Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent

Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers #6
Publisher: Mira Ink
Publication Date: June 26th 2012
Source: Library

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 the emotional roller-coaster that If I Die was, I just had to dive straight into this book as soon as I'd finished If I Die. There was no way I could wait to read the next one, and Before I Wake didn't disappoint. I couldn't wait to see what was next for Kaylee, plus I wanted to see more Tod & Kaylee <3.

Although Before I Wake didn't make me bawl my eyes out, it was still a fantastic sequel! After Kaylee's death she was recruited by the reclamation department to reclaim stolen souls. And on Kaylee's first day back at school, she starts her first job.

Kaylee was just as fantastic dead as she was alive (probably more because she had awesome abilities). Kaylee is coming to terms with being dead and with the fact that she has to force herself to be visible (which is a lot harder than she thought). I really felt for Kaylee in this one. She feels so alone and like she doesn't exist half the time. She's not the same person that she was before. She manages to stay strong though, and finds things to focus her attention on - like the fact that Thane is back and stealing souls, Avari is on the loose in the human world and Tod. Tod is a major part of helping Kaylee adjust to her newly dead life. He's the only thing keeping her sane/making her feel alive. Kaylee's just as badass and awesome in this one as she has been in the previous books.

Tod is just a sweetheart! I honestly can't believe I didn't want him and Kaylee together (although I suppose that was before Nash went off the rails and started acting like an ass). But I love Tod so much. Tod would do anything to protect Kaylee and it makes my heart melt. He's always looking out for her and he's helping her adjust to her new life. Plus, Tod and Kaylee are such a fantastic couple. They're just perfect for each other!

Nash yet again managed to annoy me in this one. He's taking this really badly and for some reason, he's still convinced that he and Kaylee have a chance together. He's deluded and is starting to really piss me off. Plus, he's hurting Sabine with all his useless pining after Kaylee and I don't like that.

Sabine has quickly became one of my favourite characters. She's sarcastic, snarky and just downright badass. Sabine doesn't need anyone to protect her, she's perfectly capable of protecting herself. Her and Kaylee sort of become friends in this one and I'm hoping that in the last book they will be friends. I feel bad for Sabine because it's clear how much she loves Nash, but Nash doesn't seem to want to cement their relationship and it's hurting her.

Yet again, this was another action packed sequel. With the Thane on the loose again and Avari running around the human world, they definitely had a lot on their hands. And yet again, things ran deeper than we originally thought. There were times when I was shocked and parts that almost had me in tears (especially that one part with Alec </3), I just couldn't put this book down! I was so desperate to know what Avari was up to this time that I couldn't wait to get to the end!
And holy crap what a fantastic and heartbreaking ending it was! They definitely should have seen it coming though. But still, I was so shocked to find out what Avari had planned and then the things he did tore out my heart and made me feel so bad for Kaylee. Like she hasn't suffered enough in the past 5 books because of Avari. Then he had to go and do that. It was horrible. I am, however, intrigued to see how that's all going to play out in the next book. It'll be confusing probably, but I am looking forward to seeing what's going to happen. Avari will definitely have something major planned next, so I'm excited to see his next move and I'm hoping they'll finally be able to take him down for good.

Overall, this was another fantastic and action packed sequel that kept me on my toes. I'm absolutely loving this series and I can't wait to see how it all ends!

If I Die by Rachel Vincent

If I Die by Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers #5
Publisher: Mira Ink
Publication Date: February 3rd 2012
Source: Library

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.

So it's 1am right now and I'm trying to compose my thoughts and feelings for this book which is pretty hard since my feelings are all over the place right now. This was one emotional book. I actually lost count of the amount of times I cried! I haven't cried that much at a book since the Deathly Hallows. Going by the synopsis, I knew it was inevitable I was going to cry, but I didn't expect to cry that much. What can I say? This book was just so fantastically amazing from start to finish. Definitely the best one yet.

OK, so review without spoilers. I can do this. 

Well, from the synopsis we find out that Kaylee is going to die in this one. And to be honest, I think Kaylee dealt with the knowledge of her impending death quite well. Sure, she had her freak out moments but for the most part, she was the Queen of Calm. I honestly admire Kaylee so much for that, I definitely don't think I would have been able to do that. She's such a strong character. I also love that even though Kaylee knows she's going to die, she's focused on ridding her school of yet another evil creature. She's so focused on saving everyone else and doesn't really give herself a second thought. That's why I love her so much.

Nash was a dick in this one. I honestly can't put it any other way. He was selfish, controlling and just downright nasty. I honestly couldn't believe half of the stuff he did in this book, Kaylee didn't deserve any of it. Nash was just using Kaylee as blame for him using frost again to fuel his addiction and it pissed me off. That scene with him, Sabine and Kaylee in the parking lot made me hate him. I doubt I'll ever forgive him fully for that. Sabine is welcome to him.

Sabine actually grew on me a lot in this one Maybe it was because my feelings for Nash and Kaylee as a couple disappeared. I could actually focus on starting to like Sabine rather than hating her with every bone in my body. She's actually a pretty funny character, and she's nice when she wants to be. I'm looking forward to seeing more of her and maybe her and Kaylee will actually be friends.

And lastly, we have Tod. Now, I know in my review for My Soul to Steal I said I was giving up on this series if Nash and Kaylee didn't end up together, well that was before I read If I Die and saw Nash acting like a dick. I also saw how far Tod was willing to go to protect Kaylee and, inevitably, Tod won me over. Tod is one of the sweetest characters I've ever read about. He's had feelings for Kaylee for months, but never acted on them in respect to his brother. I can't imagine how hard it must have been for him to see Kaylee and Nash together. But he waited, and I just adore Tod even more now.

So yet again, there was something going down in Arlington. There's never a peaceful moment in damn place. So other than Kaylee's impending death, they were also dealing with a not-so-human math teacher and there was also something weird going on with teenage girls in the area. After doing some digging, Kaylee realises that maybe these two things aren't coincidences, and maybe they're related. Finding out that your math teacher is an incubus who's seducing teenage girls obviously doesn't sit well with Kaylee. Especially when her best friend seems to be the next target. I have to say that the story line in this book was the best one yet. I'd only planned on reading a couple of chapters before going to sleep, but I just couldn't put this down! 

I have to say, I did cry a hell of a lot throughout this book mainly because of: Kaylee & Nash; Nash being a dick and hurting Kaylee; Kaylee & Tod and of course, the ending. My emotions were all over the place with this book. As soon as I'd finished crying because of one part, something else quickly came along and set me off again. 

Overall, If I Die has probably been my favourite of all the Soul Screamer books yet (and I've loved them all). This is such a fantastic series that just gets better and better with every book. I'm absolutely loving it and I can't wait to get stuck into Before I Wake!

1 Year Blogoversary!

It's my 1 year blogoversary today!

I can't believe it's been a whole year since I started blogging, it only feels like yesterday. I was having a little look back at my first couple of blog posts (back when I had no idea what I was doing) and god are they terrible. I've learnt so much about blogging over the past year, and I'm still learning! It's amazing how much a year can change everything. And this has definitely been one of the best years ever!

Over the past year I've met so many amazing bloggers; read so many amazing books and had a hell of a lot of fun running my blog. And it's all been because of you guys - my amazing followers. 

You guys are just amazing and I love you all! Thank you so much for sticking around with me, it's been one brilliant year :)

And to thank you guys for been fantastically awesome, I'm doing a giveaway!
It's an International Giveaway, so anyone can enter as long as the Book Depository ships to your country!

Again, thank you guys so much for being so awesome!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

August Wrap Up/September TBR

August Wrap Up

Wow is this year going by fast! I can't believe it's the 1st of September tomorrow! And in 4 months, it'll be 2014... Yeah, this year has just flown by.

I had a pretty good reading month in August. I managed to read 26 books, and most of them were books I gave 5 stars to. So not only did I read a lot of books, I read a lot of fantastic books in August.

I really struggled to pick a favourite book this month. I read so many great ones, and there were 3 I just couldn't choose between: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas; If I Die by Rachel Vincent & Origin by Jennifer L Armentrout.

I loved all of these books for different reasons and I just couldn't pick between the 3 of them.

September TBR

So for September, I'm not going to set myself a massive amount of books to read because I'm planning on getting around to reading some review books (but they all depend on what kind of mood I'm in). Plus, I may borrow books from the library/buy books that I want to read asap, so I'm just going to set myself 10 books and after that I can read whatever I want.

Let me know in the comments what your favourite book of August was and what you're planning to read in September!

Unbreakable by Elizabeth Norris

Unbreakable by Elizabeth Norris
Series: Unravelling #2
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: June 6th 2013
Source: Netgalley (Publisher)

Four months after Ben disappeared through the portal to his home universe, Janelle believes she’ll never see him again. Her world is still devastated, but civilisation is slowly rebuilding, and life is finally starting to resume some kind of normality. Until Interverse agent Taylor Barclay shows up. He’s got a problem, and he needs Janelle’s help. Somebody from an alternate universe is running a human trafficking ring – kidnapping people and selling them on different Earths. And Ben, with his unique abilities, is the prime suspect. To make things worse, Janelle learns that someone she cares about – someone from her own world – has become one of the missing.

Now Janelle has five days to track down the real culprit. Five days to locate the missing people before they’re lost forever. Five days to reunite with the boy who stole her heart. Can she uncover the truth before everyone she cares about is killed?

Even though I have 3 reviews to write before this one, I had to get this one written first because I have so much to say about this book. Plus, I've actually managed to stop crying but I'll probably start again while writing the review (it was so damn heartbreaking!). 

First things first, holy crap Elizabeth Norris. I didn't think I could be even more torn up than I was at Unravelling, but this book almost killed me. Things were building and building throughout the book, and then the ending was cruel and unexpected and horrible. Well done on writing such a fantastic and heartbreaking ending.

The story line of this one focuses on a human trafficking ring that are kidnapping people from different universes to use as slaves. Barclay comes back to get Janelle because Ben is believed to have been a part of the ring. So Janelle and Barclay set out to clear Ben's name and rescue everyone that has been kidnapped.

I loved Janelle so much more in this one. She proved herself to be such a badass and she knew exactly what she had to do to survive. She managed to get out of some pretty tough situations and save people along the way. She was so strong and tough. She was determined to get her friend back, and she never forgot about that for one second. I loved that about her.

When Ben first came into this book, I knew I was so over him. He did some pretty terrible things and even though he said he did it for Janelle, I couldn't forgive him for what he'd done. I still saw the connection between him and Janelle, but I just wasn't rooting for them anymore.

I freaking loved Barclay in this one! He came back for Janelle because he knew that he could rely on her to help him. Barclay was always looking out for Janelle and protecting her. I just loved him so much.

My emotions were all over the place before I even started this book (I blame Amber for that), and I just got worse throughout the book and especially at the ending. There was so much to focus on in this one. Who was in control of the trafficking ring? Why were they doing it? Where was Ben? Was he involved? Who can be trusted?
This was a book full of questions that all answered throughout the book. I was so hooked that I finished it in about 5 hours. It was unputdownable and a much better (and more heartbreaking) than the first one.

The ending almost killed me. I'd been all geared up for something that had been building throughout the whole book, and then the cruel ending happened and ruined everything. I was a complete wreck for about the last 20% of this book, I could barely see my kindle through my tears. I can't even explain why I was crying because it'd be a major spoiler, but I will say that it tore me apart. I didn't want to read on because I was in so much pain, but I did and the book ended perfectly. I'm still upset that my ending didn't happen, but it was still a perfect ending to this series.

Overall, this was an extremely emotional and heartbreaking novel but I loved every second of it. If you haven't read this series yet I definitely, definitely recommend it. It's amazing.

Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris

Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris
Series: Unravelling #1
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: April 24th 2012
Source: Bought

STOP THE COUNTDOWN. SAVE THE WORLD…

Leaving the beach, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit head on by a pickup truck. And killed. Then Ben Michaels, resident stoner, is leaning over her. And even though it isn’t possible, she knows Ben somehow brought her back to life…

Meanwhile, Janelle’s father, a special agent for the FBI, starts working on a case that seems strangely connected to Ben. Digging in his files, Janelle finds a mysterious device – one that seems to be counting down to something that will happen in 23 days and 10 hours time.

That something? It might just be the end of the world. And if Janelle wants to stop it, she’s going to need to uncover Ben’s secrets – and keep from falling in love with him in the process…

The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick
Publisher: Picador
Publication Date: October 25th 2012
Source: Bought

Pat Peoples knows that life doesn’t always go according to plan, but he’s determined to get his back on track. 

After a stint in a psychiatric hospital, Pat is staying with his parents and trying to live according to his new philosophy: get fit, be nice and always look for the silver lining. Most importantly, Pat is determined to be reconciled with his wife Nikki. Pat’s parents just want to protect him so he can get back on his feet, but when Pat befriends the mysterious Tiffany, the secrets they've been keeping from him threaten to come out...