This novel is a sort of horror which creeps up on you. At the start we have Jake who misses his flight back from Japan. He meets an wealthy Japanese woman who has also missed the flight and they share a drink. During their conversation she talks about the shocking death of her twin brother from who she was estranged which shocks Jake. For several years he has been mourning the death of his childhood friend, Lena, who also died in strange circumstances. He can see parallels between these two seemingly random deaths, especially as both the brother and Lena seem to have encountered a German photographer shortly before their deaths. Jake determines to find out more and begins to investigate, get testimonies from those who have also lost those close to them in similarly strange circumstances - a journey that takes him across Europe and America. The book is made up of testimonies of those who are grieving and the stories they tell reveal that there is a woman who seems to be involved every time. Her name might change, but she is predatory. Interspersed with these testaments are sections titled ‘The Badlands’ which is is present time and we are able to see the woman in action, we are able to watch her with her latest victim. Our ‘predator’ also gives us some perspective on her live - the spiral that she is caught up in and the Tyrant she serves. An unsettling story with an ending I’m still not sure about.

Did not finish. Stopped at 25% as I simply do not have a clue what is going on, I’ve literally lost the plot. I was excited to read this one, the premise of the synopsis sounded great. Sadly, just not for me.

I really couldn't gel with this book at all. I really liked the cover and the synopsis. It completely drew me in.

However, I don't know wether it was just the way my digital copy was formatted or if this is how it's meant to be. There was no indication as in quotation marks to let us know when a character was talking. I got confused when there was more than one character in a scene, as the narrative was just all thrown in there.

I tried my hardest to understand what was going on. But, even at 20% there hadn't been much happening apart from a lot of different characters getting introduced. Different locations and times. It just didn't sit well in my head and there was no clear clarification.

A thriller that is enjoyable but repetitive to the point of irritation. As a reader you have a brain that can take in information and hold it there for the duration of a book. As an author you have to trust your reader’s capabilities and not over write everything.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this chance to read this book.

Interesting concept, but I was really lost in the random characters popping up with out any real reason, and the deaths in it all felt very cut and paste of each other after the first couple.
I found it difficult to care about what happened and the world didn't keep me engaged either.

Sorry, this book wasn't for me. I felt I was walking through a fog with odd characters appearing and disappearing. Each time I didn't learn enough about the characters to be interested in what happened to them. The style of writing didn't help. The story line sounded good and a wonder if it would work as a TV mini-series condensed to about 3 hours.

the deaths are always the same. the woman appears. she befriends her victim. and soon after, they're dead, in the same gruesome, devastating way. when the grieving relatives of two victims meet by chance, they discover that they're not alone. can she be stopped? and what will it cost?

this is a really strong thriller, with escalating tension and a truly creepy villain. but the standout strength of this book is its characters: throughout centuries, we meet her victims and uncover their pasts, and each one's death feels devastating. that gives it so much pathos and makes the final confrontation so gripping. i absolutely devoured this.

thank you NetGalley for my review copy!

I have mixed feelings about horror books as if they verge too much into the world of the supernatural then I quickly lose interest. Luckily "Old Soul" by Susan Barker is on the right side of horror for me, and can be likened to Stephen King with a bit of Japanese horror and Woman in Black chucked in. The book seems to be divided into two parts - stories of those who have encountered the "woman" and then the story of the "woman" herself. I found the stories of encounters with the "woman" more captivating and mysterious as like when you are shown how a magic trick is done, it loses something. This would make a great film or tv drama.

Old Soul is a book that’s shrouded in mystery from the first page. I loved the poetic and haunting writing. The themes are deep and engaging. The way the story flows is also interesting, we have a search for answers, an investigation of sorts and get pulled into the varied stories. This may sound complex but it is beautifully crafted creating a compelling reading experience. Overall a stunning literary horror that ends masterfully.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

*Old Soul* by Susan Barker is a beautifully written and haunting exploration of life, death, and reincarnation, blending elements of spirituality, memory, and the supernatural into a profound narrative. The novel spans generations, centuries, and even lifetimes, weaving a tale about the unbreakable thread that connects people, souls, and experiences. With its evocative prose, complex characters, and philosophical underpinnings, *Old Soul* is a work that demands deep reflection and engages the reader’s heart and mind in equal measure.

### Plot Overview:
At the heart of *Old Soul* is **Juliet**, a woman who is born with the unique ability to remember her past lives. Throughout the novel, she is caught in a continual cycle of death and rebirth, each life offering her both answers and new questions about her existence. As Juliet ages and accumulates memories from her past selves, she grapples with the idea of identity and how each lifetime shapes who she is in the present moment.

The novel traces her journey through multiple lifetimes, each of which is framed in a different historical and cultural context, creating a sense of timelessness. Juliet's past lives reflect not only her individual experiences but also the cultural shifts and personal struggles that resonate through time. As she moves through the centuries, her understanding of life, love, and loss deepens, and she begins to question whether there is a greater purpose to her eternal cycle or if she is doomed to repeat the same patterns without resolution.

The structure of the novel is non-linear, with different chapters exploring various periods of Juliet’s reincarnated lives, as well as her attempts to understand the world around her from the perspective of her past selves. This gives the book an episodic quality, allowing the reader to experience multiple layers of narrative while also creating a deep, philosophical exploration of existence and the concept of eternal return.

### Character Development:
Juliet is a fascinating and multi-dimensional protagonist. Her struggles with the weight of her memories are portrayed with sensitivity and depth, making her both relatable and enigmatic. As she recalls the lives she’s lived before, she is confronted with questions of personal agency, fate, and whether the accumulation of lifetimes leads to wisdom or simply adds to her confusion and emotional burden. Juliet’s search for meaning and understanding, as well as her relationships with those she meets in each life, makes her a compelling figure whose journey is both personal and universal.

The supporting characters, who come in and out of her various lifetimes, are equally well-crafted. Each person represents a different facet of Juliet’s journey and serves as a reflection of the evolving themes of the novel. From romantic partners to friends and even enemies, these characters provide important insights into Juliet's development and into the nature of human connection across time.

The interactions between Juliet and the people she encounters allow the novel to explore a variety of emotions—love, loss, betrayal, and hope—offering a deep dive into the complexity of relationships. There is a constant tension between the knowledge that she will eventually lose those she cares about (as they pass on while she reincarnates) and her desire to fully experience love and human connection in the present.

### Writing Style:
Barker’s prose is rich and evocative, with an almost lyrical quality that enhances the novel’s spiritual and emotional themes. Her writing has a reflective, meditative tone that complements the novel's philosophical nature. The structure, which moves through different time periods and perspectives, can be disorienting at times, but this only adds to the sense of mystery and wonder that permeates the story.

The narrative weaves between past and present effortlessly, and Barker uses vivid, sensory language to transport the reader to different worlds, eras, and environments. This ability to evoke the feel of different times and places is one of the strengths of the novel. Whether exploring ancient civilizations, early 20th-century life, or modern-day concerns, the settings come alive through Barker’s careful descriptions.

The pacing of the novel is slower, allowing for deep introspection and a gradual unfolding of the mysteries surrounding Juliet's existence. However, this pace is never tedious—rather, it invites the reader to engage with the material thoughtfully and to ponder the larger themes at hand.

### Themes and Symbolism:
*Old Soul* is rich with themes of **reincarnation**, **identity**, **love**, **loss**, and **memory**. The novel questions the nature of the self and how much of who we are is shaped by our past experiences. Through Juliet’s multiple lives, the reader is invited to explore the idea of continuity and change—how we are both the same and different with each new iteration of our lives.

**The passage of time** is another central theme. Barker deftly explores the cyclical nature of existence, showing how each life, though distinct, is inextricably linked to the others. The idea that souls are reborn over and over again is not presented as a simple metaphysical concept but as something that carries with it both the burden and beauty of memory. Juliet’s memories of her past lives influence her actions and emotions in her present life, making her journey a perpetual quest for understanding and closure.

Another important theme is **human connection**. The novel examines how deeply we are impacted by the people in our lives and how those relationships transcend time. Juliet's experience of love, grief, and connection across lifetimes suggests that some bonds are too strong to be broken by death and time.

The **symbolism** of reincarnation itself is pervasive throughout the novel. The way Juliet lives multiple lives is a metaphor for the human desire to find meaning in the cycle of life and death. It raises questions about destiny, free will, and the possibility of learning from our past mistakes, as well as whether we can ever truly escape our past selves.

### Emotional Impact:
*Old Soul* is deeply moving, and its philosophical explorations of life, death, and rebirth have the potential to resonate with readers on an emotional level. The novel does not shy away from the profound sadness of losing loved ones, nor does it overlook the beauty of connection and love that persists beyond time. Juliet’s journey is as much about personal evolution as it is about the universal search for meaning in the face of mortality.

The emotional weight of the novel comes from its exploration of the fragility of life and the enduring nature of love, making it a meditation on the cyclical nature of human existence. The connections between people, even when they are only fleeting in one life, are shown to have a lasting impact.

### Final Thoughts:
*Old Soul* by Susan Barker is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of reincarnation, memory, and the connections that transcend time. Through the lens of Juliet’s multiple lives, the book invites readers to reflect on the nature of identity, love, and human connection, while also challenging us to consider the larger questions of existence. Barker’s evocative prose and well-crafted characters ensure that *Old Soul* is a powerful and memorable read that will stay with readers long after they turn the final page.

For those who enjoy philosophical fiction with elements of magical realism and deep emotional resonance, *Old Soul* is a book worth reading. It is a complex, deeply reflective work that will leave you contemplating your own soul's journey through time.

Susan Barker’s Old Soul is a dive into the dark and chilling world of a 200-year-old predator who feeds a tyrannical force. From the first page, Barker captures the reader with an eerie, foreboding tone that grips you and refuses to let go.

The story weaves through layers of mystery, each plot shift unraveling secrets that deepen the sense of unease. The protagonist’s morally ambiguous existence creates a fascinating tension, pulling readers into their internal conflict .

Barker’s prose is hauntingly poetic, painting vivid images of shadowy landscapes and sinister forces. The pacing is deliberate but never drags, allowing the mystery to build with each chapter. The plot twists are brilliantly executed, keeping the reader guessing until the very end. And what an ending it is—completely somewhat unexpected, yet it ties the narrative together with a chilling sense of inevitability.

Old Soul is a dark, mysterious, and unforgettable tale that lingers in the mind long after the last page.

Book of two halves, over-long + repetitive. Inventive but also gratuitous + violent 2.5 rating

I read Barker’s earlier novel, The Incarnations, with some interest, reviewing it a little more positively than this. I noted that she was inclined to repeat her journeys a little too often, and had, also, a rather unfortunate tendency to the kind of overdone and unlikely gratuitous violence that smacks of something probably designed for Netflix, or B-movies. Lacks a certain subtle finesse, in other words.

But I was interested to read this new novel, as of course, writers develop and refine, and what might jar or not quite work in an earlier novel can be something the writer solves, going forwards.

Unfortunately I think these may be repeating habits in her writing, from this one.

The premise is interesting, initially, and Barker writes well, particularly in the earlier part of the book before she starts repetition without really advancing plot or narrative drive.

A young English man, missing a flight on his way back from Japan, has a chance encounter with a wealthy Japanese woman, similarly arriving too late for her flight. The woman reveals a strange and shocking story, about her estranged twin brother, who died in horrific and frankly, very peculiar circumstances.

The story is a terrible shock to the English man, as he is still, years on, mourning the death of his closest friend, someone from his very young childhood. Something incomprehensible had happened to her, and there seem to be some parallels, as a mysterious woman, possibly the same person, a photographer from Germany, was part of the story in both cases.

The young man, Jake, begins to follow a trail, building up more and more stories of similar tragic and horrible deaths, all across Europe, and into America. These are the various ‘Testaments’ the gathering of evidence.

Interspersing each ‘Testament’ story is the intercut ‘in the present’ story, in sections entitled ‘The Badlands’ We realise we are in the presence of the mysterious photographer, and it's obvious that we are following the journey of a new victim.

The ‘Badlands’ sections, are, the weakest part of the journey. Basically, it’s the action cutaways, going on and on, and we kind of know we are probably heading for some kind of impossibly chasey chasey gory action sequence. Or several. Extended. Because there are so many sections without anything new happening, merely repetitions of the somewhat ditsy, new-agey, wanna be influencer whining and naively self absorbed, and the curiously sinister photographer, oddly putrescent, focused on her strange encounters on the dark side with some demonic being, this is the very antithesis of on-the-edge-of-the-seat-page-turning.

The Testament Sections are interesting, because we meet different people, at different times. But even they go on too long and ultimately don’t add anything new, after a while

A MUCH shorter book would not have dissipated its power, as this does

Probably the most unusual book I have ever read. Totally addictive; chilling and terrifying and challenging. I will read this book a second time, quite soon I think. I can't bear that it has ended. Of course, it hasn't ended. It started with a young British man, questioning. He followed all the clues, incredible clues and traces of coincidences spanning many decades. Read the book and you'll do the same, not understanding the words at first. A terrible, terrible book. I can't recommend it highly enough.

This thriller is both disturbing and creepy, with a dark atmosphere that left me feeling uneasy throughout. The plot is twisted, full of unsettling moments that kept me on edge, unsure of what was coming next. I was impressed by how effectively it built tension and horror, a really good horror book very much reminded me of Stephen king.

I wasn't sure about this book at first. I found it disturbing but gradually the story drew me in. I like the two different perspectives and on balance would recommend it. It is not a horror story in the usual sense of the world but it is not inaccessible. Requires the reader to put a bit of effort in which I think is well worth it.

This was absolutely not at all what I expected and maybe not something I would have gone for without a strong recommendation from someone whose taste I really respect.
The opening of Jake meeting Mariko was instantly gripping and probably my favourite of all the stories. I really liked the way this was structured with the main narrative of Rosa interspersed with Jake’s research.
By the end it was no idea what I expected and reminded me a lot of Stephen King.
A weird and wonderful ride.
4 stars.

I enjoyed this book a lot. In equal parts spooky, disturbing and thrilling - keeping my attention throughout. I like the way the story is told differently from the viewpoints of the Woman and Jake, but you also get the rich detail of the 'testimonies' which fill in the history of the Woman, and her various encounters, and bring a lot of the creepiness!

I found this so compelling to read and loved the gradual progression to the modern day experience of Jake, who is behind pulling at the testimonies together. The final few chapters are exciting as everything comes to a head, with more shocks provided as well. The author has a lovely writing style, bringing everything to life for the reader and the experience was very visual for me. Highly recommended.

3.75 ⭐️

I’m rating this one relatively highly because, simply put, i had a very enjoyable time reading it. I was sucked in by the mystery, the plot held together relatively well, and I couldn’t put it down.
I do think that it does itself a disservice by jumping from backstory to backstory, it never really gave me much time to settle in with the characters, and the ‘snapshot’ writing style has never been something I’m fond of, but all in all I think this was still pretty successful.

A very addictive but at the same time unsettling story about the perennial battle between good and evil. Jake is haunted by the death of his long time friend Lena and the circumstances surrounding it. After a chance meeting with a woman in Osaka with a similar unsettling event in her life he sets out to locate others with the same experiences. Documenting his interviews with the various people he meets Jake starts to get closer to the understanding he craves . This is a dark and somewhat supernatural tale which grabbed me but at the same time was difficult to read for long periods and after finishing it I am still unsure how’s I feel about it.
A book I am glad I read but would not read again.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

When you are really enjoying a book and are engrossed and/or engaged, you normally don't want to put it down. I was surprised at how long it took me to read this book. I did enjoy it but I suppose I was not fully engaged with it.. It is a good concept and it is mysterious enough that you don't immediately know what exactly is going on with Eva.

I wouldnt class it as horror, more of a mystery/thriller. The problem might be that of course, each encore Eva has is quite samey and they all end the same way too so that takes some of the suspense out of it, especially as the book goes on. I am unclear about why the Venusian was called The Tyrant or indeed what he actually wanted. If he has the power to reward Eva with new life, what does he lack that the humans provide?

i did like the actual ending , but I was not as satisfied with the epilogue.