In a post–World War III society where every 18-year-old must undergo a process to reveal their past lives and determine their fate, Sivon’s unprecedented results thrust her into a dangerous web of political intrigue, public scrutiny, and questions about identity, justice, and the true meaning of soulmates. As she navigates threats, conspiracies, and a slow-burn romance with her bodyguard, Sivon must unravel the truth behind the soul-identification system before one wrong move endangers everyone she loves.
Set two hundred years after World War III in a post-apocalyptic United States, the story centers on a society governed by a soul-identification system that determines each citizen’s fate at age eighteen through a process called kirling. This system reveals individuals’ past lives, assigning them inheritances, career paths, and sometimes soulmates, while those with 'bad' souls face imprisonment. The protagonist, Sivon, is a chess prodigy whose kirling results are unprecedented, thrusting her into the public eye and political intrigue. As she navigates threats, a forced partnership with a bodyguard, and a web of conspiracies, Sivon must unravel the truth behind her identity and the system itself, all while deaths mount and the stakes for her loved ones escalate. The narrative blends elements of dystopian politics, reincarnation, romance, and coming-of-age, with a focus on themes of justice, fate, and the consequences of past actions.
Readers praised the book’s fast-paced and addictive plot, the integration of reincarnation and soul-based societal structure, and the way it explores questions of guilt, responsibility, and identity. The romance, particularly the slow-burn dynamic between Sivon and her bodyguard Donovan, was frequently highlighted as engaging, with several readers enjoying the tension, forced proximity, and the concept of literal soulmates. The found-family aspect and the cast of supporting characters, such as Carrefor and Donovan, were also well received. Many appreciated the political intrigue, the puzzle-like structure of the mystery, and the commentary on justice and the flaws of the prison system. The book’s ability to evoke nostalgia for early 2010s YA dystopian fiction, its action-packed sequences, and its status as a standalone novel were additional points of enthusiasm.
Criticisms focused on the world-building and pacing, with several readers finding the introduction of new terms and concepts confusing or underdeveloped, sometimes feeling that definitions arrived too late or that the futuristic terminology felt forced. Some found the plot convoluted, with too many twists, characters, and past lives to track, leading to confusion and a sense that the story was rushed, especially toward the ending. The character development was seen as lacking by some, with Sivon and other key figures described as two-dimensional or bland, and the romance occasionally criticized for lacking chemistry or sufficient buildup. A few readers felt the book’s logic around reincarnation and relationships was inconsistent, and that the narrative would have benefited from being longer or expanded into a series to allow for deeper exploration of its ideas and cast.
The book is written in first person, present tense, and is targeted at a young adult audience (age 12+), with content warnings for violence, death, murder, suicide, and some strong language. The story incorporates common YA tropes such as love triangles, chosen one, found family, and bodyguard romance, and includes LGBTQ+ representation with a side character using they/them pronouns. The novel has received an average rating of 4.06 out of 5 from over 400 readers, with many comparing it to classic dystopian series like The Hunger Games and Divergent. While it is a standalone, some readers expressed a desire for sequels or further exploration of the world, particularly areas like the Fringe. The book’s release is scheduled for July 29, 2025, and it has generated significant anticipation among fans of YA dystopian and romantasy genres.