“What a journey you have been on, Joy Montgomery. But it isn’t over yet . . . . No . . . I’m afraid you have much farther to go.”
Joy Montgomery is a hero. The Treemakers are finally home, safe and free in a well-deserved and long dreamed of paradise. The children can now settle into normal, carefree lives. Or so they thought.
Troubled by secrets their newfound paradise reveals, coupled with … paradise reveals, coupled with tangled feelings toward those she loves, Joy sees the painful truth: they’re still prisoners forever wounded by the effects of a traumatic past. An ominous warning from a trusted friend strengthens her resolve to never let down her guard, to always be prepared, to be ready for war . . . both inside and out.
Once again, the Treemakers are faced with escaping disaster, and Joy’s strength is pushed to its limit, her sanity pushed to the brink of collapse. Just when their situation couldn’t get any more desperate, they’re thrust into a series of shocking tribulations that are nothing short of nightmarish.
Will the Treemakers of Greenleigh annihilate the forces of evil that seek to capture and control their souls? Or will the magic Joy thought she found turn out to be just another illusion?
This is the second book in the Treemakers Trilogy. This series is intended for mature YA audiences, as there are certain mature themes (abuse, character deaths, etc.,) which may be too emotionally intense for younger readers.
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Once again, I find myself sucked into the world of Joy Montgomery -swept along on waves of emotions, my mind completely absorbed by the suspense, gasping at the curve balls Christina keeps throwing. I’ve been overcome with grief, felt surges of anger, laughed at the humor & victories. All while on the edge of my seat & being shocked with surprises. But I have a feeling everything is slowly coming to a close; that we are getting closer to the secrets & mysteries being revealed & pieces of the puzzle being clicked gradually into place. I have loved my journey so far, but the greed in me can’t wait to reach Joy’s final destination.
I’m obsessed with this series. The writing is great and the action and suspense are top notch. The Soultakers, the second book in the trilogy, picks up just where the first, The Treemakers, left off. The Treemakers and the Saltminers think they found their paradise. They have a beach, they are adored by adults, are building relationships, going to school. And then something happens, a flood. They find out the truth about where they had been staying.
Poor Joy just when I thought she was going to be happy, nope she’s not. the memorable characters, Mateo, Jax, Smudge, Johnny, Baby Lou and the little girls. We are introduced to new villains and heroes and a few who have changed sides. Twists and turns are in full affect.
I can not wait to read the next book in this series. GREAT BOOK SERIES.
So for me to finish a book in a week or so is usual for me. What is unheard of is for me to finish a 300+ page book in 24 hours. That’s how much of a page turner and nail biter The Soultakers is (i’m ashamed to say that my parenting today mainly consisted of cartoons so I could sneak in extra chapters).
The story starts back in Zentao, about 2 weeks after the closing events and revelations from The Treemakers. Joy still retains the secret behind their “paradise” allowing the children their freedoms to play and learn. Their contentment however, is short lived with attacks first on the electrics, which shatters the illusion of their new home and then the water supply is sabotaged forcing them to flee Zentao, the children one way and the elders through a second route. Before the evacuation starts Joy is handed vague information about “The Seekers Keys” with instruction not to share the information with Smudge and to keep the knowledge safe. What then follows has to be one of the most frightening and adrenaline fuelled story line sections I have ever read, hold on tight for this one, it pulls no punches and will get you ugly crying for sure. During the escape Joy unexpectedly comes into possession of part of the Seekers Keys, an item which is to bring unimaginable suffering at the hands of Lord Daumier, who along with his Clergy (known as the Soultakers) will stop at nothing to secure possession of all 3 parts.
It then very much becomes a story of 2 parts and I have to say I am finding it so hard to put into words the feelings this story brought out in me, during the second part the characters spend much of their time in fear and confusion, mind games and lies upon lies left them and me questioning which reality I believed and hoped in. Rays of hope shine through Joys distorted world however, and slowly the fog clears and her mission remains resolute. Personal sacrifices must be made both willingly and unwillingly to protect the children and allow her to fulfil her promise of keeping them safe.
As with the Treemakers, this is a real page turner, I literally couldn’t put it down. I would again say it’s for more mature YA readers as there are strong themes and vivid portrayals of violence. The story is intricately woven, with lots of standout moments and shocking and surprising twists which I have tried to avoid spoiling – there is so much more I would love to say about this book! The fact that one of the latter characters shares my son’s name gives it a sixth star for good taste I cannot commend this series highly enough and I’m glad that book 3, The Seekers Keys, is released tomorrow, I have to know how this story ends!!