Soulmatch

De: Rebecca Danzenbaker

Narrado por: Gilli Messer

In a world where past lives determine your future, a sharp-witted girl confronts a major twist of destiny, embroiling her in a high-stakes political game in this “clever, thrilling, and impossible to put down” (Kirkus Reviews) young adult speculative romance perfect for fans of Scythe and Matched.

Two hundred years after World War III, the world is at peace, all thanks to the soul-identification system. Every eighteen-year-old must report to the government to learn about their past lives, a terrifying process known as kirling. Good souls leave the institute with their inheritance, a career path, and if they’re lucky, a soulmate. Bad souls leave in handcuffs.

It’s a nerve-wracking ordeal for Sivon, who, given her uncanny ability to win every chess match, already suspects her soul isn’t normal. Turns out, she was right to worry. Sivon’s results stun not only her, but the entire world, making her the object of public scrutiny and anonymous threats.

Saddled with an infuriating and off-limits bodyguard, Sivon is thrust into a high-stakes game where souls are pawns and rules don’t exist. As deaths mount, Sivon must decipher friend from foe while protecting her heart against impossible odds. One wrong move could destroy the future lives of everyone Sivon loves, and she can’t let that happen, even if they’ll never love her back.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Gilli Messer narrates this YA thriller set in a dystopian future on Earth. Two hundred years after WWII, 18-year-olds around the world must report to government centers to have their past lives revealed. Sivon, who is unremarkable aside from her board-game skills, fears she’ll be pronounced a bad soul. Instead, her unprecedented talent pushes her into the spotlight, and she finds herself wondering what secrets the leaders of the world have kept hidden for lifetimes. Messer’s distinct character voices make it easy for listeners to distinguish dialogue from narration and women from men. She respectfully depicts a nonbinary character, as well. Overall, her sobs, excitement, anguish, and flirtatious inflections for the various characters add personality to the audiobook."

I listened every chance I got!

I loved that this book was so different! I couldn’t put it down. The narrator did a really great job also.

Highly imaginative & immersive!

My twelve-year-old daughter had the privilege of reading an advance copy of SoulMatch as she interviewed Mrs. Danzenbaker for a local magazine. For months, all I heard about was SoulMatch. To say my daughter is obsessed, is an understatement. I have enjoyed YA novels in the past like Hunger Games, Twilight, Mortal Instruments, etc… So, I thought I’d give this YA dystopian novel a go. I patiently waited for the audiobook to release as that’s the only way I’m able to read these days. I devoured this almost 500 page book in 6 days. I was fully engaged in the face-paced thought-provoking blend of dystopia, identity, fate, power, and romance.

I finished this book mere hours before unfortunately finding out that my father-in-law had passed away. Having SoulMatch on my mind gave me comfort as I imagined his soul being reborn. If his past lives determine his fate in his next life, he will be A-OK. He was a beautiful soul.

A wild ride!!

Such a great read!! Twists and turns and surprises abound! Such an interesting premise, well developed and very intriguing. Love how complex the story is, and the depth of its characters. Congrats to Rebecca Danzenbaker on a stellar first novel!!

I devoured this!

Absolutely unputdownable. Soulmatch delivers a thrilling blend of speculative sci-fi, romance, and dystopian intrigue, perfect for fans of Divergent and Red Queen. From the first chapter, I was hooked by the unique premise: a future where your past lives dictate your fate, for better or for much, much worse.

Sivon is a smart, sharp, and deeply compelling protagonist, and the stakes of her journey kept me turning pages long into the night. The mystery at the heart of her soul’s identity unfolds with delicious tension, and the twists? So good. The world-building is layered and vivid without ever bogging down the pace, and the idea of kirling—this terrifying reckoning with past lives—feels fresh and hauntingly plausible.

The romance subplot adds just the right level of tension and heartache, and Sivon's off-limits bodyguard is the perfect foil, infuriating, magnetic, and impossible not to root for. I loved watching their dynamic evolve under pressure.

Gilli Messer’s narration was excellent. She brings Sivon’s inner world to life with nuance and energy, and I found her performance utterly engaging.

Though I’m relieved this was a standalone (because waiting would’ve been torture), I’m already mourning that it’s over. I will absolutely be reading whatever Rebecca Danzenbaker writes next.

Incredible plot 👏

I have not ever heard of any book similar to this one and for that reason I decided to give it a go. What I wasn't expecting was for it to blow me out of the water with just how good the plot is. There is a mix of intricate storytelling, futurism, romance, and murder. It definitely gave off some dystopian vibes and I think this is probably one of the best books I have read in 2025. What I loved the most about it is that I really did not see certain things coming in the book so it's unpredictable unlike many other books. The only thing that I felt was confusing was just visualizing the characters because they talk about different lives (same soul) they've been in the story and it was hard to just envision all of the characters physically. If you're thinking about reading or listening to it on audiobook please do, and thank me later.