Author: Samuel Hinton
Blurb: Raysha will do whatever it takes to fix her broken soul. Even if it means venturing into the unknown with nothing but her brother, an enchanted water bottle, and her fierce determination.
The only one without the ability to cultivate aeon from the world, Raysha has been ostracized her whole life for her weakness. In a world where true masters of aeon have slaughtered gods, Raysha's future in her village is limited to babysitting pre-Awakened children.
Desperate for a chance to prove her worth, she leaps at the chance to join her brother at the Academy, where he believes they can find a cure for her soul. It will only take the crystalised heart of an ancient spirit, lost to the world thousands of years ago.
Armed with an enchanted water bottle and a stubborn attitude, Raysha sets out to prove that she is more than just a second-rate outcast.
Link: Amazon
My Rating: 4.75/5 (It’s a good book. Go read it.)
Note:
Now…before I get any further, I just want to address this: I’ve been hearing a couple people going around calling this book ableist, or at least strongly insinuating it. Uh… no? Maybe I missed something (and it’s possible that I did), but I really never got the sense that this book was ableist.
So what is ableism actually?
This is taken straight from the oxford dictionary: discrimination in favor of able-bodied people.
So sure, Raysha, the main character, could be considered disabled in the context of the world. But is wanting to fix her unique condition inherently ableist? I don’t see why it would be. If, suddenly, there was a cure for blindness, would it be ableist for blind people to seek it? Again, I don’t see why it would be.
People have also commented on the language used surrounding the situation, and that Raysha sees herself as broken—and that this is ableist also. But…
Just because a character says something doesn’t mean the author agrees with it.
Is it not somewhat reasonable for a character to see themselves like this when in a situation like Raysha? Especially when there’s a chance to fix it?
Anyways, with that out of the way, let’s talk a bit more about the story.
General:
I was immediately interested by the premise. I found that, despite some surface-level similarities to Cradle (an incredibly disadvantaged young magic user learns a complex magic system against all odds… etc), it still felt very unique and fresh—and never like I was reading a book I had read a thousand times before. It kept me engaged straight to the end without ever really finding myself bored. You can call it a lot of things, but generic would not be one of them.
Magic:
Soul Relic uses a cultivation system that has been modified to be quite western, similar to what Virtuous Sons did. However, for Soul Relic, I don’t believe the author even used the word “cultivation” in the story. (Although I might have missed it if it was used). That being said, it still feels like a cultivation story, with constant and consistent increases in power. At the end of the book, the character could easily defeat a version of herself from the start of the book.
The one drawback that I felt wasn’t with the magic system, but with the growth. A lot of Raysha’s growth happens in situations where there isn’t a sense of immediate danger, leaving much of the growth to feel a little underwhelming until you see it in action.
Pacing:
Yes, Soul Relic might be a bit too slow-paced for some people’s tastes. I found it to be an enjoyable pace that really gave the characters (and the author’s ability to write them) a chance to shine. However if you’re looking for intense action sequences around every corner, life and death battles every two chapters, and fast progression/leveling, this might not be the book for you.
Characters:
The characters here are the true stand-out, and in the best way possible. Raysha’s relationship with her brother is by far my favourite—it feels like a real relationship that people would have, especially at the age the characters are at. But there are other fun characters and interactions, too, that leave you craving the next character that the author is going to introduce, because you know they will be amazing.
Also, to touch on the main character again. Raysha is a great character who is driven and determined, and her temporary insecurities and weaknesses are used to make her a stronger character, not to mock or belittle her. She is a character that you can’t help but like, but not just on a surface level. Her likeability comes from her willingness to overcome and persevere despite everything working against her, not because of innate strengths.
Writing:
The prose is effective and efficient, and mistakes are rare. Nothing else to say here!
Conclusion:
A very solid cultivation novel with incredible characters. If you’re okay with some slightly slower pacing, then I would recommend Soul Relic: Manifestation to you.
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