Hope this series is made into a movie!!! ( )

Return to Eden is the final chapter in G.P. Ching’s Soulkeepers trilogy, and everything is on the line in this battle to prevent Lucifer from bringing about the End of Days.

This trilogy is told in the third person, which turned out to be a good thing because there are so many threads and character perspectives throughout this story that if we were constantly moving from one person’s head to another we would quickly become confused. Even secondary characters such as Dane and Jacob’s cousin Katrina have chapters which focus on them. While the summary above seems to indicate we will primarily be getting Watcher (fallen angel) Abigail’s story here, it is actually far more complicated.

As Return to Eden begins, Healer Malini has determined that it is imperative that all the Soulkeepers (Horsemen and Helpers alike) who were on the list that Abigail put together and Lucifer stole should be brought to the school in Eden for their safety. Jacob and Malini take half the list, while Abigail takes the other. Angel Gideon, the love of Abigail’s life, is left behind to keep an eye on Katrina to make sure she does not become possessed by a Watcher again (which happened in book 2, Weaving Destiny). When Malini and Abigail are both summoned by Lucifer against their will, they discover he is holding Jacob’s and Malini’s friend, Dane, as a hostage and will kill him in 12 days if Abigail does not translate the list of Soulkeeper names which she encoded. While Abigail and Malini don’t want to condemn Dane to Lucifer’s torture, they also know they can’t give up the remaining Soulkeepers. Their only hope is to bring all the Soulkeepers to safety before Dane’s time runs out. But Lucifer’s Watchers are close on everyone’s trail as each Soulkeeper is discovered – and not everyone makes it to safety. Will Abigail make a deal with Lucifer to protect the rest of the Soulkeepers and rescue Dane?

While everyone is scrambling to prevent Lucifer from finding the remaining Horsemen and their Helpers, Death/Henry has brought Soulkeeper Mara to the Between after she gave her life at the end of book 2 to save Malini. Henry and Mara’s romance is the second major thread in the book, and may be my favorite. I have always loved stories where Death falls in love with a human, and this was no exception. As their story unfolds, we learn Henry’s back story and how he became Death. We also learn how the entities in the Between – Death, Fate and Time – have assisted God in maintaining the balance with Lucifer through the ages. But when God and Lucifer learn Mara is living with Henry, an ultimatum regarding her soul is made. Death may lose the one he loves most.

With the Soulkeepers trilogy, Ching has managed to create an incredibly complex, yet easily accessible, paranormal world. Each character is unique and memorable, and their stories compelling. Jacob, Malini and Abigail have been at the center throughout, but while the relationship between Jacob and Malini is stronger than ever, Abigail’s relationship with Gideon is beginning to show the strain of the years of waiting to be together. Abigail’s faith is starting to waver, and Gideon is afraid he may lose her to Lucifer’s sway. When Malini’s visions confirm this is a distinct possibility, she advises Gideon that only by letting Abigail go will the Soulkeepers prevail. The choices made by Abigail and Gideon will determine the fate of the world.

This was the first book where God made an actual appearance, and I thought it was very well-done to have God appear to each person as themselves – God simply Is, and appears to everyone differently. I did find it interesting, however, that apparently God has a rotten sense of timing. Both story lines are brought together in an explosive battle between Good and Evil when God finally fulfills a promise made eons ago at the worst possible moment, triggering the event the Soulkeepers have been trying to prevent. I guess even God can make a mistake.

While Return to Eden seemed to have a few more editing errors than the previous two books, they still weren’t enough to ruin the story. The multiple story lines and characters are far too interesting to be brought down by the errors I saw and, frankly, I’ve seen a LOT worse.

Filled with interesting characters (who happen to have some really cool abilities), twists and turns, romance and action, the entire Soulkeepers trilogy is an exceptional entry in the young adult paranormal genre and Return to Eden is its thrilling conclusion. Questions are answered, threads are tied up, and relationships are brought to satisfying resolutions. I’m sorry to see the end of this series, but I look forward to seeing what other worlds author G.P. Ching creates in the future. ( )

“The Soulkeepers” series is about faith, something of which can often be a touchy subject. I usually make it a point to stay away from books that deal with faith, as sometimes it can feel as though the author is trying to shove an opinion down your thought. But G.P. Ching’s “Soulkeepers” series isn’t like that. This is a series about the soldiers of God, yes, but it is also a series that focuses on the choices that we make.

In “Return to Eden”, Dr. Abigail Silva must make an important decision. She can either choose redemption, choosing to follow God, in which she’ll finally be able to have a real relationship with the Angel she’s fallen in love with. Or she can follow the devil, allowing the evil inside of her to overtake her. The choice is one which she must make for herself.

In the end, “Return to Eden” is a moving story of right and wrong.

I’ve really enjoyed “The Soulkeepers” series, and while I’m sad to see it come to an end, I feel as though the series was wrapped up perfectly. I can’t wait to see what G.P. Ching has in store next! ( )