Review of Soul Train

Kelyn · Post by **Kelyn** » 17 Apr 2022, 01:41

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Soul Train" by T. C. Husvar.]

3 out of 4 stars

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Welcome to the “ride of a lifetime”! Board the train and be sure to have your tickets ready! What? No ticket? Of course, you have one. Check your pocket. Ok, try your other pocket. Hmm. Do you have a purse, or maybe a backpack? Ahh, there it is! (Yes, I know, shades of Polar Express here. Trust me; this train is NOT headed to the North Pole.)

At the beginning of our journey, seventeen-year-old Joshua finds himself lying on the pavement in a train station with a splitting headache and no idea how he got there. He hears the conductor calling for everyone to board, and suddenly his body is moving toward the train on its own. And what is he wearing? Where were his ripped jeans and his denim jacket? What was going on?

Completely confused and with no memory of his past, Joshua has no choice but to board the train and take a seat. Bemusedly, he observes the other passengers and listens as their train conductor, Teff, welcomes everyone aboard the train. Joshua’s heart starts to pound as he realizes they will be traveling through the afterlife and all its permutations (good, bad, and otherwise). Panic floods his system as he ponders where his stop will be and what awaits him there.

In Soul Train, a thrilling and educative rendition of a trip to (and through) the afterlife, T.C. Husvar presents a unique take on Dante’s circles of Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory. The book pulled me in from the first chapter, carrying me along with Joshua on this “ride of a lifetime” through substations HN all the way to the End. Though often chilling, each stop was uniquely fitting for those who disembarked there and thought-provoking for the reader. I found substation HL 5 particularly disturbing and sincerely hope that is not my stop in the afterlife. In fact, I’m quite determined to take steps to make sure it’s not.

That was part of the fascinating quality of this book. Through Joshua and the riders he comes to know, the reader is given a peek into the realities of others’ lives (and, due to the events within them, their afterlives). He comes to know four people (and their stories) most closely. There is Tiffany, a transgender teenage girl whose story almost brought me to tears, Madeline, an influencer with her own weight loss platform, the enigmatic Jason, and the predatory Pedro. Of course, we can’t forget Teff, Joshua’s guide throughout the journey. Teff was difficult to figure out, but that’s how the author meant it to be. Effeminate yet strangely chilling, he has a nightmarishly playful approach toward explanations of the less appealing forms of the afterlife. Yet, with children (anyone under the age of eighteen), he is gentle, comforting, and protective. I don’t want to give away too much, but suffice it to say that the combined effect of these riders on Joshua might well have significant consequences on his afterlife.

From world-building to his characters' creation, backstories, and growth, Husvar delivered all his readers could ask for and more. The disturbingly vivid environments of each substation had to be my favorite parts of the book. Teff’s enlightening yet sometimes cryptic explanations of them came in a close second. Written for an older YA audience, Husvar employed the perfect balance of suspense and tension to attract this age group and keep their attention riveted. I do not recommend this book for the younger crowd due to some rather disturbing imagery and a few uses of non-borderline language. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy journeys into parallel realities or psychological puzzles pertaining to the afterlife. Those who might find an LGBTQ+ storyline objectionable, even as a minor theme, might want to look elsewhere.

Although I enjoyed my supernatural ride, the book’s grammar was just short of atrocious and definitely affected my reading flow negatively. There were many instances of incorrect tense and a myriad of misused or misspelled words, just to name a couple of the issues that were present. Though not a cliffhanger by any stretch of the imagination (thank goodness), the ending does leave an opening for a sequel. Should the author decide to take that route, I will look forward to reading it. However, I must reluctantly withdraw one star for this journey due to the grammar issues and award the book 3 out of 4 stars. So welcome aboard! Have a seat and enjoy the ride. And rest assured, Teff will ensure you get off at the right stop… whether you want to or not.

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Soul Train
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Edit_or · Post by **Edit_or** » 17 Apr 2022, 13:36

The initial part of this review caught my attention. Sounds interesting. Thank you for the intriguing review

Elijah0007 · Post by **Elijah0007** » 17 Apr 2022, 16:35

Sounds like one helluva ride. I almost had goosebumps reading your review.

Gideon Olomofe · Post by **Gideon Olomofe** » 17 Apr 2022, 17:38

I see creativity in this review. The book would indeed thrill. It sounds hilarious as Joshua wasn't aware of where the train headed.

Post by **Ntokozo Joy Ndlovu** » 17 Apr 2022, 19:35

Okay I am definitely sold. reading this one as soon as I get the chance. The uniqueness of this plot and its setting is just amazing. I enjoyed reading your review.

Aisha Yakub · Post by **Aisha Yakub** » 19 Apr 2022, 05:49

Except for the editing, I think this is an excellent read. Great review.

nwankwo chibuchi · Post by **nwankwo chibuchi** » 19 Apr 2022, 13:58

This seems like a creatively written book. You also delivered a great review. Well done.

wmeki510 · Post by **wmeki510** » 20 Apr 2022, 17:57

Edit_or wrote: ↑17 Apr 2022, 13:36 The initial part of this review caught my attention. Sounds interesting. Thank you for the intriguing review

Yeah. Great to read you found it interesting.

wmeki510 · Post by **wmeki510** » 20 Apr 2022, 17:57

Elijah0007 wrote: ↑17 Apr 2022, 16:35 Sounds like one helluva ride. I almost had goosebumps reading your review.

Yeah. But relax and enjoy the ride.

wmeki510 · Post by **wmeki510** » 20 Apr 2022, 17:58

Raymond N wrote: ↑19 Apr 2022, 05:49 Except for the editing, I think this is an excellent read. Great review.

Exactly. I wish that could be tackled.

wmeki510 · Post by **wmeki510** » 20 Apr 2022, 17:59

Gwrites208 wrote: ↑17 Apr 2022, 17:38 I see creativity in this review. The book would indeed thrill. It sounds hilarious as Joshua wasn't aware of where the train headed.

Rightly observed. The author is a refined writer.