Incarnate (Incarnate Trilogy, #1)

by Jodi Meadows

[Briana @ Pages Unbound]

This review is also posted at Pages Unbound Book Reviews.

Meadows builds a compelling and imaginative world in Incarnate, bringing readers to a place where everyone lives multiple lives and everyone knows everyone else. Readers will be fascinated, pondering what it might be like to have infinite time to accomplish everything they have ever dreamed or how interesting it would be to meet the inventors of literally every great invention. Meadows also gives readers much to think about in their own mortality. Eighty years to her characters is a very short time; readers should learn to make the most of their own lives.

Ana, the protagonist, walks the line between souls and readers. As a newsoul, she has no idea whether she will be reincarnated like everyone else. As far she knows, she has one life to live the best she can—and as carefully as she can. She cannot risk the same heroics as the souls. It takes some time, however, before Ana comes to a point where she might consider heroics at all. For a large portion of the book, she is defensive and distrusting—understandable due to her abusive upbringing and the frequent hatred she encounters from people whom she has never even met. Some readers might find her early behavior unappealing, but it is in fact realistic considering her circumstances and may resonate with readers who have faced similar difficulties in their lives. Ana ultimately has a beautiful heart, which should endear her to a number of readers.

Helping Ana overcome her distrust is the kind and talented Sam, who of course fills the role of love interest. (This much is obvious from the scene where they first meet.) The romance in Incarnate is beautiful and caring. Sam might have the same issue as Edward Cullen, in that he is much older than the girl he would like to woo, but Meadows actually makes it work. Sam explains exactly why he has fallen in love with Ana, and it rings true.

Incarnate has a quiet and creative beauty about it, drawing readers subtly into a whole new world. The first part of the book is exploration; the second part brings in more intense plot elements considering Ana’s existence and the nature of the religion in this world. Altogether, a fascinating book that could stand well enough on its own, but is preparing to lead into an even more ambitious sequel.