Oath Bound: Review

Synopsis:

The Tower Syndicate will fall...

The secret daughter of the head of an infamous Skilled crime family, Sera Brandt has hidden her past, her potential and especially her powers. But when a tragedy strikes her other family, Sera needs justice. And the only way to get it is to reveal her heritage–including a rare Skill–and take the reins of the Tower Syndicate from her cunning and malicious aunt.

If he can figure out how...

Kristopher Daniels might have the answer. He's fought the syndicate to protect his sisters, but he'd never realized just how close to the new heir he needed to get....

And if they can survive

Neither is used to trusting. But there's something between them that can't be ignored. And so Sera is on the run with a man she can't figure out, a target on her back and the new knowledge of just how powerful she really is....

*** 

(This review contains spoilers of Shadow Bound)

I'm not sure what kind of feelings I hold for this book. It's just as complicated as Shadow Bound, yet... less exciting and more exciting at once. I never felt truly attached to the book like I did when I was reading Blood Bound. There's something really odd and OFF but I can't figure out what that is.

Logically it's more exciting than Shadow Bound, because... come on, you read the synopsis. The Tower Syndicate is going to fall in this book, and there's nothing more exciting than seeing that bitch Julie Tower fall from her throne of mafia. And in one way it's really fast-paced, especially when you're talking about the epic finale. But sometimes I feel like it's dragging on somewhere in the middle of the book, and that's where I slowly detached from the plot. I have to say Blood Bound is much better because... well, even though the ending is not as exciting as this one, the whole book could catch my full attention, while Oath Bound can't.

Kristopher is kind of surprising to me. I mean, he's Kori freaking Daniels' brother. But he's a very nice guy actually. He's a total badass, but he's... not as badass and snarky as I thought he would be. And he's quite honest to his feelings too. That's a good thing. I'm getting a little tired of seeing guys hiding his truly feelings for a girl.

Sera is another fresh character too. Normally heroines are too nice and too trusting and always get into trouble because of their naivete. But no, Sera is exactly the opposite case. She's really skeptical. In a way that's a good thing... for her at least, because she's living in a world where trust is damned deeper than the soil on earth. But sometimes her skepticism bugs me a little bit. Come on, no one's gonna hurt in the... House of Crazy :)

I think there's not enough steamy scene in the book, at least not as much as in Blood Bound and Shadow Bound. Okay... I'm not a big fan of steamy scenes when I read Unbound series. But this time there's truly not enough intimate and intense moments. That's a little disappointing. Maybe that's because I thought something epic will happen between Kris and Sera with Kris... nice nature. But apparently there's not enough between them. Sigh. Anticipation is damned.

I don't know if Oath Bound is the last book. But if it is, I'm a little bit sad and a little bit relieved that the series is over. I kinda wanna move on to something new these days, especially when I'm planning to read... The Gone series by Michael Grant. Yep, you heard me right.

Rating: 7/10

Shadow Bound: Review

Synopsis:

If you live in the dark long enough, you begin to forget the light... 

Kori Daniels is a shadow-walker, able to travel instantly from one shadow to another. After weeks of confinement for betraying her boss, she's ready to break free of the Tower syndicate for good. But Jake Tower has one final job for Kori, one chance to secure freedom for herself and her sister, Kenley, even if it means taking it from someone else....

The job? Recruit Ian Holt-or kill him.

Ian's ability to manipulate the dark has drawn interest from every syndicate in the world, most notably an invitation from Jake Tower. Though he has no interest in organized crime, Ian accepts the invite, because he's on a mission of his own. Ian has come to kill Tower's top Binder: Kori's little sister.

Amid the tangle of lies, an unexpected thread of truth connecting Ian and Kori comes to light. But with opposing goals, they'll have to choose between love and liberty....

***

Shadow Bound is just as good as Blood Bound. Maybe even better. There are infinitely more action scene and more blood are spilled. Things are really fierce in Shadow Bound. Unlike Blood Bound, there's already a potential danger right from the start of the book, and it always act like a subconscious reminder that just how fast-paced and dangerous the book is. I love this book just as much as Blood Bound. I can't wait for Oath Bound and the fighting scene that come along.

Kori is a very interesting character. She's extremely fierce and fearless. I can practically compare her with Tris. They are just as dauntless and... in a way, selfless. But there's one thing I love about Kori, and that is her colorful words. Yep, I've never been more awed and amused by her use of words. It's just so brilliant and fun. When she cusses, she's more real than ever. It's like she's a real person instead of a character. Vincent chooses the exact right character to improve the book's awesomeness.

Ian is another story. Don't get me wrong, he's an awesome character as well, and I really like him. He's just as badass as Kori in more ways than one, and he's protective to the ones he loves (just like Kori). But he's softer. Not the insecure kind of soft, but the kindness that makes him a little bit soft. That's the exact part why I like him so much. Yes, he's torn between protecting his brother and Kori, but when his humanity shine through, it's utterly fascinating. Another character that makes the book epic.

The plot is awesome. You can't imagine how fast-paced the plot is. It's... it's like you're watching the best action movie in the world. There are countless fights, distrust, suspicion, and smokey hotness. But the ending is slightly disappointing, because it's... kind of a rush, and a little too fast. I wish I can see more struggle in the finale. But it's a minor problem compare to the awesomeness of the book.

I love Unbound series because it's just so real. Yep, the Trackers, the Readers, the Travelers... they are not real. But Vincent make all these so real that it's just one step from actually believing those Skills exist. The truly fascinating part is, the problems the characters faced in the books are actually mirror images of what we faced in the real world. There are struggles, betrayal, heart-break, and so on. All because of the limit of choices we have. It's a very good reflection, only in the books, they are more bloody :)

Rating: 8.5/10

With All My Soul: Review

Synopsis:

What does it mean when your school is voted the most dangerous in America? It's time to kick some hellion butt...

After not really surviving her junior year (does "undead" count as survival?), Kaylee Cavanaugh has vowed to take back her school from the hellions causing all the trouble. She's going to find a way to turn the incarnations of Avarice, Envy and Vanity against one another in order to protect her friends and finish this war, once and forever.

But then she meets Wrath and understands that she's closer to the edge than she's ever been. And when one more person close to her is taken, Kaylee realizes she can't save everyone she loves without risking everything she has....

***

Aww, what an epic finale that is! I have to admit that I don't really have that high hopes at first. I like Soul Screamers because the setting is unique. But... the characters are just not impressive enough to stay in my head for that long in the previous six books. But now Rachel Vincent has made sure they stick in my head forever now. This is an awesome book, and the ending is epic! 

Things are getting crazy in this book. Yep, Kaylee wants revenge/justice/ whatever she claims on Avari for killing her best friends... uh, body. But things doesn't really work out that good. Which is fine for me. Well, what fun will that be if there isn't anything steps on their way? I have to say stuff isn't that appealing for me at first, because the start is... a little bit slow. But things are getting more fast-paced throughout the book. And in the end, it's a grand finale. 

For once, the characters aren't annoying me anymore. Not even a bit. I mean, when I read Before I Wake, I kind of feel like I'm caught between cyclones of smart-ass remark and constant bickering. Believe me, it's definitely not the most appealing experience since I was born. Yeah, there are also arguing, but they all based on important things and not those piss-me-off stuff. I won't say they grow up throughout the book, but their relationship are getting better, and that's a good thing.

The last three chapters pains me when I try to get through it. A lot. Don't get me wrong, the finale is one of the most awesome thing I have ever read. But the heart-break and the torment... ahh, it nearly unravels me. The sacrifice is just... almost unimaginable. You will definitely have a hard time breathing when reading the final three chapters. I can't believe I can cry and laugh in a matter of minutes. A little bit overwhelming, yes. Glad that it's not as overwhelming as Clockwork Princess, or I will sure die of total mental break-down.

Yep, the Soul Screamer series is over. And I'm a little bit surprised that I actually miss it. Yeah, I like it. A lot. But it's not my top ten favorite. And when the end of With All My Soul actually sticks into my head... I guess I can only say Rachel Vincent gets my heart. So yes, I will read more of Rachel Vincent's future installments and the remaining two Unbound novels. 

Let's just put things simple this time: I LOVE WITH ALL MY SOUL.

Rating: 9/10

Blood Bound: Review

Synopsis:

By blood, by word, by magic…

Most can't touch the power. But Liv Warren is special— a paranormal tracker who follows the scent of blood.

Liv makes her own rules, and the most important one is trust no one.

But when her friend's daughter goes missing, Liv has no choice but to find the girl. Thanks to a childhood oath, Liv can't rest until the child is home safe. But that means trusting Cam Caballero, the former lover forbidden to her.

Bound by oath and lost in desire for a man she cannot have, Liv is racing to save the child from a dark criminal underworld where secrets, lies, trauma and danger lurk around every corner…every touch…every kiss.

And more blood will be spilled before it's over…

***

I love Blood Bound. It's really exciting and fast-paced. And way, way better than Soul Screamers series! I can't believe this only has a rating of 3.93 out of 5 in Goodreads. Blood Bound deserves way better than that! I rate it 5 on Goodreads. For very good reasons.

The best thing in the book is the world Liv lives in. It's a world that is filled with Skilled people like Trackers, Readers, Binders, etc. But don't get it wrong. It's not a book about mythical creatures. Well, they are obviously paranormal things. But they are so real. It's like... it's like you could accidentally run into one Skilled person without realizing that. And honestly, this book isn't really about how those Skilled people use their abilities. 'Cuz the book is way too brilliant for just that. It's about a world where no one trust one another, and people are bound by contracts, oaths and bindings. It's a world full of conflicts, hard decisions, and really infuriating moments. Just one of the books I want.

The characters are surprisingly strong in Blood Bound. Surprising, because when I first read it, I didn't expect much from Blood Bound. Turns out Liv is truly a heroine. One of the strongest and fiercest character I've ever read, and I like her from the very start of the book. Cam is another strong character. Not as strong as Liv, though, because he's slightly softer and emotional than Liv is. There's one thing I've never dreamed that will exist in Blood Bound, and that is strong supporting characters. I mean, few can make an impression on readers using SUPPORTING characters, and Rachel Vincent did it brilliantly. Kori, Anne, and Cavazos. They are really outstanding supporting characters. Almost as strong as the two main characters, Liv and Cam. 

The plot is one thing that I absolutely love while reading it. The book is full of secrets, hidden dangers and distrust. There's this... unfinished "business" between Liv and Cam, and the thread that connects all the clues in the book, and so on. They are just awesome. Brilliant. It's just like... reading a totally different version of Beth Revis' Across The Universe, because they have one in common: a plot with so many plot twists and yet make sense and the whole book becomes amazing.

If you guys are struggling between reading Soul Screamers and Unbound, read Blood Bound, and you will never regret it.

Rating: 8/10

Before I Wake: Review

Looks like I'm on the waiting for With All My Soul cuz I finished reading Before I Wake.

Synopsis:

I 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….

***

The first awesome thing about the book is Kaylee/Tod. Finally they are together! Tod is always there for Kaylee and he literally died for her in If I Die. So yeah, they are the endgame. And I will be super pissed if that doesn't stay in that way. 

The second awesome thing is Sophie's change in attitude towards Kaylee. Yeah, she's still acting like a total bitch sometimes. But something about her changes. I haven't read Never To Sleep. And I know that it's about Sophie encountering a whole bunch of supernatural events. Maybe that changes her. Good for her to see some sense. I'm tired of her being a b-witch.

The third awesome thing is Sabine. Yeah, Sabine. Even though sometimes she's still a jerk and a bitch, she's way nicer than in My Soul To Steal. I think partly because Nash's in her hands now. And apparently she doesn't hate Kaylee. So, yeah, I kind of like the change. Fewer smartass comment and word war between Kaylee and Sabine is better for the book.

The forth and the most important awesome thing is the ending. It's just. Freaking. Wow. Epic. Avari's reappearance (with his real face) with Individa, capturing Kaylee's friends is way beyond bearable. My jaw hits the floor when Emma dies and awakes at Lydia's body. No way. And Rachel leaves me a goddamn cliffhanger at the end of the book. Best. Ending. In. The. Series.

There are a few flaws though. One is Nash's attitude. Yeah, he really pisses me off right now. I know he has every reason to be angry because Tod stole his girlfriend and much more. But his swing of emotions confuses and angers me. If you want to hate her, just do it. Don't have that I-want-to-hate-you-but-I-can't-because-I-still-love-you thing. This is just annoying.

Another is the threat in the book. I mentioned that the ending is epic. But that doesn't mean the threat is strong enough in the book. Part of the reason is probably that now Kaylee's dead and I'm used to every freaky event that happens on her. Avari using resurrected souls and another ordinary soul to get to the human plane is bad enough, but comparing to If I Die, the advance in danger level is not big enough. I think if some other threats are put, the book will be much more interesting.

Rating: 8/10

If I Die: Review

The fifth book of Soul Screamers series:

Synopsis:

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.

***

It's safe to call this book awesome as hell.

I mean, wow. How can I not give this 5 out of 5 stars? This book is way better than My Soul To Steal, and probably the best of all so far (because I just started Before I Wake). With the threat that seems higher than ever, and with strong twists in both the plot and the relationship between characters, this is a book that you shouldn't miss.

First is Kaylee's borrowed lifeline being near the end. Yeah, I know it's coming because of the synopsis. But actually seeing Tod forces out the truth in front of Kaylee and her dad is totally not the same thing. It's still shocking. And assume that I hadn't read the summary of this book, I would probably be like "no way, are you freaking serious? She can't die!" and blah and blah some more. The fate of Kaylee is set up in the book. And I gotta say, Rachel Vincent sets this up really well. How can you imagine the female protagonist is gonna die when the series is not even close to over? Nice one. Really nice one.

And here's one incubus problem. Which eventually lead to Kaylee's death. The problem itself is bad enough (and good enough for a fifth book of a series). With a freak of an incubus trying to get as many teenage girls pregnant as possible, this is not something even a main character of a book encounters every day, let alone normal people. And this incubus wants to kill Kaylee. The thread between events is so firm and solid. Probably the firmest out of all the books in the series. Another thing to be appreciated.

The love drama is still here. But things are getting better... and worse. Getting better, because of the truce between Kaylee and Sabine, who, is not as bitchy as in My Soul To Steal, which is a good thing considering I'm tired of bitchiness, especially in a book like If I Die. Getting worse, because of a couple of things. One is Tod. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying Tod is a problem (in fact I like him way more than Nash). But pissing your own brother off by snatching away his girlfriend is not something a normal person wanna do. Second is the whole Nash-hooking-up-with-Demon-Breath-AGAIN thing. And that's where I find him extremely infuriating. But one thing is certain: the love drama is finally tolerable now. Which is a good thing to me.

The book is filled with strong emotions which can lead your heart to anyway the author wants. Especially with the Tod/Kaylee part. It's mind-blowing too, considering how Nash reacts when he finds out about Tod and Kaylee, and how things get so incredibly screwed-up and there's a possibility that things will get too wrong to be fixed. The threats are getting harder and harder to solve. And this series is being way more interesting than I can imagine now.

Rating: 9/10

(Extra: I can finally decide between Team Nash and Team Tod since Tod confesses his love for Kaylee. And I'm Team Tod, especially after I read the first few chapters in Before I Wake)

My Soul To Steal: Review

The fourth book of the Soul Screamers series.

Synopsis:

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.

***

What do you want me to say? This book literally annoys me to death. 

Okay, not exactly the author's fault. Rachel Vincent is just trying to create a tension between Kaylee and Nash by using Sabine. But a love triangle, with TWO GIRLS fighting over A BOY?! Jeez, you are taking infuriated-and annoyed to a whole new level. 

First is Kaylee. Okay, I know that she's still into Nash even though he betrayed her TIMES before. But seriously, she's getting way too annoying in this book. I mean, openly fighting Sabine over Nash? That's not the smartest move. And truthfully, after the whole freaking display in My Soul To Keep and a glimpse of the synopsis in Before I Wake, I kind of wish somehow, Tod will either confess his love for Kaylee or other way around...

And then there's Sabine, which is a pain in not just Kaylee's ass, but my ass as well. Stop acting a needy freaking girlfriend/ex-girlfriend/friend/whatever, okay? Yeah, I know she's not that bad, and she tells truth to Kaylee even though she doesn't wanna hear it. But I will like her much more if she isn't acting like I-am-gonna-snatch-Nash-away-from-you-bitch to Kaylee. I really hate dramas of two girls fighting over a boy, especially when I'm not exactly fond of the boy.

And Nash. I don't even know what to say about him anymore. Somehow, I think Tod is better for Kaylee than Nash. Rachel successful ruin my image of Nash in My Soul To Keep, and she further destroys it in My Soul To Steal. Jeez, are you serious? If you can't handle two girls at a time then stop dating/ hanging out/ whatever the hell he's doing one of them. It's official. I can't stand Nash any longer. 

Sorry for my harsh lecture. But I have to get it out of my way.

Okay, besides the whole love triangle drama, this book is really awesome. I mean, everything weird Kaylee encountered points to Sabine. But she hasn't done anything. At least, not when she's conscious. And then there's Alec's secret. He's a half-hypno, and can be possessed by Avari. Bad enough. And Avari can somehow find his way to human world by possessing bodies around Kaylee. Really nice twist here. The most epic of all is Avari siding with a hellion of envy and make the school a battlefield of jealousy. Put aside the whole love triangle thing, this is a really good book because of all the twists. The words are really strong and emotional too, especially when it comes to Kaylee's nightmares. 

I will continue to read If I Die. Despite the really annoying Kaylee and Sabine and Nash in My Soul To Steal, the original plot of the story is cool. And it gets better every time. So yeah, I'm going to read If I Die. But I don't really wanna see any annoying love drama in the fifth book anymore. Give me a break.

Rating: 6.5/10

My Soul To Keep & Reaper: Review

One novel, one novella from Soul Screamers series.

Synopsis:

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…

***

Okay, this book is just one hell of a ride. I mean, seriously, how can you imagine Demon Breath can be addictive? Rachel Vincent has a really crazy mind. This book is awesome. Well, not the top of awesome. But still.

So... Demon Breath accidentally and mysteriously leaks into the mortal world. Soul Screamers is sounding more like Kaylee is a detective, seeking out who's guilty and trying to save the world from hellions. Not that it isn't good. It's just every story in the series is somehow... separated. No strong bonds between stories. Yeah, I know it's kind of Kaylee's doing that Demon Breath leaks into the mortal world. But it's making people addicted to it, not stealing their souls to Netherworld. I can't say it's all bad... but it's a series, after all.

And something finally get between Kaylee and Nash. I mean, really? Nash, getting hooked up to Demon Breath? That's totally unexpected. Okay, I know Nash isn't all flawless-and-hot boy. And I don't like him that much either. But him hooking up with something so dangerous? And lie to Kaylee about it? Let alone letting Avari using Kaylee's body to communicate with him? If Rachel's determined to make readers hate Nash, well, she's doing a fantastic job. When the balloon is found, my mouth is hanging open like never before. This is just totally surprising and... revolting. Nash's so screwed.

This book is better than My Soul To Save. One of the reason is that the stakes are getting higher, which is a constant. But the main reason is totally different. I mean, after the whole perfect couple thing between Kaylee and Nash, letting something come between them is a good twist. Come on, don't you think it will be extremely boring to have a perfect couple to the end, especially when they are main characters? Twists are good, even though they might not make you very happy.


Rating: 8/10

***

Synopsis:

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....

An ebook exclusive Soul Screamers series novella.

***

I gotta say, Tod is a really sweet guy. Yeah, he's acting kind of like a douche in My Soul To Take. But seeing a glimpse of his human... no, bean sidhe life is a very stimulating and different experience. Even though sometimes his emotions shine through when he's being a reaper, his bean sidhe life is more... lively and emotional. A really good experience, considering how sweet he acts in Reaper. Really funny too. I think I'm gonna like this guy much.

There are two parts where I got really angry when I read the book. First is the whole Tod-saving-Nash thing. Okay, not that it's Nash's fault because it's Tod's choice to save Nash's life with his own. And he doesn't know it's Tod who saved him. But his attitude towards Tod in My Soul To Take is infuriating, looking back. And worse yet, he got himself hooked up with DEMON BREATH for crying out loud. Not cool, Nash.  

And since that I read the synopsis of My Soul To Steal before I read Reaper, something really not good rises in my heart when I see Sabine's name. Really? Juvenile? I have no idea how Sabine got caught up with crimes. I can already see how messed up My Soul To Steal will be. Even though Nash's just Kaylee's maybe-boyfriend.

(Secret thought: And after reading Reaper, I kind of wish Kaylee's with Tod rather than with Nash...)

Rating: 8/10

My Soul To Save: Review

Sequel of My Soul To Take.

Summary:

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 is better than My Soul To Take in many ways. The stakes is higher in this book than My Soul To Take. The first glimpse of Netherworld... is really interesting. And really surprising. Why surprising? Come on, I thought Netherworld will be somewhere like, what, The Great City of Pandemonium in The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices? That they are all very cunning and annoying? Yeah, some of the are, indeed. But seeing those hellions saying to Kaylee that humans are merciless? That really startled out laughter from me. I mean, humans are emotional, and they say they are MERCILESS. Weird enough. But it's okay.

And there's the soulless thing. In Existence trilogy the Voodoo-produced things are soulless. But it seems more real and more unreal in Soul Screamers at the same time. We always say eyes are the windows for souls. And the eerie white eyes in the soulless teenagers? Really good illumination here. All-white eyes are very creepy (okay, expect the gods' eyes in Covenant series, I guess). But what is unreal about them is their emotions. I mean, it seems like they will not really change in personality or feelings towards others even after their soul has been sucked right out from their body. And Demon Breath doesn't seem to really change them (make them darker, I mean). That makes the whole soulless thing not so real. But whatever. The author has got great skills in the books.

Kaylee and Nash's relationship isn't the most important thing in the book. Which is good. I need some adventure. Not that a book without swooning equals to good. But a book with too much swooning equals to bad in my standards. So yeah, the author can handle the romance part well. 

And Tod is a little bit different from the Tod in My Soul To Take. He's... you can say he's more lively than before. Maybe it's because of the whole Addy-with-her-soul-at-stake thing. Clearly he loves her. Which is... alright, I guess. And the Emma-seeing-Tod-for-the-first-time can definitely be a classic in this series. This scene is just plain hilarious. And again, Emma can handle this super-weird situation surprisingly well. Points for Emma again. Sad that there's not much about Emma in My Soul To Save.

What is interesting about the book is that there are no real links between the events in My Soul to Take and My Soul To Save. I mean, in My Soul To Take, the teens' souls are stolen. And in this book, the teens give out their souls to hellions WILLINGLY. There's no real bond between two stories. Which is weird, considering I thought someone would seek revenge on Kaylee or Nash or something in My Soul To Save. But then, this is just the second book. Maybe there will be a really long plot afterward.

Rating: 7.5/10

My Soul To Lose & My Soul To Take: Review

Prequel and the first book of Soul Screamers series.

Summary:

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....

"An eBook exclusive prequel to Rachel Vincent's SOUL SCREAMERS series."

***

Okay, this book is really weird. Not the bad kind of weird, of course. Being the bestselling series means the writing skills of the author is good enough. But not the very awesome kind of weird either. I mean, okay. Screaming and somebody dies is kind of new to me (Hate to admit I'm kind of outdated). I know this book was released in 2009. But there are two reasons I haven't read until now. 1) I'm too busy at reading something else and 2) I have doubts about this series. Turns out I regret not reading this series SOONER. 

It's really good for a prequel novella. The set up is perfect. Very original. I mean, screaming is the whole point of this series. How can you find other series that is about souls AND screaming? I believed that this series will not disappoint me (and I'm right after reading My Soul To Take).

The characters are a little weird. But no big deal. Kaylee is just a typical girl (at least, as typical as she can manage) in the novella. But the screaming thing really got me there. I have a feeling that I will like her sooner or later (I still don't have any good or bad feelings towards her even though I finished My Soul To Take).

The best part (or the most intense part) of the novella is probably the screaming. I mean, you might think describing somebody screaming isn't that hard (And I thought that, too). But describing a screaming in a intense, even unearthly way? Not so easy. I realized this at that moment. And I also see how well the author can manage this. No wonder Soul Screamers is a bestselling series. Thumbs up for the author.


Rating: 7.5/10


________________________________

Summary:

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 book starts with Kaylee bumping into Nash and discovering a girl who is about to die. This is just wow. I mean, who would've thought about starting a book like that? Even though I read the prequel novella and knew something about Kaylee, her freaking out in front of Nash (right at the start of the book!) is the last thing I imagined. The author really got my attention right there. Not many authors can do that, which means this is a thing to be appreciated.

Kaylee and Nash... well, I have to say I'm a little surprised that Nash is so bold when the book starts. Yeah, I've seen no reason for Nash to push Kaylee away or anything bad behavior towards her. But in chapter 3 or 4, he CONFESS that he likes her. Yeah, I know this book is relatively short (considering how long City of Bones is). But you know what? I don't think their relationship will happen so freaking fast. Very original, maybe because I've been getting used to those pushing away and bad behaviors from hot boys.

Emma is my favorite character in this book. Not because she has any supernatural powers or extra helpful to Kaylee or any other characters. But she seems to take the whole Kaylee-screaming-and-somebody-dies thing really well. I mean, being caught up in some supernatural thing that she doesn't quite understand isn't something anyone can handle well. And surprisingly, she doesn't freak out that much in the book. She IS calm. Point one for her.

And here's Tod. The reaper. Or the bean sidhe- reaper. I know he is Tod HUDSON before I read the book. But being a bean sidhe AND a reaper at the same time? Not so predictable. I mean, they are somehow enemies, right? And bean sidhes' abilities kind of go against reapers' abilities. How Tod can be both is beyond me. And yeah, I have no idea why he treats Kaylee so good when he seems like he hates Nash in the guts (Not to mention Kaylee is the same as Nash. Well, kind of, at least).

The supernatural being in the series is bean sidhe and reapers so far. Okay, reapers are not really the newest thing to me considering I read Undeadly before even though the whole reaper thing in Undeadly isn't quite the same as in Soul Screamers. But bean sidhes? That's totally new to me. I have no idea how the author can come up with such awesome idea. There are all kinds of creatures out in legends. And she chooses the right one. I'm so gonna read the sequel of My Soul To Take.


Rating: 8/10

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Extra: (You can ignore this if you want to)

I mentioned in the review of My Soul To Lose that I had doubts about the book before I read it. And then I read it and the doubt vanished. Will I do the same to Vampire Academy and Bloodlines? (Because I seriously doubt the awesomeness of VA and Bloodlines)

Maybe, I can only say. Because they are so popular and I'm constantly tempted by my fellas to read the series. But I have two problems here (not just my doubt). One is the whole vampire thing. I mean, House of Night kind of ruined the taste of a vampire school. And somehow Vampire Academy sounds like House of Night. Two is the summary of Frostbite. You heard me right. I mean, look at this:

Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose... --- synopsis of Frostbite

Just looking at it gives me a headache. And I'm still not ready for a love triangle or even a love box.