Everything’s Got Soul by Brian Thomas is a thought-provoking exploration of identity and connection through the lens of music and art. The narrative weaves together personal anecdotes and philosophical reflections, inviting readers to consider how their passions shape their lives. Thomas’s lyrical prose captures the essence of creativity, making this book resonate deeply with anyone seeking to understand the power of soul in everyday experiences. It’s a reflective and inspiring read that encourages self-discovery and appreciation for the artistic spirit within us all.

Thank you NetGalley for the e book. The story had potential but it needed more pacing and more details. Everything happened so quickly. Although I love to read historical fiction this was not the one for me. The concept of the story is promising but it needs more editing and more explaining. I think if the author took his time to rewrite the story it will be a 5 stars tale.

★☆☆☆☆

Disclaimer: i received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had no idea what's the story is about until the end. I feel like the plot is way too complex to fit in like 59 pages, not to mention that the characters feel like they just exist with no depth. Weird pacing and placing, the transition between scenes is rough and confusing. The blurb says there's romance in this, but i sense zero connection between the two. Like they only met just now but then several days later they said i love you to eo already, doesn't make any sense to me.

Reading this made me feel like they just proceed by themselves without engaging the readers in what's happening in the story.

This book had an interesting concept, but the story jumped around a bit too much, which made it confusing at times.

The characters were additive to the story and I was quite found of them, which made the reading worth.

I think the book has a lot of potential, but it's missing some content and a bit of filler.

Steampunk on the seas. Jack, Dido and the high seas this is a fun adventure. Fun short read great adventure.

I absolutely loved the premise for this book and i wanted to love it so so much but something was just stopping me.

The main characters were likeable and carried all of the parts of the book that i enjoyed.

The overall storyline however felt too clunky and jumped around too much to actually keep track of anything happening or the timeline of events.

I thought i would just fly through this but it was so confusing at times that i just had to keep putting it down and read something else just to give my brain a break from trying to figure out what was going on.

Unfortunately I wasn't a big fan of this one. I really liked the idea behind it but it fell flat for me. I will say the actions scenes were quite fun but the characters were very flat I didn't connect to any of them, overall the story was quite boring. Usually I'd knock out a novella in a day at most but I had no inclination to pick this one up or sit and read it for longer than a few minutes. It all felt very surface level and the story was all over the place

I think the premise was there, but the story was a little clunky and just didn't come together very well. I found myself feeling forced to push to the end.

While the story was enjoyable, it had a tendency to jump around, particularly at the beginning, making it difficult for me to engage with it. The initial impression of the characters was that they lacked depth and authenticity. I think there were a few historical inaccuracies and I was quite taken back with the author’s idea of having Arabian horses pull a carriage - they are certainly not a breed one usually associates with carriage driving!

In conclusion, it was an engaging read, but I felt it was lacking in depth.

2.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for a review.

I really wanted to love this book. Everything's Got Soul follows Dido and Jack as they revolt against Baines, who has been ruining Victorian London and secretly enslaving people. The main characters, Dido and Jack, were likeable.

That, unfortunately, is where my enjoyment ends. I found that the story jumped around A LOT. I really struggled with understanding a throughline and finding the plot overall. I was at one point finding myself not even sure if Baines had enslaved people or not. I also found myself confused with how and when Dido and Jack fell in love. There were some interesting statements made in the book that were borderline problematic, and I just couldn't get with it.

I think the premise was there, but the story was a little clunky and just didn't come together very well. I found myself feeling forced to push to the end.

This was a captivating story that I wish was a full novel but it was hard to read. For a novella that should have been a quick read it took me a while for me to get through it; it was less than 80pages. I found myself rereading portions to get a better understanding of what was happening.

I felt this novella was bare bones and I was starving for meat. The timeline moved along w/ minimal connection and the details were lacking. I needed more time for world building, character development and the storyline could’ve been stronger.

Set in the 1850s, Everything’s got Soul, follows a battle between young black individuals (Dido, Jack & crew) and Sir Benjamin Baines. Dido and her crew of friends enlist the help of Jack, an aristocrat to free slaves that Sir Baines had illegally harbors but denies any knowledge of when confronted by the Queen’s advisor.

This could easily become a series for middle grade - young adult readers who enjoy strong characters, adventure, a love story, and action.

''It's a breathtaking blend of necessity and Beauty''
Everything's Got Soul by Brian Thomas
A whimsical journey reminiscent of a ''Series of Unfortunate Events'' crossed with the charm of the ''Baker Street 4''.
Thomas writes with a style akin to Lemony Snicket, creating an enjoyable read that packs a punch despite its brevity. While the narrative is concise, it's a story that really packs a punch with impactful messages. This makes it a satisfying read for those seeking a quick yet though-provoking experience. Upon first reading this, I wasnt sure on the direction this story was going, however when you look passed the intro, its a unique blend of creativity, uniqueness, and clever story telling. This book was a solid 3.5/5 stars.

I got this novella as an arc on Netgalley. When I first started to read this I was so confused. Why are the descriptions so weird? Why does everything feel so disjointed? This book is clearly at least partially written by AI and it shows. It was painful to read and I'm genuinely annoyed by this.

When I opened this ARC I was surprised that it’s only 46 pages long.

This story went to fast for me, before I knew it I finished it. I think it has so much potential, but I also think it would be a better story if it were longer.

Things are happening so fast that I can barely keep up with it. It gave me the feeling that I missed some (crucial) parts.

"Everything's Got Soul" by Brian Thomas isn't just a book; it's a symphony of emotions, a dance of words that reaches deep into the soul. With each turn of the page, it's as if you're dipping your toes into the river of human experience, feeling the ebb and flow of joy, love, heartache, and hope.

Thomas's verses are like whispers in the wind, carrying tales of love found and lost, dreams chased and abandoned, and the quiet moments that make life worth living. Through his poetic prose, he invites you to wander through the corridors of your own heart, to explore the depths of your desires and fears, and to emerge stronger, wiser, and more alive than ever before.

But "Everything's Got Soul" is more than just a mirror reflecting the human condition – it's a celebration of the magic woven into the fabric of existence. Thomas's words shimmer with the light of a thousand stars, reminding you that even in the darkest night, there is beauty to be found if you only look closely enough.

So, let yourself be swept away by the lyrical cadence of Thomas's writing. Lose yourself in the rhythm of his verses, and let them carry you on a journey of self-discovery and wonder. For in the pages of "Everything's Got Soul," you'll find not just a book, but a companion for the soul, a beacon of light guiding you through the twists and turns of life's grand adventure.

This was a really cute book ! I felt like I was actually in the adventure as well! I will definitely be purchasing this book for my niece to read 🥰! It was short and easy ❤️

3.5/5
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to read this novella.

This novella is set in the 1850s following the lives of two young individuals as they try to help free the slaves that Sir Benjamin Baines had illegally harbored on the Canary Islands but denies any knowledge of it when confronted by the queen's advisor.

This was a little hard to get into, i suppose that was mainly because historical fiction novel(la)s need time for world-building and introducing the characters. But for a novel just under 48 pages, it was captivating.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this short story!

Unfortunately I was not a huge fan of this story. I felt the characters fell flat and there wasn’t much personality to them. They presented as bland to me. The scene where the ships are fighting was super entertaining but that’s about it. The rest of it just wasn’t super interesting. I understood where they were going with the story but I just didn’t enjoy this story. Maybe I was the wrong audience.

A novella that explores life through the eyes of children and teens in London in the 1800s. If you like historical fantasy with a dash of thought provoking alternate reality, this book is for you.

Such a fast paced and immersive story. I really felt like I was able to experience the adventure firsthand!