Book Review: To Trap a Soul (Duskwalker Beginnings #1) by Opal Reyne
When I first picked up To Trap a Soul, I was drawn in by the promise of a breathtaking fantasy journey woven by Opal Reyne. Little did I know, this reading experience would become one of the most emotionally overwhelming adventures of my literary life. Spoiler alert: It’s a hard read—so hard that I found myself using my trusty skip-reading technique just to cope with the emotional intensity. 🌧️
The story centers on Lindiwe, a mother trapped between her role as caregiver and the haunting isolation stemming from her relationship with the enigmatic Wilder, who is both her husband and an inherently distant figure. Their connection is fraught with tension and heart-wrenching moments tinged with a deep sense of loneliness and unfulfilled love. Reading about Lindi’s struggles with birth loss, emotional unavailability, and her yearning for warmth while navigating motherhood was, at times, almost unbearable. The writing itself is stunning; Reyne crafts each scene with a lyrical touch that magnifies the emotional stakes, leaving you gasping for air as you turn the pages.
There’s a beautiful yet devastating contrast in the character dynamics—Wilder’s physical absence embodies their emotional distance, amplifying Lindi’s struggles. I felt Lindi grow numb, echoing sentiments like, “It kind of fucking sucked.” Her yearning for affection—not just from Wilder but also from her children—paired with her poignant reflections on motherhood, is where the book truly shines. I particularly loved seeing Lindi in her “motherhood era,” her fierce dedication to her children, no matter how many times she faced grief.
This slow burn is relentless! It’s almost as if Reyne is testing your patience while simultaneously pulling at your heartstrings. With nearly 100 years of pent-up love and frustration, the progression between Lindi and Wilder feels painfully slow, yet within that, the tension crackles like static electricity. As Lindi grapples with feelings of inadequacy—believing she’s “undeserving of any attention”—you can’t help but feel that universal ache for connection. One particularly haunting passage resonates: “A loveless marriage. An unsteady bond.” It’s this kind of raw vulnerability that makes the book a standout, even if reading it felt like an emotional rollercoaster.
As for the pacing, let’s just say patience becomes a virtue. I was initially disheartened by the slow threads of romance, but by the end, I could see glimmers of hope starting to shine through, planting seeds for something more in the next two books of this miniseries. If the first book is setting the stage for deeper emotional connection and eventual redemption, I’m all in for what’s next.
For readers who are willing to journey through a dark, emotional landscape, To Trap a Soul offers a beautiful yet tragic exploration of love, loss, and the complexities of motherhood. If you enjoy deep character studies that challenge your emotional resilience while pulling you ever closer to the world of fantastical beings, then this book could be a hauntingly beautiful choice.
Despite the heaviness, I left this story excited for the potential that lies ahead—both in character development and eventual romantic progression between Lindi and Wilder. I just hope that our dear heroine can find joy amidst the chaos in the sequels.
In the end, if you find yourself ready to dive into an intense, often heartbreaking tale that doesn’t shy away from the darker sides of life, Opal Reyne’s To Trap a Soul might just be the unique reading experience you need. 🌟
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