Soul Screamers #5- If I Die by Rachel Vincent: Review

The entire school's talking about the gorgeous new math teacher, Mr. Beck. Everyone except Kaylee Cavanaugh. After all, Kaylee's no ordinary high-school junior. She's a banshee—she screams when someone dies.

But the next scream might be for Kaylee.

Yeah—it's a shock to her, too. So to distract herself, Kaylee's going to save every girl in school. Because that hot new teacher is really an incubus who feeds on the desire of unsuspecting students. The only girls immune to his lure are Kaylee and Sabine, her boyfriend's needy ex-girlfriend. Now the unlikely allies have to get rid of Mr. Beck…before he discovers they aren't quite human, either.

But Kaylee's borrowed lifeline is nearing its end. And those who care about her will do anything to save her life.

Anything.

Aww, it's the last month of the SSRC! How time flies... And before we know it, Before I Wake's gonna be released! Now, I don't know about you, but this book is a freakin' must have... Now on to my thoughts on If I Die, the latest Soul Screamers book.

If I Die was the best reread. Ever. The first time I read this book, I fell in love with it. Now, it's twice as much. The whole time I was reading the series, If I Die was the only book I had in mind, and I just could not wait to finally read it!

Seeing as how I've already reviewed it (Fun fact: If I Die was my first ever review here!), I don't know what else to say. But yeah, I enjoyed it right from the start, and there wasn't a single dull moment. 

And Tod, well... Let's just say he was one of the best things that ever happened to this book. So yeah, I loved it so much I can't even begin to express how much.

And... ahh, I don't know what to say anymore! I guess writing a second review is way harder, since this is the only book I've already reviewed. But rest assured, this is one of my most favorite series, and I totally recommend it to all fans of paranormal romance. 

Now I'm totally excited for Before I Wake! Time to start the countdown! :)

Jen @ Midnight Book Thief

Soul Screamers #4.5- Reaper by Rachel Vincent: Review

Tod Hudson was a typical teenager. He liked girls, sports, food and tolerated his younger brother, Nash. In fact, he had his whole life in front of him--and due to his bean sidhe heritage, it was going to be a very long life indeed. And then the car accident occurred.

Suddenly Tod's future wasn't so sure, and he had to make a choice. Life... Death... or something Between....

Of all the Soul Screamers novella, this is my favorite one, and always will be. Reaper was amazing, and I enjoyed every second of it. It not only gave us a glimpse into Tod's mind, but it answered so many questions I had about the Hudsons' past. 

While I enjoyed Reaper, this novella was painful to read. Why? It screamed "sacrifice", and it was heartbreaking. You're sure to see Tod in a new way after reading this. I just couldn't believe Tod gave up everything for Nash- it was just so unbelieveably sweet and selfless.

On a brighter side, this novella was full of Tod's sarcasm, and they often made crack up. Come on, who else makes jokes about Death? And in this case, I'm talking about it literally. Reaper was full of laugh out loud moments which never failed to lighten the mood. 

Here's my favorite passage from the novella:

The reaper shifted in his seat, but made no move to stand. “That’s what you were buried in.” His careless gesture took in my stiff shirt and the pressed black pants I’d never seen in my life.

I looked like a waiter.

So yeah, I'm giving this 6 stars. It was the perfect quick read, and the fact that it was Tod narrating it probably helped. ;) It was the perfect blend of heartbreak and humor, and I couldn't help but wish this novella would turn into a full length novel. 

Jen @ Midnight Book Thief

Soul Screamers #0.5- My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent: Review

It was supposed to be a fun day, shopping at the mall with her best friend. Then the panic attack started and Kaylee Cavanaugh finds herself screaming, unable to stop. Her secret fears are exposed and it's the worst day of her life.

Until she wakes up in the psychiatric unit.

She tries to convince everyone she's fine--despite the shadows she sees forming around another patient and the urge to scream which comes burbling up again and again. Everyone thinks she's crazy. Everyone except Lydia, that is. Another patient with some special abilities....

My Soul to Lose is the prequel novella to the Soul Screamers series, and I must say, it had the whole novella thing down! It was a quick fun read, and it did a perfect job introducing us to the Soul Screamers world. It revealed just enough hints to get the readers curious, but it managed to do so without revealing anything major. After reading this novella, readers are sure to pick up the next book!

What I loved the most about this novella was its mysterious air towards it. Kaylee, upon freaking out in the mall when someone dies- and forced to sing for his soul- is placed in a mental institute. I loved how Rachel Vincent just gave a glimpse into the series- we most definitely know that Kaylee isn't your average teenager- but what is she, exactly?

Kaylee goes though a hard time in the hospital- because she knows she not crazy. She proves her strength to us, that she's not just some TSTL heroine, but one kick ass one, as she proves repeatedly over the course of the series. She's able to hang on to her sanity, despite being locked up with the crazies, and make it through the whole ordeal.

And that ending! I've got to say, that was one eerie ending. Mildly disturbing, but nothing too serious... In a good way. :) Lydia, I have got to say, is one of the most freaky characters out there! But for those who haven't read the series yet, watch out for her reappearance. She's more important that Rachel lets on. ;)

5 stars to this novella! When I first finished reading My Soul to Lose, some of my questions were answered. But so many new ones emerged. I was hooked, right from the very start. And two novellas and five full length novels after, I still am. So, totally hooked. And I'm loving every second of it! :D

Jen @ Midnight Book Thief

Soul Screamers #4- My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent: Review

Trying to work things out with Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can't just pretend nothing happened. But "complicated" doesn't even begin to describe their relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to take Nash back.

See, Sabine isn't just an ordinary girl. She's a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people's fears—and craft them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she survives.

And Sabine isn't above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to death to get whatever—and whoever—she wants.

This is the fourth book in the Soul Screamers series- one that involves a fresh new character, Sabine Campbell. To be honest, this is the book I like the least in the series. This review is gonna be a mix of positive and negative points- but to get it off my chest, here's the negative part first:

Sabine and Kaylee and Nash's love triangle made want to strangle them. Yes, blunt I know, but I am not a fan of love triangles. But it didn't help that I was no longer Team Nash- kinda hated him a lot by that time- so the fact that Kaylee wouldn't let him go just frustrated me to no end. I just wanted to scream at her, "For God's sake, give it up! Nash does not deserve the both of you fighting over him! Let Sabine have him, and go grab Tod before I do!" Yup, by then, I was already Team Tod, and I already wanted them to end up together. 

But otherwise, it was okay. Sabine was an interesting character, and Rachel Vincent wrote her part so nicely I couldn't help but hate her. Funny way of saying it, I know, but it's true! Seriously, I despised that mara and her big mouth. Though I have to say, I did enjoy reading her and Kaylee's not-so-tame banterings. Err, wrong word. More of cat fights. ;)

So yeah, it was an okay read. While it honestly kinda disappointed me, I still enjoyed it. The climatic ending was unexpected, and really surprising too! Though I do believe that it's Rachel's fault for making the series so amazing that my standards got raised really high though. :) However, I believe this book in vital for the next books to come, and a really important plot turner.

Jen @ Midnight Book Thief

Soul Screamers #3- Soul to Keep by Rachel Vincent: Review

Kaylee has one addiction: her very hot, very popular boyfriend, Nash. A banshee like Kaylee, Nash understands her like no one else. Nothing can come between them. Until something does. 

Demon breath. 

No, not the toothpaste-challenged kind. The Netherworld kind. The kind that really can kill you. Somehow the super-addictive substance has made its way to the human world. But how? Kaylee and Nash have to cut off the source and protect their friends—one of whom is already hooked. 

And so is someone else…

My Soul to Keep is the third book in the Soul Screamers series. And for me, this book is one of the major turning points of the series. This is where things started to go downhill for Kaylee, and her perfect world- well, as perfect as it can be, anyways- is shattered.

To be honest, I didn't really like this book compared to the others in the series. Why? It frustrated me. Nash and Kaylee's issues made me want to thump them. All the secrecy, the betrayals, the hurtings- made me feel full blast frustration. 

Now that I think about it, I think the main reason why I didn't like it that much during the first time I read it was Nash's betrayal. Back then, I was Team Nash, and it hurt to see their relationship go down the drain. What he did... It disgusted me, shocked me, infuriated me. But then again, I guess that was essential for Kaylee and Tod to happen. 

But it spite of that, I did like this book. The ending completely made up for whatever frustration (Yup, third time using this word. That's just how frustrated I felt.) I felt earlier. I have to say, I did NOT see that huge twist. 

The Rating

So overall, I give this book 4 stars. The plot picks up in the middle part, full with Vincent's signature twists and turns, and it did not disappoint. I completely did not expect the bigger picture- for the first half of the book, I only thought Kaylee had Demon's Breath to deal with. Turns out, she's up against something way bigger, trust me. She's gonna need all the help she can get- or else everyone she loves- and knows- will become Netherworld chowder. 

So bear with the first part and whatever annoyance you might feel against Kaylee and Nash, because I promise you, the ending WILL be worth it.

Jen @ Midnight Book Thief

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So I have conflicting views on this book. What about you? Did Nash's actions infuriate you? What do you think will happen next? And which cover do you prefer? If you manage to answer all my questions, I'll give you a cyber cookie. :)

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Niederwald by Rachel Vincent: Review

"Enthralled" is a collection of 14 original teen paranormal short stories from some of today's bestselling YA talent, united with the common theme of road trips.

Niederwald is one of the short stories in the anthology Enthralled, written by Rachel Vincent. It's narrated by Sabine, the mara from Soul Screamers, who tags along with Emma, who goes on a road trip for an entra-curricular activity. Unknown to Emma, Sabine has an ulterior motive for coming along. In truth, all she wants is to go to Niederwald, where she needs to see a certain oracle and retrieve something of value.

Niederwald is the second short story I've read that's narrated by Sabine once again. (The other one is Fearless- check out my review here.) It was short, but fun fun fun! I think it's supposed to be read after My Soul to Steal and before If I Die. If read between those books, Niederwald drops some delicious hints, which keeps readers guessing til the end. In a way, it's an epic teaser of what's to come in If I Die.

In true Vincent style, she manages to pack mystery, action, suspense, and yes, even humor, into a story is short. She introduces a new specie here- harpies. They were briefly mentioned in past books, but they get the spotlight in this one. That's what I love the most about her books- they have unique creatures, not those overused vamps or werewolves. Also, the plot was well thought out, unlike those other stories in anthologies, which don't even make any sense.

The Rating

5 Stars! Yeah, I'm guessing I'm giving too much 5 stars to Rachel's books, but I really can't help it! I can't help but enjoy all of her Soul Screamers short stories. They're short, but a delightful addition to the main series. And Niederwald was no exception to this. Recommended for all Soul Screamers fans... Especially those who have yet to read If I Die! (But DON'T read this if you haven't yet My Soul to Steal yet!)

However, I'm not sure if readers who haven't read Soul Screamers yet should read this. I'm guessing they'll have a hard time relating to the existing plotline under it, not to mention the major spoilers it reveals. But still, this is something that should not be missed!

Jen @ Midnight Book Thief

Soul Screamers #2- My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent: Review

When Kaylee Cavanaugh screams, someone dies. 

So when teen pop star Eden croaks onstage and Kaylee doesn't wail, she knows something is dead wrong. She can't cry for someone who has no soul. 

The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad's ironclad curfew and putting her too-hot-to-be-real boyfriend's loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls: a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld—a consequence they can't possibly understand. 

Kaylee can't let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk….

My Soul to Save has always been one my favorites in this series. (Right after If I Die!) I even enjoyed it more than My Soul to Take! What I loved the most was the plot of the story. It was totally original, and so twisted. So very twisted.

Addison Page is a famous teen popstar. Why? Because she sold her soul to a hellion. Being Tod's former girlfriend, Kaylee and Nash must help her save her soul, along with a certain reaper's help.  Okay, I loved the suspense and the tension. Throughout the book, I kept on thinking, "How will they do it?" It totally seemed impossible! But trust Kaylee to come up with something. I can't help but admire her resourcefulness- she always finds a way to make it out of an impossible situation- alive.

Bt you know what really killed me? The ending. It was utterly heartbreaking. I won't spoil what happened for those who haven't read it yet- but trust me, the ending was the ultimate act of sacrifice.

On a brighter note, we get to see more character developments! We now know that Kaylee's smarter than we think, and Nash... Well, Nash can be capable of fury and snapping at someone. :P Tod though- we get to see a side of him we haven't seen before. Tod isn't just all snark and sarcasm- he has a soft side too. We see just how loyal he can be to those he loves, and I love him for that. He was willing to give up anything just to save Addy's soul. And not only that, who knew our favorite reaper could be reduced to a blushing schoolboy in the presence of a thousand year old reaper? Now that Tod was way adorable! ;)

The Rating 

So before I spend anothor paragraph droning on how much I love Tod, I'm giving this book 5 stars. Yes, another full star rating. I just can't help it; I love these books so much! :D

Cover Wars

So once again, I'm gonna ask: Which one do you prefer? US or UK edition?

 

Personally, I'm in favor of the US edition. The UK one kinda freaks me out. Those eyes, freakishly staring at you, deep into your soul.....

BOO!

Jen @ Midnight Book Thief

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Any thoughts on this book (and Tod)? ;) Which cover do you like better? And if you signed up for the SSRC as well, leave your link! :D

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Soul Screamers #1- My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent: Review

She doesn't see dead people. She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.

Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next.

This is my second time reading the Soul Screamers series. So why am I doing so in spite of my gigantic TBR pile? Well, first off, Rachel @ Fiktshun is hosting a Soul Screamers Reading Challenge, and I'm participating. Second, Before I Wake is coming out in five months. Five months! And I want to reread the series and refresh my memory. And lastly? This is one hell of a series- I would have reread it anyway, challenge or no!

So for my review, I'm not gonna do my usual review with The Bad and The Good and The Awesome sections. The Soul Screamers is one- and will always be- one my top favorite books, and I can't say a single bad thing about the series. At all. 

My Soul to Take was such an amazing read. (Or should I say reread?) It wasn't just full of paranormal goodness, but it had tons of mystery. This was one of my favorite elements of the book, because there's nothing more I love better than a good mystery. And boy, does Rachel know how to spin a good one! I honestly did not see what was coming. Of course, that was during the first time I read it. This time, I knew who the "bad guy" was, and I gotta say, it made me see that character in a whole new light this time!

And not only that, My Soul to Take had suspense. It had adventure. Romance. Nerve wracking tension. And what's more? It was full of humor. I just had to love Kaylee, our snarky and sarcastic heroine. I loved the way she thinks and how she makes an impossibly dark situation lighter. And Kaylee's not the only funny character- I'm not forgetting about Tod!

Ah, Tod. To be honest, I was looking forward to his appearance the whole start of the book! And when his name finally appeared, I broke out into a wide grin. I mean, dude, it's TOD! Ahem. Anyway, this reread was different- because the first time I read it, I was totally Team Nash. Now though, Team Tod FTW! ;)

(Aren't you just proud of me? Apart from Tod's name is caps, I didn't even go all fan girl on him! :P)

The Rating

Five stars all the way! My Soul to Take is an awesome introduction to this series, and it sucked me in right away. This is my second time reading this, but I enjoyed it as much as I did the first time I read. Even more, I think. I enjoyed being back in the Soul Screamers world, because there's simply nothing quite like it. 

Cover Wars

I just couldn't resist putting this part in. My friend and I were arguing as to which cover was better. US or UK? She likes the US version, and I do too, but I kinda find the UK cover more striking. Any thoughts? 

And that's it. To wrap up this long review, I'll ask you one question: Have you read this yet? If not, then you are missing out big time. Drop what you're reading, AND GO READ THIS NOW!

That is all. 

Jen @ Midnight Book Thief

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So, have you read My Soul to Take? Loved it? Love Tod? ;) Which cover do you prefer and why?

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