A Feast of Souls (Araneae Nation, #2)

by Hailey Edwards

The only way to save her is to bind their souls as one.

Born with the ability to communicate with the dead, few things take Mana by surprise. But when a canis lopes into her life, announcing himself as the long-dead father of a childhood friend, she's shocked. To make matters worse, he has a dire message that she alone can deliver.

Now Mana must face Vaughn, the male who inspired one too many girlish fantasies, and impart the spirit's message--without acknowledging her source--so the soul can be laid to rest.

With rumors of a burgeoning clan war setting his nerves on edge, the last thing Vaughn needs is for an innocent to get caught in the crosshairs. But the woman he remembers as an awkward girl refuses to leave his side until he's heard her out. That's not the only change in her that calls to him. Her kindness soothes his battle-scarred soul--and he craves her in ways a warrior shouldn't.

When they are both captured, they learn of an even greater threat. The plague devastating the southlands has come to his clan home. And his best--and only--chance to keep his people alive is the female who walks among the dead.

Warning: This book contains one fierce hero with a nose for danger, one stubborn heroine who smells like trouble, and one wolfish spirit who makes most relationships with the in-laws seem downright tame. Fur, fangs and some biting should be expected. But never fear, the hero has a sword, and he knows how to use it.

• ISBN10: 1619213680
• ISBN13: 9781619213685
• Publish Date: 1 December 2012
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Imprint: Samhain Publishing
• Format: eBook
• Pages: 340
• Language: English

Reviews

I adore this series. I originally picked up the first book, A Hint of Frost back in 2013 when it was free on Amazon. At the time the books were being published by Samhain which had put out a number of winners and had started to become my go to for must buy books. It had a cool cover, the blurb sounded interesting and it was free - it was an all round winner.

And then I read it. And I was very impressed. It was brilliant. The world building in incredible, the romance is adorable and the action is intense. There's an overarching mystery throughout the entire series which is riveting and comes to a fantastic conclusion. Each book focuses on a different couple but builds upon the mystery with characters and places slotting altogether.

My favourite book of the series would have to be A Feast of Souls - because I LOVE Vaughn! - but all the books are amazing. Hailey Edwards is a very talented writer who knows how to deliver great fantasy.


A Feast of Souls

The second book in the series is perfection. I adore this book. It's one of my all time favourite books. I adore Vaughn. He is harsh and vicious but he's so sweet to Mana. He's gentle and takes care of her and looks out for her. And he's been in love with her since they were kids.

The mythology in this book is incredible. We're introduced to the Salticidae clan's belief of soulmates in the first book. In this one, we get to see more of this and how it works. Perhaps even better than if this story was told from the point of view of one of the other characters because Mana is a spirit walker. She basically can see aura's and spirits and stuff.

Which means we get to meet Brynmor! Vaughn's father. Yes, he's dead...I think? He appears in Mana's dreams but also possesses the alpha of a local Canis pack to give himself a physical form. I really like the friendship that develops between Mana and Brynmor - I only wish she could tell Vaughn that his father is looking out for him. Unfortunately he brings bad news - the Yellow Plague has reached Cathis - home of the Mimetidae clan and the current location of Isolde (Vaughn's mother). So Mana and Vaughn set out to save Isolde and try to find a cure for the Plague.

There's heaps of action and I love the interactions between Mana and the Mimetidae people. I enjoyed finding out more about the Plague and the development of Vaughn and Mana's relationship. I wanted to beat him over the head a bit - women want love and emotion not reason and duty Vaughn. I love Mana and Isolde's bartering for Vaughn. Isolde is such a bitch - she believes in soulmates for godsakes - but she still tries to get the best deal for Vaughn.

I did find the ending kind of abrupt. I mean it wraps up everything, but I would've really liked to see more of Mana and Vaughn after they've got on the same page. And to see Mana ruling the Mimetidae people. And just more Vaughn.

Anyway, it's fantastic. 5 stars.