- Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
- Publisher: Dorchester Publishing (1 July 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0843957662
- ISBN-13: 978-0843957662
- Product Dimensions: 17 x 10.4 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 207,634 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Soul Song
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Synopsis
Gifted and cursed with the ability to see the future, Kitala Bell must save M'cal, a seductive merman who has risen from the watery depths, from the grasp of an evil witch, a passionate alliance that threatens their lives and their very souls. Original.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
"Soul Song" is the fifth full length novel featuring the talented agents of "Dirk and Steele" (a further short story appears in the anthology "Dark Dreamers") and although not quite on par with previous books in this series, it is still a must have for fans of this author's works.
Kitala (Kit) Bell is the best friend of Delilah from "Tiger Eye" and briefly makes an appearance in the first book of this series. A virtuoso violin player, she travels frequently and always alone; never having revealed her ability to see the victims of murder and their gruesome deaths before they die. It is at a concert that Kit notices the young woman enjoying her music; a young woman destined to meet an ugly end. For some reason, this girl Alice strikes a cord and Kit vows to try and avert her violent destiny.
When Alice is abducted, Kit is rescued by a beautiful man with a voice she could die listening to; however he is not all he appears. Although he has saved her life, M'Cal is under the compulsion of a witch to use his ability to steal Kit's soul and pass it on to his mistress in order to strengthen her own powers. Forced to suffer humiliation after humiliation at the hands of the woman he once thought he loved, M'Cal is determined not to take Kit's soul yet begins to fear his growing feelings for her; after all the last time he thought he was in love he ended up the slave of an evil sorceress.
Caught up in an escalating plot in which someone knows of M'Cal's abilities and very much wants him dead, Kit turns to Delilah for help after escaping the clutches of corrupt cops. Cue the return of some of my favourite shape shifters, Hari, Koni and other "Dirk and Steele" employees.
This action packed, fast paced story is a great read and a wonderful continuation of this series; although I must say that for the first time the romance becomes almost incidental with so much going on plot wise; including the resurrection of demons, M'Cal's battle for freedom, their hunt for Alice and numerous face offs with a variety of enemies. That said, this book did not quite pull off the same thrill factor as "Tiger Eye" or "Shadow Touch", and maybe this is because the romance factor was missing. There are a few intimate scenes between Kit and M'Cal; however they never appear to connect as well together as the previous heroes and heroines of this series.
Kitala (Kit) Bell is the best friend of Delilah from "Tiger Eye" and briefly makes an appearance in the first book of this series. A virtuoso violin player, she travels frequently and always alone; never having revealed her ability to see the victims of murder and their gruesome deaths before they die. It is at a concert that Kit notices the young woman enjoying her music; a young woman destined to meet an ugly end. For some reason, this girl Alice strikes a cord and Kit vows to try and avert her violent destiny.
When Alice is abducted, Kit is rescued by a beautiful man with a voice she could die listening to; however he is not all he appears. Although he has saved her life, M'Cal is under the compulsion of a witch to use his ability to steal Kit's soul and pass it on to his mistress in order to strengthen her own powers. Forced to suffer humiliation after humiliation at the hands of the woman he once thought he loved, M'Cal is determined not to take Kit's soul yet begins to fear his growing feelings for her; after all the last time he thought he was in love he ended up the slave of an evil sorceress.
Caught up in an escalating plot in which someone knows of M'Cal's abilities and very much wants him dead, Kit turns to Delilah for help after escaping the clutches of corrupt cops. Cue the return of some of my favourite shape shifters, Hari, Koni and other "Dirk and Steele" employees.
This action packed, fast paced story is a great read and a wonderful continuation of this series; although I must say that for the first time the romance becomes almost incidental with so much going on plot wise; including the resurrection of demons, M'Cal's battle for freedom, their hunt for Alice and numerous face offs with a variety of enemies. That said, this book did not quite pull off the same thrill factor as "Tiger Eye" or "Shadow Touch", and maybe this is because the romance factor was missing. There are a few intimate scenes between Kit and M'Cal; however they never appear to connect as well together as the previous heroes and heroines of this series.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
"Soul Song" is another book in Marjorie Liu's 'Dirk & Steele Detective Agency' series although in this story the agency has a background role and it isn't necessary to have read any of the other novels in this series to understand "Soul Song".
Kitala Bell is a musician, a violinist with virtuoso talent who travels widely giving concerts. However she has another - and secret - talent, one which causes her great distress, namely that she is often able to foresee the way people will die if they are murdered; because of this she has few friends and lives a lonely life. She has previously experimented with telling people that she foresees their death but it has never worked out well for her so she has stopped. And then when performing at a concert she foresees the terrible death of a woman in the audience and for some reason decides, after the concert, to find the woman and tell her about it. As she starts to explain the woman's companion is shot and killed. Kitala and the woman, Alice, flee but are eventually captured and separated.
Kitala is rather unexpectedly rescued by a strange man who seems to have magical abilities with his singing voice. However as soon as he rescues her he warns her that he is trying to kill her and that she has to run far away from him. Being a typical contrary heroine of a romance novel, however, she instead decides she must find Alice and rescue her. She has one small lead, a business card for a youth shelter, and so decides to start from there.
The man, M'cal, is under a curse from a witch which requires him to 'take the souls' of men and women for her to feed on. He is bound to her by a magical bracelet which means she can compel him to do things against his will, such as the killing. He is afraid that she will compel him to kill Kitala if he sees her again and so tries to persuade her to go away. But of course she doesn't and they end up working together, knowing that at any time the witch may compel M'cal to kill Kitala.
Kitala learns an awful lot of new stuff about the world in the space of about 48 hours. She always knew she was different because of her ability to see people's deaths and because her Grandmother knew some strange things but as events unfold she discovers that M'cal isn't a man but originally came from the sea and she also discovers there are other strange creatures that she thought were just myths. However she, M'cal and some of the shapeshifters from the Dirk & Steele agency soon realise that there is something seriously dangerous looming on the horizon and the missing Alice may be the key to stopping it. M'cal has to deal with his past as a hostage to the witch and Kitala has to learn to use some of the music and magic within her to help defeat the evil they face.
There is romance in this story although it's not the main focus of the plot. The book is interesting in that you never quite know what's happening, you can't tell what the future holds for the characters and it's difficult to be sure quite what they are fighting against. However I felt that some aspects of the plot were perhaps a little too far-fetched and that M'cal's compulsion to kill Kitala is most conveniently shelved at times to suit the story. It's a complex world that the characters move in which is interesting and the story is well-written and engaging but overall it wasn't an entirely satisfying read. It's an original story in a genre which is often repetitive but it's not a completely fulfilling read.
Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book, www.curledup.com. © Helen Hancox 2007
Kitala Bell is a musician, a violinist with virtuoso talent who travels widely giving concerts. However she has another - and secret - talent, one which causes her great distress, namely that she is often able to foresee the way people will die if they are murdered; because of this she has few friends and lives a lonely life. She has previously experimented with telling people that she foresees their death but it has never worked out well for her so she has stopped. And then when performing at a concert she foresees the terrible death of a woman in the audience and for some reason decides, after the concert, to find the woman and tell her about it. As she starts to explain the woman's companion is shot and killed. Kitala and the woman, Alice, flee but are eventually captured and separated.
Kitala is rather unexpectedly rescued by a strange man who seems to have magical abilities with his singing voice. However as soon as he rescues her he warns her that he is trying to kill her and that she has to run far away from him. Being a typical contrary heroine of a romance novel, however, she instead decides she must find Alice and rescue her. She has one small lead, a business card for a youth shelter, and so decides to start from there.
The man, M'cal, is under a curse from a witch which requires him to 'take the souls' of men and women for her to feed on. He is bound to her by a magical bracelet which means she can compel him to do things against his will, such as the killing. He is afraid that she will compel him to kill Kitala if he sees her again and so tries to persuade her to go away. But of course she doesn't and they end up working together, knowing that at any time the witch may compel M'cal to kill Kitala.
Kitala learns an awful lot of new stuff about the world in the space of about 48 hours. She always knew she was different because of her ability to see people's deaths and because her Grandmother knew some strange things but as events unfold she discovers that M'cal isn't a man but originally came from the sea and she also discovers there are other strange creatures that she thought were just myths. However she, M'cal and some of the shapeshifters from the Dirk & Steele agency soon realise that there is something seriously dangerous looming on the horizon and the missing Alice may be the key to stopping it. M'cal has to deal with his past as a hostage to the witch and Kitala has to learn to use some of the music and magic within her to help defeat the evil they face.
There is romance in this story although it's not the main focus of the plot. The book is interesting in that you never quite know what's happening, you can't tell what the future holds for the characters and it's difficult to be sure quite what they are fighting against. However I felt that some aspects of the plot were perhaps a little too far-fetched and that M'cal's compulsion to kill Kitala is most conveniently shelved at times to suit the story. It's a complex world that the characters move in which is interesting and the story is well-written and engaging but overall it wasn't an entirely satisfying read. It's an original story in a genre which is often repetitive but it's not a completely fulfilling read.
Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book, www.curledup.com. © Helen Hancox 2007
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
75 reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Return to the Fantasy World of Marjorie Liu
27 Jun 2007
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
SOUL SONG starts out with a bang and moves with a fast pace in the book and to a startling conclusion. Neither Kitala Bell nor M'cal are normal members of their species.
Kitala's father was a white man and her mother was a black woman from Lousianna. Kit's grandma, Jazz, was and is a powerful voodoo priestess. Death has only strengthened her powers to protect her beloved granddaughter. Kit has her own unique powers she can see the murders that will take place and how they are committed on the faces of the living. She is a concert violinist and travels not only to play but escape the knowledge she has of the deaths that are to come.
M'cal's father is a Merman and his mother was human. His father is one of the few who possess the ability to soul sing, either to help or to destroy. Even tho he is of mixed heritage M'cal has inherited this ability. He is also enslaved by a witch, one that he thought he was in love with. She has stolen his powers and forces him to steal souls and bring them to her in order for her to retain her youth. Now she wants Kit and sends him to procure her soul.
Kit sees a woman at her concert who is to be murdered and even knowing that she will not be able to save the woman, she tries to warn her. Suddenly she and the woman and her uncle are attacked and kiddnapped. M'cal sees the attack and ultimately saves Kit. She touchs him in a soul deep way with her music and her face. He manages to free her and send her away with the warning that if he sees her again the witch will force him to take her soul.
The rest of the book is a wonderful ride and of course Dirk and Steele, the agency come to the rescue. Kit is a friend of Del who married Hari, the shapechanger from TIGER EYE. I enjoyed this book very much and as with all her books you never know where they will lead. Do not miss it.
Kitala's father was a white man and her mother was a black woman from Lousianna. Kit's grandma, Jazz, was and is a powerful voodoo priestess. Death has only strengthened her powers to protect her beloved granddaughter. Kit has her own unique powers she can see the murders that will take place and how they are committed on the faces of the living. She is a concert violinist and travels not only to play but escape the knowledge she has of the deaths that are to come.
M'cal's father is a Merman and his mother was human. His father is one of the few who possess the ability to soul sing, either to help or to destroy. Even tho he is of mixed heritage M'cal has inherited this ability. He is also enslaved by a witch, one that he thought he was in love with. She has stolen his powers and forces him to steal souls and bring them to her in order for her to retain her youth. Now she wants Kit and sends him to procure her soul.
Kit sees a woman at her concert who is to be murdered and even knowing that she will not be able to save the woman, she tries to warn her. Suddenly she and the woman and her uncle are attacked and kiddnapped. M'cal sees the attack and ultimately saves Kit. She touchs him in a soul deep way with her music and her face. He manages to free her and send her away with the warning that if he sees her again the witch will force him to take her soul.
The rest of the book is a wonderful ride and of course Dirk and Steele, the agency come to the rescue. Kit is a friend of Del who married Hari, the shapechanger from TIGER EYE. I enjoyed this book very much and as with all her books you never know where they will lead. Do not miss it.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Another Winner from Marjorie M. Liu
28 Jun 2007
Format:Mass Market Paperback
In SOUL SONG, Marjorie M. Liu returns readers to the magical, fascinating world of Dirk & Steele a bit indirectly. M'Cal is a merman who is enslaved to a witch (much as Charlie was enslaved in "A Dream of Stone and Shadow" in the DARK DREAMERS anthology), who forces him to use his extraordinary vocal powers to steal souls with which to augment her power. His new target is renowned fiddler Kitala Bell. But instead of stealing her soul, he saves her life - and she saves his right back.
Kitala has more talent than her music, but it's not something she welcomes - she can see how people are going to die. Her grandmother, a powerful voodoo priestess, tried to teach her how to handle her powers, but Kitala wanted to live in denial, and when her grandmother died, she lost her chance to learn. Despite the fact that she does know she can't do anything to save the people she sees, when she sees a young woman with a knife in her eye in the audience of her Vancouver concert, she tries to warn her. For her pains she gets tangled up in a web of human trafficking with two corrupt cops on her tail. The only thing standing between her and them is the man who saved her, the man who fascinates her...the man who is under compulsion to kill her.
There's something absolutely heady about this love story - on the run together, knowing that at any moment, the compulsion on M'Cal might kick in and he'll end up killing the woman he's falling in love with, but Kitala trusting him all the same, a testament to the core of his honor that the witch could never touch. It's love on a knife edge, as you see often in romantic suspense, but M'Cal and Kitala connect so deeply through the music in their souls that you know once the knife edge is gone, they'll still be together. M'Cal's situation helps Kitala connect with the full source of her powers, and Kitala's trust in M'Cal enables him to wake up to his situation, to the fact that his resistance to the witch was almost gone, and gives him the courage to fight anew. Together they're stronger than they ever were alone. They trust each other, they redeem each other, and it's simply beautiful.
This series just gets better and better with each book. Though M'Cal and Kitala are not core Dirk & Steele players, I would still advise new readers to start with TIGER EYE and read the series in order -- even with having read the prior books, I had to remind myself of some of the backstory. That way you can keep up with the tightly complex world Ms. Liu is building, plus you get to read several more wonderful books - it's a win-win.
Kitala has more talent than her music, but it's not something she welcomes - she can see how people are going to die. Her grandmother, a powerful voodoo priestess, tried to teach her how to handle her powers, but Kitala wanted to live in denial, and when her grandmother died, she lost her chance to learn. Despite the fact that she does know she can't do anything to save the people she sees, when she sees a young woman with a knife in her eye in the audience of her Vancouver concert, she tries to warn her. For her pains she gets tangled up in a web of human trafficking with two corrupt cops on her tail. The only thing standing between her and them is the man who saved her, the man who fascinates her...the man who is under compulsion to kill her.
There's something absolutely heady about this love story - on the run together, knowing that at any moment, the compulsion on M'Cal might kick in and he'll end up killing the woman he's falling in love with, but Kitala trusting him all the same, a testament to the core of his honor that the witch could never touch. It's love on a knife edge, as you see often in romantic suspense, but M'Cal and Kitala connect so deeply through the music in their souls that you know once the knife edge is gone, they'll still be together. M'Cal's situation helps Kitala connect with the full source of her powers, and Kitala's trust in M'Cal enables him to wake up to his situation, to the fact that his resistance to the witch was almost gone, and gives him the courage to fight anew. Together they're stronger than they ever were alone. They trust each other, they redeem each other, and it's simply beautiful.
This series just gets better and better with each book. Though M'Cal and Kitala are not core Dirk & Steele players, I would still advise new readers to start with TIGER EYE and read the series in order -- even with having read the prior books, I had to remind myself of some of the backstory. That way you can keep up with the tightly complex world Ms. Liu is building, plus you get to read several more wonderful books - it's a win-win.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Music for the Soul
21 Jun 2007
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Although the Dirk and Steele agency play only a small part in the novel, we do get to reconnect with a few old friends.
The novel itself follows M'cal a merman, with the power to destroy, or give life with his voice, who is enslaved by a witch, and Kitala Bell, a world renown fiddler, who has also inherited many of her Grandmother Jazz Marie's powers (namely seeing people who are going to die violently). Together Kitala and M'cal work to free a young woman who has been kidnapped from her evil captors, and to free M'cal from his enslavement to the witch who holds his soul.
The book is well written. The first couple of chapters are a bit slow, but the pace picks up quickly after that. And while I would have liked to have reconnected with more of the Dirk & Steele crew, I was pleased to see Koni had a larger part that usual. A definite must have for anyone who likes Marjorie's books. This one will be going on my keeper shelf.Soul Song (Dirk & Steele, Book 6)
The novel itself follows M'cal a merman, with the power to destroy, or give life with his voice, who is enslaved by a witch, and Kitala Bell, a world renown fiddler, who has also inherited many of her Grandmother Jazz Marie's powers (namely seeing people who are going to die violently). Together Kitala and M'cal work to free a young woman who has been kidnapped from her evil captors, and to free M'cal from his enslavement to the witch who holds his soul.
The book is well written. The first couple of chapters are a bit slow, but the pace picks up quickly after that. And while I would have liked to have reconnected with more of the Dirk & Steele crew, I was pleased to see Koni had a larger part that usual. A definite must have for anyone who likes Marjorie's books. This one will be going on my keeper shelf.Soul Song (Dirk & Steele, Book 6)
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