Review: My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent

(summary from goodreads)

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.

Review: Like the previous books in the Soul Screamers series this book was amazing. This one definitely has a much more intense emotional aspect to it because things are getting much more difficult for Kaylee to handle, and Rachel does an amazing job of showing this.

The writing and pace of the book was wonderful. The writing flowed nicely and wasn't short and choppy. It was well paced and gave its characters time to develop.

I was disappointed with Kaylee in this book. In the previous books she was so strong and independent, but I felt like she was constantly flip flopping between what she was going to do about Nash. She can't tell him she needs time but then tell someone else to back off her boyfriend. I definitely liked Nash better in this book. He may not have won Kaylee's forgiveness, but he definitely won mine. I was also happy to see that Rachel introduced us to knew characters,  like Sabine, and went into detail on others, like Alec.  Although what Sabine did to Kaylee was cruel you could tell that she did it because she really did love Nash. I was so happy to see Tod back in action. He brought his humor to the book and he just might be my favorite character. 

The plot made for a very addictive read that was hard to put down. The problems between Kaylee and Nash made for an intense emotional roller coaster, but it was nicely balanced by the mystery of the student body and the suspicion surrounding Sabine.

Overall My Soul to Steal was an amazing addition to the Soul Screamers series and, since the ending didn't answer all of my questions about a certain couple I'm very much looking forward to the next and final in the series, If I Die.

Source: e-ARC from Harlequin Teen via NetGalley

Published: January 4, 2011 by Harlequin Teen

Review: Reaper by Rachel Vincent

(summary from  goodreads)

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....

Review: This novella was great! I love the Soul Screamers series and also love Tod, so it was good to see how he got to being a reaper and what he was like before it.

I loved that we finally got to hear Tod from his point of view. He was super funny and it was good to find out what really happened when he became a reaper.

I was also happy that Kaylee made a bit of am appearance. This e-novella was wonderful insight to Tod and I recommend it to any fans of the Soul Screamers series 

Review: My Soul to Keep by Rachel Vincent

(summary from goodreads)

WHEN KAYLEE CAVANAUGH SCREAMS, SOMEONE DIES 
AND KAYLEE IS ABOUT TO SCREAM HER HEAD OFF... 

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’s 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 when the epidemic hits too close to home, Kaylee will have to risk everything to save those she loves.


Review: This book definitely caused me more problems than it's predecessors did. It was a good continuation of the series and helped to set up the next book, but there were some major problems with the characters, in my eyes. 


Like the first two books, this one had a good, strong plot. But Kaylee and Nash were not as good. My first problem is with Kaylee. How could she not see that something was up with Nash? I could tell something was up before I was even 1/3 of the way through the book. And because it's in first person I assumed that Kaylee was noticing what I was noticing, i.e. Nash being sketchy. 


My second problem was with Nash. I understand why he was doing what he was, but his justification of it and its consequences did not fly with me. Sorry to be vague and confusing, but I don't want to spoil it. 


I was , however, happy to see Kaylee's dad being present more and acting like a dad. Tod is also a character I've grown to like. At first I wasn't too keen on him, but he's one of my favorites now. 


The fact that I saw flaws with this book makes it no less enjoyable. I still think it was a great read, and although the ending wasn't quite a cliff hanger it definitely made me reading for the next one. 

Review: My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

(summary from goodreads)

“If she were going to die, I’d already be screaming. I’m a banshee. That’s what we do.” 

The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad’s ironclad curfew and putting her boyfriend’s loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls for 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....


Review: This was a wonderful follow up to My Soul to Take, which I loved. It had the same quick pacing that allowed you to learn more about the Banshees without dragging along, the same solid plot that kept you captivated, and the same unique characters that brought the story to life. 


Although the pacing was good, this book seemed slower to me, and I don't mean that in a bad way. It had plenty of action and mystery, but it wasn't rushed.


I loved how we were introduced to new characters and places. We weren't given minor characters that would only take up space and then be killed/move away etc. (well maybe one). The minor characters were just as important as Kaylee and Nash, and that was refreshing.


I was also super excited that we finally a glimpse of the Netherworld.  It helped to expand my knowledge of the Banshees without cramming it all down my throat at once. 


Overall this was a fantastic sequel and everyone who read My Soul to Take should definitely read it. 


Note on the cover: I preferred the type of cover from the first book: where the person was smaller and centered on the cover. That way we saw all of her. Not just half of her.

Review: My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent

(summary from goodreads)

She doesn't see dead people, but…

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…

Review: DIFFERENT! That's what I thought when I read this book. It's DIFFERENT!  Wait, Kathryn, are you saying their aren't any werewolves or vampires? BLASPHEMY! Is it possible to read a paranormal YA book these days without there being two mythical creatures vying for our protagonist's heart? This book answers with a yes, yes there is such a book.

Banshees are probably something that everyone's heard of but don't really know what they are. Thus comes the originality of this book. It wasn't the same werewolf/vampire book. It was something new and different. 

I loved the plot and the characters. The idea of people dying before their time definitely makes for a good mystery. Kaylee also added to the mystery what with her unknown ability. And here come into play the two thing I loved (most) about this book. (1) Kaylee did research on what was happening to her. She didn't wait around for someone to tell her. She went and looked. (2) I'm getting kind of tired of the "girl has no idea of their power, but then they know and all of a sudden they start using said power" plot. Kaylee had her ability, and was using it, albeit unknowingly, long before she knew what it was.

I am a fan of a good love triangle, but sometimes a line is enough (and who said I wouldn't use geometry in life? Ha!). Since this book was more centered around Kaylee and the mystery of the dying girls a triangle would probably have been too much going on. That being said, I really liked Nash. He was very well written. However, I think it's kind of strange how he went from not even knowing Kaylee to absolutely needing to talk to her. 

Overall, though, this was a wonderfully written book with a fresh plot and a surprising end.