I am very excited to finally share with you my review of THESE VENGEFUL SOULS, book three in the brilliant YA Historical Paranormal series by Tarun Shanker & Kelly Zekas. I have been a fan ever since I received an ARC of the very first book and I cannot wait to share with you my thoughts at last!
The Book
THESE VENGEFUL SOULS
(These Vicious Masks #3)
Tarun Shanker & Kelly Zekas
YA Fiction | Historical | Paranormal
Published by: Swoon Reads
Publication Date: February 20, 2018
England, 1883. On the run with the grieving Sebastian Braddock, Evelyn wants two things: to be reunited with her friends, and to get revenge on the evil Captain Goode. Not only has he misused his and Sebastian’s powers to rack up a terrible death toll, but he’s also completely destroyed any hope of Evelyn or her friends regaining the life they once knew.
Evelyn is determined to make Captain Goode pay for what he’s done, but is her revenge worth risking the lives of Sebastian and her friends? Or is it better to flee the city and focus on staying alive? And with the Captain spreading lies about Sebastian in an attempt to flush them out of hiding and turn the populace against them, does she even have a choice at all?
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pooled ink Review
After the utterly shocking conclusion of book two, These Ruthless Deeds, I was eager to read this grand finale of an excellent historical paranormal trilogy. Being granted the opportunity to read an advanced copy was thrilling because I’d been wondering about the consequences of Captain Goode’s actions as my mind still reeled from the devastation.
We pick up in this book about where we left off in the previous one, with Evelyn and Sebastian spiraling in shock, mourning, fury, and crushing guilt. While Sebastian struggles to deal with the knowledge that it was his power that murdered all those innocents at the ball, killing friends and his friends’ families, Evelyn is her defiant self and despite her sorrow and guilt for her part in the affair she deals with her grief not in silence but in anger. Forcing Sebastian to stand she locates her surviving friends and determines to concoct her revenge. Captain Goode must die.
Captain Goode, always a horrid person, truly became an utmost infuriating enemy in this book as time and time again he thwarted every attempt to shine light on the truth of his villainy. I felt truly awful for poor Sebastian for every move made to clear his tarnished name only dug his grave deeper and the guilt of it all pushed further on his exhausted shoulders. Having a power that kills people is burdensome enough but after being controlled by Captain Goode and forced into killing over a hundred innocent people Sebastian has been left shaking and lost.
This book had me incredibly frustrated but undeniably captivated. I felt myself standing beside Evelyn calling for blood. While the others remained cautious, Evelyn was ready to charge Captain Goode like a bull blinded by red. Every time their plans failed, every time Sebastian’s name was blackened further, I grew more angry and more hungry for Captain Goode’s tyranny to end. I just wanted to scream the truth at those dense buffoons who called themselves police and journalists as well as those supporting Goode’s reign, and I know Evelyn felt the same.
Beyond the survivors of whom we are familiar, we are introduced to a few new characters and with them their unique powers. Coming up with the different powers in these books is one of the highest points in my opinion. They are so unique, not at all the typical powers one often reads in a paranormal/supernatural story. The world-building, the characters, it is all wonderfully imaginative, detailed, and thrumming with a vibrancy that brings it all to life.
Absolutely thrilling I was already charging ahead before the story could even attempt to cart me along, so ready was I for the action and resolution promised in this grand finale.
I remain absolutely pleased with this series, from the first book to its stunning conclusion. It has the thrill of James Bond, the forbidden allure of the inexplicable, the composure of Jane Austen, and the fiery heart of a heroine who refuses to let sins go unpaid. A deceivingly lovely prose that spins a tale of blackhearts, monsters, and revenge, These Vengeful Souls concludes its story with a final hurrah that will leave you joyously satisfied.
Cheers.
The Series
THESE VICIOUS MASKS
(Book 1)
Goodreads | Amazon | My Review
“These Vicious Masks is a poetically perfect title for a thrilling rush of a story filled with fantastic quips and silk ribbons of prose. Think Jane Austen infused with a delightfully immodest sprig of the paranormal.”
–pooled ink
THESE RUTHLESS DEEDS
(Book 2)
Goodreads | Amazon | My Review
“Overflowing with thrilling plot twists, fascinating characters, and proving itself as an overall exhilarating read, These Ruthless Deeds pens its drama with a sharp knife dipped in darkest blood, curling its tale with poise, short-breaths, and an unyielding hand. But even its gorgeous prose cannot veil the ruthless deeds contained within.”
–pooled ink
The Authors
Tarun and Kelly met in a freshman year writing class at NYU and started writing These Vicious Masks a few years later.
Tarun is a writer living in Los Angeles whose idea of paradise consists of kung-fu movies, David Bowie and chai tea. Since completing his first horrible screenplay in high school, he’s written everything from one-act plays and film criticism to humor pieces and strongly-worded emails. He’s also magnetized, crushed and burned the hard drive where that first screenplay can be found.
Kelly is a writer and actor living in NYC. YA is her absolute favorite thing on earth other than cupcakes and she has spent many hours crying over fictional deaths. She also started reading Harlequin romances at a possibly too early age (12?), and still loves a good paperback romance.
The Giveaway
Enter to win one (1) print copy of These Vengeful Souls.
Open international. Ends March 22.
pooled ink 
This sounds like such a well written and compelling story! And very imaginative, too! Great review, Angela! Glad you liked it! 🙂
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Thank you! I really enjoyed this series and was happy with how it all ended too 🙂
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