Review ~ "Asunder" by Jodi Meadows

Title: "Asunder"

Series: Incarnate, #2

Author: Jodi Meadows
 

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Published: January 29, 2013
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Genres: Young Adult, Dystopia, Fantasy
Pages: 406
Format: Hardcover
Source: MeL Cat
 
Read May 4 to 6, 2015
 
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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 Newsoul 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.

 
This cover is really pretty, but nowhere near as pretty as the first book. This trilogy has some of the prettiest covers that I have ever seen! I could just stare at them all day...
 


Asunder picks up where Incarnate ended. After Templedark, where dozens of souls were lost, even more people are unsure of Ana. They don't trust her, especially since they blame her for all of the darksouls. Ana and Sam decide that they should leave Heart, and during their time out, sylph start to behave strangely around Ana. Paired with the introduction of someone Sam knew from a previous life, Ana can't help but feel even more different from everyone else.
 
A lot of the focus is on getting everyone to accept Ana and finding out more about what Menehem did that allowed Ana into the world, even though she is a newsoul. There was also on Janan and who or what he is. I'm still super creeped out by that. I just felt like someone was watching me while he was brought up and I didn't like reading in the dark in all honesty.
 

Another focus was obviously Ana and Sam's relationship. Ana feels like because she is a newsoul, she's incapable of loving. However, Sam disagrees. He tell her that he loves her, and Ana doesn't know how to react. On one hand, she wants to say that back to him, but on the other she doesn't think she can. At some points this annoyed me, but I understood where she was coming from. She had been told for so long by her mother that she could never love, and that was what kept her from forming a strong relationship with Sam.
 
While reading this book, I kept thinking about Sam, Stef, and Cris. I feel like if I were Ana, I'd be asking him about all the people he was with in previous lives. I know that'd be his personal business, but I'd be worried if I had to keep an eye on them, especially if they were lovers in multiple lives or had unresolved issues. Maybe I'm crazy, but I'd like to know what I'm getting into.
 
Ana
At times she annoyed me, but other times I understood her. I still really liked her throughout the book overall!
 
Sam
I trust him a bit more than I did in the first book, but I'm still keeping an eye on him.
 
Stef
She gets better, but I still am not super trusting of her yet.
 
Cris
I actually really liked him! It was really cool to meet a new character, but the ending is so sad! I about cried and did not like how things went!
 
Overall, this was a great sequel to Incarnate! A lot of it seemed to be focused on Ana and her relationships with those around her. It showed how unsure Ana is of her ability to care and love those around her. Yet there is still a lot that went on that kept me at the edge of my seat! And a totally unexpected ending! I need Infinite right away!