Review: Asunder by Jodi Meadows

Asunder by Jodi Meadows
Release Date ~ 1/29/2013
Format ~ ARC
Publisher ~ Katherine Tegen Books
Source ~ Publisher

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DARKSOULS
Ana has always been the only one. Asunder. Apart. But after Templedark, when many residents of Heart were lost forever, some hold Ana responsible for the darksouls–and the newsouls who may be born in their place.
SHADOWS
Many are afraid of Ana’s presence, a constant reminder of unstoppable changes and the unknown. When sylph begin behaving differently toward her and people turn violent, Ana must learn to stand up not only for herself but for those who cannot stand up for themselves.
LOVE
Ana was told that nosouls can’t love. But newsouls? More than anything, she wants to live and love as an equal among the citizens of Heart, but even when Sam professes his deepest feelings, it seems impossible to overcome a lifetime of rejection.
In this second book in the Incarnate trilogy, Ana discovers the truth about reincarnation and will have to find a way to embrace love and make her young life meaningful. Once again, Jodi Meadows explores the extraordinary beauty and shadowed depths of the soul in a story equal parts epic romance and captivating fantasy.

   Though the first book in this trilogy, Incarnate was really good, it wasn't quite a five star read. However, Jodi Meadows ups her game considerably in Asunder. There are higher stakes, heightened action scenes, and worthy character development.

  The first thing that struck me as an improvement since Incarnate was that I liked Ana a lot more in this book. In Incarnate I found her as endearing but kind of annoying, and in Asunder, she didn't annoy me nearly as much, and I grew to appreciate her more as a character.

   Jodi Meadows has an EPIC writing style that keeps your heart racing and has you on the edge of your seat  the entire  time. It's a very a very tense way of writing that can be nerve raking, but it's perfect for this novel, as there's an intense atmosphere to it almost the entire time.

   I think Jodi Meadows has created almost a civil rights story in Asunder. The overall feeling of Asunder are the new souls that are popping up in the world, mostly Anna, fighting for the right to be treated like normal citizens. Though it may be subtle, Anna might even be a kind-of MLK figure in this world.

   This book has ending that KILLS YOU. It's not a cliffhanger, but here is what I was like when I read the last page:

Yep. 

   Asunder was a very, very strong second novel. I need the final book stat!