Book Review of SOUL MASTERS: THE HUNTING GROUNDS

SOUL MASTERS: THE HUNTING GROUNDS by K.R. Gastreich (Wild Rose Press, February 07, 2024) Paperback, 364 pages. ISBN:  9781509253302 / 1509253300 

Synopsis on the Goodreads website . . . . .

He wants to claim her soul. But could she capture his heart?

On a hike through the forest, Mayela stumbles into a terrifying world where immortals hunt souls. To survive she secures protection from a Soul Master. When he demands payment, Mayela fights back. But how can she fight the desire consuming her heart? 

Every soul Nathan claims expands the power of his realm. In Mayela, he finds a rare gift that could guarantee his place among the Soul Masters. All he must do is secure her allegiance without losing his heart. And Nathan has no heart to lose. Or does he? 

With eternity at stake, Mayela and Nathan ignite a transcendent passion that breaks all the rules. Among the Soul Masters, a malevolent force awakens. The final hunt is on...

My Four-Star review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

     While I'm not sure I like the preferred tagline for this particular genre, I believe this novel qualifies as "romantasy" (romantic fantasy). Not being a regular reader of romance novels, this is my first toe dip into romantic fantasy waters. If other novels in this genre are as good as SOUL MASTERS: THE HUNTING GROUNDS, then I think I may just go for a swim. 

This appears to be the first in a series of novels set in Kansas City, Missouri (2016) and alternating between the urban fantasy in that location (along with a thrilling serial killer subplot) and the deeper fantasy within the realm of the Hunting Grounds. The characters are appealing and well-developed. 

The world-building is imaginative, with just enough details to make me anticipate the next volume's reveals and more back-history on main character Mayela's special gifts as well as the land of immortals that must exist beyond the Hunting Grounds (where they compete for mastery of new souls).