Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not As Good As The First..., January 23, 2010
This review is from: My Soul to Save (Soul Screamers Book 2) (Paperback)
Kaylee is learning how to use and control her wail, and with the help of Nash's mother, Harmony, she's progressing nicely. But when Tod, a Reaper and Nash's brother, gets them tickets to one of the biggest concerts of the year and the star drops dead during her set, Kaylee knows something is wrong because she didn't have the overwhelming urge to scream. If she doesn't scream for someone then they obviously must not have a soul to sing for.
Kaylee knows that she shouldn't put her new relationship with her father to the test so soon, but she can't let these teens keep selling their souls for talent, fame, and fortune. Without their souls they can look forward to an eternity of torture in the Netherworld. Even if it costs her her life, Kaylee won't let the hellion responsible get what he wants.
I must say that I really enjoyed the first book (and it's prequel) in the Soul Screamers series. This one wasn't as good for me, because there was a lack of connection between Kaylee and Nash, and these pop star wannabes. The first book was much easier to connect with, because it dealt more with family. Also, Kaylee and Nash's relationship seemed to be missing that special connection I found in the first book. He still seemed there for Kaylee, but Kaylee continues to question his actions. Does he really like her or is she just another challenge for him to conquer? I can understand why she feels this way, because whenever they get alone Nash has only one thing on his mind, and that's sex. Not sure what I expect from a teenage boy though.
Other than that, I know it might seem like a lot, I enjoyed learning more about the Bean Sidhe powers and about what kind of creatures lurk in the Netherworld. What was most interesting to me was how the two worlds overlap, yet are completely different. I'd say this was a good book, but I just had trouble connecting to the whole pop star drama.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
So-so follow up, February 4, 2010
This review is from: My Soul to Save (Soul Screamers Book 2) (Paperback)
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
My Soul to Take (and its prequel novella, My Soul to Lose) was one of my most enjoyable reads of 2009. Vincent got the teen voice of Kaylee Cavanaugh spot-on, and the concept of banshees, Netherworld, and reapers was unique and very well-done. The suspense of Kaylee's newly-discovered heritage and the mysterious deaths of her schoolmates was nail-biting, and I admit to my reluctance to set aside the book when it was time for bed. When I discovered the next book in the series was to be released this year, I eagerly anticipated a return to Kaylee's world and her adventures in soul screaming.
Unfortunately, My Soul to Save is a big let-down. The concept was clever--a Disney-ish company who harvested the souls of starstruck tweens--but the execution was sloppy; rather than Dekker Media being a sly satire on Disney's constant crop of ready-made stars, it was ham-fisted and laboriously obvious (I could see the broad winks every time the fictional conglomerate was mentioned in the book). I also found it tedious that once again, the dead bodies dropping like flies were females, and that Kaylee's behavior was over-the-top in its "teenage rebellion." I was also extremely disappointed in Vincent could not develop Kaylee and Nash's relationship beyond heavy make-out sessions and near-misses, particularly after she made pains to develop Kaylee's outsider status and Nash's in-crowd status in the first book: how about exploring that? Because from my experience, dating across social clique lines does not always run so smoothly.
The biggest let-down was the plot and the pacing. The tightly-woven suspense of My Soul to Take/Lose was lost as Vincent made an attempt to insert some "normal" moments (Kaylee in school, her relationship with her father, etc) in the most awkward places. It also didn't help that I couldn't care about the girls whose souls needed saving, because they written quite flatly with cliched issues, and their behavior was selfish and careless without any payoff. The next book is being released later on this year, and I'll probably read it, but with reservations.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Story SIren reviews, December 29, 2009
This review is from: My Soul to Save (Soul Screamers Book 2) (Paperback)
Three words: one unique series!
I just love the whole premise of this series. The soul screamers. It's such an unique element, and I can't wait to see where Rachel takes us next!
Unfortunately I didn't enjoy My Soul to Save as much as I did it's predecessor. I enjoyed the story, it was excellently written and there was plenty of twists and turns to keep you on you toes. I just didn't enjoy the characters as much this time around.
My favorite character from the first novel Todd, was sullen and closed off. He didn't have the smart-a** quality that first captured my heart! Also, I was not a fan of Addison at all. I didn't understand why Kaylee and Nash were risking so much to save her. I guess I'm just not a compassionate person, but I didn't feel sorry for Addison, there was just something about her that rubbed me the wrong way. Rachel did an excellent job portraying her character so that you'd be empathetic toward her, but I just wasn't. I did enjoy the relationship between Kaylee and Nash, I thought it was a little rushed in the first book, but it seemed to be better developed this time.
I so enjoyed the more in depth look into the Netherworld, what a creepy place! Looking forward to seeing more of that world!
Overall, story was fantastic, writing was great... I just didn't enjoy the characters this time around.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
