A Book Obsession..: Rachel Vincent

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Early Review: Fury by Rachel Vincent

, by KT

Fury by Rachel Vincent

Menagerie #3

1986: Rebecca Essig leaves a slumber party early but comes home to a massacre—committed by her own parents. Only one of her siblings has survived. But as the tragic event unfolds, she begins to realize that other than a small army of six-year-olds, she is among very few survivors of a nationwide slaughter.

The Reaping has begun.

Present day: Pregnant and on the run with a small band of compatriots, Delilah Marlow is determined to bring her baby into the world safely and secretly. But she isn’t used to sitting back while others suffer, and she’s desperate to reunite Zyanya, the cheetah shifter, with her brother and children. To find a way for Lenore the siren to see her husband. To find Rommily’s missing Oracle sisters. To unify this adopted family of fellow cryptids she came to love and rely on in captivity.

But Delilah is about to discover that her role in the human versus cryptid war is destined to be much larger—and more dangerous—than she ever could have imagined.

How do you review a book and trilogy that on one hand kept you hooked from the very first page of book 1 until the last page of final book, yet leaves you feeling completely bereft in the end? The writing, story, and characters were all phenomenal, but I have more than a little bit of leanings towards bitterness with the way everything turned out in the end. I won't spoil things, but was the ending more realistic than many series that get wrapped up in a neat little bow in the end? Yes, perhaps. But I'll admit, I like my neat bows, and tidy endings as I read for an escape from reality. Fury's ending, while fitting for the series when I attempt to take an emotional step back, left me too raw to even grudgingly admit it could have been the right one. And perhaps that in itself is a win for the book. A book that doesn't emotionally grip you cannot never be fantastic, and this one, well lets just say it chewed me up and spat me out.

Getting past that ending and back to the rest of the actual book, FURY was told in alternating timelines, which I really enjoyed. The past timeline gave a better insight into the reaping, but also held very relevant to current events and situations. I really enjoyed the twists and turns these dual timelines revealed the further the book went along. Prior to this glimpse into the the time of the reaping it was easy to see humanity as evil based upon their treatment of the Cryptids. And yet with the new perspective and insight it became more gray. I'm not defending humanity in this book, but after seeing through someone's eyes "firsthand" it changed my perspective a bit. I don't condone the behavior, but a part of me understands that fear. Which again, that's a major compliment to Rachel's writing in her ability to make this reader feel so many different and complicated emotions.

Reservations on the ending aside, Rachel Vincent has written one heck of a profoundly thought provoking trilogy. I'm very glad I read this series and I highly recommend this read!

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Other Reviews:
Carina's Books
Tome Tender
Hidden in Pages

Previous Books:
1. Menagerie
2. Spectacle

Review: Spectacle by Rachel Vincent

, by KT

Spectacle by Rachel Vincent

Menagerie #2

When their coup of Metzger's Menagerie is discovered, Delilah and her fellow cryptids find their newly won freedom brutally stripped away as they are sold into The Savage Spectacle, a private collection of "exotic wildlife." Specializing in ruthless cryptid cage matches, safari-style creature hunts and living party favors, the Spectacle's owner, Willem Vandekamp, caters to the forbidden fetishes of the wealthy and powerful. At the Spectacle, any wish can be granted—for the right price.

But Vandekamp's closely guarded client list isn't the only secret being kept at the Spectacle. Beneath the beauty and brutality of life in the collection lie much darker truths, and no one is more determined than Delilah to strip the masks from the human monsters and drag all dark things into the light.

In some ways, SPECTACLE felt a lot like the first book, but that's in no way a bad thing. The plot was very similar in the most basic of senses with the cryptids going from captivity to freedom, to captivity... However as atrocious as their conditions were in MENAGERIE, the horrors almost paled in comparison to the civilized predicaments they found themselves in Vandekamp's facility. They are fed well, in a clean and almost sterile environment, so their living conditions are better, and yet as I said more horrific. There's just something so extra terrifying about the atrocities they were forced to endure all while under a civilized facade caused by the control collars. At least previously their entire minds and bodies weren't actually controlled. Sure they were always caged, and controlled through pain, but at least the cryptids still had their minds.

It truly is a testament to Rachel Vincent's incredible skill that she was able to up the horror and stakes so much. After finishing Menagerie I would have never have guessed things could have gotten so much worse but yet she masterfully crafted a horrifically riveting story I just couldn't put down. You truly care for and root for the characters every step of the way, hoping against all hope that things will turn a corner soon, only to be shocked by the next horror. But even so none of the characters started to fade, holding strong, and making them truly admirable, which again is a true testament to the author's masterful skill.

If you are looking for a book and series that will stick with you long after you finish the last page, look no further than MENAGERIE and SPECTACLE. I cannot wait to see what's in store next!

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Other Reviews:
Rabid Reads
Naomi's Reading Place
Gizmo's Reviews

Previous Books:
1. Menagerie

Release Day Review: Menagerie by Rachel Vincent

, by KT

Menagerie by Rachel Vincent

Menagerie #1

From New York Times bestselling author Rachel Vincent comes a richly imagined, provocative new series set in the dark mythology of the Menagerie…

When Delilah Marlow visits a famous traveling carnival, Metzger's Menagerie, she is an ordinary woman in a not-quite-ordinary world. But under the macabre circus black-top, she discovers a fierce, sharp-clawed creature lurking just beneath her human veneer. Captured and put on exhibition, Delilah in her black swan burlesque costume is stripped of her worldly possessions, including her own name, as she's forced to "perform" in town after town.

But there is breathtaking beauty behind the seamy and grotesque reality of the carnival. Gallagher, her handler, is as kind as he is cryptic and strong. The other "attractions"—mermaids, minotaurs, gryphons and kelpies—are strange, yes, but they share a bond forged by the brutal realities of captivity. And as Delilah struggles for her freedom, and for her fellow menagerie, she'll discover a strength and a purpose she never knew existed.

Renowned author Rachel Vincent weaves an intoxicating blend of carnival magic and startling humanity in this intricately woven and powerful tale.

What a completely unique and very interesting read! I have to admit I wasn't quite sure what I was going to get when I read the blurb as it sounded nothing like what the author had done before, or really my normal genre reading preferences. But I'm so glad I took the chance as once I started reading MENAGERIE, I simply couldn't put it down. It was dark and gritty and oh so horrifying. I'm having a hard time putting my thoughts about this book into words, rather than just feelings like horror, outrage, etc, but imaginative would probably be the best description. This book made me feel so much it truly was impressive, from the creepy, to the terrible, to the heart-warming AND heart-breaking moments, I was an utter wreck by the time I finished.

That being said, as much as I enjoyed MENAGERIE, there were a few things that kept me from giving it a full five stars. At times the violence was too much. It's not that I mind violence in books, quite the contrary, but I do prefer a bit more positive or hope to balance things out. Aside from Delilah's stellar strength, for most of the book I didn't feel any hope or goodness, and it was just a bit oppressive. I also wish the ending and the interesting side of a certain character that I won't mention to avoid spoilers, would have been developed a bit more. Both the ending and that character's "story" and the repercussions felt incredibly rushed, and I just wish those parts had been expanded more.

All in all, this book is a must read for any Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Thriller, and/or Suspense lover. From the moment you start this book you'll be on the edge of your seat biting your nails in anticipation for what's going to happen next.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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a GREAT read
The Eater of Books
Nick's Book Blog

Review: With All My Soul by Rachel Vincent

, by KT

With All My Soul by Rachel Vincent

Soul Screamers #7

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....

Even though Kaylee Cavanaugh isn't technically alive, she's still determined to live her unlife to its fullest. So when Avari starts his usual games of trying to claim her immortal soul by taking someone she loves, she finally snaps. She knows he will never stop coming after her and the ones she loves are just cannon fodder for him. She's determined to finally bring him down once and for all, no matter the price in order to keep her family safe. Even if that means sacrificing everything.

As much as I love the heart pounding plots of this series, what really takes the show for me is the characters, and in WITH ALL MY SOUL, they really shine. For starters, it is absolutely amazing to see how all of them have grown over the series, most of all Kaylee. Gone is the timid girl from the first installment, she's seen and experienced too much to ever be the naive girl again. But more importantly, while she was growing, she never once lost what makes her shine, her fierce protective nature and the willingness to sacrifice everything. That shining will was thoroughly tested in this book, and yet she never once faltered despite knowing what it would cost her. Of course the others have grown an incredible amount as well, and I love the place in my heart that Tod and surprisingly, Sabine have carved. But getting onto the other thing that makes these characters so amazing is the bonds between them. All of their complicated relationship dynamics are so fully fleshed out that it all seems incredibly real. In WITH ALL MY SOUL I felt that strong family dynamic more than ever, as it proved that family doesn't only mean blood ties. This group would do anything for one another, and that is a true rarity. What they have is incredibly special, and I have to thank Rachel Vincent for giving me the opportunity to experience it.

I have a small confession to admit, I was a bit worried about reading WITH ALL MY SOUL. Considering just how much I love these characters, and the fact that I feel like I've been there every step of the way through everything they have been through, I just don't think I could have handled an open ending. All the tears, happiness, and pain just bled right off the pages and into my heart, so I knew that Rachel Vincent had an impossible task set in front of her. I couldn't imagine how she could possibly settle this amazing world while still staying true to the boundaries she had set. I have never been happier to have been proved wrong. I can only call the ending a twist of insane brilliance that I never saw coming. It was beautiful, it was shocking, and it was everything I had ever hoped for.

I've been chewing over how to write this review for days now. There just didn't seem to be the words to express everything I feel about this book, but I've tried my best. I've always felt that Rachel Vincent's writing was stellar, but WITH ALL MY SOUL makes all of her previous novels look like child's play. To put it simply, I loved this book, and quite frankly I think it may just be my favorite YA read of all time. I cannot think of another book that has made me feel so much emotion in such a short amount of time. Honestly, WITH ALL MY SOUL is the kind of perfection that writers spend their entire career trying to create. I don't have a single complaint about even one moment of this book, it was just that incredible. Do yourself a favor and make sure you have a solid block of time set aside to read, as once you start WITH ALL MY SOUL, you will absolutely not be able to put it down.

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Previous Books:

My Soul to Take (Re-Read Review)
My Soul to Save (Re-Read Review)
My Soul to Keep (Re-Read Review)
My Soul to Steal (Review) (Re-Read Review)
If I Die (Review) (Re-Read Review)
Before I Wake (Review)

Review: Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent

, by KT

Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent

Soul Screamers #6

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….

After dying, getting a second chance at things isn't all it's cracked up to be for Kaylee. She's having a hard time adjusting to the fact that she isn't really alive, but only imitating life. It takes all of her concentration to keep herself visible, and avoid disappearing at the wrong moment. Things are even strained with her friends as they seem to have nothing in common anymore. Somehow things like prom and graduation just don't hold the same appeal anymore now that she will never advance past where she is now. And if those difficulties weren't enough, in exchange for that second chance, she has to reclaim stolen souls, and her first mission is turning out to be a doozy. Someone is stealing souls at an astronomical rate, and no one, not even Kaylee is safe.

The characters more than anything, are really what makes this series so fantastic. Sure there is a whole lot of action and suspense, but it is the relationships (and drama) between the characters and their growth that really sets this series a step above the others. Of course, Tod and Kaylee are my favorites, (especially together), and I'll talk more about them in a bit, but the rest of the cast had some pretty shining moments as well. Sabine really grew on me now that she and Kaylee aren't battling for Nash. She may hide it well, but underneath her brash exterior she hides an extreme vulnerability and insecurity. She isn't as tough as she acts, and I found myself really starting to care for her, especially as Nash continued to break her heart. On the other side that mess is Nash, who is still undeniably screwed up and quite bitter especially towards Tod and Kaylee. But even there, some changes started and the healing seemed to start even though it will be a very long road ahead. There's one more character that really seemed to grow, and that was Kaylee's dad. Prior to this point he was trying to make up for being absent for so long by over-parenting Kaylee. However, now he seems to realize that wasn't really what was best for her, and the reigns are loosening just a little bit.

I really love Tod and Kaylee together as they just simply seem to be made for one another. What she had with Nash can be described as nothing more more than puppy love as what she and Tod share is the real deal. More importantly, Kaylee understands that difference herself showing a huge amount of character growth. In If I Die, it was apparently obvious that Tod would do anything for Kaylee even if it meant giving up his own life, well "death." So I was really happy to see that Kaylee felt the same way in Before I Wake, although I would really hate to be the person in her path if she ever needed to save Tod, because things really wouldn't work out so well for them.

With each book that is released in the Soul Screamers series, I wonder how Rachel Vincent could possibly top the previous one. Yet time and time again they do, with Before I wake being no exception. Considering the serious shockers and game changing events of the previous installment, this was no small feat. I felt like I was put through the wringer multiple times while reading this book. As emotionally drained as I was while reading Before I Wake, I cannot imagine the state my nerves will be while reading With All My Soul if the stakes go even higher. The wait until April 2013 will definitely be an agonizing one. A roller coaster of emotions, drama, and incredibly high stakes, Before I Wake simply cannot be missed!

(Won a copy from Fiktshun)

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Previous Books:

My Soul to Take
My Soul to Save
My Soul to Keep
My Soul to Steal
If I Die

Re-Read Review: If I Die by Rachel Vincent

, by KT

If I Die by Rachel Vincent

Soul Screamers #5

(Re-Read Review)

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.

Just like my other re-read reviews for this series, I feel the need to start off with a warning that this post is NOT a traditional review, and will be quite spoilery. Also there will be a whole lot of ranting and bashing. I'm participating in the Soul Screamers Reading Challenge hosted by Fiktshun. You can either read the books for the first time, or re-read them, and I am doing the latter. I thought it would be fun to do a post of my thoughts about things the second time around with all of the knowledge of the following books. So again, I really would not recommend reading this review if you are not caught up in reading books one through five. You have been warned. ;)

So, if you have been following along with my postings for this re-read challenge, you know that I am a HUGE Tod fan. In fact, because of that I think If I Die blows the previous books out of the water because we finally get some oh so yummy Tod time. But, he is so much more than a pretty face. His depth of love and devotion to Kaylee is incredibly amazing. He also is so much more thoughtful and pensive than his brother. He takes the time to really say what he means, and is probably one of the most caring characters imaginable. He has sacrificed so much and as much as he loved Kaylee, he wasn't willing to steal her from Nash. If she hadn't of made the first move, I don't know if he would have ever said anything about how much he cared in respect for Nash. Two years after he gave everything up for Nash, and he is still sacrificing everything for him. Funny thing is that Nash really doesn't deserve that kind of devotion, but that just goes to show you just how amazing Tod is.

As angry as I am with Nash for his behavior throughout the past several books, especially the huge Influence catastrophe, I'm ready to put it all behind me as the two of them were really never right for one another in the first place. Honestly, Nash would have never once looked Kaylee's way if they hadn't of been the same species. Also, he was too physical from the start, and never really opened up everything to her. What they had seems more physical puppy love than the real deal, and I was so happy Kaylee finally realized that. They just didn't have a solid enough foundation to withstand everything they have been through. Basically they were just stubbornly holding onto something that should have only been fleeting in the first place.

Even the second time around, I'm still amazed at Rachel Vincent's incredible ability to really shake things up without ever stepping outside of the bounds of believability. From the start, I knew Kaylee would somehow survive since the series couldn't continue without her. It was just a question whether the easy road would have been taken and her given another "free pass" or whether there would be consequences. There are many different ways she could have gone, but I really think she chose the best path. Anything else would have been too easy, and lessened the credibility of the world. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next installment to see how Kaylee deals with all of the changes she she has gone through, both physically and emotionally. The fallout should be pretty rough, but I have faith in her ability to handle anything thrown at her, especially with Tod at her side.

Some swoon worthy quotes showing just how amazing (and funny at times) Tod really is:

"You're the brightest thing I've ever seen, Kaylee. You're this beautiful ball of fire spitting sparks out at the world, burning fiercely, holding back the dark by sheer will. And I always knew that if I reached out--if I tried to touch you--I'd get burned. Because you're not mine. I'm not supposed to feel the fire. I'm not supposed to want it. But I do. I want you, Kaylee, like I've never wanted anything. Ever. I want the fire. I want the heat, and the light, and I want the burn."

"As far as I'm concerned..." He leaned forward, his mouth inches from mine, and my pulse spiked. "There's nothing but us." His lips met mine, and he kissed me slowly, deeply, like we had all the time in the world. And in that moment, that's exactly what it felt like.

"There's a good kind of crazy, Kaylee... It's the kind that makes you think about things that make your head hurt, because not thinking about them is the coward's way out. The kind that makes you touch people who bruise your soul, just because they need to be touched. This is the kind of crazy that lets you stare out into the darkness and rage at eternity, while it stares back at you, ready to swallow you whole." "I've seen you fight, Kaylee. I've seen you step into that darkness for someone else, then claw your way out, bruised, but still standing. You're that kind of crazy, and I live in that darkness. Together, we'd take crazy to a whole new level."

"I'm dead, not impotent. Nasty rumors like that must be quashed before they gain momentum. Feel free to emphasize how very functional I am."

"I don't think this is fixing you little problem," I whispered as his hand wandered slowly over my waist and toward my ribs, over my shirt now. Tod straightened and gave me a frown. "You should be careful, tossing descriptors like that around in a situation like this. My 'problem' isn't little. Unless you're drawing some pretty wild comparisons. Please tell me you're not drawing wild comparisons. Or blood-relative comparisons."

"Kaylee, you burn so bright that everyone else looks dim in comparison. You're all I see, and all I want to see, and I would be happy if this moment never ended."

*Sighs* I really love that reaper!

Re-Read Review: My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent

, by KT

My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent

Soul Screamers #4

(Re-Read Review)

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.

Just like my first three re-read reviews for this series, I feel the need to start off with a warning that this post is NOT a traditional review, and will be quite spoilery. Also there will be a whole lot of ranting and bashing. I'm participating in the Soul Screamers Reading Challenge hosted by Fiktshun. You can either read the books for the first time, or re-read them, and I am doing the latter. I thought it would be fun to do a post of my thoughts about things the second time around with all of the knowledge of the following books. So again, I really would not recommend reading this review if you are not caught up in reading books one through five. You have been warned. ;)

Unlike the first three books, I had already written a full review the first time I read My Soul to Steal, so I had an even better insight into my original thoughts. You can check out that review here to see where my head was the first time around.

It's kinda funny because I was a little annoyed with Kaylee both then, and now, but for two entirely different reasons. I was annoyed with her last time because she wanted him, but wouldn't give him a chance. This time my annoyance is ten times worse because she won't let him go! I still cannot believe I wanted her to be with Nash. My only explanation is that once I pick a guy in a book, I'm pretty much stuck on him regardless of what he may or may not do. It is only in very very rare cases that I will change my mind. I just hate heartbreak and angst, so for me it's almost always gonna be the first guy that catches my "heart" in a book. I just don't have the ability to "break" up with them mostly. This is why I could never be an author. I couldn't put my characters through the hell required to make a book enjoyable. So getting back to the point of Nash and Kaylee, I know I had wanted them to stay together because of my extreme difficulty with letting go. However, I am now completely over it. I just wanna say "Here you go Sabine, he's all yours!"

I do have to admit that a lot of my ability to finally let Nash go was because of Tod. It is simply amazing to see just how much I missed the first time around because I was too focused on Nash. That talk he had with Kaylee about letting Nash go because he wasn't enough for her, and that their relationship would never be whole, really opened my eyes. In fact, I realized that so much of what he was saying and the emotion behind it was because of how much he loved her himself.

Here's a series of interactions between them that were so much more impactful the second time around.

"Like, maybe there’s someone better out there for him. And maybe there’s someone better for you."

Why yes, Tod, you are so much better for her!

“Just go away, Tod. I have enough to worry about without adding ‘taking stupid advice from a dead guy’ to the list.”

Tod blinked at me, and the smallest cobalt tremor of emotion rippled through his irises before he regained control. Before I could interpret what I’d seen. Then he sighed and blinked out of the room, pizza box and all."

Sighs, if only Kaylee knew how much he cared, than she would have realized how much she hurt him with that statement.

“So…you’re still mad about the other day?”

“Wouldn’t you be mad if I told you to give up on someone you care about? Just…hand her over to someone who doesn’t even deserve her?”

Tod gave me a strange, sad look I couldn’t interpret, and the blues in his irises shifted subtly for a moment before he got control of them. “Yeah. I guess I would.”

Again, if only Kaylee could see the truth. Tod is living this every day watching her with Nash, who absolutely does not deserve her one bit!

Then strong, warm arms wrapped around me from behind. “I’ve got you,” Tod whispered in my ear, as Avari charged us........

Tod squeezed me, then let me go, and I whirled around to face him. “Thanks. I totally owe you.”

“No. You don’t,” he said, and the blues in his eyes shifted slowly.

*Swoons*

I cannot wait to dive into the next installment to finally see some real Kaylee and Tod moments!

Early Review: Black Dawn by Rachel Caine

, by KT

Black Dawn by Rachel Caine

Morganville Vampires #12

The hotly-anticipated twelfth instalment in the Morganville Vampires series

In Last Breath, the rain brought a new and dire threat to Morganville and its vampires... their ancient enemies, the draug. Now, the vampires are fighting a losing war, and it will fall to the residents of the Glass House: Michael, Eve, Shane and Claire, to take the fight to an enemy who threatens to destroy the town, forever.

Lovers of Morganville, rejoice: Black Dawn takes the intrigue, romance and nail-biting suspense of the series to its highest level yet!

With the rain came the draug and their destruction, bringing Morganville to the brink of annihilation. Holding on only by the sheer determination of their will to survive, the remaining vampires and humans alike must band together to find a way to destroy the draug once and for all. It's time for the final stand, with the winner taking all.

It is amazing how much the characters have grown from the start of this series. Eve's learned to trust in others and open her heart, as well as thinking more before she acts. Shane's let go of a lot of his anger, although he will always be a fighter, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing considering what they continually have to face. Michael's path is much slower as he tries to accept what he has become, and yet still hold onto his humanity. He had a major setback at the end of Last Breath, which was a large issue for both him and Eve in this installment. However, I think once he can put it behind him, he will finally be able to make peace with himself. But above all, Claire has probably grown the most, even if she doesn't see it for herself. She really is the glue that holds them all together, and as Michael states, they wouldn't have survived without her. She's always been incredibly strong, but she lacked the confidence to back it up. Now, despite her fears, Claire never once backs down from standing up to fight when needed, and no one, vampire or otherwise can ever really hold her back.

With each new book that brings us closer to the end of the Morganville Series, I can't help wondering how in the world Rachel Caine will tie everything up with a HEA. After finishing Black Dawn, I'm more baffled than ever as I just don't see the vampires relenting any power now. Not after losing so many of their own to the Draug. In fact even before the final conflict was over, I was already looking to the future and what the ending events would mean for the humans in Morganville. To be honest, I have a feeling things will be worse than ever for Claire and company in the next installment. You would think the vampires would be at least a little grateful for their vital assistance throughout their darkest hour, but I guess that is a human sentiment. I should really stop trying to humanize them in my mind and just accept that they play by a completely different set of rules.

Ever since finishing Last Breath, I have been waiting rather impatiently for this installment. I knew it would be an incredibly hard act to follow as it took a well established series and completely changed the game. While I can't say that Black Dawn had quite the same level of shock and wow factor that Last Breath instilled, due to the Draug already being revealed, I was still utterly enthralled from start to finish. Rachel Caine hasn't once let me down in this series, as each installment only gets better as the stakes get higher. Full of danger, raw emotion, and heart pounding action, Black Dawn can't possibly disappoint!

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Re-Read Review: My Soul to Keep by Rachel Vincent

, by KT

My Soul to Keep by Rachel Vincent

Soul Screamers #3

(Re-Read Review)

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…

Just like my first two re-read reviews for this series, I feel the need to start off with a warning that this post is NOT a traditional review, and will be quite spoilery. Also there will be a whole lot of ranting and bashing. I'm participating in the Soul Screamers Reading Challenge hosted by Fiktshun. You can either read the books for the first time, or re-read them, and I am doing the latter. I thought it would be fun to do a post of my thoughts about things the second time around with all of the knowledge of the following books. So again, I really would not recommend reading this review if you are not caught up in reading books one through five. You have been warned. ;)

Since I knew the betrayal was coming this time around, I noticed so much more. Nash was absolutely despicable throughout My Soul to Keep. I was literally disgusted with him to the point where it became hard to read. It just turned my stomach. He completely demoralized her by being so pushy sexually. I mean he continually used his Influence powers on her to try and push her further than she was comfortable with. What is that really but a somewhat lessor form of rape? To make matters worse he was incredibly cruel in telling her she was a tease and basically that she was lucky that he was still waiting. That anyone else would have left a long time ago. Excuse me? After three months of waiting? When she's only sixteen and still a virgin? Well listen here Nash, screw you and your high horse, you don't deserve a girl like Kaylee. No one deserves to be pressured into something they aren't ready for. No one.

The worst thing is that his behavior towards Kaylee was really only the tip off the ice berg. There was his lost of his past memories, as well as the constant lies. Then you add in him allowing Avari to use Kaylee's body including the inappropriate behavior that really stole from her, and he doesn't deserve another look, let alone a second chance. So I'm officially team Tod, or Team Kaylee, or really Team anything that isn't Nash.

Before I started to write this re-read review, I read the review I had written of the following book (My Soul to Steal) as I just wanted to see where my state of mind was for the fallout. After reading it, I'm just in shock that I was still a Nash supporter and wanted them to get back together. Granted, things hadn't really started too much with Tod, or at least it wasn't obvious. Also, I hadn't noticed all the nasty details of Nash's behavior the first time around since we were in the dark for most of the book. Now however, I am more than ready to wash my hands clean of him completely. Actually, it is to the point where I'm dreading reading the next installment for the monthly re-read. I'll still read it of course, but I have a feeling this time around I will be rooting for Sabine, and clinging to all interactions with Tod. I'll just use some mental white out on Nash.

Re-Read Review: My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

, by KT

My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

Soul Screamers #2

(Re-Read Review)

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..

Just like my first re-read review in this series, I feel the need to start off with a warning that this post is NOT a traditional review, and will be quite spoilery. Also there will be a whole lot of ranting and bashing. I'm participating in the Soul Screamers Reading Challenge hosted by Fiktshun. You can either read the books for the first time, or re-read them, and I am doing the latter. I thought it would be fun to do a post of my thoughts about things the second time around with all of the knowledge of the following books. So again, I really would not recommend reading this review if you are not caught up in reading books one through five. You have been warned. ;)

Most of my ranting in the previous book's re-read review was centered around Kaylee's father and my general dislike for Nash. While her father will still be receiving a dose of my ire, Nash actually will be getting a reprieve as Tod is now on my crap list. Surprisingly even though I know where things are headed with Nash, I couldn't be angry with him quite yet as he was nothing but supportive in My Soul to Save. Tod, however was quite horrible to be honest. I had completely forgotten just how single-minded he was about saving Addison, even at Kaylee's expense. I just wanted to smack him upside the head. I understand just how much he wanted to save Addy, but he should never have let things go that far in putting Kaylee at risk. She almost died for goodness sakes! I have a feeling it is going to take me a while to forgive him again for this. But then again maybe not since the messy stuff with Nash should be coming soon. These boys sure are trouble!

As far as Kaylee's father goes, well I still have a pretty big problem with the way he acts towards Kaylee. I kinda feel like he gave up his rights to control her a very long time ago. I realize that Kaylee was in a whole lot of danger, and he just wants to protect her. However, Kaylee isn't the type of person who could live with herself if she didn't do everything she could to help someone. So her dad should realize this and be supportive of her, and protect her by helping her rather than trying to chain her down. Then again I guess none of us really see things clearly when it comes to protecting our children, so I guess I'll have to give him a little leeway.

Going to the Netherworld and meeting Avari was every bit as chilling as the first time around, perhaps even more so now that I have the knowledge of just what can happen. I seriously cringed multiple times throughout My Soul to Save, and I think that shows just how good this series is as it was able to affect me that much even the second time around. I can't wait to see what my re-read of the next installment will show.

My Soul to Steal (Early Review)

, by KT

My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent

Soul Screamers #4

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.

At the start of this book, Kaylee is still "licking her wounds" from the events of the last book. She still loves Nash but for now needs some space to get herself together. She figures she has plenty of time, but then Nash's ex, Sabine shows up. Sabine makes it obvious she wants Nash back and will stop at nothing to get him. She is a mara, literally Kaylee's worst nightmare, so she has an entire arsenal up her sleeve. Kaylee will have to decide whether to step aside or fight for what she wants, and in the end the best girl will win.

When I first read the description for this book I was convinced I would hate Sabine, just because I wouldn't like anyone who could come between Kaylee and Nash. So imagine my surprise when it turns out that I actually like her, a lot. Sure on the outside she may be very manipulative and vindictive, but that's only the surface. Underneath, she is very fragile and has a lot of issues, which considering her past, this is completely understandable. She really loves Nash, and he has been the only constant thing in her entire life so she is convinced that she cannot survive without him. Everything she does to Kaylee, and trust me some of it is nasty, is only because she loves him, not because it's a game to steal Nash from her. I think perhaps in time Sabine could become strong enough to stand on her own two feet and not need Nash so much, but only time will tell.

In this book I was simultaneously proud of and frustrated with Kaylee. She really held to her guns in needing space from Nash and refusing to just jump back into his arms. That took a lot of strength and guts and that is why I was proud of her. However, the reason I was frustrated was that I felt she took the separation to the extreme. She loves him and wants to be with him, but then refused to see him the entire time he was going through withdraw and even longer after that. I just think that if she really wanted him to stay clean, then she needed to help support him, because it only makes it so much harder to resist without love and support. I understand that he did some pretty horrible things, perhaps unforgivable, but the point was that she wanted to forgive him, so she shouldn't have hung him out to dry while he was trying to recover. It's going to be a long bumpy road ahead and I can only hope the two of them will find a way to make it work.

I really enjoyed this book, even more so than the last one. It read very fast and ties things up pretty well. The ending isn't really a cliffhanger, so that is a little relief compared to the cliffhanger of the previous book. I am still very eager to read the next book as things seem to be headed in a very interesting direction. I look forward to more of Sabine, and of course my favorite character, Tod. I can only imagine the trouble that is in store for them and I can't wait to find out how they handle it. The only reason I'm not giving this a perfect rating is due to Kaylee's lack of support for Nash, but otherwise, it was a very good book that I highly recommend.

(Received from the Author for review)

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My Soul to Steal (Soul Screamers, Book 4)

Alpha

, by KT

Alpha by Rachel Vincent

Shifters #6

The unscrupulous new Council chair has charged Jace, Marc, and me with trespassing, kidnapping, murder, and treason. Yeah, we’ve been busy. But now it’s time to take justice into our own hands. We must avenge my brother’s death and carve out the rot at the heart of the Council.

It’s not going to be easy, and loss seems unavoidable, but I have promised to protect my Pride, no matter what. With a target on my back and Marc at my side, I’m heading for a final showdown that can—that will—change everything forever.

This book picks up almost right after the ending of the last book, with Malone still on his crusade to overthrow Greg Sander's authority and take the Head Council Chair for himself. This issue as well as all of the other conflicts from the prior books finally have come to a head, and no one will escape unaffected or unscathed. The South Central pride knows that no matter the outcome, the entire werecat's world will be forever changed. Even with this heavy knowledge on their shoulder's they know they must fight for what is right for they have an incredible amount to lose. There are battles around every corner, with severe consequences at each turn. In the end it will come to one last stand, with one side taking all.

Anyone who had complaints about Faythe being whiny or spoiled in the past will really be impressed at how she steps up to the plate. Gone is the Faythe that acts out to get what she wants. The standards she has set for herself in protecting her pride are so high, they almost seem unobtainable. There is so much heartache in this book, and I cannot begin to count the number of times I cried right along with Faythe. I am actually amazed at her ability to even attempt to survive any of it, let alone be the strong force her pride needs her to be. Trust me, you will be thoroughly impressed and proud of the woman she has finally become.

Ah, the love triangle between Faythe, Marc, and Jace. I'm going to be careful to not spoil anything. However, I will say be prepared to shed a lot of tears no matter who you are rooting for as there are absolutely heartbreaking moments for each of them. I will be honest, and confess I was so worried about Faythe's decision that I read the book so fast just to find out her choice, that I couldn't completely appreciate it. So how did I remedy this? I immediately re-read it. I read it much slower the second time so I could really enjoy it. After knowing her choice, I actually enjoyed the second read even more. I was able to relax and take a step back and really absorb the book.

As impatient as I was to finally have this book in my hands, the satisfaction is bittersweet. I am so sad to say goodbye to Faythe, but I really do not think the book could have ended the series more perfectly. The entire series has been one heck of a roller coaster ride, with incredible twists, turns, and loops. However, the satisfaction in the end is worth every single nail biting, heart wrenching, emotional moment. This is a series that will just stick with you long after you finish it. Every emotion is so real, you cannot help but feel them right along with Faythe. This was one of the most emotional books I have ever read, yet I loved every single moment of it. Avid fans will not be disappointed, and if you haven't checked this series out already, make sure you do, as it it truly amazing!

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