Mads
“Soul Mirror” is an immersive and emotional story that takes the reader on a journey through one's individuality and the complexities of the human experience. The story revolves around a young woman named Jessica who is autistic and nonverbal, who discovers a mysterious mirror which reflects not just her physical appearance but also her deepest fears, desires, and secrets.
As someone who is autistic myself, one of the standout elements of the book for was its accurate depictions of autism and the way in which it fits into one's identity. It was so refreshing to see an autistic main character that didn't just serve as a way to move the plot forward, especially in horror where this is even less common than in other genres. There is strong character development that I loved experiencing; I felt a deep connection to Jessica as she struggled to navigate both her inner turmoil and the external conflicts that arose from the mirror's revelations.
Edmund Stone's writing is full of vivid descriptions and imagery, making it easy to bring this world to life. He regularly mentions sensory difficulties and stimming habits, and clearly somewhat knows about the autistic experience. The pacing is well-balanced, with some nail bitingly tense moments, interspersed with reflective passages that allowed me to slow down, take it in and contemplate. I am a huge fan of Stone's writing style and cannot wait to read more from him!
Overall, I found Soul Mirror to be a thrilling read that combines suspense with stunning prose, writing that is sophisticated without coming across as pretentious, and provides readers with profound insights into the human experience. It prompts us to question what lies beneath the surface, and the influence our past has on shaping who we become.
If stories that challenge your perceptions and keep you guessing are something you enjoy, this book is definitely worth picking up! I found it hard to put down and know that it will stay with me for a long time.
Please check content warnings before reading; Edmund Stone was gracious enough to leave a list at the end of the book.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for my completely honest opinions and review!
For a story that clocks in at around 30 minutes, this packed quite the punch.
The narration gave me a feeling not dissimilar to that of an atmospheric bedtime story- if the story's intention was to cause nightmares. Usually this style of narration mixed with a book in this genre would not mix well for me, however in this case I felt like it added its own unique kind of charm.
Overall, I thought this was a fun, fast paced listen and I enjoyed the twist at the end, although I did find it very predictable and lacking in originality; it felt like a slightly different take on a story that's been told many times before. I enjoyed Kenneth Cruz's writing and will gladly read more of their work in the future, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the stories in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an audio version of this story in exchange for my honest review !
