Book: Souls We Rip by D.M.R.
Reviewed by Weird | weird.reads.books
Rating: 3/5
Souls We Rip blends Romanian folklore with Beauty and the Beast to create something that feels both familiar and completely new. I went in expecting a retelling of one of my favorite tropes, but what I found was so much richer. I learned about Romanian cultural traditions, food, and folklore that were entirely new to me. I love when stories introduce readers to different cultures—it broadens perspective and adds a fresh, creative layer to a beloved fairytale.
Our FMC, Ana, is the devout eldest daughter in a battered home where her father’s temper flips like a switch. At 23 and still unwed, she’s helping her 18-year-old sister prepare for her first Girls’ Fair, hoping they’ll both find husbands. But everything changes when the Goat Man appears to rip away her father’s soul. To protect her family, Ana bargains with him to take her instead.
Ana’s soul is pure, and in taking her father’s place, she agrees to reap ten souls. This is a girl who wouldn’t harm a fly, who clings tightly to her faith, and yet she finds herself tasked with something unspeakable. As she carries out her grim duty, Ana leans into a sort of vigilante justice.
There are undeniably dark elements woven throughout this book. Humanity is shown at its most depraved, and you find yourself rooting for Ana and her duty. Her unwavering belief in God becomes both her compass and her shield, helping her justify what she believes is right.
The pacing occasionally felt choppy. Some scenes jumped abruptly, while others lingered longer than necessary. With a bit more tightening, I think the flow could have been smoother. As someone with religious trauma, there were moments when Ana frustrated me. Her morality often felt rooted more in doctrine than in personal autonomy, which created some internal tension for me as a reader.
This was an easy read that balances sweet, tender moments with truly dark ones. If you’re looking for a classic fairytale retelling with a rich cultural twist and moral complexity, Souls We Rip is worth picking up.
Thank you to D MR and Wings & Words for the eARC. All opinions are my own.