Enter
INTERVIEWS & REVIEWS
  • Home
    • About >
      • Mission Statement
      • FAQ'S
      • Review Us!
    • Contact
  • Interviews
    • Interview Requests
  • Reviews
    • Book Submissions
  • Team Members Only
    • Contemporary Fiction
    • Historical Fiction
    • Mystery/Suspense
    • Young Adult
  • Book of the Month
    • January Nominations
    • February Nominations
    • March Nominations
    • April Nominations
  • Our Reviewers
    • Marta Aldrighetti
    • Anna Bottoms >
      • Carolyn Bryant
    • Trinity Caver
    • Laura J. Davis >
      • Jeanette Durkin
    • Elizabeth Eckmeyer
    • Kristina Hall >
      • Joy Hannabass
      • Adriann Harris
      • Demetria Head
      • Raechel Helwig
      • Charity Henico
      • Mindy Houng
      • Monica Huyser
    • Heather L. Jones
    • Linda Klager
    • Beverly Laude >
      • Diana Lea
      • Tammy Lunsford
    • Rebecca Maney
    • Rick Norris
    • Trixi Oberembt
    • Lori Parrish >
      • Deanne Patterson
    • Kimberlee Sams >
      • Connie Porter Saunders
      • Paula Shreckhise
      • Katie Slocum
      • Amy Smelser
      • Katelyn Sponaugle
      • Emily Stephens
    • Laura Thomas >
      • Winnie Thomas
    • Billi Varela >
      • Diana Varela
      • Elisha Varela
      • Juanita Varela
    • Ewurabena Wilson >
      • Conny Withay
      • Cheryl Wood
  • 2024 Book of the Year Winner
    • 2024 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2023 Book of the Year
    • 2023 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2022 Book of the Year
    • 2022 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2021 Book of the Year
    • 2020 Book of the Year >
      • 2020 Book of the Year Finalists
    • 2021 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2019 Book of the Year
  • 2018 Book of the Year
    • 2018 Finalists
  • For Writers
  • Home
    • About >
      • Mission Statement
      • FAQ'S
      • Review Us!
    • Contact
  • Interviews
    • Interview Requests
  • Reviews
    • Book Submissions
  • Team Members Only
    • Contemporary Fiction
    • Historical Fiction
    • Mystery/Suspense
    • Young Adult
  • Book of the Month
    • January Nominations
    • February Nominations
    • March Nominations
    • April Nominations
  • Our Reviewers
    • Marta Aldrighetti
    • Anna Bottoms >
      • Carolyn Bryant
    • Trinity Caver
    • Laura J. Davis >
      • Jeanette Durkin
    • Elizabeth Eckmeyer
    • Kristina Hall >
      • Joy Hannabass
      • Adriann Harris
      • Demetria Head
      • Raechel Helwig
      • Charity Henico
      • Mindy Houng
      • Monica Huyser
    • Heather L. Jones
    • Linda Klager
    • Beverly Laude >
      • Diana Lea
      • Tammy Lunsford
    • Rebecca Maney
    • Rick Norris
    • Trixi Oberembt
    • Lori Parrish >
      • Deanne Patterson
    • Kimberlee Sams >
      • Connie Porter Saunders
      • Paula Shreckhise
      • Katie Slocum
      • Amy Smelser
      • Katelyn Sponaugle
      • Emily Stephens
    • Laura Thomas >
      • Winnie Thomas
    • Billi Varela >
      • Diana Varela
      • Elisha Varela
      • Juanita Varela
    • Ewurabena Wilson >
      • Conny Withay
      • Cheryl Wood
  • 2024 Book of the Year Winner
    • 2024 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2023 Book of the Year
    • 2023 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2022 Book of the Year
    • 2022 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2021 Book of the Year
    • 2020 Book of the Year >
      • 2020 Book of the Year Finalists
    • 2021 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2019 Book of the Year
  • 2018 Book of the Year
    • 2018 Finalists
  • For Writers

Book Reviews​

5/18/2022

0 Comments

My Soul To Take

 
Picture
Author: Bryan Davis
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: The Oculus Gate #3
Release Date: April 10, 2022


The souls of Leo and Iona are trapped in hell, their bodies inhabited by the souls of Alex and her henchman Bartholomew. Now disguised as Iona, Alex launches her centuries-old plan to restore her power and take control of both Earth and Viridi.

Unable to communicate with their allies, the real Leo and Iona embark on a journey, hoping to somehow break through hell’s impenetrable gates. Along the way, they meet a strange woman, a Reaper who believes she can help them escape.

On Earth, Ben Garrison and company begin to suspect that Leo and Iona are not who they seem, and their souls might still be in hell. Aware of their suspicions, Alex, in Iona’s body, escapes them to pursue her world-takeover plans.

As Leo and Iona face the dangers of a beast-infested forest, a lava-filled chasm, and the nightmarish Lake of Fire, Ben tries to figure out a way to help them from Earth. Only one option presents itself—to return to hell and face the dangers himself.

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Reviewer: Timothy McKay

I read and loved Bryan Davis's Dragons in Our Midst series when I was in high school, so I leaped at the chance to review his newest action rollercoaster. And it was definitely a wild (albeit enjoyable) ride, especially since I hadn't read the first two Oculus Gate books yet. That's an omission I intend to rectify, though it wasn't necessary to enjoy this third installment.

I will say that reading the previous two books would have better prepared me for just how much is going on in this book. Brace yourself for some mild disorientation. This book jumps from space alien giants to magical wards, malicious vaccines, soul-absorbing cloaks, witchcraft, lie-detecting mirrors, and magical violins. All packed within an action-heavy plot full of intrigue, firefights, and spaceship chases. As I said, a lot is going on.

What My Soul to Take does well is make you invested. There are more than a few beautiful moments of faith, redemption, and healing, even from the depths of hell (without sacrificing sound theology). And I particularly enjoyed the sibling banter of Jack and Trudy, plus a few sarcastic quips from Iona - their comedic edge helped balance out some of the book's heavier moments. 

The dialogue was sometimes forced and mechanical, and some of the characters' plots, schemes, and plans are hard to believe. A few key characters see through the deception of their enemies far too quickly early in the book, a scheme that could have been drawn out for effect (I think).

My Soul to Take leaves you hanging. Without spoilers, very late in the book, we learn of Satan's role in Alex's diabolical schemes and witness characters struggling with the justice and theological implications of eternal damnation in hell. The action then moves the characters into position for some final chases, fights, and confrontations but abruptly stops. It's jarring, but those bigger revelations make me really want to know what happens next. I'd almost rather have had the next book(s) and this one released all at once, but I suppose that's how we always feel before the last chapter of a thrilling series is released. I like long books, but if you're looking for a quick, action-packed science fiction read, and if you can handle anticipation for a story's resolution better than I can, this is the book for you. Enjoy!

I received a review copy courtesy of Mountain Brook Ink through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Action/Adventure
    Amish Fiction
    Anthology
    Bible Study
    Biblical Fiction
    Children
    Christian Living
    Christmas
    Church History
    Contemporary Fiction
    Contemporary Holiday Romance
    Contemporary Romance
    Cookbook
    Devotionals
    Dual Time
    Dual-Time
    Dual-time Romance
    Fantasy
    Fiction
    Gothic Historical Romance
    Historical Fiction
    Historical Holiday Romance
    Historical Mystery
    Historical Romance
    Historical WWII Fiction
    Inspirational Fiction
    Marketing
    Marriage
    Memoir
    Missions
    Mystery/Suspense
    Poetry
    Prophecy
    Regency Romance
    Romantic Suspense
    Science Fiction
    Self Help
    Self-Help
    Social Issues
    Spiritual Growth
    Spiritual Warfare
    Theology
    Thriller/Suspense
    Time Travel Romance
    Women's Issues
    Young Adult

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016

Services

Interviews
Reviews
Our Reviewers
For Writers
Book Submissions

Support

Contact


© COPYRIGHT 2016. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Disclaimer
FTC DISCLAIMER: All the books reviewed on this site are given to us for the express purpose of review. They are provided by publishers, publicists, authors and agents. None of our reviewers were required to write positive reviews and none of them were paid monetarily. All opinions are those of each individual reviewer. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”