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arthur_ant18's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Many thanks to NetGalley and BDA Publishing for providing me with an eARC of A Tainted Soul in exchange for my honest review!
With its fast-paced, atmospheric, and grisly paranormal horror, A Tainted Soul gave me just what I was looking for. Right from the get-go, Rene's prose pulled me into the tale and got me enthralled by all these flawed humans and frightening supernatural entities. Annaya is definitely an intriguing and endearing lead to follow, and Kenneth is a particularly compelling character, too. I appreciate how gnarly the gore can get as the plot takes its twists and turns. A part of me does wonder if the ending should have gone in a different direction, but I'm generally happy with what we got here.
Overall, I'm officially rating A Tainted Soul by A.W. Rene four out of five stars. I'll certainly be looking forward to more of her writing.
With its fast-paced, atmospheric, and grisly paranormal horror, A Tainted Soul gave me just what I was looking for. Right from the get-go, Rene's prose pulled me into the tale and got me enthralled by all these flawed humans and frightening supernatural entities. Annaya is definitely an intriguing and endearing lead to follow, and Kenneth is a particularly compelling character, too. I appreciate how gnarly the gore can get as the plot takes its twists and turns. A part of me does wonder if the ending should have gone in a different direction, but I'm generally happy with what we got here.
Overall, I'm officially rating A Tainted Soul by A.W. Rene four out of five stars. I'll certainly be looking forward to more of her writing.
locket1981's review
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was certainly an interesting read and a little chaotic. It’s gruesome in parts and I really loved that the author wasn’t afraid to be graphic. A few time I felt down right sorry for this girl at 16 her life goes from one disaster to another. The dead really like her to know they are around.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
excaliburbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
read_with_kmc's review
5.0
Annaya Roth has always been able to see the Dead. But with every birthday, the Dead become more violent. When she turns thirteen, they are joined by the Whispers, which tear everyone around her to shreds. After the Whispers tear apart two bullies at her new high school and Annaya is the main suspect for the murder, her mother takes both of them to see Annaya's estranged uncle. He has been dealing with the same curse his whole life, but will he actually be able to help? Or will going to him uncover truths that make things worse?
I would rate A Tainted Soul by AW Rene 5 out of 5 stars. It was one of the best indie horror books I have ever read. The perspective shifts added to the suspense of the novel, and Rene did an amazing job of weaving in believable and absolutely terrifying twists. Rene included multiple types of demons within the story as well that kept it very interesting.
If you are a lover of horror books that cross into the supernatural realm, this is the book for you. It will keep you on the edge of your seat, heart racing as you try to figure out what happens next. I would absolutely read this book again, and I will definitely be looking for more horror books from AW Rene.
I would rate A Tainted Soul by AW Rene 5 out of 5 stars. It was one of the best indie horror books I have ever read. The perspective shifts added to the suspense of the novel, and Rene did an amazing job of weaving in believable and absolutely terrifying twists. Rene included multiple types of demons within the story as well that kept it very interesting.
If you are a lover of horror books that cross into the supernatural realm, this is the book for you. It will keep you on the edge of your seat, heart racing as you try to figure out what happens next. I would absolutely read this book again, and I will definitely be looking for more horror books from AW Rene.
cabinet_13_review's review
dark
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rated up. My Rating 4.5.
AW RENE GOES FULL ON BALLS TO THE WALL IN “A TAINTED SOUL” A VISCERAL AND GRAPHIC BACKWOODS HORROR NOVEL
Sixteen-year-old Annaya and her mother, Samantha, are on to yet another town. After all, what else is there to do when unexplainable things happen and are always centered around Annaya? Now, the two are settled in Asherville, a small Appalachian Mountain town. The place is nice enough, but curiously it doesn’t seem to matter as the Dead find Annaya wherever she goes. Tired of running, Samantha takes Annaya to the one place she never imagined she would go again.
You are all in for a treat with this one. AW Rene is one twisted individual for writing this book, and I love her for it—such a gory, macabre, and menacing horror novel.
Where do I even start? Annaya is a teenager with the “Sight” who can see the Dead. The problem is she is no Haley Joel Osment, and these Dead are not looking to solve any unfinished business. All they seem to want to do is tear her limb from limb. The highlight of this book for me is the descriptive nature of it. AW Rene spares no detail in describing the landscape, the emotion, and every single gory death.
Thanks to NetGalley, BDA Publishing, and AW Rene for the advanced copy. My review is honest and voluntary.
Read my full length review here.
AW RENE GOES FULL ON BALLS TO THE WALL IN “A TAINTED SOUL” A VISCERAL AND GRAPHIC BACKWOODS HORROR NOVEL
Sixteen-year-old Annaya and her mother, Samantha, are on to yet another town. After all, what else is there to do when unexplainable things happen and are always centered around Annaya? Now, the two are settled in Asherville, a small Appalachian Mountain town. The place is nice enough, but curiously it doesn’t seem to matter as the Dead find Annaya wherever she goes. Tired of running, Samantha takes Annaya to the one place she never imagined she would go again.
You are all in for a treat with this one. AW Rene is one twisted individual for writing this book, and I love her for it—such a gory, macabre, and menacing horror novel.
Where do I even start? Annaya is a teenager with the “Sight” who can see the Dead. The problem is she is no Haley Joel Osment, and these Dead are not looking to solve any unfinished business. All they seem to want to do is tear her limb from limb. The highlight of this book for me is the descriptive nature of it. AW Rene spares no detail in describing the landscape, the emotion, and every single gory death.
Thanks to NetGalley, BDA Publishing, and AW Rene for the advanced copy. My review is honest and voluntary.
Read my full length review here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Child death, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Bullying
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