounds so cool, was really badly delivered imo
the plot is basically that souls are transferred from one life to the next when you die (this is scientifically proven somehow and has been common knowledge for at least 3 generations). this girl, june, found a study that proved that souls that are criminals in one life are almost guaranteed to be criminals in other lives; she hacks into the database that (somehow) records soul transference and starts releasing names of souls who were criminals in their past lives so that people in their current lives can protect themselves. for this massive breach of privacy, she's declared americas most wanted and dies while on the run. her soul is reincarnated in the main character, alina, who grows up in a very luxurious, if isolated, prison, because they dont want her finishing what june started. (a hell of an elevator pitch!)
BUT the soul transferring part doesnt make any sense! like everyone has completely different personalities than their previous souls! they dont even share memories or literally ANYTHING linking them!! being right- or left-handed is LITERALLY the only thing specified in the ENTIRE BOOK to transfer from life to life with each 'soul', the definition of which is never explored in the least. if not for the fact that the entire dumbass plot literally hinges on the reincarnation aspect, i would think the author had written a more contemporary thriller (although i wouldnt exactly describe it as thrilling) and added that element at the last minute as an ill-thought out hook, because i really cant see why else she would add a concept in which she clearly has so little interest and investment, to leave it so completely undeveloped.
also the plot is a dumbass!! if we actually could predict criminal activity that accurately, why ON EARTH wouldnt we use it??? how is june's crime enough to warrant her reincarnation being locked up since birth, but convicted murderers and rapists and stuff are fine???
i would be interested in reading some good (non fanfiction lmao) soul-y/reincarnation stuff. this made me realise that that's a really cool genre that mainstream fiction hasnt even touched on afaik (at least in ya)
the plot is basically that souls are transferred from one life to the next when you die (this is scientifically proven somehow and has been common knowledge for at least 3 generations). this girl, june, found a study that proved that souls that are criminals in one life are almost guaranteed to be criminals in other lives; she hacks into the database that (somehow) records soul transference and starts releasing names of souls who were criminals in their past lives so that people in their current lives can protect themselves. for this massive breach of privacy, she's declared americas most wanted and dies while on the run. her soul is reincarnated in the main character, alina, who grows up in a very luxurious, if isolated, prison, because they dont want her finishing what june started. (a hell of an elevator pitch!)
BUT the soul transferring part doesnt make any sense! like everyone has completely different personalities than their previous souls! they dont even share memories or literally ANYTHING linking them!! being right- or left-handed is LITERALLY the only thing specified in the ENTIRE BOOK to transfer from life to life with each 'soul', the definition of which is never explored in the least. if not for the fact that the entire dumbass plot literally hinges on the reincarnation aspect, i would think the author had written a more contemporary thriller (although i wouldnt exactly describe it as thrilling) and added that element at the last minute as an ill-thought out hook, because i really cant see why else she would add a concept in which she clearly has so little interest and investment, to leave it so completely undeveloped.
also the plot is a dumbass!! if we actually could predict criminal activity that accurately, why ON EARTH wouldnt we use it??? how is june's crime enough to warrant her reincarnation being locked up since birth, but convicted murderers and rapists and stuff are fine???
i would be interested in reading some good (non fanfiction lmao) soul-y/reincarnation stuff. this made me realise that that's a really cool genre that mainstream fiction hasnt even touched on afaik (at least in ya)
September 26, 2014
Soulprint
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) and NetGalley.)
This was an okay sci-fi story, but it dragged.
I felt quite sorry for Alina and her parents. It was awful the way the government took away her freedom and family because of something that she had no control over. It must have been awful for her parents to realise that their daughter would never know freedom or a normal life.
The storyline in this was okay, but the pace was too slow for me. I felt like the book was twice as long as it actually was, and kept checking and rechecking the percentage read in the corner of the kindle. I did like eventually finding out what had been going on, and why June was in trouble in the first place, but it felt like it took a long time to get there.
There was some romance, but it didn’t really interest me. There wasn’t a lot of it though.
The ending was okay, but I was just glad to get there to be honest. I didn’t really enjoy this to be overall.
6 out of 10.
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) and NetGalley.)
This was an okay sci-fi story, but it dragged.
I felt quite sorry for Alina and her parents. It was awful the way the government took away her freedom and family because of something that she had no control over. It must have been awful for her parents to realise that their daughter would never know freedom or a normal life.
The storyline in this was okay, but the pace was too slow for me. I felt like the book was twice as long as it actually was, and kept checking and rechecking the percentage read in the corner of the kindle. I did like eventually finding out what had been going on, and why June was in trouble in the first place, but it felt like it took a long time to get there.
There was some romance, but it didn’t really interest me. There wasn’t a lot of it though.
The ending was okay, but I was just glad to get there to be honest. I didn’t really enjoy this to be overall.
6 out of 10.
February 7, 2015
The premise of Soulprint is, while not altogether unexplored, a fascinating one. It explores reincarnation, in a world where science has proven that it is, without a doubt, the way our souls work.
How much of who we are is based on the soul, and how much is based on how we’re raised? It’s the ever-present question of nature over nurture.
There were certain elements of this story which were really well done, with some aspects of the world-building appearing really well thought out.
But then there were the plot holes...
The rest of this review can be found here!
How much of who we are is based on the soul, and how much is based on how we’re raised? It’s the ever-present question of nature over nurture.
There were certain elements of this story which were really well done, with some aspects of the world-building appearing really well thought out.
But then there were the plot holes...
The rest of this review can be found here!
January 1, 2015
4.5 stars
Megan Miranda won me over as a reader with Fracture so when I saw Soulprint up on Netgalley I requested it before even reading the summary. I have to admit….it didn’t make a difference because when I read the summary, I just wanted to read it that much more. Miranda combines a great story with the idea that souls don’t die when someone passes on, they actually migrate to a new person...Interesting, right??
Alina has been held prisoner for 17 years on a remote island because the government has proven that her soul is that of a criminal named June Calahan. In order to “protect” Alina and the world from each other, it was decided to take her from her parents and keep her away from those that might want to access the information that June had…access to the soul database.
I liked Alina. She was smart and willing to do whatever it took to gain her freedom. She held to her beliefs and although she had to rely on others to get away and stay free, she was smart enough to figure out what she needed to do. I found it a bit odd that she would have been able to build the foundations of the friendships/relationships she built with both Cameron and Casey in such a short amount of time but other than that I thought her character was believable.
I enjoyed the other characters in this book too. Dominic is a bit of a mystery at first but as the pieces start to come together I found myself interested in his story. I can’t say too much without giving anything away but I thought he was a solid character and his motivations were interesting.
Cameron and Casey were solid too. Yes, Cameron is a lovely guy and I enjoyed his role in the story but he also has a critical part in the story as helps Alina in ways she never expected. There are a lot of secrets and things are revealed along the way. Cameron and Casey have a good story and while the reveal is a bit slow to come (which is why I can’t say anything) it is totally worth it. Once I found out what was going on with these two, it started to make more sense as to why they were in the mix with Alina.
I thought the idea that Miranda explored in this story is a unique approach. What if your soul is transitioned to someone else when you die – does that mean you have a predisposition to act the way that person acted or is there an option for that new person to become someone else entirely? This is the argument that Alina is trying to prove – she may have the soul of June, but she is Alina and she just wants to live her life and be her own person but some people won’t give her that chance.
If you like a good story with a bit of science, some mystery, and a bit of swoon you should definitely check this one out when you can. I flew through this one trying to figure it all out and also to see what would happen with these characters. Apologies on the somewhat vague review here but I don’t want to ruin the story for anyone. Just trust me when I say you should check this out when you can.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for the review copy.
Megan Miranda won me over as a reader with Fracture so when I saw Soulprint up on Netgalley I requested it before even reading the summary. I have to admit….it didn’t make a difference because when I read the summary, I just wanted to read it that much more. Miranda combines a great story with the idea that souls don’t die when someone passes on, they actually migrate to a new person...Interesting, right??
Alina has been held prisoner for 17 years on a remote island because the government has proven that her soul is that of a criminal named June Calahan. In order to “protect” Alina and the world from each other, it was decided to take her from her parents and keep her away from those that might want to access the information that June had…access to the soul database.
I liked Alina. She was smart and willing to do whatever it took to gain her freedom. She held to her beliefs and although she had to rely on others to get away and stay free, she was smart enough to figure out what she needed to do. I found it a bit odd that she would have been able to build the foundations of the friendships/relationships she built with both Cameron and Casey in such a short amount of time but other than that I thought her character was believable.
I enjoyed the other characters in this book too. Dominic is a bit of a mystery at first but as the pieces start to come together I found myself interested in his story. I can’t say too much without giving anything away but I thought he was a solid character and his motivations were interesting.
Cameron and Casey were solid too. Yes, Cameron is a lovely guy and I enjoyed his role in the story but he also has a critical part in the story as helps Alina in ways she never expected. There are a lot of secrets and things are revealed along the way. Cameron and Casey have a good story and while the reveal is a bit slow to come (which is why I can’t say anything) it is totally worth it. Once I found out what was going on with these two, it started to make more sense as to why they were in the mix with Alina.
I thought the idea that Miranda explored in this story is a unique approach. What if your soul is transitioned to someone else when you die – does that mean you have a predisposition to act the way that person acted or is there an option for that new person to become someone else entirely? This is the argument that Alina is trying to prove – she may have the soul of June, but she is Alina and she just wants to live her life and be her own person but some people won’t give her that chance.
If you like a good story with a bit of science, some mystery, and a bit of swoon you should definitely check this one out when you can. I flew through this one trying to figure it all out and also to see what would happen with these characters. Apologies on the somewhat vague review here but I don’t want to ruin the story for anyone. Just trust me when I say you should check this out when you can.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for the review copy.
September 5, 2016
This and other reviews can be found on The Psychotic Nerd
I received an ecopy of this book via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
MY THOUGHTS
I have an odd fascination with past lives and reincarnation. I don't know. I just like the idea that this life is not your only life. This book takes place in a society where there are records of a person's past lives. But the society has discovered that those who were criminals in a past life are more likely to become criminals in this one. So, when criminal June Calahan dies, all hospitals in the surrounding areas are checked for the baby with June's soul. They find Alina and for 17 years, she's kept on an island with no outside contact.
The idea behind this book is fantastic! I love the idea of a record of past lives and a society where people can be judged based on their past lives (though, that's not good). I thought Megan Miranda did a brilliant job and building this society and making it believable.
The characters were great! Alina is a strong character that you feel sympathetic towards. She's basically been imprisoned all her life and judged based on June's life. Everyone considered Alina June, not as Alina. So, she spends so much of her life trying to prove that she is not June, to no avail. But through it all, she remained strong and fought for her freedom and to redeem June's name. Other characters were great as well. Cameron & Casey were such great friends to Alina (Though, it didn't start that way) and they were just such great characters overall!
The romance was just the kind of romance I liked: minimal. I rooted for the romance, but it didn't distract from the plot, which was great!
The only issue I had was with the pacing. The plot and the story were very interesting, but the book was very slow-paced through the middle of the book.
IN CONCLUSION
This was a great read! It's such a new idea with reincarnation and the characters are great! If you like reading thriller type books and/or books with past lives, I definitely recommend it!
I received an ecopy of this book via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
MY THOUGHTS
I have an odd fascination with past lives and reincarnation. I don't know. I just like the idea that this life is not your only life. This book takes place in a society where there are records of a person's past lives. But the society has discovered that those who were criminals in a past life are more likely to become criminals in this one. So, when criminal June Calahan dies, all hospitals in the surrounding areas are checked for the baby with June's soul. They find Alina and for 17 years, she's kept on an island with no outside contact.
The idea behind this book is fantastic! I love the idea of a record of past lives and a society where people can be judged based on their past lives (though, that's not good). I thought Megan Miranda did a brilliant job and building this society and making it believable.
The characters were great! Alina is a strong character that you feel sympathetic towards. She's basically been imprisoned all her life and judged based on June's life. Everyone considered Alina June, not as Alina. So, she spends so much of her life trying to prove that she is not June, to no avail. But through it all, she remained strong and fought for her freedom and to redeem June's name. Other characters were great as well. Cameron & Casey were such great friends to Alina (Though, it didn't start that way) and they were just such great characters overall!
The romance was just the kind of romance I liked: minimal. I rooted for the romance, but it didn't distract from the plot, which was great!
The only issue I had was with the pacing. The plot and the story were very interesting, but the book was very slow-paced through the middle of the book.
IN CONCLUSION
This was a great read! It's such a new idea with reincarnation and the characters are great! If you like reading thriller type books and/or books with past lives, I definitely recommend it!
April 23, 2015
Soulprint osui ja upposi. Kun kemiat kohtaavat niin oi sitä lukemisen autuutta! Megan Mirandan kirjoissa on se jokin joka vain kolahtaa minuun niin lujaa, etten voi olla rakastamatta lukemaani.
Mirandan kirjoitus ja kerronta on sellaista mistä nautin aivan suunnattomasti. Se on kiireetöntä, vakaata, pohdiskelevaa ja sukeltaa syvälle hahmojen persoonallisuuteen tehden heistä monisävyisiä ja aivan äärimmäisen mielenkiintoisia. Aivan kuten Fracturessa, tässäkin kirjassa hahmot tekivät minuun niin suuren vaikutuksen. Ensin oli Delaney, nyt on Alina. Oli Decker ja nyt on Cameron. Niin. Suuria. Tunteita.
Kipeästi olisin halunnut vielä enemmän tätä tarinaa. Olisin halunnut tietää, mitä lopun jälkeen vielä tapahtui, koska en voi päästää siitä vielä irti. Haluan tietää, mitä Alinalle tulisi vielä tapahtumaan. Haluan tietää, löytääkö hän vielä etsimänsä. Haluan tietää, mitä Cameronille ja Caseylle tulisi vielä tapahtumaan. Haluan niin paljon enemmän. Kirja ei jäänyt kesken, mutta koska investoin itseni sataprosenttisesti tähän tarinaan, haluan vielä lisää. Toisaalta sitten toivon, ettei jatko-osaa tälle tulisi, koska Vengeance oli turha jatko niin koskettavalle Fracturelle. Tämä kirja on hyvä näin.
Pidin tästä aivan valtavasti. Aion vastedeslukea kaiken, mitä Megan Miranda kirjoittaa. Hänen tarinoidensa kanssa minulla kemiat kohtaavat niin hyvin.
4.5 tähteä!
Mirandan kirjoitus ja kerronta on sellaista mistä nautin aivan suunnattomasti. Se on kiireetöntä, vakaata, pohdiskelevaa ja sukeltaa syvälle hahmojen persoonallisuuteen tehden heistä monisävyisiä ja aivan äärimmäisen mielenkiintoisia. Aivan kuten Fracturessa, tässäkin kirjassa hahmot tekivät minuun niin suuren vaikutuksen. Ensin oli Delaney, nyt on Alina. Oli Decker ja nyt on Cameron. Niin. Suuria. Tunteita.
Kipeästi olisin halunnut vielä enemmän tätä tarinaa. Olisin halunnut tietää, mitä lopun jälkeen vielä tapahtui, koska en voi päästää siitä vielä irti. Haluan tietää, mitä Alinalle tulisi vielä tapahtumaan. Haluan tietää, löytääkö hän vielä etsimänsä. Haluan tietää, mitä Cameronille ja Caseylle tulisi vielä tapahtumaan. Haluan niin paljon enemmän. Kirja ei jäänyt kesken, mutta koska investoin itseni sataprosenttisesti tähän tarinaan, haluan vielä lisää. Toisaalta sitten toivon, ettei jatko-osaa tälle tulisi, koska Vengeance oli turha jatko niin koskettavalle Fracturelle. Tämä kirja on hyvä näin.
Pidin tästä aivan valtavasti. Aion vastedeslukea kaiken, mitä Megan Miranda kirjoittaa. Hänen tarinoidensa kanssa minulla kemiat kohtaavat niin hyvin.
4.5 tähteä!
January 21, 2015
**Slightly Spoiler-ish**
”Maybe there will be a consequence for my choices in the next life. But right now, this is the only one that matters.”
Soulprint by Megan Miranda felt new. Innovative and invigorating. A story that sparked and inspired my imagination with questions and ideas. I love when a book does that!
Seventeen year old Alina Chase has been confined her attire life for her own protection—so she is told. Protected from people that want revenge for her past life. Revenge for what her soul did as June Calahan —a brilliant, charismatic criminal that blackmailed and stole private information from the soul database. Technology that can reveal our past lives. Information that people would pay or kill to protect or forget. But now Alina is paying the price for what June did. Alina lives under constant supervision on an island with no family or friends or way out. Until…Casey and Cameron, two strangers with their own set of secrets and motives, come busting into her safe, little world. You ready?
Ready to jump. Ready to run. Ready to risk it all! Casey and Cameron pull Alina out of her bubble. Out into the world to chase after answers and clues about soul-printing that June may or may not have left for her. This tech filled scavenger hunt will have readers wondering about their own past souls and decisions in life. Would you want to know your past life? What if you were a killer? What if you were unlucky in love or money? Should the past be forgotten? Can it be? Or does it leave a mark? Can our past lives influence who we are today? This story fuels so many questions and twists and turns. I love it!
I did hit a couple of bumps though. I did not feel any tension or suspense. Alina was on the run--for her life--but I felt no danger really. The Big Bads came and then went. Locked away with no real fuss or pain. I wanted to experience the RUN! Hear and jump to the “Get down!”s. Feel the trust no one vibe. But…for me, that heat or adrenaline was missing from this journey.
I did meet three very brave, intelligent survivors though. Characters I liked and rooted for. Friends and family that would do anything for each other. I felt that! Friendship. Not romance…which brings me to my other bump in the reading road. Was the romance really necessary? Friendship would have been more than enough for me. I didn’t feel the spark. I have to agree with Casey here—it wasn’t the time. Maybe if it was just the two of them—. Sometimes that “we only have each other” heat and vibe can build and build into something more. But having Casey right there kind of ruined the mood for me. Haha….
That said….I still enjoyed the ride and IDEA. Look at the four stars! An idea can get under my skin and build and build into something more—something special--and that is just what Soulprint did. The idea of knowing who we are. Trying to break the mold of what or who everyone thinks you are. Gah! I haven’t stopped running through all of my Soulprint notes and ideas yet and it’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve read it. I just know that these pages inspire and push you to make this life count. Live for right now.
This book leaves a mark.
Recommended.
September 30, 2014
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This had a really promising premise: soulprinting. In the same way that fingerprints are unique, so are souls. This means a soul can be traced from reincarnation to reincarnation, and that consequences of previous lives end up spilling into the present one. This is what happens to Alina. Because she had the misfortune of hosting June’s soul and because June was considered to be extremely dangerous, Alina spent her life locked in an island.
However, the execution of the premise leaves a lot to be desired if what you crave is action. There is not much action here. Well, there is, in the first few chapters. Then, it begins to drag and switches from action-packed to extremely philosophical. Halfway through, it seems the characters are more concerned with pondering whether or not the fact that a soul was bad in one life means it will be bad in the next life. Because of this, the thriller aspect fell apart, at least for me.
This had a really promising premise: soulprinting. In the same way that fingerprints are unique, so are souls. This means a soul can be traced from reincarnation to reincarnation, and that consequences of previous lives end up spilling into the present one. This is what happens to Alina. Because she had the misfortune of hosting June’s soul and because June was considered to be extremely dangerous, Alina spent her life locked in an island.
However, the execution of the premise leaves a lot to be desired if what you crave is action. There is not much action here. Well, there is, in the first few chapters. Then, it begins to drag and switches from action-packed to extremely philosophical. Halfway through, it seems the characters are more concerned with pondering whether or not the fact that a soul was bad in one life means it will be bad in the next life. Because of this, the thriller aspect fell apart, at least for me.
January 17, 2015
This was a pretty clever premise and it was executed fairly well.
I liked the non-stop action and the general feeling of uncertainty about the situation really came across in the writing. Alina, Cameron, and Casey are all interesting. The way their back stories are revealed is a sort of slow, delicious torture.
The only downside was the passages of long science-y stuff. I hated biology and genetics when I had to take it in school and I still hate it. I ended up skimming those sections.
All in all, a quick read that had me captivated from the beginning.
**Huge thanks to Bloomsbury for proving the arc in exchange for an honest review**
I liked the non-stop action and the general feeling of uncertainty about the situation really came across in the writing. Alina, Cameron, and Casey are all interesting. The way their back stories are revealed is a sort of slow, delicious torture.
The only downside was the passages of long science-y stuff. I hated biology and genetics when I had to take it in school and I still hate it. I ended up skimming those sections.
All in all, a quick read that had me captivated from the beginning.
**Huge thanks to Bloomsbury for proving the arc in exchange for an honest review**
March 2, 2015
Really enjoyed this concept. Review to come @ Winterhaven Books 1/29
April 26, 2017
Before reading this book I was very intrigued by the plot of this book. But to me it fell a bit flat.
I enjoyed reading the book but it didn't seem memorable to me. I guess that I expected more. I wanted to learn more about the different lives of the souls, have more context. What do they remember from past lives? How does it affect them? I expected flashbacks, deep inner conversations from the soul, recognizing other souls...
Some aspects were just a bit too predictable and I was left wondering why Alina didn't saw it herself, having had so much time to think.
So, conclusion: I enjoyed the book, but don't find it memorable enough to add it to my existing library or read it again in the future.
I've added the book to my shelf 'for sale'. Anybody wanting to trade books, send me a pm
I enjoyed reading the book but it didn't seem memorable to me. I guess that I expected more. I wanted to learn more about the different lives of the souls, have more context. What do they remember from past lives? How does it affect them? I expected flashbacks, deep inner conversations from the soul, recognizing other souls...
Some aspects were just a bit too predictable and I was left wondering why Alina didn't saw it herself, having had so much time to think.
So, conclusion: I enjoyed the book, but don't find it memorable enough to add it to my existing library or read it again in the future.
I've added the book to my shelf 'for sale'. Anybody wanting to trade books, send me a pm
February 25, 2015
4.5 stars because I loved the concept so much. :-)
My review can also be found HERE
‘Most souls are free of their pasts. Of their crimes and transgressions, their love and hate. Because a soul has no memory, and that’s a scientific fact.
Still, most people agree it’s better not to find out who you once were. And if you do find out, it’s best to keep that knowledge to yourself. Because while the soul has no memory, the world does, and that is usually enough.’ Loc 70
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
There was soooo much depth to this story! I just loved it.
Soulprint is based around the idea of reincarnation and that your soul can be traced, like DNA. Scientists claim that there is a 0.8 out of 1.0 chance that, if your soul committed a crime in a previous life then, they are likely to commit a crime in the next. Wouldn’t it therefore, be a good idea to know who these people are?
Alina Chase finds herself growing up in confinement because in a previous life she hacked into a database and released this information to the world because she believed that people had a right to know who they were living next door to. Freedom of information people, Freedom of information! But when vigilantes start punishing innocent children for their previous soul crimes people start to realise that perhaps freedom of information is not as important as Human Rights.
Apparently, June (Alina’s previous self) and her lover Liam White then moved on to Blackmailing these evil soul’s. They were later hunted down and killed, but not before June declared that she would not stop, and she will continue this in her next life. It was (apparently) for this reason that Alina was systematically hunted out and confined. Because how could they let her get away with this again? But nothing is ever black and white is it???
See I told you, so much thought has gone into this storyline! I found that I just couldn’t put it down. It was terrifying that no matter what Alina did, she couldn’t escape the accusations that she was June. She made herself left handed so she wasn’t the same, that must be June’s soul being stubborn and when she waved at the cameras, well damn if that wasn’t June’s soul gloating. She just couldn’t win! But that wasn’t the whole of this story because most of this story is told while Alina is on the run. She escapes the island she’s confined too with the help of a girl, Casey, Casey’s brother, Cameron and an ex-guard Dominic, all of who have their own motivation to free Alina. The hunt for the truth and something-anything that will set them free, commences.
I loved Alina she was strong, brave and defiant to the end! She held true to her belief that her soul was her own. Cameron was so cute. He made a great love interest. Casey made a good ‘reluctant’ friend and Dominic… well Dominic was creepy and scared the crap out of me. I really enjoyed reading the development of the relationships between these characters and how the pressure of (re-)capture effected each of them differently.
I think there were only a couple of things that niggled away at me. One was the why Alina/June was confined and yet her accomplice, and the person who apparently did the hacking, Liam wasn’t! Why would that happen? And the other was the ending. It just seemed to easy to clean cut. All the answers were given to them without to much coercion or hassle.
Never-the-less I really enjoyed Soulprint. Megan Miranda has an amazing imagination. I may have to go and buy all her other books right now!
My review can also be found HERE
‘Most souls are free of their pasts. Of their crimes and transgressions, their love and hate. Because a soul has no memory, and that’s a scientific fact.
Still, most people agree it’s better not to find out who you once were. And if you do find out, it’s best to keep that knowledge to yourself. Because while the soul has no memory, the world does, and that is usually enough.’ Loc 70
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
There was soooo much depth to this story! I just loved it.
Soulprint is based around the idea of reincarnation and that your soul can be traced, like DNA. Scientists claim that there is a 0.8 out of 1.0 chance that, if your soul committed a crime in a previous life then, they are likely to commit a crime in the next. Wouldn’t it therefore, be a good idea to know who these people are?
Alina Chase finds herself growing up in confinement because in a previous life she hacked into a database and released this information to the world because she believed that people had a right to know who they were living next door to. Freedom of information people, Freedom of information! But when vigilantes start punishing innocent children for their previous soul crimes people start to realise that perhaps freedom of information is not as important as Human Rights.
Apparently, June (Alina’s previous self) and her lover Liam White then moved on to Blackmailing these evil soul’s. They were later hunted down and killed, but not before June declared that she would not stop, and she will continue this in her next life. It was (apparently) for this reason that Alina was systematically hunted out and confined. Because how could they let her get away with this again? But nothing is ever black and white is it???
See I told you, so much thought has gone into this storyline! I found that I just couldn’t put it down. It was terrifying that no matter what Alina did, she couldn’t escape the accusations that she was June. She made herself left handed so she wasn’t the same, that must be June’s soul being stubborn and when she waved at the cameras, well damn if that wasn’t June’s soul gloating. She just couldn’t win! But that wasn’t the whole of this story because most of this story is told while Alina is on the run. She escapes the island she’s confined too with the help of a girl, Casey, Casey’s brother, Cameron and an ex-guard Dominic, all of who have their own motivation to free Alina. The hunt for the truth and something-anything that will set them free, commences.
I loved Alina she was strong, brave and defiant to the end! She held true to her belief that her soul was her own. Cameron was so cute. He made a great love interest. Casey made a good ‘reluctant’ friend and Dominic… well Dominic was creepy and scared the crap out of me. I really enjoyed reading the development of the relationships between these characters and how the pressure of (re-)capture effected each of them differently.
I think there were only a couple of things that niggled away at me. One was the why Alina/June was confined and yet her accomplice, and the person who apparently did the hacking, Liam wasn’t! Why would that happen? And the other was the ending. It just seemed to easy to clean cut. All the answers were given to them without to much coercion or hassle.
Never-the-less I really enjoyed Soulprint. Megan Miranda has an amazing imagination. I may have to go and buy all her other books right now!
January 4, 2015
http://www.divabooknerd.com/2015/01/s...
Soulprint lured me in from the first chapter, in an unexpected and engaging storyline that kept me enthralled. It follows the story of Alina, a girl who inherited the soul of June, a traitor to her country for hacking the database of a soul registry where infants were tested to scientifically determine their past life. Her life has been plagued by media speculation, that if she were ever freed, Alina would continue the work of June. With one former escape that nearly ended her meager life, now on her seventeenth birthday Alina has been given a second chance at freedom.
Her lifeline comes in the form of sibling duo Cameron and Casey, who along with former guard Dominic, want more than to free the girl who lives her life within the secure compound.
I keep waiting for freedom to feel like something else. Something not so disorientating. Something not so terrifying. Something more.
On the run, it's clear that Dominic wants to use Alina once again for his own personal gain, Casey wants information on her missing sister and Cameron seems to be as wary of Alina as she is of him. Alina is an engaging, likable and relatable character. She's not only running for her freedom, but her inner demons in the form of June. It seems that everyone wants something from her, all except Cameron and the two form a tentative friendship whilst on the run. He doesn't see her soul as belonging to June, but rather her own. It's an intense romance where both Alina and Cameron learn to trust one another and sacrifice their own lives, of the nation of oppression and fear of their past selves.
It's my second experience into delving into a world created by Megan Miranda, having read Hysteria, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's not only well written, but unique and a mild science fiction that will appeal to the wider audience.
Soulprint lured me in from the first chapter, in an unexpected and engaging storyline that kept me enthralled. It follows the story of Alina, a girl who inherited the soul of June, a traitor to her country for hacking the database of a soul registry where infants were tested to scientifically determine their past life. Her life has been plagued by media speculation, that if she were ever freed, Alina would continue the work of June. With one former escape that nearly ended her meager life, now on her seventeenth birthday Alina has been given a second chance at freedom.
Her lifeline comes in the form of sibling duo Cameron and Casey, who along with former guard Dominic, want more than to free the girl who lives her life within the secure compound.
I keep waiting for freedom to feel like something else. Something not so disorientating. Something not so terrifying. Something more.
On the run, it's clear that Dominic wants to use Alina once again for his own personal gain, Casey wants information on her missing sister and Cameron seems to be as wary of Alina as she is of him. Alina is an engaging, likable and relatable character. She's not only running for her freedom, but her inner demons in the form of June. It seems that everyone wants something from her, all except Cameron and the two form a tentative friendship whilst on the run. He doesn't see her soul as belonging to June, but rather her own. It's an intense romance where both Alina and Cameron learn to trust one another and sacrifice their own lives, of the nation of oppression and fear of their past selves.
It's my second experience into delving into a world created by Megan Miranda, having read Hysteria, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's not only well written, but unique and a mild science fiction that will appeal to the wider audience.
January 22, 2015
Set in a time where anything is possible, Soulprint explores that possibility of past lives and souls that never die, that never truly go away but instead, regenerate after death into someone new. Someone who can be punished for mistakes you may have made.
Always being fascinated with the possibility of reincarnation, it was no wonder the synopsis for Soulprint appealed to me. The what ifs of it all were too appealing to ignore and so, I picked this up already being familiar with Miranda's work and sure that she would deliver an outstanding read, and dove head first into the fray.
And I did get something unusual, something different, and even something slightly, dare I say, strange?
I admit, this wasn't quite what I was expecting it to be and I am still unsure of whether that was a good thing or a bad thing. Either way, I did get the unexpected and I did get something original and at times, fun.
Miranda knows how to set up a story and make you invested in the outcome. She knows how to keep you turning the pages simply because you are fascinated with the direction the story took. With the direction she choose to lead us.
The only downside was that at times the story tended to drag and slow down almost to a crawl and instead of being riveted to the page, I instead found myself slightly let down and forcing myself to continue with the story, only to be hooked once again as it picked back up.
I wouldn't say this was Miranda's best work but it was imaginative and creative at times and did keep me curious if nothing else. But honestly, over time, I can't imagine this is a story that will stick with you or one that you will remember months from putting it down.
Always being fascinated with the possibility of reincarnation, it was no wonder the synopsis for Soulprint appealed to me. The what ifs of it all were too appealing to ignore and so, I picked this up already being familiar with Miranda's work and sure that she would deliver an outstanding read, and dove head first into the fray.
And I did get something unusual, something different, and even something slightly, dare I say, strange?
I admit, this wasn't quite what I was expecting it to be and I am still unsure of whether that was a good thing or a bad thing. Either way, I did get the unexpected and I did get something original and at times, fun.
Miranda knows how to set up a story and make you invested in the outcome. She knows how to keep you turning the pages simply because you are fascinated with the direction the story took. With the direction she choose to lead us.
The only downside was that at times the story tended to drag and slow down almost to a crawl and instead of being riveted to the page, I instead found myself slightly let down and forcing myself to continue with the story, only to be hooked once again as it picked back up.
I wouldn't say this was Miranda's best work but it was imaginative and creative at times and did keep me curious if nothing else. But honestly, over time, I can't imagine this is a story that will stick with you or one that you will remember months from putting it down.
March 26, 2015
While Soulprint brings up some interesting questions – how are we shaped by our pasts? how are we shaped by our environments? – I was ultimately not thrilled by its execution.
In the world of the novel, here are the things you need to believe for this book to make sense to you: that there are souls, one; that souls are reincarnated (and are immediately reincarnated upon dying, but only travel short distances because … reasons), two; and that there���s a study that claims a high level of correspondence between criminal activity in past lives and criminal activity in current lives. Once a psychopath, always a psychopath.
In the novel “shared souls” is kind of a stand-in (at least to my mind) for genes and their influence – the comparison to heredity is made more than once over the course of the novel. There is also a biological component to soul-printing (accessing some sort of spinal fluid identifies folks as sharing linked souls across generations). This is to say, the book’s main question seems to be – are our choices already predetermined for us? (Whether, as in Soulprint, through the passage of souls into new bodies, or by getting particular genes from our parents.) Can we be at fault for the choices we make if those choices are seriously constrained?
See the rest of my review at The Midnight Garden.
In the world of the novel, here are the things you need to believe for this book to make sense to you: that there are souls, one; that souls are reincarnated (and are immediately reincarnated upon dying, but only travel short distances because … reasons), two; and that there���s a study that claims a high level of correspondence between criminal activity in past lives and criminal activity in current lives. Once a psychopath, always a psychopath.
In the novel “shared souls” is kind of a stand-in (at least to my mind) for genes and their influence – the comparison to heredity is made more than once over the course of the novel. There is also a biological component to soul-printing (accessing some sort of spinal fluid identifies folks as sharing linked souls across generations). This is to say, the book’s main question seems to be – are our choices already predetermined for us? (Whether, as in Soulprint, through the passage of souls into new bodies, or by getting particular genes from our parents.) Can we be at fault for the choices we make if those choices are seriously constrained?
See the rest of my review at The Midnight Garden.
September 27, 2014
(I received a copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.)
Soulprint dragged too much for me.
I felt sorry for Alina. Being imprisoned and having your freedom taken away from you for something that you had no control over is awful. I felt sorry for her parents too. They knew what sort of life she would have, and they tried their best to stop it from happening. It must have been horrible for them knowing they hadn't saved her.
The pacing in this was really really slow, and i was bored becuase of it. The storyline interested me to start with, but the level of interest dropped with every chapter. I just really wanted the story to get on with it, and stop dragging!
Overall, Alright, but too slow.
Soulprint dragged too much for me.
I felt sorry for Alina. Being imprisoned and having your freedom taken away from you for something that you had no control over is awful. I felt sorry for her parents too. They knew what sort of life she would have, and they tried their best to stop it from happening. It must have been horrible for them knowing they hadn't saved her.
The pacing in this was really really slow, and i was bored becuase of it. The storyline interested me to start with, but the level of interest dropped with every chapter. I just really wanted the story to get on with it, and stop dragging!
Overall, Alright, but too slow.
January 23, 2015
A bit slow for the first half or so, but interesting enough that I really needed to know what was happening and really great in the end.
Review to come...
Review to come...
March 31, 2021
From the determination to find the truth of the past and the different bonds between each character, this book kept me guessing and is full of suspense. It was really great and the ending was such a relief:D
November 4, 2019
What a disappointment. The premise was solid but the presentation was lack-luster at best. I was bored the entire time.
February 21, 2015
Well, well, wasn't this the pleasant surprise! I honestly didn't know what to think of this going in, and figured it was going to go one of two ways: Unbelievable and silly, or thought provoking and exciting. And thankfully, it was the latter.
The thing that made it really work for me is that no one completely understood how the soul worked. I liked that they admitted that, because I think anything else would have been really hard to believe. In Soulprint's world, souls move on to another body after death, and science has allowed for the soul to be "tested" so a person could find out who their soul belonged to before them. In this situation, it was "we know souls transfer, we just don't know why or how", and honestly, I can't imagine any other way to feasibly handle the topic.
Alina, whose soul used to belong to a wanted criminal who was attempting to overthrow the soul database system, was quite a sympathetic and likable character. She was literally paying for someone else's crime, as she was confined to an island. It seemed a bit farfetched, but the government didn't want to appear to be imprisoning children for something they had no control over, so they basically locked her up, just in a luxurious setting.
Alina wants her freedom, of course, so when the chance arises, she grabs it. Her escape comes at the hands of siblings Casey and Cameron, and former guard Dominic. These characters had good backstory and development as well, so I found myself invested in each of them. Though I had figured a few major things out early on, the unravelling of their individual stories was almost as intriguing as Alina's.
Obviously, Alina and her escape partners are on the run. They have to hide, and for some time it seems that Alina has simply traded one prison for another, much less comfortable one. But since Alina is a strong willed character, and wants to have an actual life, maybe even find her family, so she decides to try to figure out what June was involved with and attempt to clear her name- or go down fighting.
Some other aspects that I enjoyed:
-The romance was enjoyable, but not the main focus. I was definitely invested in it but it didn't take over the story.
-I loved the questions that were brought up. I mean, the entire concept of a soul was at the core of this book, and what exactly makes us who we are is questioned. I love a book that can really make the reader think, even long after the book is read. This fits the bill.
-The ending was really quite perfect. Not wrapped up completely, but enough that you didn't want to rip your hair out. Hopeful, but not unbelievable. I really thought it was well done, and fit with the tone of the book.
-June's backstory was so fun to delve into. Imagine trying to find clues from someone who'd been dead as long as you'd been alive, someone who you have a connection to that goes beyond life. It was all pretty incredible.
The only thing that really kept me from giving the book five stars was that some of the plot moved a little slow at times. I didn't exactly mind, because I was anxious to continue the story, but it was a factor. My other issue was that I did figure out a few of the twists quite early on, which was kind of a bummer, BUT there were a lot of other twists that took me by surprise, so it ended up working out fine.
Bottom Line: This book kind of has it all: Science, romance, mystery, conspiracy, friendship, and quite a bit of thought provocation. Definitely a win.
*I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review.*
This review was originally posted on It Starts at Midnight
The thing that made it really work for me is that no one completely understood how the soul worked. I liked that they admitted that, because I think anything else would have been really hard to believe. In Soulprint's world, souls move on to another body after death, and science has allowed for the soul to be "tested" so a person could find out who their soul belonged to before them. In this situation, it was "we know souls transfer, we just don't know why or how", and honestly, I can't imagine any other way to feasibly handle the topic.
Alina, whose soul used to belong to a wanted criminal who was attempting to overthrow the soul database system, was quite a sympathetic and likable character. She was literally paying for someone else's crime, as she was confined to an island. It seemed a bit farfetched, but the government didn't want to appear to be imprisoning children for something they had no control over, so they basically locked her up, just in a luxurious setting.
Alina wants her freedom, of course, so when the chance arises, she grabs it. Her escape comes at the hands of siblings Casey and Cameron, and former guard Dominic. These characters had good backstory and development as well, so I found myself invested in each of them. Though I had figured a few major things out early on, the unravelling of their individual stories was almost as intriguing as Alina's.
Obviously, Alina and her escape partners are on the run. They have to hide, and for some time it seems that Alina has simply traded one prison for another, much less comfortable one. But since Alina is a strong willed character, and wants to have an actual life, maybe even find her family, so she decides to try to figure out what June was involved with and attempt to clear her name- or go down fighting.
Some other aspects that I enjoyed:
-The romance was enjoyable, but not the main focus. I was definitely invested in it but it didn't take over the story.
-I loved the questions that were brought up. I mean, the entire concept of a soul was at the core of this book, and what exactly makes us who we are is questioned. I love a book that can really make the reader think, even long after the book is read. This fits the bill.
-The ending was really quite perfect. Not wrapped up completely, but enough that you didn't want to rip your hair out. Hopeful, but not unbelievable. I really thought it was well done, and fit with the tone of the book.
-June's backstory was so fun to delve into. Imagine trying to find clues from someone who'd been dead as long as you'd been alive, someone who you have a connection to that goes beyond life. It was all pretty incredible.
The only thing that really kept me from giving the book five stars was that some of the plot moved a little slow at times. I didn't exactly mind, because I was anxious to continue the story, but it was a factor. My other issue was that I did figure out a few of the twists quite early on, which was kind of a bummer, BUT there were a lot of other twists that took me by surprise, so it ended up working out fine.
Bottom Line: This book kind of has it all: Science, romance, mystery, conspiracy, friendship, and quite a bit of thought provocation. Definitely a win.
*I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review.*
This review was originally posted on It Starts at Midnight
January 29, 2015
Alina Chase is imprisoned on an island for something she didn’t do. She is locked away for something her previous self in a past life did. But not everyone wants Alina locked away. A group is coming to break her out, but she doesn’t know what they want from her. Or from June, the girl she was in her past life. And what if she can’t help them?
I had wanted to read Soulprint right away. I really enjoyed Megan Miranda’s first book Fracture and she is quickly becoming a seasoned author who writes fast paced action thrillers that still retains substance and character development. I’m happy to say that Soulprint did not disappoint.
Alina is a unique character. She seems like an everyday girl but she isn’t. She’s been locked away for so long that while she is very smart and knowledgeable, she has a lot of learning to do about other people and the world around her. I liked how vulnerable she was, not sure on what to do but using her intellect to devise what was right, wrong and making good choices. Her desperation to escape balanced by the fear of what’s out there is a nice view into her special situation. And then there’s June, the voice in her head she can’t shake. We only really encounter June through Alina, allowing the reader to fully understand the shadow that is June. The murky shadow that lives with Alina, that reminds Alina, that places clues in Alina’s way. I really liked that June is mysterious and not totally full in the book. It brought me closer to Alina and wht she might be going through, to have her whole life determined by past actions that she herself didn’t even make. And that a part of that girl is still roaming around in her memories.
Cameron and Casey are decent sidekicks. I liked Casey and Alina together, their honest conversations. Casey and Cameron are both really smart in their own ways. I love it when a book is written about smart teens! I get super frustrated when a main character does a really obviously stupid thing. That never happened here, which I am so thankful for. All three of them had good heads on their shoulders, assessing situations, and making calculated risks. it lead to a much more interesting thriller. There’s a little bit of romance but it’s not front and center. I liked the depth that it added to the characters but I also liked that it wasn’t super in your face. The plot is interesting and the story moves really fast so a love angle could have really slowed it down but Miranda weaves it through perfectly, giving the reader just enough to wet their appetite but not lose sight of the goals.
I really enjoyed Soulprint, picking it up every little chance I got. it’s a good fast paced thriller that keeps the action moving and does not ignore character development. I think a lot of fans who like this type of genre will be blown away by Soulprint!
I had wanted to read Soulprint right away. I really enjoyed Megan Miranda’s first book Fracture and she is quickly becoming a seasoned author who writes fast paced action thrillers that still retains substance and character development. I’m happy to say that Soulprint did not disappoint.
Alina is a unique character. She seems like an everyday girl but she isn’t. She’s been locked away for so long that while she is very smart and knowledgeable, she has a lot of learning to do about other people and the world around her. I liked how vulnerable she was, not sure on what to do but using her intellect to devise what was right, wrong and making good choices. Her desperation to escape balanced by the fear of what’s out there is a nice view into her special situation. And then there’s June, the voice in her head she can’t shake. We only really encounter June through Alina, allowing the reader to fully understand the shadow that is June. The murky shadow that lives with Alina, that reminds Alina, that places clues in Alina’s way. I really liked that June is mysterious and not totally full in the book. It brought me closer to Alina and wht she might be going through, to have her whole life determined by past actions that she herself didn’t even make. And that a part of that girl is still roaming around in her memories.
Cameron and Casey are decent sidekicks. I liked Casey and Alina together, their honest conversations. Casey and Cameron are both really smart in their own ways. I love it when a book is written about smart teens! I get super frustrated when a main character does a really obviously stupid thing. That never happened here, which I am so thankful for. All three of them had good heads on their shoulders, assessing situations, and making calculated risks. it lead to a much more interesting thriller. There’s a little bit of romance but it’s not front and center. I liked the depth that it added to the characters but I also liked that it wasn’t super in your face. The plot is interesting and the story moves really fast so a love angle could have really slowed it down but Miranda weaves it through perfectly, giving the reader just enough to wet their appetite but not lose sight of the goals.
I really enjoyed Soulprint, picking it up every little chance I got. it’s a good fast paced thriller that keeps the action moving and does not ignore character development. I think a lot of fans who like this type of genre will be blown away by Soulprint!
March 28, 2015
**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: http://bookbriefs.net**
Soulprint is one crazy ride. The idea pulled me in right from the beginning. The idea that souls can live on in multiple live is nothing new. Reincarnation has been around for a long while, but don't let that fool you into thinking this book is something overdone. Megan Miranda took this idea and ran so far with it that you will hardly recognize it. I love the blend of suspense, action/chase, science, and the layers of corruption that she wove into the story of Soulprint. It is one excellent ride!
The biggest mystery to me is why it took me so long to read and finish Soulprint. I really enjoyed this book from start to finish but for whatever reason it took me way longer to read than most books. That is still a mystery to me because I didn't put the book down because I was bored. This book had me thinking and pondering the whole time, which was more than enough to keep me engaged and interested in the storyline. I was fascinated by the clues that June left Alina. Was she good? Was she bad? Just what the heck had she done that made them lock Alina down like they did.
I loved how unique and different this book felt. It had kind of an inception feel to it, even though it was really nothing like inception. It was part political thriller, part sci-fi dystopian, and a whole lot of interesting. I thought the characters and the plot were extremely well done. The romance was nice, but not the predominant theme of the book. It was just kind of there pleasantly swirling around in the background of this awesomely cool and intense chase that Aline, Cameron, Dominic and Casey were on.
Soulprint didn't specifically state that it was going to be the first book in a series, but it was strongly implied. I, for one, really want there to be a sequel. I can't wait to see if Aline will finally find her mother, or if it will be someone else entirely. Plus, there is the whole issue with Dominic. I think there is so much more about him that we have yet to learn. Bring it on! Bring it all on, Megan Miranda! I want more of the world you built in Soulprint.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
Soulprint is one crazy ride. The idea pulled me in right from the beginning. The idea that souls can live on in multiple live is nothing new. Reincarnation has been around for a long while, but don't let that fool you into thinking this book is something overdone. Megan Miranda took this idea and ran so far with it that you will hardly recognize it. I love the blend of suspense, action/chase, science, and the layers of corruption that she wove into the story of Soulprint. It is one excellent ride!
The biggest mystery to me is why it took me so long to read and finish Soulprint. I really enjoyed this book from start to finish but for whatever reason it took me way longer to read than most books. That is still a mystery to me because I didn't put the book down because I was bored. This book had me thinking and pondering the whole time, which was more than enough to keep me engaged and interested in the storyline. I was fascinated by the clues that June left Alina. Was she good? Was she bad? Just what the heck had she done that made them lock Alina down like they did.
I loved how unique and different this book felt. It had kind of an inception feel to it, even though it was really nothing like inception. It was part political thriller, part sci-fi dystopian, and a whole lot of interesting. I thought the characters and the plot were extremely well done. The romance was nice, but not the predominant theme of the book. It was just kind of there pleasantly swirling around in the background of this awesomely cool and intense chase that Aline, Cameron, Dominic and Casey were on.
Soulprint didn't specifically state that it was going to be the first book in a series, but it was strongly implied. I, for one, really want there to be a sequel. I can't wait to see if Aline will finally find her mother, or if it will be someone else entirely. Plus, there is the whole issue with Dominic. I think there is so much more about him that we have yet to learn. Bring it on! Bring it all on, Megan Miranda! I want more of the world you built in Soulprint.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
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