SOUL SACRIFICE: Book Three of Spirit Shield Saga by Susan Faw – Teen & YA Greek & Roman Myths and Legends, YA Epic Fantasy Novels, YA Wizards & Witches Novels

Evil has taken hold of Cathair and the surrounding lands, and only the Spirit Shields can save both the living and the dead. Cayden and Avery, human twins housing the spirits of the godling children of Morpheus, have been tasked with stopping their sister Helga. She is hellbent on wiping out humanity and controlling the spirits of both man and beast.

Separated by missions unique to their abilities, Avery and Cayden are frantically searching for a way to defeat Helga. Cayden, the keeper of the Well of Souls, is connected to all spirit life. He can feel the life literally draining from the land but is nearly powerless to stop it because he is Soul Fetched, his mind imprisoned by Helga. He knows he must fight her insidious commands but is weakening mentally and physically. Avery must find a way to commune with their father and beg his help in defeating Helga since only a god’s power can destroy her minion army of Charun, souls of former warriors returned to ethereal bodies. She is also fighting against the Daimon, creatures born of hatred and fire who consume the souls of men before they can return to the river of souls awaiting reincarnation.

Their sister, Artio, recently reborn as a half-bear, half-human woman, joins Avery in her quest. Her motives, though, are personal because Helga stole the body and soul of Artio’s lover in a past life. The three siblings must find a way to unite the clans, defeat Helga, and save the souls of man.

Duty is more than a job. It is a soulful need to fulfill a purpose, either sworn to another or intrinsic.  Many characters within this novel are driven by that intense, all-consuming duty. Both the major and minor characters are consumed by it to the point they are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to it. Ryder, commander of the Kingsmen and close friend of Cayden, is a prime example. A fixture in the Saga, Ryder and his men have previously been tasked with defending the Well of Souls. Having been taken captive by Helga, he refuses to swear allegiance to her. Even when his own loyalty is used to imprison him, Ryder cannot give up his oath to protect his king, still feeling the swell of pride at knowing his friend has ascended to his rightful place in Cathair. He is willing to befriend a Charun formerly known as Captain Brennan and even endure Helga’s unwanted physical attention to find a way to defeat her and help Cayden from the Underworld.

As a commander of the Kingsmen in his former service, Captain Brennan cannot deny his duty, though refusing at first to give in. Perhaps the ultimate example of his oath is Cayden’s need to protect the Well of Souls.

Connected to the well by a mental bond that becomes physical, Cayden must guard the souls awaiting new bodies. As the river that flows into the well diminishes, so does Cayden. His soul drains as surely and swiftly as the river. He knows his human life is the only thing that can heal the rift. If he fails in his duty, all of humanity will suffer for eternity. His birthright is to remain faithful in his charge even though he knows he will have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Another theme of the novel is that of sacrifice. Nearly every character is forced to sacrifice some part of themselves. Morpheus begins the cycle when, centuries earlier, he was forced to give up his family or leave them to the other gods’ fury. The sacrifices continue for his children, all of whom sacrifice, whether willingly or not. Artio surrenders her lover to a fate worse than death while Avery and Cayden, the twins, must offer their closeness, their twin bond, nearly severed by distance and strife. Even Helga, in all her evil glory, has made sacrifices, being forced long ago to the darkness of the Underworld. Those connected to the siblings endure hardships as well. Ziona, sworn protector of Cayden and his truelove, must give him up. She is also willing to do whatever it takes to protect the Well of Souls, even if that means taking his life. Denzik, Nelson, and Fabian, Kingsmen, try to protect Cayden, and all make sacrifices to bring their men back to Cathair. Lovers of the series will experience a shocking, jaw-dropping twist that only a master-storyteller like Susan Faw could pull off. And we are so ever delighted she did!

Soul Sacrifice won First Place in the CIBA 2018 Dante Rossetti Awards for Young Adult fiction.  Click on the links to read our reviews of books one, Seer of Souls, and two, Soul Sanctuary.