Review of Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey

ByJen
25 Comments

Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey

Published on December 8, 2011 by Speak Books/Penguin

I originally read Shattered Souls in 2011, but this is a completely new UPDATED review that looks back on the book as a reader in September 2023.

Jen’s 2023 Review of Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey

Shattered Souls is such a classic 2010s YA book!
In my 2011 review, I complimented this book for its “gorgeous cover” (more on that soon) and said that “I loved reading about Lenzi’s struggle to understand if the voices she is hearing were a result of her family history of schizophernia, or something more…  Shattered Souls has a  good blend of suspense, romance and action. A definite must-read of 2011!”

But if Shattered Souls isn’t the most 2010s YA Book ever, I don’t know what is!

Let’s count the ways! First, the synopsis of Shattered Souls:

Plot Summary for Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey

Lenzi hears voices and has visions – gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes.
Her boyfriend, Zak, can’t help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she’s a reincarnated Speaker – someone who can talk to and help lost souls – and that he has been her Protector for centuries.Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn’t make a decision soon.

1. Shattered Souls is a PARANORMAL ROMANCE

After Twilight by Stephenie Meyer was published in 2008 and became a publishing sensation, YA paranormal romances flooded the market. Like Twilight, these books featured relateable (?) heroines navigating angst and drama, faced with high stakes, and involved in a heart-pounding romance.

Shattered Souls is a Reincarnation Book, a subgenre of Paranormal Romance that had a bit of a moment in the 2011s.

Check out my list of 2010s books that feature Reincarnation here.

2. Look at that cover of Shattered Souls! A Classic “Girls With Dresses” 2010s YA Cover

Lenzi’s dress is stunning: blood-red, strapless, and dissolving into rose petals. A perfect 2010s YA heroine dress.  All the characters looked like they were on their way to the prom, and why not?

3.  Shattered Souls clearly has a LOVE TRIANGLE. 

Does Lenzi’s boyfriend Zak even have a chance against Alden?  Hahahaha. The book does a classic move for ending this love triangle, but at least it doesn’t play out over multiple books.

What Did Other 2010s Readers Think of Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey?

Olivia of Olivia’s Books found it “draggy and boring in the first half,” but thought it picked up. She didn’t think it was anything special, but thought that YA paranormal fans would enjoy it.
Reading Vacation found it breathtaking, with superb writing and an engaging plot.
In 2011, I came out more on Olivia’s side. I do think that Mary Lindsey is a talented writer, but reincarnation and time travel paranormals really aren’t for me. They usually do have love triangles.
Did you read this, either back in the 2010s, or more recently? Tell me your thoughts in comments!

Jen has been blogging about books since 2011. In that time, she has read and reviewed over 1500 books. She loves helping readers find their perfect next read and helping books find their audience.

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25 Comments

  5. The cover on this book is really stunning! The book itself I have been seeing all over the place and am super interested in being able to win it!!! Thank you so much for the giveaway!!!

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  18. I really have to stop reading book blogs. My poor bank accound can't afford all these books adding to my wishlist!

    Thanks for the giveaway! The novel sounds fantastic!

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  19. Thank you for the giveaway. I am so in love with this cover especially since its red that's what makes it so awesome. I am very excited for this book I definitely want to read it.

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