To free her innocent sister from Traitor’s Prison , sixteen-year-old Eva must free herself—her true self—by taking back her soul.
In a kingdom where anything sacred or spiritual is banned by law, Eva, the daughter of freedom fighters, accidentally exposes her family as Traitors when she’s caught meditating. For her crime, her parents are put to death. Seeking redemption for her carelessness, even while trapped in a prison camp, Eva struggles to find her twin sister and escape. But after her latest failed attempt, her captor, Lord Marcus, rips out her soul in a brutal ceremony using a cursed black knife named the Fallen’s Kiss.
A chilling numbness threatens to overwhelm Eva, and no matter what she does, Lord Marcus is always near, following her, determined in his quest to purge the world of the divine.
Eva must destroy the Fallen’s Kiss to get her soul back and save her sister, but she has no idea where to look or how to do it—only that its ruin can only be brought about by someone who understands the true nature of the human soul. If she fails, her sister will be stuck in Traitor’s Prison and Eva will be lost forever, utterly destroyed.
Assessment:
Plot: Morin's smartly plotted novel has much to love. Eva's journey moves at a thrilling pace that pulls readers in and holds them there. The story is intense and dramatic but never overwrought.
Prose/Style: Morin's prose immediately captivates readers. The author’s word choice is dynamic and the tone of the novel remains unique and strong throughout. Readers will be immediately pulled in by Morin's voice and will be eager to stay on for the ride.
Originality: The dark plot builds on the strengths of the genre and protagonist Eva has a freshness of character that readers will enjoy.
Character Development: Eva's motivations are clearly established and is a strong, grounding force throughout the story. Lord Marcus is a thoroughly developed villain who readers will love to hate. The Fallen's Kiss, though an object not a person, is a character element whose hold on both the novel's plot and Eva's character arc makes for some compelling storytelling.
Date Submitted: August 31, 2020
