Young Adult
Paperback, 279 pgs.
Published: August 1st, 2009 by Harlequin
Source: Purchased
She doesn't see dead people. She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.
Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next.
So I'm a little torn with YA paranormal these days. Even though I'm often okay with the story and enjoy it I don't feel real moved or blown away very often. And I can't say this one really blew me away but I did enjoy it and there were many aspects I enjoyed quite a lot.
I really liked the concept of the soul screamers. My immediate reaction was that I felt a little like it was just ridiculous but as I read on I realized that it worked, I did like it and I really wanted to learn more about it and how it works, why it's like that, etc. We haven't got a lot of history on it yet, but it was probably the perfect amount for the first book. It got us interested and relayed info as we needed it instead of an info dump.
The characters were good. I liked Kaylee and I liked Nash. I don't think they really blew me away, but they were both interesting and likable and they were sweet together as a couple. And they didn't really annoy me. I did feel the insta-love that was in play in this one but I was okay with it. I think maybe they took things a little fast, like they should have been 'in like' more then instantly 'in love', but it wasn't a huge negative for me. They are teenagers and sometimes I just have to remind myself that that is how it is. And I actually liked that their relationship was pretty drama free. That was a big bonus. It drives me crazy to see the characters overreacting about everything and they weren't like that at all. It took a little bit, like Kaylee just didn't understand why Nash liked her just out of the blue but I think the mystery and discovery of everything made her distracted enough and she just needed him since no one else knew what was going on. That helped move her past any drama she may have felt.
I felt like the story had lots of good twists and turns. It wasn't really possible to predict what was going on, what was going to happen and why these girls were dying all over town for no reason. So as things were revealed it was surprise after surprise and then there was a major surprise and I loved that I didn't see it coming at all!
Overall this was a good start to a series that has potential to great. I definitely recommend you pick it up!
3.5/5 stars
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11 comments:
Please, please, PLEASE stick with this series *bats lashes* It is without a doubt one of my very favorite YA series ever! Rachel Vincent is phenomenal and you'll see why as the series continues.
The first book is slow to start. You meet the main characters and the stage is set. It's not until book 3 though that you'll want to pull your hair out. RV has a knack for putting so much emotion into her stories that you feel everything right along with Kaylee. There is a bit of the insta-love but you'll find out why very soon ;)
One of the other reasons I love this series is because of its originality. How many other YA books can we say are about Irish folklore and banshees? There is A LOT of world-building once Kaylee understands & accepts who/what she is.
I'm sorry for rambling...I can endlessly fangirl about these books, lol. I'm going to shut up now and tell you to keep reading ;)
XO,
♥Isalys / Book Soulmates
I need to get started on this series too. Every time a new installment releases I sort of mentally slap myself for not having read them. Nice review Candace:)
Great review Candace. I come across books like this all the time. No matter how much I want to fall into them, they just don't provide that vortex.
Although some are worth the eye-ball searing pain of reading...some are not.
Only you can decide.
Yoda out.
:D ~ Dawn
I read this one in the end of 2011. And liked it. Not my favourite. But it´s a good 1 book in a series :) Think I will check out the sequels in the future. Because I have heard that the books get better and better :)
Good luck with the challenge :)
I don't know why, but I've been feeling the same with YA lately. Nothing really grabs me. I mean, I'm not expecting to be blown away each time, but it's nice to stumble across something that isn't so predictable.
Glad to know that this one had a lot of interesting twists to keep the story moving.
I've heard really amazing things about this series, I don't know WHY I haven't picked it up yet... I have the first two, maybe I was waiting for a less than stellar review first!!! ;)
I have Volume 1 in this series where the first two books and prequel have been put into a bind up. I can't wait to start this series because many people seem to say great things.
I can see where you might not have loved this one though. I know I'm getting tired of so many PNR teen stories. They are often a dime a dozen and it is hard to find a perfect one to stand out.
I'm glad you kept and open mind and tried this one out, even if you were not blow away. Maybe as you continue on you will find more to love about it. :)
Thanks for the great review.
I rarely feel blown away anymore by YA either. They all feel very similar to one another for the most part. I do want to read this series though I have this one on my shelf actually! I just have to take time to actually read it. It's not a big book too so woudln'T take too long! The concept definitely has me intrigued and it sounds really original! Great review Candace!
I I think I read the first 2 or 3 of these and I haven't read anything since. It takes a lot for me to keep reading a long series like this and I'm not easily impressed by YA paranormal now either. So I know exactly how you feel!
Like you, I've had the first couple of books on my shelf for a looooooooong time, and I know a lot of bloggers are fans of the series, but I just haven't gotten around to reading it yet. Glad to hear it's worth trying, even if it didn't blow you out of the water.
OooOO please stick with the series, it's getting so much better, although the second was not that good, but after this I was seriously and totally hooked! The turn in the last book was incredible and something not so many authors would have dared to do.. I do love Rachel Vincent so sooo much, she's incredible!
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