Unabridged Bookshelf: Soul Screamer Reading Challenge

Showing posts with label Soul Screamer Reading Challenge. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Mini Review: Reaper(Soul Screamers #3.5) by Rachel Vincent

Title: Reaper

Author: Rachel Vincent

Series: Soul Screamers #3.5

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Publication Date: December 1, 2010

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....

MY REVIEW

Reaper is a novella of the Soul Screamer series by Rachel Vincent. This novella is about Tod and told from his point of view. It is a great one to read right before My Soul to Steal, because you get a minor introduction and preview of Sabine and Nash’s relationship. Tod is your typical teenager who just wants to hang out with his girlfriend, but little brother Nash has to get in the way. I have to say this book made me fall completely in love with Tod!

When you read the Soul Screamer series, you meet Reaper Tod. I like that in this book, you get to meet just Bean Sidhe Tod. While a super quick read, you also get to learn how exactly Tod became a Reaper. Also I will admit, my eyes teared up a bit during this book. At only 55 pages, it takes maybe an hour to read, and in my eyes, it is all over to quick. If you are a fan of the Soul Screamer series, pick up Reaper to see life through Tod’s eyes.

**Unabridged Bookshelf purchased this book**

Have you read Reaper?

What did you think?

If you haven't read it, are you going to read it?

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Thursday, June 7, 2012

Book Review: If I Die (Soul Screamers #5) by Rachel Vincent

Title: If I Die
Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers #5
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: September 27, 2011

BUY IF I DIE

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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.

MY REVIEW

If I Die, is the fifth installment in the Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent. While I will avoid spoilers for this book, there may be spoilers for the previous installments. Kaylee does not get the infatuation all the girls have with the new math teacher. He is young and handsome, but Kaylee just does not see it. After an incident at school, she begins to think that her math teacher might be up to something. When Kaylee learns she is set to die within a week, she decides to use her last days to put an end to Mr. Beck’s plans.

With the liberation of knowing, nothing is really going to matter in a few days, give Kaylee a since of freedom. To do what she wants, eat what she wants, but mostly save the ones she loves. She needs to team up with Sabine to take down Mr. Beck, because they are the only ones not immune to his special “charms.” What kind of charms you ask? Well his incubus charms of course.

Kaylee in this book is very well adjusted and self-sacrificing for someone who knows they only have days to live. Instead of spending time doing selfish things, she chooses to continue to go to school, and work on a way to get rid of the threat to her friends. I think I would be freaking about a lot more, if someone told me I was going to die. She does experience fear; she just seems to rationalize it much better. It is just another reason why I love Kaylee, especially because of the vulnerability she shows in the book.

There is so much I want to say about things and people, but at last, I cannot. I do not want to ruin this book for any readers, because it is an amazing rollercoaster ride. There were points when I actually started to tear up, and my heart broke, and other parts where I could not help but laugh. I loved If I Die, and it is my favorite Soul Screamer book to date. I will see if this changes, with the release of Before I Wake in a few weeks, also if you have not read If I Die, avoid the synopsis of Before I Wake. If you have yet to start the Soul Screamer series, run to your nearest bookstore, do yourself a favor, and pick up a copy of My Soul to Take.

**Unabridged Bookshelf purchased this book**

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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Book Review: My Soul To Steal by Rachel Vincent

Title: My Soul to Steal
Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers #4
Publisher: HarlequinTEEN
Publication Date: January 4, 2011

BUY MY SOUL TO STEAL

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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.(From Goodreads)

MY REVIEW

**MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR PREVIOUS SOUL SCREAMERS BOOKS**

My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent starts up about two weeks after the events of My Soul to Keep. So many things I want to talk about in this book, but I cannot without possibly spoiling it for other readers. If you have not read the first three books, this review may contain spoilers, as this is part of a series. After the tragic events that happened, in well every Soul Screamers book, but specifically the end of My Soul to Keep, Kaylee, and Nash’s relationship is cracked. These are not simple little cracks, but large fissures. Kaylee just wants the chance to see if they can repair their relationship and move past the events of My Soul to Keep.

Enter the cherry on top of the pile of problems, Sabine. Sabine has prior stakes to Nash, and she does not want to give them up for anything. This is not just a normal clash of ex-girlfriend versus the sort of current girlfriend, not when Sabine is involved. Sabine is not just your average ex-girlfriend; she is a living nightmare or Mara. To survive she has to feed on the fears of others, but she in not above using her powers to get what she wants either. Kaylee need to decide if Nash is worth fighting for, and if she can ever forgive him.

Let us talk characters, first up Kaylee. Kaylee is not the strong, brave female lead we are used to seeing in this series. This is because her heart is hurting, and she is trying to reevaluate her relationship and her life. She is more vulnerable, and I think that allows me to love her even more. There is also a lot of jealousy between Kaylee and Sabine, and I think it does bring out the worst parts in Kaylee. While this is all going on, Kaylee still wants to be protect the innocent and fight for what is right.

Next up Nash, Nash made me so angry in My Soul to Keep, and you make me so sad in My Soul to Steal. Nash is trying to move on with his life, and all he wants to do is redeem himself in Kaylee’s eyes. I understand Kaylee’s point and I understand Nash’s wishes. It just breaks your heart to watch these two go through this, even if it is Nash’s fault. He finds peace in his friendship with Sabine, even if it does drive Kaylee crazy, and Sabine’s intentions are less than honorable. I hope they can move past all this in If I Die, but I have a feeling based on reactions, it is not to be so.

Sabine, Sabine, Sabine you manage to irritate me, while at the same time making me want to give you a big hug, sort of. Maras are born to human parents, and if they do not control their powers, they literally frighten everyone away. While Sabine is a funny yet exasperating character, she is also very alone. Nash is her only friend, so you cannot but feel sorry for her even just a little bit. I cannot wait to see if Sabine grows in If I Die.

Saving the best for last in this super long review, we have Tod. The reaper, whom I suspect is harboring a bit of a crush on our dear Kaylee Cavanaugh. I love the friendship that has bloomed between Tod and Kaylee and even Tod, Kaylee, and Emma. I think this is the book where I am still holding out hope for Nash, but starting to hope that Tod gets a chance. I am so torn, with everything in this book. This review is so much long than normal, just because I am so full of emotions brought out by this book. This is just another amazing book by the marvelous Rachel Vincent.

**Unabridged Bookshelf purchased this book**

Do you think there is any hope for Nash and Kaylee?
How excited are you for Before I Wake next month?

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Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Soul Screamers Challenge: Re-Reading My Soul To Save

MY ORIGINAL REVIEW OF MY SOUL TO SAVE

My Mini Re-Review

When I first read My Soul to Save, I was completely in love with Nash. I have to say, that I am starting to notice Tod more and more on these re-reads. I never really paid that much attention to Tod, but it is amazing what you notice about people on the second read through. Nash is still adorable and protective, and I love the relationship between him and Kaylee.

I am also glad that Kaylee is in her own house with her father. I swear I dislike Sophie even more now that I have re-read My Soul to Save. I have only read the first three Soul Screamer series; I have heard there are big changes in the later books. I cannot wait to get caught up on the series during the Soul Screamer Challenge, before the newest installment comes out.

Have you read the Soul Screamer series?

Do you discover new love for characters, or other things when you re-read your favorite books?

Thank you for stopping by Unabridged Bookshelf

Monday, February 13, 2012

Soul Screamers Challenge Re-Read:My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent

Re-Reading My Soul To Take

My Original Review of My Soul To Take

Re-Reading My Soul To Take Mini Review

When I first read My Soul to Take, I was not sure how I felt about Tod and I was totally in love with the sweet and caring Nash. I have only read the first three books in the series, before I started this challenge. Even so, re-reading My Soul to Take a second time, there are small things that you pick up on that were not obvious the first time around. I do not want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't had the chance to read future books, so I am keeping this short. I think that is the best part of re-reading a favorite book, you discover new things about it. I had more a connection with Tod as a character, because of the other books I have read, so my opinion of Tod changed from the first time I read the book. I think the same can be said for Nash. I think it may change even more once I finish the series at the end of the challenge, and dive into Before I Wake.

Have you read My Soul to Take?

What did you think the first time you read it?

Do you discover things you did not notice the first time when you re-read a book?

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Review: My Soul To Lose(Soul Screamers #0.5) by Rachel Vincent

Title: My Soul to Lose
Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: July 1, 2009

My Soul to Lose is currently FREE on Audible

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....(Copied from Goodreads)

My Review

My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent is the prequel novella to the Soul Screamers series. This novella starts with Kaylee just having fun with her best friend Emma at the mall, looking for dresses for the homecoming dance. When Kaylee suddenly feels one of her panic attacks starting to come on, she hopes to avoid a public meltdown. When she fails to avoid the source of her panic attack, she begins to scream uncontrollably in the middle of the mall. When she cannot stop screaming, she is sedated and wakes up in the psychiatric unit at the local hospital.

I have read the first three books in the Soul Screamers series, and then I heard about the Soul Screamer Challenge put on by Fiktshun. I decided it would be fun to start over and read all the novellas along the way. I am really glad I did after read My Soul to Lose for the first time. If you have read even the first book in the Soul Screamers series, there are little things to notice in the novella. It is kind of fun, because it almost like a private joke for someone who has already been introduced to Soul Screamers. I hope that re-reading the books and reading the novellas will open my eyes to things I did not notice before.

My Soul to Lose is a super fast, but awesome read. It is a great start to an amazing series. I am curious about Lydia, and I do not know if she ever returns in future books. I cannot wait to read all the books and find out. Even if you have already read the Soul Screamers, My Soul to Lose is a must read for any fan.

**Unabridged Bookshelf purchased this book**