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marzi 's review for:
The Reanimator's Soul
by Kara Jorgensen
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I love this book, it's a really great follow-up to Reanimator's Heart.
This is a continuation of Oliver's and Felipe's story and I think you'd be missing out on a lot if you skip the first book, so read that first.
What is so amazing about this one?
The main characters are lovely and their relationships are evolving - it's not the kind of mystery/romance where the characters get together in the first book and every next one is simply a new mystery to solve. There is a new mystery, but there are also consequences of what happened in the first book. Felipe decided to keep secrets from his daughter and her mothers, now he has to navigate their relationship without making them suspicious, while dealing with his guilt and the question of what kind of father/person in general does he want to be. There are some things he and Oliver don't feel comfortable talking about but they work through that and it's immensely satisfying. There is no misunderstanding for the drama, but there are two people who want to be their best selves and don't want to worry the other person. It's such a joy, reading two characters who are so clearly in love and so clearly willing to put work into their relationship.
This is a very queer book. There are two men in a loving, commited relationship, one of which has a daughter raised by two mothers - being queer is the norm in Oliver and Felipe's familial/social circle and I'm so happy for them having that kind of support. In my experience, this is not a given in historical novels, queer characters are often relatively alone, their identity is kept secret for their own safety - but here there is a community and acceptance. There is a world outside of that, sure, but we are clearly looking from inside the community out, not the other way around.
Kara Jorgensen writes amazing background characters that are very easy to root for: there is Gwen, Agatha and Luisa whom we know from the first book, but a new character introduced in this one kept me on the edge of my seat as I was really, really worried for his safety. And also I like him and would love to read more about him.
The intrigue is enjoyable, and builds on top of the the first book - we don't have the full picture yet, but what we've got is more sinister and more mysterious that it seemed to me after reading Reanimator's Heart. I can say that I have no clue what will be the resolution and I'm looking forward to reading the next part of the intrigue and getting more puzzle pieces in place. To be clear, there is a resolution to this book, it's just also clear that we don't know everything yet.
Oliver being autistic is such an important part of this character, he is a fleshed-out, complicated human whose life is sometimes made more difficult and sometimes easier by his neurodivergence. As an autistic queer person myself, I love reading about him, I don't see myself represented much, but Oliver is a great example of representation well done. And I love that he is not seen as burden, which is a fear known very well to me and many others like myself. He gives me hope.
Huge thanks to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a continuation of Oliver's and Felipe's story and I think you'd be missing out on a lot if you skip the first book, so read that first.
What is so amazing about this one?
The main characters are lovely and their relationships are evolving - it's not the kind of mystery/romance where the characters get together in the first book and every next one is simply a new mystery to solve. There is a new mystery, but there are also consequences of what happened in the first book. Felipe decided to keep secrets from his daughter and her mothers, now he has to navigate their relationship without making them suspicious, while dealing with his guilt and the question of what kind of father/person in general does he want to be. There are some things he and Oliver don't feel comfortable talking about but they work through that and it's immensely satisfying. There is no misunderstanding for the drama, but there are two people who want to be their best selves and don't want to worry the other person. It's such a joy, reading two characters who are so clearly in love and so clearly willing to put work into their relationship.
This is a very queer book. There are two men in a loving, commited relationship, one of which has a daughter raised by two mothers - being queer is the norm in Oliver and Felipe's familial/social circle and I'm so happy for them having that kind of support. In my experience, this is not a given in historical novels, queer characters are often relatively alone, their identity is kept secret for their own safety - but here there is a community and acceptance. There is a world outside of that, sure, but we are clearly looking from inside the community out, not the other way around.
Kara Jorgensen writes amazing background characters that are very easy to root for: there is Gwen, Agatha and Luisa whom we know from the first book, but a new character introduced in this one kept me on the edge of my seat as I was really, really worried for his safety. And also I like him and would love to read more about him.
The intrigue is enjoyable, and builds on top of the the first book - we don't have the full picture yet, but what we've got is more sinister and more mysterious that it seemed to me after reading Reanimator's Heart. I can say that I have no clue what will be the resolution and I'm looking forward to reading the next part of the intrigue and getting more puzzle pieces in place. To be clear, there is a resolution to this book, it's just also clear that we don't know everything yet.
Oliver being autistic is such an important part of this character, he is a fleshed-out, complicated human whose life is sometimes made more difficult and sometimes easier by his neurodivergence. As an autistic queer person myself, I love reading about him, I don't see myself represented much, but Oliver is a great example of representation well done. And I love that he is not seen as burden, which is a fear known very well to me and many others like myself. He gives me hope.
Huge thanks to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.