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Most Helpful Favorable Review
25 out of 26 people found this review helpful.
Original and Fun Take on Religion, Science, and Computer Science
I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. The first surprise was when the characters talked about computer security... and what they said was correct! While sometimes disruptive and thrown in just to prove that the author knows what he's talking about, it's very...Read More
I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. The first surprise was when the characters talked about computer security... and what they said was correct! While sometimes disruptive and thrown in just to prove that the author knows what he's talking about, it's very refreshing to read a novel involving computers that has some sense of the reality of what computers can or can't do.
The story, around an organization which helps people pass money down to "soul lines" of future generations with their "soul", a replicated iris patterns, is hokey in parts, but the author has fun with characters around the world in exploring ramifications of such an org. How it interacts with traditional religions, the idea of traditional organizations struggling to move online, how science and reincarnation might mesh, all of these are fun and unexpected surprises through the story.
The romance is also somewhat hokey, and some characters reveal unexpected sides with little motivations behind their behaviors, though the author spends pages and pages trying to help us understand.
But in general, if you like conspiracy novels, computer oriented techno thrillers, modern takes on deconstructing religion in today's world, or just quirky modern science fiction, you will enjoy this book. And you'll be as surprised as I was, I bet, at how much you enjoyed this one.Show Less
The story, around an organization which helps people pass money down to "soul lines" of future generations with their "soul", a replicated iris patterns, is hokey in parts, but the author has fun with characters around the world in exploring ramifications of such an org. How it interacts with traditional religions, the idea of traditional organizations struggling to move online, how science and reincarnation might mesh, all of these are fun and unexpected surprises through the story.
The romance is also somewhat hokey, and some characters reveal unexpected sides with little motivations behind their behaviors, though the author spends pages and pages trying to help us understand.
But in general, if you like conspiracy novels, computer oriented techno thrillers, modern takes on deconstructing religion in today's world, or just quirky modern science fiction, you will enjoy this book. And you'll be as surprised as I was, I bet, at how much you enjoyed this one.Show Less
posted by mwexler on March 30, 2010
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30 out of 42 people found this review helpful.
A partial book
The story started out slow, then a huge chunk of the book was missing out of the middle; the majority of the plot. I kept reading, catching on a bit, then got to the last 40 pages and couldn't go any further. No idea how it developed or ended. Thank heavens it was fr...Read More
The story started out slow, then a huge chunk of the book was missing out of the middle; the majority of the plot. I kept reading, catching on a bit, then got to the last 40 pages and couldn't go any further. No idea how it developed or ended. Thank heavens it was free!Show Less
posted by Mo_TheReadingFool on January 31, 2010
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Mo_TheReadingFool
Posted January 31, 2010
A partial book
The story started out slow, then a huge chunk of the book was missing out of the middle; the majority of the plot. I kept reading, catching on a bit, then got to the last 40 pages and couldn't go any further. No idea how it developed or ended. Thank heavens it was free!
30 out of 42 people found this review helpful.
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Original and Fun Take on Religion, Science, and Computer Science
I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. The first surprise was when the characters talked about computer security... and what they said was correct! While sometimes disruptive and thrown in just to prove that the author knows what he's talking about, it's very refreshing to read a novel involving computers that has some sense of the reality of what computers can or can't do.
The story, around an organization which helps people pass money down to "soul lines" of future generations with their "soul", a replicated iris patterns, is hokey in parts, but the author has fun with characters around the world in exploring ramifications of such an org. How it interacts with traditional religions, the idea of traditional organizations struggling to move online, how science and reincarnation might mesh, all of these are fun and unexpected surprises through the story.
The romance is also somewhat hokey, and some characters reveal unexpected sides with little motivations behind their behaviors, though the author spends pages and pages trying to help us understand.
But in general, if you like conspiracy novels, computer oriented techno thrillers, modern takes on deconstructing religion in today's world, or just quirky modern science fiction, you will enjoy this book. And you'll be as surprised as I was, I bet, at how much you enjoyed this one.25 out of 26 people found this review helpful.
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Arejan_Ener
Posted February 2, 2010
Original, I must say
Written in the first person, "Soul Identity" reads like a story told to you by a friend at a bar. And I write "at a bar" because Scott Waverly, the protagonist, gives you as much detail as you need to move the story along while also providing you with some intimate details of his relationship with Val, his love interest. The fact that he makes her fall for him the very day they met reeks of fiction and/or a frat boy's account of what really happened.
All in all, the story is original... That reincarnation occurs, or is believed to occur, just not as religions would have it be. The villain is kept in the shadows until the last fifth of the book, and then we get to know too much about him and his stay at a Gompa in the Himalayas. The suspense is lukewarm, enough to make you turn the page. However, don't expect some incredible revelation at the end; there's no M. Night moment.
That said, the book is good for being free, and the story is enough to make the time go by. I didn't learn anything new from this book, and it is not inspiring me to do better things in life. Still, I'm buying the electronic version of the sequel (for a cool 99 cents), just to follow the story previewed at the end of "Soul Identity"... just like I'd spur on a friend to keep telling a tale while the bartender serves up another round.18 out of 19 people found this review helpful.
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where's the rest?
Just as I was getting into the story, all of a sudden the book skips from chapter 8 to chapter 19! The entire center of the book missing! and I was really enjoying it and wanted to know where it was going. very disappointed.
15 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
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MAOsborne
Posted September 19, 2010
Poorly Written
While the concept was interesting, the writing style was juvenile. Main character, Scott, is hired to find out who is undermining Soul Identity, Archie's organization and entire reason for living. Scott spends half his time sleuthing, and the other half thinking about "boobs". (Only fourteen year olds use that term.) Emotion descriptions are also unrealistic. In his first meeting with Scott, supposedly distraught over the possible demise of his centuries old organization, Archie "chuckles"???? One can only hope that the author matures by the time he writes again.
9 out of 16 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted June 4, 2010
Pleasantly Surprised
I downloaded this book because is "sounded" interesting. Once I started reading it, I was completely engrossed. I could absolutly see this as a movie. I thouroughly enjoyed the story line.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Surprising
I was very surprised at this book. Most free ebooks aren't that great but I really enjoyed this one. I ended up buying the second one. Very interesting theory and I good read.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Linda-Teacher
Posted May 24, 2010
I Also Recommend:
Soul Identity Not Very Soulful
This book sat in my Nook Library for several weeks before I decided to give it a read on a rainy day. Perhaps because it was free, I thought it might not be worth my time. I was pleasantly surprised! Dennis Batchelder is a writer who gives us an original, dramatic plot with his science fiction, mystery thriller. I thought the characters were well developed for the most part, although some were incredibly naive in their beliefs and experiences. If the premise of the story, the ability to leave assets to be used by persons who will share your soul in the future, could be possible, I'm not sure how many people would be interested. I for one, have enough concern managing my own assets and hoping to care for my direct descendents, nevermind people who might share my soul! It is, however, an interesting and intriging premise and certainly an entertaining read.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Jennis22
Posted April 23, 2010
Easy Reading
It's well-written with good dialogue, an interesting concept (soul identity), and a good plot. It's a great easy reading book. I gave it 4 stars.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Great read for a snowy day
Read the e-book on my blackberry during the blizzard of 2010. I found the escapism great and the setting on the Eastern Shore of Md was fun.... concept is far fetched by read fast. Looking forward to seeing his next book and if he can improve the plot line. Great book for a snow storm or down the ocean this summer!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Jain
Posted February 7, 2010
Quirky, funny and quick
This is a quick read. It appears as if the editor took a nap. I liked the story idea and the humor. The final scene is definitely killer. It's missing a lot of movement when it comes to processing the story- the author skips steps to get from A to C without involving B. Getting to step B is not intuitive for the reader. I would like to read the sequel, but would love a rewrite even more.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted January 16, 2012
Juvenile, boring. I
I wanted to like this book. I really, really did. The Soul Identity concept has... er, had, a lot of potential. Alas, what promise there was was wasted in juvenile dialog, a wandering but predictable plot, shallow characters, and painfully dull description.
"Ka-boom" for an explosion? .... Really? Is this 8th grade English class? I'm seriously side-eyeing both the author and editors right now.
Overall, this reads like the first draft of a rough draft... written by an 18 year old.
I can't say too much; I mean, the book was free. I guess I'm more disappointed in the wasted potential.2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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4398627
Posted December 30, 2010
At least it was free
Ultimately undone by terrible writing, horrible editing and complete inplausibility. The romance had to be written by an adolescent. It was painful.
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted April 10, 2012
Great book!!
I absolutely loved this book. The characters are so easy to connect with. I was pretty apprehensive of the soul identity stuff and almost didn't give the book a chance. I ended up giving it a try and even liking the concept and immediately went on to read part two, Soul Intent. Well done!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted April 5, 2012
Very good
A good page turner and very suspenseful.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted March 30, 2012
A page turner A good page turner
This was an enjoyable book. I was looking for something different, out of the ordinary and this book was just what i was looking for. It was suspensful and kept my intrest the whole 696 pages. I also liked how it made you stop and ponder "what if" there was a way to track your soul, that would be so cool!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Winterlight00
Posted May 14, 2011
Your kidding...
Free? He should be charging at least ten bucks for this! Fast paced, interesting plot, fully believable chatacters and well written, this is no amateur. Get this and enjoy! I'm thinking this is either a freebie to hook you on the author so you'll buy the next one, or its some established author doing a Stephen King/Bachman deal. Either way, a good fun read.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted December 23, 2010
Dialog is awful.
Boring! I got halfway through and couldn't take the terrible dialog.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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ChristieFan
Posted November 30, 2010
Disappointing
Just an OK kind of read. Predictable and very very few twists. The computer knowledge of the characters was interesting though. Also the two main characters were charming and likable. If the plot had been a bit more developed and the author didn't have to come up with explanations at the last minute why this or that was possible, it would have been much better. I guess I was just expecting a "can't put it down" kind of read. The title was so intriguing! I finished it, but only because I kept hoping for something more. But instead I felt as if I had wasted my time on a cheesy made for tv movie from the 80s.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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jolyn928
Posted September 18, 2010
Excellent download!
I LOVED this book, and it far exceeded my expectations as a free download. Excellently written, and never a dull moment...it kept me on the edge of my seat. I cannot wait to download the sequel!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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