Soul Screamers books by Rachel Vincent

I've already read the sixth and latest book in the Soul Screamers series, Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent, but if you'll excuse me, I'd like to go back and have a look at the three books prior to BIW which I have not yet reviewed!  A bit backwards, sorry! (Here is my review for Before I Wake, if you'd like to read that following these three reviews)

This post will contain reviews for My Soul to Keep, My Soul to Steal and If I Die by Rachel Vincent and may contain spoilers. 
 

My Soul to Keep by Rachel Vincent

This book was the game changer for me in this series.  I really liked the first book in the series and was excited to read more.  But I felt like the second book in the series was too similar to the first.  I thought that perhaps this series would end up being churned out in a format with minor changes here and there.  My Soul to Keep was the book that convinced me that this series is different.  That these characters are actually real and that things are definitely not always going to turn out okay or follow a plan.

I was a little surprised to find that the plot of this book is common knowledge ... Nash becomes addicted to demon's breath.  Only the reader (and Kaylee) doesn't find that out until late into the game.  I don't like such spoiler summaries! But even knowing the main idea of this book, I'm pretty sure that you'll find enough surprises and twists and heartbreak that go along with knowing what has happened to Nash.  The journey from Nash as Kaylee's hot banshee boyfriend into a demon's breath addict is a journey worth taking and it changes everything!

I love this series so entirely!  I love the characters and the banshee/reaper/demon interactions.  I really enjoying solving these mysteries and finding out who/what is killing teenagers and then the fun part of watching Kaylee and her group figure out how to stop whatever it is.  But what really appeals to me is how emotional I feel reading Kaylee's story.  I'm so emotionally connected to her so that when her romantic life is falling apart, it feels like my heart is being destroyed as well!

My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent

Ooh.  I was dying to know how things would turn out after the events that happened at the end of My Soul to Keep.  What is going to happen between Kaylee and Nash?!  There are still some strong feelings between the pair of them, but Kaylee really just needs some time to sort out her feelings properly.  But Kaylee doesn't really get that option.  As Nash's ex-girlfriend arrives on the scene and what a character Sabine is!

Rachel Vincent really knows how to ramp up the angst for her characters, doesn't she?  What awful timing - Kaylee and Nash are at a stage where things are still difficult and emotional and instead of giving them time to think about things and move slowly towards wherever, they're going, instead they have Sabine thrown at them.  And Sabine's presence pulls into mind so many doubts and worries in Kaylee's head.  I have to admit, I really hated Sabine at first.  She's a really full-on character and I didn't at first appreciate how blunt and straightforward she is.  But she's grown on me. A lot.

I find her ability, as a literal living nightmare, to be utterly creepy.  Sabine has no qualms about using all of Kaylee's fears about Nash against her or against anyone else in Sabine's single-minded goal of getting back together with Nash.  There's so much of this book that had my heart absolutely hurting - not so much for Nash because I will never again feel the same way about him again - Kaylee has it pretty rough in this book.  It's an emotional rollercoaster, going over what had happened, questioning her feelings for Nash, dealing with insecurities and fears over Nash and Sabine.  It's almost too much in this book! I loved it.

If I Die by Rachel Vincent

Holy shit, did I love this book.   There's always something in Kaylee's life, whether it be a demon stealing souls or a living nightmare to deal with.  This time around, it's an incubus maths teacher intent on seducing teenage girls.  Everyone around Kaylee is falling for Mr. Beck except the two supernatural creatures in high school - Kaylee and Sabine. It's up to them to put an end to this in order to save every girl in their high school.

This book was such a thrilling ride to go on.  I loved how the story is more focused on events at school, but still all the emotional drama is still present.  With the added worry that Kaylee's borrowed lifespan might just be coming to an end.

What I love about Kaylee is that she lets everyone else in her life worry about her mortality.  She's more interested in saving Emma from being the mother to some demon child care of the incubus teacher.  But it does put some things more into perspective and the sudden switch in Kaylee's romantic life had me whooping in happiness and punching my fist.  I have wanted this to happen since reading the very first book!  I cannot wait to see what more comes of this.

I'm really addicted to this series in a way that I never expected.  I love how my perspective of major characters like Nash and Sabine have really changed over the course of this series.  I love how I expected things to work out in one way went in an entirely different direction.  I love the messy and complicated feelings of these characters and how choices and behaviours change the story arc entirely.  I really love this series and I need more! I can't recommend this series enough!  It's highly emotional, addictive and heart-stopping.