Review: What if your choices had eternal ramification? - Deceived (Soul Keeper #1) by L.A. Starkey

They say a soul is the immaterial essence, the animating principle, the actuating cause of an individual life.

But what if you had to share yours with the one person you hated the most?

The soul mate principle states that for every one soul there is another that will recognize its match, hence creating the perfect union.

But what if you had two soul mates, which would you choose? 

What if your choices had eternal ramification?

REVIEW

He wove an intricate story of devastation and revenge, love and hate. 

Once again, Greek mythology proves to be an immortal and inexhaustible source of inspiration for the fantasy literature. However, often, authors tend to modify or add too much to the deities and heroes’ characteristics, so the classic "typologies" are altered, and their original pattern becomes unrecognizable. This is not always bad, but I think when you add to or continue a story, you must respect, broadly, the original features. Of course, the way in which we perceive and receive the Greek mythology (and the universal one, in general) depends on the sources of information we had. I’m happy to say that Mrs. Starkey not only "caught" the main treads and the important details, but also that the story which started in Deceived fits and respects what I personally learned and knew about the Gods and Heroes of Olympus. Also, the characteristics of the old Greek tale elements are present: the lust for power, jealousy, betrayal and cheating, next to the love and sacrifice are just a few that you will encounter. 

The starting point - soul mate matter- is not unknown to the Greek mythology and even Plato himself was talking about it. Of course, over time, its romantic meaning - met in Deceived too - has gained ground, but that does not change the stakes of the present game. I loved the question asked about the "soul-mate" - there would be the same love between those involved, if this "predestination" would not exist? What the "soul mate" is more precisely? From my point of view, a plus for Deceived is that Mrs. Starkey questioned the opposition of "free will" and predestination. Her characters have the choice to choose between complying with destiny mapped for them by others –according to the prophecy - and risking, exercising their own free-will. 

“You know, the union that neither of us would’ve signed up for if it wasn’t damned, oh, I mean, destined to be?” 

Sam, the main female character, delicate and strong at the same time, will allow the author to develop the story in any direction and perhaps her reasons of her behavior regarding the "loved ones" will be explained better over the next volume. 

The way in which the male characters are presented is another plus. Each character now directly involved or not in the prophecy (I specify now because anything can happen) has a good side and a bad one. What part of them will win and what role each of them will have until the end, it remains to be found out, but I think all the guys, immortal or not, will have their own supporters. 

Although I felt that Deceived is the preparation phase, the author managed to not make it boring. On the contrary. The way the author alternated the romantic scenes (that take place in the real world or in the dream one), the mundane high school ones and the one that are almost horror, and the way in which she introduced the relationships (all of Sam’s relationships having a romantic potential), have the effect of maintaining the reader's curiosity and a good pace, the tension development being well graded. There are tense moments, milestones and disturbing events. Questions arise, disapprovals are given and understandings are formed. The way things are going now, anything can happen. 

And because anything can happen, the cliffhanger was a proper denouement. Fortunately, the third volume, the last one, will be available soon too, and we only have to read the next books and find out if there is a happy ending to this new “ode” romance in “ancient meter”. 

‘The suffering of fate—Zeus's final revenge on Prometheus: God of Gods vs. Father of Mankind, the brothers that serve them both and the final prophecy that will lay them asunder.’ 

TOUR SCHEDULE

Goodreads ** Amazon

About the author:

Laurie Starkey is the author of the upcoming Soul Keeper Series, a supernatural young adult series, and The Liarus Detective Series, a supernatural middle grade series. She lives in Houston, Texas with her husband, Jacob and three beautiful kiddos.

She is a CPA by trade, a church planter and entrepreneur at heart; however, writing and reading are passions she just can’t help but indulge in. With more ideas than one person should be allowed, she is blessed to have a muse that doesn’t seem to take a vacation and more energy that one might consider healthy.

Website ** Goodreads ** Facebook ** Twitter