Review of Soulprint by Megan Miranda: A Cool YA Reincarnation Book
My Review of Soulprint by Megan Miranda will discuss the pros and cons of this YA sci fi book with a philosophical bent. It’s also a YA reincarnation book of sorts. Remember when those were all the rage?
Soulprint by Megan Miranda
To be published by Bloomsbury Kids on February 3, 2015. Thanks to Bloomsbury for approving me for an e-ARC for review. I read this book in 2015.
Review of Soulprint by Megan Miranda
I’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 seemed 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.
Yes, 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:
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.
If you’re a Megan Miranda fan or a fan of sci-fi, give it a try!
I also have reviews of most of Megan Miranda’s other adult books on my adult mystery and thriller blog.
Oh wow – that sounds really interesting. Is it a stand alone?
Karen @For What It's Worth
I think so, yes!
I hate the cover and title, but this sounds like my kind of book!! I can't wait to read this one. 🙂
I didn't like the title either. But you should try it!!
This is the second review I've read for this book and now i'm SUPER intrigued about this one. I love the premise and this would definitely be a different read for me. Lovely review Jen!
The premise is really awesome, isn't it?
I enjoyed this book and it was so much better than I thought it would be. Great review and I love that its a stand alone.
Agree with everything you said 🙂
This sounds fantastic! Great review 🙂
I really enjoyed it!
I enjoyed this one too. I loved the story concept so much. Glad you decided to give it a go and enjoyed it!
Me too — this is why bloggers are important: for spreading word of mouth…
Thriller and romance? Sounds like my type of book! I'll be keeping an eye out for this one 🙂
It's so exciting at the beginning and then the romance was really sweet!
Not the biggest fan of the cover, but the premise sounds amazing! Really want to read this one. 🙂
Everyone is saying they don't like the cover. I guess it doesn't grab me, but it does convey the concept.
Don't judge a book by its cover, I guess. The synopsis is intriguing, I must read it immediately!
Ha! I guess I am the black sheep on the cover 🙂
I really enjoyed this book. you hit everything right on target. There was a bit of a slow down but it wasn't bad because I needed a place to breathe. I also liked the idea of old and new and yes it did raise some interesting questions. I loved the romance. I thought it worked well and was so sweet but yet passionate. great review.
I read Ashley's review too and was wondering about this one. How would you say it compares to Incarnate by Jodi Meadows? This sounds like a similar premise just more techy rather than fantasy.
I haven't read Incarnate so cannot compare. But it definitely reads like a thriller. A philosophical thriller if there is such a thing!
Great review! I haven't been too sure if I wanted to read Soulprint, but I am beginning to reconsider. 🙂