SSRC Check-in and Giveaway #3

This discussion post is for those who have read My Soul to Save - whether during the challenge or before.

We're just over a week into month two of the reading challenge. Not everyone who signed up posted a review during the first month, but that's okay! There are plenty of months left during the challenge to participate.

And some readers posted more than one review during the first month of the challenge which is AWESOME!

But it's time for another check in. There are quite a few readers who have already posted their reviews. I'm not one of them, but I definitely won't be waiting until the last minute to write my review like last month, although I still don't plan on posting it until the end of the challenge month.

This month's read is My Soul to Save. And things take a bit of a turn in this second book in the series. They get just a little bit darker.

But what I'd love to know is:

1. Are you a first reader or a re-reader of My Soul to Save?

2a. If you have read MSTSave before and you haven't yet re-read it: Do you remember what happens in this book? Do you anticipate feeling any different with the re-read? Do you think your loyalty toward the boy you chose for Kaylee in the first book will change in this book? Why?

(Please try to keep your answers spoiler-free and only give your opinions as they pertain to MSTSave.)

2b. If you have read MSTSave before and you have re-read it: Did you remember everything from your first read or did you discover something new? Did you like it more on the re-read or did you like it better the first time around? Why? Did your loyalty toward the boy you chose for Kaylee in the first book change in this book? Why?

(Please try to keep your answers spoiler-free and only give your opinions as they pertain to MSTSave.)

2c. If this is your first read of MSTSave and you haven't yet read it: Have you read the description or have you heard the chatter about this book? Going in, do you have any preconceived notions about what to expect? What are you most anticipating about this next book?

(Please try to keep your answers spoiler-free and only give your opinions as they pertain to MSTSave.)

2d. If this is your first read of MSTSave and you have read it: Was it everything you expected it to be? Were there any surprises? Do you want to keep reading? If so, just how tough will it be for you to wait? Has your loyalty toward the boy you chose for Kaylee in the first book changed? Why?

(Please try to keep your answers spoiler-free and only give your opinions as they pertain to MSTSave.)

3. Any other thoughts?

If you leave a comment with your answers to the above three questions and a way to get in touch - Twitter name, FB page, email or other - I will let Random choose one winner on Sunday night at 10 p.m. Pacific for:

One copy of any of Rachel Vincent's books that I can order from Amazon or The Book Depository. (This can include the two anthologies with the short stories that are in this month's mini-challenge, which will be held again in a couple months.)

Yes, it's international. Yes, you have to be at least 13. And yes, if you choose one of the adult reads you need to be at least 18.

I will contact the winner for their book selection by whichever method they leave me to contact them and announce them here in this post on Monday.

THE GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. Good luck everyone. I'll be running the numbers through Random and announcing the winner on Monday!

Congratulations kelseykins! You are the winner of the Rachel Vincent book of your choice. I'll be notifying you by Twitter so that you can send me your details and book choice.

Thanks so much to everyone for sharing their thoughts on the re-read experience so far. I will be having another check in soon!

Helene's Review of My Soul to Lose

My Soul to Lose

The first time, I read MSTL after reading the five books so I knew everything about Kaylee.

But this novella is a good start for those who don’t know Soul Screamers. We meet an average teenager “Kaylee” who was dump by his boyfriend and who want to have a revenge with the help of her best friend Emma. But, Kaylee is not an average teenager. She see shadows and she need to cry. But she doesn’t know why.

Immediately, we were with Kaylee during her panick attack and after in a psychiatric hospital. Kaylee doesn’t want to stay in this place and it’s a difficult period of this life.

After reading this Novella we understand better why Kaylee is so afraid of Lakeside. And this week in the hospital continues to haunt Kaylee in the others books, especially in the first book.

Helene's Review of Reaper

Reaper

After reading the first and the second book, I was a big fan of Tod, so I was so happy to read Reaper. In this book, we learn how Tod become a reaper. And it’s so great to read with a Tod’s point of view.

When we first meet Tod in My Soul to Take, he is a reaper since two years. He’s not a human anymore. He lost a bit of his humanity. But in Reaper we can see Tod the human, the seventeen years old boy.

In the beginning Tod is just an average teenager. He goes out with girl, he like watching TV. He has a little brother and he has to deal with him. The two brothers squabble like all the siblings. But Tod is not a bad brother. He goes to take Nash when he calls and he cares about him.

When they had the accident, he was so terrible for Tod. His brother is killed and Tod felt guilty because he said bad things to his brother. He had the courageous to call the reaper and he took Nash place. He gave his life for his brother. Even if he said to Levy that he was not an angel, Tod is a good person. When he look at Nash for the last time it’s very sad. We want to cry.

I love all the things with Levy when he learned that he can have an after life. We learn more about reapers and the qualify to become one of them.

Tod is very amazing. He took this very good for someone who just die. We know that Tod is very funny as a reaper but he was already funny before. I love this facet of Tod. He has a good humor.

When Levy left Tod at his mother’s house it was very very sad. Tod saw that he had no place there. It’s not his home. He can just see his mother and brother cry. I want to cry too. It was so difficult for Tod. He can do nothing for them. And before leaving the house, he saw his birthday’s cake. I want to cry again.

Finally he took the job and went to talk to his mother. It was a beautiful moment with a lot of emotions.

Finally he killed the man who killed him. He says he is not an angel and he says right.

For the fan of Tod and for other, this novella is so great. For those who love Tod, they love him more, and for the others they discover a wonderful boy.

I love this Novella and I can read it again and again.

Thanks to Rachel Vincent who creates my favorite character.

Helene's Review of My Soul to Save

My Soul to Save

This is my fourth reading of this book but my first in English and I love “Soul Screamers” more and more.

The second book is as good as the first. There is action all the time. It’s a race against time. Someone is in danger and the time is short.

I’m a fan of Kaylee.

She have to deal again with her new world. She learns how to use her powers and all the things around this.

Kaylee is a good person who is always there to protect innocent victims. When she knows that one person is in danger she goes again the danger.

Addison Page, the popstar, sold her soul to an hellion and she is going to die without it. When Tod asks Kaylee to help Addy to recover her soul, she says “Yes” immediately while she knows she will be in danger too. She wants to help Addy and her sister and she does all she can to do that. She is afraid but she do it. She is going to die in the netherworld but she stays and deal with the hellion. She is very courageous.

I like Kaylee but the character I prefer is Tod. I love him in the first book and I’m so happy to see it again. Tod is present in all the chapters. He is so great.

We discover a new aspect of him. He is not a grim reaper, heartless. When he learns that Addy, his ex-girlfriend is going to die he is devastated and he wants to save her so much. He asks Kaylee and his brother to help Addy. He is so cute when he is with Addy. He takes her hand, he supports her.

In the end, he is so sad. He has just lost Addy knowing that she will suffer for an eternity with Avari. For that, he sends the bad guy Dekker in the Netherworld.

I like Emma, the good friend. She is always here for Kaylee. She lends her car and lies to Kaylee’s father. Kaylee and Nash’s world is very strange for her but when she can help, she is here. I like her meeting with Tod. She takes the thing very well.

Nash is a good support for Kaylee. He was here for her in the first book and now he puts his life in danger to stay with Kaylee and help her.

In the first book, we discover that there are been sidhe and reaper. In this book, we learn about a new world where there hellions, fiends, poisonous animals and plants, where you can sell your soul. It’s a very dangerous world where Kaylee have to go. In this world there are others rules. One false step and you can die. Kaylee will have to deal with this new world. And things are not over.

To conclude I love this second book. The story is so good and there are great characters.

I go now to read the third.

Ps : sorry for my English.

Helene's Review of My Soul to Take

My Soul to Take

To begin, sorry if there are a lot of mistakes in my review. I’m French and it’s a little difficult to write in English.

I read “My Soul to Take” three times in French so this time I read it in English and I love it.

The first time I read this book last year, I became fan. This story is so cool and we have no vampires, no werewolfs, no angels. We meet an other species: the banshees.

Rachel Vincent takes us into a new world with banshees, reapers, hellions. It’s a very interesting world.

The story is so great and original. We are always in motion with the character.

Kaylee, the heroine is a nice girl. She has a lot of courage and she does everything to protect people she loves. She goes against the danger even if she can die for this. She is my favorite female character. I like her.

My favorite character is Tod. I love him. At the beginning, he is a little scary. He is a grim reaper, so he can be dangerous. However, he is very interesting and a good looking boy. He helps Kaylee and Nash and I like when he teases them. He speaks only to Kaylee and Nash is angry because he can’t hear him. It’s amazing. I became a very fan of Tod.

To conclude, My Soul to Take is very great book and I can read it again and again, in French or in English. Thanks to Rachel Vincent for this.

Renee's Review of My Soul to Take

My Soul to Take

Rachel Vincent, I tip my hat to you. With this being my second read of My Soul to Take, I had expected to glaze over the many twists and turns in this book that had once left me breathless and, at times, a little annoyed with some of the characters. While it is true that I remembered many of the surprises, I was left with an even greater understanding of how amazing of a writer she really is.

The character development in the Soul Screamers novels is outstanding. When you read through each of the books, very rarely do you notice any uncharacteristic traits appear out of anyone, but they all change just the same. Starting over from the beginning has shown me this. Each of the characters grew so much throughout the story, but it was so believable that I never questioned it. In fact I wouldn't have even noticed if I hadn't met them again from the start.

And it does feel like I know these characters. Each of them are so settled into their own person that I can count on them to be true to themselves without falling into the cookie cutter snare that so many succumb to.

Kaylee is as strong of a heroine as they come. So much has been thrown at her in these past few days: she's met a grim reaper, seen people drop dead right in front of her eyes, learned the truth about what happened the night her mother died, and on top of all of that, she isn't even human. How's that for a surprise?

Even though she's had to deal with more than should ever be expected of anyone, she handles it all like a pro. Only once or twice does she break down under the weight that has been placed on her shoulders, but even then, she recovers to deal with the matter at hand. Kaylee may not be your average kick-butt, demon slaying, paranormal heroine, but her strength as a person gives her much more to offer.

If you're looking for a book to steal you away and bring you into a world to fall in love with, go read this right now. Otherwise, dig yourself out of your hole and embrace the light because this book will pick you up and never let you go.

Rating: 5 stars

SSRC Month One Winners

Prize #1 - The Rachel Vincent book of your choice ordered from Amazon or The Book Depository to TWO WINNERS

Winner One - #50 Mersadies of My Book Obsession

(Original Winner Two is a forfeit as their link could not be verified and they did not respond to comment to update their entry.)

Winner Two - #58 YA Readers Escape

Prize #2 - The signed copy of My Soul to Keep to ONE WINNER

Winner - #61 Fiction Freak

Prize #3 - A Kindle eBook copy of Never to Sleep to FOUR WINNERS

Winner One - #111 Blackplume

Winner Two - #95 Alba @ Bookpics

Winner Three - #71 Books4Juliet

Winner Four - #7 Jos Book Reviews

Prize #4 - A Kinde eBook copy of either Reaper or My Soul to Lose to TWO WINNERS

(Once again original Winner One is a forfeit as their link could not be verified and they did not respond to comment to update their entry.)

Winner One - #107 Epic Chocolate Fantasy

Winner Two - #73 Once Upon a Bookcase

WINNERS, if you do not wish to receive your prize - whether it is the eBook or print copy - please let me know by email at fiktshun[at]gmail[dot]com or in the comments and I'll choose another winner or winners. If you choose not to accept your prize, I will give you an extra entry into next month's giveaway.

Winners of the book of your choice, please contact me by email with your address details and your book of choice.

Winner of the signed book, please contact me by email with your address details.

Winners of the Kindle eBooks, please contact me by email with the email address you wish to use to receive your Kindle eBook gift. (It does not have to be the email address you use for your Amazon account. It's just the address you'll get the Kindle eBook gift certificate.)

Congratulations to the month one giveaway winners! With each month of the giveaway more prizes will be added!

PLEASE NOTE....

There were a few entrants who either had links that couldn't be verified, posts that fell outside the dates for the first month's challenge or links that were not entered into the Linky.

For those who left them in the comments and didn't update the Linky, for this month ONLY I've assigned them a number.

For those who had multiple reviews in one post, for this month ONLY I've assigned them additional entry numbers.

But for next month please remember:

1. Links to posts MUST be to the post. It's especially important for those who leave posts on Goodreads. If I can't verify that a review was done, I can't count that review as completed for the giveaways.

2. Links to post MUST be left in the linky. Your entry into the monthly giveaways only counts if you have a number, so links in comments won't be counted. For this month ONLY I've manually assigned a number to those who haven't left their link in the linky.

3. If you review more than one book each month, please create it as a separate post so that you can have multiple entries into each month's giveaway. If you post two or three reviews in one post you'll only get assigned one number which means only one entry. For this month I've gone ahead and manually assigned additional numbers but for the MONTH TWO giveaways you will only get one entry for each link you leave, even if you have multiple reviews.

4. Reviews MUST be from the time period of that month's challenge. While I'm leaving the Linky list open for a few days after each month's challenge for anyone who forgot to leave their links, the challenge dates end EVERY MONTH on the 14th of the month. So anyone who left a link to a review posted on February 15th or later are not eligible for the month one giveaway. You can add your link into the month two giveaway and have multiple entries for month two. BUT MAKE SURE TO GET YOUR REVIEWS IN DURING THE CHALLENGE DATES IF YOU WANT TO BE COUNTED FOR THAT MONTH.

See my final "UPDATE" comment HERE to find out if you need to resubmit your links or if you were one of the entrants that any of the above apply to.

Thanks so much to everyone participating in the challenge! I can't believe all the reviews rolling in. Month two has just begun and there are already reviews posted. This is AWESOME!

I hope you're enjoying the books, whether they're your first read, re-read, re-re-read or more! This is one of my all-time favorite series and I just love that everyone is getting the chance to discover or revisit these books!

Happy SSRC Reading!

My Soul to Take... It's quote time!

Now that the first month of the Soul Screamers Reading Challenge has officially ended, I thought I'd share fifteen of my favorite quotes and passages from this first book in the series.

If you're taking the challenge, but haven't yet read MSTTake, don't read on. While the quotes aren't totally spoiler-y for the plot, they do highlight some of my favorite moments and lines in this book, and I really feel you should discover them for yourself. In context.

Seriously, if you haven't read it, leave now and go read it!

And no, there are none of my favorite sexy scenes. I left those off because those must be discovered in your read of the story. Being left breathless is half the fun after all!

On Kaylee seeing Nash at Taboo...

Nash Hudson. Holy crap. I almost looked down to see if ice had anchored my feet to the floor, since hell had surely frozen over. Somehow I'd stepped off the dance floor and into some weird warp zone where irises swam with color and Nash Hudson smiled at me, and me alone.

On Kaylee not trusting Nash...

He tried to laugh, but the sound was stilted, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I wouldn't--"

"Save it. Rumor has it you've conquered more territory than Ghengis Khan."

A single dark brow rose in the shadows, challenging me. "You believe everything you hear?"

On Kaylee still not trusting Nash...

He grinned and opened his door, and the overhead light flared to life. His pupils shrank to pinpoints in the sudden glare, and as my heart raced, he leaned forward like he would kiss me. Instead, his cheek brushed mine and his warm breath skimmed my ear as he whispered, "That's half the fun."

On Aunt Val questioning Kaylee about the boy (Nash) who gave her a ride home...

"What year is he?"

I groaned inwardly. "Senior." Here we go...

Her smile was a little too enthusiastic. "Well, that's wonderful!"

Of course, what she really meant was "Rise from the shadows, social leper, and walk in the bright light of acceptance!"

On Nash trying to distract Kaylee...

"What should I be thinking about?" My own voice came out lower, my words so soft I could barely hear them.

"Me," he whispered back, leaning forward so that his lips brushed my ear as he spoke. His scent enveloped me, and his cheek felt scratchy against mine. "You should be thinking about me." His fingers intertwined with mine in my lap, and he pulled away from my ear slowly, his lips skimming my cheek, deliciously soft in contrast to the sharp stubble. He dropped a trail of small kisses along my jaw, and my heart beat harder with every single one.

On Kaylee about bean sidhes and reapers...

Great. "So not only am I not human, but Death is my arch foe?" Who me? Panic? "Anything else you want to tell me, while we're confessing?"

On Kaylee about Tod...

"So what does Tod look like? Whitewashed skeleton skulking around in a black cape and hood? Carrying a scythe? 'Cause I'm thinking that would cause mass panic in the hospital."

On Nash about Kaylee on her question about Tod... and Kaylee's response...

"Do you chase after funeral processions in a long, dirty dress, hair trailing behind you in the wind?"

I shot him a mock frown. "Have you been following me again?"

On Kaylee being worried that Nash was angry after she met Tod...

But Nash shook his head slowly. He was backlit by an overhead light near the entrance, and his dark hair seemed to glow around the edges. "I'm mad at him. I should have come by myself, but I didn't think he'd be interested in you."

My eyebrows shot up and I stepped to the side to see him better. "Because I'm a shrieking hag?"

On Kaylee getting ready to confront Aunt Val and Uncle Brendon...

I'm not crazy. I knew that now. And I wasn't alone--Nash was like me. Even so, dread was a plastic spork slowly digging out my insides as I pulled open the front door, then the screen.

On Kaylee about Nash and saying goodnight...

He relaxed a little then, and kissed me goodnight. I held him tight when he started to pull away, clinging to the taste and the feel of all things good and safe. Nash had become a shining tower of sanity in this new world of unprecedented chaos and unseen peril. And I didn't want to let him go.

On Kaylee about Tod...

Tod's grin grew as he leaned against the left-hand shelf, and a small dimple appeared in his right cheek, highlighted by the stark light from overhead. How could I not have noticed that before?

On Tod about Kaylee...

"You're something else, Kaylee Cavanaugh," Tod whispered, and I knew from Nash's blank, angry expression that he hadn't heard that part either, though he'd clearly seen the reaper's lips move.

On Kaylee fighting for Sophie...

My head spinning, throat throbbing, I ran into the kitchen. I glanced at the knife rack, then shook my head. I didn't know if I could stop her with one blow.

But I could whack the crap out of her.

On Kaylee responding to Aiden about the joys of being a bean sidhe...

I gave him a skeptical frown. "That's good to hear, 'cause from where I'm standing, it looks like a lot of death and screaming."

***

So, if you've read My Soul to Take this month for the challenge, or if you just read it on your own, what are some of your favorite quotes and passages from this book?

Any of the above? Do you prefer the sarcastic quotes or the swoonworthy ones? Share them in the comments!

SSRC Mini Challenge: Fearless and Niederwald

In addition to the three novellas that Rachel Vincent wrote in the Soul Screamers series, she also wrote two short stories.

Fearless, which can be found in the Kiss Me Deadly anthology and Niederwald which can be found in the Enthralled anthology.

As these two short stories are not included in the original list of extra credit reads, I thought I would do a mini challenge for these two books here on the Soul Screamers Reading Challenge Blog for this month only.

The Challenge

To read and review - or share your thoughts about - Fearless and Niederwald.

The Rules

1. Read either or both Fearless and Niederwald between February 15 and March 14, 2012. (It can be a re-read, but it must be re-read between February 15 and March 14.)
2. Review or post your thoughts on either or both books between February 15 and March 14, 2012. (The Linky will be open through March 17 for any reviewers who forgot to link them sooner, HOWEVER, posts MUST be from February 15 and March 14.)
3. Post your link to each review or thoughts post in the Linky below. Make sure you leave a link for EACH post.
4. Reviews MUST be posted between February 15 and March 14.
5. You can get up to TWO entries into this mini challenge giveaway.
6. There will be ONE winner.

The Prize

Winner will receive a signed paperback copy of My Soul to Steal OR two unsigned Rachel Vincent books of your choice from Amazon or The Book Depository.

Reminder

If you don't have a blog, Facebook page, Goodreads account or Tumblr, leave a comment below and if your thoughts or review is positive, I will post it here on the SSRC.

***

Good luck and Happy Mini Challenge!

UPDATE: For those who are first time readers, you may want to skip this mini challenge as the stories involve a character that will appear later in the series. I WILL be hosting this Mini Challenge again during the monthly read for MY SOUL TO STEAL with a different prize up for grabs.

Let's see those posts...

Reading Mind's Review of My Soul to Take

Soul Screamer #1

My Soul To Take

Review by Reading Mind

This is my re-reading of the book, and I was glad I did it, because it made me remember how my love for this series started.

I remember reading this book the very first time and thinking “I don’t really like you, Kaylee”, after just a few pages, but it clearly turned out I was wrong, because I ended up liking her and the book more than I thought I would, and the series just keeps getting better.

Okay, so, I was fascinated by the idea behind the book: banshee, screaming women that guide the souls of dying people. It was very new and I wanted to see how the story would deal with it, and I wasn’t disappointed at all. At first, the whole screaming thing was a little bit creepy: I’m okay with glowing, disappearing, seeing dead people, being a vampire/werewolf/ghost/whatever, but screaming? How could this be useful? How could Rachel Vincent make it interesting? And why did I doubt it? I wanted to read the next one the moment I finished this! The world building is wonderful and when you get to the end, everything makes sense.

Kaylee has a power which is clearly not easy to manage and that caused her problems in the past. I love how she seems like your typical girl bus she’s not: she’s strong, even if she sometimes doubts it, she’s impulsive, loyal and she says what’s on her mind. She sometimes messes up things, but with the best intentions and she’s cool. Very cool. We get to know a little bit about her powers and her world, which sounds very fascinating, but my main interest was getting to know the characters: I love Emma, Kaylee’s best friend, because she’s fun! And I like that we see her in the next books as well.

Strangely, I didn’t really connect with the main love interest, Nash, the super cute athletic boy who Kaylee falls in love with. It’s not that I really dislike him, it’s just…I always thought their whole relationship was a bit off and rushed. He’s nice, he knows about Kaylee’s ability (and has some of his own), but in my opinion Nash is just a spoiled guy. On the other hand, Tod…Yeah, Tod is absolutely great. I knew Rachel would have had more to say about him in the future, because, really, Nash’s dead brother is the most freaking lovely, ironic and angry reaper of all times. He’s funny, deadly funny, and it seems like he doesn’t care about anything. Key word here: seems.

The story was interesting and very enjoyable, and the end is full of unexpected twists and surprises that I didn’t really see it coming. So, even if at first I wasn’t sure I liked it, I ended up changing my mind. Re-reading the book just confirmed me with the fact that this series has gotten better that I imagined, and I was happy to see how it all began. I should really remember not to judge a book by its incipit!

Rating: 4 stars for the re-reading! (I gave it 3 stars on my first reading)

SSRC MSTTake Pick Your Boy and Giveaway

This discussion post is for those who have read My Soul to Take - whether during the challenge or before.

For those of us who have read the series, or read just a bit further into the series than the first book, we may have shifted our allegiance to a different boy for Kaylee.

But in My Soul to Take it seems as if there is only one perfect boy for Kaylee Cavanaugh. But then again, maybe not....

So, what I'd like to know is:

1. Is this your first read of My Soul to Take or a re-read?

2a. If you have read MSTTake before: Who did you think the perfect boy for Kaylee was on your first read of just that book? Why? Has your pick changed after re-reading it? Why? (Please try to keep your answers spoiler-free and only give your opinions as they pertain to MSTTake.)

2b. If this is your first read of MSTTake: Who do you think is the perfect boy for Kaylee? Why?

3. Any other thoughts?

If you leave a comment with your answers to the above three questions and a way to get in touch - Twitter name, FB page, email or other - I will let Random choose one winner on Sunday night at 10 p.m. Pacific for:

One copy of any of Rachel Vincent's books that I can order from Amazon or The Book Depository.

Yes, it's international. Yes, you have to be at least 13. And yes, if you choose one of the adult reads you need to be at least 18.

I will contact the winner for their book selection by whichever method they leave me to contact them and announce them here in this post on Monday.

THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

STAY TUNED AND I'LL BE ANNOUNCING THE WINNER TOMORROW.

Congratulations Mariana Pereira Bezerra! You are the winner for a Rachel Vincent book of your choice. I'll be contacting you by email for your details!

I'll be having another giveaway shortly, stay tuned...