Soul Hate has best Enemies to Lovers premise

With probably the best enemies to lovers concept of the year Soul Hate by Hannah Kingsley is a must-read. Read my 4 star review.

Out: Now

Renza, at 21, is the youngest ever Electi of her city Halice and things seem to be going well. Then she meets Idris Patricelli who is not only her political rival but her Soulhate. The opposite of Soulmate, she is destined to destroy him. Will she be able to hold back her murderous rage and save her position and her reputation? Who can she trust? Can she save what she holds dear? And can she fight Fate?

I really enjoyed the prologue bringing us the legends of soulmates and soulhates. The premise is brilliant and the mythology created for it is quite impressive and shared in an affable manner.

The narrative is not just a 1st person POV, it is Renza telling us her story herself. You immediately feel comfortable in her life and like her immensely. It is so very obvious that the author wants us to see what she imagines this world looks like and renders the narrative quite descriptive. It's a twist on a long ago Rome with well-placed Italian features and a contemporary feel to the storytelling and dialogue. The vivid details and figurative speech convey a sense of wonder.

The introduction of our protagonists' Soulhate status is nicely anticipatory, intense and the fact that it makes their lives difficult is more than an understatement. This brings the enemy side of their story to a whole new level. The impossibility of their and the inner conflict are depicted so well. The way they perceive each other is simultaneously full of anguish and comical.

A tragic event changes the course of the story, leading it towards an unexpected direction. In the adversity of the new gut-wrenching normal, Renza and Idris shine. Evocative combinations of words bring forth the proper image or emotion at the correct juncture, quite a few times brilliant in their creativity and gorgeous. For some inexplicable reason I guessed the perpetrator of the big betrayal way before there were any real, subtle hints. The reveal was still breath-stealing.

Along with the political maneuvering and danger, there is optimism and hope. Feelgood moments and characters you just wanna hug and/or hang out with. Of course, there are characters you want to slap silly too. The humor presents delightful and there are playful remarks to be enjoyed. And so many great interactions between our heroes.

There was a bit of hyperbole in some descriptions of the world and some romantic feelings which just seemed out of place at the given moment. The idea is Renza is determined and becoming a political badass, acting lovestruck every couple of sentences on some pages, takes away from that. Additionally, there are words used repetitively to characterize feelings or surroundings like sparks or the unfortunate use of the word creamy for building and other similar things.

One of this book's most beautiful themes is freedom of self and from the expectations of others. It deals with choice and respect of beliefs. Openness to learn, to compromise and rising to the occasion. About fighting for what you believe in. As it says in the book itself: "Scars, in all their forms are beautiful. The marks of wars won."

Utterly engrossing, dripping with intrigue, and giving us Machiavellian games of power, betrayal, perilous escapade and a whole lot of heart. Are love and hate two sides of the same coin? And can you escape fate?