Title: Soul Catcher
Author: Leigh Bridger
No. of Pages: 250
First Released: October 2009
Synopsis (Courtesy of Amazon): “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.”
Comments and Critique: I won this during BBAW from Bell Bridge Books and just never got around to reading it until now. It was the perfect vacation read – fast-paced and thrilling. It kept me entranced, slightly horrified and totally nervous from page to page. Livia is the ultimate ass-kicker, very reminiscent of Buffy. She has the same vulnerability and fear by her mission that you found in Buffy season after season but which made it so compelling a series. Livia Belane is just as compelling a heroine.
The idea of souls finding each other from one lifetime to the next is equally fascinating and oddly comforting. I have panic attacks at the thought of my death, but Ms. Bridger gives us the idea that we never truly die. It reminds me of the idea of reincarnation. There are other similarities to Hinduism, namely in the idea that everything, including rocks, have souls. While I was born and raised Catholic, I also find the idea of this oneness with nature very comforting.
The demons themselves are not necessarily scary. I found Livia’s indecision and fears to be the scariest part of the story. Again, this could be considered a metaphor for life – our fears and indecision in life is more frightening than whatever life actually throws our way. I was captivated by Livia’s struggles to accept her path and to make the difficult decisions, knowing that a part of her symbolizes my own struggles to accept my path.
Ian and Livia – hot, hot, hot! Their love is beautiful and reassuring in that when they say that they will love each other forever, they truly mean it. That, to me, is the ultimate in romance. However, their love is very refreshing in that they struggle to find happiness and have to work at their relationship as much as we do in real life. The idea of souls searching for each other may not be exactly normal, but souls bickering and arguing certainly is normal!
Overall, I found this an amazing book. The entire premise was intriguing and, as I’ve mentioned more than once, comforting. The overall idea that every soul has a mission reinforces the idea that our life has purpose. For one who struggles to determine her place in life, this is a profound idea. I look forward to reading the second book in the series to see what else Livia and Ian must overcome!
