Soulsaver

Rating:
Summary: A Terrifying, Spellbinding Vision
Review: SOULSAVER is a witty, inventive, disturbing satire set in a vastly deteriorated Puerto Rico in the Year 2099. It is the story of discovery and redemption as told by 22 year old Juan Bautista Lorca. Juan is a neophyte Soulsaver Corpsman, working for the Suicide Prevention Corps of America, under the tutelage of one Fabiola Munoz. The details of this job, and the reasons for its existence, horrify and captivate the reader. A miserable place, this futuristic America, controlled by a Hot-bodied Oracle called The Shepherdess, who broadcasts divine revelations and political commands via television from Washington, District of Christ. Toxic pollution, over-crowding, and relentless poverty afflict most of the population -- and should one attempt to escape this ghastly environment by committing suicide, there are always Soulsavers like Juan and Fabiola, ready and on call to scoop up the remains, cryogenically freeze them, and haul the body off to the Saint Francis Of Assisi Resurrection Center, where it will be revived and put on trial for the escape attempt. The conditions under which the populace must live in this dystopia must be read to be fully grasped. And The Shepherdess, along with her sidekick, the burlesque televangelist Reverend Jimmy Divine, keep the masses controlled and entertained by their constant presence via high tech means, although there are reports of a heretical 'New Christer' cult, which she has outlawed. In this climate of intrique and deception, Juan comes to question his previous understanding of his Religion, and to reevalute all he has been taught to believe. This superb book has elements in common with those by Aldous Huxley and Anthony Burgess. SOULSAVER delivers the goods at its outrageous conclusion -- with a quirky, delirious Boschian atmosphere so often observed in Philip K. Dick's work. I delighted in the author's arch humor and his appreciation for irony and the absurd. The characters are sensitively handled, and the well-wrought action cuts from scene to scene with a boisterous, giddy energy, reflecting the main character Juan Bautista's naive enthusiasm, and youthful energy. Yet the futuristic sci-fi scenery cannot obscure the very real, compelling message SOULSAVER seeks to deliver: that we must now allow ideology to prevail over the needs of the People. That even our -- at times -- pathetic human condition holds the potential for miracles. We can rise above negative inheritances from our parents. That we are all agents of, and conduits for, His power, and recipients of His grace and love. While some persons may be offended by the concept of Jesus's new manifestation as a pair of young twins, the Children, Emma And Noel, it is poignantly consonant with His comment that, 'Unless you become as little children, you cannot enter the Kingdom Of God.' And best of all: 'The only one who can save your soul is you.'

Call me Sammi Spellbound.

Rating:
Summary: A nice relaxing evening
Review: What do you like in book? If you are like me, it is never just one quality that you look for, it is a combination of several qualities which vary in amount depending on your mood.

I didn't know what to expect when I read this book. And honestly were I not a member of the same writer's workshop as James Stevens-Arce, I would not have bought this book. It is just not my thing. Don't get me wrong. A lot of people in the workshop really loved this book for the story, but as I said, satire is really not my thing. To me it was just a nice relaxing evening on the couch-I don't get very many of those-so this was well worth the price to me

The thing that most impressed me about this book is the speed with which you can read it. It just draws you in and really does a better job at it than just about any book I have ever read. It was amazing, I read this book in just about two hours and forty-five minutes. This makes the book especially relaxing to read I think.

So is the book good? I think you will need to decide that for yourself. However, one thing I will say is that James Stevens-Arce is without a doubt the hardest working author I know. He always takes the time to go that little extra mile for the fans..