READER REVIEWS
“Soul Stealer,” is a fascinating journey concerning a compelling subject that many have thought about in one’s lifetime; ‘the Soul’, inner thoughts, unexplained memories, connections to others that evolve; dwelling in that corner of the mind that we may choose not to question. The novel’s stunning artistic interpretation of existence, brought into fictional reality through the life of Kalen and the Soul within him is a riveting read. Kalan’s never ending love for the woman who captured his heart more than once and his quest to find her is emotionally stirring. Scenes and images of the characters, conveyed graphically with haunting color by Christopher Shy captures the author’s vision, as you follow the words within the red cloth cover and travel along Kalan’s life paths. For me, a rewarding extended perspective was perceived and unmistakable as I experienced the love Kalan felt for the beautiful Oxania and his strength; enemies revealed, battles fought, the deaths; battles won, the rebirths and revelations about parts of life itself expressed by the author that aligns with my own, enhancing a look forward in time with a rewarding perspective in regard to the Soul. This novel in its own right looms toward joining the classics of its genre. It is thought provoking with a positive edge on life as the reader may be influenced to delve into the mysteries of their own Soul. Soul Stealer, a graphic novel not before its time and in perfect time for the 21st Century. -- Naomi H.
I thought the book was great!!!! Artwork was great also!!!! Very well written!!!!! I enjoyed it very much. -- Gina
"Soul Stealer" is one of the most spectacular and epic stories I’ve read; it is both tragic and moving. A very touching love story about a man’s never ending search for his one true love. The battles with Good and Evil are depicted beautifully by both Shy’s illustrations and Easton’s words. The ending was unexpected but left you yearning for more. I look forward to further projects by these two; they make a great team. -- Johanna | New Jersey
"Soul Stealer" is a powerful dark love story that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The graphic artwork by Christopher Shy is intoxicating. The use of blues, greens, reds, and oranges draws you into this riveting, dark, tragic love story. Mr. Easton makes you feel the pain and suffering Kalan goes through to get to his true love Oxania. To be able to not only see, but also feel everything that both Kalan and Oxania endure will take your breath away. This novel should definitely be on the best sellers list for graphic novels!!!! I applaud both Michael Easton and Christopher Shy for this amazing journey they take us on and really hope that "Soul Stealer" will have a sequel as I feel there is more of this love story to tell. I think it would be incredible if this graphic novel could be turned into a movie on the big screen. I highly recommend "Soul Stealer" to anyone. Thank you Christopher Shy and Michael Easton and I look forward to seeing more in the future. -- Juanita
WOW!! I though "Eighteen Straight Whiskeys" was a good book. However, with this book you can tell the author put his heart and soul on the line to bring us a heartfelt story of everlasting love. When I want to be alone I take this book and I curl up on the sofa and through the pages I find myself immersed in the story so much that I feel like a part of the book. I can't thank him enough for putting his dream into writing to share that part with all of his fans and readers. I hope everyone enjoys the book as I do. It has a prominent place with all of my other favorite books. -- Kathy Eselhorst
I have long waited for the release of this book, needless to say, well worth the wait! Michael has showed us a little of his own soul in this wonderful novel. The reader feels Kalan's pain in his search for his beloved Oxania and her desperate need to show him her endless love. I can`t put in words how heartfelt and truly wonderful this book is. Michael has touched my heart once again as he did in "Eighteen Straight Whiskeys". Christopher`s graphics are breath taking! Congraulations Michael. -- Merca
Wow!!! is the one word that describes my reaction to the story that unfolds within "Soulstealer". I received this beautiful graphic novel June 26th and read it in its entirety the same day. Inside I found the wonderfully orchestrated words, the strategically paced story, and the uniquely clarifying message...every aspect was on point. Who knew that this futuristic, dark, genre would reveal the ultimate love story. A beautiful relationship between Kalan and Oxania that transcends time, energy, physical space...death. Bravo Michael..."Soulstealer" was extremely well written. The illustrious illustrations brought everything else home to its reader [connected the dots for us]. What I enjoyed most besides the dialog was how the reader could chose the past, the present, or the future to identify their own position in the story. You left this up to our own imagination. You left us in a place of identifying ourselves with either a dream or our own reality. Thank you for giving us more of you. -- Well Wisher | Detroit, MI
"Soul Stealer" is an epic tale of love and loss. Christopher Shy's darkly vivid artwork provides a stunning visual for author Michael Easton's story of fallen warrior Kalan. His love Oxania is killed by the beastly Apis Bull. But is she really gone forever? Kalan knows that her soul is still out there – somewhere in the realm between life and death. Now immortal and able to bring souls back from the dead, he sets off on a journey to bring her soul back, no matter what the cost. Through the words and the artwork, we feel Kalan's grief at the loss of Oxania, his despair and utter hopelessness at life without her. And then we're captivated by the warrior's will that fuels his determination to search the ends of the earth if he has to, for as long as it takes - through good, evil, and everything in between - to have his love with him once again. It's a moving and compelling story, beautifully told. Absolutely loved it! -- Tracie Johnson | NYC
The “Mind of Michael Easton” would be a fascinating place to explore! As revealed in the book, Easton’s mind houses complex thought processes woven together to spin the tale. The creases and crevices of Easton’s mind shelter an intelligence that sometimes would be beyond my comprehension. From deep into the abyss of that mind comes a brilliance to craft words into outstanding literary works. His thinking runs “deeper than an underground spring”. When that spring bubbles forth, we are the recipients of a mind explosion. The journey of Kalen can be felt by all of us. Our minds, our hearts, our souls scream out in utter pain. Pain so excruciating that we cry out in any way possible to reach out and grab on to a lost love. Our hearts bleed to see them again! I would search the depths and breadths of the sea, going into the bowels of the earth to find my lost and only love, my hero, the wind beneath my wings, my husband Ken who died from cancer seven years ago. The power of the pen, the power of the brush – Easton and Shy have unleashed their creative power in “Soul Stealer”. Easton has been my inspiration to seek out words from my own mind, scrambling them around to hopefully craft something that is pleasing. Writing and words are a passion of mine. Thank you Christopher Shy for the mind-boggling illustrations of what came out of the “Mind of Michael Easton”. Thank you Michael Easton for digging deep into those creases and crevices to bring us “Soul Stealer”. -- Lois A. Troutman | Mechanicsburg, PA
The graphic novel "Soul Stealer" is a beautiful and poetic work of art. I am a student of mythology and really was impressed with the breadth of knowledge, philosophy, and timeless themes of this book. I also own and love Michael Easton's earlier book of poetry "Eighteen Straight Whiskeys" and so already knew that he is a remarkable poet. This novel "Soul Stealer" was even better than anticipated, and the illustrations were simply amazing. I look forward to Michael Easton's next novel. -- Carolyn Wolfe | Winchester, VA
A wonderful story of love, hope, undying faith, and loyalty. This beautiful journey of Kalan's quest to be with his true love Oxania for eternity is intertwined in mythology, folklore, history, and passion. The beautiful pictures enhance this journey and allow you to feel as well as see the emotions and struggles the characters are going through. There are a few humorous parts in the mix of all the anguish and love. After all laughter, tears, and grief are always a part of a love that is pure and eternal. "Soul Stealer" takes you on an amazing journey of millions of emotions and fantastic vision all fashioned into one amazing thought provoking poetically beautiful story. Thanks for the journey! Hope there are more to follow. -- Dina | Louisville, KY
Love your book! A true work of art! -- Stacey
"Soul Stealer" is a remarkable book. I am not educated in all those wonderful descriptive adjectives written by the other reviewers, I only know I simply loved and enjoyed the book very much. Michael Easton's passionate and poetic words, together with the background artwork of Christopher Shy, presented a beautiful love story. They each have a love and passion for their creation that made me, as the reader, physically and mentally feel Kalan's love for Oxania and also feel his pain as he began his search for his lost love. I shall patiently await their next book. -- Judy | Massachusetts
BRAVO Michael and Christopher! Beautifully written and the artwork is AMAZING. It is a heartbreaking love story. A man's fight to save the love of his life. The words are poetic. You don’t just read the story - you FEEL it! You feel the pain, the love and the rage and you are on the edge of your seat from start to finish, rooting and hoping for a happy ending for the star-crossed lovers. I’m hoping this book is just the beginning, I’m looking forward to book number two. -- Lilly | Chicago, IL
"Soul Stealer" is an amazing work of art. Michael wrote a beautiful story that I could not put down once I started to read it. Christopher is an amazing artist...some of the most beautiful work I have ever seen. Together they have a bestseller on their hands that will have anyone who reads it wanting more!! I can't wait for the next book!!! -- Karen V. | Florence, KY
Synthesizing Greek and Egyptian mythology with Jungian archetypes, dream motifs, and themes of contemporary urban alienation, author/actor Michael Easton has collaborated with artist Christopher Shy to create the eerily hypnotic graphic novel "Soul Stealer". Timeless metaphysical themes of love, loss, damnation, and redemption are given an intensely personal, surrealistic interpretation in this beautiful work of art and prose poetry. As in a dream or a film by David Lynch, the characters in Michael Easton’s book inhabit multiple realms, multiple selves. Words and images lead us through an intoxicatingly intricate labyrinth, the dark, twisted mazes of terror and longing. Like the protagonist, Kalan, we lose ourselves in the realms of demons, doppelgangers, and untrustworthy deities, the quest ever elusive, ever tempting. -- Alison Armstrong
This beautifully written and illustrated book had me captivated from the first page. It was beautiful and romantic and frightening and calming all at the same time. Michael Easton's words combined with Christopher Shy's artwork drew me in and took me to a place that was so amazingly beautiful that I didn't want to leave it. My heart wept for Kalen and Oxania. This book shows that true heartfelt love really does exist. The book takes its readers to a special place and I'm so glad that I took the journey. -- Cammie Byrd | Chattanooga, TN
"Soul Stealer" is the most unique novel I've ever read. This creative fantasy, from the brilliant mind of Michael Easton, enhanced richly and beautifully by Christopher Shy's incredible artwork, is a love story as passionate and enthralling as it gets. Michael Easton created a wide variety of unique characters in his story, to me, reminiscent of those in Greek mythology, the old testament, classic and modern romance, thriller, and super hero stories, but newly and completely his own. "Soul Stealer-Book One", and this reader, beg for a "Book Two" and a movie; however, the novel flows just like a movie with the magnificent, colorful graphics illustrating every scene from the writer's story. I can easily see "Soul Stealer" becoming a blockbuster film. -- Tina Payne
After receiving "Soul Stealer" in Chicago, I read it cover to cover that night. It truly captivated the mind. I could sense the passion behind each word and in each picture. It engaged my thinking because of the mythological and historical references, but more than that it made me feel. As the story unfolded, I could feel the torture in Kalan's soul as he felt lost in each age he entered. I loved the changing of the coloring of the graphics as the time changed. It was subtle, but very effective in keeping the reader transitioning from one time to another. It could have been very depressing, but in the end it left me with a sense of hope. Knowing that Kalan could live his life, without ever compromising his commitment to love. The book was absolutely poetic and beautiful. --Dawn | Houston, Texas
Michael and Christopher have created a masterpiece. "Soul Stealer" is one of the most unique works I have ever read. The perfection in this book is in the intertwining of the past, present and future through the meaningful use of mythology, history, religion, ethnicity, culture and humanity with deep love being at the root. The story grabs at the imagination, heart, psyche and other deep recesses of one's body. It is beautiful and the artwork is amazing...everything about it is absolutely beautiful! -- Vishi | Los Angeles
Wow, Wow, Wow! Just received my copy of "Soul Stealer" today and with much excitement read it from cover to cover. My response was simply Wow! I am really impressed how quickly I got sucked right in to the story and to find my heart going right out to Kalan. At the end I found myself rooting for him to conquer all and find his love and wholeness again. We all have a piece of him in us and it is a bit surprising to find that someone else understands that intensely deep part of us so well and can bring it into the light. Just fabulous! Thanks for the great book! -- Beth Keller
|
