Before I Wake - Rachel Vincent

Before I Wake (Soul Screamers #6) -Rachel Vincent
Grade: YA
Rating: 5/5 stars

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....(Description from Goodreads)


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WARNING: I HAVE TRIED TO KEEP THIS REVIEW SPOILER FREE. BUT DOES CONTAIN ISSUES FROM PREVIOUS BOOKS!

It’d be a crazy year if I didn’t get excited about a Rachel Vincent book. Rachel became one of my favourite authors last year and I was so happy to get thrown back into the Soul Screamers world – especially with the way ‘If I Die’ ended.

I was desperate to find out what was going on with Kaylee after her life took a massive turn when her teacher attempted to steal her soul – not exactly a fun, after school activity. But when your life is wrapped up in the supernatural, you shouldn’t be so surprised when some new paranormal evil attempts to kill you. Kaylee is in a difficult position in ‘Before I Wake’. Recruited to collect wrongfully taken souls, she faces her most physical and emotional battle yet. When the fate of a soul’s existence rests on your shoulders, there’s a lot of pressure to get the job done right. Kaylee is such a different person to the girl we met in ‘My Soul to Take’ – she’s grown so much. I love that she’s changed; it wouldn’t be a fun series if the main character stayed the same. Despite sometimes wishing to go backwards to the Kaylee we first met, I wouldn’t have her any other way. I love how determined she is and while she might not being a physical fighter, she’s stronger than she looks. She never gives up and always fights back.

Part of what I loved so much about ‘Before I Wake’ was how involved the hellions were in this book. I was a little disappointed that we hadn’t seen much of them in the last book. With Avari being so desperate for Kaylee’s soul, it was great to see him back in the thick of things and in more ways than before. The demons have found a way to cross over into the human world – and not just through possession. If there was ever a time to panic, now would be good. But panicking isn’t really on the minds of the characters – sure they’re worried about the danger of hellions having access to the human world, but they’re more determined to find out how the demons are getting across and how to stop them. There’s no time for a full-out panic attack. I don’t how to say much I loved having the hellions as the main focus – demons make everything more fun and dangerous! The excitement levels are definitely raised.

I was extremely worried going into this book, mostly for the relationship side of things. I am a very vocal Nash fan, and I was nervous about what would happen to my favourite bean sidhe boy, especially because ‘If I Die’ had a few major turning points for him. I’ve come to terms with the fact that Kaylee and Tod are slightly more suited for each other and there’s no denying that Tod is good at making Kaylee feel safe and protected – and we get to see him help her feel safe quite a few times. But I still can’t seem to love him more than Nash. I could not stop smiling every time he came onto the page. Broken, hurt, defeated; Nash had to watch the girl he loves be with someone else and accept that it was may be time to move on. I just wanted to hug him over and over again. My only wish for the series’ end, is for Nash to be happy.

‘Before I Wake’ was an emotional book, there was no way to stop being dragged into the folds, watch out for shocking twists towards the end. Rachel Vincent has a way of grabbing hold of you and throwing you onto an emotional rollercoaster. I can’t count how many times she’s made me tear up in the past, and 'Before I Wake' made me bring out the tissues a couple of times; but it just goes to show how powerful her characters and stories are. I can’t get enough. It makes me scared for the final Soul Screamers book. With Rachel Vincent – anything can happen.

Dying to find out what happens next. I know it’s going to be fabulous.

5/5 stars


Kim
(Originally posted on Goodreads)