Customer Reviews

My Soul to Save (Soul Screamers Book 2)

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(44)
3 star:		(28)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I selected this book because a story about a "banshee" seemed interesting, and the book sometimes fulfilled that promise -- other times, not so much.

I enjoyed the portion of the book spent in the netherworld. The description was vivid and what happened there was truly creepy. However, this portion is in the latter part of the book, and some of what came before didn't work for me. I had a difficult time getting into the story.

I will give credit for the sly reference to Dekker media -- a company with networks, a music division, animation... They'd made stars out of the likes of Lindy Cohen and Whitney Lance. I thought it was quite clever to use this to comment on the meteoric success of certain young girls and to come up with a sinister and otherworldly explanation. In the course of the plot, we're asked to care about two girls who're Dekker stars, sisters. Unfortunately, most people will be sympathetic, the author asks us at the end to -- working not to spoil -- feel more complex emotions than might be possible for characters that are still largely unknown to us. In particular, we're asked be proud of emotional growth and resiliency of someone who is still largely a stranger.

The main characters are not the sisters, but Kaylee, her boyfriend Nash, and his dead grim reaper brother, Todd. Kaylee is an interesting enough character, as is Nash. Todd is supposed to be mischievous and rebellious, but is more annoying than anything else. I also predict that, if the series continues, Kaylee might have at least a flirtation with the dangerous Other Brother.

There were at least three scenes of Kaylee and Nash in a clinch, and the author clearly wants it to be a little sexy for the reader, and to feel a little dangerous as Kaylee might be/is tempted to take it as far as it can go. However, she never allows Kaylee the decision, and all that it would do to flesh out her character, as all three scenes end with someone interrupting them rather than Kaylee taking some sort of charge of what she wants or doesn't want. It feels like a cop-out, even as I understand that the alternative was to risk offending parents or preaching to her audience. Chekhov's gun is the idea that you can't introduce a gun into a story without a pay-off, without the gun going off. I think you get maybe one scene where a couple is interrupted when the logical course is for one of them to decide yes or no, but I don't think you get three scenes. My guess is the author is playing a waiting game for Kaylee to be older before dealing with it, but it weakened those scenes for me.

I don't imagine I'll read more books in the series, and from reading other reviews, it seems the first book in the series was stronger. Still, I remain very impressed by the netherworld scenes, and the terrific world building in place, and I can understand the draw for fans of the series and the author.

Usually Kaylee Cavanaugh can tell when someone in the vicinity is about to die, but not this time. A pop star sold her soul, so it's not there for bean sidhe Kaylee to work with. And her reaper friend's ex Addison also sold hers, and Addy's little sister's damn close to selling hers, too. But to win the souls back, Kaylee has to venture into the Netherworld, and not everyone will emerge unscathed.

It's impossible to read about Dekker Media without thinking of Disney - especially after viewing South Park's "The Ring" episode. It's hardly surprising that a major company is aligned with hellions (in this case, Avarice). But while the premise itself is unremarkable, the real breadwinner here is the Netherworld. Usually I prefer my urban fantasy to be more urban than fantasy, but the Netherworld is amazing. From its grey fog, to its distance and time, and all the things that happen inside, Rachel Vincent's Netherworld is vastly imaginative and deliciously creepy. The descriptions are evocative, and I won't soon forget the blades of grass.

Family life isn't easy in Eastlake. Aiden and Brendon Cavanaugh are single dads, Harmony Hudson is a single mum, and as for Addison Page's parents...her dad is absent, and her mum's addicted to prescription pills. These realistic elements bring the characters home for readers, grounding the paranormal in a world that's easily relatable. Kaylee and Nash's romance is just plain embarrassing, and the book would be better without it, but thankfully Tad understands the awesomeness of humour.

Rachel Vincent keeps cementing her reputation as an author with fascinating plot twists and stories that you can't help but glom. Unfortunately, readers will have to wait until June 2010 to read the third Soul Screamers novel, MY SOUL TO KEEP. Maybe the writer should take on time travel next...

I thoroughly enjoyed My Soul to Take, but was disappointed by this follow up. When her boyfriend's reaper/brother Tod finds out that his pop star ex-girlfriend has sold her soul to hellions in return for fame and fortune, banshee Kaylee and her similarly supernatural boyfriend Nash reluctantly agree to help Tod save her. The situation is further complicated when the pop star's younger sister (Simpson or Spears sisters, anyone?) also considers signing with the soul-selling music mongol responsible for abusing the trust of the older sibling (Lou Pearlman, anyone?)

Perhaps because the famous ex-girlfriend was so unsympathetic I just could not get into this story. In the last book I liked Tod's snarky attitude, but here he just came across as a jerk willing to endanger his brother for an old flame. My Soul to Save was less about Kaylee and more about dabbling in the dark Netherworld, and I am more interested in Kaylee and Nash's story. Here's hoping that the next installment in the series is better.

Kaylee has recently discovered she is very different from most high-school students. She is a bean sidhe, or banshee, which means an embarrassing habit of uncontrollable shrieking when someone in the area is dying. She is working on controlling this habit, but in the meantime she has other things on her mind.

Kaylee's friend Tod is a grim reaper, collecting souls from the dead and annoying his brother Nash and Kaylee whenever he is off-duty. When Kaylee, Nash, and Tod attend a concert of a local teen popstar and she dies onstage, Kaylee is shocked not to be screaming. Her realization that the dead girl had no soul is appalling, but Tod is especially concerned about the girl in the opening act--his ex-girlfriend Addison.

It seems that a large entertainment company is selling the souls of its teen recruits to hellions of Netherworld. The contracts have an out-clause.... but most young wannabees don't bother to read the contracts or keep track of the details. Addison signed a contract to guarantee her success, and now Tod, with the help of Kaylee and Nash, is determined to get her soul back, even though it means a dangerous trip into the Netherworld.

The basic concept of this book was interesting. I liked the idea of the banshees and the description of their talents. I really liked Tod's character and would have liked to have seen more of him. The other characters, though, were a bit bland. I didn't feel like I got to know Nash at all, and never really got from this book why he and Kaylee were so devoted to each other, especially since she seemed to be constantly questioning his dedication to her. Addison also wasn't a particularly interesting character; certainly I wouldn't have been inspired to help her as much as Kaylee did.

This is the second book in the soul screamers series, and even better than the first, if that is even possible! I devoured it in two sittings and didn't want to put it down.

I loved the plot-line and I think Kaylee's character really developed in this book. It is expertly written, as always from Rachel Vincent, no unnecessary fillers just crisp to the point writing, a pleasure to read.

Kaylee has moved in to her dad's new house. He is new at the whole dad thing, being absent for the last 13 years, so he is being quite strict. Tod got Nash and Kaylee tickets to see Eden's concert, the opening act is Addison, an ex girlfriend of Tod's. They go back stage with their VIP tickets, something goes wrong on stage and Eden drops to the ground. She dies on stage and Kaylee is completely puzzled as to why she has no soul song for her. Turns out Eden sold her soul to a Hellion for her fame and fortune.

Libby is a reaper, a special one, one of the oldest. Her job is to show up and suck in demons breath from the dead who had sold their souls. She then needs to dispose of it properly, in the Netherworld. Libby revels that the next person she is showing up for will be Addison. Which means two things, 1. Addison is going to die 2. she has also sold her soul. This doesn't go down well with Tod and he begs Nash and Kaylee to help him save her.

The three of them set out on their mission to save Addison's life and soul. Nash doesn't want to help as it is too dangerous, but he won't let Kaylee do it without him.

Turns out there is an out-clause in the contract a person makes to sell their soul. Addison doesn't have a copy of the contract and she doesn't know the Hellion's name she made the deal with. Kaylee and the other have to figure out what to do to save Addison's soul, and with time running out it won't be an easy task. They have to go to the Netherworld, Kaylee for the first time.

I was surprised at the ending, I was expecting a typical Happily Ever After, which is not the case. I think Kaylee really comes into her own in this one, she is such a strong likeable character. Nash and Kaylee's relationship has also developed and there is some sexual tension between the pair. I am glad Kaylee is holding out on Nash, even tho I don't think Nash would 'Move onto the next thing' as Kaylee thinks. My favourite character is Tod without a doubt, I just love his dark nature. Libby is a great new addition to the book and I really hope it's not the last we hear of her.

I cannot wait to read what's in store for Kaylee in the next instalment 'My soul to keep.'

The only thing, I would love to read a little bit more about Emma. :)

My Soul To Save is the second book in the Soul Screamers series by author Rachel Vincent. After I finished reading the first book in the series, I had to have more of Kaylee and Nash. Who would have thought that Banshee's could be so exciting and fun to read about?

In this book, it starts out with Nash and Kaylee attending a concert. The headlining act is popular pop star Eden who happens to drop dead in the middle of the concert. Only there is one problem about her falling dead in the middle of the concert--Kaylee didn't have the urge to scream for her Soul Song. They quickly figure out that Eden had sold her soul to a hellion. When Tod, who happens to be Nash's reaper brother, asks for them to check on his ex-girlfriend Addison, things get even worse. Addison, who is a pop star as well, has sold her soul to a hellion as well. Together, they must figure out who is taking the souls and figure out a way to save Addison and her sister Regan before it is too late.

I almost feel bad for Nash and Kaylee. They never get a break from their bean sidhe heritage long enough to enjoy a relationship. Notice I said that I almost feel bad. If Kaylee wasn't such a good girl most of the time, she could be like Nash and remember that a lot of the trouble she goes looking for is not her business. Yet as the story unfolded, I realized Kaylee is who she is and it defines her as a person. It makes her character strong and I wouldn't want the author to change her for anything. I was annoyed at the fact that her Father decided to start acting like a Father after being gone for 13 years. If I were Kaylee, I would have told him to back off a bit and give her some room to breathe.

I also loved Emma's reaction to all of the supernatural business. Don't ask and don't tell should be her motto. Yet when Tod revealed himself to her, I couldn't stop laughing. I absolutely love Tod and his witty mouth! Even though I didn't like how he kept things from Kaylee, I know he was doing it out of love. He is such a joy whenever he shows up in the story.

Overall I can honestly say I enjoyed this book. Even though I didn't enjoy it as much as the first book, I still had fun reading it and following the action packed journey that Kaylee had to go on this time around. I can't wait to read the next book and see what the author can throw at Kaylee next time!

I really didn't care for this book as much as the first but still found it to be an enjoyable read. Like some of the other reviewers, I didn't care for some of the characters this time around, and that makes it a little hard to care what happens to them. Also the romance between Kaylee and Nash seems a little off, there doesn't seem to be as much chemistry there as before. Which makes me wonder what's in store for them in the next book.