My Soul to Take: A Novel [Paperback]

Tannanarive Due has created an incredibly detailed alternate reality with her 'Immortals' series, starting with 'My Soul to Keep', where we meet Dawit 'David' Wolde, an 'Immortal' who is living with a mortal wife Jessica and their daughter Kira in Florida. Dawit and Jessica's world is turned upside down when a Searcher, Mahmoud, arrives with others to bring him back to his home with other Immortals. Due's second book in the series, 'The Living Blood', a 2002 American Book award winner, is an absolute pleasure to read...and read again. I will not rehash details given in plenty of other reviews. What I will say is that 'My Soul To Take' brings the story to a point where this could be the last book of the series or the start of a new storyline. Due even incorporates characters from another book she authored, 'Joplin's Ghost' into this latest book's storyline. At this point in the series, the author has an incredible feel for articulating the abilities of the characters, such as Michel's 'thoughtstreams' or a superhuman sword duel between two immortals. What also sets this book apart is its pacing- you will find yourself glued to the page because she sets up confrontations in a manner that is cinematic. You feel like you are watching this on a screen while you are reading it. 'My Soul To Take' provides an interesting take on Homeland Security in this book as well. I expect this to be another home run for Due, and at this point, while I would like to see her delve more into the series, perhaps with a prequel that features the story of Khaldun, I would like to see this book's success result in a movie (Blair Underwood has been working on a film based on 'My Soul To Keep' for years). Five stars, buy it today; in fact, buy and/or read the whole series.

Whereas much of the world has legalized Glow's use, the United States refuses claiming terrorist ties, but many insist the pharmaceutical industry thrives on the sick not the healthy.

Fana's fiancé, Michel (an immortal) deployed a sickness on an unsuspecting world. He believes that humans must become extinct to fulfill the Book of Revelation's Apocalypse. Only Fana and her Life Brothers can stop the Immortal she is fated to marry, but his killing pace far surpasses their healing pace.

This is the latest of Ms. Due's thought provoking African Immortals thrillers. The story line is globally loaded with action, but character driven by the key players as well as those caught in the crossfire. Readers will appreciate the fact that she revisited some of her characters from the past. Tananarive Due will receive plenty of well deserved accolades for her insightful exciting war of species cleansing.

In 2016 California, Clarion World Health Corporation public relations director John Wright persuades retired musical superstar Phoenix Smalls Harris (see Joplin's Ghost) to let him in her house to talk. When he realizes she is alone he lectures her for allowing a stranger into her home. He explains his employer (Immortal) Fana Wolde wants the singer to heal the world through music rather than just the firm's incredible drug Glow that comes from the blood of immortals. Whereas much of the world has legalized Glow's use, the United States refuses claiming terrorist ties, but many insist the pharmaceutical industry thrives on the sick not the healthy.

A mother of a seven year old son, Phoenix agrees to perform as she still does a rare concert to raise money and awareness like she did for Haiti. She is willing because she knows people are suffering from the Praying Disease that Fana's fiancé, Michel deployed on an unsuspecting world. This Immortal believes humans must become extinct to fulfill the Book of Revelation's Apocalypse. Only Fana and her Life Brothers can stop the Immortal she is destined to marry, but his kill rate far surpasses their heal rate.

The latest thought provoking African Immortals thriller (see Blood Colony and The Living Blood) is a powerful poignant tale as mortals with immortal allies battle for their existence with other immortals. The story line is globally loaded with action, but character driven by the key players as well as those caught in the crossfire. Readers will appreciate this tale with clever ties to Joplin's Ghost as Tananarive Due will receive plenty of deserved accolades for her insightful exciting war of species cleansing in the name of God.

Harriet Klausner