Publisher: Harlequin (September 20th 201)
Format: Paperback, 342 pages
Series: Soul Screamers #5
Source: Around The World ARC Tours
Challenges: 100 Books in 2011, YA Series
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.
Rachel Vincent continues to blow me away! When I first started reading this series I didn't know what to expect. I had never read anything about Bean shides, let alone maras and reapers, all mixed into one. Once again Rachel Vincent does this beautifully.
** Beware of possible Spoilers if you have not read the previous installments **
Our main character, Kaylee, is back with Nash, her once ex-boyfriend who became addicted to Frost (a Netherworld drug that can literally make you crazy). Lets just say Kaylee has been through her fair share of pain and danger in last few months, but everything is getting back to normal. That is until a new teacher, who is not all together human, tries to seduce the girls of Eastlake High School.
“Eastlake High makes Buffy's hellmouth look like a crack in the sidewalk.”
Don't get me wrong, Kaylee's battle with this new teacher is important, but so is her life... or what little remains of it. You find out early on that Kaylee only has days to live - her time is up. What would you do if you found this out? Well, Kaylee decides to fill her time with finding out how to stop her teacher. She continues to amaze me with her strength and determination - I don't know if I would have the strength to make sure everyone I was leaving behind was okay. Rachel Vincent does an amazing job at making this realization, that she is going to die, very real. While Kaylee shows her strength she also shows reality when she literally freaking out and trying to hold onto what little she has left.
If I Die is Todd's time to shine (FINALLY!). I have loved his character from the very beginning - he is quirky, a smart ass, a jerk, honest, and in every sense of the word human and real (despite the fact that he is not human but a reaper and corporeal). If you loved Reaper as much as I did, If I Die will fill every Todd-need you may have (while creating much much more). I have also always wondered about Kaylee's relationship with Nash and Todd - - If I Die answers all your questions and creates more. But I will say I was 110% happy with the ending, which I didn't expect at all!!
“Tod's pale brows arched halfway up his forehead, and he looked suddenly, achingly wistful. "She knows not what she says..."
Maybe not. But I was starting to get a pretty good idea...”
Maybe not. But I was starting to get a pretty good idea...”
Rachel Vincent keeps you guessing, until the very last page. Her writing style and character development is top notch. You grow to love the characters, even the ones you are supposed to hate - you become a part of the story yourself. While I find myself rooting for Tood, I feel for Nash and even Sabine. Because you become imensly invested in every character, you do not want to see any of them hurt. Rachel Vincent wonderfully creates such a dilemma as Kaylee's imminent death can only hurt others. It is the journey until the end that shows the strength and true character of our characters. In doing so each supporting character is given their chance to show their connection to Kaylee and show how important she is to them, something Kaylee desperately needs as her past was always full of lies and deception.
I promise you will not be disappointed after you turn that last page - - you will be screaming "I WANT MORE!"
I liked this one better than My Soul to Save because MS2S kind of felt like a filler book whereas If I Die is full of action. Loved it!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing today:) I love action and a good story.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't get on with this series for some reason. Perhaps I should revisit but the first one just left me feeling flat.
ReplyDeleteLynn
I loved the first book in this series and am happy to know that this book is as good too. Thanks for this great review. Can't wait to read.
ReplyDelete