Friday, July 06, 2012

Review: Before I Wake

Book: Before I Wake
Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers #6
Release Date: June 26, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 339
Source: publisher (Thank you so much!!!!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 5/5
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....


(summary taken from Goodreads
MY THOUGHTS:

5 Ways You Can Tell You're Reading a Soul Screamers Book: 
  1. It's about bean sidhes (pronounced banshees). I mean, what other series can use girls screaming for death in the most amazing way possible? Not one that I know!
  2. You want to scream, and cry, and hug the book AND Rachel Vincent for writing it! Reading this series is like going on a never-ending emotional roller coaster — and I mean that in the BEST possible way!
  3. The author isn't afraid to put her characters through hell and back. I'm absolutely serious! These characters go through SO MUCH that I wonder how they could possibly still be sane... and I also wonder if Rachel Vincent may be an evil genius!
  4. You never, ever, EVER expect what's going to happen next. Maybe the first few books, you could guess a bit. But by this time around, there are so many twists and turns and surprises that break my heart, and I can never guess a single one!
  5. TOD HUDSON. Hilarious reaper, snarky bad boy, totally adorable, and probably one of my favourite book boys of all time. Need I say more?? :')
Warning: May contain spoilers from previous books. 

I think it's safe to say that the Soul Screamers series is one of my all-time favourites, and I don't think there's anything Rachel Vincent could do to change that! 

In the previous book, Kaylee died. But now she's brought back to life and given immortality at age sixteen — not as a reaper like her undead boyfriend and snarky sweetheart Tod, but as a collector who's job is to reclaim stolen souls from hellions and rogue reapers.

I admire/love/look-up-to Kaylee more than you could imagine! She's selfless, caring, and has a huge hero complex, but she's also snarky, strong, and badass when she needs to be. And Rachel Vincent doesn't just say it — she shows it through countless obstacles and situations. Especially in this book, where Kaylee has to cope with death, her strength just shines.

And it's not just Kaylee who's amazing. There's Tod (OMG, he's the main reason why I love snarky boys ), and the rest of the cast is honest-to-God perfection too! Then there's the story, which also blows my mind, and I've always loved the Soul Screamers world. Bean sidhes, reapers, hellions, necromancers, and more!

Each book just gets better and better! You can never expect what's going to happen next and your heart always ends up crumpled by the end of the book. But the heartache is SO worth it. This series makes me want to be a better person, just because Kaylee's actions inspire me. (I mean, she still goes to school even though she's undead, just to protect her friends and classmates. Who else can say they would do that??)

AMAZING is an understatement and ORIGINAL just isn't a strong enough word to describe this. Before I Wake was an amazing installment to a series that doesn't know the meaning of predictable. An absolute and definite recommendation!

BUY or BORROW?: The only reason you'd consider this question is if you haven't read the previous books yet... in which I say you need to BUY THIS ENTIRE SERIES! The first few books are available in the first omnibus already, which should give you a good jump start, and the second omnibus should be in stores soon too! :)

-Mimi

38 comments:

  1. Rachel Vincent has been on my TBR FOREVER but your gushing review makes me want to bump up this series ASAP! Banshees, characters who go through pain, unpredictable, and a favourite book boyfriend? SOLD. This does sound like such an original series and I hope I love it as much as you, Mimi!

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  2. I love the Soul Screamers series. The characters and the story are both great. I can't wait to get a cipy of Before I Wake to read it. Great review, Mimi!

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  3. I am reading this right now - actually listening to the audio and I cannot wait to see what happens! I was so so o shocked with the ending of If I Die! I mean ??? This death and ... Tod??? That was amazing and I never saw that one coming !!! Now, I'M even more excited to see what happens!!

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  4. LOVED this book! Enough said. Fab review!

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  5. Love this series though I have some catching up to do and I am team Tod too!

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  6. You're a very effective champion of these books Mimi-I have a pile of review books waiting for me but just as soon as I finish those obligations, I'm definitely jumping into this series because I really want to be able to gush about it with you!

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  7. This sounds like a great series. It's on my TBR pile. Funny, I just recently gave Soul Screamer Vol. 1 away on my blog, haven't read it yet though! LOL.

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  8. I only skimmed your review since you mentioned spoilers and I haven't read the first book yet, but I'm glad you really did enjoy it. It's awesome that the book is full of twists and turns. I can't wait to read book 1 ! :)
    I'm happy it lived up to your expectations, Mimi.

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  9. Aww I love this review and - don't hate me - I haven't even STARTED IT!! Can you believe me!? And wait... I even OWN BOOK 1!! AAAAAH. I'm seriously in love with this review and you make me super excited to read it if only I could start it NOW. I promise though I will get to it! I will!

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  10. The epub for this book has been in the iPad for a while now. Sadly, I haven't had the time to dig into it much. But reading your review makes me feel "I NEED TO MEET THIS TOD HUDSON GUY". I need me more snarky hot men. (Gosh, I sound so repressed, don't I?)

    Great review, Mimi :D

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  11. I am actually starting the prequel book to this series as I type this. I've heard so many things about this series. Can't believe how far behind I am that it's up to book 6! Hopefully I love it as much as you do.

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  12. I have yet to read any of this series, but I have read Rachel Vincent's adult series and I couldn't agree more about how she sends her characters to hell and back! She's an expert at ripping my heart out and then slowly putting it back in my chest, and masochist that I am, I love her for it:) I really need to try this series and meet Tod!

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  13. Okay I read your first 5 points and you've totally convinced me to pick this series up asap! I still can't believe that I haven't read it! I will make it my goal to read this series over the summer! :)

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  14. I read the first couple of books in this, and really enjoyed them. But then I just... Gave up. But this review has made me want to pick up where I left off!

    Guessing you liked this, just a little? (; Aha, amazing review.<3

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  15. I NEED to start this series. It's been on my wishlist forever and I've heard some totally amazing things. Need to make it a priority now!!

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  16. Hell yes for Team Tod! Love this review Mimi =) Those 5 ways really work and I really like #5. I read this book last night and finished this morning and am going to re-read it again cause it was so good! I cried when that one person died that you prob know about. Didn't you?

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  17. I read the first one but havent had an overwhelming urge to pick up the second. However, you saying that its completely unpredictable later in the series has me thinking I need to get reading! I was planning on reading the second for the last read a thin and didn't read it, I think maybe I need to read it this time so I can work on getting the rest of the series.
    I only read the top bits of your review, but you got me excited again! Thanks Mimi!

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  18. I swear, Mimi, you are the ONLY girl who could make me want to buy a series I already own on my shelf! (x <333333 I AM SO THERE WITH TEAM TOD! And I am so here with your review -- I love how you did the five convincing factors without spoilers first, and THEN posted your thoughts on this book. That way, even if people haven't read this series yet, there's tons of convincing to do! ;) I laughed, I cried, I died a little inside when RV killed one of my fave characters. But I still love her so much!!

    Fan-flippling-TABULOUS review, Mimi-Doll! <33 And I sure as hell am not as good of a person as my namesake either, but I like to try (':

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  19. I hear such great things about this series. I especially like that the author got creative and wrote about banshees and not the typical paranormal beings prevalent in YA and UF today.

    Sound like the author did a good job with world building and the development of the characters. Kaylee sounds like my kind of heroine, and Tod sounds like a dream! I'm glad you loved it so much! It's always satisfying to read a great book.

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  20. Damn it... I was asked to review this a few days ago but had to turn it down because I haven't read the first five books in the series :( I'm gonna have to hurry up and devour them ASAP!!!! On to your review...

    I only read your 5 Ways part because if I am going to read the other books, the spoliers in your review might ruin the unpredictability. But they ALONE have already convinced me. Books that make you scream and cry and love the author are always always amazing and characters who have experienced a lot are usually tougher and stronger... I love kick-ass heroines <3 And I NEED to read about Tod, he does sound absolutely gorgeous and I'm curious to see how he's made you fall for his snarkiness (<- apparently that's not a word but y'know what I mean) ;)

    Skip to the end of your review - 'AMAZING is an understatement and ORIGINAL just isn't a strong enough word to describe this' Enough said, 110% convinced now.

    Mimi, amazing would be an understatement to describe your review <3

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  21. So sad that I couldn't read your review, because I enjoy myself so much with reading them! But I haven't read her books yet, so I don't want to spoil te fun. I really liked your list of 5! An author who puts her characters through a lot: I like that! It's a bit realistic, because I hate it when everything just turns out fine without a struggle.

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  22. Hm... I'm guessing you liked this one? Haha. I'm so happy to hear you love this series, Mimi! <3 I haven't read any of them, but I've heard really great things. Kaylee sounds like a fantastic heroine and Tod just sounds absolutely smoking. ;) Looks like I'll have to check this series out! Wonderful review, Mimi! <3 :)

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  23. Tod is definitely one of the reasons I love snarky boys too. ;) I thought I was a Nash fan at first, but I am Team Tod all the way now! Amazing review, Mimi. I know how much you love this series so I'm glad you enjoyed this book! I can't wait to finally get my hands on it. :)

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  24. An all time fave, huh? I haven't read this series! And I figured I didn't have to since everyone else has read it, BUT I think a change in mind is in place. Awesome review, Mimi, I will add this to my wishlist (along with the rest of the series, of course)!

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  25. I didn't read all of this review cuz I want to start with the first book and go through the series - but just so you know, your raving is making me HUNGRY for some SOUL SCREAMERS!!! :D WHOOOHOOO!!!! :D

    I can't wait to love these like you do! :D

    <3

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  26. Marvelous review, Mimi! I've read the first two books in this series and thoroughly enjoyed them (and fell in love with Tod, of course). I've been meaning to continue reading the next few books; thanks for reminding me!

    *Sigh* the cover is beautiful, isn't it? :)

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  27. Fantastic review, Mimi! I've only read the first book and though reading this might spoil me big time it actually made me want to read the whole series more. I'm glad you enjoyed this! :D

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  28. I have the first book in this series (bought shortly before I realized there was an omnibus edition coming out!) and am excited to start it. I ADORE it when authors take chances and don't play it safe with their characters. And what you said about Kaylee making you want to be better...that's something powerful right there! FAB review, Mimi! Thanks for reminding me how much I want to dive into this series.

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  29. Fun review, Mimi! :)

    I love the cover for this book and it has a hilarious snarky reaper guy character? I'm in, LOL.

    I need to read this series. Your love for it screams (no pun intended, haha) through this review! And I love the concept of this book. I have never read about sidhes before. Thanks for sharing & I hope you are having a great weekend, doll ;)

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  30. What? Book six already. I haven't even started one. :(

    But I do know Rachel Vincent's work, and I know she is good at snark. I have to meet Tod!

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  31. ♥ TOD HUDSON ♥ The minute I met that boy in the hospital I was sold on the series! It just gets better and better. I haven't even been able to review this one myself yet. All I can think is Ahhhhhhhhhh so hot, exciting, and swoon worthy!!!

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  32. Oh Mimi, I haven't even read book 1 yet! I've been meaning to buy the first book, but everytime I go to the bookstore, I always feel like not buying it. Maybe I'll just print out your review so the next time I go to the bookstore, I'll just have to read it and be reminded of how hot this Tod guy is and then I will be motivated to buy it. Is that with okay with you? Lol.

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  33. Skimmed through the review because I need to read this series. Judging by your review, I NEED to read this soon. Loved your list at the beginning... I didn't know it was about banshees!

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  34. I didn't read the entire review because...I HAVEN'T READ THE SERIES!!! I know...I know! I have heard nothing but good about this series but I STILL need to read it. I think I need to make it my goal to (at the very least) read book one this summer. There are so many awesome book releases *sigh*! Oh well totally adding this one to my mental tbr list! Thanks for the awesome review Mimi :-)

    SeeitORreadit

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  35. wow I never thought this series was THAT amazing :O!! I really need to get my hands on these books soon.... I really like how the author doesn't mind getting her characters in trouble.. that sounds really interesting! and Tod sounds like a character i'll realllyy like ;)
    Thanks for the great review Mimi! :D
    - Farah @MajiBookshelf

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  36. I can't wait to read this! I'm a bit behind on the series but really want to continue it!

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Thanks so much for leaving your thoughts! I love hearing what you have to say, and I always try to comment on one of your blog posts in return! :)

It's really nice to meet you!