Book Reviews

Colleen’s 2018 #Book #Reviews – “Soul Swallowers,” by Author, D. Wallace Peach

Colleen M. Chesebro

book reviews

Title: Soul Swallowers, The Shattered Sea, Book One

Amazon Author Page: D. Wallace Peach

Publication Date: June 30, 2018

Formats: Paperback & Kindle

Genres: Fantasy, New Adult & College, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Romantic

Goodreads

IN THE AUTHOR’S WORDS:

“When swallowed, some souls gift insights, wisdom, a path to understanding. Others unleash power, proficiency with a sword, and indifference to death. One soul assimilates with ease. But swallow a host of the dead and risk a descent into madness.

Estranged from his family over the murder of his wife, young Raze Anvrell wields his fists to vent his rage. Then a chance at a new life beckons, and he retreats to the foothills of the Ravenwood, the haunt of unbound ghosts. He and his mentor build a freehold, a life of physical labor and the satisfaction of realizing a dream. They raise horses and whittle by the fire until the old man dies, and Raze swallows his first soul.

When his brother reaches out, open wounds begin to scar. But the tenuous peace won’t last. While those who rule the Vales yield to the lure of their ambitions, slavers of Ezar roam the countryside, hunting for human chattel. While one man manipulates the law, another heeds the souls of violence howling in his head.

Raze too listens to his soul’s whispers, and as danger intrudes on his quiet life, he has no choice but to return to his father’s world and join the fight.”

***
“In this completed series, epic fantasy blends with the wisdom of old souls to create a unique coming of age story of courage and honor in the midst of evil. Slavery is pitted against freedom, anger against forgiveness, and a desire to live peacefully against the necessity to take up the sword.

It’s a story of bitter estrangement and broken hearts, of deception and unfettered ambition. For Raze Anvrell it’s a journey of violence, redemption, and his soul’s growth as he transforms from a reckless youth into a man with a rich legacy of souls.

Magic, politics, love, and madness collide in this fantasy adventure. For lovers of beauty and battle, and complex characters willing to risk everything in the fight for their souls.”

MY RECOMMENDATION:

D. Wallace Peach has the rare distinction of becoming my favorite fantasy author based on the quality of her storytelling methods. I haven’t read a single book by this author that I haven’t loved.

Imagine my glee, when I found out she had begun a new series, called, The Shattered Sea. Book One, The Soul Swallowers, is everything I knew it would be—brilliant, creative, and unforgettable.

When Raze Anvrell leaves the wealth and the safety of his home after his young wife is brutally murdered, he suspects that his family was to blame for her demise. Determined to strike out on his own, he flees to Ravenwood, where the souls of the unbound dwell.

Everyone wears an empty soulstone which is given to all of the people at the Temple of Souls. When people die their soul transfers into the pendant. To die without their soulstone allows a soul to drift forever in the ether. The individual’s skills, aptitudes, and the very essence of their personality would then be lost to future generations.

Raze meets Briyon, the owner of his own freehold, who invites the young man to join him in making a new life. Briyon becomes the father figure in Raze’s life and when he dies, Raze swallows his first soul.

Imagine being who you are and accepting the soul essence of someone else into your existence. New skills and knowledge must integrate, for better or worse. If you swallow too many souls, disaster prevails as the personalities clash for dominion, madness being the end result.

It is in this world where Raze follows the whispers of his soul into unknown territory where only the brave survive.

I felt the magic breathe through the pages of this book with an ancient wisdom that touched my own soul. At the book’s ending, I found myself reluctantly thrust back into my world hating to let the fantasy go.

MY RATING:

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 5 out of 5 Fairies

5 fairies

*I follow the Amazon Rating System*

Colleen's Book ReviewsRating System

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Author, D. Wallace Peach

About the Author:

D. Wallace Peach started writing later in life after the kids were grown and a move left her with hours to fill. Years of working in business surrendered to a full-time indulgence in the imaginative world of books, and when she started writing, she was instantly hooked. Diana lives in a log cabin amongst the tall evergreens and emerald moss of Oregon’s Coastal Mountains with her husband, two dogs, and Pinky the Cat.

For book descriptions, excerpts, maps, and behind the scenes info, please visit http://dwallacepeachbooks.com.

For her blog on all things writing, please visit http://mythsofthemirror.com.

Ready for an adventure?

The Sorcerer’s Garden
Sunwielder
The Bone Wall
The Melding of Aeris

The Rose Shield Tetralogy:
Catling’s Bane, Book I
Oathbreakers’ Guild, Book II
Farlanders’ Law, Book III
Kari’s Reckoning, Book IV

The Dragon Soul Saga:
Myths of the Mirror, Book I
Eye of Fire, Book II
Eye of Blind, Book III
Eye of Fire, Book IV

Grumpy Ana and the Grouchy Monsters: A Children’s Space Tale

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For her blog on all things writing, please visit D. Wallace Peach at mythsofthemirror.com.

TWITTER: @Dwallacepeach

FACEBOOK: Myths of the Mirror: @DWPeachbooks

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/dianapeach33/pins/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/activities/d-wallace-peach+0_2F1UmSg–qRIqYJlk2W1Q_?trk=nav_responsive_sub_nav_yourupdates
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/101899993447765818692/posts

 

Magical interludeThis has been a magical interlude at the hands of the author. Thanks for stopping by to hear about Soul Swallowers. I can’t wait for the second book in the series!!

The Literary Divas Library facebook

Are you looking for more great reads? Join author, D.G. Kaye, and myself in our Facebook group, The Literary Diva’s Library to find book reviews, book promotions, & special deals on books from authors you love.

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Don’t forget to join us in the #ABRSC, Author Blogger Rainbow Support Club on Facebook. See you there! ❤

44 thoughts on “Colleen’s 2018 #Book #Reviews – “Soul Swallowers,” by Author, D. Wallace Peach”

  6. Ah! Thank you, thank you, Colleen. What a wonderful review, and I’m so pleased that you shared it. Happy dance time. Lol. Things ramp up quite a bit in book 2, so buckle in, and I hope you enjoy it just as much as the first. You are the best, my friend. Hugs!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. What a compelling review! Diana is too good at creating a different world…no wonder the readers forgets where he is! What I love is her vocabulary and choice of words. Some modern writers don’t care about slang and swear words, which really ruin a good book.
    Congratulations Diana, I can understand the thrill if first few reviews. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    2. Thanks so much for the lovely comment, Balroop. I just love words – everything about them. I know that you understand exactly what I mean. Colleen’s review really made my day. Happy Writing, my friend. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  11. What a powerful review of Diana’s Soul Swallower’s! Congrats to Diana. I have Soul Swallowers in my TBR and am looking forward to reading it. Love and hugs to you and to Diana. 💕💖💕

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

      1. Thanks, Diana. It was fantastic! Our oldest son and family are moving back. We had a wonderful day with both our oldest and our youngest and their families. Move in day is tomorrow.

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply
  13. Pingback: Colleen’s 2018 Happy #Halloween #Book #Review – “Legacy of Souls, The Shattered Sea, Book 2,” by Author, D. Wallace Peach – Colleen Chesebro ~ The Faery Whisperer

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