Council of Souls (Fated Eternals #2)

After surviving the perils of an ancient family feud, Jack Hammond and Leah Winters believe only happiness lies ahead. However, their future isn’t as secure as they think. When Death and his council arrive to welcome Leah into their treacherous shadow world, the couple discovers that Leah’s immortality has come with a high price.

With Artagan’s help, Leah slowly learns how to navigate the dark waters of the Concilium Animarum—the Council of Souls. As their world starts to unravel further, their love is all Jack and Leah have left. Will that be enough?

*May Contain Spoilers*

Jen Printy continues the love story of Jack and Leah in this sequel, Council of Souls. However, now that Leah is immortal like Jack, Death wants to make her a grim reaper and a member of his council. While Death's reasons are his own, other council members feel slighted and seem to be considering an alternate path for Leah. 

I reviewed the first book in this series four years ago and though my memory of the first book was a little blurry, I remembered enough to keep myself from getting too confused. Because of the intricacies of the immortal beings that Printy creates, I think this is a book that requires the first installment in order for readers to really feel at ease with everything that's happening. I say that mainly because of the different types of immortals there are in the book: Endless, Timeless, Soul Immortals, Soulless, etc. It gets a little confusing with so many different categories of immortals. 

Regardless, in the first book Jack and Leah were reunited after 150 years. Now in this book, they're happily together but there's been a major development in Leah's immortal status. Death wants to make her a grim reaper, or a gatherer, and Jack is definitely not okay with it. Leah fears she'll become a monster like other gatherers if she becomes used to the act of taking people's souls. Artagan is assigned as her guide, however, which allows Leah to be introduced to the act of gathering souls at a reasonable pace. But trouble ensues when Death and others want to push things along. 

I think readers will feel connected with Jack and Leah based on the foundation created in the first book. They have a very long history and the story is written to embellish that. Though in this book, readers see Leah and Jack set against quite a strong adversary and figure out a way to overcome it or choose a true death to save themselves. The way that both react to this demonstrates how deeply devoted they are to each other while also giving readers a larger sense of their morality. With the stakes running this high, readers who like paranormal romance and fantasy will be consumed with the story. And yes, I'd bet on a book number three. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups

Review of the first book: My Soul Immortal

My Soul Immortal (Fated Eternals #1)

An endless love, for an endless price.

Jack’s immortality is exposed when he prevents a liquor store heist, forcing him to flee to protect his secret—a secret not even he understands. But when he meets Leah Winters—a mirror image of his decades-lost love, Lydia—his very soul is laid bare. He begins to question his sanity. Is she real, and if so, what does that mean for Jack and his secret?

Jack’s not the only mystery man in town. A stranger named Artagan hints at knowledge Jack is desperate to possess. But can he trust Artagan, or does the dark newcomer harbor deadly secrets of his own?

As Jack’s bond with Leah grows, so does the danger to her life. Jack must discover just how much he is willing to risk in order to save the woman he already lost once.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Jen Printy shares a story of love that has survived one hundred and fifty years of separation in her novel, My Soul Immortal. This is the first book in the Fated Eternals series and based on the first installment, I don't think readers will be disappointed. 

Jack is the main character of the novel and the story is told from his perspective. He's an immortal. The only reason he knows that is because he's tried multiple times over the years to end his turmoil. After his fiancee, Lydia, died, Jack struggled with depression and despair. At the beginning of the novel, readers witness the hopeless, weary, downtrodden Jack. Allowing readers to see this puts his transformation into stark contrast. When he travels to Maine and meets Leah - Lydia's memory personified - he begins to change. Jack evolves into a caring, loving man. Though he can be a little overbearing at time, readers will enjoy the love story. 

The novel begins with Jack escaping L.A. and moving to Maine. After his arrival, Jack takes a job a bookstore and literally stumbles into Leah. He doesn't understand why she looks exactly like his Lydia, but he's determined to find out. After he is able to make the connections, he makes a fatal mistake. An unlikely immortal witnesses Jack walking in on a robbery and her morbid interest is piqued. Her sights settle on Jack and she'll do anything in her power to bring him suffering because, sadly, that's just how she is. Now Jack must protect Leah, and the only way he can really do that is if he tells her the truth about what he is and what she is. 

The writing style, the pace, and plot action were all properly executed to make this book a great piece of paranormal fiction. I greatly enjoyed reading it and I think the character/reader connection will only grow with further installments of the series. I highly recommend it for mature young adult and paranormal fans as the language is a little sharp at times. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups

WWW Wednesday (114)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

          

01. Currently Reading:
Doing Germany by Agnieszka Patella. A nonfiction book about the author's trip to Germany and her adventures while living there. Including getting married, searching for a house, and planning for a baby.

02. Recently Finished:
Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor. Amazing second installment of the Smoke and Bone series. I can't wait to get my hands on the third one.

03. Reading Next:
My Soul Immortal by Jen Printy. An immortal man meets fate's replica of a his lost love. And the closer her gets to her, the more danger she is in.