Soulswift

September 1, 2020
An examination of faith, doubt, and trust wrapped inside a stirring fantasy plot. Gelya is meant to serve the Father, an all-powerful deity, until she dies. When she does pass away, she will transform into a soulswift, an immortal bird tasked with carrying worthy souls to the afterlife. These beliefs have been instilled in her at the patriarchal Ovinist convent ever since leader Goodson Anskar rescued her as a child from her supposedly uncivilized place of birth. But when pale-skinned Gelya witnesses a knight of the faith murder her mentor in cold blood to cover up an ugly truth, she must run from the religion she holds most dear. Through her escape, she unwittingly becomes a vessel of an entity she's been made to believe is a wrathful, apocalyptic demon. Now, she must team up with Tavik, a light-brown-skinned enemy soldier (and, in her world, a heathen), in order to survive. During Gelya and Tavik's journey to find answers, a touching romance blossoms. Lilting prose carries along the story as both main characters examine the biases, truths, and complications present in their respective faiths and seek to return balance to a broken world. Though a little heavy on exposition in the beginning, thrilling plot developments quickly speed up the pace until the story reaches a heart-rending conclusion. This deeply moving and thought-provoking adventure enthralls on multiple levels. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)

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October 1, 2020

Gr 8 Up-In a vaguely European setting, where knights wear cloaks and travel is primarily by foot or horseback, orphaned Gelya has grown up in a convent, aware she is a Vessel: A Daughter with a special gift for singing the Father's Word. Gelya, freckled, tall, and blonde, as befits her Hedenski heritage, also has a gift for languages. Her services are required in interrogating Tavik, a dangerous Kantari prisoner. The interrogation turns into a massacre, and Gelya and Tavik, a Two-Swords fighter with green eyes and dark hair, must join forces to plot their escape. Gelya is a devout worshiper of the Father, while Tavik glorifies the Mother, giver of life. Now they are on the run together, carrying either a goddess or a demon, depending on the point of view. Modern terms and phrases occasionally jar the eye (bajillion, "smacks him upside the head"), but overall the setting is mud and forest, with tramping armies and tellegs emerging from tree trunks with murderous intent. A sham marriage to throw off pursuers offers awkward and sometimes humorous interactions, before the pair acknowledge feelings for each other. Skin tone is rarely mentioned, except to note those from the South tend to have darker skin. VERDICT Suggest this fantasy with religious elements to readers who appreciate gunpowder and bird-carried messages over high-tech explosives and instant communication.-Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley Sch., Fort Worth, TX

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October 12, 2020
Ten years ago, the Order of Saint Ovin took Gelya from her “uncivilized” home and delivered her to the Saint Vinnica convent for indoctrination into patriarchal Ovinism. Now, the pale, freckled teen sings the One True God’s word to the masses. Gelya believes that she’s on the side of good, until she sees an Ovinist knight orchestrate a massacre to contain a heretical secret: the spirit of Ovinism’s devil figure, Elath, is imprisoned on convent grounds. Gelya escapes the carnage thanks to brown-skinned enemy soldier Tavik, whose people believe that Elath is actually their mother goddess. When Tavik’s attempt to liberate Elath results in the entity possessing Gelya, the pair runs, hoping to evade capture long enough to return Elath to her own body—an act which Tavik asserts will heal the world, but Ovinists claim will end it. After a worldbuilding-heavy start, Bannen (The Bird and the Blade) hurls readers headlong into a harrowing yet ultimately hopeful fantasy rife with action and intrigue. The duo’s witty banter and burgeoning romance temper the tale’s weightier moments, which include ruminations on religion, doubt, and bodily autonomy. Ages 13–up. Agent: Holly Root, Waxman Leavell Literary Agency.

November 1, 2020
Grades 7-10 Gelya is a Vessel for the One True God; she's sacrificed her life to save the souls of the world. Alone, with no friends in the convent besides the Sacrist Zofia, Gelya feels doubt that she's truly meant for this life of translating songs and letting the Father's words flow through her when she sings. During a once-in-a-lifetime Grand Summit, Gelya meets soldier Tavik, whose beliefs in the mother goddess Elath shake the Vessel to her core, as her religion teaches that Elath is an apocalyptic demoness bent on destroying the world. As the Summit falls to bloodshed and evil, Gelya impulsively helps Tavik escape the convent and his captors, hoping she will find answers to her many questions. On their quest for truth, Gelya is possessed by the spirit of Elath, further complicating things. Bannen's second stand-alone is deep, dark, and sweet; many teen readers question long-held beliefs, and they will appreciate seeing Gelya do the same. Recommended for all collections.

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