REVIEW: If I Die by Rachel Vincent

Description

No one wants to be this teacher’s pet . . .

Everyone else is talking about Eastlake High’s gorgeous new math teacher, Mr. Beck, but Kaylee Cavanaugh has bigger things on her mind. Kaylee’s a banshee—her scream is a portent of death.

But the next scream might hit too close to home. Kaylee’s borrowed lifeline has almost run out.

Yeah—it’s a shock to her, too. So to distract herself from her own problems, Kaylee is determined to defend her school against the latest supernatural threat. That hot new teacher is really an incubus, who feeds from the desire of unsuspecting students. The only girls immune to his lure are Kaylee and Sabine, her boyfriend’s delinquent 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 running out of time, and those who love her will do anything to save her life.

Anything.

Soul Screamers: The last thing you hear before you die

About the Author

Rachel Vincent's urban fantasy novels have been causing a buzz in the US, with her fresh, hip and compelling style. Rachel also runs an active blog at urbanfantasy.blogspot.com.

Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (September 27, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373210329
• ISBN-13: 978-0373210329

SOURCE:  AROUND THE WORLD ARC TOURS

MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

***spoilers might be present ***

So, Kaylee is trying to fix another supernatural entity from invading her world and this one attacks right at school.  Mr Beck is the math teacher and is also an incubus.  He doesn't outright kills people, but some of his actions are starting to have that effect.  Kaylee enlists Sabine to help her get to the bottom of this evil, like being a math teacher isn't evil enough.  Tod gets some information on Kaylee that will have you spinning and well, Nash, isn't quite himself again.  This one is my absolute favorite of the series.  All of the snarky sarcasm, plot twists and turns and wonderful characters are here and so believable that I can die happy now.  Everything happened just as I wanted it too, well, almost.

Kaylee further develops the back bone that started to grow in My Soul to Steal.  It is nice to see her take charge and grow.  There is a bit more to Tod than meets the eye and more of his back story starts to come out including one revelation that really explains a lot about Nash and their relationship.  I had always thought Nash was not quite right for Kaylee and there was something about him that really bugged me, now I know why.   I really hope that the story continues since I can see a whole new direction for Kaylee.  When I first heard the rumors about Kaylee and the way this one ended, I though, well, that's the end of the series, but now I think it is just the start.

Waiting on Wednesday: Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Rachel Vincent is the author of the Shifters series, about a werecat named Faythe Sanders, who is learning to define her own role in her family and fighting to claim a place in her Pride.
Rachel's young adult series, Soul Screamers, debuted on August 1, 2009. My SOUL TO TAKE is the first in the series, about a teenage bean sidhe (banshee) trying to balance a normal high school experience with the terrifying, hidden world she's just discovered. Soul Screamers Book 5, IF I DIE, will be available on October 1, 2011.

BLOOD BOUND (Unbound, book 1), the first in Rachel's new adult paranormal series, will debut September 1, 2011.

A new resident of San Antonio, Rachel Vincent has a BA in English and an overactive imagination, and she consistently finds the latter to be more practical. She shares her workspace with two black cats (Kaci and Nyx) and her # 1 fan. Rachel is older than she looks-seriously-and younger than she feels, but remains convinced that for every day she spends writing, one more day will be added to her lifespan.

REVIEW: My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincet

Description

YOU WANT MY SOUL AND MY BOYFRIEND?

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.

About the Author

Rachel Vincent's urban fantasy novels have been causing a buzz in the US, with her fresh, hip and compelling style. Rachel also runs an active blog at urbanfantasy.blogspot.com.

Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (January 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373210272
• ISBN-13: 978-0373210275

SOURCE:  Around the World ARC Tours

MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

I finished My Soul to Keep right before I read this one and it is wonderful to see the continuity in the story.  Each chapter builds upon the next.  I sort of wish I had read the blurb above before I started the story since I was just as mystified as Kaylee about Sabine's identity.  Just one tiny spoiler here:  Sabine isn't really after Kaylee, nor is she as bad as you think she is.  Oh, how I wish I could spill the beans on this one.  This story will have you staying up late just to find out all of the details.  Seriously, you may have to stop everything in your life to finish it.

The story reminds my why I adored the first book in the series.  There was somewhat of a sophomore slump with the last two books, but this one rocks!  The main twist to this book is Sabine.  She is just the spark that sets everything in motion. All of your favorite evil bad guys are here as well.  If you keep up with this series, I won't have to name names.  There are of course a few sexual situations and substance abuse issues here, but they are dealt with in a mature and responsible fashion.  This series is best for those over 14 years old.

REVIEW: My Soul to Keep by Rachel Vincent

Description

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…

About the Author

Rachel Vincent's urban fantasy novels have been causing a buzz in the US, with her fresh, hip and compelling style. Rachel also runs an active blog at urbanfantasy.blogspot.com.

Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (June 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373210051
• ISBN-13: 978-0373210053

SOURCE:  Traded with another blogger!

MY THOUGHTS:
LOVED IT

Without spoiling the plot line here, this book in the Soul Screamers series really shakes up Kaylee's world.  There is much more drama and suspense than the last one, but it doesn't quite hit the high mark of the first book.  Kaylee is finally growing up and finding her backbone though.  She is learning how to deal with her gifts and even though she is at odds with Nash during this installment, I have hopes that things will get better.


The usual group of characters is present and mostly accounted for as well.  There are some page turning parts that will not let you put the book down.  This book deals with underage drinking and substance abuse in a responsible way.  There are a few points of sex that are discussed in a conscientious manner as well. I would recommend this series for anyone over 14.