Review of Soul Man
Posted: 28 Aug 2021, 01:21
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Soul Man" by John Selby.]
As darkness slowly engulfed David Reynolds, he thought of his broken life. In a matter of months, he had lost his job, two children, and an eighteen-year-old marriage. A single mistake was all it took to unravel everything he cherished. He was now lying in a pool of his own blood, shot three times by an unfamiliar figure. Then everything went black. Reynolds awoke again, but everything was strange, and his body was functioning without his input. His voice, physique, and demeanor were all different. Then, the realization sank; somehow, his soul was alive and trapped in his killer’s body, seeing the world through his eyes.
Confusion soon turned into a determination to find answers. His killer was an oddity and borderline paranoid, alarming David even more. However, there was no obvious connection between the two, leaving more questions about the motive of the murder. Through out-of-the-box thinking, Reynolds began to uncover more about his killer and stumbled upon a startling similarity. They both knew Donald McFadden, his ex-wife's lawyer, and friend. However, his killer’s hatred toward the lawyer was immense and personal, creating more mystery. Who is McFadden, and how is he connected to his predicament? What is his wife’s involvement in all this? Further digging led Reynolds to a path of more revelations, heartbreak, love, and surprise compassion towards his killer.
John Selby excellently brings forth an intricate and captivating storyline. The introductory sentence instantly hooks the reader, creating a need to know what the book holds. The character description ensures the reader can easily visualize the physical traits and personalities of each. Each scene includes extensive details, enabling one to experience every explanation. For instance, when Reynolds was shot, the description allowed one to see the bullet tearing through his flesh, burning him, and feel the immense pain and confusion he underwent.
My favorite aspect of the read is the revelations, numerous twists, and lies, which made for a very engaging read that compelled one to be in constant detective mode. Every chapter had something new and unexpected to offer. However, I noted numerous instances of repetition, like the fact that Reynolds was stuck in his killer’s body, which is younger and more physically fit. The statement repeats severally in various forms. Additionally, the book’s conclusion gradually turns into a cliché, which is not necessarily bad, but I expected more since it is a unique storyline.
I found only two minor grammatical and spacing errors, evidence of the book’s excellent editing. The language used is simple but with significant cases of profanity and several sexually intimate scenes. There is also mention of Christianity and God, however, not in an offensive or distracting way. Soul Man is a thrilling novel that combines the supernatural, crime, and romance genres. It is also memoir-like, where the main character narrates his life story, making it very realistic. I gladly give it a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. Further, each character comes with specific details that create build-up and anticipation, making Soul Man a difficult read to put down. If this is your kind of read, then I highly recommend the book.
******
Soul Man
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
As darkness slowly engulfed David Reynolds, he thought of his broken life. In a matter of months, he had lost his job, two children, and an eighteen-year-old marriage. A single mistake was all it took to unravel everything he cherished. He was now lying in a pool of his own blood, shot three times by an unfamiliar figure. Then everything went black. Reynolds awoke again, but everything was strange, and his body was functioning without his input. His voice, physique, and demeanor were all different. Then, the realization sank; somehow, his soul was alive and trapped in his killer’s body, seeing the world through his eyes.
Confusion soon turned into a determination to find answers. His killer was an oddity and borderline paranoid, alarming David even more. However, there was no obvious connection between the two, leaving more questions about the motive of the murder. Through out-of-the-box thinking, Reynolds began to uncover more about his killer and stumbled upon a startling similarity. They both knew Donald McFadden, his ex-wife's lawyer, and friend. However, his killer’s hatred toward the lawyer was immense and personal, creating more mystery. Who is McFadden, and how is he connected to his predicament? What is his wife’s involvement in all this? Further digging led Reynolds to a path of more revelations, heartbreak, love, and surprise compassion towards his killer.
John Selby excellently brings forth an intricate and captivating storyline. The introductory sentence instantly hooks the reader, creating a need to know what the book holds. The character description ensures the reader can easily visualize the physical traits and personalities of each. Each scene includes extensive details, enabling one to experience every explanation. For instance, when Reynolds was shot, the description allowed one to see the bullet tearing through his flesh, burning him, and feel the immense pain and confusion he underwent.
My favorite aspect of the read is the revelations, numerous twists, and lies, which made for a very engaging read that compelled one to be in constant detective mode. Every chapter had something new and unexpected to offer. However, I noted numerous instances of repetition, like the fact that Reynolds was stuck in his killer’s body, which is younger and more physically fit. The statement repeats severally in various forms. Additionally, the book’s conclusion gradually turns into a cliché, which is not necessarily bad, but I expected more since it is a unique storyline.
I found only two minor grammatical and spacing errors, evidence of the book’s excellent editing. The language used is simple but with significant cases of profanity and several sexually intimate scenes. There is also mention of Christianity and God, however, not in an offensive or distracting way. Soul Man is a thrilling novel that combines the supernatural, crime, and romance genres. It is also memoir-like, where the main character narrates his life story, making it very realistic. I gladly give it a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. Further, each character comes with specific details that create build-up and anticipation, making Soul Man a difficult read to put down. If this is your kind of read, then I highly recommend the book.
******
Soul Man
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon