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Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Review - Soul Catcher, Book One The Outsiders Trilogy by Leigh Bridger

Title:  Soul Catcher – Book One The Outsiders Trilogy
Author:   Leigh Bridger
Genre:   Urban Fantasy
Publisher: BelleBooks, Inc. (October 20, 2009)
ISBN-10: 098217568X
ISBN-13: 978-0982175682
Buy Link ($16.95)
Amazon ($12.71)
Release Date:  October 20, 2009
Pages: 284
Heat Rating: Graphic violence and language

Rating:  4.75 of 5.0
Author site

Product Description
From the gothic eccentricity of Asheville, North Carolina to the terrifying recesses of the Appalachian wilderness, from modern demonology to ancient Cherokee mythology, SOUL CATCHER follows the tormented journey of folk artist Livia Belane, who has been stalked through many lives by a sadistic and vengeful demon.

Livia and her loved ones, including her frontier-era soulmate and husband, Ian, a Soul Hunter, have never beaten the demon before. Now, in this life, he’s found them again.


Review:  A gripping, action packed tale of good versus evil chasing through time.

Livia is a tortured soul trying to live below the radar of a demon while also trying to stay out of mental institutions.  As a young child she began waking up in the middle of the night to find she had painted strange pictures.  Then she hears the whispers:  “paint them, trap them, burn them.”  It takes some time before she learns that she can capture the demons by painting them.  But no one asked her if she wanted this talent and she doesn’t!

She is street smart having had to grow up on the streets after being accused of killing her own family. In truth she had to watch as demons destroyed her loved ones. She has had to face rape and beatings while trying to find shelter.
She tries to live quietly and obscurely. If she can stay alone maybe no one else will get hurt and maybe she won’t have to run again.  She doesn’t realize that she has been surrounded by protectors, angels and spirits, all working to try to ease her circumstances and keep her safe.  Then she starts to paint a “pilgrim”.  She doesn’t know it is the soul hunter “Ian.” Something very deep inside her doesn’t want to remember this man.


Livia fights to bury memories of her past lives and her love of Ian. But Ian, a warrior soul hunter, remembers, loves and seeks to protect the soul catcher – his soul catcher.  He is bound to protect her, with his own life if necessary, knowing he will find her in the next life and seek to love and protect her again.

This is an action packed story filled with brutal and graphic battles between the forces of good and evil.  Livia is a very dark, almost depressed, character and the language is gritty and rough, fitting the street and underground worlds where Livia dwells. There are some interesting thoughts on reincarnation that fit with the fantasy battle and 'need to learn lessons' over the generations.
Even with the rough language I did like this very intense story.  The deep characters and unusual plot make this a very good read.

This book was provided by Belle Bridge Books.
CymLowell

2 comments:

  1. That looks like a good book! Thanks for the fine review, Martha.

    PS. I just re-sent my "Comment contest" email to you. I hope you get it this time. If not, let me know; I'll try froma different email address. *hugs*

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  2. This sounds like a very intense book. Have never read any of this genre, but might give it a try. The locations in this book, North Carolina and the Appalachians, are places I have visited.
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

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