Before I Wake By: Rachel Vincent

Before I Wake (Soul Screamers #6)
Author: Rachel Vincent
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 339
Rating: 4.5/5

   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….


   Before I Wake is the sixth instalment in author Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamers series. I've been a big fan of this series for a long time now- I can't believe that there's only one book left *sob* Now, I have to admit, after reading If I Die (Soul Screamers #5) I was disappointed. I didn't like how things had turned out and I was ultimately really confused on my feelings toward the series. That being said, Before I Wake fueled my love for the series to an all time max! 

   Before I Wake takes place after the events of If I Die. Kaylee is now dead and is adjusting to her new "life" where she must reclaim stolen souls to stay near to the people she loves. Kaylee's entire character went through a huge emotional roller coaster in this book. We get to see her really struggle with the emptiness death has brought her- making her a bit more vulnerable then she usually is. I really enjoyed seeing this realness in her character because, when you think about it, Kaylee still is only sixteen for a majority of this book. Her struggle to find herself is something every teenager goes through, and even though Kaylee's situation is a bit different than most, it made her much more relatable than in previous books.

   As I said earlier, Before I Wake left me confused and a bit upset- and I shamefully have to admit that it was entirely due to how Kaylee's relationship with Nash ended. I was definitely Team Nash and I was completely shocked that Kaylee was with Tod- pissed is probably a better word. So, going into this book, I was a bit bitter. I did not want to accept Kaylee and Tod being together at all. Now, with all that being said, I can't believe I'm saying this, but.....Before I Wake made me Team Tod all the way *picks up jaw from floor* I can't believe how wrong I was about this couple! Not only is the chemistry between Tod and Kaylee really hot, but there's a trust in their relationship that was never there between Kaylee and Nash. As a result, Tod and Kaylee's relationship matures emotionally and physically quite quickly! Tod also got lots of bonus points from me when I got to see him being Kaylee's support system as she went through the struggle of transitioning from alive to dead.  I give Rachel Vincent a lot of credit for having the ability to completely transform my thoughts towards this couple *bows down in awe* 

   This Soul Screamers instalment continued to have old and new characters that I absolutely loved. It was very heartbreaking to see Sabine and Nash's "relationship" struggle due to Nash's denial. It was really hard to see Sabine get hurt time and time again, while also feeling sorry for Nash. I really hope more happiness comes to these two in the next book. We also get introduced to a new character named Luca-a necromacer. What made his character so interesting was his relationship with Sophie! Sophie has always been pretty nasty towards Kaylee, so it was shocking to see someone looking at the good in Sophie. It definitely makes me curious to read the Soul Screamer novella, Never To Sleep, that focuses on Sophie's character. I wonder if my perspective on her will change....


   There's a perfect amount of action in Before I Wake- specifically towards the end. The book ends with a dramatic event that will leave you more than a little curious to see what happens in the last book! It's a perfect ending that isn't too cruel to us readers who have to wait another year for the next instalment :) 


Favourite Quotes...


"He's dating Sophie."
"On purpose?" Tod looked horrified. It takes a lot to scare a reaper.


“Hey, do you wanna go out for..." His words melted with a sigh when he noticed Tod, but then he rallied with a smile. "Hi, Tod, I didn't realise you were here. In my daughter's bedroom. With the door closed."
"Happy to be here," Tod said, and I groaned out loud.


“The three of you are enough to drive a mara mad.'She can wear my shirt," she growled in an imitation of Nash."No,she can wear my shirt,"she said switching to Tod's smoother tone.Then Sabine took off down the hall without a glance at any of us."I have a spare.Come on, Kaylee,before I choke on testosterone and melodrama.” 


“Near-death experiences release a lot of endorphins, resulting in a natural high," Tod whispered. "And it's totally true that one passion feeds another."
"You know we're way past 'near-death', right?"
"My endorphins aren't listening to you.” 


Overall...


   Overall Before I Wake was a suspenseful and emotional read that I thoroughly enjoyed reading! The attraction between Tod and Kaylee will leave you breathless and the ending will  have you desperate for more- a fabulous instalment in the series! The seventh and final Soul Screamers book, With All My Soul, will be released April 1, 2013 according to Goodreads!  If that's to far away for you, then be sure to read the Soul Screamers novella I mentioned earlier, Never To Sleep, that was released back in Jaunary (I sure will)! Well, that's it for today bookworms! Are you looking forward to With All My Soul? Have you read Never To Sleep? Be sure to let me know in the comments and leave me your thoughts on Before I Wake! Keep Reading!

Your Y.A. Bookworm,

Caitlin <3

Buy BEFORE I WAKE Today!

Amazon

Indigo

Barnes and Noble