Dawn and Winnie Book Reviews: Soul Screamers Series By Rachel Vincent

Thursday, March 8

Soul Screamers Series By Rachel Vincent

11:09 AM | Posted by Dawn & Winnie Book Reviews

My Soul to Lose (Soul Screamers 0.5)By Rachel VincentIt 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.... "An eBook exclusive prequel to Rachel Vincent's SOUL SCREAMERS series."

In this Prequel, Kaylee Cavanaugh, the heroine of Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamer series is centered. Kaylee seems to be normal teen and she is plotting revenge on her boyfriend who has dumped her just before homecoming! (Teen Drama!) However, while shopping at the mall, Kaylee had a “panic attack” followed by a “KNOWING” (Someone is going to die). She couldn’t speak or talk she could only scream. Powerless to control the scream that explodes from her throat, Kaylee fails, crumples, passes out and ends up in a Looney BIN! Great Prequel, and it peaked my curiosity and started my new crack! Er… Er… Reading. I liked it plus, it’s free!

Book Rating:

My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers #1)By Rachel VincentShe 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.

What can I say? I am hooked, and I can’t believe it took me this long to start this series. But I guess I am lucky because I don’t have to wait too long to get into the next installment (sweet lemons and all). I love the originality of this book, and it’s a fresh take from Vamps, Shifters, and Fallen angels…. Not that I am complaining or anything, but its just nice. Rachel Vincent is an author I know I will always want to read what she is writing… because she is just brilliant. Her brilliancy, on this new intake in this genre of YA- PNR or so, her implied inclusion of and underlying incorporation of the “ ~~Seven~~ Deadly SIN” Is just Superb and genius and well thought out! From her writing and each facet of her twist and suspense, you could easily tell that Vincent enjoys writing! And that’s what I love most about this book. Her dedication!

My soul to take is VANITY! (Sin one).

In this first installment, Kaylee and Emma, her best friend and partner in crime sneaks into a club. Kaylee has always been introverted yet feels comfortable in her own skin. But at the club, it seemed Hell had frozen over, when Kaylee meets the handsome Nash Hudson. Soon, he takes notice of her and asks her to join him on the dance floor. All to soon, Kaylee feels the launching of another of her "panic attacks" in the middle of the swarming club. Trying not to end up in a Looney Bin (again) or worst loose it in front of Nash! Kaylee, Nash and Emma, exited the club. Shadows covers anyone whose about to die consequently the urge to screams and the fits she gets. So knowing and having Nash sitting next to her and understanding and not calling her crazy comforted and gave her some reprieve. But Nash knows something about Kaylee, WHO and WHAT she is, or both are. Young girls are dying, how can she help? And why should she help? Can she stop the deaths? And worst who is Next? Who is responsible for all these deaths? And then there is TOD…

I loved this debut book and I can’t say it enough! I dove into the next book immediately!

Book Rating:

My Soul to Save (Soul Screamers #2)By Rachel VincentWhen 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 is the 2^nd book in the series and let me say it kept me on the edge of my sit the entire time. Kaylee is determined to help a teen pop star that chose to trade her soul for wealth and fame… But there is more to the story that meets the eyes.

My Soul to save is Greed (Sin two).

Addy, the pop star was Todd’s (Reaper, Nash’s dead brother) Girlfriend when he’d been alive and Todd would do anything to help her get her soul back from Avarice, the demon of Greed. Only now as Todd, Kaylee and Nash search for Avarice, things got complicated. Regan, Addy’s sister has been offered the same deal, for only her soul. Kaylee decides to help Todd and as usual, Nash went along for Kaylee. Except this time they all have to travel to the Netherland, AKA Hell where is so dangerous and unpredictable that Kaylee and Nash could die. Fact is Kaylee almost died, worst Todd knew and didn’t alter a word of it to Kaylee or Nash. My Soul to save is a great addition to this series and I admire Kaylee’s bravery and selective selflessness, but I also fear for her and I think she puts herself and others (AKA Nash) inadvertently in harms way.

Saving the world is an addiction, and I think Kaylee has that particular addiction in spades, but in a way Nash is there to help her seek caution when she seem too vested to think or care. All in all, kaylee is kind and I was enthralled.

Rachel Vincent has written another great story, I like the fact that she includes different sins and what to somewhat expect when in contact. I also love the fact that Vincent’s books are thought provoking and you get to think a lot about morality, and what is right or wrong. And most importantly, BY whose standards do we judge right and wrong. It takes a good writer to elicit such thoughts and emotions from readers, as did Rachel Vincent. I loved every minute spent on this book even though I was afraid for Nash and Kaylee the whole time.

Vincent did a fantastic job! What can I say it was a good book.

Book Rating:

My Soul to Keep (Soul Screamers #3)By Rachel Vincent
Kaylee and Nash discover that one of his football teammates is addicted to Demon's Breath, a dangerous Netherworld substance that shouldn't even be available in the human world. Now they must somehow dispose of it and cut off the supply--without socially alienating themselves.

My soul to keep is the 3rd book in this installment, and I must say it was a hard book to read. Rachel Vincent has a talent for captivating and enthralling her readers in a good way. Her writing pace is just right and her storylines are always thought provoking and elicit a high emotional flare. She writes her characters in a way where reality blends with paranormal, yet fascinating. Vincent has a way of letting her characters deal with their issues based on their personality. As you delve further into the series her characters comes to life and then you begin to wonder, you think and you also re-evaluate what you think you know about morality and you start to re-define rightness and social norms. Vincent is one hell of a writer! Amazing.

In my opinion, I believe this is a continuation from book 2 and I call it the calm before the storm because that's what happened. Remember book 2 when the balloon of “Demons breath” (soul replacer) popped accidentally on Nash's face, when he was helping Addy, Todd’s girlfriend? Yeah, well Nash got hooked! Worse Kaylee didn’t know she’ d been grounded for one month and had no idea until the damage had been done. Now there is “Demon Breath” in her school and we all know Kaylee wouldn’t be Kaylee until justice is served. Sadly, this time Nash is involved. Why is Nash on drugs? How did “Demon's Breath” get into her school? And who brought “Demon Breath” from the “Netherworld into the human world? This was a great and a controversial book to read, and I love every second of it! Although lots of readers seem to blame and lash out at Nash, but the truth is, no one of them should be blamed, yet all of them are at fault. Todd, Kaylee and Nash in that order why? Because it was Todd who wanted to save Addy, volunteering Kaylee and Nash by Proxy, making Avarice, zero in on Kaylee and Nash, and Nash getting hooked on drugs out of loyalty. Kaylee had been warned many times to stay away from the Nether world yet… she dove in- Headfirst!

Vincent did say, there are consequences in her world, no good deed goes unpunished, I understand now. There is no need crying over spilled milk just get a paper towel and wipe it off! Except sometimes it isn’t that easy maybe ever. This is one of those times.

Nash

Why is Nash on drug? How did it start?

It was a ripple effect. Nash didn’t go looking for drugs; he was helping Addy, who willingly sold her soul, when it accidentally happened (I think he deserves points for that). It was an unfortunate mistake and my heart aches for Nash, because he never wanted to go to the Nether world in the first place. Nash is a good kid. Drugs lowers a persons inhibition, the person tend to do what he/she normally wouldn't do. Nash was already hooked! He had no control, plus Nash did say he didn't know what was happening, he lost control and he made mistakes except when he realized what was happening he was afraid. As a Nurse, I know mothers who LOVED DRUGS better than their own kids. It’s not an excuse; Nash was under the influence and he never coherently, willingly, chosen to hurt Kaylee. Sadly, in the end none of that mattered. He got kicked while he was already down and got hit by HIS brother and left almost emotionally hollow. (Not fair)

TODD

How did “Demon breath” get into the human world?

Todd traded his services for the same Addy, who started this mess in the 1st place in return, to spend one hour of his time with her (how romantic). Todd didn't care what he was ferrying as long as he was with Addy. So by proxy “Demon Breath” let lose in Kaylee's school, putting Doug, Emma and Sophie and other student’s in harms way. A substance that wasn’t meant for humans, resulting in one dead student and one Loony student/patient, yet Todd seemed to be the hero. He was the one who brought the drugs into the human world, willingly, not under any influence, not drugs or any mental coercion -landing in Kaylee’s school not Nash. Also Todd almost let Kaylee die from crimson creeper, but somehow Todd's the hero? For punching Nash for Kaylee? I don't get it. Where is his consequence for going into the Nether world? Kaylee got hurt, she lost Nash, and Nash is hurting and hooked on drugs. So where is Todd’s consequence? It doesn't seem fair.

Kaylee

OMG, Kaylee! WOW! I love how strong and brave Kaylee is. I love how selfless she is, but when Nash finally told her what happened she made it about herself. Understandably she was hurt, BADLY. She felt used, she is hurting, but then again Nash isn’t himself. He didn’t willingly hurt her. He need somebody to help him get through this, he's an addict, he needs a safe place however she yelled at him and made him feel smaller than he already is, and left him alone. Which bands any future line of communication between Nash and her. WOW, A girl who was ready to die for a complete stranger could come up with an atom of understanding for a boy she claims to love. It doesn’t fit with the Kaylee I thought I knew. Help him. Not make out with him, He didn’t do it out of Malice. He is unwillingly under the influence. Kaylee never trusted Nash not really; she’d judged him from the beginning base on his past relationship. She would never forgive Nash because Kaylee has always been slow to trust an even slower to forget. (Poor Kaylee) Their relationship is being tested in the biggest way possible and I don't think Kaylee would stay to fight for it. Makes me wonder…. If her next relationship were tested, would she stay and fight? Or would she move on? In the way Kaylee was the problem and the solution in this book, because Avarice wants Kaylee and he’d used her friends and father and Nash as pawns. All in all, they were all responsible. Todd, Kaylee and Nash In that Order, but somehow Nash seem solely responsible. It was a fascinating read and a Great Book!

Book Rating:

Reaper (Soul Screamers #3.5)By Rachel VincentTod 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....An ebook exclusive Soul Screamers series novella.

Dying is the easy part! The one who SURVIVES, who LIVES, got the harder part!

Reaper is a short story, centered on Todd. It was good to understand Todd and I got to see a different side of him. However, this doesn't change how I feel about him. The best I can come up with is I’m indifferent when it comes to Todd. He is an enigma.

1st off, Todd’s choice brought Nash misery! He would live with the guilt of killing his brother for a long time; worse Nash’s mother did blame Nash for his brother’s death… At least at first. Nash WAS supposed to die, but Todd’s choice changes that. Yet again Todd’s the hero?

Todd died out of his own GUILT! He didn’t want to be guilty for he's part in his brother's death. He didn’t want to be an instrument. Yet, by choosing to die in place of Nash, he inadvertently sentenced his younger brother to the same FATE that HE was trying to escape from. Todd’s no MARTYR. I still don't understand the fascination readers have for Todd. (Poor Nash). Nash would HAVE died regardless. His sneaking out of the house didn’t cause Todd’s death. Todd’s did leave the house too. I feel like Nash will forever be blamed for everything because Todd's choices seem to screw him over majorly.

Todd’s, choice to die led to Nash's guilt. Then his choice to save Addy led to Nash’s accidental drug exposure resulting into addiction. I hope Nash finds reprieved soon because he's a good kid. He feels, he loves, may be too much. In the end what I got is Todd's choice made him a reaper, soon to gradually lose his humanity, to linger, never to move on. He is charismatic … Ah… yes, but empty because his 1st assignment after his promotion was by choice he chose to take the drunk drivers soul instead of the person’s who was supposed to die. I guess he has started losing his humanity or playing god. Or revenge? Right or wrong?

Todd is no Martyr. He took his brother’s choice and changed what was supposed to be.

Nash is going to always carry the guilt his brother sentenced him to. Maybe that's why he can't seem to want to be around Todd because seeing Todd is a constant reminder of his part in Todd’s death. If anything I would say Nash and Kaylee, has something more in common BOTH are living on borrowed time and BOTH families had lied to protect them… or at least so they say. Makes me wonder when Nash’s borrowed time will end. And what he’d do when he finds out.

Great read! Vincent did a superb job and again another thought provoking read! I can’t wait for the next installment and I am anxious to see where all these leads to in the end

Book Rating:

My Soul to Steal (Soul Screamers #4)By Rachel VincentTrying 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.

If I Die (Soul Screamers #5)By Rachel VincentThe entire schools 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.

Never to Sleep (Soul Screamers #5.5)By Rachel VincentDon't Close Your Eyes.

Sophie Cavanaugh is not going to let her freak of a cousin's strange psychiatric condition ruin high school for them both. Not after all the work she's put into cultivating the right look, and friends, and reputation. But then, Sophie sees something so frightening she lets out a blood-curdling scream—and finds herself stuck in a bizarre parallel world where nothing is safe and deadly creatures lurk just out of sight, waiting for her to close her eyes and sleep...forever.
Could this world be real? Or does insanity run in the family...?

Before I Wake (Soul Screamers #6)By Rachel VincentI died on a Thursday—killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul.
The good news? He didn’t get it.
The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school…
Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much
Harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent
“Recovering,” she’s back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend.
But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim
Stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won’t keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn’t just gambling with her own life…. June 2012….