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Dirk & Steele #6
Soul Song
Against her will, Kitala Bell foresees the future. Now her own future is in peril. From the ocean’s depths rises an impossible blend of fantasy and danger, a creature whose voice is seduction incarnate, whose song can manipulate lives the way that Kitala herself manipulates the strings of her violin -- even to the point of breaking. He is a prince of the sea, an enigma -- a captive stretched to the limit of his endurance by a woman intent on using him for the purest evil. And when survival requires he and Kitala form a closer partnership than either has ever known, the price of their bond will threaten not just their lives, but the essence of their very souls
331 pages, Paperback
First published July 3, 2007
About the author
Marjorie M. Liu
254 books4,171 followersNew York Times bestselling and award-winning writer Marjorie Liu is best known for her fiction and comic books. She teaches comic book writing at MIT, and she leads a class on Popular Fiction at the Voices of Our Nation (VONA) workshop.
Ms. Liu is a highly celebrated comic book writer. Her extensive work with Marvel includes the bestselling Dark Wolverine series, NYX: No Way Home, X-23, and Black Widow: The Name of the Rose. She received national media attention for Astonishing X-Men, which featured the gay wedding of X-Man Northstar and was subsequently nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for outstanding media images of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Ms. Liu also wrote the story for the animated film, Avengers Confidential: Black Widow and Punisher, which was produced by Marvel, Sony Pictures Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and Madhouse Inc.
Her newest work is MONSTRESS, an original, creator-owned comic book series with Japanese artist (and X-23 collaborator) Sana Takeda. Published by Image in Fall 2015, MONSTRESS is set in an alternate, matriarchal 1920’s Asia and follows a girl’s struggle to survive the trauma of war. With a cast of girls and monsters and set against a richly imagined aesthetic of art deco-inflected steam punk, MONSTRESS #1 debuted to critical praise. The Hollywood Reporter remarked that the longer than typical first issue was “world-building on a scale rare in mainstream comics.”
Ms. Liu is also the author of more than 19 novels, most notably the urban fantasy series, Hunter Kiss, and the paranormal romance series, Dirk & Steele. Her novels have also been bestsellers on USA Today, which described Liu “as imaginative as she is prolific.” Her critically praised fiction has twice received the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, for THE MORTAL BONE (Hunter Kiss #6), and TIGER EYE (Dirk & Steele #1). TIGER EYE was the basis for a bestselling paranormal romance video game called Tiger Eye: Curse of the Riddle Box.
Liu has appeared on MSNBC, CNN, MTV, and been profiled in the Wall Street Journal.com, Hollywood Reporter, and USA Today. She is a frequent lecturer and guest speaker, appearing on panels at San Diego Comic Con, the Tokyo Literary Festival, the New York Times Public Lecture series, Geeks Out; and the Asian American Writers Workshop. Her work has been published internationally, including Germany, France, Japan, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
Ms. Liu was born in Philadelphia, and has lived in numerous cities in the Midwest and Beijing. Prior to writing full-time, she was a lawyer. She currently resides in Boston.
Ms. Liu is a highly celebrated comic book writer. Her extensive work with Marvel includes the bestselling Dark Wolverine series, NYX: No Way Home, X-23, and Black Widow: The Name of the Rose. She received national media attention for Astonishing X-Men, which featured the gay wedding of X-Man Northstar and was subsequently nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for outstanding media images of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Ms. Liu also wrote the story for the animated film, Avengers Confidential: Black Widow and Punisher, which was produced by Marvel, Sony Pictures Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and Madhouse Inc.
Her newest work is MONSTRESS, an original, creator-owned comic book series with Japanese artist (and X-23 collaborator) Sana Takeda. Published by Image in Fall 2015, MONSTRESS is set in an alternate, matriarchal 1920’s Asia and follows a girl’s struggle to survive the trauma of war. With a cast of girls and monsters and set against a richly imagined aesthetic of art deco-inflected steam punk, MONSTRESS #1 debuted to critical praise. The Hollywood Reporter remarked that the longer than typical first issue was “world-building on a scale rare in mainstream comics.”
Ms. Liu is also the author of more than 19 novels, most notably the urban fantasy series, Hunter Kiss, and the paranormal romance series, Dirk & Steele. Her novels have also been bestsellers on USA Today, which described Liu “as imaginative as she is prolific.” Her critically praised fiction has twice received the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, for THE MORTAL BONE (Hunter Kiss #6), and TIGER EYE (Dirk & Steele #1). TIGER EYE was the basis for a bestselling paranormal romance video game called Tiger Eye: Curse of the Riddle Box.
Liu has appeared on MSNBC, CNN, MTV, and been profiled in the Wall Street Journal.com, Hollywood Reporter, and USA Today. She is a frequent lecturer and guest speaker, appearing on panels at San Diego Comic Con, the Tokyo Literary Festival, the New York Times Public Lecture series, Geeks Out; and the Asian American Writers Workshop. Her work has been published internationally, including Germany, France, Japan, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
Ms. Liu was born in Philadelphia, and has lived in numerous cities in the Midwest and Beijing. Prior to writing full-time, she was a lawyer. She currently resides in Boston.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
August 10, 2007
Let me preface this by saying I have liked all the other books in this series. Not loved all of them - one of them I found disturbingly like a pro-furry manifesto - but I quite enjoyed the first one, and I downright loved Artur's story. This one? This one fell somewhere in between the first one and the scary pro-furry manifesto. I enjoyed most of it, but there were a few little bits were I was all, "Dude, Marjorie M. Liu, what crack are you smoking?"
The best part of the book for me was Kit. I love seeing a non-white heroine treated like any other heroine, without making it all, "Look at me! Look how EXOTIC she is ZOMG." The heroine was also just so... sensible. Well, for the most part.
If you're a die-hard paranormal fan, or a die-hard Marjorie M. Liu fan - and who could blame you? She's awesome! - then I'd definitely recommend you get this book. And if you have any leanings toward being a furry, well. Please don't tell me, but go get this book. Otherwise, I'd start with the first in the Dirk and Steele series.
The best part of the book for me was Kit. I love seeing a non-white heroine treated like any other heroine, without making it all, "Look at me! Look how EXOTIC she is ZOMG." The heroine was also just so... sensible. Well, for the most part.
If you're a die-hard paranormal fan, or a die-hard Marjorie M. Liu fan - and who could blame you? She's awesome! - then I'd definitely recommend you get this book. And if you have any leanings toward being a furry, well. Please don't tell me, but go get this book. Otherwise, I'd start with the first in the Dirk and Steele series.
May 6, 2013
Nothing like a singing Merman to catch your soul!
Wow this book was Much Much Much Better than the last one in the series. I definitely enjoyed the read, maybe because I have a thing for Mermen - LOL
The story was very creative. M'cal was a beautiful Merman that had a siren's call that could make them do what ever he wanted them to such as kill themselves or shoot other individuals. M'cal could suck individuals souls right out of them leaving just their shell to eventually die.
Enslaved by a witch, M'call was her slave and she used him to hunt and bring her souls in order for her to gain more knowledge. I have to say I hated that witch and was so looking forward to her being tortured or killed brutally but that doesn't happen.
Actually the way things ended with that witch kind of confused me because she was the bad guy and then all the sudden she is trusted and is treated good - I mean WTF. Hence one of the reason for 4 stars.
The connection between M'cal and Elsie was awesome though and the author hooked me with their musical connection - M'cal with his voice and Elsie with her violin. They both sung music mentally to each other which was very unique. The sex scenes are gracefully described but very hot. One moment I thought she might even attempt a menage but it turned out innocent. LOL
The interaction with the Wales was beautiful and the describable scene was so visionary I could actually feel the intense thrill of riding on the back of one.
There was a little action with the Dirk & Steel organization and I wish there would have been more because of all the interesting shape shifters. We did get more with Roni (Bird Shifter) here and there.
Overall, very interesting story.
Wow this book was Much Much Much Better than the last one in the series. I definitely enjoyed the read, maybe because I have a thing for Mermen - LOL
The story was very creative. M'cal was a beautiful Merman that had a siren's call that could make them do what ever he wanted them to such as kill themselves or shoot other individuals. M'cal could suck individuals souls right out of them leaving just their shell to eventually die.
Enslaved by a witch, M'call was her slave and she used him to hunt and bring her souls in order for her to gain more knowledge. I have to say I hated that witch and was so looking forward to her being tortured or killed brutally but that doesn't happen.
Actually the way things ended with that witch kind of confused me because she was the bad guy and then all the sudden she is trusted and is treated good - I mean WTF. Hence one of the reason for 4 stars.
The connection between M'cal and Elsie was awesome though and the author hooked me with their musical connection - M'cal with his voice and Elsie with her violin. They both sung music mentally to each other which was very unique. The sex scenes are gracefully described but very hot. One moment I thought she might even attempt a menage but it turned out innocent. LOL
The interaction with the Wales was beautiful and the describable scene was so visionary I could actually feel the intense thrill of riding on the back of one.
There was a little action with the Dirk & Steel organization and I wish there would have been more because of all the interesting shape shifters. We did get more with Roni (Bird Shifter) here and there.
Overall, very interesting story.
July 14, 2007
While I'd love to be able to loan this book out to anyone who was interested, I don't want to give it up - so get your own!
The latest in the Dirk & Steele series, SOUL SONG starts with a bang and doesn't stop until the last page. It's so packed with action it literally left me feeling breathless - and so sympathetic for poor Kit (a concert violinist who has the power to forsee violent deaths) and M'cal (a merman enslaved by a soul-stealing witch), who were thrown from one thing to another with no downtime as they race to stop the witch, free M'cal, and save Kit's soul.
Sounds like a pretty tall order, but Liu has a great way of balancing a big, action-packed plot with delicate character development and tasty romance without ever going over the top. While the female lead of her first Dirk & Steele book TIGER EYE reminded me of a certain Touched By An Angel actress, the entire series is just as well done as SOUL SONG. If you think paranormal romance might not be your thing, I encourage you to start with Liu - there really is something for everyone here.
The latest in the Dirk & Steele series, SOUL SONG starts with a bang and doesn't stop until the last page. It's so packed with action it literally left me feeling breathless - and so sympathetic for poor Kit (a concert violinist who has the power to forsee violent deaths) and M'cal (a merman enslaved by a soul-stealing witch), who were thrown from one thing to another with no downtime as they race to stop the witch, free M'cal, and save Kit's soul.
Sounds like a pretty tall order, but Liu has a great way of balancing a big, action-packed plot with delicate character development and tasty romance without ever going over the top. While the female lead of her first Dirk & Steele book TIGER EYE reminded me of a certain Touched By An Angel actress, the entire series is just as well done as SOUL SONG. If you think paranormal romance might not be your thing, I encourage you to start with Liu - there really is something for everyone here.
April 26, 2022
Where to even start?
I listen to a podcast called Heaving Bosoms about romance books, and they would definitely put this book in their "bonkers" book category. This has everything from extreme violence and torture to shapeshifting (mostly a merman, but also other minor characters into a bird and jaguar/some large cat?) to witchcraft and some sort of vampiric monster person to stealing souls with songs in your mind to more graphic violence to serious insta-love to grandmothers appearing in dreams and healing in the real world to a violin case that somehow survives everything from gunshots to near-drowning to the MC merman biting the nose clean off of a witch character who had been enslaving him....It is the most insane combination of things I have honestly ever read. I could keep this list going for a long time.
I will admit that parts of this aren't terribly written and held my attention. That said, I found the plot to just be nuts and not really make any sense (especially the last few chapters). It seemed to somehow be full of action and yet also not really go anywhere until ALL THE THINGS came together at the end in a way that was unexpected and honestly unexplained. Some of the description here is so hyperbolic and over the top. There are descriptions of things that happen in the minds of the characters that I just couldn't follow. I realize that this is a title in a series, but I feel the tie to other books is super loose and was mostly lost on me except for the inclusion of a few minor characters who barely served much of a purpose.
I should include that I didn't pick this book to read....I picked it out of a grab bag to read as part of a book club silly idea to read a bonkers book that was purchased from a thrift store. So it's definitely not my style. But I can't honestly say I'd recommend this to anyone unless this is their very specific niche.
I listen to a podcast called Heaving Bosoms about romance books, and they would definitely put this book in their "bonkers" book category. This has everything from extreme violence and torture to shapeshifting (mostly a merman, but also other minor characters into a bird and jaguar/some large cat?) to witchcraft and some sort of vampiric monster person to stealing souls with songs in your mind to more graphic violence to serious insta-love to grandmothers appearing in dreams and healing in the real world to a violin case that somehow survives everything from gunshots to near-drowning to the MC merman biting the nose clean off of a witch character who had been enslaving him....It is the most insane combination of things I have honestly ever read. I could keep this list going for a long time.
I will admit that parts of this aren't terribly written and held my attention. That said, I found the plot to just be nuts and not really make any sense (especially the last few chapters). It seemed to somehow be full of action and yet also not really go anywhere until ALL THE THINGS came together at the end in a way that was unexpected and honestly unexplained. Some of the description here is so hyperbolic and over the top. There are descriptions of things that happen in the minds of the characters that I just couldn't follow. I realize that this is a title in a series, but I feel the tie to other books is super loose and was mostly lost on me except for the inclusion of a few minor characters who barely served much of a purpose.
I should include that I didn't pick this book to read....I picked it out of a grab bag to read as part of a book club silly idea to read a bonkers book that was purchased from a thrift store. So it's definitely not my style. But I can't honestly say I'd recommend this to anyone unless this is their very specific niche.
August 16, 2017
***3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4 for originality***
June 1, 2011
LOVED LOVED LOVED it!! Oh Kit was amazing! And M'cal was so perfect for her, with his voice to go with her music! I loved how I got more of my man Koni....he is too friggin hilarious with his smart ass comments! Did I mention sexy?? OH YES HE IS!!! LOL!! I was shocked in the end by the witch, and Kit's granma was serious mojo! The characters as always were great, I love them! And how lucky was Kit to be in that delicious sandwhich to escape hypothermia...OMG I was salivating and giddy to imagine it!!Aahhhhh Koni naked....mmmmm it happened alot in this book, which was FANTASTIC!!! I hope that Kit and Alice stay friends...I think it would be fitting considering the history! It was great though, even through it all I was suprised in the end...I can't wait to see how things go...and what will happen to the guys at the agency next!! I can't wait..off to the next one!!
April 4, 2016
1.5 Sterne.
War leider nicht das was ich mir versprochen habe - irgendwie war alles etwas überstürzt und es wurde alles einfach ohne großes Nachfragen akzeptiert.
Auch die Charaktere waren meiner Meinung nach eher Stereotypisch und leider war auch die "Liebesgeschichte" irgendwie eher auf Sex begründet als alles andere.
Schade hatte mir davon wirklich mehr erwartet.
War leider nicht das was ich mir versprochen habe - irgendwie war alles etwas überstürzt und es wurde alles einfach ohne großes Nachfragen akzeptiert.
Auch die Charaktere waren meiner Meinung nach eher Stereotypisch und leider war auch die "Liebesgeschichte" irgendwie eher auf Sex begründet als alles andere.
Schade hatte mir davon wirklich mehr erwartet.
November 14, 2018
Picked this up because I LOVE Marjorie Liu's comics, and now I have regrets. I knew coming in that it's in the middle of a series, but that usually doesn't matter with smut, so maybe I missed out on something by not reading in order. The whole book kind of felt like filler to me, and I struggled to get through it. Even when there was suspense and action, I fell asleep reading. Also, huge trigger warning for rape (in the first chapter or two) that is not ever really resolved and just barely addressed. So there's that, too.
August 16, 2011
One thing I’ve learned while reading the Dirk & Steele series is that defeating the bad guy doesn’t necessarily mean that things are over. Storylines and characters are interwoven throughout the series and things have a way of coming back around. Such is the case with Soul Song. When we meet M’cal his situation seems eerily familiar. We have to wonder, is it coincidence or is history repeating itself?
Imagine falling in love and opening yourself to a person. But instead of happiness you find yourself made a slave; your will stripped. You are compelled to do unspeakable things, and over the years you find yourself emptier and emptier. You have no relief from the torment—the only pleasure you are allowed to feel is from the touch of the woman who enslaved you, and that in itself is a form of torture. That is the M’cal we are introduced to in the beginning of the book. He is a man lost and my heart broke for him. Watching him find happiness gave me a warm feeling inside.
I really appreciated having a book with Kitala Bell in it. Ever since being introduced to her in Tiger Eye I’ve been curious to get to know her better. I was very surprised to find that she is more than just the good friend of Dela, she has a hidden magical ability of her own. She’s gone out of her way to avoid further developing her abilities, so she’s stuck in a plateau. She can’t avoid seeing how these people will be killed, but she can’t seem to change anything and is frustrated by her inability. When she meets M’cal, suddenly she finds out that she has been living in a world filled with supernatural people, just like her, and never even knew it. She’s helplessly fascinated by him and his deadly music and can’t resist the urge to feel his music and add to it. Her abilities unwittingly compliment his own and give them both the opportunity to try to defeat M’cal’s captor and survive.
There are still twists and turns to be found here, but on the whole it’s a lot smoother than the previous book was. I didn’t have any of those odd moments of disorientation, where I wasn’t really sure if I had missed something or not. The plot unfolds smoothly and sucks you into the joy and helpless despair M’cal and Kit find in their situation. Once again Liu has managed to provide complex characters who will leave you questioning yourself as the details are revealed. Does personal tragedy make what the villain is doing okay? What exactly are you willing to forgive? Can one good act change your feelings about a lifetime of neglect? These are all things I asked myself as I read the book. Nothing is clear cut, and sometimes you’ll find yourself uncomfortable with how easy it is to sympathize with the villain.
I really enjoyed Kit and M’cal together and thought that they were both exactly what each other needed. I still winced a little over how quickly they fell for each other, but that was easily swept aside as I was sucked into the rest of the book. At times I found Kit’s actions a little idiotic, but she’s a steady enough character for the rest of the book that I didn’t hold it against her too much. My favorite crow, Koni, is back in the action and I am really hopeful that we might one day have a story about him. Sometimes he’s the only (much needed) voice of levity in a very serious situation. We also got to see some of the other previous Dirk & Steele characters, which gives us a nice character refresher before we head into the next book.
Favorite Quote:
Imagine falling in love and opening yourself to a person. But instead of happiness you find yourself made a slave; your will stripped. You are compelled to do unspeakable things, and over the years you find yourself emptier and emptier. You have no relief from the torment—the only pleasure you are allowed to feel is from the touch of the woman who enslaved you, and that in itself is a form of torture. That is the M’cal we are introduced to in the beginning of the book. He is a man lost and my heart broke for him. Watching him find happiness gave me a warm feeling inside.
I really appreciated having a book with Kitala Bell in it. Ever since being introduced to her in Tiger Eye I’ve been curious to get to know her better. I was very surprised to find that she is more than just the good friend of Dela, she has a hidden magical ability of her own. She’s gone out of her way to avoid further developing her abilities, so she’s stuck in a plateau. She can’t avoid seeing how these people will be killed, but she can’t seem to change anything and is frustrated by her inability. When she meets M’cal, suddenly she finds out that she has been living in a world filled with supernatural people, just like her, and never even knew it. She’s helplessly fascinated by him and his deadly music and can’t resist the urge to feel his music and add to it. Her abilities unwittingly compliment his own and give them both the opportunity to try to defeat M’cal’s captor and survive.
There are still twists and turns to be found here, but on the whole it’s a lot smoother than the previous book was. I didn’t have any of those odd moments of disorientation, where I wasn’t really sure if I had missed something or not. The plot unfolds smoothly and sucks you into the joy and helpless despair M’cal and Kit find in their situation. Once again Liu has managed to provide complex characters who will leave you questioning yourself as the details are revealed. Does personal tragedy make what the villain is doing okay? What exactly are you willing to forgive? Can one good act change your feelings about a lifetime of neglect? These are all things I asked myself as I read the book. Nothing is clear cut, and sometimes you’ll find yourself uncomfortable with how easy it is to sympathize with the villain.
I really enjoyed Kit and M’cal together and thought that they were both exactly what each other needed. I still winced a little over how quickly they fell for each other, but that was easily swept aside as I was sucked into the rest of the book. At times I found Kit’s actions a little idiotic, but she’s a steady enough character for the rest of the book that I didn’t hold it against her too much. My favorite crow, Koni, is back in the action and I am really hopeful that we might one day have a story about him. Sometimes he’s the only (much needed) voice of levity in a very serious situation. We also got to see some of the other previous Dirk & Steele characters, which gives us a nice character refresher before we head into the next book.
Favorite Quote:
”Keep your hands above the covers.”
“Give me a break,” Koni replied, staring at the ceiling. “I am not a total pervert. Although, to be honest, consider the night we’ve been having. First handcuffs, and now this? Way more kinky than I expected.”
“Please,” M’cal said. “Do not talk.”
“You like the strong and silent type, huh?”
“If you do not shut up, I will kill you with my voice.”
“I love it when you talk dirty.”
“Fine. Which do you prefer to lose first? Your soul or your testicles?”
“You know, you’re just a bit obsessed with chopping off balls. Do you have issues with your masculinity?”
March 29, 2015
I want to make a note that I haven't read other books in the series, so a comparison isn't possible. It's easy for those who haven't read any books in the series to jump right in, as nothing is really mentioned about previous installments, and this story is all the own of its characters. Plot-wise it's a unique piece; a merman of sorts (although that's not his official name) has been enslaved by a witch he trusted years ago. Using his incredible voice, he's forced to steal the souls of victims for his mistress, not able to resist her twisted calls. When she then instructs him to find and bring her two more people - one Kitala, another witch, and the other being Robin (whom is a mystery I won't reveal), he is forced to obey yet again.
Plot-wise, it's a unique piece. A merman of sorts, M'Cal has been tied by a witch for many years, forced to use his awesome voice to steal souls for his demented mistress. Hatred of her makes his life an eternal misery, but he is not strong enough to break their bind. She orders him to bring him the bodies of two others next, Kitala and Robin (a mystery I can't reveal without ruining the book.)
When he crosses Kitala, however, he is able to temporarily fight the urge to deliver her to the witch for slaughter, and together the two continue solving the mystery of finding Robin, trying to figure a way to unbind him from the witch, and ultimately surviving the day alive. From every corner comes a different sort of villain, including the witch, another unseen enemy and her cohorts. Tension is packed tightly, with every chapter having something majorly substantial on the line. From the first page things are constantly in motion, evolving into knuckle-biting suspense, keeping the pace up full-fledged. Scenes of suspense are expertly written, bringing out the highest level of anxiety possible.
Kitala as the main heroine is likeable, haunted by her morbid gift of forseeing the death of others, not familiar with her own great power, accompanied with the slightly irritating trait of ignoring good advice and getting herself in trouble. M'Cal is vicious when he must be (biting off the nose of an enemy, even), yet tender with others when he has the choice. Their romance blossoms quickly, with a sweet endurance that's simply moving. Not mushy or overdone, their relationship helped propel the central story onward, as together they stood taller than apart.
The villains were multi-dimensional as well (big brownie points!) with surprisingly degrees of character. The witch was someone you loved to hate, yet the ending revealed a small surprise. I'm guessing the wereanimals, etc., were part of the rest of the series. None were explored blatantly, yet they were interesting specimens who provided the right background to keep the story plausible. Romantically Soul Song is strong, with erotic tension and undertones, yet no on-the-page errr, grouping.
A downfall of the story was the complex scenarios with the witch. Her motivations didn't make 100% sense at the end, and the 'switching' almost felt like a mini cop-out. It's also unrealistic that Kitala could suddenly pick up on what powers she needed within 48 hours. Coming as second nature is one thing, but every ability needs fine-tuning and practice. Even Superman learned that lesson the hard way.
Marjorie M. Liu penned Soul Song with flair, her writing style fitting as comfortably as a well-worn shoe. Ultimately Soul Song sings itself as a mystery sort of story, something other-world without seeming too off-the-wall. Dark and deliciously paranormal, with enough twists to make a pretzel envious, Soul Song is a book worth reading anytime.
Plot-wise, it's a unique piece. A merman of sorts, M'Cal has been tied by a witch for many years, forced to use his awesome voice to steal souls for his demented mistress. Hatred of her makes his life an eternal misery, but he is not strong enough to break their bind. She orders him to bring him the bodies of two others next, Kitala and Robin (a mystery I can't reveal without ruining the book.)
When he crosses Kitala, however, he is able to temporarily fight the urge to deliver her to the witch for slaughter, and together the two continue solving the mystery of finding Robin, trying to figure a way to unbind him from the witch, and ultimately surviving the day alive. From every corner comes a different sort of villain, including the witch, another unseen enemy and her cohorts. Tension is packed tightly, with every chapter having something majorly substantial on the line. From the first page things are constantly in motion, evolving into knuckle-biting suspense, keeping the pace up full-fledged. Scenes of suspense are expertly written, bringing out the highest level of anxiety possible.
Kitala as the main heroine is likeable, haunted by her morbid gift of forseeing the death of others, not familiar with her own great power, accompanied with the slightly irritating trait of ignoring good advice and getting herself in trouble. M'Cal is vicious when he must be (biting off the nose of an enemy, even), yet tender with others when he has the choice. Their romance blossoms quickly, with a sweet endurance that's simply moving. Not mushy or overdone, their relationship helped propel the central story onward, as together they stood taller than apart.
The villains were multi-dimensional as well (big brownie points!) with surprisingly degrees of character. The witch was someone you loved to hate, yet the ending revealed a small surprise. I'm guessing the wereanimals, etc., were part of the rest of the series. None were explored blatantly, yet they were interesting specimens who provided the right background to keep the story plausible. Romantically Soul Song is strong, with erotic tension and undertones, yet no on-the-page errr, grouping.
A downfall of the story was the complex scenarios with the witch. Her motivations didn't make 100% sense at the end, and the 'switching' almost felt like a mini cop-out. It's also unrealistic that Kitala could suddenly pick up on what powers she needed within 48 hours. Coming as second nature is one thing, but every ability needs fine-tuning and practice. Even Superman learned that lesson the hard way.
Marjorie M. Liu penned Soul Song with flair, her writing style fitting as comfortably as a well-worn shoe. Ultimately Soul Song sings itself as a mystery sort of story, something other-world without seeming too off-the-wall. Dark and deliciously paranormal, with enough twists to make a pretzel envious, Soul Song is a book worth reading anytime.
September 22, 2014
I am not sure what it was that made me like this one so much. Perhaps its was the hot merman M'cal. Lots of things going on in this book. The baddies are bad and I love that in books. Yes there is some nasty violence but for me I like that sometimes. This was a great story from the first. For me the characters were great and the story was strong.
July 2, 2015
I loved this book !
I am going to continue with this series. It was my first in the series.
Marjorie's writing is lyrical and I fell in love in M'cal and Kit. The story begins with the action and I was reading it on my kiindle the whole night. This paranormal book was awesome.
Please read this book if you can!
I am going to continue with this series. It was my first in the series.
Marjorie's writing is lyrical and I fell in love in M'cal and Kit. The story begins with the action and I was reading it on my kiindle the whole night. This paranormal book was awesome.
Please read this book if you can!
June 4, 2021
I listened to this book in audio and overall I enjoyed it! The premise was fascinating, the characters compelling, and the story quite fascinating. The only bummer is that I got a little sidetracked with working & lost some of the plot- definitely going to have to read this one bc listening in audio I’m sad I missed out on stuff!
May 3, 2010
I liked this story until the very end where it took a rather violent turn that I didn't care for. The extra characters who keep reappearring in the Dirk & Steele stories are fun to read about and help keep you interested in reading more about D&S.
September 30, 2016
A higher 3.5 just because Kit is a woman of color and a musician and I understood all of the descriptions of music so deeply. Otherwise, still insta-lust and nothing hurts!
June 4, 2021
This has been the least enjoyable book of the series so far.
Firstly, having Kitala as a main character, with secret powers that she's hidden, just made me roll my eyes. It seems far too coincidental that Dela's next friend has supernatural powers, but that they never revealed it to each other.
Secondly, M'cal's reluctance to be explicit about the danger Kit was in seemed obtuse, and Kit's persistence about staying in danger just seemed idiotic (refusal to leave town, refusal to wait for help before going searching for Alice, refusal to listen to M'cal about the danger he represented). Blamed it on the insta-collection she had with Alice, and then M'cal, but it didn't feel in character and mostly made me groan at her ineptitude.
Lastly, the book just seemed like a series of kidnapped, escape, kidnap, escape, kidnap, escape - by the 3rd or 4th time it happened, I just didn't care anymore. It felt like the author's reveal of the people behind the kidnappings came too late to be punchy. I actually ended up flipping through the last round of kidnappings and escape - it wasn't plot relevant, and felt like another way station on the way to getting to the point.
I was bummed Hari, Rik and Amiri didn't feature more in this story. They felt really peripheral, which was disappointing given how key they had been in past books.
Firstly, having Kitala as a main character, with secret powers that she's hidden, just made me roll my eyes. It seems far too coincidental that Dela's next friend has supernatural powers, but that they never revealed it to each other.
Secondly, M'cal's reluctance to be explicit about the danger Kit was in seemed obtuse, and Kit's persistence about staying in danger just seemed idiotic (refusal to leave town, refusal to wait for help before going searching for Alice, refusal to listen to M'cal about the danger he represented). Blamed it on the insta-collection she had with Alice, and then M'cal, but it didn't feel in character and mostly made me groan at her ineptitude.
Lastly, the book just seemed like a series of kidnapped, escape, kidnap, escape, kidnap, escape - by the 3rd or 4th time it happened, I just didn't care anymore. It felt like the author's reveal of the people behind the kidnappings came too late to be punchy. I actually ended up flipping through the last round of kidnappings and escape - it wasn't plot relevant, and felt like another way station on the way to getting to the point.
I was bummed Hari, Rik and Amiri didn't feature more in this story. They felt really peripheral, which was disappointing given how key they had been in past books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2020
M’cal is enslaved by a witch who commands him to steal souls... he is a merman..
Kit is a performer but she sees death before it happens, isolating her from everyone.
M’cal is given a new target, he is captivated in a different way.
Touching anyone is painful, except for Kit (Dela’s friend from the first book) he saves her life, but someone else is trying to kidnap her...
She is kidnapped several times... and each time she is taken M’cal can find her.. she is his mate...
Kit’s dead grandmother visits her in her dreams with messages... and healing..
Then someone worse than the witch causes her to release M’cal and change sides when one of her descendants, Alice, is targeted.
Kit plays the violin but her music comes from her soul & her magic and together both KIt and M’cal are able to stop a demon and save Alice.
Kit requests help from D&S and a couple of the guys help out...
M’cal’s father briefly features and a little of his back story comes to light...
I like Marjorie’s stories but the multiple kidnappings was a bit over the top.
I borrowed all of the books in her series from the ebook section of my local library. I will read all that is on offer, books 1-10. **smiling**
Kit is a performer but she sees death before it happens, isolating her from everyone.
M’cal is given a new target, he is captivated in a different way.
Touching anyone is painful, except for Kit (Dela’s friend from the first book) he saves her life, but someone else is trying to kidnap her...
She is kidnapped several times... and each time she is taken M’cal can find her.. she is his mate...
Kit’s dead grandmother visits her in her dreams with messages... and healing..
Then someone worse than the witch causes her to release M’cal and change sides when one of her descendants, Alice, is targeted.
Kit plays the violin but her music comes from her soul & her magic and together both KIt and M’cal are able to stop a demon and save Alice.
Kit requests help from D&S and a couple of the guys help out...
M’cal’s father briefly features and a little of his back story comes to light...
I like Marjorie’s stories but the multiple kidnappings was a bit over the top.
I borrowed all of the books in her series from the ebook section of my local library. I will read all that is on offer, books 1-10. **smiling**
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2018
When Kit Bell, an extraordinarily talented fiddle player gets kidnapped and nearly killed after a concert, she calls her close friend Delilah Reece for help. Because not only does she have human thugs after her, but the mysterious stranger who rescued her also claims to have been sent to kill her.
Very complicated, sometimes gruesome, dark story. When you add details from this to hints from previous stories, you can get a glimpse of where the series is headed.
Footnote: 1) This reminds me of an oddly supernatural, reversed version of the Little Mermaid.
Fave scenes: M’cal breathing for Kit, Kit’s reaction to the 4 men in the car, the orca rescue and the unexpected family reunion.
Very complicated, sometimes gruesome, dark story. When you add details from this to hints from previous stories, you can get a glimpse of where the series is headed.
Footnote: 1) This reminds me of an oddly supernatural, reversed version of the Little Mermaid.
Fave scenes: M’cal breathing for Kit, Kit’s reaction to the 4 men in the car, the orca rescue and the unexpected family reunion.
June 3, 2018
I think I need a romance bucket list. Item 1, sex with a hot merman underwater: ✅ (oh wait except i already watched shape of water..)
Liu’s novels read like her graphic novels - a wild n crazy ride but too fast-paced for me to actually believe in the character growth. Plus the plot got pretty cyclical. They get kidnapped, they escape, they bone, they get kidnapped again, they escape with some magic power they got from boning i guess?, they bone, aaaand they get kidnapped again. And so on.
My only beef: why did he mermarry her without telling her?? And then not even tell her at the end???? Srsly rude.
Liu’s novels read like her graphic novels - a wild n crazy ride but too fast-paced for me to actually believe in the character growth. Plus the plot got pretty cyclical. They get kidnapped, they escape, they bone, they get kidnapped again, they escape with some magic power they got from boning i guess?, they bone, aaaand they get kidnapped again. And so on.
My only beef: why did he mermarry her without telling her?? And then not even tell her at the end???? Srsly rude.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2017
M'cal is a gorgeous Merman who has been held captive by an evil witch who forces him to steal people's soul and give them to her. He has the ability to control others with his siren's song. His next victim is Kitala, a woman with magic in her music. He intends to take her soul, but instead she steals his heart, something he never expected. Together they battle and defeat the witch and other evil characters. This is a beautiful love story filled with lots of action, great sex and a wonderful love shared by two people who had never known love and true happiness.
Currently reading
August 21, 2022Currently reading but I feel compelled to somehow communicate that the love interest, the merman prince, is raped in the first chapter and that really took me aback. Liu writes well though so I want to keep going but yeah, I wish there was a warning preface. Hopefully other paranormal romance enthusiasts will begin this novel forearmed now they're forewarned. Poor form on the publisher to completely be blase about the content of the first chapter.
Will update this review if and when I finish the book, which, again, I plan to.
Will update this review if and when I finish the book, which, again, I plan to.
June 2, 2024
I have been looking for a good underwater-themed book. Although this does take place both on land and in water. I ate this book up.
First off, I loved that our FMC is POC and I just love Louisiana setting - which added to the magic of it all. It’s tastefully spicy, brings awareness to men who experience SA, and has a plethora of badass women in here. I found it unique with the mate development and how Marjorie introduced each mythical creature. Chef kiss. I would love to see a movie or a show made out of this tbh.
First off, I loved that our FMC is POC and I just love Louisiana setting - which added to the magic of it all. It’s tastefully spicy, brings awareness to men who experience SA, and has a plethora of badass women in here. I found it unique with the mate development and how Marjorie introduced each mythical creature. Chef kiss. I would love to see a movie or a show made out of this tbh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2020
OK, so this is the SOLE shifter romance I have ever read. I liked Liu's writing and found the characters interesting, especially a mer-man; but I kept feeling like this was a book linked to a bigger universe that I didn't understand, and so I kept falling out of the plot. I'm sure if I went back to book one and started at the beginning, this book would be better for me.
January 31, 2020
"I've seen a lot of things, M'cal. Murders, rapes, hangings... even a decapitation or two. I can't forget a single one. But I've never been the victim, I've never been the target, until now. And violence is lonely, M'cal. No matter what side you're on".
June 24, 2020
I think by now I've gotten used to the idea that these books are going to be insta-love all the way, although maybe I'll be surprised down the road. This one got pretty dark in places, but it was definitely a wild ride, and I had a very hard time putting it down.
April 4, 2021
This excellent Marjorie Liu book is packed with excitement, love, magic, and places where you’ll be holding your breath until the dangerous parts are over. I’ve read all of the Dirk & Steele novels in order up to the next book, which I’ve already downloaded. I recommend you do the same.
January 18, 2023
Really liked this one. Sadly not too many well written and interesting romance about Mermen. I wish there were more, but this one I can say is definitely a good read. So can definitely recommend, for anyone searching for good Mermen stories.
May 13, 2019
Weirdest shit I’ve ever read...but maybe not the worst book???? Idk
2.5/2.75 star
2.5/2.75 star
November 21, 2019
Good book
The twist and turns this story takes make it a hard book to put down. Not a story to miss
The twist and turns this story takes make it a hard book to put down. Not a story to miss
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